Piper Rayne's Blog - Posts Tagged "piperrayne-comingsoon-excerpt"
You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows Excerpt
“Okay, for you newbies, I’m Coach Baker…” He continues down the line, introducing all our coaches and staff. Lastly, he signals to Dr. Carlisle, our head athletic trainer. “And when you get injured, here is the man you see.”
Dr. Carlisle steps forward, shaking hands with Coach Baker as though they didn’t talk to one another minutes earlier. His short light-brown hair is perfectly gelled, and he’s dressed in the Kingsmen polo and khaki shorts as if he’s ready for his endorsement deal. I think the guy is kind of a dick—he thinks he’s a celebrity, bragging about his Instagram following—but he’s kept me healthy all these years, so who am I to judge.
“Thanks.” He turns to us in the stands. “I’m Doctor Carlisle, Head Athletic Director. I look forward to having a great season with you all and doing our department’s part to keep you healthy. I’ll start by introducing our staff members. For you veterans, we only have one new addition this year.”
The group of athletic trainers comes out and I’m busy cracking my neck from my shitty sleep last night, so I don’t bother looking as he says the names I’m already familiar with.
“Oh shit,” Miles whispers.
“What?” I ask, looking down right as she emerges from the group. All the air in my lungs seizes as though I’ve been sacked by a three-hundred-pound nose tackle.
“It’s her, right?” Miles turns to me. “Shayna—”
“Kudrow,” I finish for him, my eyes locked on her.
It’s her, the woman I screwed over in college.
The same woman I’ve never stopped thinking about.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 --> https://books2read.com/yhyclb
Dr. Carlisle steps forward, shaking hands with Coach Baker as though they didn’t talk to one another minutes earlier. His short light-brown hair is perfectly gelled, and he’s dressed in the Kingsmen polo and khaki shorts as if he’s ready for his endorsement deal. I think the guy is kind of a dick—he thinks he’s a celebrity, bragging about his Instagram following—but he’s kept me healthy all these years, so who am I to judge.
“Thanks.” He turns to us in the stands. “I’m Doctor Carlisle, Head Athletic Director. I look forward to having a great season with you all and doing our department’s part to keep you healthy. I’ll start by introducing our staff members. For you veterans, we only have one new addition this year.”
The group of athletic trainers comes out and I’m busy cracking my neck from my shitty sleep last night, so I don’t bother looking as he says the names I’m already familiar with.
“Oh shit,” Miles whispers.
“What?” I ask, looking down right as she emerges from the group. All the air in my lungs seizes as though I’ve been sacked by a three-hundred-pound nose tackle.
“It’s her, right?” Miles turns to me. “Shayna—”
“Kudrow,” I finish for him, my eyes locked on her.
It’s her, the woman I screwed over in college.
The same woman I’ve never stopped thinking about.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 --> https://books2read.com/yhyclb
You Can't Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks Excerpt
“Why don’t you just hire another nanny?” Shayna asks. “Then you can pursue the gymnast.” She cringes when she says the word gymnast, probably assuming I’m one of those guys who tells all about my conquests.
I shake my head. “Hannah’s leaving in days. I can’t tell her we need to find a new nanny because I slept with the one she hired.” Jesus, the coincidence. You’d think I’ve nailed every woman in the Bay Area for something like this to happen.
“Why not?” Shayna asks.
My shoulders sag. “Because she’d deny the opportunity for her career and I can’t do that to her after she’s moved twice for my career. This is supposed to be her time and I cannot be the one to take that away from her. I’m just gonna have to deal with blue balls for a few months.”
“Sounds like something to look forward to.” Lee smirks.
I flip him off.
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I shake my head. “Hannah’s leaving in days. I can’t tell her we need to find a new nanny because I slept with the one she hired.” Jesus, the coincidence. You’d think I’ve nailed every woman in the Bay Area for something like this to happen.
“Why not?” Shayna asks.
My shoulders sag. “Because she’d deny the opportunity for her career and I can’t do that to her after she’s moved twice for my career. This is supposed to be her time and I cannot be the one to take that away from her. I’m just gonna have to deal with blue balls for a few months.”
