An Engagement Challenge by Kiru Taye (Giveaway)

Title: An Engagement Challenge (Challenge Series, #2)

Author: Kiru Taye

Publisher: KT Press

Length: 70,000 words

Genres: Contemporary Erotic Romantic Suspense (Interracial/African-American, Light Bondage)

Available at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | All Romance eBook

Book 2 of the contemporary romance Challenge series, set in Nigeria. Three friends. Three challenges. Are they willing to risk everything for love?

When savvy PR consultant Ijay Amadi meets successful Industrialist Paul Arinze, the only things on her mind are to forget the pain of her failed relationship and enjoy the delights his branding touch and soul-searing kiss promise. It’s a one-time only event. Perfect.

However, Paul is annoyed to wake up and find her gone the next morning. He isn’t ready to forget the dark-haired beauty or their scorching night together just yet. So he plans to have Ijay right where he wants her—in Abuja, working on his latest business project by day and enjoying the pleasure of his bed by night.

Except when Ijay arrives, she’s wearing another man’s engagement ring. With the explosive desire between them threatening their priorities and loyalties, the stakes get higher by the minute. Who’ll be left standing at the altar when Ijay walks down the aisle?

Excerpt 1

Paul let out a sigh as he took a sip of his drink. Perhaps it was time to call it a night. He was due to catch a flight out of London tomorrow afternoon. A good night’s sleep wouldn’t go amiss. As he turned, the door to the balcony opened, letting out the noise from the bar and along with it, a sexy goddess. Long dark tresses framed an oval face of flawless buttery cream, her curvaceous body in a beautiful navy lace dress that stopped just above the knees exposing satiny legs and feet in wedge sandals. For a moment she stood still, one leg paused over the threshold, the other already outside. In the pose she looked breathtaking with the dim lights from inside framing her in a silhouette. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just wanted some fresh air. I’ll come back later,” she rattled out, the chant of her velvety voice set the blood in his veins alight. She lowered her gaze, pulling the corner of her lower lip with her teeth in a nervous smile. Her diffident expression had his heart hammering in his chest, sending pulses of granite need down his body. For the first time in weeks, his body responded to the sight of a woman with desire. An instant overwhelming craving. Perhaps he wasn’t fatigued. He just needed the right woman. This woman. “No. Stay. There’s plenty of fresh air to share.” He straightened languorously and lifted his lips in a rapacious grin, all thought of leaving early, fizzled into the cool night air. Stepping out fully, she closed the door behind her, leaving them in near silence. She moved to the end of the balcony away from him and put her hands against the railing. “I love this view of London. I love coming out here whenever I’m in this building,” she said, her tone conversational. Yet her soft voice sent spikes of heat into his veins. “I have to say I like this view too. I don’t see much of London when I’m here. So it’s great to see it all lit up at night,” Paul replied, glad that she was talking. For some reason he wanted to listen to sound of her voice. He turned back to look out over the balcony, placing his palms on the cold metal. Even from the distance of about six feet, he could sense her heat. He pictured her leaning across to brush his hand with hers. A warm shiver travelled down his spine. “You don’t live in the city?” she asked, turning to face him in the near darkness. From this angle, her face was a contrast of light and shade. Still, he could make out the gentle contour of her almond-shaped eyes, staring at him with curiosity. He wondered at their colour. He wanted to find out. “No.” “I guessed as much.” “Why do you say that?” Paul leaned on the railing, turning his body and giving her his undivided attention. The pleasure of watching the bright city lights paled in comparison to the excitement in his blood at watching her luminous skin and graceful curves. “I don’t know. There was just something about you that didn’t seem like a local.” Her lips curved wider in a luscious smile. He fought the urge to taste her lips, tightening his grip on the railing instead. It was too soon. He didn’t want her skittering away in fright. “You’re good then. I’m only in London for tonight. Tomorrow, I’m off to Abuja.” “Oh. That’s a shame.” Was that disappointment in her voice? Did she feel this flaming hunger he felt too? “You won’t get to see much of London in just one day.” “I guess not.” The urge to touch her skin drew him closer. “I’m Paul Arinze.” He stopped at arm’s length and extended his arm. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, her stare bold and holding his. On connection, a warm tingle spread from his hand down his back. Her hand was soft and warm. Yet she held his hand firmly. Confidently. “I’m Ijay Amadi.” Her voice was sultry, like a soft caress on his skin. The throbbing of his arousal increased. The heady mix of her timidity and trust made him want to crush her soft curves against his hardness. If she had this effect on him just holding his hand, what would it feel like on the rest of his body? He wanted to find out. Shame he only had tonight. “So are you here as a guest?” Reluctantly, he released her hand, missing its heat already. “No. I work for Havers & Child PR Agency. I organised the product launch event earlier and this party.” Paul didn’t return to his original position. He stood close to Ijay. She didn’t move away. He took that as a good sign. “That’s great. Congratulations, you did a splendid job. If I ever want to plan a party, you’re the lady to know.” “I sure am.” She laughed, dug in her purse, and handed him a business card. He took it and slipped it into his pocket. “And if you need to know the best places and people to have at your party, I’m the girl to know too.” “I wonder, are you the girl to know if I need a personal guide to show me around the best spots in London tonight?” His question hung in the air for a moment. She didn’t reply immediately. In the shadows of the balcony, he couldn’t read the expression on her face. He wondered if he’d pushed the boundaries too hard too quickly. There was something about this woman that soothed his edgy feeling. Somehow he knew she felt the combustible arc of desire between them. “I could be.” “But?” “No buts. Give me ten minutes to make sure someone covers for me and I’ll be all yours.” The suggestive, sensual tone of her voice got his blood fizzing out of control. Damn, he wanted her. He’d never thought himself the one-night-stand kind of man. Yet he was impatient with anticipation. The rush of blood southward, swelling his already aching shaft. He nodded. “I can’t wait.” She walked to the door, paused and looked at him. “I’ll hurry.” She beamed him another sexy smile and disappeared through the door.

