Trouble seems to follow Cooper, and Ky makes it his mission to protect her from her past. Kyler would move heaven and earth to keep her in his bed and in his life.
While writing takes up a lot of her time, Sable also loves to cook Cajun, Creole and Tex-Mex.
She is passionate about animals and has been known to charm creatures from a one ton bull
to a family of racoons. For fun, Sable has been known to haunt cemeteries and battlefields
armed with night vision cameras and digital recorders hunting proof that love survives beyond
the grave.She writes for Secret Cravings Publishing and has several books coming out in the
next year.
The T-R-O-U-B-L-E With Heroes
I love to write about brothers. For one thing, it lends itself well to series. And readers love
series. I get about three letters a day from readers urging me to hurry up the next book in my Hell
Yeah! Series which showcases 6 brothers – the McCoys – who live on Tebow Ranch.
I love to write about the camaraderie of brothers – how they will fuss and fight, yet stand up
for one another till their last breath. And if they’re all good looking – which they are in my books
– it’s like having a smorgasbord of tasty delights to ooh and ahh over.
My stories tend to center around the hero, mostly. The only exception is my paranormal series
which is about a family of powerful women who practice New Orleans hoodoo. So, I have made
it my business to know what readers want in a hero these days. They are tired of wimpy men.
Limp romantic fiction is out the window. Ah – limp versus hard, stiff, and hot – what would you
choose? I know my preference. To put it bluntly – I want a hero. That song stands out in my
mind – the one that was released by Bonnie Tyler back in the 80’s. I wasn’t listening to music
back then – but this song touched me the first time I heard it. In fact, I can pretty much say that
this song persuaded me to write romance novels.
I am a strong woman, but sometimes I long for a man to step up – say – “Back up, baby. I’ll
handle this.” It begs the question – where have all the good men gone? Hell, if I know. The only
good man I can find is one that I create on my laptop – and they are perfect. You see, I want a
man who is strong, has integrity and can handle himself in a crisis. I’m not into sensitive men. I
don’t care if he can cry or not. I want him to be macho, dominating and put me up so high on a
pedestal that my nose bleeds – well, that’s not very sexy – but you know what I mean. I want to
be the center of his life – and I can tell you one blame thing – if he does that, he will damn sure
be the center of mine.
And – Lord bless me – I want my man to be sexually generous. I’m tired of getting a better
orgasm from a piece of battery powered plastic than I do a real man. What’s the deal?
In T-R-O-U-B-L-E, the hero is a Texas Good Ole boy, but he is strong of character and as
macho as they come. He loves animals and volunteers in the community, yet when he pulls off
his shirt to chop wood – Matthew McConaughey can’t hold him a candle to run by. And to make
it even better – he has a brother – a twin.
Handsome twins make you want to throw caution to the wind and have a ménage. After all,
if one man is good – two would have to be better. In DOUBLE TROUBLE – fourth in the Texas
Heat series, I will deal with that issue. A pair of Texas Ranger twins – luscious Latin hotties –
and get this, their mother was a bruja and passed down a little magick to them. So, these ultra
heroes can feel what the other feels – even pleasure – so they like to share their women. Feature
that. Two. Two Heroes – both aimed at pleasing you. Wow.
But getting back to Ky in TROUBLE, he is one of my favorite heroes that I’ve concocted.
Mainly, because he’s not only gorgeous, but because he is so understanding when he finds out
that Cooper has been abused. He makes it his business to teach her that a real man can be kind,
compassionate and sexy-as hell.
And when push comes to shove – his brother, the Texas Ranger – steps up and fights along
side him. I have to say, Ky is sexy and sweet – but his brother, Ty, is a total hunk. I get braver
with my men and my plots as I go along. And the sex has gotten hotter, too.
I lay awake at night, sometimes, and have fantasy sex with these guys. Its funny – I work every
move out in my mind – every touch – every kiss – and I must say, these men are some of the best
lovers I’ve ever had. That’s pitiful isn’t it?
