TIGHTWAD by Colleen Charles is now available! Don’t pass by this standalone Caldwell Brothers novel! Fun and sexy with the perfect mix of suspense, this second chance mafia romance is a true page turner! Read an excerpt & grab your copy for only 99¢ and FREE in KU!
The man's probably a player. Then again, maybe that's what I need--a man whose taste will linger on my lips for months. A man who knows how to make me come so hard I scream his name.
What could be wrong with letting myself have just one little taste?
EXCERPT
The world whirls around me as I spot my desired destination. It’s looming above me, calling to me with its shiny siren’s song. I climb onto the booth and onto a small patch of elevator floor. The surface is polished black – mirrored just enough for patrons to look down and see the dancer’s thong-covered ass. There’s a metal cage, the perfect size for one dancer.
I sway a little but manage to grab the bars of the cage and keep myself upright. Climbing inside, I start doing a messy burlesque number I know by heart from my dancing days, closing my eyes and whirling my body around to the fast dance music. The motions don’t really match the music, but I don’t care. I’ve always felt free while dancing, and right now there’s nothing I want more than a clear head.
If Dante Giovanetti thinks I’m only good as a dancer, well, we’ll give him some dancing. I’ll give everyone so damn much dancing they won’t even know what hit them.
I switch into a lazy, sexy Rumba, swaying my shoulders and dipping down low with each step and kick of my feet. The cage confines the steps, but I keep going anyway, spinning and twirling until the alcohol makes me feel as powerful as a goddess. When I look down, I notice that the straps of my black cocktail dress are dangerously close to causing a wardrobe malfunction.
A crowd of jeering men gathers at my feet.
“Take it off, baby. You’ve got great tits. Let me see your nipples.”
I glance down at the designer dress I purchased the last time I went to New York for fashion week. It boasts a crisscross style over my ample chest, lifting it to the sky. All I’d have to do is reach up and untie it at the neck to give these guys an eyeful since I decided to go braless. I want to. Instead, I snake a hand up my thigh, taking my already short hem with it until just a peek of my black lace thong is in view.
“Yeah! If you’re gonna dance, you might as well get naked!” The throng of young hotties pant and salivate, their eyes flashing with lust and danger. Must be some bachelor party or something.
“Strip! Strip! Strip! Strip!”
Ignorant meatheads, I think as I continue dancing. They wouldn’t know the difference between a trained professional dancer and a stripper if it hit them right between the eyes. But if they want a show, I’ll give them one. I flash a big smile and burst into song, perfectly mimicking Top 40 vocals…sans auto-tune.
Like a black cloud raining on my parade, a large security officer appears at the edge of the platform.
“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step down from the cage,” he thunders. “Come on. Get down here. Don’t make me come up and get you.”
I ignore him and keep dancing, swirling and twirling around until my world spins with the freedom of movement. My platform high heel catches on the bars of the cage, and I burst into laughter as I soar through the air, eventually crashing down on the metal bars. I know it should hurt, but I can’t feel anything. My booze-soaked brain is giving me the stamina of a superheroine.
The security guard opens the door to the cage and grabs a fistful of my hair. I try to kick and bite, but he’s much stronger, and I’m soon on the floor with his meaty hands painfully gripping my arm.
“Hey, I can take her home.”
I squint and narrow my eyes. Three handsome guys with very all-American looks step closer. They turn into five, then slowly morph into one person. My arm throbs from my meeting with the cage bars, but I can’t shake the feeling that somehow, I know him.
“She’s yours,” the guard says, obviously glad to be rid of me. He hands me to the handsome guy. “You know her?”
“Yes. That’s my girlfriend.”
The guard narrows his eyes as he stares at the guy’s identification, then thrusts me into the strong arms of the hot stranger. “Mr. C., see that your girlfriend never does this again.”
I sway a little but manage to grab the bars of the cage and keep myself upright. Climbing inside, I start doing a messy burlesque number I know by heart from my dancing days, closing my eyes and whirling my body around to the fast dance music. The motions don’t really match the music, but I don’t care. I’ve always felt free while dancing, and right now there’s nothing I want more than a clear head.
