Teamwork Is Out In Print!

Teamwork - #4 Hot Ice - is now available in print as well as ebook.

Ellora's Cave  Amazon  Amazon UK

Teamwork, book #4 in Hot Ice series - steamy excerpt!

I'm sharing a steamy menage scene from my Hot Ice novel, Teamwork, over on When One Is Not Enough - head on over if you want the temperature cranked up!

Hot Ice Series Reviewed

Recently my Hot Ice series had been reviewed by Erotica For All. The reviews have been very favourable indeed - yes, I'm grinning - so I thought I'd share them here and pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly.

Hired Review

Hired is book one in the Hot Ice series by Lily Harlem, and let’s just say that as soon as I finished this one I immediately pulled the next one up on my Kindle!

It tells the story of Brooke Ambrose, a woman who is given an opportunity to earn one hundred thousand dollars just for spending a week on a paradise island with a famous hockey player. She’s reluctant at first, but when she thinks that she can use the money to get her through nursing school and launch her career, she decides to go for it. She’s not expected to talk to him if she doesn’t want to, or spend time with him. She’s just supposed to be there to make sure he doesn’t go off the rails. An easy job for plenty of money.

However, Logan Taylor isn’t just a hockey player – he’s also a gorgeous bad boy, and although he and Brooke don’t hit it off to start with, the ice between them eventually breaks. After they come to a truce, things quickly heat up between them and Brooke is left with her head in a mess. She wants Logan, but she’s a girl with morals and struggles with the reason she was on the island in the first place, and she must keep the secret, even if it will cost her her future.

Hired is a real page turner. We quickly get to know the female lead, who’s a nice girl just looking to get ahead in life. Very soon, Logan appears and the book begins to sizzle and steam. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that this is an erotic romance with a fascinating plot, plenty of twists and turns and some smokin’ hot sex. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of erotic romance – you don’t have to like sport, either, as the hockey element isn’t too overbearing.

Cross-Checked Review

Cross-Checked is the second book in the Hot Ice series. I started this one immediately after finishing book one, as I was already hooked. This book deals with Brick, another of the Orlando Vipers hockey team and Carly, an Olympic athlete. They meet as they’re volunteering for some charity work, and we quickly learn that Carly has had a crush on Brick for some time. She’s surprised to learn that he knows who she is, and that he’s interested in her.

Resisting his charms, Carly’s determined to keep him at arm’s length until she’s sure he’s not just after a quick fling. However, it’s not easy to keep Brick away, he’s sexy and persistent, and before long the two of them have given into their passions. What follows is a really fun romp with some kink, some laughs (of the good kind!), and a healthy dollop of romance. I was totally engaged with this novel from beginning to end, I just couldn’t stop reading. I loved the characters, their chemistry and their adventures, and as with the last book, this one made me immediately want to read the next one.

Overall, another brilliantly written erotic romance from Lily Harlem, one that I can heartily recommended.

Slap Shot Review

Slap Shot is book three in Lily Harlem’s Hot Ice series. This time, we’re told the story of Rick “Ramrod” Lewis and event planner, Dana Wilcox. They meet at an event and are immediately drawn to one another. Unfortunately for Ramrod, Dana’s troubled past has made her swear off men for several years. He manages to talk her into a quickie – but then she runs away and refuses to speak to him again. However, the determined captain of the hockey team won’t let her brush off what happened between them, not without a damn good reason.

Dana doesn’t want to divulge her reasons – she’s worked incredibly hard to escape her past, and doesn’t particularly want to revisit it. However, Ramrod has wormed his way into her affections and persuades her to give him a chance. As is often the case, things don’t run smoothly, and the couple are subjected to more than one troubling issue before they’re allowed their happy ending.

This has been my favourite book of the series so far. I really like the character Rick/Ramrod, and the novel’s storyline. It’s intriguing, action-packed, erotic and romantic. I’m really looking forward to moving onto the next book in this excellent series.

Teamwork Review

Teamwork is book four in the Hot Ice series, and my favourite so far. It tells the story of Welsh nurse Fiona, who ends up treating hockey player Raven for injuries he got while playing. She knows nothing about the sport, but does know that Raven is possibly the surliest patient she’s ever had. The only saving grace is that his friend and teammate, Todd is sexy and much more pleasant. So pleasant, in fact, that he arranges for Fiona to go and work in Orlando for a few weeks in order to get Raven back to peak fitness. She jumps at the chance, especially since there’s a conference in Miami that she never thought she’d be able to get to. But because Orlando is much closer to Miami than Wales, she’s really getting a good deal.

Once in Orlando, Fiona’s delighted to go out on a date with Todd, and would be even more delighted to jump into bed with him. However, when Raven confuses matters by kissing her until her head spins, she wonders how she can possibly be attracted to both men, especially when they’re so different.

However, it soon becomes apparent that Raven and Todd work as efficiently off the ice as on, and when they set their minds to taking her to bed – at the same time, who is she to resist?

I gobbled Teamwork up in just a few very satisfying bites. I loved the change in setting at the beginning, and how the action was so seamless. The polar opposites of the two men really kept me interested, and when they got what they wanted – well, wow! These are amongst some of the hottest ménage scenes I’ve ever read – phew! I very much enjoyed the twists and turns and didn’t see them coming – my very favourite kind of book. I’m really looking forward to next instalment in this series. Hot stuff, Lily Harlem!

