MySpace


Anara Bella

Anara Bella


Last Updated: 11/23/2009

Send Message
Instant Message
Email to a Friend
Subscribe

Signup Date: 3/2/2007

Blog Archive
[Older      Newer]
 /  / 
Thursday, May 21, 2009 

Current mood:  stoked

Chapter One

 

This was it. She’d made up her mind. Nothing could stop her now.

It all started on the count of three.

Dana looked towards her target and took a deep, fortifying breath before starting the nerve-racking countdown.

One.

Butterflies fluttered ruthlessly in her throat, threatening to choke her. She swallowed hard.

Two.

Her palms started to sweat. She swiped them on her hips.

Two and a half.

Breathing would be good about now. Hey, were those stars?

Two and three quarters.

Get a grip girl. Hike up your backbone and go for it.

Three!

By some complete miracle Dana’s legs started to move in the direction she wanted to go. Well, that wasn’t quite true. If they went in the direction the chicken side of her wanted to go she’d be headed in the opposite direction, straight out the door. But no, she was definitely headed towards Reese.

Who knew she possessed this much nerve? Not her. Not anyone. She wasn’t a wimp, but in all truth, she was anything but a risk-taker. Nor was she the attention-grabbing type.

If anything, with her plain brown hair and boring brown eyes, she tended to blend into the background. She was the one everyone said had her feet planted firmly on the ground. A straight-forward, no-nonsense kind of girl, that was her. In point of fact, she was the last person anyone would ever expect to do anything the least bit daring or “out there”. Especially with regards to men. And not with a man she’d only seen around the office and never met. She was the very antithesis of a femme fatale.

But tonight was different. Tonight marked the coming of the New Year and the new her. Tonight she was going after what she wanted. And what she wanted most was Reese Cooper.

No more lying in bed all alone, fantasizing about what she would like to do to his super sexy body. Fantasizing about what she wished he would do to hers. Fantasizing about what they could do to each other. No sirree. She’d made her New Year’s resolution and that resolution meant she was going to start this year with a bang.

Or more precisely, with a kiss. The kiss to end all kisses. Or maybe just the kiss that would bring an end to her fantasies about Reese. Because if things didn’t go the way she wanted, at least she’d finally know. And maybe, just maybe, she could move on and find a man who would give her what she wanted—a taste of what great sex was all about.

She really had nothing to lose. At the very least she’d find out what it was like to kiss Reese Cooper and that alone was a thrilling prospect. Heck, it already had her tingling down to her toes.

Besides, what else was New Year’s for? It was a time for change. For adventure. For new beginnings. All the things she was determined to kick off right now.

After pushing her way through the crush of people, she reached her quarry and stopped just behind him. All six-foot-three-scrumptious inches of him. The place was so packed it was a wonder she was able to get this close to him, but at least the crowd and noise had helped in her quest. She was certain Reese hadn’t noticed her approach.

She looked around and quickly sized up her options. Now that she was in position, it was going to take a bit of maneuvering to accomplish what she’d come here to do. Because a man like Reese was too good looking and sought after to come to a party by himself.

His present arm candy was even now primping herself in expectation of getting his New Year’s kiss, and the countdown was about to begin. But Dana knew something the blow-up blonde didn’t—she was doomed to disappointment. Because, date or no date, in about ten seconds Reese was going to be kissing her, Dana Appleby. Not blissfully unaware, destined-to-fail, Cosmo girl.

All Dana had to do was get the timing right.

At that moment the music stopped and the host of the party called for everyone’s attention, announcing the countdown was about to commence.

This is it. The moment of truth. The moment she’d been waiting for. She shored up her nerve and got into position.

“Ten…nine…eight…”

Steady. I can do this.

“Seven…six…five…”

Now.

Pretending she’d tripped, Dana very neatly fell into Reese’s very strong, very yummy arms.

I did it.

“Four…three…”

She looked into his surprised grey eyes and almost melted. She’d never seen them up close like this before and their impact was staggering. She could happily drown in those eyes. “I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz.”

“Two…one…”

He steadied her with his hands but didn’t remove them from around her. She took that as a good sign. Now if she could just get rid of the damn blush making her complexion a bright, fire-engine red. It was hard to look sexy when you looked as if your head was going to catch fire at any second.

“You okay?” He seemed genuinely concerned. How sweet.

A chorus of “Happy New Year” being shouted from every corner of the room effectively interrupted her answer.

As the surrounding crowd whooped it up and kissed the one they loved, or whoever was convenient, Reese looked around, obviously trying to sort out his current dilemma. His gaze flitted between blow-up Barbie—who was frantically trying to shove Dana out of the way—to his armful of Dana.

Dana, however, didn’t have any such dilemma on her hands. She knew exactly what she was going to do. She ignored the bimbo, disregarded Reese’s shock when she grabbed his lapels, and tossed off what she hoped was an impishly sexy grin. Red face and all. Then she proceeded to kiss the living daylights out of him.

At least she hoped that’s what she was doing.

