Today we have a few treats for you. The first is Bedazzled the first book in the Beguiling Bachelor Series is now only $.99! We also have 5 ebooks of Desire and Dessert to giveaway for this week’s treat.
About Bedazzled:
She’s fiercely independent. He’s thwarted by tradition – Can a brush of her hand be their brush with fate?
A woman with everything to gain.
Keeli Larsen craves success on her own terms. She has no support and less money, but she has talent and big dreams. Determined not to return to the family farm, this is Keeli’s last chance to make it. It’s also her final opportunity to connect with the out-of-her-league, gorgeous man in the penthouse office – her very own Prince Charming. Although they have never spoken, a crowded elevator, a chance encounter, and a misplaced hand are about to change everything.
A man with everything to lose.
Billionaire and sexy hunk, Wyatt Lyons Howe IV is on track to inherit a family empire he doesn’t want. With dreams of his own, Wyatt is suffocating under generations of family expectations and traditions until a brief moment and a brush of a hand set Wyatt on a crash course with love. Can Wyatt turn his back on his heritage to pursue his goals following the lead of this fiery redhead. Can he forfeit his wealth for freedom? Fearing Keeli is a down-on-her-luck artist looking for a bankroll, Wyatt doubts her motives. He’s been burned in the past but can’t resist the temptation. He is bedazzled.
A challenge accepted.
Wyatt is seduced by Keeli’s spirit and the sizzling chemistry between them. Used to getting what he wants, Wyatt determines to make Keeli his own. But first he must outsmart a scheming fiancé, oppose his family and friends, overcome his doubts, and walk away from his wealth and power. And, of course, he must win her heart.
If you love sassy women and strong sexy men overcoming all odds on their road to romance, buy this steamy page turner, and meet the first of the Beguiling Bachelors.
- Amazon Buy Link https://amzn.to/2GhgOxH
Excerpt from Bedazzled:
(This is an excerpt from the freshly edited version of Bedazzled that will be available very soon!)
The chatter in the elevator lightened her mood immediately, reminding Keeli of all the people who had started with only a few dollars and a dream. In many cases, they had made it without knowing the language or customs of their adopted country. By comparison, she had many advantages and instantly felt better about her choice, more confident about moving forward on her own. Mr. Weinberg let her take many of her pieces with her when she left his employ. There had been no severance check, of course, but the ready inventory was a gift. Keeli let the renewed confidence surge through her body, standing straight and looking ahead. Watching her step, careful not to bump anyone with her parcel, Keeli stepped into the divide and moved toward the back.
That was the moment she saw HIM. He was the best thing – by far – about working in this building. She was standing face to face with the virile, gorgeous, sexy man she saw in the elevator regularly. Well, almost face-to-face since he was at least 4 or 5 inches taller than her statuesque 5’10”.
He was what she would miss most about this job – these random opportunities to ride the elevator and watch him, getting to stand close, allowing her imagination to run wild with fantasies – all starring him, of course.
Most of the time, he hid mysteriously behind a pair of Wayfarers, but the rain today afforded Keeli a chance to admire the intelligence and concentration in his azure eyes. He stood with his shoulders back, head towering over everyone’s Looking up, Keeli locked eyes with his, his mouth lifting in a half smile. Keeli shyly dropped her head as a blush rose to her cheeks and her heart sped up. She knew the smile was just politeness. She wanted so much more. She wanted him to notice her the way she noticed him, feel about her as she did about him.
If only he had the same visceral reaction that Keeli had to him, perhaps he would have spoken to her by now. She could not overcome her shyness to initiate a conversation, but if he longed for her as she did him…obviously, he was not interested. Now she would never see him again. Her disappointment was way out of proportion; he was a stranger. But he had this pull on her. Instead of thinking of him as a stranger, she thought of him as hers.
Hers. What a laugh. Wake up Keeli!
Everyone noticed him – man and woman alike. She saw it on elevator rides and when he traversed the lobby. Yes, he was particularly tall, a few inches over six feet. However, it was more than his height that drew the eye. He was compelling, confident, and assured. He was beyond handsome with his chiseled features, thick wavy hair and well-muscled body clad in custom suits. Keeli was drawn to him like a bee to honey. She had seen other women catch his eye, seen them smile and flirt easily. She was overwhelmingly shy when near him, preventing her from ever making him ‘hers’.
