Are your Chakras out of Balance? A great article ...

I saw this article and really liked it.

It fits into a story line I'm working on and it's a wonderfully written, condensed version. I really liked it and thought I'd post the text from Magical Recipies Online. You can visit them at magicalrecipiesonline.com and see all of the other wonderful posts written:

When our energy centres are in disharmony or blocked, either due to our bad physical life habits, our negative thoughts and emotions, can cause weaknesses or physical dysfunction. Let's see the 7 main energy centres of our bodies and the problems that they are related to them:

1. The Root Chakra

The root chakra is located at the base of your spine and pulses with a vibrant red colour, the colour of life. The root chakra connects us with Earth, our physical home and it is linked with survival and our Earth Self - the physical body. Common blockages come from the fear of survival and lack of grounding. The manifestation of energy blockages to the physical body include problems with the legs, sciatica, eating disorders and constipation. The lesson we learn from the Root chakra is that of Safety, we need to acknowledge to our selves that we are safe and the Universe will provide. When our root chakra is open and balanced, we feel safe, grounded and with a sense of purpose.

Bringing Balance:  Realise your fears, face them and accept them with your will to live a blissful life.

2. The Sacral Chakra 

The sacral chakra (also known as the spleen chakra) is based in the lower abdomen near our genitals and pulses with creative orange energy. It is linked to our creativity, personal power, pleasure and sexuality. Common blockages come from the lack of expressing our creativity, our sexual desires and our inability to express and receive joy. The physical body can translate this blockage by showing signs of lower back pain, impotence, addictions and problems with the kidneys. When this chakra is balanced we feel joy, we are able to receive pleasure, we feel commitment and we honour others. We are also able to express our creativity with a burning passion and express our inner world.

Bringing Balance: Release your guilt and embrace the fact that you deserve as your divine right to receive and enjoy all pleasures.
 

3. The Solar Plexus 

It is based a few centimetres above your navel and pulses with a brilliant yellow colour. The Solar plexus is where our personal power resides and shows the way we project ourselves to the world. Imbalances of the Solar Plexus chakra are presenting themselves in the physical body as digestive problems and issues with the stomach, pancreas or gallbladder. In the emotional level, the imbalance is associated with lack of self-esteem, fear of rejection from other and criticism towards our own selves and others. When it is balanced we are able to feel in control, we understand and appreciate our own uniqueness and value and we feel confident.

Bringing Balance: Shame has to be released for a healthy chakra and self-acceptance is key to bring balance to the Solar Plexus. Write a list of all the qualities you love about yourself and remind them to yourself each day. Be grateful and write one more item on the list each time.
 

4. The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra is located at the centre of your chest and pulses with a compassionate green light. The Heart chakra is that of infinite love, compassion and emotional well being. An imbalanced heart chakra can manifest the following problems on our physical body: asthma and lung/breathing disorders, issues with the chest and breast, problems with the shoulders. At an emotional level it is associated with self-defeat thoughts, anger and jealousy. When it is balanced we feel compassionate, joyous, surrounded with love and forgiving.

Bringing Balance: Forgive not only others but yourself as well. Release all sorrows of your past and surround any actions that have brought pain with love. I love and I forgive.

5. The Throat Chakra

The Throat chakra is located at the centre of your neck and it pulses with a vast sky blue colour and is the center of communication, truth and free self-expression. When the throat chakra is out of balance, our physical body can manifest physical imbalances at the thyroid gland, neck and shoulder pain and as well we are prone to throat infections. At an emotional level, we may experience lack of expression, inability to communicate with others, fear to talk our mind freely, dishonesty and lies. When it is balanced we feel communicative, expressive and honest both to ourselves and the world around us. 

Bringing Balance: The throat chakra is the chakra of truth. Face yourself and love yourself and identify what is the message you would like to pass about yourself to the Cosmos. Speak it out loudly!

