Welcome to Tantalizing Tuesday here at Behind Closed Doors. Today I thought I’d go back a bit and visit with the characters that started me on this journey with the Now and Forever series. Before there was a Julia Santos and her search for her HEA with her Mistress Carmen, there was Quinn Lee Hollis (nee Quartermarsh) and her search for love with two men—Vegas Tycoon Stephen Eischer and classic bad boy Jacob Hartley. Their story was told in For the Love of Quinn (Now and Forever 1) and continued in The Island (Now and Forever 2).
I really caught a lot of flack from readers for the love triangle between those three. Many people wanted to shake the hell out of Quinn for first being in Vegas to get “laid” while she was still married to another. Yes, Jackson Hollis was a real lowlife piece of shit, but some found that objectionable. You see, the old “rules” of romance frowned on adultery. Whatever. Quinn was stuck in a loveless and sexless marriage. The hardworking veterinary surgeon was about to pop! She’d recently dropped a hell of a lot of weight and was smokin’ HAWT when she returned to Vegas for an annual veterinary conference and to visit with her sister and adopted brother. Little did she know when she arrived that her encounter with both Steve and Jake on the same night would change her life forever.
When I wrote this story, I printed off the photos of the actors who I pictured in my head when I wrote the story. Some family and friends tried to say Quinn was me—well, she is but I didn’t picture myself as her. It was the gorgeous Alyssa Milano who got that role in my head. Of course when it came to the sex scenes…hehehe. You do the math! 😉 Anywhoooo….Alyssa had all the physical attributes and characteristics I saw in Quinn so she won the part.
Steve Eischer was easy for me as well. I had his voice in my head first and his deep rumbling laughter. The actor who fit that bill to a T was Jeffrey Dean Morgan. You may all remember him best as Denny from Grey’s Anatomy or John Winchester from Supernatural. The role that clinched it for me was in The Losers. He oozed sex appeal in that film and the scenes with him and Zoe Saldana…oooooo! He had the perfect mix of stubble on his chin and slightly graying temples that made him the perfect one to play the man with “more money than God.”
I’ve had fun interviewing “Steve” a few times here on the blog. He’s hinted at a relationship between us. I’m not one to kiss and tell but if you listen to him, I’m the one who got away. That’s why he fell so hard for Quinn. LOL!
I will admit this—the sex scenes in the books are all real life experiences. Whose they are I’ll leave up to your imaginations. 😉
For the bad boy, there couldn’t just be any old actor. No, he had to be a certain type. Strong and imposing on the outside, but a hot mess on the inside. This many has been damaged both mentally and physically by a lover from his past. He is the tough biker with the heart of gold who’ll do anything for the ones he loves, including give them up if he thinks they’ll be better off without him in their lives. No other than Christian Kane could portray him in my head. Plus can’t you just picture him covered in tats? I did and that’s why he is my Jacob Hartley.
The three of them go on an epic roller coaster ride in that first book. Quinn has not one but two breakdowns because of Jake. As always, Steve’s there to pick up the pieces but he’s also the only one to see the love of soul mates can’t be denied. He’s the perfect selfless hero because he moves heaven and earth to bring the two meant to be together through each and every lifetime together in this one—even when the odds are against them.
Here’s a couple excerpts for you to enjoy. If you haven’t read For the Love of Quinn yet, it’s available from all major outlets including Bookstrand, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. It’s a long book at over 219,000 words—and epic tome by many standards but well worth the time. You will get lost in their story. Trust me.~Tammy
BLURB
Quinn Lee Hollis is a 43-year-old veterinary surgeon who has reached a crossroads in her life. Stuck in a loveless and emotionally abusive marriage, she decides that she has had enough and vows to cut loose and enjoy herself in Las Vegas with her sister. There she meets and falls in love with two men.
Both bring out the fire and passion in her that she has longed for her whole life. Steve Eischer is a Vegas tycoon who wants to fulfill her every fantasy, and Jake Hartley is a classic bad boy who awakens desire in her so strong that it nearly destroys her.
Both Steve and Jake have claims on her heart, but only one can share a connection so strong that nothing can keep them apart.
