Mae K. Knight is here to tell us about Theirs Until Always, contemporary why choose romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mae K. Knight will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Adam:
Men like me don’t get happy endings.
When my demons talk to me, I talk back.
I heeded their call when they demanded my parents’ death.
I even listened when they ordered my own.
And they nearly won.
Until her.
One night changed my life. Then I lost it all. I lost her.
Now, I’ll do anything to get my sunshine back.
But can a sinner like me be willing to share after learning I’m not the only one craving her light?
Jordyn:
When a man shows you his red flags, run.
But running from Adam is easier said than done.
When he re-enters my life, my world implodes with the secrets he’s keeping.
Can I forgive him and learn to live in his shadows? To be the light he thinks I am?
Or will his darkness consume me?
Abel:
Witnessing your twin nearly die, hardens something in you.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Adam breathing.
As kids, he’d protected me, even though that was my job as the older brother.
Now, it’s my turn to protect him.
You can run little sunshine, but you won’t get far.
If Jordyn’s what my brother needs to keep his demons at bay, then I’ll claim her for us.
She’ll be ours, always.
Read an Excerpt
I hum a tune under my breath, slightly dancing in place as I move forward in the line, wiggling my body back and forth.
Caffeine makes me happy.
And I enjoy the excuse to get out of the house, to feel like an actual human being instead of a robot answering calls and dealing with insurance prior authorization claims—my work-from-home job. It pays decently, but I still pinch pennies, and these little treats are worth every dime.
For mental health.
Nodding to myself in agreement, I smile when it’s my turn at the counter, spitting out my order by memory alone without needing to look at the menu. I’m reaching down for my purse when a familiar pair of tattooed fingers enter my line of sight, tapping a card to the terminal before I’ve a chance to grasp my wallet.
Whirling around, I gape up at Adam, soaking in the sharp angles of his face, piercing aqua eyes, and aristocratic nose. Metal glints in the light, a piercing on the edge of his bottom lip and three hoops through the upper helix of his left ear, leaving the right undecorated.
I’ve missed him so much I could kiss him.
I don’t, though, blinking and taking a step back upon realizing we’re holding up the line.
He places a hand on my hip, guiding me away from the counter to the area where completed orders get placed. Stunned, I let him.
“W-what are you doing here?” I mumble then mentally say fuck it, reaching a hand out to grasp his bicep.
About the Author Mae K. Knight is a self-published author based in Louisiana, who enjoys writing “trauma boys” as her readers coined them, BIPOC FMCs that look like her and fast, smutty stories that leave you craving for more. When not writing, she’s reading monster romances penned by her fellow indie authors, studying for her nursing degree, or lifting heavy weights in the gym to feel like a bad bitch on a competition platform.
Syntell Smith is here to tell us about Redeye, contemporary fiction-romance.
Read on for details...
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Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Date Published: November 27, 2024
New bodies, new careers, new scandalous discoveries. But will Nate and Cynthia
Durant be able to keep their old love alive?
Seven years ago, Nate and Cynthia Durant were unrecognizable. They were
in love, newly married, and hundreds of pounds overweight. Now, they turn
heads wherever they go, but as their 10th anniversary looms, it becomes
increasingly apparent that their paths are diverging.
Despite their newfound external allure, the insecurities of their former
selves still linger within. Nate, now a modern renaissance man juggling a
myriad of careers—from podcasting and photography to writing, DJing, and
stand-up comedy—struggles to reconcile his past with his present. On the
other hand, Cynthia, living comfortably off her wealthy parents’
support, finds herself in a state of career limbo as a former substitute
teacher.
Everything takes a turn when Nate makes a chance discovery online and
rekindles a connection from his past. This new relationship sets off a series
of unforeseen events, from the sudden loss of their beloved pet to an
unexpected confrontation with their own demons. Secrets, lies, and confessions
intertwined, pushing their marriage to the brink. As past wounds are laid
bare, Nate and Cynthia must confront their own vulnerabilities and redefine
the boundaries of their love.
