Tessa's Pride

In the past few days I’ve sent my latest novella Tessa’s Pride to a handful of epublishers. I’ve already had one rejection and one contract offer, so we’ll see where it goes from there. I posted a blurb earlier, but I thought I’d post an excerpt for you, see what you think!

Tessa’s heart seized. When it resumed beating, it pounded in her ears. “You’re staying here?”

He shook out a pair of silky-looking boxers, then folded them carefully. Tessa knew he’d done that to fluster her, and it took superhuman strength to keep from staring at them.

He seemed to recognize her avoidance, because he gestured with the underwear as he spoke. “You don’t expect me to stay in a hotel, do you? When the big house that has belonged to my family for generations sits all but empty?”

Yes.

“Well, no…but I didn’t…I guess I didn’t realize you’d planned on staying in the area.”

For folding them so carefully, he tossed the underwear into the drawer without a thought before walking toward her. No, he didn’t walk, he prowled; like a hungry lion. “You’re afraid, aren’t you?”

Yes.

She swallowed. “Afraid?”

“To stay alone in the house with me.” He moved into her space, and it took all of her willpower to remain where she was. Although part of her wanted to back away, a bigger part wanted to step into the heat he always seemed to wear like an invisible cloak.

“I’m not afraid.” Her voice wasn’t as strong as she wanted it to be. She swallowed again.

“You don’t sound sure.” His dark brows lowered, and he studied her mouth. “I think you’re scared.” His breath washed over her face with each word he spoke, and Tessa clenched her hands to keep from reaching out for him. “I think you’re afraid I’ll kiss you like I did that day in the meadow. You remember that kiss, don’t you Tessa?”

Oh God, yes she remembered that kiss. She remembered that kiss often. Daily. Nightly. Hourly. It was years ago, the day before he’d left BER for good. He’d surprised her during a solo horseback ride into the woods on a rare day off. When she’d come to the clearing, she saw Josh, sitting tall and proud atop his favorite horse. To this day she didn’t know if he was waiting for her, or if she had just happened upon him there. They’d spent that afternoon talking, laughing, and wading in the cool creek, their jeans rolled up to their knees. She’d accidentally splashed him, which made him return the favor. In the end they were both drenched, and they had to lie in the sun to dry out their clothes.

Conversation was easy, and when he rolled on his side to hover over her, it was the most natural move to slide into his arms.

“I remember it too, Tessa.” Her name coming off his lips felt almost like a caress.

Her lids slid closed as she soaked in his words, lost in reminiscence.

“I’ve pulled the memory of that afternoon out more times than I can count. I’ll never forget the way you looked with your Stetson tilted over your brow. Your bare legs, so smooth…and your mouth…God, your mouth.” He stepped closer, until their clothes brushed, and she did feel the heat that she remembered. It surrounded her as surely as if he’d reached out with his arms.