Brenna Zinn: Down and Dirty with N.J. Walters

N.J. Walters, one of Ellora's Cave prolific writers, is my guest today and I'm extremely delighted to have her. Despite her best judgement, she's agreed to answer a few of my questions *g* and share with us a taste of her latest release, Touch of Topaz.

So tell us N.J., what is your birth sign and does it accurately reflect your personality?

I'm actually one of those people born on the cusp between Scorpio and Sagittarius, but I think of myself as more a Scorpio. Scorpios are supposed to be mysterious and secretive. I tend to be more down to earth, depend on myself kinda gal. I've always preferred to be alone and have never been lonely a day in my life. If I have to be in a social situation, I'd rather it be a small group. I can be intense and like to be in control of a situation. Intense, fear of failure...these things are familiar to me. I have trust issues, but it's not all bad. The Sagittarius side tones things down and keeps the worst of the Scorpio traits at bay.

Hubby is a Gemini. By all reckoning we shouldn't get along at all, but I find our strengths complement one another. I keep him grounded and take care of many of the mundane chores of life and he helps me be not so uptight or structured about things. He makes me laugh every day and helps me keep things in perspective.

What did you do last night?

Last night I was curled up on the end of the sofa reading a book. (A familiar sight in my house.) Had a bath and then watched some television with hubby. I know, I lead such an exciting life. *g*

Back in high school, which group where you in?

In high school I didn't really belong to a group but was friends with folks in all groups, from the popular crowd to the jocks and the outcasts. I started kindergarten and finished high school with many of the same people, so the whole group thing wasn't such a big deal in my school.

If you could be a super hero, what power would you like to have?

I'd love to be able to teleport from one place to another in the blink of an eye. Seriously, I don't travel well and would rather stay home, but wouldn't mind being able to pop over and see the Eiffel Tower, have lunch at a French Bistro and be home a few seconds later. That would be the ultimate super power for me.

If you could take a trip anywhere for 30 days with money not being a consideration, where would you go and what would you do?

I'd love to take a tour of the UK, spending time in Scotland, England and Ireland. Scotland is one place I've always wanted to see. I want to walk among the ruins of a castle while looking out over a misty loch. *sigh* In England I'd want to see as many literary sites as possible as well as all those places I've read about in Regency romances. And Ireland is mostly for hubby as his ancestors are from there. Love to sit in a pub, drink beer and listen to a local band.

Touch of Topaz

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10175-touch-of-topaz.aspx

Blurb:

Last summer, security expert and ex-Army Ranger John Knight broke the cardinal rule of being a bodyguard—don’t get involved with the client. One torrid afternoon of hot sex with Topaz Jewel was all they had together before his job was done, and she’s been avoiding him ever since. He’s been hired to protect her once again, and this time when the job is over, he’s not going to let her slip away.

Topaz Jewel is an independent businesswoman who has no time in her life for a permanent relationship, especially not one with a man like John—used to adrenaline rushes and danger. There is no denying the sexual attraction between them, but she’s determined to play things smart.

John doesn’t take her home when his job is finished, but to an isolated cabin. He wants time to prove they’re meant to be together, and Topaz is unable to resist the passion that sizzles between them. After all, it isn’t every day that a bodyguard kidnaps his client.

Excerpt:

Topaz pushed through the front door of her apartment with John right on her heels. “You had no right to do that.” She slammed her purse down on the antique sideboard that sat to the left of the door in the small foyer.

“I had every right.” John shut the door and engaged all the locks before resetting the alarm system. “Until your sister’s stalker is caught you shouldn’t be making dates with strange men. Hell, you shouldn’t be dating at all. The stalker could be someone you know.”

She shot him a glare and put her hands on her hips. Fire lit her golden eyes and energy crackled between them. Every muscle in John’s body tensed, ready for whatever the little hellcat could throw at him. In the back of his mind, he realized he was actually looking forward to it. Anticipation thrummed through him, his dick stirred.

Now was not the time for this. He tried to will his body back into submission, but it wasn’t easy, not with Topaz standing there looking cool and classy in a deep-blue sundress and tissue-thin, white summer sweater. Her shoes matched the dress, a little detail that caught his eye. Didn’t matter if she was hanging around the house, going to work or running errands, the woman was always put together in a way that looked as though it took her hours. But John could attest to the fact that it didn’t take nearly that long. Her sense of style came easy to her, as easy as breathing.

