| Now available from HeatWave! Phantoms & Fantasies by Annie Rayburn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One: "Come on, Zee. Go with us. It'll be fun. Lots of people around Dallas would like an invite to Turk's parties. They're always a blast," Diantha Holley pleaded with her from inside their walk-in closet. "You know Halloween isn't my thing. I'm sure no one will expect me to be there. Besides, it's a silly Human holiday." Zeenie LaShey leaned over the double vanity sink of their shared bathroom, applying the finishing touches to her mascara. Why, she didn't know. She certainly wasn't going to Turk's little shindig. No doubt there'd be other Crainesians present. Being humanoid, their race had co-existed peacefully on earth for decades. Long enough for some to have relaxed their attitudes about 'sharing' -- the ability Crainesians had of linking telepathically. Humans couldn't tell when their thoughts were being harvested, but Crainesians could feel it. She didn't feel like maintaining an iron curtain in her mind while pretending to enjoy herself. Zeenie wanted this year to be different. She wanted to be different, wanted to forget that awful Halloween the year she'd entered college and avoid any memories of haunted houses and masks. That's why she'd let Di talk her into this little black dress, with the emphasis on little, and the new high-heeled strappy sandals. Exposed. That's how it made her feel. Like the world would be staring at flesh she didn't normally let show. "Human holiday or not, Crainesians have celebrated it for years. It's fun and you promised." Di peered at her from behind a curtain of silvery blonde hair before tucking it behind an ear. "I promised I'd go out with you. You didn't say anything about a party at Turk's." "Oh, don't be that way." Bumps and grunts accompanied Di's search for a missing shoe. Her rump wiggled and her dress inched up high on her ass, revealing a red lace thong. Zeenie smiled. It seemed Di decided to match more than her shoes. "Cooper says Turk is attracted to you. Maybe he's your mate." Zeenie rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. "He doesn't do it for me. Sorry." Actually, he did too much for her. That was the problem. She didn't want to desire any man, least of all Turk Fontaine. Not tonight. Not on Halloween -- of all nights. She shuddered. "I thought you swore off Halloween parties five years ago, when we graduated from college." "I did, but this party is different. It's just a few friends." Di smoothed down her red spandex mini-dress and leaned over the sink to inspect for makeup damage. She wiped a smudge from underneath one powder-blue eye, stared at her reflection for a moment and lifted her chin slightly. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but a promise is a promise." Zeenie stared at her, mouth parted. "I know. I always let you off the hook, but not this time. As much as I'd like to, I can't continue to be your crutch. It's not what either one of us deserves." The corners of Di's mouth quirked upward. "Coop is growing impatient, wanting us to start a family, and I won't do that until we're officially married." "Oh, Di, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you from living your life too." Zeenie meant the words, even if they were accompanied by a sinking feeling. Di was her best friend. Maybe Zeenie hadn't meant to do so, but it didn't change the fact that Di and Coop were waiting for her to get on with her life so they could live theirs. How mortifying. She should have seen it. Hell, maybe she had and just hadn't wanted to admit it. Di interrupted her thoughts with a fierce hug. "You didn't ask me to wait, Zee. I did it because I wanted to. You needed a safety net after the rape, and I was glad to catch you whenever you faltered. But you're stronger now. Much more than you give yourself credit for. You don't need me anymore. Not really." "I don't know about that." Zeenie withdrew from Di's embrace. The mere mention of the rape always made her want to pull into a shell. "Sometimes I want to go forward and have a normal life so bad I ache. But wanting it and actually being normal are too very different things." "You're ready. You don't have to jump in at the deep end. Just dip your toes in the water. Go wading tonight." "With Turk?" Zeenie grimaced. "No thanks." "Sweetie, do you realize how he looks at you?" Di turned Zeenie toward the mirror. "How could he not be interested?" She looked, as directed. "Oh, yeah. Like dark hair, average height, average weight is a knock 'em dead combo." She shrugged. Even at mid-thigh, the length of her dress still seemed too brief. Thank goodness the neckline covered all but the very tops of her smallish breasts. She'd never be comfortable showing as much cleavage as Di's deeply v'd neckline did. "It is. You've got a killer body, great hair, big brown eyes, and...come to think of it, I think I hate you." Di propped her hands on her hips. "What was I thinking, getting you to buy this dress? I'll be fighting for Coop's attention all night." Her gaze, full of affection, caught Zeenie's in the mirror. She jabbed Di in the ribs with her elbow. "You mesmerized him a long time ago. Coop never sees anyone but his darling Di." "Kind of like the way Turk's attention has a homing beacon and you're it?" Scooping up a pair of red chunky heels, Di sashayed out of the luxury bathroom they'd both agreed was a must for two women sharing an apartment. "He does seem to turn up wherever we are, that's for sure." "Because he's totally hung up on you. That's why." "Will you stop? I can't take it tonight. My nerves are already stretched to the