Wow, that's sure made me happy dance! Such kind words and it's thrilling to know that the stories and characters I had in my head worked so well when I put them down on the page.

Keep an eye out for High-Sticked, coming soon (m/m), and just so you know, I'm getting my head down on the 6th book right now which will be a return to m/f.

Thanks for reading.

Lily x

Tortured Heroes

For years tortured heroes have captured our imagination - just look at Heathcliffe in  Wuthering Heights and Mr Brocklehurst in Jane Eyre - and they have instilled in us a need to nurture and to understand.

As an author I enjoy having characters that are a bit quirky, both heroes and heroines, and I've certainly had a few tortured heroes. One that springs to mind from a recent release is Raven Starr in Teamwork.

Teamwork is part of my HOT ICE series, all about those bad boys of the ice (books can be enjoyed as stand-alone reads). Most of these novels feature guys with issues, because with all that testosterone whizzing about, there's bound to be some, right! But in Teamwork, Raven really does have a lot on his plate, he's a surly grump to be honest until his physical therapist - the very lovely heroine of the story - manages to dig beneath the surface and find out what's really going on in his head. You can find more details about HOT ICE here and keep an eye out for High-Sticked, the 5th book, coming soon.

Breathe You In features a hero with a difference. Ruben Strong is not a swinging through the trees or scoring points hero, he's had an  incredibly tough time and it's his compassion and determination to fight for his life that makes him a man worthy of the heroine, Katie's, love. This book was amazing to write, it really pulled my emotions around as I penned it. But I don't want to give too much away here other than to say I got the idea for this story when working as a nurse in a coronary care unit in Oxford, England.

First reader review for Breathe You In - “This book is so wonderful I can't even begin to express my feelings about it. Packed full of emotion. The writing is wonderful, the setting so vivid, and the relationship between this couple as it grows is so very real, so...just so brilliant.

I will NEVER forget this story. It's one of those that will haunt my mind for years to come. There comes a time when you pick up a book and sink into it right away. Breathe You In tugged so hard, kept me reading and rooting, and I must thank Ms Harlem for penning a story that will always be with me.”

Available from Amazon

This week I'm giving away SCORED which features super confident, amazingly talented and misunderstood hero Lewis Tate. You can grab your copy from Amazon US, or Amazon UK or whichever Amazon around the world you prefer! At the end of Scored you'll find bonus chapters to whet your appetite from Breathe You In and The Glass Knot.

I hope you enjoy, thanks for reading and have a great day.

Lily x

PS - Scored  has just hit #1 in the Amazon free erotic fiction chart!

Great review for Teamwork

I'm thrilled to have a great review just in from By The Broomstick for my fourth Hot Ice novel Teamwork.

I particularly liked this story.  I can't wait to read the other books in the series.  It's a good story about  hockey player(s) falling in love with their physical therapist.  They are some seriously good looking men & they are seeking love & lots of fun at first.  Fiona isn't a hockey fan so for her they are just hot looking men to really rev her libido, when she's offered the perfect opportunity to come to America, work with Todd & Raven, as well as attend a conference she really wanted to go to but couldn't afford, she was all for it.

Todd otherwise known as Pretty on the team is doing his best to woo her & she's all for it, except, a certain hardheaded hockey player has already occupied her heart, fascinated her and makes her want to shove him in a ice bath at the same time. Especially after their fight on the plane when she goes at him after he growled at her one too many times.

Raven was a hard nut to crack (come on I haven't done a lame joke in a while), I really enjoyed watching him slowly lose his inhibitions and fall deep. But he tries so hard not to let it show & yet his reaction when she came home from her date?? Hilarious!!! I particularly love the chemistry between the three of them.  I really loved reading the beginning of the love affair especially the love scene in the kitchen, when Todd licks his lips?? Yeah I knew then that he was a little in love with Raven.

The other romances of the other hockey players sound like they might be a treat as well, I'll be looking into those as well. Keep on the look out I will be sharing reviews about those as well.

Sunday Snog - Teamwork

A big welcome to Sunday Snog!

Teamwork is the fourth book in my HOT ICE series though it's fine as a stand-alone read. Today I've given you a nice long excerpt taken from a steamy locker room scene. It's much more than a snog so hang on for the ride!

Blurb

What I know about hockey could fit on the back of a stamp. So my latest patient may be one of the NHL’s hottest defensemen, but I’m not exactly blown away by his stardom. Add in the fact that he’s a surly, growling grump, and I’m more than happy to work my magic on his battered body then hot-foot to my date with his teammate, Todd “Pretty” Carty.

Todd is sex on a stick, a slice of man heaven, and I want a bit of the action, preferably of the bedroom variety. But when Raven emerges from his bad mood and throws his energy into blowing my mind with just one kiss, I find my head spinning and my libido raging.

What I didn’t bargain on is these hard-training, hard-playing hockey players working as efficiently off the ice as on when it comes to getting results. But who am I to complain when satisfaction is their ultimate goal?