“Redeye” is an emotionally charged novel that perfectly blends
romance and drama. Join Nate and Cynthia as they navigate the road to
self-acceptance, chance encounters, and discover love is anything but
predictable.
About the Author
Syntell Smith is the author of the book award winning Call Numbers
series. He was born and raised in Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan in New
York City. He began writing while blogging his hectic everyday life
experiences in 2004. After gaining an audience with a following of dedicated
readers, he studied scripts and plays and got into screenwriting. He loves
comic books, video games, and watching reruns of Law and Order. Syntell is
active on Facebook. Tumblr & Twitter, and currently lives in Detroit.
Megan Slayer is here to tell us about Taken by the Huldra, paranormal romance - capture fantasy.
Read on for details...
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Paranormal Romance, Capture Fantasy
Date Published: July 4, 2025
A Huldra and a human collide in the forest…
Hunter came to Eerie to give up on his life. Nothing’s gone right and
he’s ready to quit. Then he sees the most beautiful woman in the world,
but she wants him dead. Talk about bad luck. Until he meets Annika, a Huldra
-- a Norse protector – and the woman he can’t seem to forget.
Unlike her twin sister Runa, who wants only to destroy, Annika is a nurturing
spirit. The moment she sees Hunter she has to save him from her homicidal
sister. He’s too pretty to kill, but he’s got a secret. He’s
not solely human, although he doesn’t know what paranormal blood runs
through his veins.
If he can survive Runa’s wrath, the scars of his past, and allow himself
to have a future with Annika, he might find the best things in life
aren’t exactly what they seem -- they’re better.
EXCERPT
“I’ve had enough.” Hunter Hallahan drove past the line
separating the town boundary of Eerie from the rest of the world. To anyone
who didn’t have a drop of paranormal blood, the road went through
untouched woodlands. Unlike most beings, he had the very cells permitting him
to be there -- paranormal blood. More specifically, shifter blood. By the time
he’d cropped up on the family tree, the strain of paranormal magic
coming down to him had been diluted enough he wasn’t able to shift.
Didn’t matter to him.
He had the keen senses of the wolf -- sharp hearing, keen eyesight, a sixth
sense to detect danger, and lightning-fast reflexes. His abilities to read
other beings had served him well. They had in the past.
Not now.
He’d read Sally so wrong. He’d thought she loved him. Thought she
wanted to be together forever. All she’d wanted was a boyfriend for now.
He flexed his hands on the steering wheel and drove straight to the woods. His
eyes burned from shedding too many tears over her. Her words burned into his
brain.
“Oh, honey. You’re good for now, but you’re not marriage
material. You’re a mongrel.”
How could someone say those things?
No, he knew how they could. She wanted to get back at her now-fiancé.
Making him jealous got her a bigger diamond. Got her attention. Got her the
house in the suburbs with the large yard and the chance at having kids.
He’d never be able to give her children.
He turned onto the gravel road leading deeper into the woods.
When he’d set out for Eerie, he hadn’t planned on going to the
forest, but the second he crossed the city limits, he’d been drawn here.
He couldn’t even explain it. Like the car was being driven by itself.
Impossible.
Yes, he had magic, and Eerie was full of spells, magic and everything else
paranormal, but the car wasn’t driving itself. He wasn’t rich
enough to have one of those vehicles. This was something different.
Something stronger.
He continued farther into the woods, shocked by the darkness. This
wasn’t his first time venturing into the forests of Eerie. The area that
hid the town appeared to be only a few hundred acres on a map. But that was
the magic of Eerie. It might not appear big, but once one started exploring,
the place was huge.
As he drove, he noticed a woman walking among the trees. Seeing someone in the
woods wasn’t strange. The fact the woman wore a filmy dress and had
flowing blonde hair was the eye-catching part. He slowed his pace and cast a
longer glance at her. Her pale skin practically seemed transparent. Gods, if a
stiff breeze blew through, she’d fall over. She had no meat on her
bones.
Some might find her gorgeous. She had that stick-thin look going for her, with
more bones than curves. She cut a striking figure among the trees.
He liked women with a little more curve.
The woman rushed up to him. “Come to me.”
