The things that we love tell us what we are.
~ Thomas Aquinas ~
Spotlight
At only 23 years old, Ellora’s life is turned upside down. She captures the unwanted attention of a dangerously ruthless man who’ll stop at nothing until he possesses her. Haunted by nightmares of the brutal attack she barely survived, Ellora flees the country desperate to hide. But the longer she runs the deeper his obsession grows. Behr is a hard working bachelor who’s life is stuck on repeat. That is until a beautiful stranger stumbles into the local pub and into his heart. Even though he is immediately drawn to her raven black hair and deep green eyes, he knows she’s hiding a secret. One he’s determined to uncover. Can Ellora stay safe in this small harbor town? Or has the twisted game of cat and mouse just begun? |
Excerpt
Ellora raced down the hallway as fast as her legs could carry her. Dread gripped her when she heard his heavy footsteps pounding on the hardwood floors behind her. His powerful presence echoed around the eerily empty house. It didn’t matter how fast she ran; he was always right on her heels.
Her body quaked violently when she made it to the stairs. If she couldn’t make it out of there, she’d never survive. Reaching out, Ellora gripped the railing with both hands and used the leverage to fly down the steps. He thundered down after her. The smell of his rancid panting breath snaked its way over her shoulder. The stench stung her nose. Ellora risked looking back, finding his large black eyes, vicious with a murderous rage zeroing in on his prey. He was close enough to grab her.
Her heart hammered inside her chest painfully as it worked hard to push her broken body to its limits. Her ears throbbed as he screamed out her name.
Oh my God, this is it. He reached out… And…
Ellora shot upright in her bed, crying out. Her weary body trembled violently as the all too real images continued to torment her. She swiped at her tear-stained cheeks with week hands.
Unspeakable memories played out in her mind, gripping the sheets tighter, Ellora curled up into a ball and sobbed. After what felt like an hour, the emotionally wrecked girl stumbled out of bed on shaky legs.
“I might as well stay up,” she mumbled to herself.
There was no point in trying to go back to sleep with her heart still pounding the way it was. She sauntered over to her large opened window, glancing out at the breathtaking view along the harbor. Ellora watched as the sun came up casting pink hues through her pale yellow curtains.
The rising sun, a bright burnt orange, looked as though it was climbing right out of the sea. The frothy waves gently rolled to shore, still cold looking from the long winter months. The peaceful rhythmic motions calmed her erratic heart.
Ellora tore her eyes away from the dark blue waters, seeing movement out of the corner of her eye, glancing down at the large man walking out of the pub one floor below. It was Behr.
He stopped mid-stride on the sidewalk, deep in thought. After a few moments, he turned and looked up at her window. He seemed shocked at first, seeing her looking down on him. Behr’s eyes warmed over as he took her in.
Lifting his hand in greeting, the large man winked flirtatiously. Ellora felt brave enough to openly stare at him from the safety of the second story window. Whether she wanted to admit it to herself or not, Behr was a magnificent man to look at.
What was she going to do with this intriguing man who’d barged into her life? She couldn’t wait to find out.