Dark Euphoria Read online

  Dark Euphoria

  Lonely, fatigued, intense. Detective Maria Diaz is too overworked to pay attention to anything beyond putting one foot in front of the other. When a high profile case drops in her lap, she forges ahead only to discover this case, and her main suspect, isn't like any other.

  Walking, talking sex. Avery Ashland has movie star looks and easy grace. She's used to having anyone she wants, but thanks to the brutal murder of her nemesis, a wrench is thrown into her fun. And the sexy detective assigned to the case is all business and no pleasure. The more Avery advances, the further Maria pulls away.

  Maria does her best to work the case, but that requires getting up close and personal with Avery and her exclusive resort, Euphoria, where almost anything goes. Can Maria survive both danger and desire?

  What Reviewers Say About Ronica Black’s Work

  “Ronica Black’s debut novel In Too Deep has everything from nonstop action and intriguing well developed characters to steamy erotic love scenes. From the opening scenes where Black plunges the reader headfirst into the story to the explosive unexpected ending, In Too Deep has what it takes to rise to the top. Black has a winner with In Too Deep, one that will keep the reader turning the pages until the very last one.”—Independent Gay Writer

  “…an exciting, page turning read, full of mystery, sex, and suspense.”—MegaScene

  “…a challenging murder mystery—sections of this mixed-genre novel are hot, hot, hot. Black juggles the assorted elements of her first book with assured pacing and estimable panache.”—Q Syndicate

  “Black’s characterization is skillful, and the sexual chemistry surrounding the three major characters is palpable and definitely hot-hot-hot…if you’re looking for a solid read with ample amounts of eroticism and a red herring or two you’re sure to find In Too Deep a satisfying read.”—L Word Literature

  “Black is a master at teasing the reader with her use of domination and desire. Black’s first novel, In Too Deep, was a finalist for a 2005 Lammy. …With Wild Abandon, the author continues her winning ways, writing like a seasoned pro. This is one romance I will not soon forget.”—Just About Write

  “The sophomore novel [Wild Abandon] by Ronica Black is hot, hot, hot.”—Books to Watch Out For

  “Sleek storytelling and terrific characters are the backbone of Ronica Black’s third and best novel, Hearts Aflame. Prepare to hop on for an emotional ride with this thrilling story of love in the outback. …Wonderful storytelling and rich characterization make this a high recommendation.”—Lambda Book Report

  “This sequel to Ronica Black’s debut novel, In Too Deep, is an electrifying thriller. The author’s development as a fine storyteller shines with this tightly written story. …[The mystery] keeps the story charged—never unraveling or leading us to a predictable conclusion. More than once I gasped in surprise at the dark and twisted paths this book took.”—Curve Magazine

  In Flesh and Bone…“Ronica Black handles a traditional range of lesbian fantasies with gusto and sincerity. The reader wants to know these women as well as they come to know each other. When Black’s characters ignore their realistic fears to follow their passion, this reader admires their chutzpah and cheers them on. …These stories make good bedtime reading, and could lead to sweet dreams. Read them and see.”—Erotica Revealed

  “Ronica Black’s books just keep getting stronger and stronger. …This is such a tightly written plot-driven novel that readers will find themselves glued to the pages and ignoring phone calls. The Seeker is a great read, with an exciting plot, great characters, and great sex.”—Just About Write

  “Ronica Black’s writing is fluid, and lots of dialogue makes this a fast read. If you like steamy erotica with intense sexual situations, you’ll like Chasing Love.”—Queer Magazine Online

  Dark Euphoria

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Dark Euphoria

  © 2018 By Ronica Black. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13:978-1-63555-142-6

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: May 2018

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design by Tammy Seidick

  By the Author

  In Too Deep

  Wild Abandon

  Deeper

  Hearts Aflame

  The Seeker

  Flesh and Bone

  Chasing Love

  Conquest

  Wholehearted

  The Midnight Room

  Snow Angel

  The Practitioner

  Freedom to Love

  Under Her Wing

  Private Passion

  Dark Euphoria

  Acknowledgments

  My publisher, Bold Strokes Books, took me under their wing all those years ago and held my hand, teaching me so much. I’m eternally grateful all these years later as I continue to learn. Thank you to everyone at BSB.

  Cait, who has been there through it all and still sticks around plying me with love, humor, and grace. You are my Rockstar.

  My editor extraordinaire, Cindy Cresap. We’ve come a long way, woman. I love your notes, your suggestions, and your humor. Keep it all coming!

  My readers, what can I say? You all continue to encourage me to write and I’m forever grateful for your support, your kind emails and your gifts. (Especially when they contain chocolate!) You lovely people keep me chasing the dream! Please, don’t ever hesitate to email me at [email protected] I’m patiently waiting for someone to send me wine…is that possible? Legal? Here’s to dreaming!

  Dedication

  To my best friend and love, who has believed in me from that very first short story.

  I love you.

