June 26, 2015

Blog Tour Promo Post: Rule Breaker by Harper Kincaid

at 6/26/2015 12:00:00 AM 0 comments

Just one more can’t hurt…right?

Re-belle-ious, free-spirited Lauren Renwick has decided it’s time to trade her wings for roots. That means no more bad boys, no more foolish choices. Yet when she’s stood up on New Year’s Eve, her resolution to stick to her Mama’s Rules for Dating weakens. Especially when she spots sex-in-leather-and-tattoos, Jackson Sullivan.

One look at Lauren, and Jackson is hell-bent on getting her on the back of his Harley and riding straight for his bed. Their night together is an erotic rush that has a new word popping up on his horizon—forever.

Lauren tries to convince herself he’s just one last fling to get bad boys out of her system, yet she finds herself falling hard and fast for a man with a stalker ex and a meddling Irish family. Plus, he has zero chance of passing her uptight parents’ inspection.

Jackson has Lauren’s back, but if she wants all of his heart, she’ll have to meet him halfway—by ditching rules that hold her prisoner, and learning to stand up for what she really wants.
PURCHASE LINKS


Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iTunes  |  kobo

HEART BREAKER

The next book in the series, HEART BREAKER, will be released on July 28th. You can pre-order it here.

Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  iTunes  |  kobo

About the Author

A woman with the heart of a revolutionary,
The mind of a pragmatist,
And the inappropriate humor of your tipsy BFF...

Born in California and raised in South Florida, I've moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on my head ever since. Along the way, I've worked as a community organizer, a professional matchmaker, an art teacher, a popular blogger, and a crisis counselor (to name a few). All the while, longing to have the guts and follow-through to do what I really wanted: to write and become a published author. That wish has finally come true and I am tickled pink with glitter over this good piece of fortune.

What else? Hmm...I love indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl, wearing black because it's slimming, the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds),and making those close to me laugh 'til they snort. I'm a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but have now happily settled in the cutest lil' town, Vienna, Virginia. I totally love hearing from readers so stalk me via social media or email me at HarperKincaid26@gmail.com!

AUTHOR LINKS

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Win a Pure Romance 'Massage for Two' Gift Pack valued at $100. US Only.

June 25, 2015

Blog Tour/Book Review: The Gilded Cage by Lauren Smith

at 6/25/2015 12:30:00 AM 0 comments
THE GILDED CAGE by Lauren Smith is a dark and erotic story about a solitary bullrider who finds out he is the heir to a vast fortune and a family he never knew he had. Readers will be enthralled with the second installment in the Surrender series which is told in the vein of BARED TO YOU by Sylvia Day and SECRETS EXPOSED by Lisa Renee Jones.

Passion that takes no prisoners, and love that tests the limits of ecstasy . . .
Fenn Lockwood comes alive in the shadows. Though he might have physically survived the kidnapping that stole his childhood, the trauma and pain he lived through have marked him forever. Now the only place where Fenn can be himself is within the walls of his private BDSM world—a place of erotic obsession, where desire isn’t just captured . . . it’s bound.
Hayden Thorne knows that behind Fenn’s hardened exterior is a man worth fighting for. Yet to save him from the past that still haunts him, Hayden will have to abandon every inhibition she’s ever had and venture into Fenn’s intoxicatingly sensual world. Each tantalizing second she spends in Fenn’s searing embrace is more delicious than the last and soon Hayden begins to think that she may never want to leave such torturous bliss…


Praise for the Surrender series


"The Gilded Cuff is a dark, sensual tale that teases and tantalizes the senses. It's all about anticipation, seduction, and surrender. You will be every bit as enthralled with the story as Sophie is with Emery." - Give Me Books Blog

"From the very first page I was lost to the suspense, romance, thrills and chills of this intriguing story. In fact, I was so engrossed in the dramatic plot that I stayed up all night to finish the story. There was no way that I would be able to sleep without knowing how everything played out." - Sizzling Hot Books.com


"If you love a great mystery with a giant dose of steam and a beautiful love story, you will swoon over this novel!" - The Reading Cafe