For an instant, he went perfectly still, no doubt taken aback and not quite sure what to do with her, and a feeling of panic fluttered in her stomach. Oh no, what if he pushed her away? Before that thought could fully take root, he relaxed and took the kiss over with an eagerness Dana would never have dared hope for.

Oh God, it was a million times better than she’d ever imagined. This was the stuff fantasies were made of. This was what a kiss was supposed to be. This was what it was like to be swept off your feet, and then some.

This was what she’d been looking for.

Now all she had to do was hang onto it.


* * *

 

Click here for more info on this book

 
Currently reading:
Twilight Series 4 Book Set
By Stephenie Meyer
Tuesday, September 02, 2008 

Current mood:  excited

 

 

 

She stopped walking and turned around. "Okay, Rafe. I know you're back there. You may as well show yourself."

Nothing.

"I have no intention of letting you find out where I live, so you have nothing to gain by following me. I'll wander around all over town all night long before I'll show you where I live."

A dark shadow separated itself from the wall. "How did you know I was here?"

His rich, deep voice shivered down her spine in its usual intoxicating way. "I have a sixth sense about these things."

"Has to be something like that because I'm damned good at what I do. No one's ever caught me tailing them before."

She threw him a quizzical look. "You do this often, do you?"

He chuckled. "Actually, I do. I'm a private investigator."

Well, that explained it. If she hadn't felt him behind her, she wouldn't have known. "Just my luck."

"I didn't intend for you to ever find out I'd followed you home tonight. I was just going to make sure you got in safely and leave."

That would have been great except he'd still have found out where she lived. "That's really nice, but I already told you that I'm fine. I don't need you checking up on me."

She heard rather than saw him shrug. One of the perks of having amazing hearing.

"Sorry. My father always taught me that you took care of a lady. Made sure she got home safe and sound."

"But I wasn't your date, so I'm not your responsibility."

"Doesn't matter. Look, Selena, whether you like it or not I like you, and I want to get to know you a helluvalot better. I won't give up on you anytime soon, it's just not my way so you may as well give in and give me a chance."

"And I have no say in the matter?"

"Yes and no."

Despite herself she laughed. "Meaning?"

"You've already decided. Your heart and body have already said yes. It's only your mind that refuses to give in."

"Unfortunately for you, it's my mind that's got the deciding vote." The second the words passed her lips she wished them back. She'd as much as admitted to what he said.

He shook his head. Stepping closer, he reached out and cupped her cheek. "No, it doesn't. This is the real deciding factor."

She felt his sweet breath on her face just moments before his lips gently brushed across her own. They were feather-light and warm, at first coaxing, then growing more insistent as her response became evident.

She knew she should push him away, but she couldn't seem to make herself do it. She'd been fantasizing about kissing Rafe from the moment she'd first heard his voice trickle over her senses. Now that it was happening, the last thing she wanted to do was stop him.

Her hands developed a mind of their own. Happily, they explored everything they could reach, from his hard biceps to his strong neck and finally ended up clutching his tight ass for everything she was worth.

She was right in her initial assessment—he was most definitely sex-on-legs. And right now, with his erection nestled between their bodies, she wanted nothing more than to traverse the very path that led to what felt like his very impressive sex.

She moaned into his mouth and ground her hips against him, feeling him return the exquisite pressure. Their tongues danced along each other, questing, exploring, enticing. Her breath caught. Blood pounded in her ears, all but igniting in her veins. She tried to tell herself it was just a kiss, nothing more, but who was she kidding? She'd never felt anything that came close to this kiss before.

Everything about him struck a chord with everything she was, and everything she wanted for herself, but was too afraid to take.

With an answering groan, his mouth started eating at hers, their tongues now melding together.

Tasting.

Needing.

Wanting.

Oh Lord, how she wanted. She wanted it all with this guy. Sex without a doubt, but the terrifying thing was she wanted more than that. She could deal with just the physical. In fact, Anne was probably right that all she needed was a good, long night of hot and heavy sex.

But with Rafe, she found herself dreaming of the happily-ever-after, and there was no happily-ever-after for her. There couldn't be because of what she was.

Pushing him away with a determination she didn't even know she possessed, she stepped back. Did she have the same stunned expression on her face he did? With disgust, she realized she must.

Neither said anything. They couldn't. Both of them were breathing so hard you'd have thought they'd been running for their lives. Then again, maybe they had. Rafe, because he was chasing after her. Her, because she was striving to get away from his magnetic attraction.

The whole thing was ridiculous.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Damn her voice's quavery betrayal.

He reached out and skimmed his thumb across her lips. "Because I can't."

She shook off his touch and his hand dropped away. "That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I can give you."

Selena threw her hands up in frustration. "What am I going to do with you?"

An utterly wicked chuckle erupted from him. "I can think of a few things."

"I'll just bet you can." So could she, although she'd never let him know it.

Despite her resistance, he pulled her into his arms and held her close. "Stop fighting this, Selena. At least give us a chance."

It felt so good to be held in his arms. She felt warm, secure and cherished. She nuzzled into his shoulder and inhaled his comforting scent.