  Prologue

  Thunder cracked, and the crowd of well-to-do guests pointed in awe at the growing storm as they exited the Valle Sol Country Club for the evening. The guests from out of town panicked and ran hunched over like dusty wet humps scattering into the flashing darkness. Gowns and tuxedos were ruined, but nobody wanted to stay to wait out the storm. He understood their urgency though his own feelings of urgency had nothing to do with the storm. His was all about his companion and the need to get her home before he either passed out or she wised up and took off. Passing out seemed more likely with the way he was feeling.

  He pressed a trembling hand into the small of his companion’s back and tried to ignore the tingling in his arms and the wave of dizziness that washed over him. His knees weakened, but he blinked and regained focus and a little strength. They neared the bottom of the front entrance stairs, and blowing dirt assaulted his skin and eyes. His companion laughed and twirled as if the storm were feeding her senses.

  Despite the blowing dust, he could still see enough of her to know how lucky he was. Most women needed a little encouragement, like a small hint of his great wealth, a tiny promise of a yacht getaway, or the opportunity to ride in his Aston Martin. Sure, they played coy at first, but they almost always came
along. This one, however, was suddenly ready and willing, with little to no braggery or promises he never intended to keep. Maybe it was because she was high-class pedigree just like he was. Or maybe it was because she already knew him. Regardless, the word jackpot came to mind, and he laughed like he was drunk. He brought his hand to his mouth and belched and tried to recall all he’d had to drink. His stomach hurt and his body warmed from toe to forehead. Maybe he was coming down with something.

  He pushed the thought away and focused on the woman’s high, tight ass as he ushered her into the waiting limousine. The sequins on her beige skin-like dress sparkled and teased as she moved. He swayed slightly on his feet but caught himself and slid in next to her. The door closed behind him, and he inched closer, unable to shake his painful grin. It was so strong it felt like it was cracking his cheeks, yet he couldn’t relax his face. A small part of him knew he should be alarmed at his loss of physical control, but his libido killed it in an instant.

  “My God, you are gorgeous,” he said with difficulty, draping his heavy-feeling arm around her shoulders. Wind shook the car, and fat drops of rain splattered against it. The dizzying scent of her perfume mingled with the smell of wet earth, and he wanted more, needed more.

  He kissed her graceful neck and fell against her, which only caused her to laugh.

  “Mm, you do like to move fast don’t you?” Her eyes flashed against thick lashes, and he felt a twitch in his hardening cock. Something was still working fine. Thank God.

  “I do. I thought you were game too?” He ran his hand up the bare silken flesh of her leg. He knew who she was, her reputation. She was definitely game. She shuddered and he licked his lips.

  “Oh, I am,” she said. She lowered the driver divider and gave the man instructions on where to go. He didn’t bother to pay attention. He only knew they weren’t going to his place. The car started.

  “Where…” he touched her lips, “are you taking me?”

  She crawled onto his lap. “Does it matter where we go?” She teased him with light kisses, and he felt his body go completely limp. It felt magnificent. He laughed at the tickle of her kisses but then went breathless as she plunged her tongue in his mouth with dominance. He groaned and tried to pull her closer. When they parted, her lips glistened with dark red and he tasted blood. He struggled to finger his sore lip. She’d bitten him and he hadn’t felt it.

  “Too rough?” she asked.

  He shook his head though his heart pounded. “No way.”

  She raised a hand and ran a sharp finger down his forehead. Something warm dripped into his vision. He fingered it, saw the dark red once again.

  She laughed and held up her hand. The glint of sharp metal on the tip of her finger caught his eye. She’d cut him and now she was licking the piercing end of the metal with her snakelike tongue.

  “You still up for this?” she asked as the car sped up. She loosened his bow tie, leaned in, and licked his neck. “Or do you want to get out?”

  He swallowed the rising lump in his throat and her knee pushed into his groin. He tried to home in on her face, but the edges were beginning to blur. For a second he panicked, but then she morphed back into reality and he felt the hard grin again. Nothing was going to ruin this. He’d waited too long for this one.

  “Hell no,” he heard himself say. “I’m going where you’re going.”

  The car accelerated again as she laughed and tugged on his shirt.

  “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

  Chapter One

  Thunder boomed overhead, and Homicide Detective Maria Diaz jerked even with a woman pressed tightly against her.

  “Sorry.” Maria laughed a little, embarrassed. But the woman, whose name was Tina or Trina, didn’t seem to notice.

  “God, I want you.” She licked delicately around Maria’s ear. “You taste so good. Like candy.”

  “Really?” Maria closed her eyes and tried her best to relax and react to the sensual moment. But the flashes of lightning promised more thunder, and the woman’s groans promised more of the dull make out session. Maria winced as the woman laughed into her neck. She thought about pushing her away, but instead she balled her fists and willed herself to feel…anything. What was wrong with her?

