“Not everyone can have your vocals. I’ll just leave the singing to you then.” He looked so hopeful as if she’d ever get in that studio to record anything again. The one-time deal was enough.
“I’d really like for us to kiss and make up now if that’s okay with you?” He wet his lips, the damn tease.
“I should make you suffer more.”
“Haven’t I suffered enough? Didn’t you see me almost pee my pants up there?”
Cherisse grabbed onto one side of his suspenders. “I think we suffered the most. For the record, please never try to serenade me for any reason. Ever. And if you have to work with Sean again, please tell me. I’d rather not walk into your studio unawares.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “I promise.”
“Good. Then go for it.”
He leaned in to brush his lips against hers. It was brief, chaste. He leaned back before she could even reciprocate or really get in there, grinning as she narrowed her eyes because surely, he could do better than that.
She wrapped her hand tighter around that damn suspender, tugged him close, and licked her way into his mouth, relishing the taste.
“Think they got any supply closets around here?” he asked.
“That isn’t going to become a thing.”
A commotion headed their way had them drawing apart. The bride and groom were leading the charge.
“What’s happening?”
“Ha! They’re really doing it. Those nerds.”
Cherisse was confused until she really paid attention to the song the DJ was playing. “Oh my God.”
People were lining up on either side of the deck as Heavy D & The Boyz’s “Now That We Found Love” pounded through the speakers. Leave it to her sister and her new hubby to recreate a Hitch scene. Rom com-loving nerds. She giggled as Ava and Eric made their way down the center as all around them, the guests clapped and cheered them on. Cherisse spied her mother, scowling her way, but she also got thumbs up from Remi, Reba, and Scott, who were waiting their turn to go down the line.
“Well?” Keiran was looking at her expectantly. “It’s our duty as best man and maid of honor to get jiggy with it.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. There went that damn blushing again, and a chorus of awwws from the side.
“Alright, let’s do this.” She meant so much more than the silly dancing.
It was scary, thinking of this, of them together as something more. She squeezed his hand, and Keiran smiled down at her. Or maybe, it was the start of something sweet. And she liked sweet things, a lot.
Acknowledgements
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE to thank. Where do I even begin?
To the romance community for embracing me. A girl from an island in the Caribbean who has had this dream of publishing a book for some time now. You all have pushed me to work harder and dig deeper with my writing. I'm just trying to be half as good as the amazing authors out here.
To my agent Lauren who pushed for this book from the beginning! Our plan took an interesting path but I'm always grateful for your guidance and having my back. Lucky to have you in my corner.
To my first set of readers: Leah, Jen, Carla, Keyanna and Avril for taking the time to read and offer great insight and feedback.
To Jen especially (yes I’m singling you out shh shh) for being my ULTIMATE cheerleader. Who just gets all the trini things I put in this book, and who gushed with me over my gawjus cover when it was just a rough sketch.
To Katrina Jackson and Mina Waheed for giving me such great advice when I was like “I want to do a thing help!!” Thank you so much. You continue to be amazing and an inspiration to me.
To my amazing cover artist Leni Kauffman. The moment I saw your work I said I needed you to do my cover. I couldn't have anyone else. Your work is exquisite! The final cover speaks for itself.
Finally, this book was written when I was not in the best frame of mind. Back in January 2017 I had been sent home from my job. The anxiety levels were off the charts and these characters came to me and said wriiite me. They were the balm I needed at the time.
Sweethand, while having gone through changes from what it first started off as, remains an ode to my island and the ways in which people can fight down a whole situation, but you know they’re gonna get that Happily Ever After! ;)
I hope you enjoy this little slice of Caribbeanness I'm offering ♥
N.
About the Author
N.G. Peltier is an anime watching, book reading, video-game playing, story writing kinda girl.
A devourer of words and books from a young age, she enjoys writing romance and creeping people out with the Caribbean folklore stories she grew up hearing.
A Trinidadian born and raised, she currently lives in Trinidad with her mountain of ideas and characters battling each other for whose story get told next.
She is represented by Lauren Abramo of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC
Read more at N.G. Peltier’s site.
Sweethand Page 29