Excerpt
                
Hayden Thorne’s heart was still pounding a little hard, her breath a little shallow, and her palms still hurt from scratches she’d received when she’d climbed over the rail to avoid death. Had she really jumped into an arena to challenge an angry bull? A little half-hysterical giggle escaped her as she collapsed onto the small twin bed in her cheap motel room in Walnut Springs, tugging her red dress down her thighs. Her hands still shook from the adrenaline.
                Yeah, she had actually done it.
                She’d saved Fenn Lockwood’s life. The missing boy in the pair of twins kidnapped at age eight, twenty –five years ago. Emery, the younger of the twins, had miraculously escaped, but never spoke of what might have befallen his brother Fenn. The world had assumed his silence meant Fenn was dead. How wrong they’d all been. He’d been here in Colorado all along, living as a rancher. He was alive. A fact that still shocked her and filled her with a sense of wonder and excitement. Bringing Fenn home could do so much—for him, for his family, for his brother. Fenn’s loss had devastated so many people, including her brother, Wes, who was Fenn and Emery’s childhood friend.
                She reached down and tugged off her Jimmy Choo pumps. The black leather was badly scuffed. She’d have to get another pair soon. They were probably ruined by the crowd during the panic following the accident when the stupid bull had thrown Fenn like a sack of potatoes. Why couldn’t he just play polo like his twin? Why did he have to be a bull rider?
                She let the shoes drop to the floor. She still couldn’t relax. She was too keyed up for anything else. What she wanted to do was find Fenn and tell him everything. She had tried to find him after she’d gotten out of the arena with the help of a couple of riders. They had enjoyed leering at her chest before she’d gone to find her heels. They’d even trailed after her, making all sorts of comments that would have made her blush if she hadn’t had other things on her mind.
                Once she’d found her shoes, she’d asked around again for where Fenn had gone after he’d left the arena, and she’d been pointed toward the medical tent. By that point, it had been empty except for a polite middle-aged doctor who was busy packing up his supplies. A couple of giggles, a smile, and she’d earned decent directions to a place called The Broken Spur, a place where Fenn worked.
                She slid her hand into the tiny, almost hidden pocket of her dress and touched the slip of paper she’d scribbled the directions to Fenn’s ranch on. Fenn’s residence at the ranch was not something she had shared with her older brother Wes. He could try to bully her into going home all he liked, or into staying out of the way, but she didn’t care. This was her mission and she wasn’t going to give up without a fight. She wanted everyone back home to take her seriously.
                Being a daughter of one of the richest families on Long Island’s Gold Coast was not the perfect dream most people might think it would be. She was a bargaining tool, a pawn for her parents to gain political power and influence. She was marriage material, nothing more. She wanted to shake her parents up, get them to open their eyes and see that she wasn’t just a frilly dressed ninny, but a woman who could actually change the world. Bringing home the long-lost golden boy might just change their minds about her, and doing so would also make sure the people she cared about were finally safe. It wouldn’t be easy, either. Someone wanted to kill Fenn Lockwood and she would not only bring him home but save his life. Just like she’d done tonight—even though tonight she had not expected Fenn’s potential killer to be a damn bull.

This book is the sequel to The Gilded Cuff and the conspiracy continues. Who is behind the plot to kill the Lockwood twins? Who is responsible for their kidnapping and subsequent separation? While Emery Lockwood (hero of The Gilded Cuff) was raised in the loving arms of their parents and in the lap of luxury, Fenn was raised by his kidnapper and grown to be a hardcore cowboy. After the discovery of Fenn's existence at the end of book 1, Hayden Thorne, a family friend, has been on the hunt for Fenn. Hayden and Fenn meet under unique circumstances. Nothing like running in front of a raging bull in  a red dress. Fenn's life goes to hell when Hayden reveals the truth about his true parentage. The subplots of the previous book's characters helped add some meat to the story and wove itself throughout the story. The instant connection between Hayden and Fenn is instant and powerful. For those of you who have not read this trilogy, there is a BDSM component. Hayden is quite aware of her submissive nature, but unfortunately she's developed a rep as a sub that likes to be a bit dominant. In Fenn, she feels like he could be the one for her. A game of sexual cat and mouse begins between them and I do like the progression of their relationship. Overall, it was a pretty good read. New characters are introduced and I'm looking forward to reading the third book.

4.5 stars

Other Books in the Surrender Series

THE GILDED CUFF



Every passion has its price . . .

Journalist Sophie Ryder has been following Emery Lockwood’s story since she was a little girl. There has always been something in his haunted eyes that she couldn’t resist and now, when she’s certain he holds the key to solving a string of kidnappings, she’ll do anything to speak to him. Even if it means venturing deep into the seductive world of the Gilded Cuff, a luxurious BDSM club on Long Island’s Gold Coast and Emery’s personal playground.