6. The Third Eye 

Your third eye chakra is located at the middle of your forehead, a little above your brows. Feel the chakra vibrating with a beautiful radiant indigo colour. The third eye chakra is the chakra of intuition, inner guidance, and is the chakra which assists with all psychic abilities. Physical imbalances are manifested as issues with your sight, headaches and it can also affect hearing and smell. At an emotional level, a blocked Third Eye chakra can create illusions about ones life, extreme daydreaming with no sense of grounding, volatility and ignorance towards our intuition. When it is balanced we feel clarity and our thoughts are in line. We have a clear sense of who we are, what we serve and how we move towards our goals. 

Bringing Balance: Cut the veil of illusion that you have created. Trust your inner voice that shows you the path to happiness and abundance.

7. The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra is located at the top of your head. It vibrates with a beautiful white light that encompasses all colours. The crown chakra is the God Unity chakra  and reminds us our connection with our Divine Self. The crown chakra is rarely completely out of balance but if all the other chakras are not in balance as well it may play in a different tune. Depression, confusion and learning difficulties are associated with an imbalanced Crown chakra. When the Crown Chakra is balanced we feel attuned to our Higher Self, connected with God with an unshakeable trust to Ourselves and the Universe. 

Bringing Balance: Let go of your overall attachment to the physical world. Stop living in the past or in the future, instead live mindfully and live in the present.
 

http://www.magicalrecipesonline.com/2016/05/are-your-chakras-out-of-balance.html

  

Sunday Snippet, on a Tuesday

So, I thought I was going to share a snippet on Sunday, but forgot. So, I'll share it here now.

This is just insurance to reassure you that yes, I am working on Honour's Price, the next book after Blood's Price...

....

It was Sleeping Fox who roused first and released her grasp on his hands. They lay side by side, their bodies still joined. She slid her fingertips over his features and through his loose hair, brushing the errant strands from his blinking eyes. She was the first thing his vision took in, and he saw the love and concern in her soft gaze.

“Did I hurt you?” she whispered, tucking her arms in between the warmth of their bodies.

“No,” he kept his murmur as soft as hers and then smiled for the first time in a very long while. “No more than I deserved, anyway.”

She smiled warm and light, softening and smoothing the stressed features he knew were his fault. “Well, if you would like, I can arrange for you to be reprimanded more in this way, if it would help you feel better punished.”

He felt lightness in his heart and spirit return, and couldn’t help the chuckle. “I think I’d love to have you punish me more like this.” He propped himself up on one elbow, slid his hand down the length of her back and hip, drawing her closer. “Matter of a fact, I think your punishing has healed me.” He was hard again, and pressed against her. Using his weight to press her back, he slid deep and sighed with pleasure when she opened to him, inviting.

“You’re not strong enough yet.” She hissed.

“I’m better than I have been in a long while.” He smoothed the worry from her skin and kissed a new forming protest from her lips, cupping her bottom, he thrust a little deeper, a little stronger. The worry in Sleeping Fox’s eyes and expression smoothed and was replaced by molten desire. He kissed her, long and deep, trailing his lips over her face, her jaw, her throat. “You see, I have a lot of making up to do. I’ve made my mate suffer and I intend to repay where I’ve wronged.” His lips found hers again, and her fingers grasped tightly to his back, kneading the muscle, and he knew from the stuttering sigh, and pulse of her body, that he had claimed her once again, just as she had claimed to him. 

                                                   Have a great day!!

Bellingham Scottish Highland Games

It's been a busy weekend at the Bellingham Scottish Highland Games. It was a lot of fun, even though it was over 90 degrees.
All of our girls did such a great job and all of them brought home several medals. Carissa won 8 medals, 2 trophies (for Agrigate or most accumulated points and Perpetual Award, or the judges favorite), and they are going to put her name on the big dance trophy the Bellingham Games keep.
She is still stunned and we are all so happy for her.

Memorial Day Garden

My garden is looking so lovely that I had to share some shots...