“Sounds like something to look forward to.” Lee smirks.
I flip him off.
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Over My Brother's Dead Body, Chase Andrews Excerpt
“Is Miles picking you up at the airport?” my dad asks.
I concentrate on lifting my suitcase off the bed, and my dad groans.
“You still haven’t told him?” His voice is full of disapproval.
“It’s a surprise,” I say in my bright and cheery teacher voice—the one I use when it’s raining and I tell the kids recess is inside.
The truth is, I have no idea how my brother will react to me living in the same city as him. A short visit is one thing, but will I hold him back if I’m there longer?
He’s the epitome of an overbearing, overprotective big brother, and I’m hoping he won’t play dad to me the entire time I’m there. I might still be reeling from my breakup, but I’m an adult, and I don’t need him or anyone else watching over me.
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I concentrate on lifting my suitcase off the bed, and my dad groans.
“You still haven’t told him?” His voice is full of disapproval.
“It’s a surprise,” I say in my bright and cheery teacher voice—the one I use when it’s raining and I tell the kids recess is inside.
The truth is, I have no idea how my brother will react to me living in the same city as him. A short visit is one thing, but will I hold him back if I’m there longer?
He’s the epitome of an overbearing, overprotective big brother, and I’m hoping he won’t play dad to me the entire time I’m there. I might still be reeling from my breakup, but I’m an adult, and I don’t need him or anyone else watching over me.
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The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates Excerpt
“I thought I heard of someone I know who was putting an ad in the paper.” She digs in her seashell purse and takes out a pair of reading glasses that are missing one arm. “Oh, here, you already have it circled.” She hands the paper back to me.
I laugh because I circled that ad as a last-ditch effort. The person I’d be sharing space with doesn’t sound very warm and cozy. “Oh, that one. I don’t think I’d jibe with that person.”
Nate takes the paper from me and reads the ad, then shares a look with Alice.
“What’s the look about?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing, you totally should call. I mean, this place.” He points at another ad I had circled. “The guy is home all the time. One of those video gamers. And this one.” He points at another one. “This ad is in the paper every other month because everyone they get moves out. I think the place is haunted or has mold or something.”
He hands me the paper and I read the ad one more time.
Roommate needed to share a two-bedroom, one-bathroom in Lake Starlight downtown area. Must be clean and organized. A list of chores will be assigned once you move in. Under no circumstances will I clean up after you. I’m neat and clean and expect my roommate to be as well. Guests are not welcome to stay and must be gone by ten o’clock. Must pay first and last month’s rent plus security deposit. All necessary background checks will be required. No pets or felons allowed.
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I laugh because I circled that ad as a last-ditch effort. The person I’d be sharing space with doesn’t sound very warm and cozy. “Oh, that one. I don’t think I’d jibe with that person.”
Nate takes the paper from me and reads the ad, then shares a look with Alice.
“What’s the look about?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing, you totally should call. I mean, this place.” He points at another ad I had circled. “The guy is home all the time. One of those video gamers. And this one.” He points at another one. “This ad is in the paper every other month because everyone they get moves out. I think the place is haunted or has mold or something.”
He hands me the paper and I read the ad one more time.
Roommate needed to share a two-bedroom, one-bathroom in Lake Starlight downtown area. Must be clean and organized. A list of chores will be assigned once you move in. Under no circumstances will I clean up after you. I’m neat and clean and expect my roommate to be as well. Guests are not welcome to stay and must be gone by ten o’clock. Must pay first and last month’s rent plus security deposit. All necessary background checks will be required. No pets or felons allowed.
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The Trouble with Runaway Brides Excerpt
Just let it be. It’s in the past. She’s marrying someone else.”
Easton inhales loudly, downs his beer, and nods. “If that’s what you want.”
I nod but don’t look at him. “It is. Thank you.”
“All right then. Be stubborn.”
“I just don’t want any more details. It’s irrelevant anyway.”
“Because you don’t have feelings for her anymore?”
“Of course, I don’t. I’m not a glutton for punishment.”
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Easton inhales loudly, downs his beer, and nods. “If that’s what you want.”
I nod but don’t look at him. “It is. Thank you.”
“All right then. Be stubborn.”
“I just don’t want any more details. It’s irrelevant anyway.”
“Because you don’t have feelings for her anymore?”
“Of course, I don’t. I’m not a glutton for punishment.”
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Something Like Love Excerpt
“Now you. Take off the robe and slide in right under that white sheet next to Cooper,” the woman says.
Cooper is about to laugh. I can see it in his eyes. He knows how freaked out I am about this, but he also knows I’ll do it because I’d do just about anything for him.
He pulls the sheet back beside him. “Come on, sweetie.” I roll my eyes and untie my robe. It drops to the floor, and I dive under the covers before anyone else gets a good view—I hope.
“We’ve shared a bed before,” Cooper says, as though that’s going to put me at ease.
“Not in our underwear and not with twenty sets of eyes on us.”
Once Cooper is in the position they want on top of the blanket, the photographer comes closer and snaps pictures while giving us directions. I’m sitting up with the bra showing in one picture, and in another one, I have a bare leg out and just part of my underwear showing. He gets Cooper to lie across the bed and rest his head on my stomach. We pretend to read a book, my head on his shoulder, his ankles crossed. His cologne smells good, and his skin is way softer than I would have imagined. Jesus. What is this? I haven’t felt this kind of need for Cooper in a long time.
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Cooper is about to laugh. I can see it in his eyes. He knows how freaked out I am about this, but he also knows I’ll do it because I’d do just about anything for him.
He pulls the sheet back beside him. “Come on, sweetie.” I roll my eyes and untie my robe. It drops to the floor, and I dive under the covers before anyone else gets a good view—I hope.
“We’ve shared a bed before,” Cooper says, as though that’s going to put me at ease.
“Not in our underwear and not with twenty sets of eyes on us.”
Once Cooper is in the position they want on top of the blanket, the photographer comes closer and snaps pictures while giving us directions. I’m sitting up with the bra showing in one picture, and in another one, I have a bare leg out and just part of my underwear showing. He gets Cooper to lie across the bed and rest his head on my stomach. We pretend to read a book, my head on his shoulder, his ankles crossed. His cologne smells good, and his skin is way softer than I would have imagined. Jesus. What is this? I haven’t felt this kind of need for Cooper in a long time.
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Mr. Swoony Excerpt
“Why are you here?” I attempt to get him to give me a straight answer.
“I don’t want to tell you.” He sits back and crosses his leg so his ankle rests on his knee, getting even more comfortable instead of leaving, which is what I wish he would do.
“Trying to pique my curiosity?” I arch an eyebrow.
“I’m vulnerable.” He flags down the waitress, and she saunters over in a short micro dress that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
“What can I get you, Conor?” she asks in a sultry voice that implies, as I assumed, he’s the player type.
I scoff, and Conor turns to me but talks to her.
“Two bottles of water.” Digging into his pocket, he pulls out a fifty and places it on her tray of empty glasses without his eyes ever leaving mine.
“Be right back,” she says.
“So, you’re a regular, huh?”
“I’ve been here twice.”
“The bottle girl knows you by name. She must be really good at her job then.” I scootch up on the edge of the seat. “It was nice meeting you, but I’m gonna go get my friend.”
“Really?” He sits up straight. “You’re just going to leave after I came all the way over here?”
I laugh. “Well, I’m sure it’s a foreign concept for you that a woman isn’t interested but think of it as an opportunity for some character growth.”
He smirks and shakes his head. “And I thought I was cocky.”
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. “Excuse me?”
“You assume that I was hitting on you.”
“Weren’t you?”
“I told you I don’t go after taken women, so unless this whole bride thing is a façade, I’m not interested in pursuing you.”
“I don’t want to tell you.” He sits back and crosses his leg so his ankle rests on his knee, getting even more comfortable instead of leaving, which is what I wish he would do.
“Trying to pique my curiosity?” I arch an eyebrow.
“I’m vulnerable.” He flags down the waitress, and she saunters over in a short micro dress that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
“What can I get you, Conor?” she asks in a sultry voice that implies, as I assumed, he’s the player type.
