by Sarah Andre
She paused, not knowing how to break through this last barrier. An idea formed. “Let’s try this. Every time you express an emotion, I’m going to kiss you. And I don’t mean a peck on the cheek.”
A ghost of a grin lit his face. “No offense, but your lips look like a cosmetic procedure gone horribly wrong. I can’t imagine you’ll enjoy kissing for a while.”
“Try me.”
His eyes crinkled.
Good, he was on board. “Now, what are you feeling, knowing the truth about your mother’s death?”
He opened his mouth, then looked around the room as if the words were written somewhere. She could see the wheels spinning as he thought and frowned even harder. Finally he spoke haltingly. “My sister accidently killed my mother. My father lied about it, even when his suicide explanation drove such a wedge that I cut off ties with my family. Joseph and my sister tried to kill you. And my cousin committed fraud and bankrupted my company.”
She stiffened, the last news coming out of nowhere. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask more about that, but now wasn’t the time. He needed to get in touch with the inner damage.
Devon huffed out a harsh exhale as his gaze landed back on her. “I can’t do it. How do you label an emotion for all that?”
“Well,” she said gently, “it’s okay to have more than one emotion for the same set of events. Maybe you feel confused? Betrayed? Enraged?”
“Yes,” he whispered. Devastation crept over his features again. “All that. Keep going.” The hurt in his tone tugged at her.
“I think that’s enough of a start. Kiss me.”
His expression cleared, and he cautiously stood. “You’re sure you can handle this?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” She tried to arrange her battered face into a wicked grin. He leaned down, his lips soft, the pressure light. Sure, it was uncomfortable, but so worth it. And there was nothing wrong with her tongue. When she darted it out, he eased away, kissing her earlobe, about the only part of her that didn’t feel swollen and achy.
He groaned in a low, sexy way. “I don’t want the nurse investigating why a visit from your brother keeps making that damn machine beep so fast,” he murmured, and she tuned in to the rapid, high-pitched alarm.
She emitted a half giggle, half groan and patted his hand. “Now tell me how you’ll problem-solve all of this.”
He shook his head, pinning her with that all-encompassing stare. “I almost lost you, Hannah.” He smoothed away a few strands tickling her cheek, and they bounced back. “For God’s sake, I’m still getting over the image of you disappearing off the cliff. Everything else takes a back seat. The only problem I’m prepared to solve is how to help you and Aunt Milly move to a better place with the minimum amount of stress.”
Maybe it was the painkillers, but all of a sudden, her muscles felt like jelly.
He braced his arms on the mattress again and drew closer. “And under no circumstances are you selling your partnership.” His voice was intimate and authoritative.
“You’ve got an uphill battle. I’ve researched places all week.”
“Yeah, but did you look for places that had room for me?”
Her breath caught. “I think Aunt Milly—”
“Is going to love the opportunity to unload some of her snark on me.” He grinned crookedly, like a naughty schoolboy, but quickly sobered. “I’m not just in love with you, Hannah Moore. I’m crazy, sick, obsessed in love. Remember when you’d drive me nuts asking ‘why me’?”
She nodded faintly.
“Well, listen up. I admire your grace, I crave your sweetness, and boy, does that angry, bossy side turn me on. We’re going to have lots of conflict ahead, you can bet on that.”
She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed gently. “Brace yourself, Dev. You just used a whole bunch of feeling words.”
His lopsided grin was back, along with a seductive gleam in his eyes. “I know.” He leaned in, his breath streaming warmly across her lips. “This is gonna be fun.”
About the Author
If daydreaming were an Olympic sport, Sarah Andre would be buried under gold medals. She lives with her husband in Southwest, FL, and is a 2014 and 2011 RWA Golden Heart® Finalist in Romantic Suspense. When she’s not writing she’s either playing with her (very naughty) Pomeranian puppies or exercising like a demented fool. Sarah is a member of a successful romantic suspense blog: www.KissandThrill.com. For more information please visit her at www.SarahAndre.com, her Author Facebook Page or Twitter.
If you enjoyed this novel, I’d be honored if you’d consider leaving a review.
Also By Sarah Andre
Locked, Loaded and Lying
An impressive debut! This book has everything readers crave: believable, endearing characters, an intriguing conflict and plenty of heart. Don't miss LOCKED, LOADED & LYING. - Brenda Novak, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Cheese and monkeys this book is intense! A piece of advice: when you read this make sure you have no other plans for the day because you won’t want to put it down. romance4thebeach
There was nothing formulaic about it all, meaning the story and characters weren't what you'd find in your typical romance novel, so kudos to Sarah Andre for her inspiring creativity and more than laudable writing skills…a debut novel so worth reading! This gets five stars. bookaholism
I was completely drawn into this story very quickly. I couldn't put it down and spent every opportunity I could get dipping into it- before work, at the breakfast table etc. justbooktalk
Wow – what a fast paced thriller full of unexpected events, mysteries and enthralling action. I really enjoyed this superbly written page turner and didn’t want to put it down till I found out the truth about what happened to Tiffany – and when I did, what a shock! splashesintobooks
The characters, main and secondary will all evoke some type of emotion whether you love them, hate them, or love to hate them you will most definitely FEEL something. The twists in this book will have you reeling and you will not be able to put this down. I swear I was up until the wee hours of the morning reading this book, I HAD to know what was going to happen. I’m not easily thrown for loops and can generally figure things out but I must bow to Andre because she definitely blind sided me in this one!! OnceUponAnAlpha