First Egg-cerpt from Shannon Donnelly

PATHS OF DESIREISBN: 978-0-9831423-9-3

http://shannondonnelly.com/2012/01/20/paths-of-desire-a-regency-historical-romance/
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With toomany secrets in her past, and too little future as an actress, Theodosia Newellwants one thing more than all else—security. She's seen her mother abandoned,her younger brother die, and she's vowed never to be poor. But then her path crossesthat of a man who tempts her to abandon caution and all thought for the futurefor a passionate affair. Can she find the courage to break from her deepestfears? And will her love prove enough to save them both?
Bornwith a soul for adventure, David Llewellyn cannot resist a challenge—and hisenthusiasm for life is as magnetic as his personality. But two women share hislife, and only one can be his. Will his stubborn refusal to make a choicebetween them lead him to lose everything? Or will he find, in the journey tothe lost city he dreams of discovering, a path to a deeper love than he thoughtpossible?
For tenyears, the affair between David and Thea goes from passion to love. Lives arechanged.  Secrets come out. Marriagesend. And new ones begin. Through it all, the desire of two strong-willed peoplelead them to clash, and to eventually find their own path--to each other and tofacing the need and love they share. From London to Italy to Syria, the Paths of Desire lead them on ajourney they must make together.

EXCERPT
            Leaningforward, he cupped her face and kissed her, hard and deep. She held still underhis touch, but her lips parted, her tongue met his. Her hand stole up to clutchat his coat collar. He moved his hand from her face to her breast. Kissed heruntil he had no breath. He pulled away while he still could and leaned hisforehead against hers, breath mingling in matching ragged gasps.
            "I don'tknow what you do to me—I've not looked at any woman in months. Not had one forlonger. I'd convinced myself I'd had no need for this."
            "I'm notdoing anything!"
            "Youare—just by existing. I'd forgotten the joy of bringing a woman pleasure. I'dforgotten too much."
            She turnedaway and pulled her cloak tight. "I'm not looking for pleasure—I'm looking fora husband." He gave a laugh, and she turned to him. "You wouldn't laugh at alady who said as much—and you wouldn't handle a lady as you have me!"
            "No—thankmerciful heaven for that. But I want more than to touch you."
            "Goaway—and stay away! You...you're a distraction! An arrogant, conceiteddistraction. And—"
            He caughther wrist. "Don't lie to me. Don't lie to yourself. This doesn't end herebetween us."