From the moment Sophie enters his shadowy, sensual domain, Emery Lockwood knows this tantalizing new little sub was meant to belong to him. However, Sophie wants more from Emery than just pleasure . . . she wants his past. And that is something he isn’t willing to give—no matter who is asking. But every moment he spends with Sophie, Emery feels his control slipping and he knows it’s only a matter of time before he surrenders to her heart, body, and soul.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Audible  |  Book Depository

THE GILDED CHAIN



Explore a hidden world of erotic fantasies, where the greatest pleasures are stolen and the fiercest passions are untamed. . . 

For years, Callie Taylor has been obsessed with two things: a man she can never have and escaping to Paris where she can follow her artistic passions. But everything changes when Callie meets Wes Thorne, a wealthy, mysterious art collector and famous dominant. Despite all the nights she's spent dreaming of another man, it is Wes's predatory gaze that suddenly consumes her every thought and sets her body on fire. One touch from him promises unforgettable passion, but Callie knows that passion often comes with a price... 

From the moment he sets eyes on Callie, Wes is intrigued by her artistic talent and her delightful innocence of all things erotic. A stolen kiss leaves him aching and desperate to claim her in a way he's never wanted any woman. But first he must convince her to surrender her control. And what better place to seduce an artistic soul like Callie's than Paris?



Follow the tour from June 9th – 26th! One grand prize winner will receive a $25 gift card for Amazon or B&N and two runner-ups will receive a signed, print copy of THE GILDED CUFF, book 1 in the Surrender series!


Giveaway
About Lauren Smith

Amazon Best-Selling Author Lauren Smith is an attorney by day, author by night, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She’s a native Oklahoman who lives with her three pets: a feisty chinchilla, sophisticated cat and dapper little schnauzer. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including being an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. 


Connect with Lauren at her website | blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon


Visit the following blogs for your chance to win!

6/9/2015       Red Hot + Blue Reads     Review
6/10/2015    The Sassy Bookster  Spotlight Post
6/10/2015    Romance Junkies       Spotlight Post
6/10/2015    The Lusty Literate    Spotlight Post
6/11/2015    Lisa's Loves (Books of Course)       Spotlight Post
6/12/2015    Books for Company  Guest Post
6/12/2015    Living In Our Own Story       Review
6/14/2015    Books and Warpaint Review
6/15/2015    Jen's Reading Obsession      Spotlight Post
6/16/2015    PBC     Spotlight Post
6/16/2015    BB's Book Reviews   Spotlight Post
6/16/2015    Kitty's Book Spot!     Guest Post
6/17/2015    Happily Ever Chapter   Spotlight Post
6/18/2015    Lush Book Reviews  Spotlight Post
6/19/2015    Monlatable Book Reviews    Review
5/20/2015    Southern Yankee Book Reviews     Review
6/22/2015    Reese's Reviews        Review
6/23/2015    Just Booked   Review
6/23/2015    Mommy's a Book Whore     Review & Guest Post
6/23/2015    Rockin' & Reviewing Review
6/24/2015    Those Crazy Book Chicks     Spotlight Post
6/25/2015    Oh My Growing TBR Review
6/25/2015    The Consummate Reader    Review
6/26/2015    t'irla's talk book blog            Review & Guest Post
6/26/2015    Jeri's Book Attic         Author Interview
6/26/2015    Naughty Moms' Story Time Review
6/29/2015    Spicy, Small Town Romance Served Here  Review

June 23, 2015

Release Day Blitz: What We'll Leave Behind by Len Wenster

at 6/23/2015 12:00:00 AM 0 comments
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Title: What We'll Leave Behind (Left Behind, #0.5)
Author: Len Webster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 23, 2015

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23498460

One chance meeting on a white beach in Thailand would set their story in stone.
Eighteen and fresh out of high school, Stevie Appleton is about to embark on a form of freedom she has never known. When offered the chance to go to Thailand to celebrate the end of high school, she takes it. What she doesn’t know is that saying yes would lead to meeting him.

Having just finished his Bachelor, Julian Moors can’t wait to party away the last three years of university. All he wants from his holiday in Thailand is to relax on the beach, drink and have the time of his life. However, the moment his eyes land on the beautiful blonde reading on the beach, he knows he can’t stay away. All his other wants no longer matter. What does matter is getting to know the girl behind the mockingbird.

Enter Stevie and Julian’s memory vault.

No names. No past. Just right now.

