Georgia Lyn Hunter's Blog, page 8
November 26, 2015
The Color of Love Blog Hop
Come join us in this awesome giveaway TCOLBH
It will be loads of fun from November 27th – December 6th with gift card and ebook giveaways. There’s some wonderful books some of the authors have donated for the giveaway.
I’m salivating over the array of books here 
. PRIZES
1st prize – $75 + 6 ebooks
2nd prize – $50 + 5 ebooks
3rd prize – $30 + 5 ebooks
4th prize – $15 + 5 ebooks
5th prize – $10 + 5 ebooks
6th prize – $5 + 5 ebooks
♥
To win these wonderful prizes, click the Rafflecopter link below.
My contribution: Breaking Fate:
Blaéz, my immortal, soulless hero, and his mixed race heroine, Darci.
. To win a $5.00 Amazon gift card, stop by and tell me what’s your fave IR/MC romances and why. Don’t forget to leave your email addy
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September 14, 2015
Opening excerpt: Breaking Fate Bk2 #A Fallen Guardian Novel
September 15th
Blaéz, who lives in a void, until Darci. It’s been quite an arduous journey for my emotionless hero to his HEA.
Cover by Montana Jade
BLURB
An immortal without a soul is bad enough. But when his only tether to remaining honorable is his addiction to bone-crushing pain, it makes Blaéz a dangerously loose cannon.
A Guardian sworn to protect mortals from supernatural evil, Blaéz straddles the edge of darkness as his needs grow. When a good deed brings him to the doorstep of a female unlike any other, one whose touch ignites emotions long lost in the hellish pits of Tartarus, he’s determined not to lose her. She belongs to him. But she’s human. Forbidden. And bringing her into his life may just destroy them both.
Darci Callahan has given up on love. But when a lethally handsome stranger suddenly appears late one night, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the captivating man with the pale, empty eyes—a man who awakens in her a desire she never believed possible. Except Blaéz brings more than unexpected passion to her life, he brings danger.
In this treacherous new world of gods and demons, Darci soon discovers a heart-shattering truth and the twisted games the gods play. Caught in the crosshairs, she’s forced to accept that, sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, you have to love them enough to let them go…
~~~
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
“An enchanting world of danger and darkness, Hunter captivates with her sexy tale of fallen gods, demons, and forbidden love that conquers all.” ~LITERAL ADDICTION
“Hot, sensual and sexy! The author has done an amazing job, this book has it all, edge of my seat, nail-biting suspense, and a plot that grabbed my attention from the first page. Hunter has out done herself again. Fantastic series!!” SARA-Reviewer
~~~
From the opening chapter:
“You’re a goddamn menace, Celt!”
“Scared?” Blaéz taunted. His body, his knuckles were bruised to the bone and yet he felt nothing. Remained detached from it all. “You must be. You’re fighting like a pansy—”
Týr’s granite fist crashed into Blaéz’s face, stopping the words. Stars exploded. A brutal kick followed and sent Blaéz slamming into one of the trees surrounding them in the forest clearing. His lungs flattened. Pain sang its way up his spine. But the sensation dissipated far too soon.
Pushing away from the tree, Blaéz swiped at the warm blood flowing from his brow. And smirked. Having lost his emotions while incarcerated in Tartarus, he excelled at emulating them. But it sure triggered Týr’s scowl.
“This mixed martial arts crap of yours is a pain in the ass! Why the hell can’t we use swords?”
“They don’t cut it for me.” Blaéz slowly circled him. “You want your Harley back? Win it. A thirty-minute no holds barred fight. Or I’ll sell the Easy Rider on eBay for fifty bucks.”
The warrior had lost the bike to him in a game of foosball a few weeks ago.
“You’re fucking insane, man.” Týr glared at him, fingers clenching and unclenching. “A screw short somewhere in that damn head of yours. The Harley cost a mil. Sell it. Whatever. I’m not kicking your ass.”
“What have we been doing for the last hour? Dancing?” Blaéz cocked a brow. “I guess my way’s too risky, could bruise that pretty face of yours. Maybe take up knitting, something safe—”
In a blur, Týr moved then stopped dead, yanking back his fist. He shoved back his damp, pale hair from a sweaty and pissed-off face. “I’m done with this shit. Find someone else to beat the crap outta you!”
He stormed off into the trees, his black Gi’s riding low on his hips.
