Rough Diamonds

Rough Diamonds by Ashe Barker

Have you read Ashe Barker's hot novella Rough Diamonds? It sounds like a winner, but did she ever write one that wasn't?

Pleasure is good, but pain is even more exciting if properly applied.

Blurb:

What if someone handed you over a million dollars in uncut diamonds, and a note? For services rendered…

A random act of kindness years earlier gives rise to an astonishing chain of events. Johan Klaas holds the key to the mystery and he will help her – for a price. Can she trust him? Should she? And what has Christa ever done to deserve such a reward?

Swept from her modest flower shop in England, caught up in the opulent global diamond trade in Antwerp and introduced by her millionaire lover to a sensual world of pain and pleasure, Christa is determined to solve the riddle.

Please note: Rough Diamonds was previously released with a different cover. The story includes sexual scenes and BDSM, and is intended for audiences of 18 and over. It these elements offend you, please do not buy this book.

Buy links: AmazonKoboBarnes&NobleiTunes

Excerpt:

Johan stood over her, his gaze intense as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside. Christa watched, mesmerised by the sight of his sculpted chest. He might spend most of his time in the financial markets of the diamond trade, but Johan Klaas definitely engaged in more physical pursuits, too. His shoulders were wide, the muscles clearly defined, rippling beneath his skin as he moved. His chest sported a sprinkling of blond hair which thinned as it disappeared beneath the waistband of his trousers, drawing Christa’s eye there. She expected his smart suit trousers to follow the shirt, but instead he just kicked off his shoes and peeled away his socks, then came to kneel on the bed between her widespread thighs.

He simply smiled at her, then shoved his hands under her bottom to raise her up from the bed. Then he blew on her clit. Christa shivered, though not with cold. She had never dreamed something so simple could be so erotic, so utterly exquisite.

“Johan, I… Oh! Oh…” She gave up the attempt at speech when he leaned in to draw the flat of his tongue over her wide-open entrance. He repeated the action, and she believed she might melt. He inserted the tip of his tongue inside her weeping pussy, and she lost it entirely. A kaleidoscope of wild colour exploded behind her closed eyelids. Her body convulsed, hips arching up to meet his teasing, torturing mouth as her first orgasm burst from deep in her core.

Christa was panting, amazed at what had just happened. So fast, so fucking overwhelming. She writhed against the restriction imposed by the crimson tie as he continued to tongue-fuck her pussy. She was no expert, not exactly a frequent flyer, but she had enough experience to know she could usually rely on a good ten minutes or so of determined effort from her partner before eliciting so much as a flicker of orgasmic interest. Johan had only to smile at her, tie her up and flick her clit with his tongue and she was lost.

Bring. It. On.

Christa relaxed, spreading her thighs wider, lifting her hips in urgent demand. She prised her eyelids open and lifted her head to peer down the length of her body. Johan caught her gaze, held it, the emerald of his eyes darkened by arousal. He was as turned on as she was. Well, almost.

He paused to smile at her. “Christa…?”

She managed a smile in return, then allowed her head to drop back against the pillow. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t ever stop.”

He returned to his determined, skilful work, tracing the outline of her pussy slowly, deliberately. Then he plunged his tongue inside once more as Christa clenched and bucked under him. He shifted his attention to her clit, taking the swollen nib between his lips and squeezing lightly. He slid two fingers inside her pussy, angling and curling to find that sweet spot where—

“Christ! Jesus, Mary and all the fucking saints…” Christa was almost sobbing with arousal as he brought her hurtling back to the brink of another climax. Johan played her like a musical instrument, teasing just the melody he desired from her body. She was there, hovering, ready to tumble over the edge again, when he stopped.

“Turn over.”

“What…?” Christa gave a swift head shake. “But…”

“There’s enough flexibility in your restraints. Roll over and kneel up on all fours. Now.”

His tone had altered, only very slightly, but enough. A thread of steel now wound around those curt syllables and Christa had no desire to test his resolve. He was in control, that much had been established when she allowed him to tie her to his bed. Now, she wanted to obey him.

An interview with Ashe Barker:

1. Who or what was the inspiration for Christa? Is she anything like you?

Well I’ve never entertained a desire to sell flowers, but the mystery at the heart of Rough Diamonds is based on my experience working in the care system in the UK some thirty years ago so I suppose Christa does draw on something of me.

2. So, tell us a bit more about Johan. He’s stern and sexy, and obviously successful in his career, but what else is there to know?

Well, I think you just about covered the basics there. Johan is driven and successful, but he is also honest in his dealings with a strong sense of duty, and of justice. He wants Christa from the beginning, but he’s willing to work for it and takes nothing for granted. He’s kind to her, and generous, and he shares her sense of adventure and curiosity about the origins of her surprise windfall.