Seven days to fall in love.
Seven days until their end.
Seven days until they both wake up heartbroken.

And four more years until they meet again.

Excerpt
She shook her head at her own stupidity. This Julian was attractive. Really attractive. And this really attractive male—with his Australian accent, light brown hair, soft, blue eyes, and an impressive body—sat next to her. With a sigh, Stevie took her hat off and set it on top of her bag.

“So, what do we do now?” she asked, keeping her eyes on the clear water.

“Well.” He paused. “What do you want to do today, Stephanie?”

Stevie cringed. No real names. If he ever tried to find her, he’d find it hard. She never used ‘Stephanie,’ so she’d go undetected.

Exhaling, she picked her hat up and put it on before lying back on the hot sand. Then she covered her forehead with the backs of her wrists and stared at the blue sky. After watching a cloud slowly move an inch, she closed her eyes.

“What do you want to do today, Julian?” she asked, enjoying the way the sun warmed her skin.

Julian.

Julian, I don’t want your surname.

We’re ‘holiday’ friends.

He didn’t respond, but she would force it out of him. If they were to stay on the beach all day, then so be it. It was a much better option than being locked out of her hotel room as her roommate got laid. The first thing she would do when she returned to the resort was call housecleaning to somehow disinfect the room and change the sheets.

Something obstructed the sun and created a shadow behind her eyelids. When she moved her face, the shadow followed her. Stevie’s eyebrows knitted and then she opened her eyes. She flinched when she saw Julian hovering over her, his nose close to hers.

“Dude!” she squealed as she slapped his jaw away. Then she sat up, holding her hat.

Julian chuckled like a six-year-old.

“What’s so funny?” she asked, dusting the sand off her arms.

“When you freak out, it’s hilarious.”

She glared at him. “You’re kind of annoying. You know that, right?”

He smirked and then nodded. “I do. It’s what I’m known for,” he explained, placing his hands on his hips.

“That’s not a good thing.”

“It’s what got you to talk to me, didn’t it?”

Damn. He’s right.

She rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”

Julian took his hands off his hips, dug them into the sand, and leant in close, his face a whisper away from hers. Then he squinted at her, as if to decipher her thoughts.

“What?” she asked, pulling back.

He had pursed his lips before he sat back on his rear. “You’re different.”

Pressing her lips together in a fine line, Stevie picked her bag up. “Gee, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

Julian nodded along. “That’s what friends do.”

How can I be ‘friends’ with an idiot?

“Julian!” someone yelled.

Stevie craned her neck to see a group of men near the shore. With their wet bodies and hair, it was clear that they had just come from the water. They waved Julian over, and Stevie heard him release a frustrated exhale next to her.

“I gotta run, Blondie,” Julian said, standing up.

She tilted her head up to meet his eyes. His really nice eyes. “I guess it was good meeting you.”

Julian slowly grinned, and her heartbeat didn’t miss the gesture. It was the perfect fluidity of movement. Like calm beach water. The way his soft, blue eyes lightened had her swallowing hard. Really attractive was starting to worry her. Really attractive was really out of her league.

Friends.

He said that.

He wants that.

We can be that.

“It was really good to meet you, too, Stephanie,” he said so genuinely that her stomach filled with butterflies. To the point where it could be hailed as a sanctuary rather than a display. So many butterflies.

Butterflies that made her sick.

Butterflies caused by him.

Butterflies brought to life because of a stranger.

Stevie smiled, trying to forget her silly thoughts. She pulled her iPod out of her bag, wanting to listen to music more than she wanted to return to her hotel room.

“Listen,” Julian said, gaining her attention.

She stopped untangling the headphones from around the iPod and raised a brow at him. “Yeah?”

“You know of the moonlight parties they have on this beach at night?” he asked, scratching his right arm as if he were nervous.

Staring at the way his nails were digging into his skin, she couldn’t help but smile at the thought that maybe she made him nervous. She hadn’t made anyone feel that way before. And with that, she filed that away as a victory for her self-confidence.

I’ll take what I can get.

I don’t think Julian has really looked at the women on this beach.

I’m, like, a negative ten in comparison.

I could have sworn a Victoria’s Secret model was around.

I should tell him that… Friends share that kind of info, right?

Hey, Stevie?

Yeah?

Shut up.

She cleared her throat, trying to act casual. Because, well, that was what they were. “Yeah, I’ve heard about them.”

His smile now showed his perfectly white and straight teeth. “So, I’ll see you here tonight?”