I scoff, and Conor turns to me but talks to her.
“Two bottles of water.” Digging into his pocket, he pulls out a fifty and places it on her tray of empty glasses without his eyes ever leaving mine.
“Be right back,” she says.
“So, you’re a regular, huh?”
“I’ve been here twice.”
“The bottle girl knows you by name. She must be really good at her job then.” I scootch up on the edge of the seat. “It was nice meeting you, but I’m gonna go get my friend.”
“Really?” He sits up straight. “You’re just going to leave after I came all the way over here?”
I laugh. “Well, I’m sure it’s a foreign concept for you that a woman isn’t interested but think of it as an opportunity for some character growth.”
He smirks and shakes his head. “And I thought I was cocky.”
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. “Excuse me?”
“You assume that I was hitting on you.”
“Weren’t you?”
“I told you I don’t go after taken women, so unless this whole bride thing is a façade, I’m not interested in pursuing you.”
Mr. Charming Excerpt
I step out into the hallway, running straight into a man. His hands grab my elbows, and before my gaze lifts to see his face, I already know it’s him. Tweetie.
“Sorry,” he mumbles.
“Tweetie, you know Tedi, right? I was just telling her how much faith you have in her.” Coach Buford stands next to us.
I swallow down my parfait from this morning that’s coming back up.
“Yeah, we knew each other back in Florida. Tedi is a friend of Saige Drake, Aiden’s wife,” Tweetie says.
It sounds so believable, as if we ran in the same circles a few times. Ran into one another at a baby shower or wedding or something.
“I tried to get Drake here years ago, but he said he’ll be retiring in Florida if they’ll let him.” Coach Buford shakes his head and pats Tweetie on the shoulder. “Thank goodness the Burrows let this one go so we could eventually get him.”
Tweetie puts on a brave face, a fake smile to say he couldn’t be happier to be in Chicago, but I remember the day he was traded to Nashville from Florida and how cutting that felt to him. Sure, he’s ended up in a great place here, but there will always be hurt feelings.
“Which way is the room with the guys?” I step back from Tweetie.
Coach Buford pats his pockets. “Damn it, I forgot my phone in my office. Do you mind if Tweetie shows you the way?”
Tweetie isn’t saying much, and I doubt this is his usual behavior around here. He’s going to give us away if he keeps staring at me as though he can’t believe I’m here.
“If you just give me the directions, I can find my way,” I say.
“Nonsense.” He pats Tweetie’s shoulder. “Show her the way, and I’ll be right there. You’re in good hands, Tedi.”
I smile softly, but when Coach Buford turns his back to his office, my smile drops. “I can find it myself,” I murmur, walking down the hall like a spoiled teenage girl.
“Good luck then.” Tweetie leans against the wall and crosses his arms.
The hallway is long, and there are a lot of doors. Surely one is marked conference room or something. I turn in the direction of where Tweetie was heading, figuring it has to be that way.
His chuckle rings out down the empty hall. I turn around, and he pushes off the wall. So damn dramatic.
He places his hand on my elbow and turns me down another hallway that I wouldn’t have guessed. I shrug out of his hold, and he turns right, opening a door into the room I need to be in.
“You’re welcome,” he says, holding the door open for me.
“You could have just given me directions.”
“That’s not what Coach asked me to do.” He nods, and I step into the room.
All of the players are in there, talking and laughing.
“Tweetie!” a player they call Alvin shouts but stops when he sees me. “Who are you?”
I narrow my eyes at him, walking down the stairs to get to the bottom of what reminds me of a lecture hall from college. I sit in the first row and cross my legs, waiting for Coach Buford.
“Hey, Tedi.” I look over my shoulder to see Henry Hensley behind me.
“Hi.” I don’t know Henry, but he seems like a nice guy.
“Where are you going?” I hear that same guy who made a spectacle of Tweetie walking in as if he’s the it guy in high school, and they’re trying to befriend him or kiss his ass.
A big body walks by me and sits next to me.
Snickers from the row behind me have the hair on my neck rising.