Estrella Azul Snippet ...

http://www.evolutionarypublishing.ca/

Andre casually withdrew his touch and accepted the menu presented.

Erin looked at it over Andre’s shoulder, leaning close, and the sweet, spicy

scent of him assailed her senses, making her long for his suggestion, even over

·         dinner. The only thing on the menu that looked appealing was a cheeseburger and

fries,  so  she  ordered   that   with   a   Coke.   After   taking   Andre’s order, the flight

attendant left them alone again.

“Why do you leave your coat on, isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“I might take it off in a while, when everyone is sleeping.”

“Oh. Okay. Why do you have to wait?”

Andre leaned close. “I’m wearing my gun, sometimes it upsets people to see

it, and so I just leave my jacket on until the lights are turned down low.”

“How did you get a gun onto the plane?” Erin hissed. “I thought that was a

no-no.”

“My agency has federal clearance, so I’m authorized to carry a weapon any

time, any place, including planes. That’s why they let us stay on board at the

Houston airport.”

“If you have a gun on, why can’t you just go back there and get my purse?”

“Well, think about it. If I went back there like that, what do you think would

happen?”

Taking a deep breath, Erin let it go. “Never mind.”

“We’ll get it, I promise you.” Andre patted her knee, smiling at her.

Dinner was quick to come and for Erin, her plate was empty almost too

quickly. But at last, she was full. The evening movie held no interest for her and so

she watched out her little window as the sun began to set with pink hues in the

Western sky. Her blinking became longer and longer as her body relaxed.

The   dreams   that   resulted   were   sensually   terrifying.   Titillating  words   of

promise, mixed with Andre’s tantalizing scent provoked feelings of need and desire,

while the haunting reality of being caught in a game of cat and mouse kept the

feeling at bay. It was like an erotic purgatory, making Erin jolt awake bathed in

sweat. Blinking, her eyes focused on what was in front of her. Andre was sound

asleep, he had the thick blanket pulled up over his shoulder; concealing the holster

she knew was there. His bare bicep stretched out, leading over to her body and she

realized the weight pinning her was his arm, wrapped protectively around her. Erin

didn’t dare move for fear Andre would remove it and that was the last thing she

wanted to happen. This was the safest she had felt since all of this crap had begun

and she knew that feeling would end way too soon. There was more to come, she

knew that much, and feared it would not be any better. Looking beyond and across

the aisle, she could see out an adjacent window that it was still very dark out. This

little tube, full of people was cruising through the night sky;  bringing her closer

then she had ever been to the stars.

A sudden jolt and the feeling of going down a deeply rutted road shook them

all out of their security. Erin tried not to scream. Instead, a sound resembling the

squeak of a large mouse, escaped and she clutched her blanket tightly. Andre’s

thick arm coiled tighter around her, dragging her toward him, even as he slid her

·         way, meeting in the middle. Looking freshly woken and a little startled himself,

Andre chuckled, his teeth glowing from the stubble shadowing around his lips.

The loudspeaker crackled to life overhead and the pilot’s voice sounded. “Just

a little turbulence, folks.”

“See there? Nothing to worry about,” Andre soothed.

“I don’t like it,” Erin breathed, clutching the front of his shirt, making

wrinkles in the tightly drawn fabric.

“It will be all right. I’m surprised we haven’t run into it sooner. Denver is

usually terrible about turbulence.”

Swallowing, Erin released the wadded fabric and smoothed it over his warm,

hard chest. Her fingers played over the rigid contours of muscle and a sharply

pebbled nipple making his pecs ripple and flex beneath her fingertips. The pulse in

his throat quickened and Andre’s hand pressed harder to her back as he slid his

palm   upward.   Erin’s   touch   brushed   the   cold,   hard   metal   of   the   gun   handle,

contrasting his soft warmth. Her fingers folded as she quickly pulled her hand away

from him and look up into his dark gaze. Capturing her hand, he raised it to his

lips, kissing where she had touched the weapon.

