Excerpt from Knight's Haven
Here's an excerpt from my debut romantic suspense book, Knight's Haven. This scene is the first time the hero, Tristin Knight, meets the heroine, Kat Walsh. Tristin plans to spend the day interviewing computer analysts for a vacancy in his new company, Knight Security and Investigations (KSI). Kat is in need of a job and is determined to get the one at KSI. This scene will also introduce you to Tristin's twin brother, Travis. I hope you enjoy this excerpt:
Tristin’s efforts to start his workday were interrupted by his brother sailing through his office door without bothering with a knock. Travis was dressed more for a day at his job than a day at KSI, and Tristin decided against teasing him about that fact. As much as he would love his twin to join him in building his company, Travis was successful operating his own business, Knight and Day Fitness Center.
Growing up, the brothers were inseparable, but as they grew older, they chose different paths for their lives. Tristin enlisted in the military while Travis opted for the police academy, eventually rising to the ranks of detective and developing his skills as a computer programmer. Tristin was still serving with the SEALS when Travis decided to shift careers for something he could call his own.
As lucrative as the fitness center was, Tristin couldn’t stop wishing his brother would come on board at KSI. The two Knight brothers joining forces to set the world on fire was a tempting dream. Unfortunately, he settled for having Travis fill in when Tristin needed him.
“You’re just in time to help me interview computer geeks to take Justin’s place.” Tristin greeted his brother with his most charming smile.
“Don’t think so, baby brother.”
Tristin scowled at his brother, who grinned in response. Travis enjoyed rubbing in the fact he was born a whole two minutes before his twin.
“I’ve got my own work to do. But I have your equipment set up. Justin spared no expense, and you’ve got a high-quality command center in place. You just need someone to operate it.”
“No kidding,” Tristin groaned.
“It’ll work out. I told Callie to call me if I need to vet anyone you want to hire.”
“Thanks for your help, man. Meet up at Torch later?” Tristin was already looking forward to grabbing a beer at their favorite bar and grill later.
“Can’t. Got a date. And now I have to get to work. Later, Tryst.”
Before Travis could leave, the door flew open. A woman Tristin had never seen before stumbled in. She stood in front of the two brothers slightly out of breath. Tristin barely noticed how her head swiveled as she studied the brothers. As if something struck him dumb, he stood rooted to the floor, his body aflame as he committed everything about this woman to memory.
She stood just a few inches shorter than his 6’1” frame. Her suit jacket and slacks fit her willowy frame well. Her dark hair was pulled away from her face, the ebony tendrils falling down her back. Flawless olive skin complemented her full pink lips and wide eyes.
Those eyes held Tristin captive. They slanted slightly at the corners, their dark pools fathomless even as they registered her surprise. They were fringed with thick, inky lashes.
“There are two of you.”
Her stating the obvious was not an uncommon occurrence for the brothers. They’d heard it more than once when people met them without first knowing they were twins. It ranked right up there with “you look just alike” and “you must be twins.”
The woman covered her mouth as if she never meant for the words to pass her lips, and she closed those amazing eyes. Tristin had never seen anything so adorable. He almost begged her to open her eyes, already missing their dark beauty.
“There are, but not for long,” Travis spoke up. “I was just leaving. I’m guessing you’re here to talk to the boss.”
Callie followed close on the woman’s heels, giving her a glare before addressing her boss. “I’m sorry, Tristin. She ran past me before I could stop her. Want me to call Jay or Jordan to escort her out?”
“No.” Tristin wasn’t usually this blunt, but his mind couldn’t think of anything else to say, but he knew without a doubt he did not want this woman to leave.
“All right,” Callie said reluctantly, eyeing her boss curiously. “Just let me know if you change your mind.”
The door closed behind his assistant, and the stranger dropped her hand as she opened her eyes. Tristin saw the sudden burst of confidence infusing into her expression and her stance.
“Um, sorry about that. I just didn’t want to miss an opportunity to talk with you. I’m here for the computer analyst job. I know you have a day full of interviews, and I technically don’t have an appointment, but I’m definitely the one you want to hire. I’m the perfect person for the job. It would be a mistake to talk to anyone else.”
Her voice washed over Tristin, warming his blood. She spoke clearly with a gentle huskiness he’d never heard in a woman’s voice before. His imagination transported him to his bedroom, with her lying naked on his sheets, her dark hair spread across his pillow. And she whispered with her sexy voice directly into his ear, describing all the naughty things she wanted him to do to her.
