5 Smooches!
Nov 09
Tru Blue by Melissa Foster Review
He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover…
Nov 09
Charmed by Joanne Schwehm Release Blitz
Happy #NationalGretchenDay! Don’t forget to put on your tiara today. Share your inner princess with the world!
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00030]](https://thenextsteppr.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/charmed_frontcover.jpg)
My world changed at the stroke of midnight. No, I’m not Cinderella—she can suck it.
When fate stepped in and waved its magic wand, my destiny, or what I thought was my destiny had been altered. With a new found energy, I decided things needed to change.
This is my time. My turn to take life by the balls. No one will hold me back, yet one man will give me hope. This is my fairy tale, and I’ll write my own ending.
I’m Gretchen Prescott, and this is my story.
~~~~
From the first day I met her, I knew she was special. She was taken; we were friends. When the dumbass didn’t realize what he had, he lost her. I suppose one man’s loss could be this man’s gain.
All I wanted was to hold her, be with her and make her mine. She deserves the best things in life, and I plan on giving them to her.
I’m Mason McDermott, and this is our story.
*Intended for readers 18+
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKbEfUrapzY]
***
Family and friends are the most important things to Joanne. She enjoys meeting new people, traveling, reading, relaxing on a beach and shopping. She has an addiction to Coffee and Diet Coke; you may want to stand clear if she hasn’t had her daily intake!
Writing has been something that has been private and not shared until the day she decided to publish Unexpected Chance. Waking up one morning to the voices of Alex Logan and Aubrey Ryan changed everything!!
She is an avid sports fan especially when it comes to the New York Yankees & Dallas Cowboys. She also enjoys playing and watching golf.
She firmly believes when that unexpected chance comes, take it. Don’t let it pass you by. You never know what you could be missing.
***
***
Nov 08
Holding Out For A Hero by Codi Gary Review
4 Smooches
Synopsis
He wasn’t looking for love…
Two years after the death of his wife, Sergeant Blake Kline is still hurting. He isn’t ready to date, but whenever he stops by his local diner and sees the friendly smile of his favorite waitress, he feels a spark of true happiness again. And when her life is unexpectedly threatened, Blake discovers his feelings for her might not be as platonic as he thought.
She was holding out for the hero of her dreams…
Bookworm Hannah York has always been a hopeless romantic—preferring book boyfriends to blind dates—and she’s been day-dreaming about Blake since the moment he came into her diner. She’s convinced they’ll never be more than friends… until Blake kisses her and “weak in the knees” becomes more than just a line from her favorite romance novel. The closer Blake and Hannah get, however, the harder he fights to keep her at a distance.
But forever has a way of sneaking up on you…
When their blossoming relationship takes a complicated turn, Blake will have to face his past… or risk losing Hannah forever.
Review
Holding Out For A Hero by Codi Gary is the newest full length stand alone in the Men In Uniform series. This is a series that I have fallen for and it is no wonder. When you mix strong sassy heroines, hunky alpha males and an abundance of dogs how do you not fall in love.
Holding Out For A Hero revolves around widower Blake and innocent bookworm Hannah. Blake is not the easiest man to love, he makes Hannah work for it constantly but she is relentless and never gives up on him and the possibility of a them. I adored Hannah. She wore her heart on her sleeve and never allowed anyone to make her feel like she was unworthy. She even manages to make perpetual grumpy Blake smile, laugh and let go. But Blake comes with the worst form of baggage and it may be more than even she can handle.
‘This attraction to Hannah seemed like a betrayal to Jenny, and he hated it.’
A sweet romance with touches of humor, sexiness and tension Holding Out For A Hero is a, easy read that is easy to get lost in. While third person is not my personal favorite but Codi’s writing makes it easy to read and fall into the story. You will love watching Blake and Hannah fall in love and learn to cope with the past.
~miranda
Nov 08
Bedwrecker by Kim Karr Blog Tour
Bedwrecker by Kim Karr
Release Date: November 3, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Shanoff Formats
Cover Model: Robson Costa
Synopsis:
Every girl has had a broken heart.
Every girl knows love hurts.
Every girl has a story.
This is mine…
My name is Maggie May and I met him under a haze of purple lights. As cliché as it sounds he was tall, dark, and handsome as hell, and I had fireworks in my eyes…literally.
It was New Year’s Eve and beneath the magic of all that glitters and shines, I fell for him and his wicked ways. The way he moved, the way he touched me, the way he brought me to orgasm over and over.
