Attorney Carin Cross, better known as CC, has just emerged from the marriage from hell. After the divorce, her best friend tricks her into visiting a clothing-optional resort, aptly named Bared Essentials. CC is not happy and lets everyone around her know her feelings. She makes up her mind to stay behind closed doors until it’s time to go home, that is until she runs into the man she’s fantasized about, Stephon Hill.

Stephon is a hard-working attorney who treasures his secret forays to the island. The last person he expected to see at the resort is CC, the woman of his dreams. Acting upon mutual attraction, the pair begins a torrid affair on the island. Almost as soon as it starts though, CC has doubts about them. Why would a gorgeous man like him want her?

Stephon must act quickly to convince CC she’s more than an island fling to him. But can he overcome her seriously flawed self-esteem and show her they’re made for each other?


Genre: Contemporary romance, erotic romance, Interracial

Heat level: 4

Cover art by Dara England




~Excerpt~

Unable to move, Stephon simply stared openmouthed. He was crouched before Carin Cross, stark naked. “Hello, Carin. Funny seeing you here.”

CC took a long draw on her drink and swallowed noisily before answering. “Yeah, funny. Ha-ha.”

“You know this guy?” A redhead sitting with the group leaned forward to get a look at his bare ass. “Introduce us, CC.”

“Guys, this is Stephon Hill. Stephon, this is Brooke, Tom and Jerry.”

Stephon crooked an eyebrow at the two men. Tom and Jerry: how original. Before he could comment, CC spoke. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I was tricked into coming here by Ms. Brooke. What’s your excuse?”

Stephon took a deep breath and tried to come up with the right words. What he wanted to say was that he was here to escape all the phony people back home, but Carin may not appreciate that retort. “I—”

“Ladies and gentlemen, your table is ready.” As one, CC and her companions rose and turned to the hostess. Stephon took a step toward Carin but came up short when he saw the apprehensive look on her face.

“I need to get back to the game,” he excused himself. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around, Carin.”

“I don’t think so,” she responded. “I have a feeling I’ll be spending the rest of my vacation in the condo.” She held her hand up when Brooke opened her mouth to respond. “It was nice, um, seeing you, Stephon.” Quickly averting her eyes when he lowered the ball, she made her way inside the restaurant. Brooke merely shrugged and followed.




Author Bio:

Ever the romantic, Denise McCray believes in happily ever afters: happily ever afters with a lot of passion and steamy sex, that is. When she’s not toiling away at her day job, you can find her either reading a hot romance or writing one. Sit back and get lost in a Denise McCray tale. Happily Ever Afters with a Side of Sizzle!!