To celebrate my release day, here's another steamy excerpt from SKIN!

SKIN by Bernadette Gardner

"I don't really need a tattoo—it's just something I've always thought about doing and I wanted to get some ideas."

"You need to get something you'll be happy with. I do a lot of cover work—fixing and changing images people purchased on the spur of the moment without considering the long-term implications. It pains me to see someone having an old lover's name covered up or who's had extensive laser work to remove an image entirely. You have beautiful skin, and I would hate for you to one day want to remove the work I do for you."

She nodded, still uncertain but clearly warming to his honesty. She let out a slow breath and the sound of her quiet exhalation made his balls tighten. She moved past him, stirring a faint essence of sultry perfume. He almost leaned in for a deeper breath of her before she turned again to face him. "I know I'd like something small to start with. I don't want any names or hearts and flowers."

"No. You need to make a statement with your choice. Something that will remind you, whenever you see it, of why you came here today."

She tilted her head. "I just don't want my boss to see it. I work for a very conservative company."

"If you were truly worried about someone else's opinion, you wouldn't be here. You want something that speaks to you and you alone."

She smiled and Darq's heart responded with a quickened beat. "How can you tell all that just by looking at me?"

"It's what I do, Makena. Now sit down, relax. Why don't you take your jacket off and we'll discuss where you want the image?"

She hesitated. Would she obey him? She shrugged her purse strap off her shoulder and set the little black bag down next to his chair. Darq held his breath when her fingers slid into the front of her suit jacket and flicked open the two silver buttons. If he didn't control himself, he'd probably start panting. He gave a moment's thought to the Open sign still hanging on the front door. This would be a private consultation from this point forward. Though he'd probably catch hell from his partner for closing the shop even temporarily this late on a Friday evening, it would be worth the drama to have some uninterrupted time with her. This one was special. She needed personal attention he wouldn't be able to give with a shop full of customers asking questions and comparing their previous tats.

Makena Brady slithered out of her jacket and folded it carefully over her arm. He noticed the tight grip she had on the gray fabric. She held it like a shield, telegraphing her reluctance to completely let herself go. How long would it take him to cure her of her inhibitions? he wondered. More than the space of an hour's discussion no doubt, but he'd bet it would be worth the effort.

While she focused her attention on the flash that decorated the walls, he indulged in another long look at her. The faint outline of a lacy bra was visible through the thin fabric of her blouse. Darq fixed his gaze on it and imagined the sensual joy of pushing that skinny strap down off her shoulder to examine the skin beneath. He'd never felt such a strong desire to unwrap a woman, layer by layer, before.

To find out more, visit Ellora's Cave