“What’s the matter?” Andre breathed, placing her palm back to his chest,

pressing it there with his own.

“I don’t like guns.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve seen too often the damage they can do to the human body.”

“But that’s not the gun’s fault, it’s the person behind it that is responsible.”

“Perhaps, but I still don’t like them.”

“That’s fair enough, but it’s my job to carry one to keep us safe.”

“It’s a never ending circle, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Andre’s mesmerizing touch sliding over her back soon made Erin sleepy

enough that she fell back to sleep, tucked beneath the safety of his arm.

Estrella Azul

Just having fun updating my little spaces on the web...

http://www.evolutionarypublishing.ca/2015/08/estrella-azul-blue-star-by-colleen-love.html

Estrella Azul Blurb:

Erin Garret stands alone by the graveside of her grandfather. As the old paleontologist’s sole heir, he has left her everything, including a dangerous secret, a map and a warning. As she is swept up and into a world of treachery, she finds one man who earns her trust. But can he save her from greedy hands?

Andre Diego follows his fate beyond the Andes Mountains, earning his way through life as a soldier and agent. When his path crosses Erin’s, he finds more at stake than duty and it’s highly personal. His strength alone cannot carry them through. Before time runs out, they must work together to find the Blue Star, Estrella Azul.

Oz with his Kitteh ...

I just needed something good, positive and cute for today! 

'59 Diner Pancake and Waffle Recipe

This is the most commonly used recipe in our house and not just for breakfast. There is nothing better than a light, fluffy pancake to finish a day!

Buttermilk Pancakes

2 Eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 - 1/3 cup oil
2  1/4  tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 - 2 Tblspn sugar
1 3/4 - 2 cups flour

Beat eggs until light and fluffy, add buttermilk and oil. Add baking powder, soda, salt & sugar and mix well, then add flour. Beat until smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest while the bacon is cooking! :)

For waffles spread batter on to well oiled waffle iron and allow the waffle to cook until the steam dissipates. This makes nice crispy waffles. ♥

Enjoy!

Colleen's Cinnabuns and Amish White Bread Recipe

This is actually my Amish White Bread recipe made into the cinnabuns. It's such a good recipe I use for everything.

1/2  cup lukewarm water (cold water: 20 sec in microwave)

1 pkg yeast (2 tsp of bulk)

1 tsp sugar

--

2 cups lukewarm water (cold water: 60 sec in microwave)

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1/3  cup sugar

1 3/4 Tbsp. shortening

7-8  cups flour

** Cinnabun variation at the bottom **

Desolve the yeast and sugar in the 1/2 cup lukewarm water, set aside to let proof.

Mix the 2 cups water, salt, sugar and shortening. Add the yeast mixture and gradually the flour.

Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in oiled bowl, cover and set in a warm place to rise until double, 1 hour.

Punch down, let rise again for 1 hour more. ** 

Divide the dough into 2 large loaf pans, or 3 medium. Let rise until double again, between 30 to 60 mins. Bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.

** Cinnabuns**

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon

1/3 cup softened butter

After last bulk rising, roll out dough to a 14X28 in. (or so) rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the entire surface, leaving a 1 - 2 inch margin on one of the longer 28 inch edges. Sprinkle/spread cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter, being careful to not get any on the clean margin. Starting with the "dirty" margin on the long side, roll until you have a 28 inch log. With a sharp, serrated knife cut log in half. Cut those 2 halves in half keeping it even until there are 16 rolls. Butter baking pans and place rolls close together. Let rise 30 mins covered. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 mins. or until golden brown. Let rolls cool 15 - 20 mins before spreading icing.

9x13 = 8 rolls

9X9 = 4 rolls

Cream Cheese Icing

1 (3oz) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp milk, more if icing is too thick to spread easily.

Beat and spread over warm rolls.

A Wee Snippet

Just sharing a few paragraphs of my WIP. I hope you enjoy!