How was it was possible to feel so comfortable with a man and yet be so turned on you wanted to screw him senseless at the same time? It didn't make sense.

She sighed and snuggled in closer. "You need to go away."

His arms tightened, drawing her even closer. "Whatever you say. Just as soon as I see you home."

"You're not going to give in on this, are you?"

He kissed her forehead. "Nope."

"Bastard."

***

Click Here for more info about this book

 

Thursday, February 07, 2008 

Current mood:  happy

CHAPTER ONE


She'd really done it this time.

After a lifetime of getting into one scrape after another, Brianna had finally managed to pull off the big one. The snafu of snafus. The fiasco of fiascos. Oh hell. Might as well call it what it really was.

The worst fuck up of her entire ridiculous life.

She peeped back into the living room full of rowdy men, all impatiently waiting for her. And there, smack dab in the middle of them, was the very last man she wanted to see right now. Quinn MacRae.

The bane of her existence. The epitome of trouble. The very embodiment of the biggest pain in her ass.

The absolute love of her life.

Shit.

How was she going to get out of this one?

One of the rowdies spotted her and pointed in her direction. "Hey, I think she's finally coming out!"

His pronouncement sent the rest of the pack into a frenzy of hooting and hollering. Brianna slammed the door shut and leaned back against it.

She couldn't do it. She couldn't. Not with Quinn there.

The hollering changed from a cacophony of whistles and catcalls to an orchestrated chant of her stage name. "Si-ren! Si-ren! Si-ren!"

What was she going to do? Better yet, how had she let herself get talked into this in the first place?

She caught sight of the phone bill sticking out of her purse. Oh yeah, that's how. She was flat broke.

Well, that and the fact that her best friend Maggie had called, coughing and hacking, begging her to take over tonight. Since they'd practiced Maggie's routine together, Brianna was her first and only choice to take her place. The ironic part was that Brianna had never done anything like this before. She only knew the routine because it was a really good workout. Must be something to do with all that bumping and grinding.

Her face flamed at the thought of Quinn seeing her do those suggestive moves. He already had a less than stellar opinion of her. She didn't think this latest mess was going to improve things any.

A movement across the room caught her eye, making her jump. For a second she'd thought someone else was in the room with her, but it was only her reflection in the mirror. Brianna stopped and really looked at herself.

Her hair was teased into a wild and sexy do completely unlike she usually wore it. Plus which she'd slathered on so much makeup her own mother wouldn't recognize her.

Feeling hopeful for the first time since she'd spotted Quinn, she stepped closer to the mirror and pushed at her breasts. You know, in this skimpy harem-girl getup she really didn't think any of the guys would be looking at her face any time soon. Pressed and plumped to magnificent proportions in the red push-up bra, she almost didn't recognize the monolithic pair as her own.

Nope, there wasn't a man alive who'd be looking at her face. Not even Quinn.

Relief washed over her. She was safe. An idiot. But safe.

Besides, what did she care what he thought of her even if he did recognize her? Her shoulders straightened of their own accord. Tilting her chin up, she bravely met the gaze of the seemingly confident woman reflected back at her.

She was a good person. Occasionally she got into some trouble. Okay, more than occasionally, but within reasonable parameters. The bottom line was she needed the money. That she was willing to work for that money made her an honest person as well as a good one.

So there, Mister holier-than-thou Quinn MacRae.

Giving a final nod to her sexed-up image, she turned back to the door. The men were now stomping their feet in tandem with their chanting. She couldn't put them off any longer without causing a riot.

Pulling herself up to her full five foot ten inches, plus the four-inch stilettos, she put on her mental suit of armor. She could do this. She would do this. Consequences be damned.

She opened the door and the chanting stopped. As one, the men turned their hungry eyes on her, raking over every inch of her body in the revealing costume. Stripping her before she'd even started the routine.

She wanted to turn and run. To get the hell out of there. But there was no turning back now.

There was nothing to do but brazen it out.

*

Click Here for more info about this book


Saturday, January 05, 2008 

Current mood:  sassy
Category: Blogging


Are you a worrier like me? Even if you're not, I hope you'll enjoy my guest post over at Samhain Publishing's blog. Check it out at the following link:


Worriers Anonymous, Anyone?



Friday, November 30, 2007 

Current mood:Smitten with our new kitten
Category: Pets and Animals

If you’ve ever found yourself adopting a new pet when it was the last thing you’d planned to do, you might enjoy reading my blog post about how hubby and I got kitty number two. =)

Shoulda Worn A Blindfold


Anara

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 

Current mood:  happy
Category: Blogging

If you're in the mood, have a gander at my guest blog over at Crave More Romance:

The Mystifying Art of Procrastinizing

Anara

Monday, October 29, 2007 

Current mood:jazzed
Category: Blogging

Hey everyone! Check out my guest post over on Romance Junkies' new Blog:

A Writers Life: The Dream Lives On

This was my first time blogging so I was a bit nervous, but I had a blast doing it. =)

Anara