Part of him wanted to. Just stop the vehicle, leave, and follow her. The
rational part of his brain refused to comply. This had to be a spell. Had to
be something to bring him to his doom.
Except he’d initially set out for Eerie with the plan to end his life.
He’d thought that was what he wanted, but he’d never followed
through with his spur-of-the-moment intentions. Gods, he’d loved Sally,
but she wasn’t worth him doing something so drastic. Never had been.
The woman stopped in front of his car and pointed to him, then crooked her
finger. “Come with me.”
He flicked the button to lock the car. Why in Hades had he done that? If this
was magic, she could come into his vehicle despite the damn locks.
“Come with me,” she repeated. Then the woman winked.
As she did, he collided with something hard. Not just hard, but immediate. He
rocked forward, smacking his face into the airbag. The wind rushed from his
lungs, and he groaned. His limbs ached. What in Hades had just happened?
He blinked to clear his vision. Smoke wafted through the air and the bag
deflated.
“Odin’s sake.” The door opened and a person reached into the
car.
When he looked at the speaker, his blood chilled. “You’re
determined to get me to come with you.” The woman who’d pointed to
him was yanking him from the vehicle. “I’m not going with
you.”
“If you know what’s good for you, you will.” The woman,
almost too thin to be manhandling him, tugged him free of the seat belt.
“You’re dying, you fool.”
“Dying?” He’d come to the woods to do himself in but
hadn’t wanted to -- not for real. “How?”
“You hit the fucking tree.” She hauled him against her body.
“Come on. Use your legs -- or are they broken?”
“I don’t know.” His brain swam. “I’ve got to be
concussed.”
“Probably.” She grunted, then tossed him against the side of the
car. She waved her hand across his forehead and spoke words he couldn’t
understand. Her brow crinkled and her green eyes flashed. Her mouth twisted
into a frown. “Can you walk now?”
He hadn’t bothered to try. He stared at her. She looked a lot like the
woman who’d called to him, yet nothing like her. After a moment, his
brain cooperated, and he forced his legs to move. “Yes,” he
managed. He allowed her to slide her arm around him. “What
happened?”
“I’ll explain in a moment.” She fumbled across the
underbrush to a large tree. When she knocked on the tree, a hunk of the bark
opened like a door. “In here.” She didn’t give him a chance
to argue. Instead, she shoved him into the tree before closing the door behind
her.
“What’s going on?” He leaned against the wall.
“I’m so confused. I’ve got to be concussed.”
“You probably are.” She raked her hair back from her face.
“You’d better thank your lucky stars I got there in time.”
“Why?” He understood so little.
“That woman who called to you? That’s my twin sister,” she
said. “That’s some bad magic you don’t want to mix yourself
up in.”
“Jealous?” He’d tried for a bad joke, but it hadn’t
worked. “I’m sorry. I don’t get it.”
She flipped a switch, sending light across the space. “Here.” She
helped him to a chair. She knelt in front of him, then stared at him before
tipping her head. “I get it.”
“I’m glad you do, because I don’t.” He didn’t
like riddles or misdirects. “What’s going on?”
“You crashed your car into a tree.”
“I did? I didn’t see anything in front of me.” He’d
destroyed his car? Fuck.
“That was the point.”
“What?”
She sighed and folded her arms before sitting back on her heels. “What
brought you to Eerie? You’re here, so you must have magic. Why are you
here?”
About the Author
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of
more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since
2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and
paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works
are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a
second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at
the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and
Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on various
e-tailer sites.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as
well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but
football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends
of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
Patricia Leavy is here to tell us about her romance Cinematic Destinies.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Patricia Leavy is giving away copies of CINEMATIC DESTINIES, her upcoming romance from She Writes Press. How to get yours? It's easy... just complete the Rafflecopter below and you'll receive one from the author! Plus, one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card!
So, what's the book about? Here's the info:
For fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace, Cinematic Destinies is a feel-good, contemporary romance about a trio of adult children searching for love and beauty in the shadow of their parents’ legendary Hollywood fairy-tale romance.
Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester met on the location shoot for Jean Mercier’s film Celebration. The world has been captivated by their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.
Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program in New York City—and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia, her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps, has been cast in Jean Mercier’s final film, mysteriously titled Beauty. When she arrives on set in Iceland and meets her costar, sparks fly. Is history repeating itself? How has growing up in the shadow of the world’s most iconic love story affected each of the Forrester children?
Reviews
“If you’re a romantic with a brain and a heart, this is your jam . . . I closed the book with a full heart and a goofy grin.” Literary Titan, 5-star review
“Cinematic Destinies is a stunning and poignant celebration of romance, the magic of movies, and life itself. The exotic Icelandic film set, well-drawn characters, and smart writing make this book impossible to put down . . . This is a gorgeous novel.” —Laurel Richardson, author of Lone Twin
“Overall, the writing, the characters, the little nods of sizzle, and the brilliant family dynamic make this book a winner. Very highly recommended.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“Leavy’s latest must-read novel features a trio of romantic storylines about the quest for love and identity in the shadow of a Hollywood fairy tale . . . Cinematic Destinies is a spellbinding ode to love, art, and what it means to live.” —Mary E. Weems, author of Blackeyed
About the Author:
Patricia Leavy is an award-winning, best-selling author. Formerly Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College, she has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Her most recent novel, Shooting Stars Above, was featured on People “10 Romance Books to Read After Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.” She has also received career awards from the National Art Education Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, and other organizations. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established “The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.
Patricia Leavy will award a free digital copy of her upcoming book CINEMATIC DESTINIES to the first 7500 people who enter the Rafflecopter and one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card.
Nuzo Onoh is here to tell us about The Fake Ghost, supernatural horror, magical realism.
There's also a great giveaway.
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A supernatural thriller of vengeance and occultic magic.
A powerful American leader is reborn as a black child in an
African hut.
The Fake Ghost
by Nuzo Onoh
Genre: Supernatural Horror, Magical Realism
A dark farce and a
supernatural thriller of rebirth, betrayal, vengeance, occultic magic,
mysterious invocations and creepy rituals–from Nuzo Onoh, recipient of the Bram
Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement and “the Queen of African Horror.”
Set both in Nigeria and the USA, The Fake Ghost follows
the whacky and sinister travails of the President of the United States, reborn
as a black child in a tiny African hut. As the child grows, he insists on being
called POTUS and hears disturbing voices in his head that often cause him to be
cruel and selfish. Until one day an accident separates the linked souls. With
the help of a medicine-man, the president must find a way to free his trapped
soul and return to the United States to prevent a dastardly political plot
against him. But first, he must enter a diabolical blood pact, which might
return to haunt him with devastating consequences.
"Sometimes shocking, fantastical and hilarious, but
also tinged with hope, this ghost will haunt you long after the final
page." —Tim Lebbon, author of The Last Storm
Nuzo Onoh is an award-winning Nigerian-British writer of
speculative fiction She is a pioneer of the African horror literary genre.
Hailed as the “Queen of African Horror”, Nuzo’s writing showcases both the
beautiful and horrific in the African culture within fictitious narratives.
Nuzo’s works have featured in numerous magazines, podcasts and anthologies, as
well as in academic studies. She has given talks and lectures about African
Horror, including at the prestigious Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies,
London. She is a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Nuzo holds a
Law degree and Masters degree in Writing, both from Warwick University,
England. She is a certified Civil Funeral Celebrant, licensed to conduct
non-religious burial services. An avid musician with an addiction to JungYup
and K-indie, Nuzo plays both the guitar and piano, and holds an NVQ in Digital
Music Production. She resides in the West Midlands, United Kingdom.
Amanda J. Greene is here to tell us about Under Realm Assassins, Box Set 1, paranormal romances.
Read on for details...
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Box Set 1
Paranormal Romance
Date Published: 07-01-2025
A Bewitching Christmas
It has been seven years since Analette Dyson stopped practicing magic and
headed to New York, where she created a new life, complete with a fabulous
job, an apartment in Central Park West, and a sexy werewolf fiancé. She
never planned on returning to her small home town in Maine, but when she
learns her grandmother is ill, she decides to pop over for a visit and what
better time than Christmas? Excited for her fiancé to meet her family,
they head up a day early.