Týr’s anger sliding off him, Blaéz turned away. The training session from the last hour had barely made an impact. He needed more than a short fight session to haul him on the straight, and see him through patrolling tonight.
I can give you what you want…
The sly voices slithered into his head, tugging at him. The strain on his psyche was growing stronger, the pull inexorable. He had nothing to ground him in this place, to keep the ominous call at bay. Save one.
He dematerialized to the northern parts of the Guardian’s island estate, just off Manhasset Bay, where the treacherous cliffs reigned and took form on the precarious edge. He cared little for his life. The only reason he still existed was because Michael saw something in him worth saving.
Far below, the sounds of the furious collision of waves against the rock face drenched the air.
Come to me…
With no way of shutting out the voices and trying to hang on to an oath taken several millennia ago, he dove off the precipice, hitting the jagged rocks just below the churning waterline.
Bones shattered. Pain exploded. A red haze filled his mind. The voices faded. Finally.
He let the waves carry him back and toss his agonized body onto the rugged shore. And closed his eyes…
~~~
Pre-order available:
August 31, 2015
Cover Reveal–Infernal Shriver
It a wonderful pleasure to reveal the awesome new cover of Joceline Farrah upcoming release…
TITLE: Infernal Shriver (The Stygian Chronicles-Bk2)
GENRE: Paranormal Romance
Coming soon in November…
cover designed by Jennifer Munswami
BLURB:
Alistair is the last of the Shrivers, the Church’s elite core of confessors. An emotionless killer, he confesses and executes his marks without mercy.
Raised in an atmosphere of luxury and wealth and a member of the Lilith brood, Saryl wants for nothing more than a night of freedom from the stifling rules of Stygian etiquette — until she meets a dark and lethal man from the mortal realm…Her executioner.
Something goes terribly wrong and now as danger closes in on all sides, the forbidden attraction between Alistair and Saryl proves hard to resist… A passion that could doom them both.
July 28, 2015
Breaking Fate Bk2 #A Fallen Guardian Novel
Coming… September 15th
Blaéz, who lives in a void, until Darci. It’s been quite an arduous journey for my emotionless hero to his HEA.
Cover by Montana Jade
BLURB:
An immortal without a soul is bad enough. But when his only tether to remaining honorable is his addiction to bone-crushing pain, it makes Blaéz a dangerously loose cannon.
A Guardian sworn to protect mortals from supernatural evil, Blaéz straddles the edge of darkness as his needs grow. When a good deed brings him to the doorstep of a female unlike any other, one whose touch ignites emotions long lost in the hellish pits of Tartarus, he’s determined not to lose her. She belongs to him. But she’s human. Forbidden. And bringing her into his life may just destroy them both.
Darci Callahan has given up on love. But when a lethally handsome stranger suddenly appears late one night, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the captivating man with the pale, empty eyes—a man who awakens in her a desire she never believed possible. Except Blaéz brings more than unexpected passion to her life, he brings danger.
But Darci’s determined to brave this treacherous new world of gods and demons, and when she discovers a heart-shattering truth and the twisted games the gods play, she’s forced to accept that, sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, you have to love them enough to let them go.
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
“An enchanting world of danger and darkness, Hunter captivates with her sexy tale of fallen gods, demons, and forbidden love that conquers all.” ~LITERAL ADDICTION
Pre-order links coming soon
June 23, 2015
Echo, Mine -release date and excerpt
After the happily ever after…
Book 1.5 . releasing August 4th
Cover by Montana Jade
BLURB
.
After a horrifying incident that left her in a coma for several long months, Echo now has to get used to a different life. As a descendant of a powerful angel, her days waver between training as the new Healer and convincing her mate she’s strong enough to match him in life and in bed.
A surprise date night gives her the perfect opportunity to do both. But plans have a way of coming unraveled. One disaster leads to another, and Echo accepts that nothing in their lives will ever be normal.
But the biggest revelation of the night comes after she kills a dangerous demonii. Sparks fly between her and her mate, proving that normal is most definitely overrated.
This book can be read as a standalone. But for better reading pleasure, it’s best read in order.
.
♥
EXCERPT: opening chapter:
.
Dim lights cast a sickly, pale glow over the dingy alley, adding to the portentous sensation crawling through Aethan. As if some disaster loomed, one he couldn’t quite get a grip on. He glanced at Blaéz, strolling at his side. The warrior’s calm demeanor revealed nothing.