3. Do you see writing as a career?

Yes. I try to be fairly ordered about it. I like to be at my desk (well, more accurately the kitchen table) laptop fired up and coffee to hand, by nine in the morning and I tend to write for most of the day then. There are also a lot of related tasks to keep on top of, mainly to do with promo or research, or keeping in touch with readers and other authors. It’s definitely a full-time job for me.

4. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I think it was always there, though I only started writing properly about five years ago. I have always tended to plot stories in my head though, often when sitting in traffic jams on my daily commute. I now work at home so all that time spent inhaling exhaust fumes is finally paying off.

5. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?

I think at some level or other they are all a little bit about me. I could never write a book about a heroine I didn’t actually like or identify with in some way. Maybe I’d call my autobiography Made a Difference, because I hope that would be true. Perhaps that should be on my gravestone rather than a book cover, come the day.

More about Ashe Barker

USA Today Bestselling author Ashe Barker writes erotic romance and spanking romance in a variety of genres including contemporary, BDSM, paranormal, historical. ménage, gay romance and time travel. She is a #1 Amazon Bestseller and all her stories feature hot alpha males and sassy submissives, often with a lot to learn. Kink abounds, and there’s enough dirty talk to satisfy the most demanding smut lover. However dark and dirty the setting, love always emerges triumphant, and her stories never fail to deliver a satisfying happy ever after.

Connect with Ashe Barker:

Newsletter sign-up

www.ashebarker.com

Facebook

Twitter

BookBub

Instagram

Pinterest

Goodreads

Or you can email her direct on ashe.barker1@gmail.com

Rough Diamonds by Ashe Barker

Ashe Barker is back with an exciting new book, Rough Diamonds. In case you haven’t met Ashe Barker before now, there is an interview with her at the end of this blogpost. For now, let’s look at Rough Diamonds:

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance, romantic suspense, BDSM

Blurb

Christa Barnes is baffled when the man of her dreams – or should that be her wildest fantasies? – turns up at her sleepy little flower shop and insists she has something he would like to purchase. But Johan Klaas is an international diamond dealer and he is not remotely interested in acquiring a bunch of geraniums, preferring instead to discuss gemstones.

Christa’s next unexpected caller is a motorcycle courier clad in black leather and bearing a package for her. She opens it, expecting the latest seed catalogue, and finds instead a fortune in uncut diamonds and a note.

For Services Rendered. See what you can make of these.

Johan Klaas works at the heart of the global diamond trade based in Antwerp, and he agrees to use his contacts and knowledge to help trace the origins of these particular stones. For a price.

As the relationship between Christa and Johan deepens, so does her understanding of the way in which a natural, artless act of kindness years before can start an amazing chain of events.

Buy link: Amazon (FREE on Kindle Unlimited)

Excerpt (ages 18+)

He was still lying on the bed when she emerged from the luxurious en suite clad in just her new pyjamas and a generous splash of Chanel Coco, the expensive perfume a Christmas present from her sister. The sheer, camisole-style top tied in front with a couple of fragile ribbons of lace, and the fabric left little to the imagination. Her breasts were outlined clearly, the dark pink nipples pressing little points into the delicate material. The pants were long and loose and Christa thought they would not look out of place in a harem. Very appropriate, Christa reflected… Or inappropriate, depending on your view.

Christa paused in the doorway, self-conscious suddenly. She was normally so cautious, prim almost. This was so unlike her, really, she ought to—

“You were right, chérie. The outfit is very pretty indeed.” Perhaps he recognised her indecision, her wavering, but Johan allowed her no time in which to reconsider. Christa was glad of it as he rolled from the mattress and came to stand before her. He gently fingered the ribbon which masqueraded as some sort of shoulder strap. “May I…?”

“May you … What?” Her voice was a husky whisper.

“This.” He eased the strap down her arm, causing the gossamer-thin fabric to cascade away in a soft sweep. One breast was exposed. Christa held her breath. It never occurred to her to seek to cover herself.

Johan lowered his gaze, his lip curling in sensual appreciation. He cupped Christa’s face between his hands to hold her still for his kiss. She was going nowhere, in any case. His lips were warm, soft, teasing hers until she opened for him. His tongue explored her mouth, curling around hers in a hot, suggestive dance.

Christa mewled deep in her throat when he lowered his hands to stroke her shoulders, then trailed his fingers lower still to tease the erect, exposed nipple. He circled it with his fingertips, then took the hardened bud between his finger and thumb and applied just enough pressure to make her gasp.

