Double Jeopardy: Strength In Numbers - Softcover

Bo, Rachel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1843609517 ISBN 13: 9781843609513

Publisher: Elloras Cave Pub Inc, 2004

Synopsis

Strength in Numbers - Double Jeopardy By Rachel Bo Book 1 in the Strength in Numbers series Kendall Aaronson can't believe the incredible attraction she feels to the two young hunks, Joshua Reed and Sutter Campbell, the first time they enter her shop. Soon, she finds it's an attraction she can't resist! As their unique relationship heats up, so does the temper of Sutter's father. When David Campbell threatens to destroy everything Kendall has come to cherish, her strength and determination are the only things standing in his way. Note: This ménage a trois story contains male/male sex scenes.

About this title

About the Author

Rachel Bo lives in Texas, where her family manages (barely) to keep her from floating off in the bubbles of fantasy that percolate from her ears when she’s writing. Thomas the Rhymer, a Basilisk, and the White Rabbit live with her as well, and Nessie makes frequent appearances in their back yard pond. She has yet to tame a dragon, but has vowed it’s only a matter of time.

Rachel is married to the perfect man, has perfect daughters, lives in the perfect house, drives the perfect car, and owns the world’s only perfect pets – in other words, she’s quite delusional, and PROUD OF IT!

Rachel loves to hear from her readers – you can [...] email her at rachbo03@yahoo.com

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

An Excerpt From: Strength in Numbers I: Double Jeopardy

© Copyright Rachel Bo, 2004.

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave, Inc.

The first time they came into her shop, Kendall was struck by the contrast between them. One man stood tall and bronzed with short, straight hair painted a dozen different shades of blonde by the sun. He was muscular in a lean, athletic way and exuded a bright, casual confidence that literally seemed to light up the room. Eyes the darkest brown Kendall had ever seen were surrounded by indecently long lashes, and when Kendall met that gaze it was like drowning in molasses. She was sucked in so fast it took her breath away. A massive effort of will was required for her to smile politely and drag her attention from him to his companion.

Short. Olive-complected. Thick hair that was dark as midnight, shaggy curls just brushing his broad shoulders. His tank top revealed the large, well-defined muscles of a man who was into weight-lifting. Unlike his friend, there was an air of quiet reserve about him. Of shy withdrawal. She met his gaze and it was like diving into a whirlpool. His dark grey eyes were stormy waters and Kendall once again found herself struggling to look away, but there was an abiding calm beneath that dangerous surface. Kendall had a sudden sense that this man had weathered his storms and come through with an unshakable inner strength. It came to her that if the tall blonde were the foundation of a house, here was the bedrock upon which that foundation stood. She experienced an unexpected longing to be a part of that. She stared into his eyes, unable to look away until one of them cleared his throat.

What’s wrong with me? Kendall thought. Never before had she reacted so strongly to a man. Hastily pulling herself together, she glanced from one to the other and asked, "May I help you?"

"Lady of the Myths," the taller one mused, referring to the name of her shop. "I like that.

Kendall smiled. "Thank you."

"How long have you been here?" he asked.

"The shop?"

He nodded.

"Oh, let’s see. I moved here when I was twenty-three. Opened about a year later, so approximately eight years, I guess."

The tall man glanced at his companion. "I can’t believe we never noticed it before." Then they were both staring at her again, an intense scrutiny so sultry that for a moment she imagined her clothes going up in flames, revealing her eager nipples, her damp crotch—shocked at herself, Kendall turned away.

Straightening a figurine that didn’t need straightening, she stammered, "I-I’m not that surprised. Most of my customers are tourists, or couples looking to decorate a home." She took a deep, calming breath and turned back, determined to ignore the effect they were having on her. "I don’t think you’re tourists—you look more like locals. College students?" She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "Furnishing a dorm?"

"A home." The blonde met her gaze boldly. It seemed to Kendall as though he were trying to tell her something without coming right out and saying it. "Actually, it’s just a house right now. With any luck it will be a home soon." For a fleeting moment, she thought he was trying to tell her that they were gay. That they were setting up house together and then it would be a home. But Kendall knew desire when she saw it, and they were both devouring her with their eyes. Their regard seemed to penetrate right down to her bones. Kendall shivered with a sudden urge to brush her tingling nipples against their chests. The dark man shared a glance with his tall companion, then stepped forward, close enough that if Kendall were to draw a deep breath, her fantasy would become a reality. It was almost as if he had read her mind. Startled, Kendall stepped back. He watched her with a secretive smile on his face.

Flustered, she looked up with relief as the bell on the shop door jangled and a couple entered. "Why don’t you two look around, and call me if you need any help."

She went to greet the elderly man and woman and occupied herself with finding just the right mermaid accents for their newly remodeled bathroom. By the time she sent the couple on their way, the two men were gone.

Or so she thought. Later, when she had locked up and was reaching to pull the steel mesh gate down over the storefront, two sets of hands suddenly appeared to either side of hers. The tall blonde easily reached the handle Kendall was having difficulty grasping and he and his companion pulled the gate down and set the clamps.

"Thanks," Kendall said, a trifle breathlessly.

Their eyes glittered, reflecting the glow of the streetlamps. "No problem."

Kendall turned to go, but the blonde reached out and touched her shoulder. "Let us take you to dinner."

Strange things were happening to Kendall’s arm. Tiny electric shocks danced from his fingertips like lightning. She glanced down, almost expecting to see sparks, but of course there was nothing. Just his hand. Kendall felt a sudden vertigo. For a brief moment, it was as though she were looking at herself through this stranger’s eyes. He wanted to pull the clip from her hair, run his fingers through her long tresses, caress her. Abruptly, she jerked her shoulder from his grasp. "No, thank you." She backed away, eyes wide, then turned and hurried to her car. Her hand shook as she let herself in, then slammed and locked the door, backing quickly out of the lot. When she glanced in her rear-view mirror, they were both still standing there, watching her drive away.

Edition details

• Publisher: Elloras Cave Pub Inc
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1843609517
• ISBN 13: 9781843609513
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 187