If Dante Giovanetti thinks I’m only good as a dancer, well, we’ll give him some dancing. I’ll give everyone so damn much dancing they won’t even know what hit them.
I switch into a lazy, sexy Rumba, swaying my shoulders and dipping down low with each step and kick of my feet. The cage confines the steps, but I keep going anyway, spinning and twirling until the alcohol makes me feel as powerful as a goddess. When I look down, I notice that the straps of my black cocktail dress are dangerously close to causing a wardrobe malfunction.
A crowd of jeering men gathers at my feet.
“Take it off, baby. You’ve got great tits. Let me see your nipples.”
I glance down at the designer dress I purchased the last time I went to New York for fashion week. It boasts a crisscross style over my ample chest, lifting it to the sky. All I’d have to do is reach up and untie it at the neck to give these guys an eyeful since I decided to go braless. I want to. Instead, I snake a hand up my thigh, taking my already short hem with it until just a peek of my black lace thong is in view.
“Yeah! If you’re gonna dance, you might as well get naked!” The throng of young hotties pant and salivate, their eyes flashing with lust and danger. Must be some bachelor party or something.
“Strip! Strip! Strip! Strip!”
Ignorant meatheads, I think as I continue dancing. They wouldn’t know the difference between a trained professional dancer and a stripper if it hit them right between the eyes. But if they want a show, I’ll give them one. I flash a big smile and burst into song, perfectly mimicking Top 40 vocals…sans auto-tune.
Like a black cloud raining on my parade, a large security officer appears at the edge of the platform.
“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step down from the cage,” he thunders. “Come on. Get down here. Don’t make me come up and get you.”
I ignore him and keep dancing, swirling and twirling around until my world spins with the freedom of movement. My platform high heel catches on the bars of the cage, and I burst into laughter as I soar through the air, eventually crashing down on the metal bars. I know it should hurt, but I can’t feel anything. My booze-soaked brain is giving me the stamina of a superheroine.
The security guard opens the door to the cage and grabs a fistful of my hair. I try to kick and bite, but he’s much stronger, and I’m soon on the floor with his meaty hands painfully gripping my arm.
“Hey, I can take her home.”
I squint and narrow my eyes. Three handsome guys with very all-American looks step closer. They turn into five, then slowly morph into one person. My arm throbs from my meeting with the cage bars, but I can’t shake the feeling that somehow, I know him.
“She’s yours,” the guard says, obviously glad to be rid of me. He hands me to the handsome guy. “You know her?”
“Yes. That’s my girlfriend.”
The guard narrows his eyes as he stares at the guy’s identification, then thrusts me into the strong arms of the hot stranger. “Mr. C., see that your girlfriend never does this again.”
☆☆☆☆☆☆
MORE ABOUT TIGHTWAD
Taryn
I deserve to cut loose.
After landing an exclusive contract with a famous fashion designer, I’m anxious to celebrate my victory and blow off some steam with my bestie. I’ve worked hard building my high-end Vegas boutique into the go-to shopping spot for the rich and famous. Just this one time, I’m going to shed my conservative exterior and flaunt my success. I’m going to drink. I’m going to flirt. I’m going to push every single limit.
I’m going to dance like nobody’s watching when every hot blooded male inside the exclusive club is.
Security doesn’t appreciate my Tony worthy Broadway cage dance complete with jazz hands and thong peek-a-boo. But then he appears. A mystery savior. With his chiseled body, hypnotizing blue eyes, and hot-as-hell face, he’s a panty dropper. And he looks so darn familiar. It feels like we’ve known each other for years. He’s telling strangers that I’m his girlfriend.
I feel safe. Protected.
And wet.
The man’s probably a player. Then again, maybe that’s what I need—a man whose taste will linger on my lips for months. A man who knows how to make me come so hard I scream his name.
What could be wrong with letting myself have just one little taste? Besides, I’ll never have to see him again.