They crossed paths at the coffee kiosk or in the elevator at least once a week. She knew she was projecting her own desires, but sometimes it seemed to her that he was seeking her out. Even so, Keeli never exchanged more than a polite “hello” and he was always polite, but aloof. Although she longed for some reason to speak more than pleasantries, she was unable to move past that invisible barrier she felt between them.
Why, oh why is facing forward considered appropriate elevator etiquette? I just want to stare at him one last time. Today needs to be the day to think of something to say, some witty conversation opener. You are running out of time
Her brain searched now for a reason to speak, knowing it was her last chance. Instead, she reluctantly turned to face the doors. He was standing so close, lazily leaning his shoulders against the back wall. She felt the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck, goose bumps travelling up her arms in response to the moist heat. She was rocked by her immediate, erotic reaction.
Reigning in her body’s response, Keeli reminded herself that the warm breath was a result of proximity, not desire. She was a non-entity to him and had been for the16 months she had worked there. His polished appearance, custom suits and elegant leather briefcase contrasted with her wild red hair, shabby jacket, scuffed boots and faded Old Navy dress. He epitomized class and privilege; she embodied shabby chic. Maybe not even chic – just shabby. She could never bridge the gulf.
Nonetheless, she was drawn to him, so she did her homework. He rode the elevator to the top – the executive floor for Lyons Howe Real Estate – the company that occupied the top four floors of the building. LHRE owned this building as well as at least 100 other buildings around the Loop, more throughout the Midwest and God only knew what else. The first time she saw him hit the button for the top floor she Googled LHRE.
There he was, his handsome face staring at her from the screen of her computer. His picture was at the top of the home page, just below an elaborate logo for the prestigious firm and a photo of his silver-haired, stern-faced father Wyatt III, the CEO and President. Wyatt’s gorgeous blue eyes stared back at her, so compelling that he could entice her with only a professional headshot. Below his picture, his title indicated he was Chief Information Officer, obviously a top member of the LHRE executive team. He looked like a younger, more handsome, and less serious version of his father.
The family resemblance continued with his brother who appeared about ten years his junior, fresh faced and innocent, but already a vice-president. The beautiful woman pictured was identified as his sister and Chief Financial Officer. She looked close in age to her brother, Wyatt, serious and aristocratic. They embodied the perfect example of a privileged family and a solid, trustworthy executive team.
Once she knew his name, Keeli devoured any information she could find about Wyatt. One of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors. Wyatt Lyons Howe was the model of an American blueblood, old money, European tours, private clubs and the best schools. Heir to the massive LHRE empire, he oozed success. He moved like he owned the world, or at least a sizable chunk of it.
Besides, he was Wyatt Lyons Howe IV. Unreachable, untouchable, unavailable to someone like her. He was the sun. She was lucky to feel a tiny touch of his warmth, to orbit occasionally. She was Pluto – far, far away.
Here she was, close enough to feel that warmth. Keeli knew if she just inched back she could touch him. After all, she lusted after him, fantasized about him endlessly, dreamed of marrying him, growing old with him. He was everything she was looking for, the perfect package – intelligence, sophistication, a commanding air, sex appeal and those staggering good looks.
Oh yeah, and he had that power thing going too. He radiated power. It was such a turn on.
As she caught a hint of his clean, outdoorsy scent, Keeli pictured him behind her; his gorgeous face, that end-of-day shadowed jaw, the slight tan he sported even during a Chicago winter. Wyatt dominated her dreams, waking and sleeping. She had fallen in love with him the first time she heard him laugh a hearty, full-bodied sound that gave her a sense that he knew how to enjoy life. He was her dream man.
So what if we have never exchanged two words? Details, details.
At that very moment, she envisioned him reaching out from behind her, slipping his arms around her and pulling her up against him. She could imagine the rough feel of his wool trousers, scratchy against her thighs, followed by the softer feel of his fingers sliding up her legs. She felt goose bumps rise on her skin as she fantasized about his lips caressing her neck, moving from there to her cheekbone as he spun her around so she was pressed against him, his mouth, descending to claim hers in a kiss. She pictured herself dizzy with desire, all feminine softness clasped against the hard power of his thighs, the length of his erection….Oh my god, she was getting damp just standing near him, letting her imagination run wild.