limit." Truth was, Di's taunts about Turk hit too close to home. Zeenie had been in Turk's presence numerous times, in a group. The last time, his pheromones broke through her barriers like they were made of tissue paper. She'd moved as far away from him as possible, but not before she'd felt a liquid heat between her thighs. That kind of instant sexual attraction between Crainesians was usually unique to life mates. The very thought made her freak. But if she wanted things to be different, if she wanted to be different, then she had to consider mating sometime. Just not with someone like Turk. "My, aren't we moody tonight. It's party time, and to my way of thinking, you -- of all people -- need to loosen up." "Give me a break already! You know why Halloween spooks me." Zeenie's mental walls lowered as her temper increased, allowing a little of her inner panic to permeate the room. Di's head jerked up. Zeenie slapped the barriers back into place. "Don't invade my privacy." "You're the one who shared." Their gazes held for a moment, Di's thoughtful. "If you'd try talking to him, I think you'd like him. He's nice." Zeenie made a gagging motion with a finger pointed at her open mouth -- a gesture straight out of their middle school years. "I suppose next you'll be telling me how sensitive and caring he is." Her roommate shrugged. "I don't know him all that well. But Cooper's known him since they were like in first grade. If my guy likes him, Turk can't be all bad." "Why are you pushing him on me all of a sudden? When I'm ready, I want a man who's gentle and kind and... not Turk, that's for sure. The man's a slut." Maybe if she kept telling herself that, he'd get less attractive, less appealing. "That's a little harsh, isn't it? Don't tell me you believe those stupid rumors." "Why shouldn't I? Every time you see him he's got some big-boobed bimbo hanging off his arm. Rumor has it he screws every one of them too. Why would I want to become another of his casual conquests? Traditionally, Crainesians aren't so... so promiscuous." "My, my, my! No need to get so testy. I suggested you flirt with him a little, not boff his brains out." "Well, there's a mental image that will cause nightmares." In the midst of Zeenie's biting comment, the doorbell rang. "That'll be Coop. You ready to go?" Di challenged. Zeenie hesitated, wanting to refuse. Maybe if she acted like she enjoyed tonight and buried her thoughts and feelings deep enough, she could convince Di to quit playing the martyr. It was high time Zeenie stood on her own. "Five minutes, okay?" she asked. "I'll be right out." Di nodded and left the room. Zeenie sat on the bed and slipped her red lacquered toes into delicate strappy sandals with a four-inch heel. They made her legs look long and lean, made her feel almost sexy. I can pull this off. There'll be others there. I can just melt into it, make small talk and avoid Turk for the most part. Standing, she sucked in a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and headed for the living room with purpose in her steps. At the end of the hallway, she faltered at the site that greeted her. She'd been had, and by her best friend of all people. ----------------------------------- Want to read more? E-Mail me and let me know. If there's enough interest Chapter Two will be posted and I'll notify you when it's available. |
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| Publisher: HeatWave Romance Release date: 10-07-05 Currently Out of Print ISBN: 1-58749-528-7 Format: e-book Cover art by April Martinez |
| Annie Rayburn, author of erotic romance |
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| Contents of this web site are copyrighted by Annie Rayburn. Site designed and managed by Annie Rayburn |
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| Here's what a critique partner had to say about Phantoms & Fantasies: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS STORY. The characters are so rich and full of conflict. You managed to take an unpleasant experience, the rape, and deal with it in an emotional manner that allowed the reader to see Zee’s growth back to a whole woman. Turk, while I first pegged him for an alpha male, is what I like to call an evolved Alpha. Not once did he lose the “manliness” Alphas are so famous for. Even during the episode at the club, he did not hesitate to keep Zee’s feelings foremost in his mind. My goal had to been to finish reading this (book) this week and I’m sooooooo glad I did. Please hurry and send it out. I cannot imagine anyone not loving these characters and this story. Tammy |
| REVIEW: "PHANTOMS AND FANTASIES...will capture the readers attention and keep them turning the pages until the end. Turk is dark and sexy and very determined to get the woman he wants. Zeenie is just as determined to resist Turk's advances... The love scenes are passionate and sure to please readers. Annie Rayburn has penned a wonderful book and interesting characters, which will have readers looking for more of her books. " --Angel Brewer, Romance Junkies (4 ribbons) |
| REVIEW: "Phantoms and Fantasies is a magical story of love, passion, and healing that will have readers hanging on to every word. Zeenie and Turk are both strong, interesting characters that are unforgettable in their quest for a life mate, and who share a strong bond ... This story flows smoothly and contains some red-hot love scenes that are passionate, yet tender. Annie Rayburn ...earns a Recommended Read with this fascinating and absorbing story." --Tammy, Fallen Angel Reviews - (5 angels!) a Recommended Read! |
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