You should know that I don’t believe in love. Fairytales and happily-ever-afters are never anything I’ve dreamed of…until him.
Something changed the moment our eyes met. It wasn’t insta-lust or insta-love, it was simply him and me, and the dance floor at our feet.
The problem is our story ended three days after it started.
But now he’s back.
And he says he’s sorry.
Can I believe him?
Do I want to believe him?
He calls me his bedwrecker…but what if he wrecks me?
Check out our 4 smooches review HERE.
Add to Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/z2pzrp8
Links:
★Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fjxF3A
★Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2f2GWOv
★Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2fxb5d1
★ iBooks: http://apple.co/2duH5eh
★ Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2dGYAt8
★ Kobo: http://bit.ly/2dOjMuj
About the Author:
Reader * Writer * Coffeelover * Romantic
Kim is a daydreamer. So much so that if daydreaming could be a hobby it would be her favorite. It’s how her stories are born and how they take root. An imagination that runs wild is something to be thankful for, and she is very thankful. 🙂
She grew up in New York and now lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and with the rest of her time embraces one of her biggest passions–writing.
Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read.
She likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.
Connect with the Author:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/1ZV7YbJ
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimKarr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkimkarr
Website: https://www.authorkimkarr.com
Nov 08
Bedwrecker by Kim Karr Review
4 Smooches
Synopsis
Every girl has had a broken heart.
Every girl knows love hurts.
Every girl has a story.
This is mine…
My name is Maggie May and I met him under a haze of purple lights. As cliché as it sounds he was tall, dark, and handsome as hell, and I had fireworks in my eyes…literally.
It was New Year’s Eve and beneath the magic of all that glitters and shines, I fell for him and his wicked ways. The way he moved, the way he touched me, the way he brought me to orgasm over and over.
You should know that I don’t believe in love. Fairytales and happily-ever-afters are never anything I’ve dreamed of…until him.
Something changed the moment our eyes met. It wasn’t insta-lust or insta-love, it was simply him and me, and the dance floor at our feet.
The problem is our story ended three days after it started.
But now he’s back.
And he says he’s sorry.
Can I believe him?
Do I want to believe him?
He calls me his bedwrecker…but what if he wrecks me?
Review
Sassy, strong, confident and vibrant Maggie is all about control, especially when it comes to men. She is not shy and will go after a man if she likes him. And on New Years she sets her sights on Keen. An explosive encounter with these two soon turns into a disaster when Keen’s life suddenly changes and he shuts down. When Keen and Maggie meet again will Keen be able to work hard enough to show to Maggie he is worth a second chance? Or will Maggie ignore the explosive chemistry between them and be the one to walk away?
“All or nothing. It’s all or nothing.”
I have read a few books from Kim Karr and she is one of my favourite authors for these fun, flirty, funny romances with two exciting characters who have fiery chemistry and are able to bounce off each other so well. Bed Wrecker was no different and I was hooked pretty much from the get go!
“For the first time ever, I’m not certain about what to do. My entire life has been about action. Make a decision, execute the plan, and don’t stop until it’s complete. Everything has been so cut and dry. Even with women. And now I’m stumbling on my words, uncertain of what to say.”
Maggie has to be one of my favourite heroines who I liked from the first page! She is so sassy and strong and confident in all aspects including when it comes to men and knowing what she wants! She was so refreshing and fun to read about.
“By the blood dripping down my back, I wouldn’t say angel, and devil is pushing it. I’m going with bedwrecker, just like the song says.”
Keen was also a really easy character to fall in love with. When we first meet him he has his cocky and confident persona on show which gave off such a sexy vibe but as the story goes on will also get in touch with his more sensitive, emotional and vulnerable side which makes him relatable.
“I love when you talk like you’re the one in control,” he laughs, and I know he’s back. Keen Masters, the man in control, is back.”
These two not only had explosive chemistry, their whole relationship is explosive. We go through so many ups and downs, happy and sad, funny and thoughtful, moments with these two. Kim always creates such laughter with her characters but these two were also really put through the ringer. The explosive meeting, the sad separation, the surprising reconnection and all the surprises and drama that comes after means we are really kept questioning whether Keen and Maggie will be able to move past their issues and see that the two of them together is meant to happen.
~Bethany
Nov 07
Tru Blue by Melissa Foster Pre-Release Blitz with Excerpt
Title: Tru Blue
Series: A dark, sexy standalone romance…
Author: Melissa Foster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 9, 2016
Imagine falling in love with a man, then finding out he was a killer…
TRU BLUE is a sexy, dark stand-alone novel written in the same loving, raw, and emotional voice romance readers have come to love, and the deeply emotional literary prose women’s fiction readers have come to expect, from New York Times & USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Melissa Foster.
