Vanilla on Top
By CJ Ellisson
Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free…
Heather Pierce is done being a wallflower, both personally and professionally. Desperate to live a different life for one night, she attends a speed dating event. Maybe here, anonymous unless she chooses otherwise, she can become someone new. When a man way out of her league sits across from her, Heather gathers her courage and takes charge of what she wants, secretly fearing he won’t desire the real person she’s desperate to hide.
Top acquisitions officer and international playboy Tony Carmine is about to close the biggest deal of his career. But then he meets Heather at a speed dating event…and discovers losing control may be exactly what he needs. Her blossoming sensuality occupies his every thought, consuming him with the need to possess the most intriguing lover he’s ever encountered—until he walks into the boardroom and sees Heather on the other side of the negotiating table.
HOT, HOT, HOT Excerpt from Chapter One:
I smirk with a confidence I’m not completely feeling. “Nice of you to join me, Tony.” I relax against the brick and check him over from head to foot, making sure he knows with just my eyes exactly how desirable I find him. You can do this, don’t panic. He won’t laugh at you.
I nod toward the stacked chairs. “Take off your coat.” He slips the expensive garment from his shoulders, pulling the starched fabric of his shirt across his defined chest. I nod my approval and his eyes glint with desire in the dimming light.
He smiles, seemingly eager to play whatever game I’ve got in mind. “Anything else?”
I push down my inner anxiety and grin, in what I hope is a teasing manner. “Your tie.”
His eyebrows shoot up, but he loosens the knot and pulls the material free. The red silk slides over his shirt, and then is tossed carelessly toward his coat.
Holy crap, he’s doing it. He’s listening to me. What now?
“Unbutton the top two buttons of your shirt.” The command springs unbidden to my thoughts.
He complies and reveals the golden skin below his throat, with a few stray chest hairs visible near the neck of his undershirt. He looks so good I’d like to grab his shirt and rip it open, licking the skin as it’s uncovered.
Holy cow, where did that come from? I’m not this aggressive woman I’m pretending to be.
“How’s that?” he asks.
My pulse pounds so loudly in my ears I can only nod, afraid I’ll give too much away if I answer. I clear my throat, reaching for nonchalance. “It’ll do.” My hands slide to my hips and I take the plunge, pouring every ounce of courage I possess into my next actions.
I grab my skirt’s black material and work it slowly up my thighs. Tony’s eyes grow round as he follows my movements.
“Get down on your knees,” I say, forcing out my voice in a firm tone. Keep it together, girl! He looks like he’s game. Keep going.
I tug the fabric up, until my skirt scrunches up around my waist and my black lace underwear is bared to the night air. The handsome man’s breath rushes out and I worry he’s going to balk, leaving me here with my skirt rucked up like a fool.
The intensity of the sexual moment overwhelms me a bit and I slide a finger over my heated mound, teasing the aroused flesh underneath. Desire pushes me to be bold. “Did you not hear me, Tony?” Strength pours into my voice, making me sound more sure of myself than I feel. God, if he laughs at me now, I’ll die.
Tony steps closer and sinks to the cobblestone terrace, reaching with two eager hands toward my hips. He buries his face in my crotch and breathes deeply. “You smell so good.” He rubs his cheek back and forth against my panties. “What do you want me to do?”
A shudder ripples through me as the breath of his whispered voice warms my skin through the thin lace. He wants me to tell him what to do. I can do this.
“Kiss me,” I rasp, my voice barely above a whisper.
His soft lips press against the thin garment as the heat from his flesh teases me higher. My every sense feels on high alert during this encounter. I’ve never done anything so daring in my entire life. The next kiss presses harder and little shocks of arousal dart through my core.
“That’s nice,” I say, resisting the primal urge to grind myself into his face. “But I need more.”
I glance down into Tony’s light brown eyes and see an intensity I’ve never seen on a man’s face. To know it’s directed toward me feels even more amazing. “Tell me what you want.” His hot hands skate up my thighs to rest near the aroused juncture between my legs.
I feel the wetness pooling in my panties, my body eager and ready to be with this man I just met. More than anything I want his fingers teasing me to a release. “Slip your thumbs under my underwear and stroke me.”
