Guest Post: Those Naughty Alpha Males by Tina Donahue and Scavenger Hunt Contest

Ever wonder what makes an Alpha male so delicious? Is it his commanding attitude with the heroine? His luscious moves in bed? His overpowering attraction to his lady?

IMHO, it’s all of that and more – a lot more. I believe the most compelling Alpha heroes are ones whose tenderness shows through at the most unexpected times, enriching their masculinity.

For example, in my latest erotic romance Lush Velvet Nights, Nathan has been hurt badly by his failed marriage. He’s convinced himself he only wants pleasure. Then along comes Adriana. Although Nathan won’t admit it to himself, he’s drawn to her as he hasn’t been to any other woman. This isn’t just about sex and his actions prove it. In this scene, they’ve just arrived at his mountain estate for a three-day weekend of carnal pleasure. And yet, it’s not the only thing on his mind. Here’s a blurb and an excerpt to illustrate what I mean:

BLURB:

Lush Velvet Nights - When wanton desires and love demand all…

During the day, Adriana’s a lonely corporate heiress, helming a supermarket empire. At night, she hires escorts, scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It’s all she has to excite her until she meets Nathan Wynn. Tall, blond and muscular—like a modern-day Viking—Nathan’s a labor relations attorney representing Adriana’s union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he believes is an attacker, she knows he’s wonderfully dominant and unrestrained. Fascinated by Adriana’s underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate, determined she submit fully to his hunger. At a gentleman’s club, he makes certain she denies him nothing. Engaging in a seductive sexual journey, Nathan’s caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.

EXCERPT:

All you have to do is exactly as I say, he’d stated in the building’s garage.

Adriana’s heart made a funny leap. Her eyes crept down his shirt’s smooth fabric hugging his trim, muscular torso. She recalled how he’d looked in her conference room prior to her leaving their meeting. Had it only been a few hours ago? It seemed far longer, another lifetime. “What are you doing?”

He unbuttoned his collar and smiled. “Getting comfortable.”

She noticed. It tantalized and concerned. “Down here?” In front of the windows?

He didn’t answer. His expression held a secret he wasn’t prepared to disclose.

She looked at the stairway.

“Adriana.”

Her gaze inched back to him.

“Come here,” he said, his tone easy.

And deceptive. She heard an unmistakable command beneath his nonchalance, one she sensed would brook no defiance. Her pulse raced out of control, reducing her voice to just above a whisper, enough for him to hear. “Aren’t we going to your bedroom?”

“Eventually.”

And until then? All you have to do is exactly as I say. Precisely as she’d fantasized with her other temporary lovers. Only with them she orchestrated the action, knowing what to expect.

With Nathan, anything could happen. The tormenting heaviness between her legs built to an intolerable degree, demanding relief. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor, marking her approach, far slower than her heart’s thumping. Reaching him, she surrendered to his closeness, size and heat, pressing the length of her body to his, her face to his neck, capturing more of his scent.

His chest bumped hers with his sharp intake of breath.

Mouth on his throat, she licked his stubble, reveling in the short, stiff hairs, his skin’s slight saltiness.

As she suckled his flesh, his lungs emptied on a prolonged moan. She stopped just short of giving him a hickey and murmured, “Let’s go to your bedroom.” Prepared to lead him, she took his hand.

He followed her around the sofa only to change direction, bringing her past the furnishings and closer to the windowed wall. The night’s cold breath seeped through the glass. She glanced from the steadily falling snow to his free hand. He’d pulled something from his pant’s pocket and now offered it to her. “Here.”

Adriana stared. Whatever he held, he’d wrapped it in a paper napkin printed with the store’s logo where he’d bought their hot chocolate. “What is it?”

He released her hand. “Open it and see.”

She wondered if he’d given her condoms, although he shouldn’t. On the ride, she’d told him about being on the Pill. Didn’t he believe her? “Are those Trojans?”

His quick laugh rang through the room. “No. You said we didn’t need them, remember? Go on.” He shook his palm, urging her to obey.

Confused, she looked at him. “I don’t understand.”

“Obviously.” He murmured, “Happy birthday.”

Her hands went to her mouth, quieting her surprised gasp. Quick tears pricked her eyes.