Note:
Eoghan is pernounced You-en. :)

****

Alison sat on the sofa in the other room after Eoghan moved her out, several times. He had something secret going on in there that had her on pins and needles. She had to know what he was doing.

“Alison Mackinnon, if I catch you peeking one more time, I will block the door out so you cannot see it.”

“Can you do that?”

“Are you daring me to try it?”

“Uh, no.”

It was a short time later when he came back in to her. Alison had settled in and found a book to read belonging to Eoghan. It hadn’t been too dry reading and she didn’t want the TV on, so she could hear what he was doing. But he was very quiet and her curiosity was getting the better of her. She was relieved when he came in and got her. Only he had an agenda.

“Now, I have another part of your lesson ready. All day you have gotten to use all five of your senses, and now I am going to take away your sense of sight and see how well you do. I want you to tell me what you learn from it.”

“Okay. I think I can manage that.”

Eoghan placed a little black, silk mask over her eyes and her world went dark. She held on to his hand with both of hers as he led her back into the kitchen. Lifting her up, he set her down on a tall stool, always keeping a hand on her to steady her precarious position.

Alison felt the space around where she sat and felt nothing but air. She froze.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to let you fall, promise.” He took her hands and placed them in her lap, giving them a light pat before his touch abandon her.

Alison took a deep breath. “Alright. But just so you know, I’m afraid of heights.”

“Don’t worry, you aren’t that high off the ground, I have you.”

Alison felt herself relax a little.

“Now, tell me what you smell.”

Alison smelled and pulled back a little. “Cantaloupe.”

“Good or bad?”

“Bad, well, not my favorite.”

“How about this one?”

“Peach?”

“No.”

“Nectarine?”

“Yes.”

Wet coolness touched her lips and she licked the sweet and tart of the juice from her lips. Alison accepted the morsel of fruit, chewing and swallowing before another scent was presented to her. She successfully named an orange, apple and banana. “Eoghan, as much fun as this is, will you please tell me the point of it?”

“Well, besides fun, it’s about trust. I need for you to learn to trust me with all of your senses and without question. Today’s incident was a lesson for both of us and if we are going to make it to Samhain so we can cross in one piece, then we have got to build a strong bond of trust.”

“The Bonding isn’t enough?” She felt him lean close when the heat of his energy merged with hers and his breath a mere whisper over her sensitive skin.

“No, that isn’t enough,” he growled. “There is more to it than that and if that ever happens, you have to know what the consequences are for something like that. It is sacred and more than just animalistic mating, as much fun as that would be.”

“I trust you,” she whispered, feeling his energy wane and knew he’d backed away. Her skin tickled and she felt him behind her and turned her head a little to keep track of him, feeling when he moved around her in a circle, before stopping in front of her again.

Another fruity presentation wafted under her nose and the scent and taste of sweet juice dribbled down her chin.

“Peach,” she whispered.

He was close, she felt his energy drift in with hers again.

“Very good.”

He slid the morsel between her parted lips. Before she could swallow, the warmth of his breath breathed against her throat. Pleasure skittered over her sensitive skin, making her feel unsteady, and she moved her hands toward him, seeking balance. He intercepted and restrained her wrists in one hand until she settled, feeling balanced again. Eoghan released her and she felt his energy ebb as he moved away.

Eoghan’s presence surrounded her as he moved closer, taking her hands in his. “What would you say if I told you that there was no chair under you?” he asked softly.

Alison stiffened as she drew in a sharp breath. She slid her hands away from his grasp to feel for the stool. When she felt nothing beneath her, she quickly lifted the eye mask. With a shriek, she fell to the floor. “What the hell?”

“Your lesson is over. Your senses are sharp but you still have a long way to go as far as trust is concerned.” Offering his hand, he helped her upright again. A small glint of sadness touched his eyes. “Don’t worry though I’m going to be with you every step of the way. Matter of a fact, I have an idea. I am going to teach you the way I was taught. You’ll learn very quickly, I have a feeling, and I will be pushing you all the way.”

