Eden Bradley Summer Heat

I’ve been a fan of Eden Bradley’s since I read her very first novel, The Dark Garden. The fact that she also writes as Eve Berlin just tells you that the woman is talented and prolific. No matter what name she’s writing under, this lady rarely disappoints, so I highly recommend you check out any and all of her books!
Eden’s Summer Heat contribution is Summer Solstice…take a peek.
This summer is going to be twice as hot…
The view from Leigh’s front porch was never this nice. In fact, her hunky new neighbor is sparking all kinds of naughty ideas about how to beat the heat. Much to her delight, the feeling is mutual—as long as they keep things light. Her divorce left her a little lonely, but far from needy.
Jared doesn’t plan to spend much time in his new place before jetting off on his next photojournalism assignment. Leigh’s classic, California blonde looks are any man’s fantasy. A little flirting, a little playful, neighborly car washing, and it isn’t long until their summer fling is in full swing.
Neither can imagine the sex being any hotter—until Jared’s sometime roommate and lover, Matteo, comes to town. In the arms of two men, Leigh brings her ultimate fantasy into scorching reality.
Jared revels in the chance to command his two lovers’ every move, but when he gets the call for his next overseas gig, he’s not so sure he’s ready for the fireworks to end. And even as Leigh gives her two lovers the most precious gift—their freedom—she wonders how she’ll find the strength to say goodbye.
EXCERPT from SUMMER SOLSTICE:
Leigh’s meeting had gone well. She was in a good mood, humming to herself as she slipped her dress down over her head. It was a lightweight, pale green cotton knit that matched her eyes and hugged her body. Not that it would stay on long. Her clothes were never on for long with Jared. She’d stopped wearing underwear entirely unless they were going out, as they were tonight. She paused in front of the mirror over her dresser to pin up her blonde hair and add some lip gloss and a pair of silver hoop earrings, then slipped into her sandals before locking her door and walking across the street. Her pulse fluttered, knowing she would see Jared in a few moments, even though he’d been in her bed just this morning.
Silly of her. But she couldn’t help it. She liked him.
She knocked on his screen door and he called out for her to come in. She stepped inside and he was walking down the stairs, pulling a black T-shirt over his head.
“I’m ready. Are you hungry, darlin’?”
“Starved.”
He kissed her cheek, then her mouth, his lush lips hot on hers. “I appreciate a woman with an appetite.” He growled, nipping at her lip.
“Oh, don’t start or we’ll never get any dinner.” But she flicked her tongue out to lick his lip and he came in for another quick kiss.
“My poor, deprived girl. How about Mexican food? I thought we’d go to La Serenata on Fourth.”
“That sounds perfect.”
He led her outside and helped her into his truck, then came around the other side. It was only a few minutes’ drive to the restaurant. They parked and went in, ordering a pitcher of margaritas once they were seated at the booth.
Leigh sipped at her drink, letting Jared order their food, as he often did. It was a small thing, but she loved it when he took control. Something about the way he did it—he never made her feel as if her opinion wasn’t important. Instead, it made her feel taken care of.
“So,” he said when the waitress had walked away, “I have something to tell you.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” He picked up his drink, took a swallow. “I have a friend…well, he’s more than a friend. Matteo is a musician. He plays a beautiful Spanish guitar. He travels a lot. And in between he often comes to stay with me. He sort of lives with me part time. I’ve never mentioned him because, well, I didn’t realize at first that we’d spend so much time together, you and I.”
He was watching her, his dark eyes serious.
“Jared, did you think I’d be bothered by it? That you have a sort-of room mate?”
“No. But maybe that I haven’t told you sooner.”
“As you said, there wasn’t any reason to.”
“And because he’s not a room mate, really. He’s my lover.”
“Oh.”
Had she intruded on a relationship? But why would Jared have slept with her if that was the case? He hadn’t struck her as the sort of guy who would do anything dishonest. She felt oddly let down.
“Does this mean… Are you and he…together?”
“Ah, it’s nothing like that. We’re together when we’re together. No strings. Is that your only concern?”
“Well, that and whether or not I’ll see you while he’s here.”
“Those are your only worries?”
“What else should I be worried about?”
“That I’m bi.”
Her response was instinctual. Honest. “Are you kidding? The idea of seeing you with another man is pretty hot, actually.”
He smiled at her then, his dimple creasing his cheek. “Oh, you are a dirty girl, aren’t you?”
“But you like that about me.”
“I do.” He took her hand, turned it over and stroked her palm with his thumb, sending shivers up her arm, into her body. “I’m glad you won’t mind Matteo being here.”
“When does he arrive?”
“Sometime tonight. I only found out a few hours ago. It could be late. I’m not certain. You’ll like him. The girls always do. He’s Spanish and Irish. Passionate. Stubborn. Beautiful. An irresistible combination. And he’ll like you.” He raised her palm to his lips, laid a soft kiss there, let his tongue flick onto her skin, his gaze on hers. “As much as I do.”
“I’ll look forward to meeting him.”
