Lauren Gallagher Short Stories/Novellas
Why are the good ones always taken? The last thing Amber wants to think about is engagement rings or anything related to engagement rings, but they’re kind of hard to avoid when she makes her living in a jewelry store. Between her job and her last relationship, she’s getting more than a little bit jaded about romance. In fact, as her cynicism grows, she’s ready to change everything in her life… and a man is the last thing she wants. When gorgeous bartender Jeremy wanders into her store, she’s willing to reconsider what she wants right now, but he’s off the menu—he’s here for an engagement ring. But as Jeremy comes back again and again to look at the ring, Amber suspects it's not just the price that’s keeping him from taking it home. She'd never dream of sabotaging someone's relationship, but is Jeremy about to make a huge mistake? This 23,000 word novella was previously published.
When her sister is left at the altar at her destination wedding, Deanna Riley hunts down the groom – her long time friend Nick Wallace – to give him a piece of her mind. She has no idea what excuses or explanations to expect, but the last thing she expects is to sympathize with him once he tells his side of the story. Actually, no. The last thing she expects is for the conversation to turn into…more than a conversation. And if there’s anything the heartbroken, jilted bride doesn’t need, it’s a fling between her sister and would-be husband. Now Nick and Deanna are desperate to atone for what they’ve done, but even as they struggle to patch things up with Deanna’s sister, they can’t deny that the unexpected night on the beach ignited a flame that refuses to die. This novella is 30,800 words long, and was previously published.
It’s November, 1932. Prohibition is in full swing, gambling is outlawed in California, and the coast is lined with offshore casino boats looking to take advantage of the less restrictive international waters. Among them, the Miss Fortune, and that’s where Detective Paul Hansen’s headed tonight. He needs to find Alice Durham because she’s his only lead on the whereabouts of one Robbie Parker. Paul is hot on Robbie’s trail because the man’s a bootlegger and a moonshiner—and Paul’s former lover. He’s supposed to be investigating Robbie’s illegal doings, but Paul’s heart has never quite let go of what they had before, and instead, he wants to warn him that the feds are on to him. Robbie doesn’t trust him—why would a moonshiner trust a cop?—but Alice might be able to convince him to listen. Assuming the three of them actually do any talking… This 8,500 word short story was previously published as part of the Underground Erotica anthology.
Morgan hates her job. She didn’t bust her hump to get an IT certification so she could spend her days reading employee emails. Unfortunately, what the boss says, goes, and he has her on email detail until they find out who's been embezzling. About the only redeeming feature of working for this company is getting to steal glances at the head of engineering and tech support, Courtney James. What Morgan wouldn’t do for the confidence just to strike up a conversation. Asking Courtney out? Not a chance. When an email tips her off that the crush is mutual, though, Morgan's torn between making a move and pretending she never saw the message. Her heart and body say to go for it. Her conscience says to leave well enough alone. The one thing she can’t do, however, is forget about it… This novella is approximately 20,000 words.
He’s a pain slut, and tonight, he’s met his match: a sadistic Domme who can make him squirm in ways he’s never experienced before.
When a husband stumbles across his wife’s browser history, he discovers she desperately wants him to dominate her. Can he make her fantasy real?
When a longtime sub and her Dom switch for the night, can she play the role her husband fills so well? And… does she want to?