Snog

The locker room was quiet when I pushed open the door. There were no signs telling females to keep out so I stepped in farther. The smell of hot, sweaty, fit men hit me. Clothes and boots, bottles and bags were strewn everywhere.
“Fiona?”
I turned and saw Todd sitting on the bench, naked from the waist up. An elderly guy in a Vipers cap stood next to him, pressing an ice pack onto his back.
“Are you okay? I was worried.”
He smiled. “I’m fine, just a twist that’s all. Bastard Bruins, they always get dirty.”
I stepped over, finding it hard to tear my eyes from his delectable chest and taut abs.
“I’ll be good now, Jim,” Todd said. “My personal physical therapist is here.”
Jim glanced at me, as if wondering if I really was or if Todd was just saying it. “Yeah, okay then,” he said. “But keep the ice pack on.” His sneakers squeaked on the floor as he left the locker room.
Todd grinned a full-wattage beam and dropped the ice pack to the bench. “I’ve been thinking of you.”
“You have?”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking of you with Raven. Of all the things you’ve been doing together that I missed out on.” He swept his gaze down my body. “I could hardly sleep last night, thought of coming over and climbing into bed with you both.”
“There’s always tonight,” I said, lusty threesome images bombarding my mind and thoughts of his sore back evaporating.
“Mmm, that sounds like a great idea.” He stood and set about removing his leg pads and pants.
I spotted his skates discarded several feet away and noticed him wince as he stooped to peel off his socks.
Oh yes, his spine.
“You want me to look at your back?”
“Ah, its nothing. Maybe after I’ve showered you can kiss it better.”
“Okay.” I was about to sit and wait when suddenly he grabbed me and tugged me close.
His damp hair was sticking to his forehead and the smell of his fresh sweat circled around us. “Care to join me in the shower?” he asked.
“What, here?”
He grinned in a devilishly sinful way. “The game is in full swing, no one will come in.” He tugged down the zipper on my jacket and pushed it from my shoulders. It landed on the floor. “And my back really isn’t that bad at all now that you’re here.”
My cheeks flushed, my nipples poked against my bra and sweater. “Well, I’m pleased your back is okay, but we can’t, not here.”
“Sure, we can. Because I can’t wait. You’ve got me so hot for you. I’ve missed you these last couple of days. My sweet, sexy Fiona. I feel like we’ve just started something amazing. There is so much more fun to be had with all three of us together and it’s got me so hard thinking about it.”
I skimmed my hand down his smooth back and over the tight mound of his behind. Sometimes I wondered about myself. It was becoming clear that having several months off sex had sent me into a nympho craze. I just wanted him inside me. I’d tasted his cock, felt his cock, but he hadn’t fucked me, and suddenly that couldn’t be put off another second.
As though sensing that he had me persuaded, he stepped away, dropping his briefs to expose his hard cock. Silken smooth, it curved up toward his belly and tapped just below his navel. It really was as beautiful as the rest of him. “This way, sugar,” he murmured.
He stepped behind a concrete wall and the sudden sound of pounding water echoed around the locker room.
I followed him and stood in awe as water droplets caressed his gorgeous body, sluicing down his chest and clinging to the hair arrowing toward his groin.
Quickly I shrugged off my boots and tights, my gaze not leaving his gleaming skin. Steam swirled around him. The temperature was heating up to tropical levels, not just in the room, but also in my pussy.
Just as I was thinking about the implications of getting completely naked and joining him under the water, he jacked the faucet off, grabbed a towel and rubbed it over his head and chest.
“Come here,” he said, flashing me an I’m-gonna-fuck-you-now grin.
Hypnotized, I went toward him, slipping from view of the locker room as I went behind the shower wall. He instantly loomed over me, backing me up into the tiles with a triumphant, predatory glint in his eyes.
“Todd,” I gasped.
“No time for speaking,” he murmured, his lips a whisper from mine, “just action.”
Slipping my arms around his neck, I pressed my body into his. Heated pleasure radiated from every point of contact and I moaned into his mouth as he kissed me thoroughly. He was busy dragging up my denim skirt. Earlier I’d berated myself for not wearing warm trousers. Now, with the temperature sky high and time of the essence, I was glad that I’d opted for ease-of-access clothing.
I became lost in his taste, in the feel of him beneath my hands. It seemed he was lost in me too, murmuring erotic whispers as he caressed my thigh with a rough palm. “I need you now,” he breathed, kissing down my neck and nipping at the tendons of my throat. “Can’t wait another second to bury myself as deep inside you as Raven did the other day. Fuck, that was so incredible to watch him do that to you, sugar.”
Using the tiled wall for support, I shifted my stance, lifted my leg and hooked it around his knee. I couldn’t wait either. A sudden tightening around my butt and a ripping sound told me my panties had come to a grim end. I didn’t care.
“Ah, Jesus, you’re hot,” he moaned as he brushed through my triangle of pubic hair. “So hot.”
