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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!<\/p>\n
Tessa\u2019s heart seized. When it resumed beating, it pounded in her ears. \u201cYou\u2019re staying here?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shook out a pair of silky-looking boxers, then folded them carefully. Tessa knew he\u2019d done that to fluster her, and it took superhuman strength to keep from staring at them.<\/p>\n
He seemed to recognize her avoidance, because he gestured with the underwear as he spoke. \u201cYou don\u2019t 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?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes.<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cWell, no\u2026but I didn\u2019t\u2026I guess I didn\u2019t realize you\u2019d planned on staying in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
For folding them so carefully, he tossed the underwear into the drawer without a thought before walking toward her. No, he didn\u2019t walk, he prowled; like a hungry lion. \u201cYou\u2019re afraid, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes.<\/em><\/p>\n
She swallowed. \u201cAfraid?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo stay alone in the house with me.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not afraid.\u201d Her voice wasn\u2019t as strong as she wanted it to be. She swallowed again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t sound sure.\u201d His dark brows lowered, and he studied her mouth. \u201cI think you\u2019re scared.\u201d His breath washed over her face with each word he spoke, and Tessa clenched her hands to keep from reaching out for him. \u201cI think you\u2019re afraid I\u2019ll kiss you like I did that day in the meadow. You remember that kiss, don\u2019t you Tessa?\u201d<\/p>\n
Oh God, yes she remembered that kiss. She remembered that kiss often. Daily. Nightly. Hourly. It was years ago, the day before he\u2019d left BER for good. He\u2019d surprised her during a solo horseback ride into the woods on a rare day off. When she\u2019d come to the clearing, she saw Josh, sitting tall and proud atop his favorite horse. To this day she didn\u2019t know if he was waiting for her, or if she had just happened upon him there. They\u2019d spent that afternoon talking, laughing, and wading in the cool creek, their jeans rolled up to their knees. She\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember it too, Tessa.\u201d Her name coming off his lips felt almost like a caress.<\/p>\n
Her lids slid closed as she soaked in his words, lost in reminiscence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve pulled the memory of that afternoon out more times than I can count. I\u2019ll never forget the way you looked with your Stetson tilted over your brow. Your bare legs, so smooth\u2026and your mouth\u2026God, your mouth.\u201d He stepped closer, until their clothes brushed, and she did feel the heat that she remembered. It surrounded her as surely as if he\u2019d reached out with his arms.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Josh is a man who knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to reach out and get it. I love the Alpha…<\/p>\n
Okay, more info as it comes along. Have a great week!<\/p>\n\n