Worst idea ever!
After doing some last minute Christmas shopping, Analette returns to their
hotel to find her fiancé in bed with another woman. Cursing the
universe for her never ending bad luck with men and dreading telling her
family about her cheating fiancé, she heads to the bar to self
medicate.
Not one to celebrate the holidays, vampire and assassin, Cole McRae, has
followed a lead to a rustic town in witch territory. But after a few days of
research and waiting for his target to show, he begins to suspect he has
wasted his time. That is, until he meets a curvaceous blonde with bewitching
green eyes at the local bar. One night with the enchanting Analette could make
this useless trip well worth his time.
Their passion is undeniable and unbeknownst to them, their fates are
intertwined. Magic and romance will strike on Christmas, changing their lives
forever.
Surrender to the Chase
A year after the tragic death of his close friend and fellow assassin, Ethan
Halstead is ready to take up his sniper rifle once more. But his first
assignment is nothing he ever expected. Ethan must hunt and retrieve a
beautiful, spirited, alluring werewolf.
Knowing no other way to escape an arranged marriage, Fraya flees from her
pack. As she contemplates slipping across the border and heading to South
America, she is captured by a dangerously seductive vampire who plans on
escorting her back to her family. Even as Fraya vows to make Ethan’s
mission as difficult as possible, she can’t resist the riotous desire he
sparks within her.
But Ethan isn’t the only predator that pursues Fraya. A powerful rival
pack’s alpha wants to make her his mate. Will Ethan be able to keep
Fraya safe and return her to her pack? Or will he surrender to temptation and
claim Fraya as his own?
Wicked Passion
James Stonewoll is an Elite Assassin for the Under Realm Syndicate—an
expert hunter and merciless killer. As a former pirate, he thrives on danger,
the more perilous the mission, the better and he can't resist his newest
contract: eliminate a rebel shape-shifting magic thief that stalks the border
of the Under Realm kidnapping and murdering innocent Others. But never did the
centuries old vampire anticipate playing hero to a mythical temptress with
luscious curves, tantalizing lips, and hypnotic eyes.
Captured and held prisoner, Katya Moro was trapped in a seemingly endless loop
of unimaginable agony as her magic was slowly being torn from her soul. A gasp
away from death, she is rescued by a sinful kiss and awakens in the strong
arms of a powerful warrior whose roguish smile, sharp fangs, and intense
strength unlock dormant instincts within her, an all-consuming madness that
demands complete surrender.
Gazing down at her, James knew he had to kill her. Dark Magic Wielders, like
the beautiful female he’d found, were a grave threat to human society
and were not permitted to roam the mortal world. But Katya’s smoky voice
and sweet kisses stir a fierce hunger inside him. She is unpredictable,
uncontrollable and wickedly seductive—his perfect kind of dangerous. To
keep her safe, James will protect her from the magic thieves that hunt her and
his fellow assassins until he can find a way to return Katya to her home in
the Under Realm.
Can Katya’s passion conquer the darkness within his soul?
About the Author
Amanda J. Greene is the author of the captivating Rulers of Darkness and
enticing Under Realm Assassins series. Fans of Nalini Singh’s, Gena
Showalter, and J.R. Ward will fall in love with Ms. Greene’s dangerously
sexy heroes and strong, kick your teeth in heroines.
Within the chaos of life she finds time to write and create detailed worlds
with exciting characters for her ravenous readers.
"Amanda's vampires are seriously sexy and I can't get enough!" - Kristina's
Books & More
"Fans of Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series, Gena Showalter’s
Lords of the Underworld, and J.R. Ward’s BDB are in for a treat..." -
VampBard review of Caressed by a Crimson Moon on That's What I'm Talking About
Reef has been in love with Luna since they were kids. As a secret romance novelist, he pours his unrequited feelings into his books, reliving their love on the page. But when Luna’s uncle proposes a fake relationship to thwart a stunt her PR wants to pull, Reef’s wildest dreams and worst fears are about to collide.