A raw groan tore from my throat as he parted my slick folds and pushed into my entrance. “And so tight, fuck, I really can’t wait, not now I’ve felt you here again.”
“Condom,” I gasped.
“Shit.” He pulled back, appeared to battle for control then slipped from view.
I stood panting, my skirt around my waist and my breasts heaving. My legs felt as though they were melting and my spine as though it might turn to dust at any second.
In a heartbeat he was back, tearing at the wrapper of a condom with his teeth. “Thank fuck for Reed’s not so secret supply.”
“Yes,” I said, running my hands over his hot, wet chest as he rolled a luminous purple condom onto his shaft. “Thank goodness.” I suppressed a giggle.
“It will still feel the same,” he said, hooking my leg up and around his bare hip and positioning his cock at my entrance. “Even if it is purple.”
“I know, it’s just, ah, fuck—” I scrabbled for purchase as he hoisted me up and then dropped me down onto his cock. Just the first inch but enough to make me tense and cry out.
“Shh,” he murmured, holding me up without any apparent effort. “Keep quiet.”
I was vaguely aware of the crowd roaring in the distance—horns and screams blasting through the air.
He eased me down some more and I had no choice but to take him in. My head spun, it felt so wonderful. Stretching, filling sensations were jolting through my nerve endings.
I buried my fingers in his wet hair and pulled him close. “Todd, fuck me. Hard and fast.”
Suddenly he plunged balls-deep into my wet heat, stifling a chesty groan as he did so. I clamped my mouth shut and reveled in the pain-pleasure of his rapid entry.
Fuck, that was fast.
He crushed his mouth over mine and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He began to pound, steaming in and out, nearly unbalancing us both with the fervor of his thrusting.
“Fuck, be quick,” he moaned.
“Yes, yes, oh, ah, that’s it, Todd.” His pubic bone was grinding against my clit. Bashing up against it each time he sank to the hilt. My skin was flushed and tingling, my pussy sucking and pulling on him. The upright position was giving my G-spot one hell of a battering and I was preparing for takeoff.
It no longer mattered where we were. That we might get spotted at any moment. I just wanted to claim my frantic orgasm and enjoy every second of Todd coming inside me.
Suddenly it was there.
“I’m going to fucking explode,” he whispered hotly in my ear. “Come with me.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” I hissed. My pelvis erupted in bliss, thumping around him, against him, in hot, clinging ripples.
Todd was heaving and panting. Not content with just ramming into me, he was pulling me down harder onto his cock. Yet another orgasm blasted through me as he drove into my slickness, obliterating all thought, all sense.
I tugged at his hair, gave him hot, sucking kisses across his mouth and cheek. Held his big, tough, beautiful body as it turned to granite and shook violently.
“Oh yeah, that’s fucking everything I hoped it would be,” he gasped. “Yes, oh god, so much.” My brain would barely work.
“What the fuck are you two doing?”
It took a moment for my eyes to refocus, for my brain to kick into gear. But when it did, through the steam, I saw Raven. Feet apart, my jacket in his hand and anger on his face.
“It was my turn,” Todd said, dropping a kiss onto my cheek.
“Fuck, really? In here?” Raven stepped up to us, his eyes flashing and his lips a straight, furious line. “Have you lost your damned senses?”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” Todd slipped from inside me and lowered me to the floor.
I kept my back pressed against the wall and was glad that he still supported my weak body with one arm.
“Anyone could have come in,” Raven said. “Thank god it was only me.”
“Keep your hair on. We just needed a minute or two, didn’t we?” Todd traced my cheek with his thumb.
I sucked in a breath. A sense of reason returned. “I guess we should have waited until we were somewhere more private.”
Todd tugged off the condom and reached for his towel. Fastened it around his waist. “We couldn’t, we were overcome.”
Raven flashed me a withering look. “And here was me all worried about your delicate reputation. Of what the other girls would think about you having sex with both of us. Seems you’re not so worried now, huh, Fiona?”
I shoved down my skirt and pushed my damp, messy hair back from my face. “I know, it was foolish. I just...” My words trailed off.
“Couldn’t help yourself.” Raven picked up my ripped panties and handed them to me along with my jacket. “Come on, we’re going home.”
“I’m coming with you. Give me five,” Todd said, strolling away from the shower area.
Raven narrowed his eyes. “You are?”
“Yeah, Fiona’s going to work some of her magic on my back.”
“Is she now?” Raven huffed.
Todd turned and stared at him. “She’s not all yours, you know.”
“I never said she was.” Raven looked even more furious now than when he’d first appeared in the locker room.
“So don’t fucking act like it,” Todd said, dropping his towel and yanking on his briefs.
“Jesus, guys. I’m standing here while you’re talking about me.” I held up my hands and shook my head in disbelief.
“Yes, I can see that, and you’re standing there looking well and truly fucked,” Raven said in the growling voice I hadn’t heard for a day or two. “Todd, we’ll wait for you in the car. If you’re not there in two then forget it.”

Buy Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Kobo

Barnes and Noble

Ellora's Cave

Three 5* Reader Reviews already in!! 

"I read about 12 plus romance novels a month & recently discovered this author. This is the 4th book in this series & can't wait for the next. Great series."

"This book was great! Very sexy! The vipers story continues more hot than ever! I loved every minute of it and read it twice."

"LOVED RAVEN! Loved him, loved him, loved him!!!! Did I mention that I loved Raven? Oh, I was so sad to have this one end, but boy did I enjoy every tantalizing bit of it! OH YUM! Thank you Lily Harlem for putting that extra little kink in this menage story for me. I don't want to give anything away about it but (spoiler hidden, read it here). Anyway, Whew! this was hotness to the ninth degree. I do not ever want this series to end! Never!"

If you enjoy Teamwork, check out the other books in the HOT ICE series. Reading them in order means you will be briefly introduced to the hero of the next book as you read it. Series numbers - 
1. Hired 
2. Cross-Checked
3. Slap Shot
4. Teamwork. 
5. High-Sticked coming spring 2013.

Coming Soon

Sunday Snog - Teamwork

Sunday Snog again, and how could I not share a lip-smacking moment from my hot new menage a trois novel Teamwork?

Blurb

Book four in the Hot Ice series. (Can be enjoyed as a stand alone read!)

What I know about hockey could fit on the back of a stamp. So my latest patient may be one of the NHL’s hottest defensemen, but I’m not exactly blown away by his stardom. Add in the fact that he’s a surly, growling grump, and I’m more than happy to work my magic on his battered body and then hot-foot to my date with his teammate, Todd “Pretty” Carty. 

Todd is sex on a stick, a slice of man heaven and I want a bit of the action, preferably of the bedroom variety. But when Raven emerges from his bad mood and throws his energy into blowing my mind with just one kiss, I find my head spinning and my libido raging. 

What I didn’t bargain on is these hard-training, hard-playing hockey players working as efficiently off the ice as on it when it comes to getting results. But who am I to complain when satisfaction is their ultimate goal? 

It is the start of Blissemass, so be sure to leave a comment to be in with a chance to win a Kindle Fire! Details at the web home of Victoria Blisse.

Excerpt from Teamwork

Todd got out of the car, leaving his keys in the ignition and the headlights on.

If I didn’t think the weight in my chest could get any heavier, I was wrong. That was my final bit of confirmation that we really wouldn’t be spending the night together. I’d had one last glimmer of hope that he might come in. Join me in the guest wing for some dirty fun. But it seemed that wasn’t to be.

We walked toward the porch area that had a large red-tiled roof and thick white pillars. Six bay trees in bronze pots sat on the steps leading up to it and a security light cast long shadows onto the double-fronted door.

“Fiona,” he said when we reached the top step.

“Yes.” I turned to him.

He curled his hands over my shoulders, his thumbs just stroking the base of my neck. He stepped in close and I could smell the clean cotton scent of his shirt mixed with his citrusy aftershave. “Can I kiss you good night?”

I stared up into his heavy-lidded eyes. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more. “Yes,” I whispered as my heart tripped over itself.

He lowered his head and his lips brushed mine, carefully, hesitantly, as though he were worried about breaking me. One small kiss, then another, no tongues, just soft, lingering pecks.

I reached up and pressed my palm against the smooth skin on his cheek. “Todd?”

“Yeah.” His breath was hot on my mouth, my chin.

“Kiss me properly.”

His mouth twitched into a half-smile, his fingers tightened on my shoulders and he gave me a real kiss. It was still reverent, tender, but it was enough to get lost in. I opened up and let him in. His wet, warm mouth tasted so good—sugar and sunshine, a wonderful sexy flavor spreading over my tongue as he searched gently for mine.

I dropped my hand from his face and felt his solid chest beneath his shirt, his heart beating strong and his breaths coming steady.

He broke our kiss. “Damn, but you’re just the sweetest little thing,” he murmured, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I could eat you all up.”

“So eat.” I pressed my chest to his, searching for more connection, needing to feel his delectable body touching mine.

He shook his head. “Not tonight.”

Oh god, he’s torturing me.

“Tomorrow,” he said. “One of the guys on the team, Phoenix, his kid is being christened. They’re having drinks and cake and stuff at The Burton Hotel afterward. Will you come with me?”

My head spun, not just from the lovely kiss that was apparently going no further, but also from the sudden invitation.

“I don’t know.”

He grinned, touched his lips to the tip of my nose. “I’ll pick you up at noon.”

The heat of his body left mine as he stepped away. My arms fell to my sides and I buckled my weak knees to remain standing. What the hell had just happened? I felt as though I’d gone into a tailspin. One minute my body was on high alert for sexy action, then knocked down, and then flung back up again with the promise of more tomorrow.

“But I have nothing to wear, no gift or…”

With his hand on the open car door, he looked over the roof at me. “That dress is perfect, green really suits you. And don’t worry about a gift, I’ll take care of it.” He flashed one of his heart-stopping smiles. “Good night.”

The car headlights illuminated the fronds of various shrubs that lined the driveway as he pulled away. But just for a few seconds then everything fell into darkness once more.

My heart was pounding, my lips still tingling. I tried to regain some control over my sagging knees and jelly-like thighs by resting my back against one of the pillars.

Todd was gorgeous, charming and one hell of a kisser. But he’d left a gap in my evening by disappearing like that, vanishing just as it was getting good. As far as a date went it was faultless, as far as the bit after the date, it was beyond frustrating.

The sound of crickets filled the air. I wasn’t familiar with the noise and it reminded me how far I was from home. I pushed away from the pillar and went up to the front door. It was then I realized I didn’t have a key.

Damn.

I would have to ring the bell so Raven could let me in. Then not only would he know exactly what time I arrived back—and I didn’t see why he should be privy to any of my comings and goings—his surly face would be the last thing I saw before I went to bed.

