shifts and places, his hands under my bottom, lifting me so that we’re both sitting upright, my legs wrapped around his waist. I grind my hips against his as he rocks into me.
“My turn,” he whispers as he tightens his arms around my waist, pulling me as close as he can. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and we rock into one another slowly, delighting in sensation and the unhurried heat of pleasure building inside. When I think he’s close I slip my hand between us and circle my fingers around my clit the way he does.
“Fuck that’s hot,” he pants.
I smile down at him, my body begging for release. Elijah pumps into me, once, twice and then we’re both crying out, getting lost in the pleasure and the sweetness of it all.
When we’re satiated and spent he falls back on the bed and takes me with him. We lie there for a moment, luxuriating in the warmth of each other. He traces a finger up my spine and I shiver and then he grasps the nape of my neck and forces my mouth down to his. That one kiss contains more heat and desire than any we’ve ever had because for once, it doesn’t symbolise the end.
It’s a beginning.
And a damn good one, too.
Acknowledgements
There are so many people to thank when it comes to bringing a book baby to life, but at the risk of sounding like an Oscar winner blubbering their way through their acceptance speech, I’d like to take a minute to thank the incredible people in my life that helped make this book a reality.
To my darling Ben, who supports and loves unconditionally. Who puts up with a partner who spends more time inside her own head than she does in real life—without compliant—I love you more than you could ever comprehend! Thanks for being an amazing partner, an even more incredible father, a freaking awesome (first) cover/web/swag/blog designer, a sounding board, a saviour, a warrior and my best friend. The ideas man reigns supreme!
To my babies Ava and Ari, I love you like crazy! Thanks for sharing mummy with the voices in her head. I hope when you grow up you’re lucky enough to have a job you love as much as I do mine, and above all I hope you never stop dreaming.
To my niece, Z?e Jean—my Ana. Thank you for agreeing to let me plaster your beautiful face all over Sugartown. You went above and beyond for our photo shoot and I’m so incredibly grateful. You’re not only beautiful, but your grace, humility and humour make you an incredible young woman, and I couldn’t be more proud.
To my mum for being the most amazing woman I know … Thank you!
My family and friends, thank you for understanding that writing a book isn’t just about stringing together a few pretty sentences, it’s spilling your blood and guts all over the page and rolling around in it for months, sometimes years, on end! Now you know why I’m so bloody crazy.
To Lauren K McKellar—the greatest editor in all the land—thank you! I gave you a very messy manuscript and you made it sparkle like a diamond! Yes, exclamation points and all!!
Heartfelt thanks to my amazing beta readers: Ali Hymer from Ginger-read Reviews, Debbie from Talk Supe and Keep Calm Read Romance, and author Emma Silver. I adore each and every one of you! Thank you for loving these crazy kids as much as I do, for championing and swooning—Ali, you’re messed up, but I wouldn’t have you any other way ;)—right alongside me, for creating teasers, leaving AMAZING early reviews and helping to spread the word of Sugartown.
Ali, thank you for cyber bitch-slapping me when I’m freaking out—which, let’s face it, happens a lot—for encouraging, and for just plain
To my motorcycle expert Steve Streater for going above and beyond for a little Aussie author who previously knew NOTHING about motorcycles. Thank you for finding a bike big enough to carry Elijah that still managed to be sexy, mysterious and a little bit run down—just like its owner. You were so kind and extremely generous with your time, and all for a complete stranger! Any mistakes in this area are my fault alone.
Thank you to Frankie Rose for your friendship, advice and mad formatting/cover designer skills. C.J Duggan, Annie Walls, Belle Aurora, Lola Stark, Bella Jewel, Megan Keith, Rebecca Berto, Jessica Roscoe, Jo-Anne McLeary, Simone Nicole, Lila Rose, and all the amazingly supportive authors and bloggers of the Aussie/NZ Authors/Bloggers fb group, thank you.
A massive THANK YOU to my wonderful Street Team, The Sugar Junkies, and my lovely blogging buddies, you know who you are, and to everyone who has shared, blogged about, squeeeeed, added, and requested ARCs of Welcome to Sugartown. I’m indebted to all of you!
And finally to the readers, the world is full of incredible books, thank you for choosing this one to grace your shelf/e-reader.
Welcome to Sugartown.
I hope you Enjoy Your Stay.
About The Author
Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something author, doctor, pilot and CIA agent. She's also a compulsive, flagrant prevaricator who gets to make things up for a living.
While Sugartown may not technically exist, Carmen grew up in a small Australian town just like it, and just like her characters, she always longed for something more. They didn't have an Elijah Cade, though. If they did, you can be sure she would have never left.
Stay up to date with the Sugartown series at www.carmenjenner.com
What The Critics Are Saying
“Very dramatic, very heart wrenching, very sexy, very intense, very violent, very scary at times. Very enjoyable!”
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'5 Magnificent Stars! In this heart-pounding and addictive love story, Carmen Jenner will have you laughing, crying, and become so spellbound with these small town characters that you'll never want to leave. Who ever said small town living was boring has obviously never been to Sugartown.'
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“Well, spank my ass, that was flipping awesome! My world has been rocked by Carmen Jenner's debut book, WELCOME TO SUGARTOWN.”
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“Welcome to Sugartown will tear you to pieces but put you back together again with its humour and host of
