So before we get to the good stuff, I'd like to give a little history. I actually finished Karizma & Devin last year. I wrote it before Sienna & Jakob. The latter story was supposed to be a short introduction to the series. Sienna & Jakob ended up being longer than I intended. I've been waiting a while to get Karizma & Devin out so I'm really excited about this release.
I have many favorite parts in this book. Here's one of them:
“I don’t know why you’re pushing this. We’re not right for each other.”
His brows rose. “What makes you say that? I think you’re perfect.”
Stunned at the compliment, it took her a moment to reply. “Well, you don’t like dogs. And…I’m certain that we don’t have the same views on marriage. Why did you register?”
He shrugged broad shoulders. “To be honest, I was sick of dating. It’s time consuming and exhausting. I just want some uncomplicated companionship. That includes someone to warm my bed. You should fill the position adequately.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “Just when I think you might not be crazy, you say something off the wall.”
He grinned. “We can’t all be the same, can we? I think sometimes it’s called genius.”
Karizma grunted. She noticed with alarm that he had moved closer to her. He was very large and well-built for someone who made his living with computer systems. The sleeves of his jacket barely seemed to contain his shoulders and biceps. She faltered back a step.
“There’s nothing wrong with me, Karizma. So there’s no need for you to think you’re going to find a way out of this marriage.” He advanced on her until her back was against the wall. “I don’t know what your reasons were, but in the end, we both wanted to be married. Like I said before, we have details to straighten out, but I’m sure we can come up with some mutually satisfying terms.”
“You didn’t seem interesting in negotiating before.”
“You didn’t try. You leapt up and ran off after I was honest enough to admit that I didn’t want a dog tearing up my carefully manicured lawns. Oh, and I had the audacity to admit that I wanted to fuck you.”
“Okay, that right there! Stop saying things like that.”
“You’re not a virgin, are you?”
“No, but we’re strangers. We need to get to know each other better. I mean, who knows, after the probationary period, we may not even want to stay together.”
Devin grunted. “I know. You’re mine. I like the idea of it.” He placed his hands on either side of her on the wall, caging her into his embrace.
She placed a hand on his chest and immediately wished she hadn’t. He was as hard as he looked. She applied gentle pressure to push him back. He leaned into her touch and shifted his hips closer. Swallowing, she said, “I’m not someone you can bully into doing what you want.”
“So negotiate with me. I want to fuck you Friday night and every night thereafter. What do you want?”
She glared at his unreasonable request. “I want time to get to know you before we get physical.”
“How much time? Ballpark it for me.”
“A month.”
He let out a bark of laughter. “The entire probationary period? I’ll give you twenty-four hours.”
“You call that negotiating?”
“Give me a counteroffer.”
“Three weeks.”
“Three days.”
“Two weeks.”
“Two days.”
“You’re going in the wrong direction,” she said between clenched teeth.
“Fine. Five days.”
Suspecting it was the best offer she would receive, she nodded. “Five days.”
“Are you on birth control?”
“Yes.” She was on pills. Though newer forms of birth control were available, she had bad reactions to them.
Devin moved even closer until only a hairsbreadth of space remained between them. “We’re both clean. So when we fuck, I won’t use condoms.”
She started shaking her head. The idea of him coming inside of her was incredibly intimate. She was already wondering how she could finagle her way out of the five day agreement. “Why take that chance?”
“I’m non-negotiable on this point.” His hips rolled forward, almost but not quite touching her. “The thought of filling up your sweet pussy with my cum-”
She slapped her hand over his mouth. “We need to discuss frequency. How often will you want to have sex?”
“I told you. Every night. Every chance I get.”
“Be realistic. I propose once a week.”
He laughed. “Not nearly enough. This is another non-negotiable for me.”
She glared at him. “I’m sensing a breakdown in these talks. You have to give me something.”
His eyes lowered to her lips. “Maybe I should give you a taste of what to expect.”
“No thank you.”
He smiled. “You’re not a virgin but you’re not very experienced. Or you’re deluding yourself. You don’t like me, but you’re going to love fucking me.”
She laughed at his arrogance. “Of the two of us, I’d lay odds on you being the delusional one. I don’t want you. The only reason I’m going through with this probationary period is so that when it’s over and I leave your pompous ass, Bioexpa will find me a more suitable match.”
His chuckle was deep and husky. Leaning down, he rested his forehead on hers. “When I get you beneath me, spread your legs wide, I’ll slide inside so deep you’ll feel me for days. And that will be just the beginning. You’ll crave my cock day and night. And if you beg nicely, I’ll give it to you.”
He sounded so confident. Karizma shook her head. He was crazy. She’d never want him. “Never.”
“Apparently never is next Wednesday.”