I’d have to get past him quickly. Try my best to ignore his huffs and grunts and get up to my room. A warm tingle in my clit was demanding attention and it seemed my finger was the only relief available.

My first gentle tap on the door resulted in nothing, so I knocked hard, then harder still.

Eventually the door swung open.

“You’re home,” Raven said as I stepped into the dark hallway.

“Yep.” I tightened the strap of my purse over my shoulder and bent to slip off my heels.

The door shut with a bang. There was the slide of a bolt.

I straightened and looked at him. He’d abandoned the sling and stood with his arms at his sides. He was wearing only sweats. His feet were bare, his abs tensed to a row of bricks.

“And,” he said gruffly.

There was something distinctly menacing about him, but at the same time so damn alluring it irritated the hell out of me. Why did he have to have such an amazing body? It wasn’t fair.

“And what?” I asked, putting one hand on my hip and letting my shoes swing from the other.

He didn’t reply. Just stared at me, let his gaze slide over my chest, hips and legs then slowly back up again.

I shifted from foot to foot, the marble cool on the soles of my feet. I could make out the shadows slicing across his face, neck and throat, the blackness of his eyes boring into me.

“And…did he kiss you?” he asked quietly.

Turning, I flicked my hair over my shoulder and walked toward the stairs. “What has it got to do with you?”

“Everything.”

He was in front of me, close, so close I could feel the warmth from his broad chest radiating onto my cleavage and arms. I stepped back. He followed. I stepped back again and my shoulders hit brickwork.

He placed his hands on the wall on either side of my head. “Did…he…kiss…you?” he asked again, in a voice so low it seemed to vibrate straight into the very center of my body.

I was breathing fast now, panting. I felt hemmed in, there was no escape. “Yes.”

He licked his lips. His nostrils flared. Something in the base of his eyes burned brighter than any flame.

A shocking realization came over me. I didn’t want to escape. My God, I couldn’t take my eyes off his mouth, that sullen, annoying mouth that was glistening from where he’d just swept his tongue over it.

My taste buds actually tingled to taste him. Learn what flavor he was. Would he be the same as Todd or would he be richer, darker, more intoxicating?

“I need to know,” he murmured, “if he kissed you like this?”

Suddenly his mouth hit down on mine, hard and demanding, hot and urgent.

I gasped and he took full advantage, sweeping his tongue deep. I dropped my shoes and clutched his waist, spreading my fingers over his warm, smooth flesh. The feel of his thick brawn and honed muscles beneath my palms sent all the right signals to my desperate female hormones. Desire rushed across my skin, tingling down my spine and settling between my legs. I wanted to press harder up against him, crush my breasts to his chest.

As though he knew what I needed, his weight dropped forward, pinning me to the wall. The denseness of his body was the most wonderful sensation I’d experienced in a long time and suddenly any last slivers of control vanished. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to make him part of me. Get lost in him forever—or just for one night anyway.

Our kiss heated to inferno levels, slick tongues writhing and chasing. The sound of my breathing and his rang in my ears, wild and noisy. I was roaming my hands unashamedly over his back, his butt, his shoulders, uncaring of the fact that this man had made me want to slap him several times since our first meeting.

He groaned into my mouth and cupped my breast, slid his other hand down over my belly and hip, tempting me with his explorations.

Why the hell are we still dressed?

Some primal response deep inside me was yelling for more. I wanted to fuck, get satisfaction. It had been so damn long.

The thick wedge of his erection shoved up against me. Hard and determined, it strained through his sweats onto my waist. Lightning flared through my clit, a heated kick of sensation.

Reality hit.

He didn’t really want me. He was a miserable bastard who just couldn’t stand for someone else to have me—competitive sportsman and all that crap. Todd wanted me to be his girl and Raven had to beat him to it, have me first. It was the challenge of being the first warrior to throw the spear and bring down the bison, or something macho like that.

I tore my mouth from his. “No.” I shoved at his chest.

He sucked in a breath, scrunched up his nose and stared at me. He didn’t move.

“No, please, we can’t do this,” I said.

“Give me one fucking reason why not?”

“Because we can’t. You don’t even like me, and I just spent the evening on a date with Todd, your friend and teammate.”

“Fuck Todd.” He did that thing again where he spoke with his teeth gritted, just his lips moving. “And who said I don’t like you?” He pulled me tighter, once again wedging the very obvious evidence of his need into my belly. “I think it’s safe to say I do like you, very much.” He let out a juddering breath.

He did like me. I liked him too, well, his hot body at least. My pussy quivered at the thought of having him plunge into me. Ramming that big, hard cock into my depths and squeezing orgasm after orgasm from me. Oh, the temptation. “Please, I’m trying to be professional here,” I gasped.

“Screw professional.”

“Raven.” I shook my head as a sudden infuriating thought raced into my mind. “Are you teasing me again?”

“Fuck, no. I have never been more serious in my life.” His lips touched mine as he spoke. “I want you, Fiona. You’re driving me nuts. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re like no other woman I’ve ever met.”

My eyes fluttered shut and I hung on to him all the tighter. “I’m not?”

“No, you’re sexy and clever and beautiful and you’re as ballsy as they get. Who else would try and tease me, the Raven Starr?”

“I am?” I was? “But, but…still, I might be ballsy, but we can’t do this.”