He pulls his hot lips away from the damp cotton panel of my panties and breathes deep. “Yes, ma’am.”
A prickling ignites my skin, sending the hairs on end when he calls me ma’am. I like it.
I like it a lot.
Two thick digits slide under the delicate fabric, one angling for my aroused bud and one slipping deeper toward my waiting wetness. A jolt of pleasure rips through me the second his thumb makes contact with my clit. An instant later, his other thumb presses against my tight opening.
“You’re very wet.” His voice rumbles into the evening, almost reverent, like I’m a precious object he’s not sure how to handle. “I want to taste you.”
“Not yet.” There’s no way I could handle his mouth right now. I’d lose it completely and my credibility on driving the bus in this scenario would blow up in my face. My breath hitches and I gather myself, aiming for calm, cool and collected. “Only when I say.”
A moan of protest echoes into the night, cutting off when his hungry kisses pepper my thighs. My legs widen of their own accord and I slide down the cool brick a fraction of an inch, heedless of the snags my clothes will receive. The stiffness of his thumb pushes deep inside me and after a few plunges a small groan erupts from my lips.
It’s been months since I’ve been with anyone. I’m so turned on by this man doing exactly what I want, what I told him to do, that I fear I won’t last long. The slick pressure on my clit starts to circle, driving me even higher.
“Come here and kiss my mouth,” I say. His hands pull away and I feel bereft of his touch. I hastily add, “Don’t stop touching me. Use your fingers instead.”
In a flash, the sexy businessman stands, ravaging my mouth with a passion I’ve never had directed toward me. A deep rumble sounds in his throat while his lips cover mine. The frenzied action reveals his pent-up arousal and desire, and I’m almost giddy with the power surge I feel. He truly wants me. Not just what I can do for him, but wants me and what I’m making him feel. What a rush!
Two slick fingers pump into my sex while Tony sucks on my bottom lip, nipping it once in his haste. He leans in to deepen the kiss and the length of his erection presses against my hip. I want nothing more than to tell him to take me right here—to beg this gorgeous man to do me until I scream his name—but a part of my brain still holds on to the act.
I bet he can have any woman he wants any time. I need to stand out from the others. For once, I want to be the desired one. My mind empties as exquisite waves of pleasure build and spill through my limbs.
I break the intense kiss to focus on what I need to do. “On your knees,” I whisper. “Now.”
My Thoughts: Have you noticed any of my tweets or FB updates this week? They’ve mostly been about CJ Ellisson’s Vanilla On Top. I’ve been chomping at the bit to bring this one to you. But (sigh) I had to wait for my day on the tour. And, YAY, today is that day.
Oh, my fucking God, I loved this book. Not that what I have been reading isn’t as good as I’ve been telling you they are, but Vanilla On Top just went above a lot of them for me.
Once again, C.J. Ellisson has exceeded my expectations. Vanilla on Top was an amazing, HOT read. I literally couldn’t put it down (who needs to do housework anyway when I’ve got a delicious book like this lying around???). I read it in under 24 hours and NOW I’m (im)patiently waiting on a next-in-series. I always love it when I can put myself in a storyline. I could SO see myself in some of the things Heather did and felt. The only thing that could’ve probably made the story better (for me, personally) is if she’d been a redhead!
Vanilla on Top is very well written and extremely detailed. Character development is awesome and I LOVE how Heather grabs what she wants by the…ahem…pants and goes for it! I also love how it’s not a one-sided relationship where the “take charge” is concerned. By the end, they learn to give and receive. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!!!!
You know you have to buy the book now, right? Kindle / Nook
Giveaway Details: For every 10 comments on my review, C J has kindly offered to give away one ecopy of Vanilla On Top and one signed prize pack. - if we get to forty commenters she’ll add a VoT mousepad and bumper magnet in each of the winner’s packages. So…Get to commenting. Share with your friends. (Now I’m being dominant!) Don’t forget to leave your email so we can let you know when you win! (Only readers 18+ may enter)
About the Author:
C.J. Ellisson writes erotica and urban fantasy. Her vampire series, The V V Inn, mixes a heavy dose of erotic elements with suspense, action, a little bit of mystery and some light humor. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze.