Tristin felt his brother regarding him curiously since he had not yet spoken to the woman barging into his office. He wasn’t sure he could escape the sexual haze fogging his senses.
“Well,” Travis continued when his brother failed to make a sound. “That’s a bold claim to make.”
“I can back it up,” she quickly said. “I was recruited while I was in college to work for Bingham Technologies as part of their programming team. Since they were a small company, I’ve done everything from computer programming to web development to cyber security.”
“Bingham Technologies? I’ve read about them. They’re a top-rate company, but I heard they had some financial difficulties,” Travis said.
She pursed her lips, and Tristin fought the overwhelming urge to kiss that full mouth.
“Yes, that’s true. To be completely honest with you, I was laid off from the company when they decided to close due to their financial troubles. But it doesn’t change the fact my skill set makes me the ideal person for this job,” she insisted.
“What’s your name?” Tristin finally spoke. He could care less about her qualifications for the job, but he burned to know more about her – what she liked, what she hated, what she was passionate about. But he would start with her name.
“Oh, I guess I should have told you already. I’m Katarina Walsh.”
“Katarina,” he repeated, savoring the feel of her name on his lips.
She cleared her throat. “Actually, most people call me Kat. Katarina is such a mouthful to say.”
Her name was beautiful and suited her. He wanted to tell her, but his mind wouldn’t communicate with his tongue to voice the words. Again, Travis came to his rescue.
“Well, Miss Walsh, my brother has a lot of people to interview today. Why don’t you just leave your resume with Callie at the front desk, and they’ll be in touch.”
“I can do that, but I don’t need one to tell you what you’ll figure out after interviewing just one of the people on your schedule today. I’m different from all of them. Do you know what your first candidate is doing right now? He is on his phone. Do you know what that means? He has a life and outside interests to distract him from his work. I have no such issue. I’m new to town, and I can promise you I will live, eat and breathe this job. I know that’s what you need being a new company. I promise you, Mr. Knight, you will not regret taking a chance on me.”
Her dark eyes flashed with the same fervor lacing her words. Her cheeks flushed becomingly from her passionate speech. Travis opened his mouth, but this time, Tristin beat him to the punch.
“The job is yours. When can you start?”
Shelley Justice
Knight's Haven
Tristin’s efforts to start his workday were interrupted by his brother sailing through his office door without bothering with a knock. Travis was dressed more for a day at his job than a day at KSI, and Tristin decided against teasing him about that fact. As much as he would love his twin to join him in building his company, Travis was successful operating his own business, Knight and Day Fitness Center.
Growing up, the brothers were inseparable, but as they grew older, they chose different paths for their lives. Tristin enlisted in the military while Travis opted for the police academy, eventually rising to the ranks of detective and developing his skills as a computer programmer. Tristin was still serving with the SEALS when Travis decided to shift careers for something he could call his own.
As lucrative as the fitness center was, Tristin couldn’t stop wishing his brother would come on board at KSI. The two Knight brothers joining forces to set the world on fire was a tempting dream. Unfortunately, he settled for having Travis fill in when Tristin needed him.
“You’re just in time to help me interview computer geeks to take Justin’s place.” Tristin greeted his brother with his most charming smile.
“Don’t think so, baby brother.”
Tristin scowled at his brother, who grinned in response. Travis enjoyed rubbing in the fact he was born a whole two minutes before his twin.
“I’ve got my own work to do. But I have your equipment set up. Justin spared no expense, and you’ve got a high-quality command center in place. You just need someone to operate it.”
“No kidding,” Tristin groaned.
“It’ll work out. I told Callie to call me if I need to vet anyone you want to hire.”
“Thanks for your help, man. Meet up at Torch later?” Tristin was already looking forward to grabbing a beer at their favorite bar and grill later.
“Can’t. Got a date. And now I have to get to work. Later, Tryst.”
Before Travis could leave, the door flew open. A woman Tristin had never seen before stumbled in. She stood in front of the two brothers slightly out of breath. Tristin barely noticed how her head swiveled as she studied the brothers. As if something struck him dumb, he stood rooted to the floor, his body aflame as he committed everything about this woman to memory.
