Black belt Abe Montgomery is focused on winning gold. But at nationals, Abe meets Paris, a beautiful, mysterious woman. Paris Rivera has sworn off men and martial arts. Her black belt cost her more than years of dedication and sweat. The fight of Abe’s life looms ahead, with his dreams of owning a school and his future with Paris hanging in the balance. He may dominate on the mats, but he’s fallen hard for her. When the time comes for them to part, he may not be able to let go.
BELOW THE BELT is a 30,000 word novella of erotic romance featuring explicit sex and graphic language. Not for those under 18 years of age or those uncomfortable with the subject matter.
Sounds yummy right? Even the cover looks yummy!! But take a look at the excerpt!!
A Kiss Between Strangers
A first kiss can be the culmination of weeks or months of years of longing. It can come at the end of years of platonic friendship or at the end of dates filled with sexual tension. But what about when the couple doesn’t really know each other?
It’s out of order. They aren’t friends yet, they haven’t dated yet, but the situation was ripe and someone went for it. Maybe they’re seeking respite from a stressful time in their lives or maybe they just don’t value the physical relationships…yet. I’d say both of these apply to Below the Belt’s hero, Abe.
He’s here at a National martial arts competition, where everyone is looking at him as the guy to beat. His entire future is riding on winning gold, because that means sponsorships and being able to afford to open his own Taekwondo school. And then, at a stuffy ballroom even, his friends goad him into a bet.
From there he meets Paris. He doesn’t know her. This is only supposed to be physical. It only can be physical, because they hardly know each other. Take a look:
He led her by the hand out into the hallway, with only the muted laughter spilling out of the ballroom behind them. A few people loitered in small groups outside the ballroom doors, but as soon as Abe and Paris rounded the corner they were alone. They walked through the shadows of the spacious hotel hallways, the thick carpet strange under his dress shoes. The chandeliers and sconces were dimmed, the doors closed, not part of the night’s event.
“Are we allowed to be here?” she whispered.
Abe shrugged. “Who’s going to catch us?”
They wandered down the hallway, the voices from the ballroom dimmed to a faint hum.
“You never did tell me what you’re doing here,” he said.
She didn’t answer right away.
Abe heard the sound of an elevator opening from around the corner. He didn’t want to be seen. A pair of heavy doors were nearby, cracked open.
He pulled her into his arms as they stumbled into the dark room.
She gasped.
“Shh,” he said into her hair. They both held still in an embrace against the door. He breathed in the sweet citrus scent of her, fighting the urge to let his hands wander.
When the voices had passed by, she said breathlessly, “I guess that answers that question.”
“What question?” he asked. He was having a hard time focusing with her warmth pressed fully against his body. She had to feel his hardness now.
“About who’s going to catch us.”
“Oh.” He didn’t move away. He tangled his hand in her curls like he’d been wanting to since he first saw them. So soft. His fingers tightened slightly. “We’ll be safe in here. It’s more fun without a crowd anyway, don’t you think?”
“Is that all you think about—fun?”
“No. Hardly ever.” And wasn’t that the truth. Between training and working to save up to open his own school, he rarely had time to kick back or go out. He’d only come to this sponsors’ event because Sa Bum Nim made attendance mandatory.
“What about you?” He trailed his other hand up her hip to rest on her waist.
“What?” She sounded distracted. Good. He was distracted, too.
“Are you all about the fun?”
“No.” She exhaled long and low. “Not usually.”
He rested his forehead against hers, trying to find some control. His cock swelled uncomfortably against his pants. All he wanted to do was grind it into her—no, push it into her—but he had to go slowly. He didn’t want to scare her away.
Abe wanted her. It wasn’t about some stupid bet or even about stress relief. He wasn’t sure what was so special about her, or whether it was purely physical, but he wanted her, and badly.
“Paris, I’m going to kiss you.”
“Okay,” he thought she said. As he pressed a light, almost chaste, kiss to her lips, a jolt of heat seared him. His tongue swiped the seam of her lips. He tasted champagne as he slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
More, set up a steady chant in his head, in time with the rush of blood in his head and his cock.
Her hair was so soft. His hands tightened through the strands. He used his grip in her hair to tilt her head back further, kissed her more deeply. Maybe he was pushing her too hard, too fast, then he’d lose her…but then she moaned against his mouth. Yes. His cock twitched in response.
She was hot. He knew that, but this one small kiss blew him away. Sex had always been purely physical to him before, like lifting weights—going through the motions and at the end reaping the payoff. His body responded like usual now, but there was something else going on. He felt like he had the first time he had walked into his dojang, the school—almost reverent. What the hell was happening to him?
Overwhelmed, he forced himself to break off the kiss. He needed to get his bearings.
“Wow.” She blinked up at him, eyes shining through darkness. “That was…crazy.”
“Crazy good?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
“Yeah. Crazy good.” She smiled, and his pulse thumped in response.
His cock thumped, too, but that bastard needed a time out, before he embarrassed himself. Or worse, nailed her up against the door before she could think about refusing him.
What can I say? Abe is such a guy. He fights, he swears, and he thinks with his… *ahem*. He has a lot of making up to do after this scene, but I think even here, even so early on, there’s this chemistry, this pull that makes him want – no, need – to get closer to her. In a way, there’s something special about it, that it happens to relative strangers, because it’s a complete surprise.
To me that’s what a kiss is really about. Because it’s not a purely sexual thing, it’s not even necessary for quick sex with a stranger, but neither is it platonic. Kisses are about attraction and connection. They may have been strangers before the kiss, but after, they know each other, in that elemental, undefinable way.
If you’re interested in seeing what happens next, be sure to check out Below the Belt. It’s sexy, it’s sweet and it’s only $0.99. Here’s the blurb and the buy links:
Black belt Abe Montgomery is focused on winning gold. But at nationals, Abe meets Paris, a beautiful, mysterious woman. Paris Rivera has sworn off men and martial arts. Her black belt cost her more than years of dedication and sweat. The fight of Abe’s life looms ahead, with his dreams of owning a school and his future with Paris hanging in the balance. He may dominate on the mats, but he’s fallen hard for her. When the time comes for them to part, he may not be able to let her go.
BELOW THE BELT is a 30,000 word novella of erotic romance featuring explicit sex and graphic language. Not for those under 18 years of age or those uncomfortable with the subject matter.
Oh, and one lucky commenter will win a copy of Below the Belt. What do you think about chemistry on the first meeting or first date? Do you think it’s something that has to build gradually, or do you think sometimes you just know? Just fill out the rafflecopter and good luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
20 comments:
I think chemistry on a first date does happen. I think to a certain extent you "just know" after a first date if it feels right. You feel if you are connecting with that person and if you just click. You know..love at first sight. ;-)
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I think that you do know fairly quickly whether the chemistry is right, but that a real connection takes longer to build, generally.
**No need to enter me in the contest.
Well, with my first meet of my now hubs, we just both kind of knew. There was a 9 yr age gap and that can be pretty scary at 18, but he had patience and I had the spark. It was just meant to be. :) I just bought the book. Great premise. Woot!
Honestly, I feel it depends on what the person (people) is/are looking for when they meet the other. For example: you go out for a night with the girls and they are all looking to 'hook-up'. You see someone very attractive and he approaches you. Right there a tingle is brewing (from eye contact alone). Then from there it's an introduction in form of a handshake or a smile (yet another tingle). Those tingles are instant sparks of attraction and from there they become magnetic pulls (WOW!)
One the other hand. A chemistry can be built. I'm a perfect example. I was not instantly attracted to my husband but as I got to know him I could not get enough of him. I did not get that 'tingle' when I first saw him. But even this day (over a decade and a half later) I feel that magnetic pull and get those little tingles that makes everything ignite!
I went through some of those instant chemisrty things and they really fizzled out fast. But that's just me and I always took them as they were not meant to be :)
~Ava~
dragonlady029@aol.com
I think sometimes you just know there will be chemistry between two people. Other times it develops over time. Only time will tell if it can last or not. Thanks for the giveway!
lfacchini(at)tampabay(dot)rr(dot)com
I absolutely believe in chemistry. My husband and I have it. We have for 12 years.
srbagby50@gmail.com
Great excerpt and can't wait to read what happens next. I believe that sometimes a person just knows.
mythic021@gmail.com
Love the excerpt.
As for first kisses and chemistry it all depends on the couple. Some have it right away and some build it but, for me it's always what keeps them going for the long haul that matters. First kisses can be subtle or the hottest kiss ever. :)
I think that, once an individual one meets other one on a first date, may feel their chemistry goes there or not. It depends on two people's feelings and thoughts.
If two people know their chemistry is true, then they should do what they do with moving on into the level of their relationship.
Anyways, thanks for the giveaway!
joyce(at)romance-book-club(dot)com
For me sometimes it depends on the length of the story. Chemistry happens quickly in a novella. But a book with a normal amount of pages, you want to see the chemistry build over time. Otherwise, the story may drag on and you'll lose interest.
Lynn
lareynolds0316@gmail.com
I have heard people tell me that after their first date they were certain and knew this guy/gal was the one. But from personal experience, it didn't happen for me like that when it was 'the one'. It was a gradual thing. So I guess it can go either way.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. The story sounds good.
I don't think there's any general rule. I think it varies quite a bit. I would normally think that it would need to grow some, but then I met my husband, and the chemistry was there early on and we just knew right away.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hillary
hillacurr@gmail.com
Hello Skye,
A Thannk you to Close Encounters of the Night Kind for hosting you today Skye, it was great that you were able to take time out of your day to spend with Us & share your new release,"Below the Belt", it sounds like a GREAT read.
For your questions, What do I think about chemistry on the first meeting or first date? Do I think it’s something that has to build gradually, or do I think sometimes I just know?
Well I'm a full believer in having that instant chemisty between 2 people, that feeling you get when you just know this is "the" person I'm going to marry. Because I had that feeling went I met my Husband & he said he felt the same way, 10 years later I'm soooo Happy I met him that special day. I believe your Love for each other builds with time, we are happier together with each passing day. :)
I would very much appreciate to be entered into your contest to win a copy of Below the Belt. Thank you.
Take Care & Have a Wonderful Week,
PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
paranormalromancefan@yahoo.com
That's a hard one. I've had it happen both ways. But mostly I believe in instant. You just know.
Thanks for the chance to win!
-Amber
goodblinknpark @ yahoo.com
i think it depends on the people involved. i also think that sometimes the chemistry that hits to hard and fast burns out very quickly because it tends to be mostly based on physical attraction.
tammy ramey
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I think it’s something that has to build gradually. But I would normally think that it would depends on people involved.
I think it depends on the people. Some can just feel the chemistry, others take time to work up to that point. It all just depends.
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
I too also believe that a chemistry on a first meeting does happened but in order for it to grow stronger, it has to have some foundations.
I do believe in instant chemistry rather than instant love. The latter I think takes time to build bur an attraction can be immediate.
Key words: chemistry and connection. If there is not chemistry in the beginning, there is small hope for a connection later. That said, I don't really believe in instant love but rather the chance for love to develop later as two people's connection is strengthened through trust. The reality of love needs to be tested through time.
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