Add to your TBR List!

Excerpt

Two hours later, Brendan Blake is wrapping up his set, crooning away his number one song, “Broken Boots,” to the adoration of the crowd while Thorn and I proceed to get progressively more drunk. Well, at least I have. I’m not certain if Thorn’s body build causes him to process alcohol differently. Regardless, his smooth as dark chocolate voice hasn’t betrayed him a single time, whereas I hiccup every few seconds.

I’ve also told him all about me to the point he’s cracked a joke, “Mata Hari, you’re not.”

Stifling a burp, I lift my drink to tap it against his bottle. “I still haven’t told you what I do.”

He ticks off, “College student by day. Construction worker by night. I’d ask if you dance in leg warmers in a strip club, but that would check off too many of my fantasies for one woman.”

It takes me a minute, but then I whack him on his biceps for referencing Flashdance. “You think you’re cute, Thorn.”

His lips curl. “So, my mother’s told me.”

There was something about him that felt different. The way he’d been looking at me, the way his hand brushed mine as we stood close, overlooking the crush of people. It made my skin tingle with awareness. His silver, intense eyes held mine every time I opened my mouth to speak. It was like Thorn could see inside me, past every wall I’d built up.

Though I tried to act casual, my heart was racing. The more time we spent together tonight, the more I realized how much I was drawn to him. His confidence, his strength—even though it often came off as brash and overbearing—made me feel both intrigued and safe at the same time.

Something I haven’t felt since long before my mother died.

“You okay?” His voice was low, barely audible over the music, but it sent shivers down my spine. He offers me the bottle, which I note still seems rather full in comparison to the number of drinks I’ve consumed, but I reject it with a violent shake of my head.

“No! I, uh…I don’t eat or drink anything from strangers.”

“Smart girl.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, B. I do.”

“So, we’re on a nickname basis?”

There’s a pregnant pause before, “Why not?”

“Then what do I call you?”

His lips twist. “Thorn is my nickname.”

Unusual but fitting. He’s as prickly as the thorns on Mama’s roses. The next thing I know, Thorn’s head is tossed back with laughter. “Thank you, B. That’s probably the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.”

“I guess…you’re welcome?”

He leans forward, a tiny smirk lingering on his lips. I lean forward and moisten mine. Because he’s so close, the tip of my tongue grazes against his skin. It’s salty due to sweat, masculine, and delicious.

Our breathing increases.

His eyes flick between my eyes and my mouth. Mine drift to half-mast as his paw of a hand slides up and around the nape of my neck. His other grips the balcony between us. Holding me in place, he murmurs, “Do you want me to kiss you, pretty little B?”

“Yes,” comes my breathless moan just before Thorn’s lips capture mine. The second they do, the sun is eclipsed and the pounding music is drowned out by the pounding of my heart. His tongue strokes over mine as he tangles the fingers of the hand holding my neck into my hair. When he angles his head, I tip mine for a better fit.

His utter maleness makes me feel more feminine than I ever have before. Then again, I’ve never met a man like Thorn before—a man who has made kissing a demand of all my senses. He tugs my lower lip into his mouth and begins a slow slaughtering of my defenses when he holds my eyes as he sucks my lip in and out.

Giving me an idea of other things he’d like to do.

Since I’m on board for whatever he has in mind, I wrap my arm around his neck, causing him to growl deep in his throat. Releasing the hold he has on my neck, he’s about to haul me over the wrought iron bar when the door behind me flies open. “Bethany? Bethany McCallister? Where is your pretty little ass? Did you finally make it?” screeches my roommate, Lily.

The descent of Thorn’s lips immediately stops. His eyes search mine before he chokes out, “Bethany…McCallister?” As if knowing my full name is a shock to him.

As if it isn’t torturous to be me, especially when he pulls back and moves away as Lily makes her presence known by squealing. “Come on, babe! We have a perfect spot in the water right next to the stage.”

I cut my eyes to the side, but Thorn’s disappeared. I touch my lips, feeling the swollen bottom lip that was about to mimic the sex acts I was hoping would follow. Obviously, I can thank the men who took my mother’s life for one more thing—making an attractive man who knows my story finding me repugnant once he hears my full name.

Asshole.

Pre-order Link

Giveaway

One of Five eARC's for Troubled Water

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

Other Titles Within this Series

RIPPLE EFFECT

The Devotion Series #1

RIPPLE EFFECT

The Devotion Series #2

About the Author

Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would re-write the ending of books in her head on her bike when she was a young girl growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she was typing alternate endings and extended epilogues “just for fun”.

After college in Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice swearing she saw things she’ll never quite believe and never quite forget, Tracey traded the world of law and order for IT.

Her work for a world-wide internet startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what many call their own happily ever after. They have one son.

When she’s not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a runDisney event, or feeding her addiction to HGTV.

Connect with Tracey

Website: https://www.traceyjerald.com

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/31KVDOe 

Facebook Personal Page: http://bit.ly/2L3wyFE  

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2zrcnQz

Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/366C32J  

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ucXKeE  

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2L7hBCD  

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2KLRmVX  

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2L5EVkd  

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2ulAJ8E  

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2QDTr5U  

BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2Ne9h9l