Concealed Desire
Page 16
Yep, she could play it cool.
Kind of.
Maybe.
OK, maybe not, but she would remain quiet until he said the first words. Nothing screamed awkward more than answering “hell yes, I’ll marry you” to a nonexistent wedding proposal.
“Beth Graison.” He released her hand, his gaze never leaving hers as he opened the box with a deafening creak, then reached for her hand again. She tried to ignore the glimmer coming from his open palm, tried to keep her eyes locked on his while little bursts of reflected light beckoned to her. “You’ve ruined me. There are no refunds, no returns policy, and definitely no exchanges. So you have no choice but to marry me.”
A sob escaped her lips and her heart palpitated at a salsa rhythm.
His expression softened, his smile losing its male arrogance and being replaced with 100 percent genuine, loving adoration. “I love you. I didn’t even fully grasp the concept until I found you and now I would die before letting you go. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Beth’s lips parted, her brain still stuck on all the gold and shiny while she swallowed over the pillow stuck in her throat. The burn of tears trailed her cheeks, the sting causing her to blindly wipe them away with the back of her hand. “I-I…”
She grasped at his hand like a lifeline, pulling until he stood. She felt like a volcano, her insides bursting to spill, but everything was caught inside unable to get out. Nuzzling into his chest, she held him tight. Held him until her heart slowed to a pace where she could breathe, held him until she thought she could never let go, held him until he whispered in a panic, “Is that a yes?”
Nodding with enthusiasm, she glanced up at him. Her future happiness was easily read in his eyes. “Yes, Dean Sutherland,” she choked. “Yes. If I can’t get a refund, I suppose I’m stuck with you.”
~ About the Author ~
Eden Summers is a true blue Aussie, living in regional New South Wales with her two energetic young boys and a quick-witted husband.
In late 2010, Eden’s romance obsession could no longer be sated by reading alone, so she decided to give voice to the sexy men and sassy women in her mind.
Eden can’t resist alpha dominance, dark features and sarcasm in her fictional heroes and loves a strong heroine who knows when to bite her tongue but also serves retribution with a feminine smile on her face.
Find out more about Eden Summers here
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authoredensummers
Twitter: http://twitter.com/EdenSummers1
Website: http://www.edensummers.com/
~ Also by Eden Summers ~
Sneaking a Peek
She's either headed for jail...or for the best sex of her life.
Tarney Jensen has been crushing on sexy firefighter Ethan Reid, her best friend’s brother, since her sixteenth birthday. She knows acting on her attraction will ruin their friendship, but she can’t fight the temptation of his sweat-slicked skin as he works out. Every hot-blooded woman loves to drool over a sexy piece of man flesh, but watching one from the shadows of your porch when he has no idea you’re spying on him? Totally illegal.
For years Ethan has watched men go in and out of Tarney’s life, but how’s a guy supposed to put the moves on his kid sister’s best friend without looking like a perv? But when Tarney lets out an ear-piercing scream from her front yard, Ethan drops everything to rush to her aid. And finds out that the woman of his dreams has been sneaking a peek at his workouts…
Buy Sneaking a Peek here
http://www.amazon.com/Sneaking-a-Peek-ebook/dp/B009ZOZKKW/
Halloween Heat V
Erotic Contemporary Ménage
Five scorching contemporary erotic tales of ménage love to heat even the coldest Halloween night.
“Thrills and Chills” by Alyssa Turner
“Deployment Gifts” by Jennifer James
“Phantom Pleasure” by Eden Summers
“Taking Candy” by Vristen Pierce
“Trick or Treat” by Ana Maria Pasión
Buy Halloween Heat V here
http://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Heat-V-ebook/dp/B009MBUOQI/
~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~
The Playboy’s Baby
JM Stewart
They can't forget the past, but is it enough to create a future?
When an accident leaves her guardian to her six-month-old niece, Emma Stanton must return to her small hometown of Hastings, Montana to find the one man she's spent the last eight years trying to forget. She and Dillon had grown up together--he was her sister's best friend. But that hadn't stopped him from sharing a kiss with Emma that had followed her through the years. Now, not only must she break the news of her sister's tragic death to Dillon, but she must risk the only family she has left and tell him he's the baby's father.