“Something feels off,” Aethan said, his unease growing.
“Indeed… You made a decision yet?” Blaéz asked as they bypassed several dumpsters lined against the grimy brick wall. The things reeked as if a pack of rats had died there.
“About what?”
Blaéz cut him a cool, detached stare. A purple bruise marred his jaw. With his penchant for brutal underground fighting, Aethan wasn’t surprised.
“Is it that you really don’t know, or that you haven’t decided?”
Aethan frowned. His disquiet hiking in leaps now. “Celt, you talk in riddles. How the hell am I supposed to know what you’re talking about? Did you have a vision or what?”
The male’s precog ability was unparalleled. Hell, everything he’d told Aethan several months ago when he’d first met his mate had transpired—shit. “Is it Echo?” he snapped in fear.
“No.” Blaéz turned back to stare into the night. “No precog needed for this one. But it does indeed concern your mate.”
Aethan stopped and pinned his fellow Guardian an annoyed glare. “Just spit it out, man. What the hell is it?”
Blaéz slowly faced him. He was as tall as Aethan, a little on the leaner side, and deadlier than a detonating bazooka jammed into one’s mouth with his ability to kill with a thought. But dammit, any slower on the response, and Aethan would probably die of old age!
“Heard the females talking. Your mate and her friend, Kira…”
“Yeah?” Aethan prompted, clamping down on his teeth to stop from shaking the words out of the warrior.
“It’s Echo’s big day next week. Her birthday. Females, from what I’ve seen on TV, get excited about the day. And presents.”
Fuuccck! Suddenly feeling faint, Aethan inhaled a lungful of reeking air and slid his hands into his pants pockets. This was worse than a damn demonii bolt striking him in the chest. What the hell did he do now?
Echo had told him her birthdate some time ago when she’d asked him his, but he hadn’t put much stock into remembering it. Hell, when you live forever, birthdays no longer mattered. He continued to walk up the alley, trying to think of something amazing for his mate…and came up blank. He really didn’t want to screw this up.
“Would you know—”
“Google.”
“Right—” Aethan broke off. A familiar insidious prickle slithered over his psyche. Demoniis. The turned brethren of demons were on the hunt again, trawling for prey, for mortal souls to replace the dying ones they’d already harvested from humans.
Eyes narrowed, he scanned the night air for the source… His heightened hearing caught the faint, pained cry of a female. Trouble.
Aethan dematerialized in a scattering of molecules and followed the distressed cry. He took form moments later in The Bowery and tore down the dimly lit alley, following the sensation, and skidded to a halt. Blaéz appeared beside him.
The abandoned warehouse across the street sat too still, too dark. The icy, malevolent sensation abrading his psyche grew stronger. Beneath it, he smelled the coppery odor of blood…but no humans.
“What the hell are they up to now?”
♥
Editorial Review
·
“Hunter captivates with another strong and sexy heroine and the delicious alpha immortal who loves her. The perfect balance of action, conflict, and romance, and proof that sense of self is just as important as true and everlasting love.” ~LITERAL ADDICTION
♥
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER.
LINK:
June 9, 2015
Absolute Surrender’s re-release & forthcoming books
Hi All,
I’m pretty excited to announce now that my books are finally back in my hands after a tumultuous year, I’m back on track again.
Absolute Surrender has been off the market for over a year and will now be re-released on June 16. And is available at $0.99 for a LIMITED time only to start off the Fallen Guardian series.
It has been revised and re-edited and now includes an added epilogue that I had initially left out with plans to include in later book, but decided it would be better in this book. The cover remains almost the same, but with different fonts so not to be confused with the original book.
Available at:
♥
Blurb:
Born in the flames of Heaven’s wrath, he’s all things sinful and too dangerous to love.
An immortal guardian, Aethan has walked alone for millennia, trapped in a hell of his own. Until a feisty mortal crosses his path. A female he shouldn’t even look at, one who shakes the precarious foundations of all that he is, and one who’s determined to walk the edge of danger.