So, the TROUBLE with heroes is that they’re just aren’t too many real ones out there. But
as long as we romance writers can peck away at the computer, we can create men that fit the
bill. A hero. I’m holding out for a hero. It is my goal to create worlds where right prevails, love
conquers all and holding out for a hero is not an impossible dream.
Here’s Ky – one of my heroes.
Excerpt -
Hearing the front door open, Ky turned to find a sight that stole his breath away. God, she
looked good enough to eat. Her face shone with excitement and her smile was totally contagious.
It was all he could do to hold back from sweeping her in his arms and greeting her with a
kiss. “Hey, Ky. I am so glad you could come. And thanks for bringing the animals.” She was
definitely happy; there was no way she could hide that fact.
“Hello, sweetheart. We couldn’t wait to get here.” Opening the crew cab door, Samson
bounded out and Ky had to help a much more subdued Rover. Reaching in the back end, Ky
picked up the cat carrier and the paper sacks containing the wine and the sex toy. He was saving
the toy until after dinner, hoping to change the tone from friendly to erotic. Cooper held the door
open and the dogs entered first. Stepping just inside, Ky set the carrier down and watched as
Cooper sat down beside it to coax the kittens out of their confines. They didn’t require coaxing.
Out they bounded, eager to see where they were and what they could get into. “I remind you; I
call them the wrecking crew,” Ky dryly commented.
“I don’t care.” Cooper smiled. “It will be so nice not to be alone.”
She didn’t look toward him as she said it, so she didn’t see his reaction. Ky felt an
uncharacteristic tug at his heartstrings. He replied before he thought. “A woman like you should
never be alone,” he said softly.
Ky helped Cooper get the animals settled. They introduced them to their food and water
bowls and the kittens to their sand box Cooper had put under the sink in her bathroom.
“The food smells great. I’m starving.” Ky was serious, his stomach was growling and the
food smelled incredible.
“Then come sit down. It’s all ready.” She led him to the dining table and proceeded to set the
food down on hot pads so they could serve themselves family style. He uncorked the wine and
she held the glasses as he poured. Ky noticed that her hands were shaking. What does she have to
be nervous about?
“Did you go out and buy new plates and glasses?” Ky’s tone was on the gruff side. Cooper
immediately tensed and looked up at him with wide frightened eyes. She slowly sat the wine
glasses down and stepped straight backwards a few feet, striving to put some distance between
them.
“Yes, sir.” She cast her eyes down and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
What happened? Ky was dumbstruck. He couldn’t believe that she had transformed before
his very eyes. One moment she had been happy and excited, the next she was trembling—
obviously frightened. Of him. God, she was afraid of him!
Thinking quickly, he did the most reassuring thing he could think of. He sank to his knees at
her feet and held his hands out toward her, palm up. “Baby. Don’t be afraid of me. I would never
hurt you.”
She watched him carefully, taking a step or two back. Ky hadn’t been a witness to how
she had reacted to the serpent; he’d had his back to her. However, if he had to bet—the fear on
her face then, would be no worse than now. “Come here, love. You can trust me. I’m harmless.
I promise.” He spoke softly, just as he did to small, frightened animals people brought to the
shelter. “You’re safe with me; I’d protect you with my life.”
He watched her lift her eyes to his. She worried her bottom lip, thinking. Then, she took one
step forward, then two, until she stepped into his arms. He held her close, kissing her right in her
middle, over and over, through her clothes.
“I bought the plates and glasses so we would both have one; I only had enough for me
before.” She pulled on his hands. “Come on, let’s eat.”
Ky stood. “Sweetheart, don’t you want to tell me why you were so afraid? You didn’t really
think I was angry with you, did you?” He stood close to her, willing her to think of him not as a
threat, but as a shield against whatever would threaten her.
“No, I don’t think you would hurt me. I…I overreacted. I’m sorry.” Cooper looked just over
Ky’s shoulder. She wasn’t quite meeting his gaze.
“Look at me, baby. Look at me,” Ky urged her. “Won’t you tell me why you reacted that
way? Has someone hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” She walked to the table and pulled out their chairs. “Please, Ky. Don’t make
me…I don’t want to…I…please don’t make me—”
“Shhh…It’s okay. I’m sorry, we don’t need to discuss it now.” He went to her, and she
stiffened slightly when he took her in his arms. “It’s perfectly all right. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
The subject wasn’t closed by a long shot; he would make sure of that. But it could wait. Right
now, they were together and nothing or no one would ever hurt her again. And she could take that
to the bank, because it was non-negotiable.
They sat down to fill their plates and then couldn’t eat for laughing at the animals. “Look at
them. They’re all lined up.” And they were, from the biggest to the smallest–they were sitting in a
row facing the couple that had shown them every kindness.
“If you guys have finished eating, why don’t you give us some privacy?” Ky was kidding,
but Samson surprised him, got up, and headed for the living area. The others followed suit,
causing Cooper to dissolve in a fit of giggles.
Ky was entranced. He loved to watch her have fun. She was absolutely beautiful and he
couldn’t wait to taste her lips and every other part of her. But he forced himself to eat, not that it
was a chore. The food was fabulous. “You’re a very good cook.”
“Thank you.” She looked like she was about to say something else, but she stopped herself.
Cooper couldn’t believe it. She almost told him about Richard and how they never shared a
meal. How odd that she felt compelled to talk to this man she barely knew. There was no denying
it though, she felt safe with him–safer than she had felt in a long time. This was dangerous.
Cooper Lawson knew Kyler Landon could become highly addictive.
“The etouffee was great, but this bread pudding is out of this world.” Ky helped himself to
a second portion. “I’m making a pig of myself, but I don’t get home cooking like this very often.
Don’t you want some?” He held his hand out for her plate.
“No, I’d better not.” Cooper looked at his face, trying to ascertain if he was testing her.
Richard would have taken the opportunity to point out how much she didn’t need to be eating
sweets, but Ky looked sincere. “Really, you go ahead. I’ve had enough.”
He eyed her curiously. “You’re not dieting, are you, Cooper?”
Oh, no. Here it comes. A lecture. Cooper hung her head. “Of course. I know I’m fat.
Obviously, I need to be on a diet.”
“What in the hell are you talking about, Cooper?” Ky sat his fork down and lifted her chin so
she would look at him. “You are perfect. Your body looks the way a woman’s body is supposed
to look.”
“You don’t have to say that, Ky,” she tried to smile. “I’m not going to take your bread
pudding away from you.”
“Not all men like ultra thin women, Cooper. I like my woman to be a woman. With real
curves, all soft and luscious.” His voice was hypnotizing her, and when she came to herself, she
realized she was leaning closer to him by the moment.
“I’ll put on a pot of coffee.” She got up, abruptly, and left him sitting there.
He followed her. Ky walked right up on her, close enough she could feel his heat. With one
hand, he pulled back the thick, sexy weight of her hair, so he could plant tiny kisses on the sweet
curve of her neck.
She shivered. “Ky, please don’t,” she whispered.
“Why not, babe?” He let his tongue dance along her skin. She jabbed the plug at the wall a
few times before she actually got it into the receptacle. “Don’t you want to? Aren’t you attracted
to me?”
“Of course, I am. Look at you. But, I’m… ” She didn’t know what to say. Desire for him
was welling up in her, almost to overflowing. But she was afraid. Not of him. She was afraid
Richard had been right. She was afraid she was lacking the very things that would satisfy a man
such as Ky.
“Oh, babe,” he whispered next to her skin. “I’ll tell you what you are. You are exquisite.”
For just a moment, she allowed herself to lean back into him. He rubbed his hands up her arms
and then back down, when all hell broke loose.