“What are you doing?” I whisper to Tweetie.
His elbow falls onto my armrest. I elbow him back, and I’m not sure if it’s Henry or someone else who laughs when Tweetie’s arm falls off.
“Believe me, I don’t want to sit here either.”
I lean forward, looking past him to a few seats down the row that are unoccupied.
“Kick my ass or tell me off later, but I’m not gonna let you be ogled in a room full of athletes,” he admits, and I can tell from the tic of his jaw that he wishes he hadn’t.
“I can handle myself,” I whisper.
“Deal with it, Tedi.”
I turn in my chair and glare at him, but his gaze remains forward, pretending we’re not having a conversation. “You know what your problem is?”
“I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.”
His calmness drives me crazy, and he knows it. That’s why he’s doing it.
“Sorry,” he mumbles.
“Tweetie, you know Tedi, right? I was just telling her how much faith you have in her.” Coach Buford stands next to us.
I swallow down my parfait from this morning that’s coming back up.
“Yeah, we knew each other back in Florida. Tedi is a friend of Saige Drake, Aiden’s wife,” Tweetie says.
It sounds so believable, as if we ran in the same circles a few times. Ran into one another at a baby shower or wedding or something.
“I tried to get Drake here years ago, but he said he’ll be retiring in Florida if they’ll let him.” Coach Buford shakes his head and pats Tweetie on the shoulder. “Thank goodness the Burrows let this one go so we could eventually get him.”
Tweetie puts on a brave face, a fake smile to say he couldn’t be happier to be in Chicago, but I remember the day he was traded to Nashville from Florida and how cutting that felt to him. Sure, he’s ended up in a great place here, but there will always be hurt feelings.
“Which way is the room with the guys?” I step back from Tweetie.
Coach Buford pats his pockets. “Damn it, I forgot my phone in my office. Do you mind if Tweetie shows you the way?”
Tweetie isn’t saying much, and I doubt this is his usual behavior around here. He’s going to give us away if he keeps staring at me as though he can’t believe I’m here.
“If you just give me the directions, I can find my way,” I say.
“Nonsense.” He pats Tweetie’s shoulder. “Show her the way, and I’ll be right there. You’re in good hands, Tedi.”
I smile softly, but when Coach Buford turns his back to his office, my smile drops. “I can find it myself,” I murmur, walking down the hall like a spoiled teenage girl.
“Good luck then.” Tweetie leans against the wall and crosses his arms.
The hallway is long, and there are a lot of doors. Surely one is marked conference room or something. I turn in the direction of where Tweetie was heading, figuring it has to be that way.
His chuckle rings out down the empty hall. I turn around, and he pushes off the wall. So damn dramatic.
He places his hand on my elbow and turns me down another hallway that I wouldn’t have guessed. I shrug out of his hold, and he turns right, opening a door into the room I need to be in.
“You’re welcome,” he says, holding the door open for me.
“You could have just given me directions.”
“That’s not what Coach asked me to do.” He nods, and I step into the room.
All of the players are in there, talking and laughing.
“Tweetie!” a player they call Alvin shouts but stops when he sees me. “Who are you?”
I narrow my eyes at him, walking down the stairs to get to the bottom of what reminds me of a lecture hall from college. I sit in the first row and cross my legs, waiting for Coach Buford.
“Hey, Tedi.” I look over my shoulder to see Henry Hensley behind me.
“Hi.” I don’t know Henry, but he seems like a nice guy.
“Where are you going?” I hear that same guy who made a spectacle of Tweetie walking in as if he’s the it guy in high school, and they’re trying to befriend him or kiss his ass.
A big body walks by me and sits next to me.
Snickers from the row behind me have the hair on my neck rising.
“What are you doing?” I whisper to Tweetie.
His elbow falls onto my armrest. I elbow him back, and I’m not sure if it’s Henry or someone else who laughs when Tweetie’s arm falls off.
“Believe me, I don’t want to sit here either.”
I lean forward, looking past him to a few seats down the row that are unoccupied.
“Kick my ass or tell me off later, but I’m not gonna let you be ogled in a room full of athletes,” he admits, and I can tell from the tic of his jaw that he wishes he hadn’t.