Rapunzel Who??

I see a lot of ladies that appreciate gentlemen with long hair, myself being one of them. I see nothing feminine about a man with long hair at all, quite the contrary. Throughout history there are strong-men who have long hair and I really believe the hair does have some magick to it, I see a lot more men that have stopped the hair cutting and beard shaving and I love it! So, I will share with you, a couple pictures of Mr. C ...

Release Day for Inferno!

Today is the re-release of my book Inferno, so as a treat, I thought I'd post the first chapter ... :)

Liquid Silver Books: http://www.lsbooks.com/inferno-p945.php

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Inferno-Some-Like-Colleen-Love-ebook/dp/B00N89EZTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=colleen+love+inferno 

Inferno

Some Like It Hot

Colleen Love

 

Prologue

“Come…”

He wouldn’t. He fought the urge surrounding, overwhelming and overriding his senses. Mentally he struggled, trying in vain to get a grip on his faculties, trying desperately to disobey.

“Come on,” the taunt was a deep voiced hiss, slithering through his ears and into his brain. “You know you want this. Such warm pleasure…” The voice beckoned, enticed, demanded.

Out of desperation, he closed his eyes, clenching his jaws, looking skyward in a strained attempt to block the voice taunting him.

Warmth spread before him on the chilled night. Looking down with a start, he jolted. When had that happened? What had he done? Looking at the lighter in his hands, the incriminating evidence, he dropped it, shaking his hands and wiping them on his shirtfront as if to rid them of the evil he could not shake. But it was too late.

The flames rolled slowly over the vertical wood shingles, the golden tongues licking, consuming the wall in slow drags. He always felt the flames, the heat, as a molten lover. The mellow heat pulled him, drawing him closer, caressing his skin, seducing. His cock stiffened, sweat slicked his skin as the fire grew. The intensity surged through him, the flames becoming his master. A sleeping beast released to feed and he watched the hypnotic tongues, feeling them caress his flesh. His cock pulsed with imminent release.

He had to get away. He had to move. The flames held him captive, the beast growing, consuming, and roaring with life. Shivering violently, he came.

Realization fell over him. What had he done? Horrified, he jumped to his feet. He had to get away. He had to move.

Chapter 1

Henri James rolled her head, stretching her shoulder and neck muscles. Tucking a stocking-clad foot under her thigh, she sighed and stretched. This seemed like the longest week in history. The season was changing from summer to autumn. The dreary Seattle weather was blowing the vibrance of summer away, leaving a stark world of grey, and silver skies.

“You’re here late.” She didn’t even need to turn to know it was Mr. Danno, her editor, addressing her.

“Yes, well, I was finishing up a project.”

“Are you going to interview that firefighter anytime soon?”

Henri looked at her watch. “As soon as I finish here, I’m meeting him for dinner over at the Palisade.” She looked up at him, curling the corners of her lips. “And you’re paying.” She batted her eyes dramatically at him.

“A date? I thought you were just going to pick this guy’s brain. Since when does an interview include five-star meals?”

“Since I’ve been busting my butt to get you your top stories. Besides, this guy saved that baby’s life. Think of it as a reward for him, compliments of Mr. Danno, the man-o.”

Mr. Danno sighed heavily in defeat. “Just keep it cheap.” He sighed again as he walked away, shaking his shining domed head.

Henri smirked. As if. Glancing at her watch again, she planted her warm foot into her cold pump. She opened up the file on her desk, perusing the notes and photos she had collected of her subject, one Mr. Cade Lane. She had to be honest and admit it; she’d loved collecting the information on this case. Remaining impartial under her journalistic decree was going to be difficult. She flipped over a photo of his handsome, rugged features to one that had been used in the Seattle Firefighters Calendar and then the next with him cuddling the small child. Good God, how can this man be single? She flipped to another photo, this one black and white. She paused, shaking off the effect his photo had on her and took a deep breath. She released it with a huff and closed the file, sliding it into her satchel on top of her laptop. Slipping into her long overcoat, she picked up her things and left for her meeting that wasn’t a date.