A raucous chorus of yelps, howls, and baying filled the house. The loud noise had scared
the cats who were tearing around the room, thinking the devil himself was at their heels. Samson
and Rover were standing at the back door, barking at something on the other side of the screen.
Cooper had left both the front and the back doors open, with just the screen doors in place,
letting the late summer breeze fill the house. Ky purposefully strode to the door, ready to do
battle. “Whoa!” What he saw caused him to back up.
“What is it?” Cooper couldn’t imagine what would give Ky pause.
“It’s a skunk,” Ky spoke softly. “Samson. Rover. Come here boys. Come here before you
get an unexpected surprise.”
“It’s all right.” Cooper stepped around Ky and pulled the dogs away from the door. “That’s
Leroy. I’ve been feeding him.” Cooper walked out the door and the skunk just stood calmly,
waiting for her to pour some food from a bag she had hidden behind the door.
“Love, I don’t think that’s a wise idea.” Cooper stepped up to the skunk and knelt down to
stroke his silky fur.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
Cooper could tell that Ky was amazed. He kept his distance; she knew that he was protecting
her. As tame as the skunk was, he might spray if Ky startled him. While she was out there, she
checked the water bowl, just in case Leroy was thirsty.
With one last pat on her tuxedo-clad kitty, she reentered the cabin, anxious to pick up where
they had left off before the excitement. But Ky must have had other ideas, because he had walked
clear across the room away from her. She didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed. Yes,
she did–she was disappointed. The touch of his hands on her body had been paradise. What was
he up to?
Reaching down by the couch, he picked up the paper bag with the miss-delivered item and
handed it to her. Holding it out to her, his eyes twinkled. She took it and opened it.
What she saw made her blush. “My jackrabbit. I thought as much.” Looking up, she met
his gaze levelly. His incredible smile was contagious. It was obvious he was expecting her to be
embarrassed. No matter what it cost her, she would not let him know the extent of her dismay.
Lifting the package out, she turned it over in her hand. “Where are my instructions?”
His tongue came out and dampened his full lower lip. Cooper had the urge to capture that
lower lip and suck on it. A snort escaped from his kissable lips. “You need instructions?”
“I’ve never used one before.” This man was different from any other man she had ever been
around. He was certainly different from her late husband. Shyly, she lifted her eyes to his, and
felt the sexual awareness roll between them in waves. She had never been so attracted to a man
before. Ky exuded virility and unadulterated sexual energy and right now it was all directed at
her. It was an amazing and unbelievable feeling.
“Well, maybe I can help you, darlin’.” He took his pocketknife out of his jeans, took the
package from her hand, and proceeded to free the large plastic pleasure toy from its confines.
“You know a lot about sex toys such as this?” she playfully asked him. Turning she made
a move that was entirely unexpected on her part. Heading to the kitchen, she beckoned him
to follow her—he was easily led. She pulled out a chair at her table and invited him to sit
down. “Would you drink a cup of coffee with me?”
“Baby, drinking coffee is just one of the many things I would like to do with you.” Cooper
ignored his loaded comment. He sat down in the chair offered him and pulled the hard plastic
apart, freeing the dildo.
Obviously determined to milk this for all it was worth, he began to speak. “Now, about how
to use this little contraption. I think this part,” he gingerly touched the rather large head of the
plastic penis, “goes into your tight little channel and this part,” he lightly touched the clitoral
stimulator, “tickles your sweet spot.” His verbal foreplay was having its intended effect.
“Thanks for the tutorial. I hope you don’t think badly of me. I know ladies don’t usually
resort to using something like this.” She handed him a large mug filled with fragrant coffee. That
she was playing this verbal game of cat and mouse with him was beyond her comprehension.
“I don’t think badly of you, Cooper. For some odd reason, it excites the hell out of me.” His
honest and forthright answer shocked her. He didn’t elaborate and she didn’t know what else to
say. Picking up the dildo, he looked at her seriously. “Sweetheart, pardon me, but I have to ask.”