Her body flinched. “What?”

Julian placed a hand on top of her head and moved her head to make nods. “Oh, so, that’s a yes. I’m so glad. I’ll see you tonight, Blondie. Wear something nice, ’kay?” Once he removed his hand from her head, he raised his hand to signal to his friends.

“Uhh, oh-kay?” Stevie replied, confused about what he meant.

Then he winked. Cool, calm, and carefree. A wink that sent shivers down her spine. A wink she scowled at.

“I’ll see you tonight, Stephanie!” he said with a hint of excitement in his voice before he left her alone on the beach.

Stevie turned her head and watched him as he picked his towel and bag up and walked down the beach with his friends. Just as she was about to look away, Julian spun and his eyes met hers. He seemed almost relieved to have caught her staring. And when he smiled almost gratefully, her heart clenched and caused a tiny fault in her breathing.

“Oh, no,” she breathed.

Because she knew why her heart had decided to play the victim rather than a champion. It was him. Plain and simple. Her body had ignited at the thought and nearness of him.

Attraction, you are an absolute asshole, you asshole.
About The Author
Len
Len Webster is a romance-loving Melburnian with dreams of finding her version of 'The One.' But until that moment happens, she writes. Having just completed her BBusCom from Monash University, Len is now busy writing her next romance about how a boy met a girl, and how they fell completely and hopelessly in love.




Giveaway
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Release Day Blitz: 1001 Dark Nights: Dream of You by Jennifer Armentrout

at 6/23/2015 12:00:00 AM 0 comments
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We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's DREAM OF YOU!! DREAM OF YOU is a Contemporary Romance novella in Jennifer’s Wait For You Series! This is a 1001 Dark Nights novella so it is exclusively available as Amazon Kindle and Paperback. Grab your copy of this sexy novella today!!

Dream of You - cover

Amazon US Kindle ** Amazon Paperback ** Amazon UK Kindle

Abby Erickson isn't looking for a one-night stand, a relationship, or anything that involves any one-on-one time, but when she witnesses a shocking crime, she's thrust into the hands of the sexiest man she's ever seen - Colton Anders. His job is to protect her, but with every look, every touch, and every simmering kiss, she's in danger of not only losing her life but her heart also.

EXCERPT

Detective Hart asked a few more questions. Did I notice if they had gotten in a car? No. Was a name even spoken? Not that I recalled. Did they say anything to the man they shot? I wasn’t sure. Eventually, he got up and left the room to retrieve some photos they wanted me to look at.

I was alone with Colton.

Any other time I probably would’ve been beside myself with nervousness, but at this point, I barely registered his presence. All I wanted to do was go home and forget this night.

“Abby?”

My gaze slowly lifted at the sound of my name. His voice was deep and gruff—a morning voice.

He leaned toward me, placing his arms on the table. Short dark hairs dusted powerful forearms. The few times I’d seen him over the years, I hadn’t been in close proximity to him, but now I could see the tiny differences between the Colton I’d admired from afar in high school and the one sitting in front of me, some ten years later. Fine lines had formed around the corners of his eyes. His jaw seemed harder, and the five-o’clock shadow was something new.

Something sexy.

I really needed to stop thinking in general.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Abby?” he asked, and real concern filled his voice.

I shook my head slowly as a shiver raced down my spine. “Yes. No? I’m sorry. I’m so tired.”

“I can imagine.” He glanced at the door as he moved his shoulders, as if working out a kink. “We’ll get you home soon.”

Slouching in the metal chair, I sighed. “Is this…the start of your shift or…?”

Colton’s cobalt gaze tracked back to me. “I usually get off around eight, but we work in cycles for homicide calls. It was our weekend.”

“Sorry,” I whispered, and then frowned. “I don’t even know why I apologized. It’s got to be hard working those kinds of hours, having to be on call.”

“I imagine it is for some, especially those with a family.” One side of his lips quirked up, and despite the dire situation, my stomach dipped a bit. He lifted his left hand. “Obviously, I’m not married. I wouldn’t know.”

Dream of You - Teaser

About Jennifer L. Armentrout

Author Photo
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novella Goodreads ** Author Goodreads


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June 22, 2015

Release Day Blitz: The Quest For Perkins Vale by L.B. Dunbar

at 6/22/2015 12:00:00 AM 0 comments
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Title: The Quest For Perkins Vale (Legendary Rockstars #3)
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 22, 2015

tqfpv cover

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I’m not sure I know what to think of the girl I’ve searched for since I was thirteen; she isn’t exactly how I remembered her.