Luna never stopped loving Reef, even when she broke his heart to protect him. Music became her refuge, but fame brought unexpected complications. Now, fate has brought them back together, but the demons of their past threaten to consume them both.
As Reef and Luna navigate their rekindled feelings amidst a whirlwind of secrets, heartache, and desire, they’ll discover that sometimes reality is even more extraordinary than fiction. When their truths come to light, will their love survive, or will they wish they’d left the past buried in the sands of time?
The Heartbeats of Aloha is a poignant, swoon-worthy standalone in the International Soulmate series. Immerse yourself in:
A heart-melting second chance romance
The lush, tropical beauty of Hawaii
A fake relationship that feels all too real
Deep, nuanced portrayals of mental health and disability
Unforgettable characters, including an adorable canine companion
If you love emotional journeys filled with tender moments, sizzling chemistry, and the healing power of love, then Brooke Gilbert’s moving story is a must-read.
Let the rhythm of the islands guide you to your next great romance. Grab The Heartbeats of Aloha today and lose yourself in Reef and Luna’s unforgettable love story!
Content note: This book contains discussions of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
As soon as the doors closed, I turned to her. “Luna,” I breathed. I didn’t know what to do, but I was being drawn to her, the tether from earlier pulling at me even harder. I placed my hands on either side of her hips, grabbing the cold railing with everything I had, desperate to be close to her.
Then I leaned into her slightly. “He’s just an idiot who’s upset he lost the best thing he’s ever had. Nothing in the world could make me want to ‘return’ you. If you were mine, I’d do anything to keep you.”
Her eyes became even glossier as they drifted up to meet mine. “You don’t even know what it is.” She looked away. “I didn’t think I needed to tell you since this is all . . .”
“This is all what?” I asked her more pointedly. Her lips parted, but she said nothing. I could see the ghost of the word ‘fake’ on them. I gripped the railing tighter. “I never wanted any of this to be pretend. Not one second of it has been for me. Has it been for you?”
She shook her head methodically, as if knowing what she was unleashing, and my lips curved upward at her response. Especially when her body gravitated toward mine like she couldn’t stand to be apart.
I started to remove my glasses, knowing this was the first time my feelings and intentions would be on full display for her. The first time, nothing would be covered up under the guise of Louis’ plan.
“Luna, why did you write One More Hour? Was what you said on stage true?” I asked with urgency.
But her face said it all. I didn’t need the words her lips mouthed so sensually . . .“Yes . . . It was you I wanted. I’ve always wanted you. I still do.”
As I went to pull off my glasses, she stopped me, shaking her head emphatically. I felt like a dork, with the goofiest grin on display.
“What? You want me to keep them on? I was trying to look less like a nerd.” I laughed nervously as I leaned even closer to her, my hands clutching the railing beside her.
“Yes, they have to stay on. It’s required.” But she was only halfway teasing, and I loved it. “Do you know how many fantasies I’ve had about this?”
“No, why don’t you tell me?” I began coyly.
“Enough to have a bet with myself about how fast I can fog them up.” She smirked.
“Oh, I’m seeing the appeal now. Maybe this nerd thing can have some perks,” I mumbled. But all my cockiness left me as I became overwhelmed by her. Especially as she reached up for the collar of my dress shirt and tugged me toward her. The smell of the plumeria flower in her hair and the scent of Luna overcoming any hesitation. I wanted to bottle her scent along with this moment.
Our faces were only inches apart, warmth radiating between us. And I was ready to close any of the distance between us. Need taking over in a way I’d never known, when she breathed out, “Why didn’t you ever kiss me?”
“I couldn’t tell if you wanted me to.” A pain twisted at her cheeks with my words.
There was a hard tug on my shirt collar. A very clear sign of her want. And with that, all space and time vanished. It was just her lips on mine as I leaned into every part of her. Every part I knew intimately and loved . . . all of her. Allowing myself to taste her for the very first time.
I pulled back suddenly, and her eyes looked simultaneously confused and incredibly disappointed.
“Wait,” I interjected, and her face fell. I pushed off of the handrails and moved toward the elevator pad. Quickly, I pulled the emergency button, halting the elevator.
