But You Can Touch It!

With one touch, two worlds are about to collide...

Can't Touch This

Rich alpha wolf shifter Castle Briggs can have any woman he wants with just the crook of his finger. Until he meets a human named Harlow. She makes it clear she’s had it with rich, overconfident jerks trying to own her. All she wants is a no-strings-attached good time with a man who isn’t afraid of her darker urges. Castle’s happy to dominate her in his special playroom, but he wants more than a kinky fling. He’s going to have to do a lot more than crook his finger to get past Harlow’s fears and make her his forever.

Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!

An adult paranormal romance from Ellora’s Cave

Available:    Ellora's Cave   All Romance Ebooks   Amazon 

Excerpt:

The base of her spine thrummed to life, butterflies took flight in her stomach, and her breathing kicked up a notch the instant the one called Castle found her. With his hand placed low on her back again, he drew tiny circles with his fingertips as he whispered in her ear, “I’d find you in the eye of a hurricane, darlin’.”

“You should take your friend’s advice and seek one of the interested twenty.” Why in hell had she remembered those words? Lord, he was gorgeous and something snapped inside when he traced up her spine to the back of her neck. It was a feeling Harlow didn’t dare turn over in her mind and look at. Not yet.

“You’re interested.” He tilted her chin up and peered in her eyes while his free hand began an unhurried descent back to the tingling spot above her butt. “I smell it.”

“Mr. Briggs—”

“The formalities are over, honey.” He released Harlow but not before kissing her hard, long—and it shattered her goddamn world. “I’ll give you some time.”

The arrogant bastard walked away and left Harlow sitting there, mouth open and heart banging against her ribcage. “Time for what?” The words were lost amongst music and laughter in the club, which teemed with more beautiful people than she’d ever seen gathered in one place. She thought about leaving but decided not to let the night be a waste, nor to allow him to think he’d run her off. She would at least eat something before heading home. Signaling a server, Harlow placed an order and settled in to enjoy the atmosphere. Her salad arrived and she ate as much as she could. She was ready for her second and last shot of gin when the bartender magically placed one in front of her. “Compliments, ma’am.”

She glanced past the server and spied Castle talking to a young woman who draped herself over his body. When she wrapped arms around his neck, he untangled them and eased her away. The downturn her lips took irritated Harlow. Why did women do that to themselves? Her mother had taught her to let the man take the lead, allow him to feel as though he’d laid claim, and then if you want him, grab hold with both hands and show the world he’s yours. Sliding the drink away, she told the bartender, “Tell the sender I’m not interested then bring my bill, please.” Her mother didn’t enlighten her on how to tell a man about her uncommon desires, desires most considered abnormal. Harlow’s marriage was proof the theory on letting a man take the lead did not work.

Harlow yearned for a man who could…

“It’s paid.”

Harsh words tumbled through her lips at his untimely interruption. “I said get my bill.” A flush of heat suffused her cheeks when Harlow realized she continued to stare at the man across the bar.

“There’s no charge, ma’am.” He glanced over his shoulder and she assumed he looked at Castle Briggs.

Getting up, she skirted stools until she stood patiently waiting as another woman settled in Brigg’s lap. “How much do I owe you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Evidently you’re the owner since you parked in the reserved-for-owner spot.”

“So?”

“You’re all alike. You have money and you think you can do whatever you want.” Lord, why couldn’t she leave it alone? “What did my dinner cost?”

“Since I didn’t buy it, I couldn’t say.” Anger flashed in his eyes before he scoured the room. He motioned for the bartender who leaned over and whispered in Castle’s ear. He returned his attention to Harlow. “It’s on the house, and my apologies, it won’t happen again.”

Now she felt stupid as she wondered where the drink and money for her meal came from. All she could do was mumble, “Sorry,” before she turned to leave.

“Wait.”

“For what?” Lord, why the heck did she snap? Sweat gathered on Harlow’s back, eliciting a shiver beneath the overhead fan as she stared at Castle.

“Hatch?”

His friend sat with a blonde at a table across the aisle from the barstool Castle occupied. “Yeah, boss?”

“Make sure Ms. Hardison gets home safely.”

“I can take care of myself.”

A sardonic smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “I’ll take better care of you.”

“You can’t touch me.” A whole host of female patrons, including the one wiggling between his thighs, looked as if they would scratch her eyes out and Harlow glared back, giving as good as she got. “You have enough company.” She didn’t contemplate why that bothered her.

“Pull the claws in, I only want yours tonight.”

Why she felt pity for the women surrounding him Harlow couldn’t say, but damn if she was walking out without letting him know just what a lowlife cad she considered him. Why did she even care who came on to the bastard? She wouldn’t become one of them. It dawned on her it was exactly what she wanted, and it angered her, goaded her into acting unreasonable. Harlow flashed her brightest smile and enjoyed the fact his eyes reflected the idea he thought he had won. “It must be horrible to search for such a tiny prick every time you have to pee.”

“What the fuck did you say?”

“Surely a man with balls and a cock wouldn’t have to surround himself with so many adoring fans.”

A hush fell over the room.

Growl and roar-it’s okay to let the beast out. - jhalisteele