Today I am spotlighting a book I haven't had a chance to read yet, but it sounds scorching hot. I hope you enjoy. Jodie xoxo
The Wager
(Touch of the Gods)
Book Blurb
When love and war makes a little wager, what could possibly go wrong?
I am Hephaestus. God of inventions, blacksmiths, and volcanoes. Sounds like I'm awesome right? Well, I'm not. In fact, I'm the loser of Olympus and a new bachelor to boot. Living the single life is great until a decade passed. Honestly if my divorce from the Goddess of Love wasn't bad enough, I am still being rejected by the other women of my home.
Because of an incessant need to make me a pawn in his game, my brother, Ares convinces Eros to make a little bet. A wager that puts my lack of love life to the test. Sent to Earth, I'm skeptical, when suddenly I lose myself in the sensual scent and beauty of the full bodied Vanessa. She is my everything, my perfection.
Sadly, from a single caress upon her silky flesh, I sent our lives into a downward spiral of hell. To save her, I must get beyond my demons of the past. And to save me, she will have to decide if I'm worth giving up everything for.
*** Adult Excerpt***
Well damn. Moving out of the shadows, I slowly approached until I stood next to the leg of the project he worked on. The position allowed me to see him from the front, and that didn't help my building desire at all! His streamline nose, high cheekbones and rugged looks reminded me more of a hunting magazine model than a repair man. In fact, it he hadn't been a god and a true Mr. Fix It, I would purposely break items in my home, just to have him come over and put them back together. This thought made me remember. “I wanted to thank you.”
“For?”
How could one simple word sound so erotic? Damn him and his sexy ass accent.
“You upgraded my television. HD? My Dad was ecstatic, and I really enjoy the clearer picture myself.”
His eyes flicked up, and he didn't bother to change them to look more human, the small flames, in the middle of his pupils, blazing like the fires of a pot belly stove. Similar to red hot metal, his irises shined, captivating me and I couldn't move away, even when he moved close enough that he pressed against my body. Hephaestus looked to my lips and I was sure he would kiss me, something I craved since the night he left my home. I even stood on my tiptoes, so that he wouldn't have to lean down so far and yet, he still didn't make a move. What the hell?
“How are you feeling, Vanessa? I heard you were going back to work today.” He turned away, leaving my body cold, and went back to polishing the bronze until it shimmered.
That was it? Mouth gaping, it took a few seconds for me to begin to form an answer. “Uh, yeah. They put me back on the bottom of the totem pole, but I'm fine and glad to be back.”
“Good.”
“How have you been?” That didn't sound too awkward, right? Still disturbed by his total lack of response, I maintained a neutral disposition, even though my insides were burning with unrequited desire.
He had his eyes focused on the task, while his long, thick lashes brushed his cheeks with every blink.
I wanted to curse my libido and weak will. Disgusted with myself, and his inability to hold a conversation, I started to turn away, but was jerked to a stop when he grabbed me by wrapping his firm arm around my waist. His breathing was heavy, I could feel that he was equally as affected, in a very, very big way, and I trembled. All the emotions I tried to contain coming to a head.
“You want to know how I've been, agápi̱ mou? I have done nothing but work on things, here and at home.” His voice was raspy when he spoke, the warmth of his breath tickling my ears seductively. “I am trying like hell to keep my mind free of going over to your house, ripping your clothes off, and making love to you until we both nearly die from it. Every scenario possible, I've imagined you while touching myself, until I became too sore to continue. You have no idea how much I have actually cried, because I wasn't with you.”
Turning to face him, I was too stunned to speak as he continued with his heated confession. “I still damn myself for being the start of everything that has happened, and I want to make it right, if you'd give me a chance. Yes, I agreed to that stupid bet, and I am still kicking myself for being such an ass to think it wouldn't hurt you. I'm sorry, Vanessa. Please, let me love you, let me be yours. Because you, my little beauty have already imprisoned my heart.”
The stinging tears fell from my eyes as I cupped his face in my hands and pulled him close. I kissed him with all the love I had been holding inside.
At first, he kept his body pulled back, as though he feared touching me would burn him, but eventually passion won over and he closed the distance between us. His strong hands grabbing my arms to keep me flushed against his hard, large body.
In my mind, I felt him like a flame, his voice filling every corner of my subconscious as he spoke. Vanessa, is this your answer? I feel your desire and your need for me. Please don't let this be a game, my heart couldn't take it.
Our lips were still locked and the desperation I felt in his question was so intense, that the only way to reply was through deepening my kiss. It was thrilling, how his body trembled, and as I began relaxing into his clutch, our gentle exploration turned into a dominant assault. He was no longer gentle and I loved it, while knowing that even if we didn't work out, I'd never forget the way he made me feel.
With ease, he lifted me higher, his large hands gripping my thighs as they wrapped around his waist. Clinging to his neck, I submitted to him, opening my mouth wider and moaned as his sinfully sweet tongue, delved into the innermost caverns of my mouth. The frenzy in which he kissed me, consumed me and greedily, he feasted upon our passion, filling himself on my very being.
My head started to spin as I became deprived of oxygen, but before I could pull back for air, I felt a warm tingle seconds before a rush of air was forced into my lungs. It shocked me to say the least, but as the wind moved back and forth in and out of my lungs, I realized Hephaestus had begun breathing for me.
An avid reader since I was a child, I never found a book I disliked. Mostly, you could find me lost in Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, or Ernest Hemingway, and my most favorite, Ancient Greek literature. Taking my love of books, I started writing poetry, short stories, and even helped with screen writes for my drama club. By the time I was in my teens, my older sister introduced me to my first romance novel, The Hawk and the Dove by Virginia Henley. The moment I fell into the world of love, I was hooked, and my addiction for more grew until I found myself delving deeper into the erotic. After being convinced that I had the skills to try my hand at writing, I went to work on my first story Down the Yellow Brick Road: Finding Home. And since being published, I've not looked back. Now, as a busy mom of three, that homeschools, drives to activities, and manages to find time to just cuddle with my husband of ten years, I have to say, I love being naughty when I get the chance. It's freeing and I wouldn't want it any other way!
Cole and Hunter had been friends for two years and were pretty close. Cole had even been teaching Hunter how to use his magic. The thing was, Hunter was interested in more than friendship from Cole.