He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover…
There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family–Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.
“Several emotional topics — such as drug addiction, abandonment, infertility and unexpectedly becoming a parent — are easily woven together without making the story feel crowded or overdone. Foster writes exceptional characters that keep readers thinking long after the book is finished… The dynamic members of the Whiskey family are the foundation that holds the group together and they are exactly the reason we’re taught not to judge. Let’s hope we hear more from all of them!”
~RT Book Reviews
“Sexy and Heartbreaking….I simply adored this beautifully written romance.”
~Tasty Book PR
“Ms. Foster, went for the gut with Truman and Gemma. Tru Blue is more than a romance, it is a story of love, a story of hope and a story of courage. 10 + stars.”
~Night Owl Reviews
“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!”
~New York Times Bestseller Julie Kenner
“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!”
~New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely
“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!”
~NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak
© Melissa Foster 2016
TRUMAN GRITT LOCKED the door to Whiskey Automotive and stepped into the stormy September night. Sheets of rain blurred his vision, instantly drenching his jeans and T-shirt. A slow smile crept across his face as he tipped his chin up, soaking in the shower of freedom. He made his way around the dark building and climbed the wooden stairs to the deck outside his apartment. He could have used the interior door, but after being behind bars for six long years, Truman took advantage of the small pleasures he’d missed out on, like determining his own schedule, deciding when to eat and drink, and standing in the f**king rain if he wanted to. He leaned on the rough wooden railing, ignoring the splinters of wood piercing his tattooed forearms, squinted against the wetness, and scanned the cars in the junkyard they used for parts—and he used to rid himself of frustrations. He rested his leather boot on the metal box where he kept his painting supplies. Truman didn’t have much—his old extended-cab truck, which his friend Bear Whiskey had held on to for him while he was in prison, this apartment, and a solid job, both of which were compliments of the Whiskey family. The only family he had anymore.
Emotions he didn’t want to deal with burned in his gut, causing his chest to constrict. He turned to go inside, hoping to outrun thoughts of his own f**ked-up family, whom he’d tried—and failed—to save. His cell phone rang with his brother’s ringtone, “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars.
“F**k,” he muttered, debating letting the call go to voicemail, but six months of silence from his brother was a long time. Rain pelleted his back as he pressed his palm to the door to steady himself. The ringing stopped, and he blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d trapped inside. The phone rang again, and he froze.
He’d just freed himself from the dredges of hell that he’d been thrown into in an effort to save his brother. He didn’t need to get wrapped up in whatever mess the drug-addicted fool had gotten himself into. The call went to voicemail, and Truman eyed the metal box containing his painting supplies. Breathing like he’d been in a fight, he wished he could paint the frustration out of his head. When the phone rang for the third time in as many minutes, the third time since he was released from prison six months ago, he reluctantly answered.
“Quincy.” He hated the way his brother’s name came out sounding like the enemy. Quincy had been just a kid when Truman went to prison. Heavy breathing filled the airwaves. The hairs on Truman’s forearms and neck stood on end. He knew fear when he heard it. He could practically taste it as he ground his teeth together.
“I need you,” his brother’s tortured voice implored.
Need me? Truman had hunted down his brother after he was released from prison, and when he’d finally found him, Quincy was so high on crack he was nearly incoherent—but it didn’t take much for f**k off to come through loud and clear. What Quincy needed was rehab, but Truman knew from his tone that wasn’t the point of the call.
Before he could respond, his brother croaked out, “It’s Mom. She’s really bad.”
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook or her personal website.
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Nov 07
Dirty Mother by Lani Lynn Vale Review
5 Smooches
Synopsis
The thing about hitting rock bottom…
Ridley doesn’t think he has anything left to lose, not after the life he’s lived. Then he meets her, Freya Capone, the nurse who saves his life when the last thing he wants is to be saved.
One look at her, and he’s transfixed.
He doesn’t know what drives him to run by her house that night. Intuition. Sixth sense. Whatever it is, his gut screams at him to go, so he goes.
And thank God he does.
There isn’t any farther you can fall…
Freya hits bottom after her brother’s death. Her rock. Her best friend. Her everything. Gone.
She always knew it was a possibility that he might get hurt while on shift, but she never entertains the thought of him dying. Not until it’s too late.