  “Oh, yeah.” Tina pressed her denim clad thigh between Maria’s legs and cupped her breast. “And you’ve made me wait so long, I’ve been doing nothing but thinking about it.” She thumbed her nipple through her shirt, and Maria’s breath hitched, as she hoped for more pressure.

  “Someone else is excited too,” she said. Before Maria could stop her, Tina knelt and lightly kissed her nipple through the fabric. Frustrated at the lack of progress, Maria grabbed her head to pull her away, but Tina took it as a sign of passion. She smiled and Maria knew the dimples had crumbled dozens of hearts. Just not hers.

  The woman searched her eyes for reciprocal hunger, and then her face fell. The dimpled smile was gone, and once again Maria felt like shit.

  “Listen, Tina…”

  But Tina shook her head in obvious anger. “Not again. Do you realize how long we’ve been doing this?”

  “I’m—”

  “And my name is Trina. With an r.” She pushed away and ran her hands through her hair. “You’re kidding me, right?”

  Maria had been putting on the brakes, date after date. But her job as a homicide detective with the Las Brisas County Sheriff’s Office took up much of her time, and she was often exhausted after work. And truth be told, she rarely dated and knew she was terrible at it. But her partner, Silas Finley, had set this one up, insisting she relax and have a little fun, as well as an orgasm or two. But she just hadn’t been able to feel much of anything for Trina. For her or the countless others people had set her up with. All she wanted was her bed and a good night’s sleep. She’d pay for it at this point.

  She eyed her watch and lowered her arm quickly. The face of the watch was blurry and she couldn’t tell the time. “It’s late.” She didn’t know what else to say. And why was her vision acting up again?

  “Don’t you mean early? It’s nearly four.”

  Trina had taken her to a late-night dinner and a club. They’d danced and Maria had pretended to enjoy it. She knew she was supposed to like it, so, why didn’t she?

  “I have a long day. And—”

  Trina backed away. She held up a hand. “Let me guess? You’re exhausted. You can’t do this now. Maybe another time?”

  Maria touched her own lip and sighed. She still felt the moisture from the kiss, but that was all. Nothing earth-shattering or heart skipping. That was what she was supposed to feel, right?

  “Don’t bother even voicing it.” Trina turned and headed for the door. She reached for her jacket and then fumbled impatiently with the locks. It was still storming badly outside, and Maria knew she should ask her to stay out of sheer politeness, or to at least wait out the monsoon. But when she opened her mouth, nothing came and she closed her eyes in defeat.

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be fine in the storm,” Trina said with a bite to her voice, as if she’d read her thoughts. She yanked open the door. “Please don’t call me again. And tell Silas, tell him he’s a shitty friend to suggest such a shitty date.” She slammed the door, and Maria jerked at the impact. She heard Trina crank her truck and peel out of the driveway. Strong wind shook the windows and lightning flashed, showing an empty space behind Maria’s two vehicles.

  She sighed with relief. She didn’t know what her problem was with dating, but she was too damn tired to try to figure it out now. She crossed to the kitchen and retrieved the Patron from the freezer. She made herself a double on ice with lemon and lime and downed it. Her cat, Horace, jumped onto the counter and stared at her with his large yellow eyes. She stroked his long curly mustache and scratched his gray head. If cats could talk he’d do so with a thick British accent and he’d tell her like it was while soothing her with the promise of tea and biscuits. But instead, he just flicked his tail and purred. />
  “I just didn’t feel anything,” she said. “I mean, it’s better than leading her on, right?”

  He meowed and she nodded. “Right, I did let it go on too long. But still, I was trying. I mean I was really hoping to feel something.”

  She thought about a refill but decided she was well worn enough to sleep peacefully. She deposited her glass in the sink and bypassed her living room with an unfinished puzzle on the coffee table, along with various crossword books with worn corners. Empty water bottles were lit by low lamplight, illuminated brightly every second or so with lightning. Lately, when she couldn’t sleep, she’d get up and work her puzzles. She considered it her only addiction. She just had to work them until they were finished; otherwise it left a gnawing in the pit of her stomach.

  She stripped when she hit the hallway and allowed her clothes to fall freely behind her, leaving a trail of melancholy and fatigue. They joined a small pile of weary and another pile of insomnia. She’d pick them up eventually, but for now, they were markers of difficult times. She stepped out of her panties and into the bathroom where she grimaced at her reflection. Her face had grown pale and the lack of sleep was showing beneath her eyes. She couldn’t stand to stare at herself so she turned and found the bath faucet. The spray of the shower worked miracles, and she groaned like a grateful lover with her worn face now gone from her mind. She stood beneath the hard spray and let it beat her tired body with pounding heat and rising steam. She thought of Trina and questioned her lack of attraction to her. She’d been pretty enough with long, thick, chestnut hair and hazel eyes. She was a Krav Maga instructor so she was rock hard in places most people weren’t. But that was just it. She was hard without the bite. Rough around the edges but too soft inside. There was nothing…. exciting, seductive, erotic.