“Now you’re being a tease,” he breathed.

Indignation gripped me and I pulled my head back from his. “You started this. You kissed me. I am not being a tease.”

Silence.

The heat from his cock was still burning into me. His wide shoulders and desire-heavy gaze filled my vision. Temptation was rising again, washing away indignation the way the wind blows away seeds.

I gathered the last shreds of my willpower. “No,” I managed, shoving away the mental image of us naked in his bed.

He swallowed tightly. “Okay, I hear you. But answer my question first.”

Question? What question?

“Did he kiss you like that?” he asked again.

“No, nothing like that.” I pushed at his chest. My grip on sanity was tenuous and would soon slip completely if I didn’t get away. “Please, let me go to my room.”

He shoved several thick strands of his hair out of his face and stepped backward.

I staggered toward the stairs. The ache between my legs had constricted into a painful knot, making it hard to walk.

Damn, why couldn’t Todd have kissed me like that? Dragged me against his cock and given me that let’s-get-naked-and-rampant look? Why did it have to be Raven who had me almost coming just from a kiss?

Why?

I hope that whet your appetite for some some naughty threesome fun! I actually felt quite jealous of Fiona when I was writing this book. Menages are always fun to dream up, but throw in the hot hockey player factor and it was a party on the page. Hardly what I'd call work!

You can read another excerpt and buy Teamwork at Ellora's Cave or grab your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK!

Have a wonderful Sunday,

Lily x

TEAMWORK - OUT TODAY!

I'm so excited about the release of Teamwork at Ellora's Cave today. This is the fourth book in my Hot Ice series - though they don't need to be read in order - and I can't wait for Todd, Fiona and Raven to be unleashed on the world.

Blurb

What I know about hockey could fit on the back of a stamp. So my latest patient may be one of the NHL’s hottest defensemen, but I’m not exactly blown away by his stardom. Add in the fact that he’s a surly, growling grump, and I’m more than happy to work my magic on his battered body and then hot-foot to my date with his teammate, Todd “Pretty” Carty. 

Todd is sex on a stick, a slice of man heaven and I want a bit of the action, preferably of the bedroom variety. But when Raven emerges from his bad mood and throws his energy into blowing my mind with just one kiss, I find my head spinning and my libido raging. 

What I didn’t bargain on is these hard-training, hard-playing hockey players working as efficiently off the ice as on it when it comes to getting results. But who am I to complain when satisfaction is their ultimate goal? 

Reader Advisory: Contains m/f/m. Go on, you know you want to indulge!

Ellora's Cave

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Excerpt

I slept fitfully, my head full of dreams of the two men who’d kissed me the night before. When I awoke, I was hot and naked, my fingers fragrant from fretting my clit. Masturbating hadn’t served me well. Several short, sharp orgasms had done nothing to take the edge off the lust Raven’s kiss had ignited or dampen the desire at the thought of being in bed with Todd.

What the hell was I doing? I’d never been attracted to two men before. I was a one-man girl.

But there was something about both of them that had set a fire in my belly that refused to be dulled, even in the light of day. And as I set about having a shower and washing my hair, applying a little makeup, I had no damn idea what I was going to do about it.

The small kitchen that was part of my area was out of coffee, so I headed downstairs in my underwear and robe. Raven had a stash of the good stuff in his cupboard.

After putting the coffee on, I stared out of the window. It was another sunny, blue-skied day in Orlando. Not a wisp of cloud to be seen. I thought of my parents in rainy Wales. I ought to give them a call later and check on how they were.

The house was quiet despite it being nearly ten. I guessed Raven was sleeping in after the late night. I wondered if he’d relieved himself the way I had, and if so, had it been any more fulfilling? The thought of him touching himself, jerking off with images of me in his head did something strange to my stomach.

What was it about this intriguing man that had my libido so riled? His Native American history, his steely determination and brooding manner had clearly clicked some switch in my Welsh genetic makeup. He couldn’t be any more different to me, physically and emotionally. The way he preferred to fold in on himself was so opposed to my love of talking through problems.

It was the age-old conundrum of opposites attracting, good girl goes for bad boy, not to mention the thrill of knowing someone wanted me enough to back me up against a wall and kiss me until I couldn’t breathe. There was no doubt about it, that had been the hottest kiss of my life.

I sighed and thought of lovely, perfect, polite Todd. He would be here in a couple of hours. I was looking forward to spending the day with him. Perhaps I’d get to see his place tonight and if so, bed action with him might shake this ridiculous attraction I felt for Raven. And it would hardly be a chore, jumping into Todd’s bed. The guy was a slice of man heaven just waiting to be devoured, or was that let him devour me?

A noise behind me jolted me from my sexy daydream.

Turning, my breath caught and my head went fuzzy. Standing just inside the doorway of the kitchen were Todd and Raven.

Their shoulders were almost touching, each as tall as the other, but that was were any similarity ended.

Todd looked suave and sophisticated. His blond hair was carefully tousled, he wore smart navy pants, a white shirt and pale-blue tie. He held a pink gift bag decorated with an enormous bow and he was grinning broadly.

Raven once again wore just his sweats. His skin, the color of a perfect, just-baked loaf, appeared shower damp and his hair was scraped back. He topped off his look with the usual scowl and drawn-down brows.