She only wanted to be normal…
All her life, Echo Carter wanted “normal”, an impossible feat given that she can see demons. Drawn back to the alleys of New York, she’s determined to hunt down the one responsible for the death of her friend. And no man, no matter how sexy, will stop her. Until she discovers a horrifying truth about herself, forcing her to turn to the one man she should avoid. Aethan. But when two stubborn wills collide, a dangerous passion ignites…
As evil closes in, Aethan has to overcome his darkest fears and claim Echo as his. If he doesn’t, he just could lose her to a far more sinister fate…
___________________________
On another note, one I’m really excited to share, many of you wanted a follow up to Aethan and Echo. But it was impossible to write just another scene with them in their book and do them justice after what they’ve been through. There is so much more to them as they evolve as a couple, and they needed their time together, too. With that in mind, I’ve written a novella titled: Echo, Mine, book 1.5
Expected release date is early August.
♥
More book news:
Breaking Fate: The second FG book, Blaéz story, (a story I can’t wait for you all to read )will be released in September 2015, so be sure to look out for that. Cover and blurb reveal coming soon.
February 28, 2015
Seduce me ’til I melt
Writing tension in romance.
When I was asked to do this blog as a challenge, the first thing to hit me was panic. I can write sexual awareness between hero and heroine well enough without thinking about it, but put a label on it and the well dries up…
Okay, let me take a little gander at a gem of an idea unraveling itself. The relationship between a man and a woman is one of the most complex to exist. It’s all about taking two people with different wants and needs, and merging them into one path.
In the world of romance, so many little things must take place and be set in motion for any tension to be built up between H/h. From the moment that first meeting happens, the reader must be drawn to the couple, feel the instant connection. You must know, feel that these two were meant to be together. Every single look, every single touch, and every sense, is played upon. The way they move, react to each other draws the reader in.
♥
To give a little example, I’m pulling a snippet from the top of my head…
The early tension between H/h.
“I can’t believe she grabbed his crotch in front of everyone in the bar.
I still shudder at that little display,” Aly said to her friend, pulling her face in distaste as she set a tray of baked cookies on the counter.
“At least when you shudder this time, it will be for all the right reasons.” At the low resonant tone, she almost dropped the tray.
Aly wheeled around and stared into warm hazel eyes. Her friend had disappeared and Jack Connors stood a mere inch away. He was back from wherever his job as a photographer took him. The same lazy smile lingered on his incredible mouth. One she dreamed about from the moment she realized he was more than just her brother’s friend.
Jack leaned in, and she waited in breathless anticipation. But he merely reached past her, his tanned hand snagging a cookie. Leaning against the counter, he took a bite of his biscuit and studied her. “What have you been up to, princess?”
Now, lets dissect this paragraph. Below is a walk through of how I created the early developing awareness between H/h using the five senses.
“I still shudder at that little display,” Aly (heroine) said to her friend, pulling her face in distaste as she set a tray of baked cookies on the counter.
“At least when you shudder this time, it will be for all the right reasons.” At the low resonant tone, she almost dropped the tray.
Hearing. Already you experience the tension the moment she hears his voice. Her reaction? The fact she nearly drops her tray, shows you her hands are shaking, the shock. And you can bet her hearts pounding like a drumroll.
Aly wheeled around and stared into warm hazel eyes.
Notice, she swings to him, not turns. Her reaction’s instantaneous. When she faces him, he stares at her with warmth. He could have stood anywhere and announced himself, but he chooses to stand not just behind her, but so close that when she turns, her chest brushes his. His voice lowered, he makes his announcement. And in this way you see he’s definitely interested, even though his words to her are playful, teasing.
The same lazy smile lingered on his incredible mouth. One she dreamed about from the moment she realized he was more than just her brother’s friend. He leaned in, and she waited in breathless anticipation.
Another use of senses. Sight. Heroine zooms onto a feature of his that draws her in. Then stretching the moment, adding to the tension as she waits.
‘But he merely reached past her, his tanned hand snagging a cookie. Leaning against the counter, he took a bite of his biscuit and studied her. “What have you been up to, princess?”
This has not just verbal interaction of awareness, but the usage of eye contact and body language. And when he leans in she thinks finally, only he filched a cookie. But his action shows he’s reacting to her on a deeper level, by watching her, a level filled with awareness.
Always remember as the plot progresses, you have to up the stakes. Dig deeper, heat things up between H/h.
Now, the scene leading to the moment everyone waits for.
Sister, that’s how he saw her, and alway would. Disappointment like a heavy lead ball rolled back into her tummy.
“Work…stuff.” Distance was alway best when Jack was around. For her sanity anyway. Aly edged back, needing to leave, when his arm snuck around her waist, startling her.