She literally has nothing else to lose. Until she meets him. Ridley Walker. A biker with The Uncertain Saints MC and a local sheriff’s deputy.
The man responsible for taking away her best friend.
But at least you have a solid foundation to build upon…
The last thing Freya wants is to fall in love with the man responsible for her brother’s death. She doesn’t want to care that he is nearly killed. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with him.
But she can’t stay away.
And neither can he.
Review
This is the fifth book in Lani Lynn Vale’s Uncertain Saints MC series. This series has been edgy and exciting, and Vale has given her readers something different and unexpected with each book. She’s tackled some difficult subjects and issues in the plots of these books, which has been a bit of a departure from her earlier works. For me, seeing an author stretch her wings and grow is exciting, and I think Lani has done a fantastic job with this series. I’ve come to love all of these somewhat broken, rough-around-their-edges bikers. They all may be a bit darker than Vale’s usual heroes, and they definitely skirt the line between right and wrong. But at their cores, these men are all still good guys and that’s what I expect from a Lani Lynn Vale hero.
From the beginning of the series, though, one of the characters who has intrigued me the most was Ridley. I’ve been looking forward to getting his story for a while. Ridley and Freya were two wounded and lonely souls, both of them so deeply immersed in their own grief. Ridley was consumed by guilt where his deceased wife was concerned, making it impossible for him to move on. Until he met Freya. His draw to her was so strong and powerful. Freya felt that pull to him, too, but she also had a lot to reconcile where it came to a relationship with Ridley. The load each of them was carrying became a little lighter, a bit easier to bear when the other was there sharing it. Would they both be able to set aside the guilt, the questions, their grief and grasp onto this chance for happiness and love?
This story was a pretty emotional one, but even still, Vale managed to weave her wonderfully unique sense of humor into this story. A bit heart-breaking at times yet still hopeful, this was a great story about moving forward after loss. Lani did a great job pulling emotion from her readers with this one. Sexy, funny, hopeful and emotional, Lani Lynn Vale’s Dirty Mother gets 5 smooches from me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
Nov 07
See Through Heart by Amie Knight Release Blitz
Title: See Through Heart
Author: Amie Knight
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: November 7, 2016
Blurb
Ainsley came into my life in a flurry of vibrant colors, lighting my world up when all seemed lost.
It wasn’t our quiet nights by the creek or stolen kisses surrounded by a sea of cotton that saved me.
It was her.
She was my comfort when life threw one ugly tragedy after another at me.
Until she dealt me the greatest blow.
Now, abandonment, betrayal, and death darken every corner of my life. Anger and hurt burn bright where love and trust once lived.
But, now, she’s back. Sure, she’s changed, but I see through it—straight to her heart.
Purchase Links
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio
Amie Knight has been a reader for as long as she could remember and a romance lover since she could get her hands on her momma’s books. A dedicated wife and mother with a love of music and makeup, you will never see her leave the house without her eyebrows and eyelashes done just right. When she isn’t reading and writing you can catch her jamming out in the car with her two kids to 90’s R&B, Country and Showtunes. Amie draws inspiration from her childhood in Columbia, South Carolina and can’t imagine living anywhere other than the South.
Author Links
Nov 07
What Might Kill Us by M.N. Forgy Book Tour with Excerpt and Giveaway
Can a biker have a Happily Ever After?
What Might Kill Us by M.N. Forgy is NOW LIVE!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2elyL1U
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2dZ5Anq
iBooks: http://apple.co/2dNCvrW
Nook: http://bit.ly/2eXUyP2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2eeizhF
Blurb
Brotherhood is what Bull bleeds and all that he knows.
Being the king of The Devil’s Dust and surrounded by easy women was his everyday… until having his heart broke rooted him to the bottom of a whiskey bottle.
Heartbroken, and drowning in lost memories he’s unsure of the direction of his life, when the answer – consisting of a terrified Mexican girl- nearly knocks him off his feet.
Determined to get his act together and rectify his club, he rides to Texas for answers, only to be confronted with the emotional ghosts he isn’t ready to deal with.
He sees Anahi, and he wants her.
But she may come with more baggage than Bull is ready for.
Anahi used to be prim and proper. She used to wear dresses and keep up appearances to impress people she didn’t know. I guess you could say she was a fucking lady.
But that was when she lived in Mexico with her parents.
Before her uncle turned on her.
Before, the only man she ever loved, her step-brother, betrayed her.
Before she was forced to be a drug mule for the Cartel.
