Guest Post and Giveaway with Miranda Neville

THE SECOND SEDUCTION OF A LADY
Eleanor Hardwick and Max Quinton shared one night of incredible passion…that was shattered the next day, when Eleanor learned of a bet placed by Max's friends. Now, five years later, Max still can't get Eleanor out of his head or his heart. He has a single chance to make a second impression—one that will last forever.

I loved writing this reunited lovers tale. Max has a lot of work to do, changing Eleanor’s mind and he sets out with unflagging determination. In this scene he encounters her picking blackberries and offer to help. 

********* EXCERPT ********* 

 

Eleanor proved an indefatigable forager.

“Is that enough? May we rest from our labors? I see a shady spot under that oak where we can sit and talk of graves and worms and epitaphs.”

She caught his Shakespearean allusion and laughed. “What a charming invitation! Let me just pick that last bunch. I swear they are the best ones I’ve seen.”

“That’s the sixth time you’ve said that. I’ll get them. It’s too far for you to reach.” He spoke too late. She stretched across the breadth of the bramble patch and gave a little cry.

“You’ve hurt yourself!” He pushed back the ruffle that fell from the elbow-length sleeve. Tiny spots of bloods punctuated the white skin of her inner arm. With infinite care he dabbed up the blood with his handkerchief. “Are you in pain?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Here,” he said softly. I’ll kiss it better.”

She tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her, retaining a gentle but undeniable hold on her elbow and wrist. His lips traced the angry red line of the scratch. He took his time about it, relishing the soft skin impregnated with a subtle floral fragrance. All too soon he reached her wrist, but he had no intention of stopping. He prolonged his pleasure, lingering at the tender joint. She gasped when he let his tongue emerge to enjoy the taste of salt and blackberry, but she didn’t struggle. So he held the hand, liberally stained with purple juice, in both of his, nuzzled the palm and took the tips of her strong slender fingers, one by one, into his mouth.

“Max,” she murmured. Finally she’d used his Christian name. “My hand is dirty.”

“It tastes sweet,” he said, replacing the forefinger with the middle one.

“Here,” she said, sounding a little desperate. With her free hand she grabbed a berry from the basket. “If you must eat.”

He raised his head from her hand but otherwise made no other movement except to part his lips. He held his breath, his heart hammering wildly. The fruit glistened in the sunlight before she inserted it into his waiting mouth. Sweet and tart, just like her. Even more than the fruit he relished the avid look on her face as she watched him swallow.

“Thank you,” he said softly. “Now let me find one of the biggest and ripest for you.”

He’d already spotted his quarry on the bush, out of the corner of his eye. He plucked it carefully and pressed it into her slightly open mouth. She chewed convulsively and a tiny driblet of purple seeped out. Quick as a wink he took the lush lower lip between both his and sucked off the juice. And before he knew it, he was kissing Eleanor again and she was kissing him back.

I must admit I have a fondness for food scenes in romance. They can be so sexy! Do you have a favorite? And what foods to you find particularly sensual?

Miranda Neville grew up in England devouring historical novels and romances. She now lives in Vermont where she is hard at work on her seventh full length novel. The Second Seduction of a Lady is a prequel to THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING WICKED, coming November 27th. She can be found on Facebook and Twitter and on her website. She also blogs regularly at The Ballroom Blog

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