“You like this, ma petite? Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she breathed. “It was just, I never…”

“Pleasure is good, is it not?” He cupped the full mound in his hand and caressed her slowly, stroking his fingers across the quivering peak before he caught it again and, this time, squeezed hard enough to make her squeal. “But pain is even more exciting, if properly applied. Do you not agree, little Christa, my beautiful flower-seller?”

Christa should have been frightened: his words made no sense. At the same time, she understood him perfectly, and was in no doubt as to his meaning. He intended to hurt her, and he meant her to enjoy it.

How had he known? How had he had even the slightest inkling that she might respond? She had hardly known, herself, until this moment.

“Yes,” she murmured. “Oh yes.”

He chuckled and kissed her mouth again, at the same time easing her other strap from her shoulder. A tug was all it took on the two fragile scraps of lace which tied in front to hold the two halves of the top closed. The garment opened and he was able to slide the top from her body and drop it behind her on a low sofa.

Now his palms caressed both breasts, his touch firm yet still gentle. Christa arched, presenting her body, asking for more.

Johan broke the kiss to trail a hot, damp path across her collar bone and down to her breasts. He locked his hands behind her, under her bottom and lifted her so he could better reach her nipples with his lips. Christa grasped his shoulders and flung back her head as he took first one peak, then the other, into his mouth.

Christa moaned. “That’s… That feels so…”

He sucked, curling his agile tongue around one engorged nipple. A crackle of electricity surged from the pebbled nub straight to her clit. Christa opened her legs and wrapped them around his body, not minding in the least that he remained fully dressed whilst she was as near naked as made no difference.

He turned, and walked back toward the bed, as Christa crossed her ankles in the small of his back. He leaned forward to tip her onto the duvet then followed her down.

His mouth closed around her nipple again, the suction harder now, the sensation more intense. Christa’s pussy tingled and clenched as she writhed against him, desperate, purring, seeking more.

“The pants are gorgeous, as are you, chérie, but I think we might lose them now. Do you agree?”

Christa did agree, whole-heartedly. She reached for the waistband, intending to shove them down past her hips, but Johan caught her hand and stopped her.

“No, allow me. Please.”

More about Ashe Barker

USA Today Bestselling author Ashe Barker writes erotic romance and spanking romance in a variety of genres including contemporary, BDSM, paranormal, historical. ménage, gay romance and time travel. She is a #1 Amazon Bestseller and all her stories feature hot alpha males and sassy submissives, often with a lot to learn. Kink abounds, and there’s enough dirty talk to satisfy the most demanding smut lover. However dark and dirty the setting, love always emerges triumphant, and her stories never fail to deliver a satisfying happy ever after.

Connect with Ashe Barker on social media

Newsletter Sign-Up

www.ashebarker.com

Amazon

google.com/+AsheBarker

Facebook  

Twitter  

Questions and answers: an interview with Ashe Barker:

Who or what was the inspiration for Christa? Is she anything like you?

Well I’ve never entertained a desire to sell flowers, but the mystery at the heart of Rough Diamonds is based on my experience working in the care system in the UK some thirty years ago so I suppose Christa does draw on something of me.

So, tell us a bit more about Johan. He’s stern and sexy, and obviously successful in his career, but what else is there to know?

Well, I think you just about covered the basics there. Johan is driven and successful, but he is also honest in his dealings with a strong sense of duty, and of justice. He wants Christa from the beginning, but he’s willing to work for it and takes nothing for granted. He’s kind to her, and generous, and he shares her sense of adventure and curiosity about the origins of her surprise windfall.

How many books have you written? Are they all erotic fiction?

I think I have about forty titles out now, and yes, they are all erotic stories. Some are more BDSM themed and some are spanking/domestic discipline. At first I wrote just contemporary stories, then I started adding a few historicals and more recently I started writing sci-fi too.

What advice would you have for writers who decide to try their hand at erotica?

I’d tell them to have a go, but to have a decent thesaurus to hand. And an internet connection. Youtube and Google are the erotica writer’s friend, and Wikipedia of course, the fount of all wisdom and knowledge.

If you could have been told one thing that you weren't told when you were a teenager, what would you like to have heard?

I was given lots of advice as a teenager, much of it unsolicited and not especially good. I think we all have to make our own mistakes, but hopefully I haven’t made the same mistake to many times. That would be sad.

Looking back, I think the most important thing I picked up along the way was that we all have choices, all the time. We’re entitled to choose our own way in life, but we should also be ready to own and accept the consequences of our decisions.

Someone once invited me to cast my mind forward to a time perhaps sixty years from now when I’ll be long-gone and my daughter (currently eighteen) is herself entering old age. Imagine she’s talking to her grandchildren, telling them about me. What would I like her to be saying? My actions now, today, will dictate what those obituaries might be so don’t leave it until later to be the sort of person you want to be remembered as.