TO LOVE A HERO Available at Cerridwen Press.

http://www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419913686

Short Synopsis:

Raised in boarding schools, Cecile buried her loneliness under long hours of study and work. On the rebound of a broken engagement, she is determined to excel in her first international contract, the refurbishment of an environmental laboratory in Belarus.

BUT … In Belarus, a Russian country dominated by male chauvinism and intrigues, Cecile finds more chemistry than she bargains for.

Admired by men and adored by women, Major General Sergei is a true hero in his country. The widowed Sergei has pledged to clean his country of the pollution left by the Chernobyl disaster.

BUT … With a glass of vodka in his hand and the lovely Cecile nestled in his arms, Sergei has more on his mind than patriotic duty and nuclear pollution, and Cecile soon learns that chemicals are not the only things that generate heat.

Can she betray his trust to save his career? Would her love cost him everything he values?

First Kiss:

A stack of dishes in her hands, Cecile followed Elena to the small kitchen, furnished with white cabinets and a marble countertop. Elena hand-washed the china, trying to converse in a jumble of Russian, English and expressive hand gestures. While Cecile dried the dishes and silverware, she smiled and nodded, not sure she understood.

As Cecile put away the last fork and turned to leave the kitchen, she froze. The general’s massive shoulders blocked the entrance. He stepped in and spoke in Russian. Elena nodded and edged around him to the hallway.

Cecile gasped, stunned by his audacity. “You kicked her out of her own kitchen.”

“I very politely asked her if she would allow me a few minutes of privacy to discuss the contract.” Unperturbed, Sergei chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischievous sparks. He closed the door behind their hostess.

Cecile raised her eyebrows. “General Fedorin, the Nicouvitches invited us. We can’t just abandon them to chitchat in the kitchen.”

“Trust me. We will not be missed,” Sergei assured her with a shrug. “You can hear Nicolai playing his guitar. And John is so drunk he can’t remember his name right now.”

Cecile couldn’t suppress her laughter. He’d locked her in the kitchen to discuss the contract? Her pulse accelerated. She was afraid to guess his intentions, afraid and thrilled.

Folding her arms, she tilted her head. “Okay, what’s so urgent about the contract?”

“The contract, hmm…” He hesitated. “The contract is starting well, as far as I can see. I want to tell you how much I appreciate the effort of the…of our lovely Program Manager.” He stumbled on the words with a sheepish smile, then held her shoulders. “I like her kindness. Her delicate beauty.”

A warm tingling crawled between her legs. Her calm assurance deserted her. She knew her assertive strength would betray her in a second under the onslaught of his charm and she’d melt in his arms like a solitary snowflake under glorious sunshine. “Please, let’s go back.” She tried to disengage herself from his grasp.

“Wait.” Sergei stepped closer and enfolded her in his arms. “Cecilya, you have invaded my life and my soul. I can’t let you go.” He squeezed her against him and pressed blazing lips against her temple.

Cecile sighed, already consumed by his heat and her desire. How long could she fight her own heart and body? She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of firm lips and gentle hands. For a moment, she leaned against him, feeling cozy, cushioned by rippling muscles.

His hand played with a lock of her hair then caressed her cheek. She breathed in slow gulps, wishing and waiting for his kiss. His fingers brushed over the contour of her parted lips. Her eyelids dropped as she accepted defeat.

Sergei’s hand slid to her back pressing her against the hard length of his body. His mouth claimed hers, warm and demanding. She tasted the burning vodka on his tongue and looped her arms around his neck, welding her aching body to his muscular frame. Although, she’d hardly swallowed two sips of her vodka, she felt drunk, intoxicated by his kiss and the liquor. She freed her mouth gasping for air and breathed in the mingled scents of alcohol and cologne.

She nestled her head into the hollow of his shoulder, her fingers combing the hair at his nape. Sergei rested his chin against her forehead.

“Cecilya, we can’t wait for fate to hand us an hour here and there.” She moaned softly, sharing his frustration. “I need to see you…privately. I’ll ask Nicolai to drive you tomorrow.” He smoothed her hair. His hand slid to cradle her cheek. Like a kitten ready to purr, she rubbed her face against his palm. “Will you come?” His voice grated low with his urgency.

She nodded, without bothering to ask where they would meet.

His fiery gaze locked with hers, demanding and promising. Soon.

For one breathless moment, she realized she would give anything to keep his arms around her body and his lips on hers.

Then she sobered up.

What about the project she’d worked so hard to obtain? She couldn’t allow herself to forget her goal in his arms.

Contact me by email at: riskmona@cs.com