Todd walked over to the table, his shiny leather shoes clacking on the floor, and set down the gift. “Morning, sugar, how did you sleep?”

“Well, I…not too good actually.”

“I’m sorry about that.” He stepped up to me, slotted his hand into my hair and gave me a soft kiss, right in the center of my lips.

I couldn’t help but melt, and had to curl my hand around his forearm to keep my balance. Damn it, he was good. He smelled and felt marvelous, his cologne a combination of lemon and green apples, and his just-shaved chin as smooth as silk against mine. If I hadn’t been holding on, I would have pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

“Sorry, I’m early. I guess I was just looking forward to seeing you,” he said quietly against my mouth.

“That’s fine, but I’m not quite ready and I just need to…” I glanced around his shoulder at Raven. “I just need to do ten minutes of acupuncture on Raven before we go.”

“Ah, the silent acupuncture treatment.” Todd dropped his hand from my hair and turned to face Raven.

Raven’s fists clenched and his shoulders lifted toward his ears. Somewhere in my subconscious I took that as a good sign, but I was more worried about the stormy expression flitting across his face—the tight set of his jaw and the way his lips had thinned —none of it boded well.

He hasn’t calmed down from last night then.

“I’ve heard all about your arrangement,” Todd said to Raven with a laugh. “How you two can’t bear to speak to one another. You’re a fool. I keep telling you, lighten up.”

Raven’s nose twitched and he took several ground-eating paces across the kitchen until he was face-to-face with Todd.

“Fiona and I communicate just fine,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “You’d do well to remember that.”

Todd raised his eyebrows. Amusement sparkled in the depths of his blue irises. He didn’t seem in the slightest bit bothered by the murderous intent oozing from Raven.

Hell, I am.

If they were going to kick off I had no intention of getting in the middle of all that brawn. And if Todd kept smirking at Raven then fireworks were really going to explode. Spectacularly.

I stepped away but a sudden arm around my waist stopped me moving far.

“Hey,” I gasped, staring up at Raven. “Let me—”

Suddenly he was kissing me with the same extreme passion he had the night before. I murmured a weak, pitiful complaint and, to my shame, allowed him to take total possession. I was helpless, too far gone. Raven’s particular brand of kissing was addictive and completely irresistible.

His tongue probed deep and he tipped me backward, dipping me to the floor at the same time as pulling me up against his warm skin and holding me secure in his arms.

As suddenly as it started the kiss stopped. He pulled me up and looked deep into my eyes. I was breathless, breathless and turned-on and about to become a quivering mass of helpless need on the kitchen tiles.

Jesus, what girl wouldn’t be?

My robe had slipped open and I could feel the cool air-conditioning blowing down on my cleavage, my belly and the tops of my thighs. I welcomed it, I was feverish.

“You see, Todd, no problem,” Raven said, gently pulling me completely upright but doing nothing about my exposed body. “Communication is not an issue at all. We’ve got a great system.”

A seed of sense returned and hurriedly I covered myself—words, apologies, excuses tripping through my brain. “Todd, I-I’m sorry, he… I…”

Todd tipped back his head and laughed. A great big guffaw. “Don’t worry about it.” He held his palms up to Raven. “I’m just glad you haven’t completely ducked out of the land of the living, buddy. I was worried about you there.”

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” Todd pulled in a deep breath, looked at me then back to Raven. His face fell serious. “Only thing is, you’ve just kissed my date.” He lifted his eyebrows. “And I’m not sure what to do about that.”

Raven folded his arms. “Your date?”

“Yeah, its Phoenix and Brooke’s little one’s christening. You did get an invite. I saw it on your desk.” He paused. “But Fiona is coming with me.”

Raven grunted.

Todd reached out and traced the chenille collar of my robe. “If you still want to, that is?”

“Yes, yes of course.” More than anything I didn’t want to ruin my chances with Todd, but it was also clear I was as trustworthy as an ice cube in the desert when it came to Raven.

I glanced at Raven and he pressed his palm to my cheek, as though absorbing the blush burning there. “It’s okay,” he said in as soft a voice as I’d ever heard him use. “Don’t worry about it. Go with Todd.”

My heart swelled. I didn’t want to leave him out or hurt him. “Why don’t you come too? With us.”

“He will,” Todd said quickly. “He can catch up with everyone. Show them all he’s still alive and kicking.”

“Will you?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He leaned forward. “If you want me to.”

His breath breezed across my cheek, or was it Todd’s? He was right next to me too, stroking down my neck, across to my shoulder. His aftershave was mixing with the raw, male smell of Raven—black pepper, soap and sex.

A white-hot shiver ran through my body. They were both so close, circling me, surrounding me. Far from fireworks of the fisticuff type, there seemed to be sparks of arousal flashing all over the place. And it wasn’t just me.

Raven’s mouth was by my ear now, his tongue just touching my lobe, his stubbled cheek against mine.

“Well, since we both want you,” Todd said, brushing his lips over my mouth, “why don’t we both have you?”

If you fancy checking out the other books I've written that star those deliciously bad boys of the ice, click on the covers below. And if you want to feast on some eye candy then hit the sexy hockey player groupie button and enjoy my Pinterest page featuring the real thing!! Oh, la, la...

Coming soon

M/M