Evening gowns a lost memory, expensive heels traded for boots, and a nine millimeter in her hand instead of a limited edition purse. Anahi sets aside everything she’s ever known including the fairytale stories her mother told her about America.
She’s angry, determined, and looking for a way out.
EXCERPT
**Beware – x-rated**
“Bull?” my voice breathy.
“Yeah?”
“The last time I let someone close to me… it didn’t go well.”
He pecks a kiss on my erect nipple that was in his mouth seconds before.
“Anahi, Alvaro is a boy pretending to be a man, and I’m about to show you the difference between pretending and actually being,” he states matter of fact, his tone smug.
I smirk. “You’re so arrogant.”
He lifts his chin, his eyes finding mine. “Only one way to find out, darlin’,” he states wolfishly. “I’m going to fuck you to the point you’ll have to take your time sitting down afterwards, baby.”
With that, the head of his length presses into me. My back arches off the bed, an audible gasp leaving my lips. Bull pushes in another couple inches, filling me to the point I swear I can’t take anymore. The sensation of burning and bliss battling with one another I can’t help but fidget beneath him. I don’t know whether to cry or moan.
He slips in more, filling me to the brink and a cry rips up my throat. Bull presses his lips against mine, silencing my pain.
Fucking me like he hates me, but kissing me like he cares.
Haven’t read this series yet?
Now is your chance, grab books 1-4 for ONLY $0.99!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2eINe62
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2dZ5Anq
About the Author
M.N. Forgy was raised in Missouri where she still lives with her family. She’s a soccer mom by day and a saucy writer by night. M.N. Forgy started writing at a young age but never took it seriously until years later, as a stay-at-home mom, she opened her laptop and started writing again. As a role model for her children, she felt she couldn’t live with the “what if” anymore and finally took a chance on her character’s story. So, with her glass of wine in hand and a stray Barbie sharing her seat, she continues to create and please her fans.
Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
GIVEAWAY
Nov 04
House Rules by Rebecca Brooke Blog Tour with Excerpt
Title: House Rules
Series: Traded #2
Author: Rebecca Brooke
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 20
*Note: House Rules is a standalone novel in the Traded Series
I stuck my dick in a different woman every night.
They lined up, pawing at me. All of them wanting to be part of the bad boy prestige that was Miller Hawes.
Then they flipped the river…
And she was mine. Sexy, compelling and the first woman who didn’t fall at my feet. Why can’t I get her out of my head?
I need to focus on taking over the family business. Except all my attention is on one thing and one thing only.
Tess.
Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.
Un-fucking-believable.
Walking into the bar and seeing Tess’s ass on display for all to see sent me right to the edge. Then the shit in the booth had to go and grab it, bringing her closer to him. My blood burned, every limb stiffening, every muscle clenched to keep myself from slaughtering the asshole right there in the middle of the bar.
Her ass called to me, putting all the others in the room to shame. As much as I hated to admit it, Tess had the perfect body for the uniform. It would have been perfect, provided I was the only one to see it.
And therein lay my problem.
Why the fuck was I so obsessed? I’d never had a problem resisting women before. They were good for sex, nothing more.
Whatever caused it, I needed to get over it quickly. Too much was riding on me being in control of my life for me to get involved with someone. That didn’t mean I would leave her fate to Nathan Marcello. That bastard didn’t care who he hurt in the process of getting his money. Dad had been trying for years to convince people to stop going to him. Obviously, it hadn’t worked. And now Tess was in his sights.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and took a seat behind my desk. If anyone could find out about Ray’s debts, it was Ashton. He answered after a few rings.
“Miller.”
“I need a favor.”
“Shit,” Ashton groaned. “Please tell me you’re not in trouble.”
What the fuck?
“Why does everyone always think I’m in trouble?”
“Because every time you ask for a favor, that’s usually the problem.”
I sighed. “Someone’s in trouble, but it’s not me.”
“Stop beating around the damn bush and tell me already.” I could hear papers being shuffled in the background.
When I first opened the club and the bar I thought Ashton had it easy; that he just exaggerated how much hassle running the restaurant was. I always laughed when he whined about it. I mean, it wasn’t like he was cooking every night. Then I opened these two places and realized that the paperwork is never-ending. No matter how much I got done, there were still a million more piles.
“Remember the woman I brought to La Tratoria a few weeks ago?”
He laughed. “Yeah. I was actually hoping to see her with you again. It would get Elena and Mom off your back.”
“I just found out she took a job at Rock Bottom.”
