When Crystal May woke up the next morning, she felt like she’d died and gone to heaven. She rolled over on her back, her sleepy eyes blinking in the sunlight. The window curtains were frilly and feminine, softening the light and making her feel protected from the world outside. It was mighty late, but she didn’t care. Just lying there in the warm, golden light made her feel so good. She was safe here. She could feel it right down to her bones.

Mary didn’t know much about Mexican law, but she felt quite certain she could hold out in the crumbling village jail for a long, long time. She knew how strong she was. And she knew the difference between right and wrong. Above all, she knew how to defy the man she hated for making love to her until she let down all her defenses. Deceitful, dishonest, devastatingly seductive Max would never get her to give in again!

Lady Margaret’s icy blue eyes were enough to give Charity chills – but the brandy in the cut-glass decanter was enough to melt the polar ice caps. Each time she drank, Charity could feel the warmth all the way down to her toes.

I could be a morning person – but only if morning started at noon!

Pain and pleasure are never far apart.

I'm serious, baby. The Doors are the only western rock band that really gets the heart and soul of Japan. A samurai knows that he can die at any time. That's what makes life precious. And don't even talk to me about lame hippie whiners like John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater revival. Jim Morrison . . . samurai! John Fogerty . . . ham on rye!

Mary wished she could look away, shut out the sculpted beauty of his face, the width of his shoulders and the scent of his cologne. She hated the impact his physical presence had on her senses. Tall and dark, lean but very muscular, sharply dressed yet deeplytanned, he gave off the primitive, seductive aura of a powerful, desirable male.

Pain and pleasure are never far apart

Kyoto? What? Are we there yet?" Janelle sat up straight and looked around the dimly-lit interior of the high-speed train. She must have slept for hours! She had entirely forgotten where she was. She had even forgotten that she was a prisoner. Her head had been resting on Kenji's shoulder.

Mary didn't know much about Mexican law, but she felt quite certain she could hold out in the crumbling village jail for a long, long time. She knew how strong she was. And she knew the difference between right and wrong. Above all, she knew how to defy the man she hated for making love to her until she let down all her defenses. Deceitful, dishonest, devastatingly seductive Max would never get her to give in again!