After leaving her Lexus with the valet, Henri strolled inside and gave her name to the hostess, who led her to a table overlooking the Puget Sound. Henri drew in a deep breath when she took in the view. The hostess waited while she set her purse and satchel down and seated herself.

“Would you care for something to drink?” Henri accepted the offered menu.

“Umm,” she glanced over the drink list. “I think I’ll have a Hefeweizen with a lemon twist.”

“Okay,” the waitress replied with a smile. “I’ll have that right out.”

Henri relaxed, watching the gentle water of the Puget Sound from the window. A lavender sky faded to distant hills silhouetted in deep purple. An iridescent pink glow reflected from the water, creating an enchanting setting where water birds came and went. She became so engaged with the scenery that she lost track of time and space.

“Ms. James?” The hostess voice cut through her enchantment, drawing her back to reality. She set her Hefeweizen down. “Mr. Lane is here. You were expecting him?”

“Oh. Yes. Thank you.”

The hostess turned on her heel, leading the man behind her to the table. Henri met his sharp, crystalline blue eyes. Her breath caught and she froze. The pictures didn’t do him justice. Sure, they had captured the sandy blond hair, the broad, weathered features and the unreal sea blue eyes. But the camera couldn’t capture the charisma, appeal and devastating charm that had her stunned.

“Anything to drink, sir?” The hostess asked, allowing Henri a moment to blink back and compose what small amount of professional dignity she had left.

Cade looked to what she was drinking. “I’ll have what she’s having, minus the lemon.” A broad smile crossed his lips.

Henri stood, stepping around the table and offered her hand. It was only when she looked up at him that she noticed she’d kicked her shoes off without realizing it. She blushed and introduced herself. “Hello, I’m Henri James and you must be Cade Lane.”

Cade took her hand in his; the rough skin of his large hands engulfed hers, making her shiver and heat flood her body as the muscles of her pussy clenched.

“I must be.” His baritone voice was soft and sensual and made her heart skip a beat.

Jesus, how was she going to make it through this interview without doing something stupid? She looked down at their still-clasped hands and realized it was too late for that. She began to pull her hand away and Cade firmed his grip ever so slightly, drawing her eyes to the knot of their joined hands. The heat of his masculine energy seemed to fuse them together, she looked back up into his eyes, surprised to see the light of the instant attraction she felt. He released her hand and the rapid pulse at her throat echoed in her sex as she sat. She avoided his gaze, crossing her legs, hoping to quell the scent and feel of her aching arousal. It had been too long, much too long since she had been with a man.

The hostess breezed back to their table with the ale in her hand, giving Henri the chance to compose herself with the distraction. “Here you are; someone will be here in a moment to take your orders.”

“Thank you,” they replied in unison. The hostess glanced at both of them before leaving with a knowing grin on her face.

Henri gave an inward groan, ducking to retrieve her good old-fashioned recorder from her bag. If she couldn’t hide her attraction to this man from the hostess, then how could she hide it from Cade? So much for the impartial part. She could see the article now: Henri James would desperately love for Cade Lane to throw her down and fuck her senseless.

After fiddling with the little recorder, she looked up again into those incredible eyes that melted her to the core, feeling her face flush.

An amused smile tilted Cade’s lips. “Are you all right?”

“Umm,” Crap, she’d blown it. “Maybe this was a bad idea for me to interview you, Mr. umm—” Henri stared at him; her mind barren. Despite all the outstanding awards she had won, all of the years she had put into journalism, and all of the people she had interviewed over the years, Henri James was drawing a blank.

“Lane. Cade Lane,” he finished.

Mortified, Henri moved to say something, anything and yet still, nothing.