Wealthy nightclub owner Dillon James has been used for his name and money one too many times, so when he comes face-to-face with Emma Stanton and her gorgeous lips, he's determined to keep things light. All he wants is to be the father his daughter needs, to make up for not being there for her and her mother. But spending time with Emma, as she shows him the ropes of caring for his daughter, is wearing down his defenses. Perhaps it's time he took a chance on love.
If only he can convince Emma to take a chance on him...
Buy The Playboy’s Baby here
http://www.amazon.com/The-Playboys-Baby-ebook/dp/B008RPKBMM/
Gone
Barb Han
How far would you go to find a child that never existed?
Elizabeth Walker awakens in a mental institution, the aftermath of a nightmare in her veins. All she can think of is saving a little boy—her son. But the orderlies who rush in and jab her with needles assure her she has no son. So does her mother, who demands her doctors keep her calm and prevent her from these troubling delusions. But Elizabeth’s nightmares are so real, and her arms still feel the memory of holding her son. And her instincts tell her to trust no one. Her child is gone. Her memories are gone. Everything is just…gone.
Ex-military medic David Kerrigan will never stop blaming himself for the childhood tragedy that took his younger sister’s life. Working on assignment at the facility, he’s drawn to Elizabeth, and he’s not sure that everything about her case is on the up and up. David knows full well he can’t change the past, but what if he can save this one person? And maybe helping Elizabeth might just save them both…
Buy Gone here
http://www.amazon.com/Gone-ebook/dp/B00AZDI3PQ/
For the Love of the Game
Rhonda Laurel
This quarterback is making the greatest play of his life…
Quiet bookstore owner Morgan Reed can’t wait to lie on the beach on her much-needed tropical vacation, but getting tackled by a tall, green-eyed stranger playing touch football isn’t exactly what she had in mind. Neither is falling for said stranger, or going along with the eccentric islander who sends them off with a mock wedding. But all’s fair when it comes to vacation romance, and Morgan has plenty of time to get back to reality when she gets home.
When he slams into the beautiful Morgan on the beach and sends her to the infirmary, superstar quarterback Seth Blake insists on helping her recover—if she agrees to share his bungalow with him. Seth is nothing less than smitten, and the best part is that the beauty has no idea who he is.
But when he finds out that their little “wedding” was the real thing, Seth finds himself in a sticky situation. Especially when Morgan finds out the man she fell for isn’t at all who he made himself out to be…
Buy For the Love of the Game here
http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-Game-ebook/dp/B00A3X2NS6/
Jelly's Big Night Out
Patty Campbell
Passion, fashion, and secrets...
After life took a tragic turn, Jelly Swanson had no time for men. Providing a safe, nurturing home for her little sister and running a successful boutique left her too busy for much
else, and forced the idea of a love life to the back burner. But when she goes to school for a teacher's conference, her sister Emi's science teacher takes Jelly completely by surprise. And getting pregnant with his baby? That's not at all part of the plan.
The last thing Henry Palasczewski is looking for is romance. With a broken engagement behind him, he's interested only in the job he loves and the students who adore him. Then Jelly walks into his classroom, and he's dazzled by her sexy, flamboyant manner. She's way out of his league—he's a science nerd, not a movie star—but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
But when Emi goes missing, a tangle of secrets and past loves may destroy any chance they have at happiness...
Buy Jelly’s Big Night Out here
http://www.amazon.com/Jellys-Big-Night-Out-ebook/dp/B007FUGHOG/
Make or Break
Lori Whitwam
A writer, a musician, an unexpected love… and a killer who wants to destroy it all.
Abby never dreamed she'd meet her rock-n-roll fantasy, Seth Caldwell, by crushing his guitar under the wheels of her Jeep. Twice. Seth wants to strangle her, but soon the snarks turn to sparks, and he revokes his longstanding rule against getting involved with women on the road.
But when an attempt is made on Seth’s life, everyone’s a suspect. Abby’s determined to hang on to the tenuous ties they’ve developed, but Seth’s determined to keep her safe... even if he has to push her away in order to do it...
Buy Make or Break here
http://www.amazon.com/Make-or-Break-ebook/dp/B005L3KXPI/
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen