Not this Time

Men of 3X CONStruction #4

by Erosa Knowles

Veronique had done the monogamous relationship thing before and got her heart stomped in the process. She no longer allowed her emotions to join her liaisons and kept her heart locked away. Frank O'Connor was no exception, or so she thought. This is a short story in the men of 3X CONStruction series hightlighting a romance between two favorite characters from earlier books. Frank is Red's brother and Veronique, is Cherise's mother. Enjoy! “Are you okay?” The deep sexy-as-sin voice shot straight to her core. Damn. Now visions of tangled sheets and long nights ran through her mind with the voice. And she hadn't even seen the body it came from. Sitting back up in her chair, she eyed him while she rubbed the side of her face. Damn, he's fine. “I'll live.” “Can I get you another drink?” The dark eyes pinned her to her chair. A flutter of interest rose in her breast. She nodded, her pussy tingled at his look of interest. “What're you drinking?” He smiled. And Veronique, defense attorney extraordinaire, swore the sun had just come from behind a dark cloud, making her world seem brighter. Sappy, but true. “Oh, a glass of zinfandel will be fine.” Any buzz she'd had earlier evaporated under the heavy dose of lust that'd swamped her. Although he wore jeans, his shirt was professional grade. Could he be in the gray area? A professional with blue-collar tendencies. Hmmm, watching him weave through the crowd, she marveled at his size. Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair and eyes. All-around nice package. Her lips puckered and smacked, wanting a taste. God, please let him be capable of a halfway decent conversation. No matter how hot and horny he made her, she'd long passed the stage where she screwed dumb men. Even brief flings had to bring more than solid meat to the table. Placing her shoes into her large Coach bag, she watched him maneuver the crowd while holding her wine and a beer. He handed her the glass as he sat next to her. “Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm Veronique by the way.” She looked at him from beneath her lids as she took a sip of the cool liquid. “I'm Frank. Your name's different. Are you from Philly?” He took a pull from his bottle. The weight of his gaze warmed her. “No, I'm here for a conference. Two more days to go.” She gazed at his dark eyes, and the heat singed her core. His eyes blazed as he watched her lips on the glass. Yep, he was he interested. “Is this home for you?” “I live an hour away, but I had some business in town, and came in here to unwind before heading out.” He looked at her and winked. “Glad I did.” Me, too. “How about that? I was on my way out when you bumped into me. Must be kismet, huh?” She smiled as he placed his bottle on the table, and leaned toward her. “Yeah, kismet works for me. Let me buy you dinner before you leave. You seem like an interesting person, Veronique. I'd like to know you better.” Tingles shot down her spine when he said her name. “I am.” She stood, and picked up her purse. He followed. “Is there anything you prefer?” “Lean meats.” She smirked as her eyes roved slowly over his muscular frame. Did she say he was fine? Regardless, his body demanded another bravo for finess. He placed his hands in his pocket and walked behind her. “Lean meats? Hmmm, lean and juicy, I hope.” “Juicy works. Nobody likes dry meat.” She stopped and looked around the hotel lobby for the entrance to the in-house restaurant. Spotting it, she headed in that direction. “We can eat here.” “Sounds good. I like lean and juicy myself.” He grinned. They entered the restaurant, and the hostess sat them in the back after Veronique explained the problem with her shoes. After they'd been seated, she glanced at Frank over her menu. Damn. The man was handsome.

Genres: Erotica, Interracial Romance

90 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2011

About the author

"Hello,I'm a self-proclaimed read-a-holic. I love most genres and would rather read than do most things. Stands to reason, that I'd have this inexplicable love affair with the written word!

Reading was the balm that soothed me during tough times as a single mother, working two jobs. As things leveled out, I found I enjoyed the places books took me, there was a certain solace learning about various times and cultures. When I began traveling, many of the places I visited felt like old friends. I could envision the characters from the books walking the cobbled streets, or running along the swift moving streams.