STORY EXCERPT
“Chicks love bad boys.” Jacob winked, and they both laughed. He was right. She looked too classy, even if those curves were calling out to him. Jacob only hesitated for a half a second longer and thought what the hell. Might as well give it a shot. He downed one of the whiskey shooters, and just as he was about to get up and go over to her, Steve returned and took them to a private table to store their things before heading out to the dance floor.
Oh man. She can move, too. Jacob’s heart skipped a beat or two when she caught him watching her dance. She smiled slowly, and he got lost in her eyes, blue-green like the ocean, those come-fuck-me eyes you read about in Playboy. Holy shit, Jake thought. They really did exist and they were right there, locked with his own.
Eric had stopped watching the dancers and was now staring at Jacob. “Whoa, brotha! I think you just got thunderstruck. We need to get you out of here. You don’t need another broad chasing after you now. You start your new job in Chicago at the end of next week, and you leave Vegas in two days. Don’t you dare let another one mess with your head!”
Jacob had to admit his little brother was right. He had just come out of a messy breakup and really didn’t need to hook up with anyone right now. He didn’t need the complication. But man, what he wouldn’t give to explore those curves for the next two days. Jacob groaned before he downed the last of his beer and the final whiskey chaser. He glanced at his watch and realized his brother’s shift was over and there was no other reason to stay at the club. “Let’s get out of here. I wanna stop by and see if Derek will be able to finish my tat tomorrow.”
“Sweet! Those dragons are really coming to life on your back. Derek is a fucking genius!” As they made their way through the crowd to the exit, Jacob couldn’t help himself and looked back one more time for the hot number in the barely-there red dress. He had a gut feeling that this was one broad he wasn’t going to be able to get out of his head for a hell of a long time.
****
“Quinn?” Miranda snapped her fingers in front of her face and laughed. “What the hell just happened to you?”
“I don’t know. I looked up and saw this guy watching me with the deepest blue eyes I had ever seen, moustache, goatee, shoulder- length brown hair, earrings in both ears. I couldn’t look away.”
Miranda rolled her eyes. “Stick with the plan, honey. I think Steve wants you for himself tonight. If you don’t jump on that, I just might.”
Quinn’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor. “What would your children say?”
She shrugged. “What happens in Vegas.”
Before Quinn could answer, Steve returned. He circled her waist with his hands and pulled her close to him. Miranda was dead-on. He wanted her all right. The proof was bumping Quinn’s ass at the moment. She smiled at her sister, who winked back.
“Have fun!” Miranda danced her way off the floor to finish her margarita and to chat up the bartender for his secret to making them so fucking fantastic.
Quinn settled back into Steve’s arms, letting him move her along with him for a little bit. She had to admit, she loved the attention. He nuzzled her ear before turning her to face him, pulling her arms up to circle his neck. Mmm. Dark brown, wavy hair, salt and pepper stubbly chin, earring and dark smoldering green eyes, double check!
“Where did your sister get off to?”
“Hmm? If I know her, she’s picking your bartender’s brain on how to make the perfect margarita, and then she’ll go park it in front of the roulette wheel for a few more hours. Subtle, isn’t she?”
He continued to hold Quinn tight against him, moving slow and easy even though the song was hopping. “I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but you’re drop-dead gorgeous, and I can’t keep my hands off of you.”
Got him! “I don’t recall asking you to keep your hands off of me.”
He leaned down and nibbled on her earlobe. “Stay with me tonight, Quinn. I have a suite here at the casino with a big round bed, Jacuzzi, and private pool. I want to do naughty things with you all night long.”
Quinn flashed her wedding rings at him. He just shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me in the least. If a man can let a woman like you go to Vegas without him, then he is a fool.”
“That he is. Got an extra toothbrush in that suite of yours?”
“I think I can rustle one up for you.” His lips brushed hers, and heat flashed through her. Quinn was more than ready for this. Steve led her off the floor and over to his private table to collect her things. Miranda had left a note. Have fun and see you in the morning. She was a smart-ass, but Quinn loved her!
Steve took her hand and led her over to a private elevator for VIPs. She’d never imagined she’d catch the eye of a sexy club owner on their first night in Vegas! She wondered what it was going to be like to get him alone and away from the loud music. She didn’t have very long to wonder.