“It’s not much,” he explained, clearly surprised at her reaction “but it’s not that bad.”

Adriana shook her head, unable to speak. He’d believed her earlier lie and bought her a gift. They barely knew each other and yet he’d gone out of his way to celebrate an event with little meaning to her parents. Their gifts often arrived days after her birthdays because they’d been too busy to remember their daughter.

Her fingers shook as she took the paper-wrapped square from him. Careful not to tear the napkin, she eased the ends back.

Nathan made an impatient sound. “Do you unwrap all your presents so slowly?”

Only the ones from him. She whispered, “Just wait until I unwrap you, then see how fast I—oh my god,” she interrupted herself, hand flying back to her mouth. Beneath her fingers, her lips quivered with emotion at his tender gift. He’d bought her a large refrigerator magnet with the restaurant’s logo and Welcome to Lake
Arrowhead printed over a crude drawing of the area.

“They didn’t have much to choose from.” Apologetically, he lifted his shoulders. “I’m not much of a shopper, but I didn’t think you’d want a pinecone key chain or a shot glass that said ‘bottoms up’.”

Laughing and crying, she threw her arms around his neck, burrowing her face into his shoulder. Tears rolled down her cheeks, dampening his clean-smelling shirt, dirtying it with her mascara. She told herself to move away and could not. His comfort became too precious. “It’s perfect. Exactly what I want. But you shouldn’t have done this, Nathan. I don’t deserve it.”

His breath ruffled the fine hair at her temple. His hands roamed her length, settling on her ass. A faint smile tugged Adriana’s mouth at his typical male response— completely sexual, totally unsentimental.

Proving it, he said, “It’s only a magnet.”

“It’s too much.” Shame continued to burn her cheeks. Worry twisted her stomach. She didn’t want to tell him the truth. His thoughtfulness gave her no other choice. Palm on his firm chest, she pushed away and tilted her face to his. “It’s not really my birthday.”

His brows lifted slightly.

Adriana blurted, “I only told you it was because I was embarrassed about hiring an —” She stopped, still unable to say the “e” word. “I didn’t want you to think I was some kind of weirdo. I’m not. And I am sorry.

You should keep this.” She offered him the magnet.

His fingers closed over hers, keeping the item in her palm. “It’ll be your birthday someday, right?”

Her eyes lowered in embarrassment at his continued kindness and lack of judgment. She mumbled, “In eight months.” Long after they’d parted and he’d forgotten her.

“In that case,” he said, “there’s no reason to return it. In eight months, the store will probably be sold out of this particular model. The damn thing will be gone forever, then what will you do?”

Her eyes jumped to his.

He let go of her hand and smiled. “You did say it’s exactly what you wanted.”

Holding the magnet to her heart, she murmured, “It’s exactly what I need.”

Something rushed across his eyes as though he didn’t believe her.

“It is,” she said, needing to convince. “Really.”

Smile fading, he regarded her, his expression evolving from gracious gift-giver to a male who required relief as badly as she. “No, it’s not,” he said at last. “This is.” His hand went to the side of her neck. He pulled her close.

Breathless, Adriana slumped into him.

He studied her for a long moment as though to penetrate her thoughts, her soul. And then he claimed her mouth. His tongue probed, it assaulted, punishing her not for lying, but for denying him too long.

Arms curled around his shoulders, she received his savage kiss gladly, adrift in his barely controlled desire and crushing embrace.

He prolonged his domination of her. Readily, she yielded, giving him her all, whimpering in disapproval as he pulled his mouth free.

Breathing heavily, he lifted his head. His low-pitched voice washed over her. “Get naked, Adriana.”


To me, Nathan’s tenderness makes the coming sex scene so much more fulfilling. I’m certain if Adriana could speak for herself, she’d agree.

Lush Velvet Nights by Tina Donahue is available from Ellora’s Cave. Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8298-50-lush-velvet-nights.aspx



And now for the Scavenger Hunt Fun!

I'm hosting a scavenger hunt. Four questions will be asked periodically throughout the day (answers found on my site). The first person to email me all four correct answers at tina@tinadonahue.com will win. Winner will be announced Saturday. The contest is open to everyone - however, if the winner is overseas, they can only be eligible for an ebook. I'll send one of the print books to anyone in the US.