She stood just a few inches shorter than his 6’1” frame. Her suit jacket and slacks fit her willowy frame well. Her dark hair was pulled away from her face, the ebony tendrils falling down her back. Flawless olive skin complemented her full pink lips and wide eyes.
Those eyes held Tristin captive. They slanted slightly at the corners, their dark pools fathomless even as they registered her surprise. They were fringed with thick, inky lashes.
“There are two of you.”
Her stating the obvious was not an uncommon occurrence for the brothers. They’d heard it more than once when people met them without first knowing they were twins. It ranked right up there with “you look just alike” and “you must be twins.”
The woman covered her mouth as if she never meant for the words to pass her lips, and she closed those amazing eyes. Tristin had never seen anything so adorable. He almost begged her to open her eyes, already missing their dark beauty.
“There are, but not for long,” Travis spoke up. “I was just leaving. I’m guessing you’re here to talk to the boss.”
Callie followed close on the woman’s heels, giving her a glare before addressing her boss. “I’m sorry, Tristin. She ran past me before I could stop her. Want me to call Jay or Jordan to escort her out?”
“No.” Tristin wasn’t usually this blunt, but his mind couldn’t think of anything else to say, but he knew without a doubt he did not want this woman to leave.
“All right,” Callie said reluctantly, eyeing her boss curiously. “Just let me know if you change your mind.”
The door closed behind his assistant, and the stranger dropped her hand as she opened her eyes. Tristin saw the sudden burst of confidence infusing into her expression and her stance.
“Um, sorry about that. I just didn’t want to miss an opportunity to talk with you. I’m here for the computer analyst job. I know you have a day full of interviews, and I technically don’t have an appointment, but I’m definitely the one you want to hire. I’m the perfect person for the job. It would be a mistake to talk to anyone else.”
Her voice washed over Tristin, warming his blood. She spoke clearly with a gentle huskiness he’d never heard in a woman’s voice before. His imagination transported him to his bedroom, with her lying naked on his sheets, her dark hair spread across his pillow. And she whispered with her sexy voice directly into his ear, describing all the naughty things she wanted him to do to her.
Tristin felt his brother regarding him curiously since he had not yet spoken to the woman barging into his office. He wasn’t sure he could escape the sexual haze fogging his senses.
“Well,” Travis continued when his brother failed to make a sound. “That’s a bold claim to make.”
“I can back it up,” she quickly said. “I was recruited while I was in college to work for Bingham Technologies as part of their programming team. Since they were a small company, I’ve done everything from computer programming to web development to cyber security.”
“Bingham Technologies? I’ve read about them. They’re a top-rate company, but I heard they had some financial difficulties,” Travis said.
She pursed her lips, and Tristin fought the overwhelming urge to kiss that full mouth.
“Yes, that’s true. To be completely honest with you, I was laid off from the company when they decided to close due to their financial troubles. But it doesn’t change the fact my skill set makes me the ideal person for this job,” she insisted.
“What’s your name?” Tristin finally spoke. He could care less about her qualifications for the job, but he burned to know more about her – what she liked, what she hated, what she was passionate about. But he would start with her name.
“Oh, I guess I should have told you already. I’m Katarina Walsh.”
“Katarina,” he repeated, savoring the feel of her name on his lips.
She cleared her throat. “Actually, most people call me Kat. Katarina is such a mouthful to say.”
Her name was beautiful and suited her. He wanted to tell her, but his mind wouldn’t communicate with his tongue to voice the words. Again, Travis came to his rescue.
“Well, Miss Walsh, my brother has a lot of people to interview today. Why don’t you just leave your resume with Callie at the front desk, and they’ll be in touch.”
“I can do that, but I don’t need one to tell you what you’ll figure out after interviewing just one of the people on your schedule today. I’m different from all of them. Do you know what your first candidate is doing right now? He is on his phone. Do you know what that means? He has a life and outside interests to distract him from his work. I have no such issue. I’m new to town, and I can promise you I will live, eat and breathe this job. I know that’s what you need being a new company. I promise you, Mr. Knight, you will not regret taking a chance on me.”
Her dark eyes flashed with the same fervor lacing her words. Her cheeks flushed becomingly from her passionate speech. Travis opened his mouth, but this time, Tristin beat him to the punch.
“The job is yours. When can you start?”
Shelley Justice
Knight's Haven
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