Sometimes you want something so badly you are willing to abandon everything you've ever known--including yourself.
This is an excerpt for a follow up novel to the romantic-suspense bestseller, She Belongs to Me. Though there aren’t really any spoilers, you can bypass this sample and read more about the first book here.
Excerpt:
After dinner, Jordan collapsed
on the couch, turning on a political analyst he’d recorded. Jaynee sauntered over to the sofa, allowing him
to pull her down as he stretched the full length of one side of their
sectional. She tucked her head under his chin, hungry to feel the warmth and
comfort of his arms. “I don’t want to watch TV.”
He twirled her hair around his
fingers. “What would you like to do?”
“Well, I’d like to go to bed,
but we have to discuss Johanna.”
“Can’t we go to bed then talk afterward,”
he said in his seductive southern drawl.
She couldn’t resist the giggle
that escaped. “Somehow I don’t think that will work.” Jordan wasn’t good about
staying focused when his mind was on other things.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.
Let’s go.” Flicking off the TV, he sat her upright. He stood up then extended
his hand. As long as they’d been together, it still sent a flutter through her
when he offered his hand and led her upstairs. After kissing the kids goodnight
and listening to their prayers, they readied for bed at their individual sinks.
Jordan caught Jaynee as she
rounded the corner, folding her into his arms. He kissed her on the lips, then leaned
back to look at her face. “Before we talk about Johanna, tell me what’s going
on with you.”
“What do you mean?”
He huffed lightly, shaking his
head. “You’re sad, I can feel it. I just want to know why.”
“I’m not sad.” How did he do that?
“Well, maybe you’re not sad,
but you’re not happy.”
Shrugging out from under his
arms, she crawled up on the bed and scooted to the headboard. Anytime they had
large discussions, this was their MO. Jordan’s eyes were guarded as he slid in beside
her. He held his back ramrod straight, ready for impact.
Everything else took a back burner
at his distressed expression. “Jordan, what’s wrong?”
Clinching his jaw, he ran his
hand through his hair. “I haven’t seen you like this. Just talk to me, okay?”
Jaynee inhaled a deep breath,
not sure how to begin. He was apparently thinking something awful, as if she
wanted to leave him. It made her want to make him admit it, but she decided not
to upset him more. How should she start? Not with the, you-know-I-love-you speech,
that wouldn’t go over well. He would read too much into it. She had to
structure her words perfectly.
“Jaynee,” he implored. “I was
a detective, remember?”
How could she forget? He’d
been shot at, at least three times that she knew of. Thank goodness he’d
finally quit. But, once a cop, always a cop.
“Jordan, I swear nothing is
wrong.” She bit her bottom lip, not certain how much she should reveal. “I
guess you’re right, though; I am melancholy. I wake up feeling dismal and empty.” The last word came out in a
whisper; she hadn’t wanted to admit it to herself either. “But not when I’m
with you. Only when I’m alone.”
“But you were like that this
morning?”
She gulped and gazed down at
her lap. “Yes.”
He nudged her chin up. “And I
was here.”
“It’s not you; I love you. I
swear it’s not you.”
He nodded, but she could see
he wouldn’t accept it. Jaynee scooted up on her knees in front of him. The last
thing she needed was for him to doubt their relationship. Taking his head
between her hands, she stared into his eyes. His gaze dropped, unwilling to maintain
eye contact. He was so tough, and yet he could be so breakable. She would never
let happen what had happened almost thirteen years ago. His lack of confidence had
almost destroyed them. He’d actually told her to leave if that was what she’d
wanted. It wasn’t what she wanted, not then, not ever.
For more information or to
download, follow links:
Until
next time, happy reading!
Carmen
DeSousa
I
love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the
links below.
Comments
Post a Comment