“I can handle myself,” I whisper.
“Deal with it, Tedi.”
I turn in my chair and glare at him, but his gaze remains forward, pretending we’re not having a conversation. “You know what your problem is?”
“I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.”
His calmness drives me crazy, and he knows it. That’s why he’s doing it.
Chasing Forever Excerpt
Emmett and Briar walk into the room, and Emmett raises their joined hands in the air to everyone’s claps and cheering. “Let’s welcome another Noughton to the family.”
There goes any talk about us for now.
We all move to take a seat, everyone buzzing with new energy. Romy gives me a pissed-off look—probably about my bullshit Zander Shaw stunt—but I don’t care. Because Lottie’s right here. Close enough to touch.
Everyone sits as Emmett and Briar stand at the head of the table.
“So that makes how many Noughtons now?” Emmett points around the table. “Ten, right?”
He skips over Lottie, and she tenses next to me. I feel her shoulders locking tight, her breathing stalling.
He knows. I have no idea how. No one else will probably understand that Lottie’s now part of another family, my family, now that we’re married, but Lottie and I sure as hell do.
“Eleven, you skipped Lottie,” Romy says before snapping a bite off a celery stick from the Bloody Mary she no doubt grabbed after realizing her favorite country singer is not in the restaurant.
“Oh, did I forget you, Lottie?” Emmett asks, tilting his head and wearing that smug, knowing grin.
Lottie’s face grows red as Briar slides into her chair, leaving Emmett to stand by himself. Everyone’s questioning gaze turns to Lottie. The whole room tightens, leaning in without even meaning to.
Briar tugs on Emmett’s sleeve, pulling him down into the chair beside her, but that damn playful grin sits bold on his face. Add on Briar peeking at Lottie, and I know those two know something.
I slide my hand to Lottie’s forearm, even though I’m the one drowning. If this goes south right here, right now, I might lose any footing and any chance I have with her.
Whatever Emmett’s plan was doesn’t matter now because Lottie tosses her napkin on the empty plate, shoves her chair back, and stands. “Fine. You all want to know so bad because your lives are so goddamn boring? Well, Brooks and I got married last night. There. Are you all happy now?”
Her admission is reckless and messy.
And it’s so damn Lottie.
I love her all the more for it.
There goes any talk about us for now.
We all move to take a seat, everyone buzzing with new energy. Romy gives me a pissed-off look—probably about my bullshit Zander Shaw stunt—but I don’t care. Because Lottie’s right here. Close enough to touch.
Everyone sits as Emmett and Briar stand at the head of the table.
“So that makes how many Noughtons now?” Emmett points around the table. “Ten, right?”
He skips over Lottie, and she tenses next to me. I feel her shoulders locking tight, her breathing stalling.
He knows. I have no idea how. No one else will probably understand that Lottie’s now part of another family, my family, now that we’re married, but Lottie and I sure as hell do.
“Eleven, you skipped Lottie,” Romy says before snapping a bite off a celery stick from the Bloody Mary she no doubt grabbed after realizing her favorite country singer is not in the restaurant.
“Oh, did I forget you, Lottie?” Emmett asks, tilting his head and wearing that smug, knowing grin.
Lottie’s face grows red as Briar slides into her chair, leaving Emmett to stand by himself. Everyone’s questioning gaze turns to Lottie. The whole room tightens, leaning in without even meaning to.
Briar tugs on Emmett’s sleeve, pulling him down into the chair beside her, but that damn playful grin sits bold on his face. Add on Briar peeking at Lottie, and I know those two know something.
I slide my hand to Lottie’s forearm, even though I’m the one drowning. If this goes south right here, right now, I might lose any footing and any chance I have with her.
Whatever Emmett’s plan was doesn’t matter now because Lottie tosses her napkin on the empty plate, shoves her chair back, and stands. “Fine. You all want to know so bad because your lives are so goddamn boring? Well, Brooks and I got married last night. There. Are you all happy now?”
Her admission is reckless and messy.
And it’s so damn Lottie.
I love her all the more for it.