He drew her close. “Where are you going?”
Trapped by the intensity of his stare, she became aware of her own thudding heartbeat. Not a hint of a smile on his tempting mouth now.
“Home. I’m leaving.”
His gaze dropped to her lips, lingered. “Good. I’ll drive you.”
“Why?”
Slowly, he looked back at her. “Because I’m done waiting.”
Now the stakes are upped, and tension’s wired you hard and fast, you need more.
Sister, that’s how he saw her, and alway would. Disappointment like a heavy lead ball rolled back into her tummy.
“Work…stuff.” Distance was alway best when Jack was around. For her sanity anyway. Aly edged back, needing to leave, when his arm snuck around her waist, startling her.
He drew her close. “Where are you going?”
Trapped by the intensity of his stare, she became aware of her own thudding heartbeat. Not a hint of a smile on his tempting mouth now.
With a look alone, instinctively as the reader you feel the change in their relationship. It’s why with romance novels all emotions are exaggerated. It’s to grip the reader and draw them into this sensual experience, making you a part of it.
“Home. I’m leaving.”
His gaze dropped to her lips, lingered. “Good. I’ll drive you.”
“Why?”
Slowly, he looked back at her. “Because I’m done waiting.”
Dialogue heightens the sexual tension. When the hero and the heroine are together you must see sparks fly, whether by eye contact, or by a casual touch of their hands. And when he looks at her, a profound feeling must steal over both heroine and reader, their emotional impact felt. This puts all the key elements in place and you feel the sexual, and emotional tension between them. You wait eagerly for that first kiss, first touch, because you know when it happens, it’s sure to be explosive.
So there you have it. Remember it’s all a matter of making sure to raise the stakes after each encounter, to build up on sexual tension leading to that first moment of intimacy. Better yet, and so much easier when as a writer you just let your characters guide you along. They’ll often show you what they want.
Happy writing ♥
February 14, 2015
Infernal Ice by Joceline Farrah + a giveaway
TITLE: Infernal Ice
GENRE: Adult, Paranormal romance
If you want to win a copy of this awesome ebook, just leave your name and email addy below. It ends on 16th Feb.
BLURB:
Beneath the sun kissed skies and the glamour of South Beach, Stygians and mortal
s co-exist under an uneasy alliance.Governed by strict rules known as Stygian protocol, they live by one most sacred and cardinal rule: Never comingle with mortals.
Grief stricken, caseworker Jessa Belle Jones loses herself in her job, after the love of her life, Scott Dempsey disappears without a trace. When her father announces her betrothal to Abbandon, the General of the Stygian Armies, Jessa-Belle turns to Havah, the Tinseller to thwart her father’s plan by finding her own Stygian noble to marry.
Wrought with vengeance, Stygian Raum Corvus, searches Miami Beach for retribution against the dark mage who took everything he’d cherished.
But when destiny links Raum path to Jessa’s plight, will fate keep them together or will Stygian conventions rip them apart?
________________________________________
EXCERPT:
In the following scene, we find Raum Corvus and Jessa Belle Jones, the main characters of Infernal Ice, at a turning point in their relationship. Enjoy!
‘Jessa walked ahead of Raum signaling him to follow in her steps. They stopped at the foot of the Banyan tree. She ran her fingers along the small cracks and rough formations on its surface. She leaned her back against the massive trunk. Raum faced her, his hands tucked into his jean pockets contemplating the tree. She sighed. A few feet from her stood the promise of a new day. A new love.
“Jessa?” Raum said lifting her chin. Their eyes met. She read gentle concern in his. He stepped forward and leaned into Jessa, wedging her between his body and the tree trunk. He trailed his fingers down her arm before intertwining them with hers.
What’s on your mind?” he whispered against her lips
Jessa inhaled. “A lot of things,” she answered looking away.
He cupped Jessa’s face. “Such as”?
Jessa took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes “I’m debating whether I should exercise caution as I’ve always have and stay on the shoreline where it’s safe or let myself go into the rip current?”
He frowned. “Rip current? I don’t understand. What are you referring to?”
“You…I’m referring to you Raum… You’re the rip current.”
Raum had been called many things in his life amongst them Lord of Crows but never had anyone called him a rip current. He understood what Jessa meant though. His eyes searched hers. In them, he saw love but also fear. The fear he would disappoint her. She feared he, too, would break her heart. Reaching for her hand, he placed it on his chest where his heart galloped with joy.
