Rock My Heart
by Jean Haus
Luminescent Juliet #4
Blurb
This story can be read as a standalone.
Raised in poverty and violence, Gabe Reed wears a could-care-less attitude like a shield. He expects life to suck. It always has, and he is usually the one to screw it up even more. Drumming for the college band Luminescent Juliet started as a way to release the built up rage inside of him. But when the band signs with a label, Gabe begins to envision a different life. He just needs to stay out of trouble and follow the court orders of his probation.
April Tanner knows most people view her as perfect. From her icy looks to her college four point, she cultivates the persona since it helps keep people at a distance. Because behind her perfection, April constantly struggles with a past that she is trying to atone for but can’t face.
Though Gabe and April seem worlds apart, fate throws them together and forces them to see beyond the fronts they each present. But even an emerging friendship mixed with a growing lust might not be able to overcome the walls built of guilt and insecurity and abuse that stand between them.
*New Adult for language and sexual situations.
Excerpt
Here’s a little peek from the POV of Gabe’s love interest. She’s actually a blast from the past, as in a character from one of the previous books. Not saying who, but you’ll come across her name toward the end. The book is mostly in her POV but Gabe has several chapters too. I’m hoping Rock My Heart will be out in mid-spring.
(*This is not the final edited version)
A louder knock sounds.
Maybe it’s Riley, drunk and upset I left her party.
I set the sandwich on a paper towel as a third set of knocks sound.
Of course, it’s Gabe.
“This is getting a little weird,” I say, my hand on my hip, while a bit elated that he left rocker chick to see me. The feeling of elation is not good, and so not a way to get a handle on my growing infatuation.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have run off,” he says, stepping forward, which forces me to step to the side and let him inside my apartment.
“Well, why don’t you come in?” I shut the door just short of a slam.
“Huh,” he says, stepping farther into the main room and looking over the apartment. “I expected something more swanky.”
Behind him, I roll my eyes. Half of my furniture, like the loveseat and coffee table, is cast off items from my mother that were in our basement. The other half, like the end tables and TV stand, came from Walmart. “I don’t need swanky. I need some where to sit and eat.”
He passes at the kitchen counter and swipes the half-eaten sandwich from the paper towel. Taking a bite, he continues onto the bookshelves behind the couch. While munching on my sandwich, he peruses through the different academic titles. Bending over, he begins to read titles. “General Psychology, Adolescent Psychology , Behavioral Psychology , The Psychology of Addiction…” He stands and glances at me, his brown eyes nearly twinkling with sarcasm. “I’m getting psyched out just reading the titles.”
“Ha, ha. Understanding people and their motives takes a lot of knowledge.”
“Yeah,” he says in a patronizing tone. “Humans can be wrapped up in the pages of books.”
“We’re taught to take environment and circumstances into account also.”
“Well then, aren’t you just Little-Miss-Figure-everyone-out.” He pops the last bit of sandwich in his mouth and moves toward the hallway, his jean clad sexy butt defined with every step.
Trying to ignore the shape of his backside and not interested in his views on Psychology while more interested, as in fearing, the direction of his roaming curiosity, I snap at him, “Ever heard of privacy?”
He pauses reaching for the bathroom light. “Privacy?” he repeats, before flicking on the light. “Hmm…I haven’t ever heard of it.”
My glare boils simmered rage at him. He just gives the bathroom a quick glance and moves on toward the bedroom. Part of me is quite upset at his intrusion. Another part of me is slightly giddy, wondering why he’s so interested in my apartment. But really, my bedroom is off limits.
“All right, this is getting ridiculous,” I say, following him. “You need to go back to the party.”
He stops just outside the door of my bedroom, turning part way toward me, his profile sharp with a devilish grin. “You hiding something?” His brows slant in suspicion. “Just what am I going to find? Dirty mags? Sex toys? A half written poem about me?”
“Oh, shut up,” I say, then let a laugh out that I can’t contain at the thought of writing a poem about him.
He gives me a half grin, flicking on the bedroom light.
My laughter dies. There’s just one thing that I don’t want him to see.
Gabe steps into the room, his gaze scanning the space. “Hmmm…unmade bed. Dresser covered with stacks of clothes and other miscellaneous crap. Dirty clothes on floor. Books piled haphazardly on the night stand…”
Jaw tight, I stand in the doorway.
He turns to me, eyes wide with obvious fake shock. “Why, April, you’re a slob.”
“Yup,” I agree. “You’ve found my secret out. Now, if you’re done invading my privacy…” I sweep an arm toward the living room and the front door.
He studies me in contemplation before his gaze moves back over the room.
Dammit.
His gaze stops at the far corner.
Dam. Dam. Dammit. That’s exactly what I didn’t want him to notice.
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