He laid the sex toy down on the table between them. She sat across from him, enjoying the view
of his strong neck, his fabulous chest covered in a tight, white, western-cut shirt, and a sexy five-
o-clock shadow that was slowly driving her mad.
“Ask what?” She sipped the coffee, trying desperately to settle her nerves. She wanted him
so badly, she could taste it.
“What in the world is a delectable woman like you doing with a dildo? You could have any
man in the world panting at your feet. Why would you settle for a piece of cold, lifeless plastic
when you could have a hot, hard, grateful man inside of you—like me?”
This conversation was taking on a life of its own. Cooper shivered with awareness—
awareness of the man sitting across from her. She knew it would be like this if she got close to
him. He literally made her ache. She should ask him to leave, but she couldn’t. So, she answered
his question—truthfully.
“I don’t date men, Ky.” Those words were spoken as she looked down toward the table. Raising
her head, she saw all traces of humor had faded from his face.
“You don’t date men?” That was the worst news he had ever heard. “Don’t tell me you play
for the other team? I haven’t picked up that vibe from you at all.”
She struggled with the reference. “What other team?”
“Women? You’re into women? Don’t even try and make me think you are a lesbian.” He
looked like he had just been told there was no Santa Claus. In spite of herself, Cooper laughed.
“No, I’m not a lesbian. I don’t play on either team.” She picked up the jackrabbit. “I play on
the fantasy league.” She smiled, but it was a sad little smile.
“Sweetheart, that’s a crime against nature. You were made to be loved by a man, covered by
his body, his hands soothing you all over— ”
He hadn’t picked up on her sadness. Cooper interrupted him, the tension becoming
unbearable. “Ky, there are things you don’t know—”
“Cooper, I’m at the end of my rope. I have to kiss you or I’m going to lose my mind.”
Leaving his chair, he came to stand next to her. Leaning over her, he placed one hand on the table
and the other on the back of her chair, effectively bracketing her in. Ever so slowly, he lowered
his head—giving her every opportunity to stop him with hand or word. She didn’t, she couldn’t.
He feathered a kiss at her temple, then over her closed eyelids. Cooper’s breathing grew labored.
As Ky pulled her to her feet, Cooper waited for the panic to set in. She held herself still,
waiting for her nerves to jump and her muscles to freeze. She searched her mind for words to
stop him, reasons to push him away, but against this man, she had no defense. Gently, slowly, he
pulled her to him. As their bodies touched, a ragged sigh erupted from his lips. She tried to tell
him again. “Ky, there are so many things I need to tell you. You don’t know me. If you did…”
He placed a finger over her lips. Against her will, she allowed her lips to move on that finger,
caressing it—her tongue darting out to graze it—testing the waters.
Despite her better judgment, she let her hands rest on his shoulders. The muscles were
defined and hard. Not even realizing it, her fingers began to knead, caress. She was surprised
when she felt him tremble. He was so big, so strong, and so confident—yet he trembled in her
arms.
“Baby, I’m looking forward to knowing you. But right now, I’m ravenous for a taste of
you.” When he verbalized his intentions, Cooper felt a momentary panic. Other times, when she
had been forcibly held, forcibly touched, and mistreated flooded back to her. She stiffened against
him. Searching her eyes, he saw the unease. “I don’t force women, sweetheart. You’re safe with
me.”
“I know.” There was no hesitation in the admission. It was just her body, rebelling against
her senses. She wanted him. Oh, how she wanted him. Nevertheless, she was afraid. However,
her desire was greater than her fear. Kyler Landon inspired emotions in her she didn’t know she
was capable of—trust, desire and a yearning for total honesty. She had never been honest with
anyone. Cooper had lived behind a wall of secrecy and sorrow for so long she didn’t even know
what was on the other side. But this man! God, this man was breaching the wall with his soothing
touch and his tender concern.
Thanks for reading
Sable Hunter