Keeli’s heart thumped so loudly, Keeli wondered if Wyatt could hear it above the workings of the old elevator. Was he looking at her with those piercing azure eyes? Was he flashing her his perfect smile, clear evidence of great genes or years of orthodontia? She wanted to turn around and get one last look at this beautiful man to store in her memory but she was so aroused she feared he would glimpse her flushed face and notice her rapidly hardening nipples even through layers of fabric.
Standing in front of him now, Keeli’s head just reached his shoulder despite her height. Her body itched to sway back the scant distance to rest her head upon his broad chest, feel the softness of his fine shirt, and lean her rounded contours against the hard planes of his chest.
I will have to wear heels when we date. As if I would ever have an opportunity. Who am I kidding? Damn, did I think the elevator was slow? This ride is going way too fast.
They quickly dropped from the upper levels of the building, the doors opening on the fourth floor. Two more people stepped into the already crowded space forcing Keeli to back up to accommodate them.
And it happened. In a split second, without thinking or planning, Keeli felt herself losing hold of her box and her footing. Juggling everything to one hand she reached for some kind of support, backing into Wyatt, her hand resting solidly against the front of his pants. Thank heavens he couldn’t see her face now, flaming every shade of red. He didn’t move at first, shocked perhaps, and then his large hand swiftly nudged hers away. Had she felt an erection? Wanting to die of mortification, Keeli feigned ignorance and Wyatt chose to do the same.
It was one thing to imagine feeling him, another to do it, even by mistake. She wanted to crawl in a hole and die. In moments, they were at lobby level. As the doors opened, Keeli felt the unmistakable pressure of his hand on the small of her back, warm, strong and certain. It was solidly placed and it was electric. The sensuous touch heated her skin through her wool dress setting Keeli’s body to vibrate.
Her brain was on sensory overload, until she was alerted to the silky feel of his hand snaking its way over the curve of her hip in an unfaltering and unsubtle caress. The contact was swift but significant. He had her round derriere in the firm grasp of his large palm. He’d never looked her way, although Keeli would swear he had just quite intentionally grabbed her ass.
Am I wrong? Was this an accident? Could he really have been unaware?
The elevator was emptying as she stepped out, still feeling the erotic heat of her own musings, the memory of his body in her grasp, his breath on her neck, and his strong hand moving over her behind.
Flustered, she remained mute. He too said nothing, cool and composed as he stepped from the car. Then he was gone, moving from the elevator through the crowd with that long, easy stride, unaware of the overwhelming desire coursing through her.
He must have done it on purpose, right? He finds me desirable. Hang on, Keeli; maybe he thinks you’re a piece of meat. Who the hell does he think he is anyway? Dammit, am I supposed to be excited or offended?
Her heart pounding, her skin tingling, Keeli was hot all over from the combination of her fantasy and the very real feel of his touch. She relived the moment until the fog lifted from her brain and allowed it to reengage. She regained her composure, shoved her arms through her coat sleeves and checked to make sure it was closed. She shuffled with the crowd toward the revolving doors.
A wintry rain was falling, cold and unrelenting. Keeli pulled her inadequate coat closer and stepped away from the protection of the building. She felt the warmth of her desire slipping away as if running down the nearest storm drain, the chilling wet replacing her euphoria. She walked the short block to the “L” station, getting drenched. With each step, the warmth of the unbelievable encounter diminished to be replaced by the sad reality of cold, wet, and broke.
About the Author:
Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.
A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.
After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.
Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing,, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally iil or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?
Social Links:
- Website: madisonmichael.net
- Maddy’s Romance Madness: madisonmichael.net/category/mrm/
- Maddy’s Tours and Treats: madisonmichael.net/category/tours-and-treats/
- Facebook: facebook.com/madisonmichaelromance
- Twitter: twitter.com/madisonmichael_
- Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/Madison-Michael/e/B01EVUGG6G/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1