To learn more about C.J.’s books (where you can read half of the novels for free), please visit her website at www.cjellisson.com
http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage
https://twitter.com/CJEllisson


*The books in my reviews have all been bought by me or received for free in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, my opinions are my own. Post may contain affiliate links. Clicking costs you nothing, but helps to maintain Readaholic\’s Reviews, including but not limited to book purchase and website maintenance. Thank you for your support!




























Wow, that’s all I can say. After reading that excerpt I’m not sure I would be able to function properly if I sat down and tried to read the whole thing. Whew!
kari /Salted Nuts recently posted..Slow Cooker Garlic Orange Honey Chicken
You mean you can’t walk with your legs pressed together that tightly???
You would love it!
LOL! And the scene was even longer after that…. I bet you’ll like it, Kari!
C.J. Ellisson recently posted..Vanilla Dom to Vanilla on Top
I passed up this book because typically I stick with paranormal/fantasy themed books, but after reading that excerpt and review I am totally breaking my own rule. I must have it! Thank you both!
Annie recently posted..Book Barrage and Giveaway: Blood Betrayed (Sons of Navarus #2) by Gabrielle Bisset
LOL. I used to stick with paranormal, also…I’ve been swaying from that rule more and more. I’m sure glad I have. Have you SEEN the awesome books I’ve been reading?!?
You WILL NOT regret getting this one.
Thank you, Annie! I sincerely hope you enjoy the book!
I really liked this book. It’s nice to see a powerful man who wants to have someone be in control.and the strong woman who finds her inner goddess and takes the reins. It’s better then the other book. And they are truly finding themselves in each other . CJ Ellisson is an author to keep an eye on
Absolutely! I love CJ’s VV Inn Series, but I think I’m going to love this one SOOOO much more (didn’t know that was possible)!
One of the best things about it truly is the strong woman take, even though she has a few self-esteem problems. She overcomes that & it’s awesome!
Thank you! I think I love you both. Will you run away with me and help raise my fur-babies?
C.J. Ellisson recently posted..Vanilla Dom to Vanilla on Top
Probably. I have some requirements, though: I have to bring my real babies AND my furbaby. AND my nook!
Loved your review. I was the same way after I bought the book I couldn’t put it down. My kids got take out that day Pizza Hut LOL. I can’t wait for C.J. to come out with her continuing story of Tony and Heather or any of the characters. She is one of my favorite authors when it comes to erotica especially VV Inn. What I like about her stories is that the relationships stay monogamous and that goes a long way with me when I am looking for a new erotica read.
Yup. Take out surely was in order. The kids and housework be damned when an awesome new book comes.
Woot! Any day we fall into a book is a day for takeout. We all need that time to de-stress and I’m grateful you two feel that way about my work, thank you!
I read this book and loved it. Like Emma, it was hard book to put down. I felt as if I walked into the book, and I never wanted come back out. I have read all of CJ Ellisson VV Inn books, and loved them too. Loved the direction in this series. Cna’t wait for the next one.
YAY! I’m glad I’m not the only one. I LOVE to be able to put my self “in” the book (I know I say that a lot, but it’s true). She definitely needs to hurry with the next book! lol
You’ve capture the essence of a wonderful book. I totally agree, it was so hard to put down. I’m so glad that Vanilla on Top is just the first. I can’t wait to see what happens next to Heather and Tony’s friends when C. J. lets her brilliant imagination run loose.
Thank you.
I’m also very glad that CJ didn’t stop with VoT.
Thank you, Katrina! I’m so grateful to have readers who truly get my work. It’s a wish come true.
C.J. Ellisson recently posted..Vanilla Dom to Vanilla on Top
OMG that is turning this old lady inside out. I am hurrying to finish a book and then VoT here I cum (oops)
lmfao. You’re never too “old”! Enjoy!!!
LMAO!! Oh. My. God. That was funny to read.
Very nice review on an excellent book. I’ve read all of C.j.’s books and the very steamy monogamous sex and connection between the main characters brings me back to her books again and again. Looking forward to both series, Walk on the Wild Side and Vampire Vacation Inn (hope I have those series names right).
Thanks! I’m with you…Can’t wait for the next in the series!!