“I hardly think that an investment banker is my sister’s stalker.” She stood with her shoulders thrown back and a gleam of triumph in her eyes.

John shrugged. “You never know.”

“Aarrggh.” She threw up her hands in disgust. “There’s no talking to you. The man was simply asking me out for a drink and you had to go all Neanderthal and intimate that we were a couple.”

And it hadn’t taken much to chase off the stuffy banker. John didn’t let his grin of triumph show. He didn’t think Topaz would appreciate it.

She stalked toward him and drilled her finger against his chest. “You have to stop doing this. This thing has taken over my entire life.”

He felt sorry for her, for about two seconds and then irritation took over. “Look, your sister has it much worse than you do.”

Hurt flashed over her features, and she ducked her head and turned away. John immediately wished he could call back his words. Topaz usually met all challenges head-on. He’d never meant to hurt her, only to take her mind off the banker. “Topaz,” he began, but she waved him off.

“No, you’re right. I’m being bitchy. Just tired I guess.”

He dropped his hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “No, I’m sorry. But it’s my job to protect you.”

She whirled around and his hands dropped back by his sides. “I know I’m a job to you. I get that.”

His own temper flared. “You’re more than just a damn job.” The minute the words were out of his mouth, he knew they were the truth. He’d been watching her for several weeks. Hell, he was basically living with her. They ate meals together, he went to work with her and they even shared a bathroom. The only thing they didn’t share was her bed. And he’d spent many a long, hot night lying awake in her guestroom, listening to the swish of her sheets as she moved restlessly in bed. Topaz fascinated him with her quick mind, her focus on her business and her killer body.

“Right.” She started to turn away, but he caught her and spun her back around.

They stared at one another and heat flared between them. Both of them were breathing heavy and he wasn’t sure which one of them moved first. Their lips met and he groaned as he wrapped his arms around Topaz to hold her close.

She tasted sweet and tart, like the lemonade she’d had while they were out running errands. It suited her. He ran his hands over her spine and down to her butt. She groaned and parted her lips, and he slid his tongue inside, exploring her mouth, claiming it as his own.

His cock jerked hard and pressed against the zipper of his jeans when her tongue touched his. Her fingers speared through his short blond hair, holding him to her. Oh yeah, this was what he wanted. He didn’t want to talk, only wanted to feel.

He ignored the warning bell clanging in the back of his brain, didn’t need to hear it to know he was being stupid. But, for the first time in his life, he didn’t care. He wanted Topaz Jewel.

It was a living, breathing need that had taken over his entire life.

He cupped her first-class ass in his hands and lifted her against his rock-hard erection. She was a tall woman and the heels she wore added another few inches, bringing her up to a little more than six feet. He was six-three so she fit against him perfectly.

She tore her mouth from his. “This is crazy.”

He turned so her back was against the wall. “It is.” He dragged her sweater down her arms, letting it drop to the floor. The straps of her dress were thin and he didn’t see a bra strap. His balls just about exploded.

“Are you wearing a bra?”

A seductive smile crossed her lips, but before she could say anything, he tugged down one of the straps. Bare skin met his gaze. Holy hell, she’d been walking around all day without a bra. If he’d known, she might never have made it out of the apartment.

His fingers made quick work of the three buttons at the front of the dress. With each button he opened, he exposed more of her creamy white flesh. His knees almost gave out when he folded back the flaps to expose her magnificent breasts.

They weren’t too big or too small. They were perfect mounds tipped with pale-pink, velvety nipples. He touched his fingers to one, feeling it pebble beneath his touch. “You are so fucking beautiful.”

She made a small sound of pleasure in the back of her throat. Encouraged, he leaned down and took a delicate nipple into his mouth and sucked. Topaz moaned and clutched at the back of his head, her fingernails digging into his scalp.

Oh yeah, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Was there any bigger turn-on to a guy? He didn’t think so.

He shoved her dress down to her waist and over her slender hips. It pooled at her feet, leaving her clad only in a pair of silky midnight-blue panties. The dark color emphasized the creamy white of her skin and they also matched her dress. The woman never missed a trick.