I’m twenty-five, a guy and a virgin. Yep, you read that right; I’m still a virgin. Why you ask? Because I met the woman of my dreams when she was still a girl and I’ve been searching for her ever since we met. I’ve saved myself for her, as I believe she saved herself for me. Why again? Because I will love her, like she will love me, when we finally meet, again. I’d like to think it was that simple, but I don’t really know if she will love me. I only hope she will. If she doesn’t, she won’t be the right girl for me, because like I said, I’ve been saving myself for the woman of my dreams. I just don’t know where she is…but I won’t stop searching until I find her. That is my mission. My quest.
Excerpt

The Quest of Perkins Vale © L.B. Dunbar

Perk walked to his bed and sat with a plop on the edge. It was going to be smaller than the king size bed in his home in the city, but if I thought about it, we slept close to each other every night when we were together. The smaller mattress would make no difference.

“It seems that everywhere I turn, someone knew you. Someone knew where you were. I’ve been searching for you for twelve years, and I was the only one who didn’t know where you were, while everyone else did.”

“Twelve years?” I asked, as I came to sit next to him.

He rubbed a hand down his face and told me about a rainy night long ago in a decrypted home. He claimed he saw me, with Elaine and Elliott, at the side of my sick uncle’s bed. It seemed a mystery to me that the same man who found me in the tent, had been the boy I scolded outside my uncle’s manor house. It seemed a bit like destiny that he kept finding me, although I didn’t remember him as clearly. He was a boy at a confusing time. He was a teenager at a time of dismay. Now, he was a man.

When his tale was complete, he looked a bit exhausted as if the weight of years got heavier instead of lifting off his shoulders. I was barely dressed as I left the bathroom in one of his large t-shirts. He undressed down to his boxers, which had become his custom and he covered us in his teenage bed.

I had to giggle as I snuggled up to face him.

“How many girls did you have in this thing?” I laughed, a bit bitterly with hope that the number wasn’t large.

“None,” he said immediately.

“Come on. No high school crush? Summer love? Stolen night or afternoon while your mother was away?”

“No one ever. In this bed.”

His words stunned me. Visions of Perk in hallways with women pinned to the wall and barrooms with girls on his lap filled my mind.

“Other beds, huh?” I questioned in disbelief. I’d seen his room the first night I stayed. It was obvious someone had slept there with him.

“No girl. No bed. Ever,” he repeated, staring up at the ceiling. He had one hand braced behind his head and the other lay between us, which wasn’t our customary position. I lay on my side, watching his body grow rigid with each part of my inquisition.

“I saw your room that first night. You’d had a girl there. Maybe not to sleep over, but someone had been there.” Bitterness was fully in my mouth at this point, as I envisioned someone else sleeping with him in the same manner we slept.

“No one in my bed. Before you,” he said, blowing out air. I could see his chest rising and falling exaggeratedly. If I didn’t know better, I thought he might be trying to calm himself as if he were about to explode at me.

“Perk, honest, it’s okay. I get it. You’re a rock star. Women have thrown themselves at you. It happens, right?” I wasn’t as convinced as I tried to sound, as if this was okay with me.

“Hollister, drop it. Please. There’s been no one else.”

“It’s fine, don’t tell me. I’m sure you’ve lost count,” I said snippily. Suddenly he turned to face me and the old mattress jiggled under his weight.

“I’m only going to say this once; one more time. There’s never been another woman in my bed. There’s never been any woman in any other bed with me. There hasn’t been any one else.”

From the glow of the moonlight outside his unshaded window, I saw his chocolaty eyes sparkle. His face was firm as he emphasized each word.

“Perkins, it’s okay…”

“Hollister, drop it,” he interrupted.

“I don’t need to know. I’m just…”

“I’m a virgin,” he blurted. The words hung in the darkened room.

About The Author
LB

L.B. Dunbar loves to read to the point it might be classified as an addiction. The past few years especially she has relished the many fabulous YA authors, the new genre of New Adult, traditional romances, and historical romances. A romantic at heart, she’s been accused of having an overactive imagination, as if that was a bad thing. Author of the Sensations Collection, Sound Advice, Taste Test, Fragrance Free, Touch Screen, and the upcoming Sight Words, she is also author of the Legendary Rock Star series, beginning with The Legend of Arturo King. She grew up in Michigan, but has lived in Chicago for longer, calling it home with her husband and four children.


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