After twenty years of reading and collecting my favorite authors, I decided to indulge my passion for storytelling. I took classes, invested in seminars and sat nervously across the table from editors. It was a lengthy process, Finally, I got the courage to allow the market to judge my work. The market can be a brutal, but I think fair, mistress. Hard work is rewarded and appreciated. Slackers don't stand a chance. :-)."

Reviews

[Nile Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*. Frank is the truth! OMG, I want HIM, like BADDDDD. He is such an alpha male but, at the same time, so gentle with Veronique. Veronique and Frank meet at a bar while she's at a convention and they decide to take it upstairs. En route, she runs into her ex husband who can't seem to get that it's over and tries to insult her and Frank. Frank was having none of that and...well you have to read it. Swooooon. This is a novella (only 50 pages or so) but I lovvvvved it.

My issues were:
1) Even though I'm all for women getting theirs, the fact that Veronique was on the phone with her daughter talking about how she was about to get some was just uhyewww. Gross. I know people have different relationships with their moms but for me, that's gross.

2)The second kind of icky thing was that Veronique was dating Frank and her daughter was dating one of Frank's brother's friends. Umm, kind of yuck.

3) A week does not make a relationship. A grown woman having a fling is A-Ok, but if the author wanted to make this thing with the characters into a relationship the pacing should have been a bit better. Veronique should have gone back home first, or something that would have made it more realistic.

That's it. I LOVE Frank. That is all!

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

The book started so well but the ending was so rushed. So much hung in the air. For instance when Véronique went to Frank’s house it felt like home so why is he the one moving to Colorado? That doesn’t make sense. Also as he pointed out he was 41 but more importantly she was in her 40s (although we were never told her age) so if he want to convince her to have children, it has to be quickly. That situation wasn’t resolved. I know it doesn’t matter but we didn’t get to read about Cherise learning who Frank was. It would have made interesting reading. I get that it was a novella but it felt too unfinished.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their Time

Frank and Veronique are an older couple that has been through some things and survived. They had played the love game before and not fared so well. That is until they met each other. Connected but aware they meet by happenstance and click immediately. Their love affair begins and it is one check of a ride.

I love reading about couples that are over 30 and finding love. This was a great read but I wish it were a bit longer. Well done. Ms. Knowles.

[Leanna Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Backstory

After meeting Frank and Veronique, separately, in other books, it was nice to get their back story. They seem well meshed and I hope they become even more connected. This was a lovely story.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was a small wicked taste of pure hotness. I love when a story gets down to business right away and that's exactly what happened here. We all knew Veronique was a spitfire from her appearances in the previous books, so her actions with Frank were not shocking at all, I just wish there was more of it! These two have some hot sex scenes, and even though they never said you could tell the really loved each other. This is a must read, and also read the previous books in the series.

[raeneysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

the description state Although it can be read as a stand- alone book, the reading is more enjoyable when the other books in the series are read first.

Me on the other found this read excite but not enough to purchase all the series. I plan reading book one Have I Told You Lately? and if the author continue with Veronique and Frank story in the future series I will definitely buy the book.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The shortest of the books I didn't feel like it was as well developed a story line as the rest of the book's.
I like Veronique and Frank as character's, and they are well matched as a couple.I would loved to see them further developed and expanded, especially with Cherise about to make Veronique a grandmother.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this story even though it was a short read it was amazing.....hope to read a little more on Frank and Veronique in the last next story.......This one along with all the others are a MUST read!!!!!!

[Deloris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint on this story is i wish it was longer I really got to know Veronique and Frank, they are a passionate couple. I think the deserve a full story. This was a good story I was not disappointed you will be like me wanting more of the 3x construction.

[Mspraise50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Veronique and Frank's story. This a novella. This couple are in their 40s and are very honest and open about how they feel about each other. Again a very romantic read. I enjoyed their story too. Again read out of order.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed the book, hated how it justed ended, hopefully the author will expound on these two.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel & I'm really enjoying this series!