A warm, understanding smile slid over Cade’s lips again. “If it makes you feel any better, I was expecting someone different.”

Henri felt like she’d been slapped. “What do you mean?” Her brow furrowed.

“Well, with a name like Henri James, I was expecting someone fat and short and male.” He paused, gazing at her with seductive eyes. “You’re not so fat, or short, or male.” A ruddy color spread over his face, just as his smile did. Reaching over the table, he placed his hand over hers in a gentle touch. “It’s a pleasant surprise, I must say. I’m happy to see a mutual attraction here, glad I’m not the only one. Would you like to start again?”

Henri sighed out a nervous laugh. “Oh, Mr. Lane—”

“Cade.”

Henri’s furious blush colored her cheeks again as heat pulsed through her body. “Cade. Cade, you don’t know how happy I am that you’ll let me start over.”

Cade’s fingers moved over the back of her hand, tickling awareness through her. She left it beneath his, enjoying the touch and the sensations that poured through her.

A young man came to the table, interrupting. “Are you ready to order?”

“Oh dear, well, I’m afraid we haven’t had a chance to look yet.” Henri looked to Cade. “This is Mr. Danno’s treat, so please—” She nodded to the menu, indicating that he order big. She looked back to the young man. “I’ll have the salmon.”

“Okay.” He committed her order to memory.

Cade smiled. “And I’ll have the New York steak, medium rare, please.

“Very good.” The waiter turned and left them alone again.

“Well, I suppose we should get this going.” Henri pushed the record button on the recorder. “Do you mind if I record our interview?”

“No, not at all.” He leaned forward, his gaze still following her movements, sliding over her face, her throat and her breasts, making her nipples tighten.

Henri struggled against the spell he had over her; she shook her head and moved her hair back off her shoulders. She moved her hand away from his touch and entwined them before her, steepling her first fingers as she thought. “Mr. Lane—”

“Cade,” his voice slid softly around her.

“Cade.” Shaking her head again, she laughed. “This is very difficult.” She admitted.

Reaching over the table, Cade grasped her hand again. “Then maybe we could save the interview for another time and enjoy the sunset together now. It seems such a waste to not enjoy it.” He reached over and clicked the recorder off.

“Mr…Cade, I—”

“Cade.” He lifted her hand, kissing her knuckles as he breathed his name onto her skin.

The heat of his breath made her heart pound and visions of his breath on her body made her swallow hard. “Cade, I don’t usually do things like this,” she whispered.

Cade’s sultry smile reflected in his soft gaze. “Neither do I. But sometimes when you get that deep-down feeling, you have to follow it.”

Henri’s eyes held his and she smiled.

Their dinner arrived shortly thereafter and Henri found that food had never tasted so good. The atmosphere was perfect in that subtle romantic way. With the windows now darkened by night, the soft tinkling of the piano in the background and her handsome dinner companion, it was very easy to forget that she was supposed to be here on business.

When their meal was complete, including the sharing of a large sundae, she felt the bitter ache of having to go home, alone. She didn’t want to leave him, but didn’t want to ask him into her bed…yet.

“Would you like to go up to Snoqualmie Falls?” Cade asked as they pushed back from their empty dishes. “Maybe your interview would work better if I could show you the who, what, where and when.”

“That would be lovely!” Henri felt as if a light had come on inside. “When would you like to do that?”

“Well, I happen to have the day off tomorrow, would that be okay?”

“I’d really like that.”

“Say, eleven o’clock? That will give you plenty of time to get there without being in a hurry.”

The hostess approached them. “Our dining room will be closing in a few minutes. If you would like to move into the bar area, that will be open longer.”

Henri looked at her watch. “It is getting late, I really should be going. It has been so nice meeting you.” She stood, with Cade right behind her.

“I’ll walk you out. I should be going too.”

Henri shouldered her purse, stepping in front of him as he waited. He was such a gentleman. Why was it all she could think of was ravishing him?