He laughed, which made me suck in a deep breath. “How the fuck do you not know she’s working for you?”
“It’s not like I’ve spent a shit-ton of time here lately. Between the dealership and the club, I haven’t had time to get over here. That’s not why I called.”
“Why are you letting her work there?”
“She needs the job—”
“And you can’t get her one somewhere else? I’ve seen the sleazy as shit outfits the girls wear. You can’t for one moment tell me you want other men—”
“Ashton, would you shut the fuck up for five seconds and listen to me.” Damn he was pissing me off. I had bigger things to worry about than Tess’s ass hanging out, especially if Marcello thought she was bait for Ray Wasden.
“Fine. But I’m not letting this one go. I watched you with her that night.”
I slumped in my chair.
“Marcello’s men broke into her apartment the other night.”
“Why the fuck would Marcello give two shits about a woman you’re dating? It’s not like we’ve bothered with his business, even though he’s a slimy bastard. Besides, he’d be more likely to come after me for that shit.”
It was time for the truth to come out about how I met Tess in the first place. I started with the poker game, all the way up to finding her in my bar a little bit ago.
“Jesus Christ. You won her?”
“Ashton. Focus.”
“I’m trying, but damn Dad was pissed when I first told him about Elena. He’s going to flip his shit over this.”
I ran a hand through my hair. This conversation was almost as frustrating as the one with Tess a few minutes ago.
“He already knows. Trust me it wasn’t pretty. Right now I have to worry about that asshole Marcello and what he wants with Tess.”
“Fuck.”
“Goddamn it, Ashton. Fine, fuck you. Forget I called. I’ll figure it out myself.”
“Don’t be an asshole. You can’t drop this much shit in my lap all at once and expect me to solve your problem instantly. Give me a minute.”
He had a point.
“All right. What do you know about Nathan Marcello?”
“Only what a few clients have told me, after they’ve borrowed money from him. The bastard is relentless and has no problems hurting someone’s family or friends to get it.”
“Shit. That’s what I thought.” For a moment I wanted to hurl my phone across the room, but that would only end up pissing me off more when I had to get a new one.
“Not that I want to see anyone hurt, but why do you even care? You’re normally the love ’em and leave ’em type.”
That was the one question I’d been asking myself since I walked in and saw that bastard grabbing her ass earlier. She wasn’t mine to worry about, but I couldn’t stop myself from doing it, and the simple thought of Marcello or his men anywhere near her trying to hurt her for Ray’s debt made blood pound through my ears.
“I can’t explain.”
The asshole burst out laughing.
“What the hell is so funny?”
“You. You’re confused and tongue-tied over a woman. For years I’ve been watching women behave that way in front of you. Damn if the tables haven’t turned.”
“That’s ridiculous. I only want to help her out of a bad situation.”
He scoffed. “And when was the last time you wanted to help anyone out of a bad situation?”
“Why is that so surprising?” I snapped. “You did it for Elena.”
“Yeah, but I’m not you or Dad. Admit it, the two of you can be absolutely ruthless when it comes to getting your own way. The only time you worry about someone else is if they’re family.”
“Bullshit.”
“No, truth. Unless you consider them family, you don’t give two shits. You like pretty things on your arm, not messy relationships that get in the way. You’re more like Dad then you want to admit. Keep in mind how he and Mom met.”
I slammed my fist against the desk. “Enough.”
Every word he spoke was closer to the truth than I wanted to admit. I was like my dad, but that didn’t give Ashton the right to question my motives. Maybe it pissed me off that he was right, or maybe I was less tolerant because I was so fucking busy I couldn’t see which way was up. Either way, I wasn’t listening to it anymore. My shoulders tensed beneath the fabric of my suit jacket, the desire to hit something overwhelming.
“Holy fuck. The why doesn’t matter. I’m going to see what I can find out about Wasden’s debt.”
“You’ll figure it out, eventually. Until then, I’ll drop it. I’ll see if I can dig anything else up.”
His offer to help went a little way to cool my temper. My muscles began to loosen.
“Let me know what you find out.”
“I will. And when you calm down, think about what I said.”
I already had and wasn’t interested. I’d deal with it later. Right then, I needed his help to keep Tess safe, especially since she was being stubborn as shit about me getting her a place. I decided to ignore his statement.
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Rebecca a New Jersey native has had a passion for reading all of her life. No matter the genre, turning her dreams into stories for her readers to treasure is more than she could ask for. She lives with her family wishing every day could be spent in the summer sun.
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