Mid Week Tease: “What are you doing to me?” #MWTease
It’s time for the tease! Thanks to everyone who’s been following Michelle and Hunter’s story from The Colors of Us. It will be available in August from Evernight Publishing. Here’s the unedited blurb:
Everything she knew to be true fell apart. Then fell apart again…
Michelle Willis is running from her past. What better place to hide than in the anonymity of New York City. Finding refuge in a tiny SoHo art gallery, she rebuilds her life one painting at a time.
A wrong turn sends Hunter McAvery on a crash course with disaster. He fights his own demons by following his big brother’s lead – drinking and bed-hopping his way through Manhattan.
A glance at Michelle’s self-portrait triggers emotions Hunter can’t tamp down. Driven to meet the artist, he discovers a fiery chemistry as their lives collide. But when their past threatens to tear them apart, can they find the colors of love that lie within?
And the tease…
Michelle stepped back to study the mural. Almost done. She had to finish it and leave McAvery’s. She couldn’t stand being so close to the man she trusted with her secrets and fears, only to be humiliated and left alone. She sighed, picked up the cup filled with murky water and carried it to the bathroom. Dumping the contents into the sink, she rinsed the cup and pulled a few paper towels from the dispenser before heading back. She stepped into the hallway as she wiped the cup dry and ran into a wall of muscle. Her head shot up and her gaze landed on Hunter’s honey colored eyes.
“I’m sorry I left the gym like that yesterday. I–”
Michelle tried to step around him in the narrow hallway. She had to get away. His voice, his scent, his everything threw her into a black hole where nothing made sense except being wrapped in his arms. Stay strong. She lifted her palm to him. “I don’t want to hear your excuse. I get it. I’m a head case. Just put me in your ‘not my problem’ category, and let’s go our separate ways, okay?”
“I can’t do that,” he said huskily.
“Help me understand something. I overheard your argument with that guy. Greg? If you don’t want me, why do you care if someone else asks me out? Is this some kind of game you’re playing?”
Strong hands grabbed her arm, guiding her around the corner and out of view from the bar. He backed her against the wall, caging her in with his hands. “No games. Don’t you get it? I want you. I want you so bad it scares me.” His breath blew heavy above her, sending shivers down her spine.
Her hands stayed off his body, but just barely. Heat radiated onto her palms like a sensual invitation. Finally, she snaked a hand around his waist, and palmed the planes of his back while her other hand explored the corded muscles of his arm. Tilting her face upward, their breath mingled for a moment before his lips crashed upon hers. She whimpered into his mouth as her hips bucked against his leg. He leaned into her body, his hard cock straining through his jeans and warming her belly. Her tongue tangled with his as she fisted his hair. Pulling at his t-shirt, her fingertips found a soft patch of hair from his belly button to the waistband of his jeans. She broke their kiss and skimmed her lips up his stubbled jawbone to his ear. “What are you doing to me?” she whispered.
He cupped her cheek and pushed her head back, pinning her to the wall. Her gaze followed the planes of his face as his other hand slipped up her shirt. Her breath caught as his touch awoke her body. It was as though a fire erupted within her belly that had been dormant for far too long.
He tipped his forehead to hers, his eyes locked on hers. “I. Don’t. Deserve. You,” he bit out between clenched teeth. His hand, hot on her bare skin, stilled for a moment before slipping away. He stepped back and walked away. Leaving her cold in the dark hallway.
Men are so fickle, aren’t they? Be sure to visit the blogs of my teasing friends:
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