But when I go to an important business meeting to discuss bringing down my arch enemy, I’m floored. My mystery savior is already there, baiting me. Teasing me. Making my body quiver with lust.
A vicious criminal hell-bent on revenge, and secrets from my past throw up roadblocks at every turn. Mystery savior’s got a life in NYC and my life is here in Vegas. It can’t work. It won’t. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to take everything he’s willing to give.
Taryn
I deserve to cut loose.
After landing an exclusive contract with a famous fashion designer, I’m anxious to celebrate my victory and blow off some steam with my bestie. I’ve worked hard building my high-end Vegas boutique into the go-to shopping spot for the rich and famous. Just this one time, I’m going to shed my conservative exterior and flaunt my success. I’m going to drink. I’m going to flirt. I’m going to push every single limit.
I’m going to dance like nobody’s watching when every hot blooded male inside the exclusive club is.
Security doesn’t appreciate my Tony worthy Broadway cage dance complete with jazz hands and thong peek-a-boo. But then he appears. A mystery savior. With his chiseled body, hypnotizing blue eyes, and hot-as-hell face, he’s a panty dropper. And he looks so darn familiar. It feels like we’ve known each other for years. He’s telling strangers that I’m his girlfriend.
I feel safe. Protected.
And wet.
The man’s probably a player. Then again, maybe that’s what I need—a man whose taste will linger on my lips for months. A man who knows how to make me come so hard I scream his name.
What could be wrong with letting myself have just one little taste? Besides, I’ll never have to see him again.
But when I go to an important business meeting to discuss bringing down my arch enemy, I’m floored. My mystery savior is already there, baiting me. Teasing me. Making my body quiver with lust.
A vicious criminal hell-bent on revenge, and secrets from my past throw up roadblocks at every turn. Mystery savior’s got a life in NYC and my life is here in Vegas. It can’t work. It won’t. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to take everything he’s willing to give.
NOW ONLY $0.99 & FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!
☆☆☆☆☆☆
Also Available for ONLY $0.99 (Box Set)
Buyer Beware by Colleen Charles Available now in the Falling for the Billionaire:
A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set
A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set
☆☆☆☆☆☆
After 26 years in Corporate leadership at a Fortune 500, I discovered people within the organization lacked integrity. I’d always known deep in my soul that I was trying to fit a square peg in to a round hole since I’m the typical creative type. I miss my staff but I don’t miss the corporate world. It’s been said that the Universe will let you know if something isn’t right for you. The first time, it will hit you with a pebble. Then a brick. Then a boulder. Let’s just say that I got flattened. When my fifteen pound toy dog, Nigel, was threatened, I knew it was time to say goodbye.
It’s true.
Here’s what I found within the first thirty days of being free. Writing stories from my heart that readers love means more to me than working myself in to an early grave for people who only care about their bottom line.
My heart has never been more full and my soul has never been more satisfied.
I’ve never worked so hard in my life but it doesn’t even feel like work. It’s worth it. All of it. Because it’s about the joy that’s found within the journey. The highs and the lows because I get to write stories for all of you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, enjoying and recommending the stories that I write. When you share my work with others, nothing is more rewarding. Your word of mouth is my very best friend … that, and your reviews. There is nothing more important to me than all of you.
I love to hear from my readers and answer all communications personally.
STALK COLLEEN on her Website
It’s true.
Here’s what I found within the first thirty days of being free. Writing stories from my heart that readers love means more to me than working myself in to an early grave for people who only care about their bottom line.
My heart has never been more full and my soul has never been more satisfied.
I’ve never worked so hard in my life but it doesn’t even feel like work. It’s worth it. All of it. Because it’s about the joy that’s found within the journey. The highs and the lows because I get to write stories for all of you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, enjoying and recommending the stories that I write. When you share my work with others, nothing is more rewarding. Your word of mouth is my very best friend … that, and your reviews. There is nothing more important to me than all of you.
I love to hear from my readers and answer all communications personally.
STALK COLLEEN on her Website
