Used by Kate Dunbar Exclusive Excerpt
USED, a thrilling new standalone romantic suspense novel from debut author, Kate Dunbar, releases on March 8th, and I have an exclusive excerpt! Pre-order your copy today!
Heartbreakingly beautiful and completely engrossing, a young woman’s life takes a disturbing and utterly fascinating turn as the past she’s put behind comes back to haunt her. USED is packed full of twists, turns, and a gripping romance sure to leave readers emotionally spent and asking for more.
At the age of seventeen, after a decade of lies, hurt, and severe abuse by her brother Lucas, Sabra Valentine is able to breathe.
Lucas is behind bars thanks in large part to Sabra’s quick thinking and self-preservation-even if that’s one more secret she has to keep.
Now, seven years later, life is moving forward, and Sabra is starting to heal, live, and love again with her friends and Trevor Collins by her side. He’s tall, dark, and sexy, and he doesn’t fall for Sabra’s games. The future is finally looking bright-until one phone call shatters everything.
Used is a romantic suspense with domestic thriller elements. Please be aware that there are
topics that may be triggers for some readers, and this work is meant for mature readers.
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
USED is being narrated by Stella Hunter
EXCERPT:
“Sabra, I think we need to talk.” Trevor tugs at my arm and unwinds my hands. He laces his fingers through mine and kisses my knuckles, dragging me toward the couch.
“Are you sure you want to do this right now, Trevor?” Panic rises in my chest, bubbling from my center. I like Trevor. A lot. I’m having fun with him. I don’t want this to end because he wants to get serious and take it to the next level. We’ve been friends for four years. I don’t want a life without him in it. And that should scare the shit out of me, but it doesn’t.
“Yes, now.” He sits on the sofa and wraps me in his arms. I squirm out of his lap and pull my knees to my chest already on the defensive. “Listen, I know you don’t want anything too serious.”
Wait. What?
“You what?” I can’t keep the look of shock off my face. He nods his head at me, running his fingers through his hair. “Okay, good. Although I feel a but coming on.”
Trevor smiles at me. “I know you don’t want anything serious right now.” He grabs my hand and shifts a little closer to me. “I’m fine with that. But I want to establish a few rules with you.”
I have no words. I don’t think anyone has ever spoken to me like this before. Or about this. And I have no idea where he is going with it.
“I’m not a rules girl, Trevor.” I stroke his cheek with the tips of my fingers and grin. “I’d think you’d know that about me by now.”
“Will you listen? And maybe keeping your hands to yourself would be good.” He places my hand back on my lap and scoots to the other end of the couch, putting a foot between us. “You look delicious in those jeans and, no doubt, even better out of them. Which I’m planning on in just a minute. But first—the rules.”
I suck in a breath and hold it, not letting it go until I feel the burn in my lungs. I don’t know what to think about this. Trevor has always been sexy, but I’ve never seen this take charge side of him until last night. I’m not sure how to respond because my breathing has become a little shallow. My gut is clenching. Butterflies have taken residence, battling it out in more than just my stomach. I feel desire moving through my body. Pooling between my legs. And I’m finding it hard to think of sentences as I watch his lips form words, so I nod and stare at his mouth. The same lips that blazed paths of fire over my body last night. Licked me in all the right places. Turned my insides out.
“So, that’s rule one. What do you think?”
I shake my head and snap out of my reverie. “What?” I inch my way toward him and place my hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry. I got distracted. Tell me again.” Trevor’s jaw tightens. His eyes shift toward my hand.
“You got distracted? I’m telling you the rules to our relationship, and you got distracted? How is that even possible?”
“I started thinking about last night and your lips on me. And that made me start thinking about your lips on me again. And that made me think about your hands on me. And that made me think about everything else on me.” Trevor stares at me with his mouth hanging open.
“I swear, you never cease to surprise me, Sabra.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward his chest. After a few moments, he uses his finger to gently lift my chin and brush his lips over mine. “Screw the rules. We’ll just wing it.”
WANT MORE? Download the first three chapters for free HERE!
About Kate Dunbar:
Kate Dunbar is a wife, mom of three, and obsessive tea drinker who loves a great story. She’s passionate about people and learning what makes them tick. You can find her eavesdropping, people watching, and living her best life wherever the winds take her.
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