“Then I’m asking you to throw caution to the wind and let the current carry you. Don’t be afraid as you slip from the shore. Don’t panic or swim against the tide. Float to me Jessa. I will never let you drown. Let my love be the lifeboat that keeps you safe from the elements and the undertow. Letme be your life support.”
_________________________________
About the author
Joceline Farrah is an avid reader of all of things paranormal. She draws inspiration for her stories from her own hometown magic city Miami Beach, FL. With pen to paper, she creates worlds where beings are as magical as the realms they inhabit.When she isn’t plotting new ideas for a novel or crocheting, she enjoys a good game of Chess and a nice cup of Chai tea.
Buy links:
January 20, 2015
Teaser: Absolute Surrender
To kick off my revamped blog, here from my first release…ABSOLUTE SURRENDER
teaser…
after Echo gets into a dangerous all-out fight with a horde of demoniis who are after her. Yep, Aethan’s not happy at all…
♥
“You should have never left the safety of the house, Echo. And now, you should have stayed away until I calmed down. I’m seconds away from making good on my promise.”
Her back stiffened. “I’m not some possession to be packed away because you fear it breaking. You want a relationship with me, you need to accept me for who I am.”
“At the expense of putting your life in danger? Don’t push me on this. You won’t like the trade-off.”
She bit back on the deluge that would have spewed out at his threat and said, “I don’t like you very much, right now.”
At her words, something shifted in his stance, his gaze. The chill in his eyes went into a slow burn, reminding her of a dangerous predator. He flung his T-shirt aside and prowled closer.
Hastily, she backed away from him. She wasn’t a fool. Whatever he planned wouldn’t be good for her. Then she met his eyes and fear gave way to anticipation. Breathing became harder, aware she’d unleashed this dangerous side of him.
“You don’t like me, do you?” He stalked her, until her back hit the wall. Hands planted on either side of her head, he locked her in. “Let’s see about that, shall we?” His eyes glowed fiercely, filled with possession. He bent his head. His nose trailed lightly down her jaw to her neck.
Echo stilled, unprepared for the sensual feeling of him lightly grazing her skin. The heady scent of rainstorms, his masculine heat and raw sex surrounded her. She could almost taste him on her tongue.
“Aethan,” she whispered, desire surging through her veins. If he could do that without even touching her, she truly was in trouble. But she didn’t care. She only knew if he didn’t kiss her, she would burn up from her own heat and die, and then he’d be sorry. She angled her face toward his, seeking his lips.
Soft laughter reached her ears as though he heard her thoughts. “Still don’t like me, do you?”
“Aethan, please,” she moaned, her hands sliding up the heated skin of his chest. His body was too hard, too big to tug closer. So, she grabbed his hair, wrapped the silky strands around her hand and drew his head to hers.
♥
Have a great day!
January 14, 2015
Dating Trouble Release
My friend and awesome CP, Anna Katmore’s latest release is live today!!!
I have read this wonderful book and can promise you for more fun, laughter and heart breaking moment of a beautiful story.
Come have a peek at the treat in store.
♦
BLURB:
Trouble has never looked so hot…
Sue wants Ethan, and Chris wants Sue.
Drawn to Ethan and intrigued by Chris, Susan Miller finds herself caught between identical twin brothers at her school. When both of them start wooing her at the same time, she only has to take her pick. Right? Wrong! Ethan is reluctant to kiss her, and Chris wants her for the completely wrong reasons.
Nothing like his obliging and sweet brother, Chris Donovan has trouble written all over him. He changes girls like other guys change t-shirts, and the next trophy on his little list is Susan. That’s the last thing she wants, yet she finds herself responding to all the goodnight texts and other cheeky messages Chris sends. The guy has a way of getting under her skin like no one ever has before.
How long will it be until Susan falls for his smooth charm and gets herself into more trouble than she can possibly handle? And where does that leave Ethan?
________________________________
EXCERPT:
‘I opened the message and read: Not like a geek.
Who in the world was supposed to make sense of that? Was there something missing? Scratching my head, I typed: What? And sent it off.
While waiting for his explanation, I keyed in a quick update about tonight for Simone, but also added Sam and Lisa to the receiver line. As soon as that text had gone out, my phone started to ring. My first thought was that one of the girls had been really quick to read my text and wanted to talk about it, but checking the display, it said that a certain Arrogant dick had dialed my number.