She was going wet, loving the sensation of his lips, his hot tongue, on her hand. And at the thoughts his words, his actions, inspired. Two men… Could Jared be implying what she thought he was? That Matteo could end up in bed with them?
The idea made her shiver. Having two men at once had been a long-time fantasy. Watching them together another one. Both at once was almost too much to think about.
Her body was heating up and she could hardly wait to finish dinner, to get back to Jared’s place. To get him into bed. And maybe, to see one of her fondest fantasies brought to life.
They ate quickly, and Leigh wondered if Jared was anxious to see Matteo, if he was thinking about the possibility of a ménage, if he was concerned about whether she and Matteo would get along.
Stop worrying so much.
Yes, she needed to just see what happened, not think about it or she was going to over-think it. Either she and Matteo would mesh well or not. He’d find her attractive or he wouldn’t. And vice versa. She still wasn’t entirely certain that Jared had been hinting what she thought he was. What she hoped.
By the time they got back to his place her body was on fire, buzzing with possibilities. They pulled into the driveway and found another car already parked there, an old, hard-topped Porsche. Jared turned to smile at her.
“He’s here.”
She smiled back, nerves lighting up her skin, making her stomach flutter as Jared came around to help her from the big SUV, led her up the flagstone path to the front door, opened it.
He was sitting on one of the overstuffed chairs, his legs swung over one arm, an acoustic guitar in his hands. He was as beautiful as Jared told her he would be. Dark hair waving to his shoulders, his skin a gorgeous golden-brown. And his eyes were green, darker than her own, a deep shade of moss. Electric. He had his shirt off, and she could see that while he was more delicately built than Jared, he was still all muscle, long and lean. And his chest was perfectly smooth, his skin sleek, his nipples dark. He was smiling at them, his gaze assessing her.
Jared crossed the room in a few short strides, taking Leigh with him, her hand in his. He reached out and pulled Matteo to his feet, his arm wrapping around his neck to pull him in close. The two men kissed, and heat shot like lightning through Leigh’s body.
Jesus.
There was something almost terrifyingly erotic about those two masculine mouths meeting. She’d never seen anything like it, this intimate caress of lips between men, not this close up. Not with Jared holding onto her hand, as though she were a part of it.
They pulled apart, and Jared pulled Leigh closer.
“This is Matteo.”
“Hi, Matteo. It’s nice to meet you.”
Matteo was smiling at her, his teeth a brilliant white in his wide, lush mouth. He really was beautiful. He took her free hand in his, his long fingers wrapping around hers. His palm was warm, his fingertips calloused from playing guitar. She couldn’t help but imagine what those rough fingers would feel like on her skin…
“And you’re Leigh.” His accent was purely American, surprising her for some reason. “Jared told me his new neighbor was a beauty, but I had no idea…” He turned to glance at Jared. “I hope you weren’t planning on keeping her all to yourself.”
“That’s entirely up to her.”
Matteo’s smile widened into a grin as he turned back to her, and she went hot all over as he gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll have to work hard to charm you then, Leigh.”
She smiled back. He was charming enough already. And she understood fully that the invitation was there, for them all to go to bed together. Would it be too much if she simply screamed yes?
“Can I get you two anything? A beer?”
“We just came from dinner and a few margaritas. Have you eaten?”
“I stopped on my way from the airport. I didn’t want to waste time eating once I got here. I have a new piece I’ve wanted to play for you. Do you mind, Leigh?”
“No, not at all. I’d love to hear you play. Jared says you play beautifully.”
“I hope you like it. Come, sit next to me.”
Matteo was still holding onto her hand. He pulled her down next to him on the dark leather sofa. Jared sat on her other side.
Matteo began to play, his fingers fluttering over the guitar strings, making them sigh. The tempo built, a lovely rhythm that was sensual, sexual somehow. He was watching them, Leigh and Jared both, his green eyes gleaming, some sort of challenge in them. Or was she imagining that? He could certainly play. The music was gorgeous, Spanish-style guitar mixed with a bit of Caribbean flavor. She turned to look at Jared, and his gaze was on Matteo, but quickly flicked to her. He smiled, his dimple flickering in his cheek, and he took her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb as they listened. The music, Jared’s touch, was sending heat spiraling into her system. And Matteo’s beautiful face, the intensity of his expression… What sort of lover would he be?
When Matteo was done he set the guitar down on the floor carefully.
“What do you think?”
“Brilliant,” Jared answered.
“You always say that.”
“It’s always true.”
“And you, Leigh? Did you enjoy my playing?”
“Jared’s right. That was brilliant. Gorgeous. So soulful.”
“Ah, I like this one, Jared,” he said, lifting her hand to kiss it, his soft lips lingering.
Jared was still stroking her other hand, and he moved his palm up over her arm, stroking her shoulder. She was shivering with need, with the sensation of the two men touching her at once. With the exquisite anticipation of what might happen between them all.
Jared moved closer, his mouth next to her ear, until she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. “Leigh, tell me what you want.”
It was a command, and yet she knew this was up to her. Knew she’d be crazy to turn this opportunity down.
“I want you both.”
Copyright 2010 Eden Bradley
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