“Reef, you can’t do that.” Her eyes flashed with mixed amusement and sheer concern.
With a confidence I didn’t know I possessed, I strode back over to her. “Oh, but I think I already did.” I readjusted my glasses to look at her, the ones that were already fogged up. “Now, where were we?”
She laughed as my hands slid around the back of her thighs to pick her up, gently propping her against the elevator railing. Her legs seamlessly wrapped around me like they were always meant to be there.
“Oh yeah, here.” The words tumbled out of me.
Luna only laughed harder and then raked her hands upward through my hair, pulling me in with more force this time. I met her heady passion with a strong desire of my own this time. But I was becoming increasingly aware that I had kind of cornered her. And what started out feeling sexy now felt like it could cause anxiety. And that’s the last thing I ever wanted. I spun us around, effectively swapping our positions, hoping to give her more space and control. I was absolutely fine with her cornering me.
Luna looked at me and her legs squeezed even tighter around me as her fingers dug deeper. Sending shockwaves through my scalp and back. I guess I’d made the right call. Especially when her lips melted over mine and then started roaming, making use of my neck in ways no one had ever properly done before. I had gotten everything wrong in my novels. No kiss I wrote could ever compare to this. I was going to need to make a few revisions.
“Miss!” the intercom burst forth from the elevator speaker. We looked at each other with wide eyes. “Miss, please disentangle yourself and step away from the gentleman.” I started laughing and Luna gave me a look that said it wasn’t funny. “We’re going to be overriding the elevator panel and resuming normal functions as soon as . . . you . . . huh hmm . . . Remove yourself.”
But Luna just stayed glued to me, like a scared monkey. Her face was a mixture of shock and embarrassment. “Ma’am,” the booming voice rang out, “Please don’t make me call security.”
“Yeah, stop mauling me, Luna. Geez.” Now she was laughing, too, as I helped her stand beside me. She seemed as off balance as I felt. Her knees even buckled at the point of contact with the floor. With a sly smile, I pointed to the other corner of the elevator. “You better go over there, just to be safe.”
She just shoved me lightly, like when we were kids, and the elevator started moving. The booming voice thanked us for our ‘cooperation,’ no matter how unenthusiastically we had complied with the request. And then Luna’s long, petite fingers found their way in between mine. A peaceful reverberation echoing throughout my body when she did. She was like that first cool breeze coming off the ocean at the end of the hottest day. She was my happy place. Everything that made our island special, she encompassed it all so well. The heartbeats of this place were the people. The heartbeats were her.
My eyes dared to glance over at her, and the intimacy of this moment changed me. I would never look at love the same way. She had just cracked something wide open inside of me. Right at the place that had been scarred so many years ago, and then forever placed herself inside it.
Author Bio:
Brooke Gilbert is a Tennessee native, a microbiology graduate of the University of Tennessee, and a border collie mom. She is, as you may have already guessed, a hopeless romantic and a lover of Jane Austen. When she isn’t writing, she works as a jewelry designer, an audiobook narrator, and a graphic designer. Her writing features characters with autoimmune disorders, something she deals with herself. She believes it is important for these types of characters to be seen in modern literature and started writing so she could see someone like herself in literature. She is considered a medical mystery and has several rare autoimmune disorders. These disorders caused her to withdraw from Physician Assistant School, but she is happy to be pursuing her dreams of designing, creating, and writing. She thanks God for leading her heart on this new path and recites “perhaps this is the moment for which you were created” in times of doubt (Esther 4:14).
She loves watching classic films (thrillers and romantic comedies, too), reading, playing the ukulele, painting, dancing, Pilates, and spending time with her dog, family, and friends. One of her favorite quotes is from Flashdance: “When you give up on your dreams, you die.” She believes that if you’re waiting to pursue your dreams, stop waiting and start doing. Your time is now. And may you never stop being a hopeless romantic. Contrary to popular belief, it’s a very good quality. She’s still looking for her Mr. Darcy. Visit brookegilbertauthor.com to connect and stay updated on her latest projects.