ADULT EXCERPT
As soon as the doors closed, he pinned her in the corner. “I’ve wanted to do this from the moment I saw you step out of the elevators tonight.” His lips touched hers once again, softly at first, and then after teasing her a little with his tongue, he dove right in, picking Quinn up at the waist and lifting her up so that she was sitting on the railing. His hand trailed up her thigh and under her dress. His fingertips gently teased her clit a bit, making her gasp, breaking their deep kiss. “I knew it. Your dress fits you like a glove. No way in hell you were wearing anything under it.”
“I’m glad you approve.” Quinn wrapped her legs around his waist as he picked her up off of the railing and carried her through the doors into his suite, the penthouse suite, no less! Now their lips and tongues battled each other for control, neither one of them willing to yield just yet. Quinn could feel his cock straining to get out of his pants and into her. Her pussy throbbed and cum already started to coat her inner thighs. She forced herself to come back to earth. “We need to slow down a second.”
Steve smiled again and her mind nearly went to mush. He put her back on her feet, keeping one hand on her waist, while the other pulled a condom out of his pocket. “Like the boy scouts say, always be prepared.”
“I knew there was something I liked about you besides your killer smile.” She wrapped her arms around his neck tighter as his mouth crushed hers once again. She loved the feel of his hands on her body and the heat that zipped through her with every single touch and kiss. She wanted more, so much more.
“Quinn, I don’t know if I can wait much longer. I have to have you, baby.”
“What’s stopping you?” She bit his earlobe a little, and that was all the signal he needed. He lifted her up into his arms again and pinned her against the wall in the entryway. Quinn held on tight to his neck and shoulders while he unbuckled his pants, freeing up his huge cock. He ripped open the condom wrapper with his teeth, and before Quinn could catch her breath he nearly split her in two as he entered her. She was already hot and so wet that he slid in quickly. She was so surprised at his size that she dug her nails into his back a little too hard. Quinn didn’t think he minded one bit. He groaned as his cock filled her cunt completely, stroking every single inch of her. Her body shuddered wildly as the first orgasm hit her. She moaned as Steve broke their kiss, leaving her a bit breathless.
“Good god, your pussy is fucking fantastic. I can feel every single inch of you pulling me in.” He shifted positions so that he had her legs over his arms, and he spread her wider. He kept pounding her against the wall, thrusting deeper still. He felt so good stroking her and hitting every sensitive spot. Wave after wave of ecstasy ran through her. She came over and over again, her cum continuously squirting out of her and over Steve. “You’re so hot and wet. I can’t get enough of you.”
“Jesus Christ, your cock is so fucking big. Harder, baby, harder.” Quinn was lost in her own climax, and then Steve’s arms tightened around her as he groaned against her tits. His thrusts slowed, and he pulled back to look into her eyes. Both of them were panting trying to catch their breath. His cock was still buried deep inside of her and rock-hard. Now he kept eye contact as he moved in and out of her. He changed position again so that he had her wrapped around him and his hands on her ass, moving her up and down his shaft. Quinn straightened her legs and pointed her toes as a very powerful orgasm hit her, and she couldn’t hold back a scream. That did it for him. He came right along with her, their bodies shuddering together.
Steve leaned into her, a smile gradually forming on that gorgeous mouth of his. “Goddamn, woman. If this is any preview of what we will be doing together the rest of the night, I don’t know if I am going to be able to let you leave here in the morning.”
Quinn nibbled on his stubbly chin a bit before pulling his mouth back to hers. “How about you give me a tour of the rest of your place and we will just let things happen as they happen.”
Steve moved both of them away from the wall but still kept his hands firmly on Quinn’s ass, letting her legs slowly slide down his body until her heels hit the floor again. “You better hang on to me for a little longer. I don’t know if I can walk normally just yet.”
He moved his fingers lightly up and down her bare back, sending shivers through her once again. “I don’t think that will be a problem at all, Quinn. You’ve put some kind of spell over me, and I can’t keep my hands off of you.”
“Well, your hands feel awfully good on my body, and so do your lips, your tongue, and that welcoming committee you have stuffed in your pants!” Good lord! Quinn had never fucked anyone with a cock that big, and he sure did know how to use it. Miranda was going to faint when she heard about this!
Behind Closed Doors 