What in the world— “Chris, why are you calling me?” I groaned into the phone. But I’d probably run right into that one when I decided to respond to his text.
“To wish you a pleasant night and to answer your question,” Chris replied with a chuckle.
An irritated sigh escaped me. “Does your brother know that you’re talking to me?”
“No. He just came in…too soon after he drove you home, if you ask me.” He added with a tease in his voice, “Does that mean he, once again, didn’t kiss you?”
Teeth clenched, I snarled, “None of your business.”
“Come on, it’s a simple yes or no question.” An amused laugh drifted through the line. “I’ll sleep a lot better if I know the answer.”
What did I care if he slept well? “Why don’t you ask him yourself if you want to know so badly?”
“Okay… Since you told me to…” There was a pause and the sound of a door opening which added ten extra degrees to my blood. He wasn’t really going to— “Hey, Ethan!” Chris called out, cutting my thought short. “Did you kiss Susan tonight?”
“No. Why?” The answer came from far away. My heart sank with Ethan’s flat voice. Then a door banged shut somewhere in Chris’s house.
“Ethan said no,” he rubbed it in, as if I hadn’t heard the news myself. “I wonder why he didn’t.” His voice had adopted a thoughtful edge that was one hundred percent fake. “Could it be that he’s just not interested?”
Much as his suggestion stung, I was wondering it myself. But it was too early to give up hope just yet. Third time’s a charm, the saying chanted in my mind as I said to Chris, “FYI, he asked me on another date.”
“Aw, playing video games again? Is that really your idea of a successful date?”
“We’re going to the movies.” And might play some video games before that, but I didn’t mention it. “Your idea of a successful date is probably coming out of your room with bed hair and a messy shirt.”
Chris waited a second. There was an unmistakable smirk in his tone when he purred in my ear, “I knew you noticed that.” His voice became even lower and a quantum more seductive. “Did it bother you?”
“Why the hell would it?”
“Because, for one,” Chris didn’t hesitate a beat to explain, “I look exactly like my brother and, from what I can tell, you’re totally into him. Means you’re totally into me, too. And two, only one out of us seems to be dying to snatch a kiss from you these days.”
His explanation, or whatever the heck that was, sent my thoughts into complete chaos. It was silent enough to hear a pin drop in my room.
“You stopped breathing, Sue.” There was, for once, not the slightest edge of teasing in his tone. Rather astonishment. But that faded away quickly and a chuckle carried through the line. “I guess that means you agree with me on both points.”
Did I? The likeness of the twins was striking and not something one could overlook. Since I thought Ethan was the cutest boy in the world, it would make sense to assume I thought the same about Chris. Except that Chris was lacking charm, manners, courtesy, and my fabulous taste in music. Although his singing “Stay” had stroked a sense of admiration awake in me.
“Chris, tell me one thing,” I whispered, not at all sure if I really wanted an answer. “You had the most beautiful girl in your room this afternoon. Why do you want to kiss me?”
“Because Lauren, like most other girls, is an easy catch.” After telling me this in the most nonchalant way, he made a dramatic pause. “You, on the other hand, challenged me today—and in front of my friends, too.”
“So you want me because you can’t have me?”
“Who says I can’t have you?”
“I do.”
“Oh, okay. So yes, then I definitely want you.”
His logic made me laugh, but there was more frustration than humor ringing in it. “You need to understand that I could never kiss a guy without having true feelings for him…which I don’t have for you, Chris.”
“Really?” His voice went up like he was scrunching up his face. “I’ve kissed more than twenty girls the past few months, and it was lots of fun. But not one of them made me feel anything. Well, other than—”
“Stop it!” I shouted, squeezing my eyes shut. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“Okay, okay,” he laughed. “Anyway, there’s another reason why I want you.”
“What’s that?”
“You looked way hot in that dress today. Definitely not like a geek, which should answer your question to begin with.” I thought he couldn’t sound any more seductive than that, but a moment later, he proved me wrong, as his voice dropped another notch and picked up a layer of heat. “If I’d been the one driving you home tonight, I would have kissed you. And you would have liked it.”
Chills ran down my back and arms like a melting scoop of ice cream. Not unpleasant, but awkward, anyway.
“Sleep tight, sweetness,” he breathed and hung up.’
♦
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