Samantha Young
Self-Pub
Publication Date: Aug 31, 2012
Genre: Adult Contemporary RomanceFour years ago, Jocelyn Butler left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Edinburgh. Burying the grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without any real attachments has worked well for her so far but when Joss moves into a fantastic apartment on Dublin Street, her carefully guarded world is shaken to its core by her new roommate’s sexy older brother.
Braden Carmichael is a man who always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Jocelyn in his bed. Knowing how skittish Joss is concerning any kind of relationship, Braden proposes a sexual arrangement that should satisfy the intense attraction between them without it developing into anything ‘more’. An intrigued Jocelyn agrees, completely unprepared for the Scotsman and his single-minded determination to strip the stubborn young woman bare… to the very soul.
Goodreads Summary
After two hours of trying on dresses (some of which cost more than my monthly rent), I finally decided on a classy, but sexy Donna Karan dress. In the silhouette of a calf-length pencil dress, the silver-grey jersey material clung to every curve. A drape twisted from the right shoulder to the left hip, adding a touch of elegance to what would normally be just a sexy/casual dress. Adding in a ridiculously expensive black clutch purse by Alexander McQueen with a the signature gold skull clasp – I thought the skull appropriate – and black leather platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, I looked hot. In fact it was the hottest I’d ever looked. And the most I’d ever spent on one outfit. Ellie was in raptures over it.
Ellie could be in raptures over it all she wanted. I was nervous about Braden’s reaction.
Turns out I didn’t need to be.
Well, depends on how you look at it.
Thursday night, I was standing in the sitting room sipping a glass of wine with Ellie while I waited on Braden. I’d left my hair down and it fell down my back in loose natural curls that Ellie had oohed and aahed over, begging me to wear my hair down all the time. Nope to that. I didn’t really do make up, but I’d put on some blush, mascara and a deep scarlet lipstick that took the outfit up a notch.
Our front door opened and shut and my stomach flipped.
“It’s me,” Braden called. “I’ve got a cab waiting so we sh–” he stopped speaking as he entered the sitting room, his eyes frozen on me. “Fuck.”
Ellie giggled.
I squinted an eye at him. “Is that a good fuck?”
He grinned. “Well you’re that too, babe.”
“Euch,” Ellie made a choking sound. “Gag me.”
Ignoring her, Braden sauntered casually towards me. He was wearing a simple, but elegantly cut black skinny suit with a slim velvet lapel, white-gold cufflinks and a dark silver-grey shirt that matched my dress perfectly. His skinny tie was blood-read like my lipstick. We had unknowingly coordinated.
He looked yummier than I did though.
His scanned me from head to toe, and by the time they came back up to my face they were blazing. “Come with me.” He grabbed my wrist and I just managed to hand Ellie my wine glass before I was hauled down the hall in shoes I’d had to practice walking in, and dragged into my bedroom.
He spun around, hooking an arm around my waist and tugging me towards him.
“You have go to stop doing that,” I complained.
“Babe, you look… let’s just say if there wasn’t a taxi waiting to take us to the restaurant for our reservation, you’d be on your back right now.”
Overconfident much?
“In fact…” he murmured, squeezing my waist, his eyes dipping to the low neckline of the dress.
“Braden.”
He jerked his eyes back to mine. “You look beautiful, Jocelyn.”
My stomach flipped again and I smiled softly. “Thank you.”
“But you need to put your hair up.”
“What?” I touched my head, scowling up at him. “Why?”
To my utter bewilderment, Braden’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Just do it.”
I made a ‘pfft’ noise and pushed against his chest, stepping out of his hold. “Not unless you tell me why?” My hair looked good. He would not make me think otherwise.
“Because,” his voice low, a deep purr he reserved for the bedroom, hence why I felt it all the way down into my panties, “I like being the only man who knows how beautiful your hair is. How gorgeous you look with it down.”
Something nudged inside my chest. An almost ache spread. Outwardly, I smirked. “How very Victorian of you.”
Braden’s narrowed eyes turned into a glower. “Jocelyn,” he warned.
I threw my hands up. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly.”
“Braden–”
“Jocelyn.”
I stopped, my hands on my hips as I searched his face. It was implacable. My god, he was serious. With a huff of disbelief, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t take well to orders, Braden.”
“I’m not ordering you. I’m asking.”
“No, you’re demanding.”
“I just don’t want you to wear your hair down.”
“Fine.” I cocked my head to the side as my own eyes deliberately perused the length of him. “I don’t take orders, but I do make deals. The hair goes up, but you owe me a favor in return.”
He flashed me a wicked smile. “Sounds good, babe.”
“Oh I didn’t say the debt would be sexual in nature.”
His grin only widened. “So what are we talking about here?”
“Well, that’s the thing.” I sidled over to him, pressing up against him with a smile. “You won’t know, until you know.”
Braden’s head dipped towards mine, his lips almost brushing mine. “Deal.”
“Brave man.” I laughed and stepped back. “You also look really good tonight by the way.”
“Thank you,” he murmured, his eyes still eating me up.
“Well, you better tell the cab driver we’ll be out in ten minutes. I need to fix my hair.”
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SQUEE! I loved this book. I love how deliciously alpha Braden is, and while it makes Jocelyn melt, she doesn’t let him railroad her. Love a strong heroine who can deal with her alpha hero!
My review, an interview with Samantha Young and a giveaway to come next month!!
*whew* Sexay stuff! I need to get in the mood and read this one. I’m going to have to hit you up for spoilers for the book.
Sounds steamy! But I would’ve left it down. lol – I’m difficult.
eep…now i want to read it..hot, hot, hot!
Sounds like a fun read.
p.s. My place of employment wouldn’t let me go to your blog because it claimed it was pornographic. Interesting.
Eeek, no porn that I’ve ever seen. I think a handful of f-bombs, most of them here, lol. I had just checked last week while I was collecting stats and we have a perfect safety rating with “some” content suitable for adults detected. Maybe that was it if your company has strong filters? I don’t even know, your blocking was the first that I know of at least.
What your blog is pornographic really? Am I missing something….ha ha…aside from this steamy little excerpt I think it is pretty safe to visit here! Thanks for sharing, always nice to find a self pubbed gem!
This is the first teaser/excerpt I’ve read, but I’ve seen stuff about On Dublin Street. I’ve also read a couple of Young’s books and think she is a great writer. After reading that, I’m anxious to read the book! It sounds awesome!