“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”
~ William Styron ~
Spotlight
Romance novel enthusiast Allie Jordan has a closet secretly stacked full of steamy bodice-rippers and a past relationship gone wrong. Her vicious ex, Travis, demeaned her love of her favorite books, leaving Allie to seriously doubt the existence of happily ever afters beyond their fictional pages. One unfortunate night, Allie falls victim to his rage. Years later, with Travis behind bars, the scars he’s left behind still haunt her. Only through her anonymous—but quite popular—blog does Allie share her excitement of sexy heroes and stubborn heroines. When Doctor Nick Bryant arrives in Willow Creek looking like he might’ve jumped right from the pages of one of Allie’s lusty books, she can’t seem to stay away. And with Nick’s past, she probably should. With Nick harboring secrets of his own and Travis nearing parole eligibility, will Allie take a chance on her own happily ever after, or will her past prove that not all scars heal? |
Excerpt
“Thirsty?” She held up a full water bottle. In the mix of things this morning, he hadn’t remembered to bring anything to drink.
“Thanks.” He plopped down in the grass next to Norman, giving her space to hide her book. He was almost going to let it pass today, but he couldn’t help himself. “Still reading that fascinating mystery?” At her blush, he laughed. “Relax, Allie. I knew that’s not what it was the last time.”
She looked up from her paperback, guilt written across her face. “You did?”
“I’ve never read a mystery that had a shirtless man on the cover.”
Nick watched her cheeks turn beet-red. He thought she’d be smiling, but it appeared she might cry. Seemed a little odd that she’d feel that embarrassed over a romance novel. “I’m just giving you a hard time, you know.”
She shoved her paperback in her tote bag.
“Hey,” said Nick, lifting himself off the grass and scooting next to her on the blanket. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” He bumped her shoulder with his. Good thing he was drenched in sweat, or he might be tempted to touch her, to reassure her. Might pull her into his arms. Start kissing her neck…
Allie managed a weak smile.
“I think it’s great that you read, Al. I know a lot of people who couldn’t be forced to pick up a book.” Like Dana, for example. “Is it some sort of secret?”
“Kind of.”
Interesting. He wasn’t ready to let this go. “Why?”
“It’s a long story.” Norman let out a yawn, then flipped upright to stretch.
“I’m in no hurry.”
“Some other time, Nick.”
When he met her pleading eyes, he wavered. I’m helpless. Those damn begging eyes.
Norman spotted his Frisbee and snatched it up. A second later, he dropped it in Nick’s lap. “Okay.” He hopped to his feet and launched it across the field. He tried to watch Norman, to keep his eyes off Allie on the blanket, burying her paperback at the very bottom of her bag like she worried it might fall out.
The dog raced back, dropping the Frisbee at Nick’s feet again. After the red disc went soaring through the air, the wind carrying it to the opposite goal post, he decided to end the awkward silence. “I’ve finished priming the barn. Now I get to buy actual paint.”
“What color?”
Nick shrugged. “Haven’t quite made up my mind. I know red is typical. But it’s not just a barn. Doc Herb had a woodworking shop in there.”
Allie nodded. Obviously, that wasn’t a secret.
“But what other color do you paint a barn?” he asked and reached out his hand, pulling her to her feet. He forced himself not to focus on how soft and delicate her fingers felt against his. Irrational tingles skittered up his arm.
“Red’s still a safe bet, since you’re in Cornhusker territory.”
“True. But I’m thinking I want something a little more neutral. I hardly noticed that barn at all and I like that. I like that it’s tucked between those trees.” Norman trotted back, eyeing both Nick and Allie as if debating who should get the Frisbee next. He dropped it right between them.
Shedding the unnecessary sunglasses and tossing them onto her blanket, Nick looked from Allie to the Frisbee, an eyebrow raising, a playful challenge in his eyes.
She dove for the Frisbee, clasping it first. She fought Norman and won, but Nick was right behind, arms wrapped around her on the ground, gripping the Frisbee so hard he thought he might crack it. Norman barked a couple of times during the excitement as Nick and Allie rolled on the ground, but her grip on the Frisbee was firm.
For Nick, it didn’t help that his body distracted him, wrapped around hers as it was; or his brain, imagining gripping her instead.
Almost out of breath, he rolled to a sitting position, pulling Allie up in front of him. It took him a moment to remember that she wasn’t his wife or even his girlfriend. He let go of the Frisbee and dropped his arms behind him, leaning back.
She looked at him over her shoulder. “You gave up a little sooner than I expected.”
What he wouldn’t give to kiss her right now.
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