Thanks, Kim!! My dream is we show the reading world exactly how steamy monogamy can be. I bet some people will be shocked
YES!!! WHY would anyone need more than one man to put up with anyway? Mine still rocks me (and makes me want to pull my hair out) after 19 years!
Loved your review. I have read CJ’s VV Inn books, so I bought this book and just could not put it down. I think I will use it as a “self help” book to bring out my inner dom.
Whew Hot Read, have plenty of wine on hand to cool yourself down.
“Self Help” book…good plan!!! Thanks for the love.
Agreed! We use everything around us to inspire us, why not a book? Everyone needs to slip on a new skin once in a while.
I want this book – the excerpt is hot! She is amazing. The chat with the author on Twitter the other night was fun!
Heather
Heather Coulter recently posted..Guest Post: CJ West
I missed the chat.
You will love the book if you liked the excerpt.
Great chatting with on Twitter, Heather!
No worries, Emma, you didn’t miss a lot. It was hectic and all of the place! Next one will be a Sex Toy party as an Event on my author Page. That will be the one you *don’t* want to miss!
Absolutely DO NOT wanna miss that one!! Will have to put it on my calendar for sure!
I’m adding this to my TBR list. Thanks!
evanlea at gmail dot com
Be sure to put it on the very TOP of that TBR pile! You won’t regret it!
I have read this book and all CJ’s VVInn books so far..I enjoy her writing and the characters in all her books flow so well with each other. The HOT romance is a plus for me but the storyline is what I look for in a great read. She takes you on a journey with her words and you will never forget the trip. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series
You hit it right on the head. Plot. If the book is all just one hot sex romp, I’m not as apt to love it. I’ll probably still read it, but… My honey always asks “Why will you read porn, but not watch it?” My answer? “Because my books have a plot. A reason to read and keep reading.”
I loved the interview. Wish I could get my inner bad girl out. I guess I’ll just read about it in books.
No reason you can’t, Crystal. Just follow Heather’s lead!! We could all use some Heather in us (or Tony…Ooops! You didn’t read that!
)
Amazing Review! When I started this book, I simply could not go to bed until I finished it!! It was just amazing and I also cannot wait for the next in the series!!
Thank you.
I am waiting so very, very (im)patiently for the next one, too!!! Who needs sleep anyway???
Your review was spot on. Loved this book and cant wait to read more!
Thanks! Sooo many people waiting on the next in the series. Glad we don’t all have to share just one book!!!
I agree totally with you Readaholic!! It was one of those real page turners I couldn’t put down till it was finished. I love the way C.J draws you into the plot, you really can imagine yourself as the sexy, confident Heather deliciously teasing poor Tony
Cant wait for the next installment
Absolutely! Poor C.J. really needs to get to writing to keep all of us happy!! lol Hopefully she can keep up!!
And damn straight. Wish I had her confidence.
Loved this book! I too could not put this down! I’ve read all of C J Ellison’s books and is never disappointed, wanting to get all her books as soon as they are released because I am guaranteed an excellent read!
I LOVE when books are a series. Then I know what I’m getting. Especially when they’re an author I already love!
Great review….keep up the great work…
Sandy S recently posted..Lara Nance-DRACULAVILLE Blog Tour and Giveaway
Thanks.
I loved this book…I could easily seeing it be as big as 50 shades…but this book was sweeter…Heather was an excellent Character that was able to take change aside from normally being a doormat, not only was she able to build up self confidence but had a wonderful romantic story! I highly recommend if you haven’t had the chance to read it! Great Review! Have a great weekend!
Allyson
allysonbrann06@yahoo.com
Thank you. I completely agree, except I hope it surpasses 50 Shades!
Looking forward to when I can pick up the book. Too many on the my TBR list
Definitely need to add this one to the TOP of that TBR pile.
Loved this review. This looks great. It’s nice to find new reads and authors! alliemathews (at) ymail (dot) com.
It’s an awesome book. C.J. Ellisson is a great author. Glad I could “help” you find a new one!
Emma I must be missing it but I don’t see where to enter the giveaway..
All you have to do is comment, Ginger! No Rafflecopter for this one.
Thank you for the Awesome Giveaways!!
Your readers have to read the book, it is amazing and you would be able to put it down
Okay that excerpt is WOW, steamy! This book sounds great!