Excerpt 2

“Are you wet for me, sweet Ijay?” Sweet Ijay! Two tiny words that disintegrated her resolve accompanied by five words that had her body steaming at their eroticism and directness. Lord help her, but she’d missed the way he said those words like she was rare and precious to him. Those words arrested her and kept her ensnared. Fixated by his arousing touch, she held her breath as his hand travelled up her thigh, shifting her dress up. If she wasn’t wet before, she surely was now. She felt her core weep, soaking her thong. He was so close. So close. His hand rested at the junction of her hip and thigh. She swallowed the lump in her throat and closed her eyes. Touch me! Her body screamed taking over her normally rational mind. Surely she wasn’t being rational any longer. They were sitting in a restaurant where the waiter or anyone else could turn up at any moment. “I can smell your sweet intoxicating fragrance. I want to taste you so much,” he whispered in a gruff voice, his fingers skimming the edge of her lace undies. “Say the word, sweet Ijay and I’ll stop. Do you remember the word?” Automatically, she nodded while still holding her breath. Her mind screamed, Blue! But her body was drowning in sensation, so wound up. If he didn’t touch her soon, she’d commit murder. Just this once and it wouldn’t matter anymore. Forgive me...I want him to touch me. His fingers pushed the soaked thong aside and slid inside her. She gripped the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood. While his fingers slid in and out of her in a painfully slow rhythm, his thumb played a thrilling tune with her swollen bud. Feverish heat travelled through her body. Her body raced toward the edge, ecstasy only moments away. She couldn’t wait to fly off the edge. To have her first climax in over six months. To relieve the tension she’d felt. Not long now. Her body coiled tighter, her breathing coming in shallow gasps. His hand stopped moving and slipped out of her body. A desperate whimper escaped her lips. She opened her eyes just as Paul lifted hand. His fingers glistened with her juices. He put them into his mouth one after the other and licked. “You’re as tasty as ever, sweet Ijay,” he drawled.

So, have I got your attention? Did those excerpts make you want to read the book? Well, you're in luck because the author is sponsoring an ebook copy for one lucky reader :) Just fill out the rafflecopter form and FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Ends midnight of June 30, 2012.

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About the Author:

Kiru Taye is the award-winning author of His Treasure. She writes historical, contemporary and paranormal romances. Her stories are sensual and steamy, her characters passionate and sassy and her settings atmospheric and exotic. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, hanging out with family/friends or travelling. Born in Nigeria, she currently lives in the UK with husband and two children.

You reach her via her Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest.