Bleeding Love (A Historical Romance)

Bleeding Love (A Historical Romance) is now available in the Kindle store! $2.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

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Tyson Sawyer is on the run. Seriously injured while narrowly escaping the US Marshal, he finds himself alone and near death. With nothing to live for, the only reason he continues to evade the law is so he can die a free man.

Cecilia Cook is far from traditional - her whole life she has gone against the grain when it comes to marriage and family. The local townspeople chastise her for choosing pants over dresses, for running a farm alone, and for being in her thirties with no husband.

Fates collide when Cecilia finds Tyson unconscious on her land. Taking him in, they learn fast that there is a reason they were brought together - a deep seeded love blossoms between them, both of them proving to be just what the other needs. Passion grows fast and their allegiance to each other is so strong that Cecilia ignores the fact that Tyson is a wanted man. He is deeper than what meets the eye, and she soon learns that there is more to his story than anyone could ever comprehend. Tyson falls deeply for her, attracted to her headstrong ways and her independence.

Together they flee to freedom while staying one step ahead of the authorities, but one step behind a beautiful future together.

Disarm (A Romantic Suspense) Now Available!

Pleased to announce that Disarm (A Romantic Suspense) is now available in the Amazon store. $2.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

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The case of his career… 

Adam Spencer works for Intelligence—the premier squad in the police department. When a drug dealer attempts to take over the city, Adam must go deep undercover in a prison in order to destroy the drug ring. Lydia Rice is new to the squad and has only six months of experience, but she’s sure she can prove that she’s the real deal. Her chance to show she belongs comes when she’s put on the case with Adam. She knew it was a tough case, but she didn’t know that she’d have to battle not just the drug dealers, but also her own emotions for Adam. 

The love of a lifetime… 

With their jobs on the line, Adam and Lydia try to deny their smokin’ hot chemistry, but their love ignites despite their efforts. Between Adam’s messy divorce from a cheating wife, and Lydia’s desire to prove her worth on the job, neither sought love, but what can they do when their passions disarm them? 

Sample Sunday - Preview of New Romance!

I have been diligently working on a new Romantic Suspense that I hope to have published soon. This one is a bit different than what you are used to getting from me - it is a historical romance, taking place in the late 1800's. I don't have a title for it yet, but as it is nearing completion, I thought I would give you all a sneak peek at what I've been working on!

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Tyson Sawyer jumped between train cars, watching the ground move underneath him. Sweat dripped into his eyes and he swiped it away with the back of his hand, feeling the dizziness overtake his senses. The Marshal had been hot on his trail, and he was lucky to catch the train before it had completely left the station, diving onto the caboose. Now that he was on board, he noticed it wasn’t a passenger train.

His body ached. He had been on the run for days now and his energy was failing him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the Marshal’s group of horses still running in his direction. They’d tire out long before the train stopped again, but he had to take cover just in case. Edging along the side of the car, he pushed at each door he came across, all of them locked. Gritting his teeth, he clung onto any part of the metal he could find for leverage. One misstep meant he’d tumble to the hard ground below and be captured.

Something hot hit him in the shoulder, and the pain ripped through him. Groaning, he almost lost his grip, but his sheer need for survival and freedom kept him going. Finally, an open boxcar, but another bout of heat and pain coursed through him, this time in his leg. His muscles went limp and he fell inside, landing in some hay that padded his impact.

The dust kicked up and he coughed and the sound of gunshots echoed again, ricocheting off of the train.

“We’ll get you, Sawyer!”

Tyson ran his hand down his leg, pulling his hand to eye level. His palm was covered in red. He traced over his shoulder, noticing his shirt was soaked with blood. He felt faint, and his vision grew blurry. The law nipping at him was the least of his worries. His eyelids were heavy and he rested his head back, dozing.

He wasn’t sure where this train would take him or who would be waiting when he finally got off. Would he even make it there before his body gave up? Letting out a deep moan, he squeezed his eyes shut, attempting to ward off the sharp discomfort. Maybe sleeping would be the best thing for him, and hell, if he didn’t wake up, at least he wouldn’t be hunted like a damn wild animal anymore.

The motion of the train rattled. The boxcar sounded like it could fall apart at any moment. To Tyson, he had scored a first class ride away from where he was wanted, despite the fact that he had two bullet holes that would soon be a bigger issue than he could deal with.

There was too much to comprehend and too much to believe. This was his life now – a wanted man with a reward over his head. It had all happened so fast that he hadn’t even had a chance to organize it in his head. It was like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.

Adjusting his weight, Tyson clenched his jaw to try to get comfortable. No matter which way he positioned himself, the burning fire deep in his wounds grew. After lying still for what seemed like an eternity, his body felt numb and his vision went black.

***

Cecilia Cook stared out of the window of her small, one room ranch house overlooking the few acres she was still able to hold onto. Her family had warned her that without a man around, she’d slowly see it slipping through her hands, but she’d never admit out loud that they had been right. Fanning her hand through her hair, she pulled it back into a bun and slipped into her pants and shirt, glaring at the one dress she had in her closet.

Her mother’s words echoed in her head – Maybe if you wore a dress like a normal woman, you’d be married with a family by now.

There was no doubt that Cecilia wondered about it. She was thirty-three and never had an intimate moment with a man. The thought made her face heat up – she longed for it, but at the same time, she enjoyed taking on the world on her own. It had placed her under huge scrutiny with not only her family, but with the townspeople, all of them chastising her for her life choices. The few times she did go into town, she heard comments about how she wasn’t “normal” and that there was probably “something wrong with her.” She was definitely an outsider. Sometimes it hurt and she didn’t care if she up and left, but sometimes she loved the fact that she was so out of the ordinary.

Maybe getting married would save her land. Maybe she could still have children, though now, she was older and it was unheard of at her age.

Cecilia gripped the handle of her mirror, glancing at herself. She swiped a few stray hairs from her forehead and smirked. She was conflicted in everything – from getting married to falling into the social-norms placed on the women in her area. Being different had really gotten her into hot water, and she was past the point of no return with most of the people she knew.

Taking a deep breath, she put the mirror down on her dresser and walked to the front door. There was work to be done and if she didn’t get started soon, she’d be out past dark.

***

Tyson heard footsteps and loud banging, pulling him from his deep sleep. His body jerked and he was quickly reminded of the harsh discomfort in his shoulder in his leg from the sudden movement. The pain was so bad that it almost knocked him out again. Pulling himself up, it took his breath away, but his need to keep moving helped him push through. Would he be able to walk?

The footsteps grew louder and though he was wobbly, he was able to stand. Ambling toward the door, he slid it open, squinting at the bright sunlight that pierced through his skull. He felt like he had been drinking, and whiskey sounded good right about then to help serve as a painkiller. Edging toward the steps, the engineer spotted him.

“Hey, mister! You can’t be here! What are you doing?”

Tyson didn’t bother to make eye contact and jumped. He tucked his legs and rolled, hitting the dry ground, his body objecting to everything he was doing, urging him to curl back up and sleep. He pulled his hat brim down low, guarding his face. Maybe he had traveled far enough that word hadn’t spread about the reward. Maybe the guy thought he was just a hobo hitching a ride.

Hobbling, his wounded leg was heavy, like the weight of one hundred bricks were tied to him. Glancing down, nausea took over at the sight of all of the blood that was saturated in the fabric of his pants. It was the same story with his shirt, and he hugged his arm around his midsection in an attempt to prevent it from moving.

Where the hell would he go? He was running in the direction of wide-open farmland. At the rate he was going, he’d be dead within a few hours. It was still a better option than getting caught. He’d rather die a free man than be hanged by the hands of the US Marshal. If he allowed the man back at the train to get hold of him, word would soon reach about Tyson Sawyer and he’d be dead anyway. He had nothing to lose in taking his chances out in the middle of nowhere.

He found a small creek and his mouth watered. He couldn’t remember the last time he had food or drink. He sat on the edge, he feared that he wouldn’t be able to get back up, but his need for water was more important than the other worry. Cupping his hand, he gulped the water from his palm, unable to get it to his mouth quick enough. It tasted wonderful and he took the time to wash his face. His injured arm felt disconnected from his body, like he was losing any use in it.

Unbuttoning his shirt, he slid it over his shoulder. The fabric stuck to his skin and he peeled it off of the blood, getting his first glance at the wound. It was still bleeding and he couldn’t tell if the bullet was still inside him. Dripping some water on it, it stung, but it served as a cooling effect.

Pulling his filthy shirt back on, he didn’t mess with buttoning it. Instead, he studied the gunshot in his thigh. It was the same story – the blood had caked so bad that the denim wouldn’t budge, nor did Tyson want it to. Maybe it was helping serve as a bandage, though with as dirty his clothes were, he was certain it would soon be infected.

He needed help, and fast. Glancing around the area, he didn’t see anything within the next few miles in all directions. The heat beat down on him and though the water helped, it still wasn’t enough to pull him through. He was almost certain that he couldn’t make it five hundred feet, much less another few miles, and even then, there was no guarantee that he’d find someone to at least let him die in a bed.

Tyson scooted across the ground, leaning back against a nearby tree, resting his head against the trunk. He kept telling himself one thing – at least he was dying a free man. The US Marshal wouldn’t get the satisfaction of watching him swing. With that thought, he felt a small smile on his lips, and again, gave into his body’s will to fall asleep.

Any feedback on this opener is greatly appreciated! Check back here or on my Facebook page for updates and for when this will be available to buy!

---Danica 

Bullwhipped Sneak Peek!!

Happy Friday to you all! I am currently working on another full length romance novel that I'm hoping to have released sooner than later. It will be titled - Bullwhipped (A Cowboy Romance) and below is the probable cover I have been working on:

Here is a sneak peek at the first few scenes of the story. Enjoy! (Reader discretion is advised - contains adult content) 

“Next up, Cale Warren from Saw Mill, Texas. Let’s give this cowboy a hand!”

Cale edged up to the chute, eyeing the muscled animal. No matter how many times he lined up for a ride, the nerves came on just as strong as the first time he hopped on two tons of bull. The crowd went wild – they always did. Bull riding was a rodeo favorite. It was thrilling, it was intense, and the result of the ride was always unknown with everyone questioning – can that cowboy pull of eight seconds and take home some money?

Taking one last look at the crowd, he adjusted his Stetson and straddled the bull they called Dillinger. He gripped the rope, wrapping it several times around his gloved hand. The bull was already attempting to get him off his back, and Cale tightened his thighs around him, steadying himself for the next eight seconds, not only wanting that prize money, but needing to stay on for his pride. It was his time to shine. It was his time to conquer this ride and move up in the standings.

The cowboy working the chute patted him on the shoulder as the bull jumped sideways, crashing into the metal gate that contained him in the small area just big enough to cage them in. Cale’s leg slammed against it and a searing jolt of pain coursed through him. Gritting his teeth, he fought through it. The angrier the bull got, the more determined Cale grew.

“You ready, Warren?”

Cale nodded, confirming it was fine to open the gate and let him fly. The bull groaned as he was freed from his prison. Cale latched onto the rope as tight as possible, his body being jerked from side to side as he fought to stay on top. His legs provided leverage and balance and his right arm flew up in the air, moving from front to back, staying in perfect rhythm with the bull. One wrong move and he’d be flipped off into the dirt below.

Twisting and turning, he heard the dull roar of the crowd crescendo into screams and yells as he continued to conquer Dillinger, a bull that hadn’t gone eight seconds in months. The buzzer echoed throughout the arena, signaling that Cale had done what he had planned. It was time to dismount and get out of the arena before the bull finished the job.

Releasing the rope, he slid off the back of the angry animal, landing on his knees in the mud. A cowboy on a horse came and diverted the bull, preventing any charge toward Cale. Running to the edge of the arena, Cale was able to jump up on the railings and out of harm’s way as the bull ran past, making one last attempt at hurting him. The crowd’s cheers were breathtaking, and Cale tipped his hat in response, thanking them for the showing of support.

It was a blur as everyone patted him on the back and offered their congratulations. He had pulled an eighty-seven-point ride, putting him in first place with only three more cowboys left to ride. If he could finish top three, that would help financially, but he wanted first. He had rode his heart out and deserved it.

Joining everyone else at the chutes, he watched his ride replay on the jumbo-tron. Had his dad been watching, he’d have criticized him for several things he had done wrong, but thankfully hadn’t been penalized for.

“Don’t look at that, Cale. You know better than that!” Sammy, his long time traveling buddy, pulled his face away from the screen.

“My weight was all on the wrong leg,” Cale said, still watching like it was a wreck he couldn’t look away from.

“You stayed on eight. Enough said.”

“I’m lucky the judges are so blind. Never should’ve pulled an eighty-seven after that.” Cale ducked his head, unsure if his nerves could take watching the last three cowboys.

“You sound like your father, now shut up! I only went three seconds. If anyone has a right to complain, it’s me.”

Cale took his hat off and wiped the sweat from his brow. The Texas sun was beating down on them and he was glad the rodeo was almost over. He wanted an ice-cold beer and a cool bar to play some pool in.

He diverted his attention behind the arena when he saw her. She was beautiful, leading a horse around, her dirty blonde hair flowing from under her cowboy hat. It was the distraction he needed, and rather than watch the last few rides, he paid close attention to the long legged beauty tending to her horse. She laughed at another woman who passed by, her simple beauty flawless, her menial task breathtaking.

Was she a barrel racer? Cale cursed himself for not paying better attention to the other events. He had been around his fair share of women in the rodeo, all of them ending in quick relationships and one night stands, but none quite like her. There was something different about her and she didn’t compare to the buckle bunnies he was certain they would run into later. He didn’t even know her but could tell there was something unique about her.

“Hey, earth to Cale! Did you hear! You just took home second place! That’s a pretty penny!” Sammy gave him a small shove, his gaze following to where Cale had been staring. “Who you looking at?”

Cale pushed away from him, adjusting his hat. “Second place?” A twinge of disappointment hit him. Sure, the money would be enough to hold them over between rodeos, but he wanted first. He’d never admit it out loud, but he was a sore loser.

“Yeah, cowboy. Second place! Not bad considering all of the criticism you were just giving yourself a few minutes ago. With all the flaws you found, I should’ve placed higher than you. I wish I could put your dad in his place for doing that to you all these years.”

Nodding, Cale looked back toward the woman, watching her through the crowd that now started to trickle out of the arena. He tried to see what direction she was going in, but lost her as she weaved through a group of people. Would he see her again? If she was in the rodeo, maybe she’d go to the next one on their road trip.

“Who in the hell has your attention?” Sammy asked.

“Nobody. Don’t worry about it. I need a beer.”

“And lucky for us, there’s a bar right down the street. First round is on you, Cale.”

“I stay on, you fall in the mud, and I have to buy your drinks. That’s bullshit if you ask me.” Cale smirked as he gathered up his duffel bag, chaps, and rope.

“I guess you better stop making eight then.”

“Then who’d pay for your motel? We’d have to sleep in the damn car.” Cale finally began to relax, though he couldn’t get the beautiful cowgirl out of his head. He had to find her. He had to know more about her and why she was so captivating.

***

Olivia Hayes patted her horse as she edged him into the trailer. Another rodeo down, another check won, and another step closer to saving up for the riding school she had wanted to open for several years. Pausing, she admired the sun setting on the horizon. The purple hue of the Texas sky was mesmerizing, and the blanket of stars flowed for miles. Why would anyone want to move to the city were this view was hindered by smog and city lights?

Her horse neighed, pulling her from the view. Her brother waited for her by the truck, his arms folded over his chest. “You improved two seconds today from practice. Not bad, Olivia. But that first place girl is six seconds faster. I think we’ve got some work to do.”

Rolling her eyes, her half-hearted attempt to ignore her brother failed, and she let out a sigh. “My ride was good enough for third place.”

“You think we might ought to start training a younger horse?”

“Chance isn’t old. He’s still got a lot of speed. I think he’s fine.” She had ridden with Chance in the rodeo for a while, and it broke her heart to even consider putting him put to pasture. “And besides, how much time will we lose training another? I’m  comfortable with him.”

“It’s something to consider, Olivia.”

“I love you, Oscar, but sometimes I don’t like you.”

She appreciated that he went on the road with her, traveling to rodeos and helping with expenses, but sometimes his negativity grated on her last nerve. Part of the reason he continued to tag along was to live vicariously through her. He had tried his hand at rodeo himself, only to not make it and quite before he ever really got started.

“Chance is a good horse, don’t get me wrong. But we need speed. We need you improving more than two seconds if you want to take the big checks home.”

“Oscar, you forget why I’m even doing this.”

Oscar nodded. “For your riding school. But just think – the bigger checks will get you more money faster, and then you can stop with the rodeo and run the school.”

“I’m in no hurry to quit rodeo. I’m having fun and earning a little money while I’m doing it. Let’s just leave it at that right now. Let’s go do something fun.”

“Like what?”

Olivia thought about it for a second. They were in a small Texas town – what exactly was there to do? “Let’s go dancing. I’m sure there’s plenty of bars and dance halls around here to choose from.”

Oscar cocked his head to the side. “You’re suggesting a night of dancing and drinking? Who are you and what have you done with Olivia? Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll find the love of your life and you can focus your attention on something other than my ride times. You never know!” She let out a giggle. “Let’s take Chance back and see what we can get ourselves into. Come on! It’ll be fun!”

Olivia gathered up her saddle and tossed it in the truck bed, eyeing her brother as he put the pickup in gear. He never was one for going out, but then again, neither was she. It was always the same thing – get to the rodeo, put in your ride, go back to the hotel, sleep, head to the next town. Something was different that evening. She was bored and though she was bashful, she wanted to go dance.

“The look on your face tells me you’re not wanting to go.”

Oscar shrugged as he merged out onto the road. “No, not really. What makes you want to go so bad all of the sudden?”

“I’m not sure. Just sick of looking at hotel walls. They all start to look the same after a while.”

“Don’t you think you should rest up for your next ride?”

Holding her hand up, Olivia stopped him. “Before you start lecturing me about how many seconds I have to shave off of my time, I’ll do you a favor and let you know that I’m completely aware of it. But our next rodeo isn’t for a few days. One night out dancing isn’t going to kill me.”

Oscar parked the truck and guided Chance out from the trailer. “Suit yourself. And hey, how convenient. Looks like there’s a bar right over there.” He pointed toward a small building next to the motel’s swimming pool. “By the sounds of it, the music is already pumping loud. If you get wasted, you can just amble right back over here.”

Olivia was used to his sarcasm, but it struck a chord with her. Ignoring him, she went inside and freshened up. Dabbing on some perfume, she smoothed a small hint of pink lipstick on and ran her fingers through her hair. Hopefully she’d see a few of her barrel racing friends there – they always tried to get her to go out and she declined, partly to appease Oscar and partly from having no desire to do it.

Taking one last glance at herself in the mirror, she ducked past Oscar without saying another word and walked across the parking lot to the bar. A man checked her ID at the door and waved her inside. Looking across the room, she tried to spot a familiar face, a sigh of relief escaping her when she saw Leslie at the far end of the bar with a group of other barrel racers.

“Is that… Olivia?” Leslie stood up and patted her on the shoulder. “My word. What is the special occasion?”

“What do you mean?”

“How many times have we begged you to come out with us and now you’re here?”

Olivia sat down and ordered a beer, scanning the room for other people she might know. There was a small dance floor but not much going on, and a group of cowboys in the far corner caught her eye. Just from the look of them she could tell they were bull riders. They all had that same look, but man, they looked great in those Wranglers.

“Cowboy catch your eye?” Leslie leaned in.

“No one in particular. Besides, they’re bull riders,” Olivia replied as she nursed on her beer. She wasn’t a drinker, but the drink went down well, calming her nerves.

“And? What’s wrong with that?”

“Bull riders, Leslie. Arrogant man whores with skinny butts.”

“Sounds like something you need, Ms. Hayes.” Leslie winked and grabbed her hand. “Lets get out on the dance floor.”

Olivia finished her beer and followed her friend as they began to two-step to a George Strait song. It had been forever since she had done this, but the moves came back to her like it had been just yesterday. The crowd thickened, and she noticed several of the bull riders were standing on the edge of the dance floor, no one fully committing to dancing, but watching as the women showed their stuff.

Leslie nudged her and gave her a light shove, pushing her toward a man in a dark cowboy hat. She tried to fight against her, but her friend caught her off balance and she found herself looking right up at the man. It was dark, and the only hint of what he looked like came when the lights shifted, giving her a quick preview of his handsome face. He smiled, revealing his perfect white teeth and his cologne flooded her senses.

“I’m sorry,” she said, hoping he’d hear her over the loud music.

“For what?”

“For getting pushed into you.”

The fast song changed to a much slower song. That figures. Just like in movies, Olivia thought.

“How about you dance with me to make up for it?”

Looking up at him again, Olivia felt her cheeks warm up. “I’m not sure.” Her instincts screamed, telling her to run the other way. She didn’t need any complications in her life right now. She was close to getting enough money for her riding school. And just like with the song changing, a handsome stranger swoops in to send her life in a complete derail off of her path to her goals. She couldn’t allow his good looks to detour her.

“Not sure?” He cocked his head to the side and pushed his hat up, revealing more of his face. It took her breath away. Damn, he looked good. “What are you not sure about?”

“I guess one dance wouldn’t hurt,” Olivia replied, her heart racing as he led her out on the dance floor.

His hand shimmied around her waist and he pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, feeling intoxicated though she only had one beer. Glancing up, she saw Leslie in the crowd, a huge grin on her face as she pointed toward her. He met her friend’s approval at least, but she was still very nervous.

His other hand moved against her and with as tight as his hug grew, Olivia wasn’t sure if it was possible to get any closer than they were at that moment. They swayed together to the music, and she wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone what song was playing. Her attention was on everything else – his hands and how they seemed to move lower, the way his hips ground into hers, and his whiskers that rubbed against her cheek as he leaned his head into her. Oh, and his scent – it was musky, leathery, and manly. So manly that it was sending her over the edge.

“So, what’s your name?” he asked, his breath tickling her ear.

“Olivia. Yours?”

“Cale. You from here?”

“No. I’m here for the rodeo.”

He looked down at her, his smile making her heart skip a beat. “Yeah? Me too. You a barrel racer?”

Nodding, she felt the corners of her mouth turn up in a grin. “Yeah. And let me guess, you’re a bull rider.”

“Guilty as charged. How’d you know?”

“I’ve been around rodeo my whole life, Cale. You all have this swagger about you. You’re what our daddy’s warn us to stay away from.”

His smile faded. “Ouch.”

“It’s the reputation. I’m not saying you’re that way.” She felt guilty for bringing it up, but it was the truth. The song faded and the lights flickered on. Her first real look at him was better than the others, and his green eyes popped against his tanned complexion, not to mention the dark hair shooting out from under his cowboy hat. If she stayed much longer, she’d be in trouble. Bull rider or not, the man was gorgeous. “Thanks for the dance, Cale.” Olivia started to walk away, hating herself for being offensive, but she had to make a beeline and get back to her room safely.

His hand clasped in hers, hindering her from getting any closer to the exit. “Where you going so fast, Olivia? It’s not even last call yet.”

“I thought I offended you.”

Cale scoffed and took his cowboy hat off, twirling it in his finger. “Ah hell, if I got offended at every preconceived notion about guys like me, I’d be curled up in a corner somewhere with my thumb in my mouth. You’re right, we’ve got a reputation. But you wanna know something else?”

He pulled her in again, his hand cupping the back of her head as another song belted through the speakers. They stood in the middle of the dance floor, though neither of them moved to the music. Others pushed beside them, but Olivia was lost in the moment, not even caring that they might be in the way.

“What?” she asked, feeling a smoldering hunger she had never experienced course through her.

Dipping his head, he pressed his lips against hers. Tasting a subtle hint of whiskey on his breath, she opened her mouth, inviting his tongue to slip inside, searching her, tasting her, as his hands skimmed her sides. A moan escaped her, but she was certain he couldn’t hear it over the thumping bass.

Pulling away, he rested his forehead on hers. “I bet you never knew great kissing came with the reputation we have.”

Shaking her head, Olivia felt weak in the knees. Had she not been leaning against him, she probably would have fainted. “No. No I didn’t.”

He looked at everyone near them and laughed. “I guess if we’re not gonna dance we should probably move.”

“Yeah.” Olivia didn’t know what else to say. She had just kissed a man she barely knew in a bar she never went to. What was happening?

Grabbing her hand, he led her through the crowd and looked over his shoulder at her. “We’re good at other things too, if you know what I’m saying.” His thick eyebrows danced as they got back to the bar. “What do you say we get out of here?”

Olivia wanted to scream out that it was a bad idea. She wanted to say no. But her legs didn’t do what her brain was telling them to. Instead, she continued to walk, allowing him to get her to the door and out on the porch. Kissing him was enough. What else did he have in mind?

“I have a room just down the way here.” He quickened his pace, and to her surprise, Olivia followed. She didn’t do things like this. She should turn around and go the other direction, back to her room where she was certain Oscar was snoozing away.

Cale grabbed the key from his back pocket and slid it in the door. It creaked open, exposing a single bed with a duffel bag on the floor. Say no! She was on the verge, but when he turned to face her, any voice of reason had faded, and she had no intention to end this. Kicking the door shut, he pinned her against the wall, kissing her deeply as his hands trailed at her waist. Damn it, he tasted so good and it felt amazing.

Rather than do what was right, Olivia fanned her hands through his hair, knocking his cowboy hat to the floor. His lips moved down her neck and to her collarbone, sending a chill down her spine. She missed his hands when he pulled away and began unbuttoning his shirt. It slipped off to the floor below, and she aided in getting the white cotton t-shirt underneath off, exposing his muscled chest. She slid her hands over his taut muscles, feeling his smooth skin under her fingertips.

Hers For A While - Prologue, Chapter 1 & 2!

Thanks for stopping by! Pleased to announce that this is my first blog post for my new blog! And since I'm feeling so generous, I'm posting the prologue and the first two chapters of Hers For A While for you to read, free of charge! It is available on Amazon for $2.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited!

Click Here to Purchase on Amazon

Prologue

It happened on a chilly autumn day. A day that Alice didn’t want to think about. A day that she knew she’d one day have to dig deep into the recesses of her memory to relive for the sake of those around her.

Staring out of her kitchen window, she pulled her cardigan tight around her midsection, watching the autumn foliage that fell to the earth below, cascading across the yard like a painting that her husband would have loved to look at.

It wasn’t that she wanted to forget – part of her journey was to make sure that the story was told. It was important, but at the same time, a bittersweet situation. After all, it was the best and worst day of her life. Closing her eyes, Alice blinked back the tears, forcing a smile as she turned back toward the kitchen table. Sitting down, she intertwined her fingers in the handle of her coffee cup, sipping on her drink that was now too cold to stomach.

The patter of footsteps pulled her from her daydream. Looking up, she forced a smile.

“Alice, dear, what are you doing in here all alone? We’re all in the living room. How about you join us?”

Standing up, Alice poured the coffee down the drain. She loved her family, but this time of year, it felt as if they smothered her. What would she do without the support? She just hated all of the attention. She hated being viewed as a delicate flower on the brink of breaking down. She had to be strong, especially today.

“I’ll be right in there, Mom. Let me tidy up a few things and then we can get started.”

A lump formed in her throat. She heard laughter. She heard her family gathering around the fire. She heard happiness. Again she wondered – what would she do without their support?

Turning toward a shelf, Alice took a long, hard look at a picture that always caught her attention. Tracing her index finger over it, she felt a solitary tear trickle down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. Her memory flashed to everything, bringing up things she hadn’t thought about in a long time. Before she could face her family, she needed some time alone. She had to get it all organized in her head.

Walking up the stairs to her room, she sat on the edge of the bed and began to recollect everything. No holding back. Even if it was painful, she had to rehash every detail. It’s the way he’d want it. Her family would have to wait. This was her moment to do the man she loved justice.

“This is for you, Babe. Help me tell your story.”

Chapter One

“You like him, don’t you?”

Alice eyed the tall, dark, and handsome stranger from across the room. She didn’t want to be at the bar, but against her will, her friends had brought her out. She noticed the beer in his hand and the way he interacted with several guys, standing around a pool table. Her eyes caught his, and though she had never spoke one word to the man, her heart skipped a beat. He paused, holding the bottle to his lips before taking a long pull off of it. Her cheeks heated up, and she looked away.

“How could I not? He’s gorgeous.”

“Go talk to him!” Her friend gave her a shove, but she resisted, her confidence quickly wavering.

“Are you kidding me? He wouldn’t give me the time of day. No! You go talk to him, Mandy!”

“I think he’s interested in you.”

Alice ignored her friend and ordered another Chilton from the bartender, drinking it too fast. She needed it. How would she be able to walk up to a guy like that? To even consider having a chance with him was laughable. Before going back to her group, she took another glance in his direction, feeling a twinge of disappointment when he was no longer there. Had he already left? Why did it matter? She didn’t know him from Adam. He wasn’t the first handsome man she had seen and wouldn’t be her last.

Pushing through the crowd, she tried to fight her way back to Mandy and everyone else when she ran right into someone, spilling most of her drink down her arm.

“Damn it, I’m so sorry!” Looking up, she felt her breath literally get pulled out of her lungs. There he was, right in front of her, his wide smile causing her heart to thump so hard that she was certain he could see it through her shirt.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve had worse spilled on me.”

Finally getting a good look at him, Alice noticed that his eyes were green. Holy crap. So green that they stood out, even in the dark bar. Maybe his tan complexion was helping accentuate them, or maybe it was his dark hair that curled up around the brim of his baseball cap. It should be illegal how attractive he was, and she hoped she wasn’t being too obvious with her infatuation with him.

He stuck his hand out and said, “I’m Jack. What’s your name?”

“Alice. Or idiot. Whatever you wanna call me for not watching where I was going.”

Smirking, he latched onto her hand. His palms were sandpaper rough. A workingman. Damn, did he have any flaws?

“Forget about it. It’s nice to meet you. What are you drinking? I’ll get you another one at the bar,” Jack replied as he helped guide her back through the crowd.

“You really don’t have to do that. I probably shouldn’t have any more to drink anyway. I’m already a tad bit tipsy.”

Arching his thick eyebrow, he squinted as a small smile crept on his lips. The subtle look melted Alice’s heart. “Hard to tell with how gracefully you pushed through everyone. Or is it falling with style?”

Slapping his arm, she laughed at his sarcastic remark. What was she feeling? She had just met this man. She couldn’t be hanging on his every word so fast. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe he wasn’t really as good looking as she was thinking. She’d made the mistake before – once the beer goggles come off, it was shameful to admit how blind she could be with people.

Jack ordered another beer and her Chilton. “You play pool?”

“If by play you mean knock the cue ball around with no real goal, then yes, I play pool.”

Reaching for her hand again, Jack led her back to a pool table. They were alone, and she wondered where his group of friends had gone, but thankful that she had this time alone with him. As he gathered up the balls, she took a second to step back and admire him. His dark polo shirt looked great, and those jeans – it was like they were tailored just for him, fitting him great in all the areas she couldn’t help but notice. As he reached across the table, she watched as the muscles in his forearms and lower biceps rippled beneath the fabric. Drinking did this to her. She always turned into a horny teenager.

Looking up, Jack adjusted his baseball cap as he gathered two pool sticks and chalked the ends of them. Oh no! Did he catch her staring? Again, her cheeks heated up but he gave no indication that he was on to her.

Handing her one, he smiled again. “Do the honors of breaking them?”

“On one condition, Jack. You can’t laugh at me.”

“I promise not to laugh.”

Alice positioned the pool stick, feeling like a complete fool as she lined up her shot. Without even really aiming, she reared back and hit the cue ball as hard as she could, sending the triangle of balls across the table. Jack counted as three dropped into the corner pockets, his eyes wide as he looked at her.

“You’re hustling me, aren’t you?”

“I’m not hustling you. Just lucky, I guess.”

She saw Mandy approaching them, and waved at her to get her attention. “Mandy, this is Jack! Jack, this is my best friend, Mandy.”

Jack shook her hand and nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Mandy replied. “Alice, we probably should get home. We’ve got finals in the morning.”

“Since when are you the mother hen?” Alice laughed. “I wanna stay and finish this game with Jack.”

Mandy sized Jack up again, not looking amused. “How are you gonna get home? I don’t want to leave you here and I’m ready to go.”

“Listen, Mandy, my name is Jack Turner. I work at the fire station just down the street. If anything happens to Alice, you can come looking for me there. I’ll get her home safe. You’re a great friend to come check on her.”

Mandy bit her bottom lip as she contemplated what Jack had just told her. “You think you can flash around the fact that you’re a firefighter and think it’s all okay? How do I know that you’re really telling the truth?”

Alice stepped in between them. The last thing she needed was Mandy ruining the great chemistry she was having with him. “Mandy, it’s fine. If all else fails, I’ll call a cab. I’m good. Go home and get some rest. I’ll call you if I need anything.” For a second, Alice did question Jack’s honesty. They had only known each other for thirty minutes. What if he was lying? How did she know his name was really Jack Turner? She had never done anything like this. It was usually Mandy wanting to stay. In a way, it was a refreshing change, especially when she saw the look on Jack’s face. She couldn’t let him go so soon. She wanted to know more about the man.

Smoothing her hands down the pool stick, she grinned. “Now, where were we?”

***

“Sorry to get you home so late. I lost track of time with everything.” Jack walked her up the driveway to her front door. “What time are your tests tomorrow?”

Alice looked down at her watch. It was a little after two AM. Had the bars not closed then, she was certain they’d still be there hanging out. “My first one isn’t until ten. I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t need to study or anything?” He looked down at her, his expression concerned. “I’d hate to be the reason you fail a test.”

Shaking her head, Alice leaned in, taking in his scent. There was a subtle smell of beer, but his musky cologne was stronger, clouding her senses. It was too early to decide that he was perfect. With her luck, she’d never see him again.

“If I don’t know the material by now, I’m doomed. I can’t cram it all in tonight. I won’t fail it. I love the class. I’ve retained a lot over the semester.”

Nodding, Jack held her hand in his. His thumb rubbed down her palm, and he lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of it. His five o’clock shadow rubbed against her skin, sending a chill down her spine.

“Can I see you again?” It came out in a whisper, but Alice heard it loud and clear.

“I’d love that,” Alice replied. Was she dreaming? Was he asking her out again?

“When are finals over?”

“My last test is tomorrow afternoon.”

“That’s perfect. I’ll come pick you up about six. Sound good?”

Alice giggled and the sound that escaped her was surprising. She had never sounded like a lovesick kid, but suddenly she felt like it again. “And what do you have in mind, Jack?”

Taking the steps back down to the sidewalk, he glanced at her from over his shoulder, twirling his keys in his right hand. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see, Alice. I’ll see you at six. Good luck on your tests.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

Unlocking her front door, she fell back on her couch and closed her eyes. What was happening? Was she lost in how handsome he was? Lust was a good way to affect her judgment, but this was different. Lots of smooth talking men had come in and out of her life, and none of them had ever made her feel that way. Normally she’d be a basket case on the eve of her finals, but it was the last thing on her mind.

Walking down the hallway, she caught herself smiling in the mirror. Jack Turner. Six o’clock seemed like an eternity away.

***

Alice looked at the clock on the nightstand. From the sounds coming from downstairs, her family was fine. They could wait longer. She was just getting started. Good memories helped, and she lay back on her mounds of pillows, ready to relive every moment. There was no use in stopping it. The time was appropriate, and she closed her eyes, delving right back into her past like it was happening again.

Chapter Two

It was five thirty and Alice was freaking out. What in the heck was she supposed to wear? Jack hadn’t told her what the plans were, and in the midst of being so caught off guard, she didn’t even bother to get his phone number to call and ask. Sifting through her closet, she pushed aside several hangers, not liking anything. Several outfits were laid out on her bed, none sticking out to her.

“Alice?”

Was that Mandy? What was she doing here? Alice poked her head out of her bedroom door. “In here!”

“You didn’t call me like you said. I wanted to make sure that guy didn’t kill you last night.”

“That’s nice of you,” Alice said as she threw another dress onto her pile of no’s.

“What’s going on in here? Getting rid of some stuff?” Mandy eyed the mess.

“No. I can’t find anything to wear.”

“What do you mean? You’ve got more clothes than anyone I know.”

Alice shook her head. “Nothing looks right.”

“How do you think you did on your finals?” Mandy asked as she found a spot to sit on the bed. “Staying out last night was a bad idea. I paid for it this morning.”

“Fine, I guess.” Alice hadn’t given them a second thought. She was too busy thinking about Jack and what his plans were.

“Are you kidding me? You normally obsess over them. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” Mandy folded her arms over her chest as she contemplated the situation. Wagging her finger, she stood up again and paced around the room. “Something is going on here. What is happening?”

Alice had never smiled so much in her life. Grabbing her friend’s arm, they sat back down on the bed. “You remember Jack from last night, right?” She didn’t wait for her friend to answer. “He asked me out again tonight.”

“That sexy guy at the pool table? You’re kidding me!”

“Nope. And he’ll be here in like fifteen minutes, so I really need to finish getting ready.”

“This early? Oh dang. He’s gonna take you to dinner. That’s classy.” Mandy walked to the closet and pulled out a yellow sundress. “Wear this. It’s casual and fancy all in one. It shows off your hot shoulders too. It says, hey, I’m not a whore, but I’m also not a prude.”

Alice grabbed the dress and held it up against herself. “You think? It’s cut kind of low.”

“He’ll love it.”

Alice wanted to ask how Mandy was so sure. Neither knew what Jack liked. She didn’t have time to argue. “Yellow sundress it is.” She checked herself one last time in the mirror, coming to the conclusion that no matter what she did, she was nervous, and she would second-guess any decision she made.

“You look beautiful, Alice. You must really like this guy. I’ve never seen you get so dolled up for a man.”

“I’m not sure what it is.” They walked into the living room and she tried to be patient. “I had alcohol to loosen me up last night.”

“I’m sure there’s some vodka in the freezer,” Mandy replied.

“I can’t get liquored up every time I go out with him,” Alice said, laughing at the thought.

A car door slammed and she tried hard not to look out the window. Footsteps thudded and finally, he was on her porch, knocking. Smoothing her hands down her dress, she looked at Mandy, forcing a nervous smile. “Wish me luck.”

“You got it, Alice. Have fun.”

Opening the door, Alice tried hard to compose herself. It wasn’t beer goggles making Jack Turner handsome. He just was, plain and simple. Even in jeans and a button up shirt, he made her feel things that she never had experienced. His shirt was sky blue and just like the night before, perfect for him. He didn’t have the baseball cap on, and his brown hair was thick and spiked, almost as if it had a mind of it’s own.

“Good evening, Alice. You look beautiful.”

Would she ever get to a point where she didn’t blush every time he spoke to her? “You clean up nicely yourself, Jack.”

Walking to his truck, he opened her door and helped her step up into the cab. His hand on the small of her back felt like electricity, and she missed the contact when he closed the door and went to the driver’s side. Looking toward her house, Alice saw Mandy peeking through the front window, watching closely. Giving a small wave, Alice turned back to Jack as he put the truck in gear and merged out onto the street.

“I see you got through your finals. How’d you do?”

She could smell his aftershave and it was intoxicating. She took tests today? It had escaped her again. Her mother had told her about this. She could hear her now, warning her to stay away from guys until she graduated – they’d do nothing but pull her from your studies. It was happening, finally.

“I think I did good. Grades should be posted by the end of the week. What’d you do today?”

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and focused back on the road. “Thought about tonight. Thought about you. Pissed at myself that I didn’t get your phone number.”

Thought about me? This was definitely a dream she didn’t want to wake up from. “What exactly are we gonna do tonight?”

“What would you like to do, Alice?”

He pulled up to a red light and shifted in his seat. Unbuckling her seatbelt, Alice scooted across the leather, settling in the middle seat. Where was the boldness coming from? Where was the shy girl she knew? Leaning in, she rested her head against his arm, taking his manly scent in. To her surprise, his hand fell to her thigh, and again, the electric feel of his embrace shocked her.

“Let’s get dinner and take it from there,” she finally replied. “I’m not picky. I’d be content with fast food.”

Shaking his head, he pulled into the parking lot of an Italian restaurant that Alice had heard about but never been taken to. Jack put the truck into park, but didn’t get out. Turning to face her, he lifted his hand from her thigh and cupped her cheek. His palms were rough like she remembered from the night before, and she cocked her head to the side, leaning into him.

“You deserve better than fast food.” He was so close that his warm breath tickled her skin.

“And how do you know that, Mr. Turner?”

“I don’t for sure, but I plan to get to know everything about you, Miss…” he trailed off.

“Miss Mills.”

“Will you let me get to know you?”

They were inches apart, and Alice felt her pulse throb. Heat rushed over her and she looked deep into his beautiful eyes. For the first time in her life, she had never felt safer than she did at that moment, even if it was with a man she hardly knew.

“Yes, I’ll let you,” she whispered, and before she could say anything else, Jack dipped his head, pressing his lips firmly against hers. They were so plump and he tasted minty. His teeth nipped at her lower lip and his tongue darted into her mouth. Any other time and she’d push away, frantic that it was too soon, but she didn’t move. It felt right. His whiskers were like sandpaper, but it was arousing, and she didn’t want it to stop.

Breaking the kiss, she opened her eyes. Jack looked like a child in trouble. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why?”

Again, his eyes squinted as he smiled. It was something he often did when he was amused. “I didn’t want to move too fast with you. I don’t want to scare you.”

“If you’re moving too fast, believe me, Jack, I’ll tell you.”

Without skipping a beat, she kissed him this time. His strong arms hugged her tight against him, and she felt his taut muscles beneath his shirt. She wasn’t sure how long they were that way, but they both realized at the same time that they were still in the restaurant parking lot.

“As much as I’d like to do that all night with you, Alice, I’m kind of hungry. What do you say we go eat?”

***

After dinner, Alice didn’t want to go home yet. She was hoping Jack didn’t either, and almost jumped for joy when he suggested going for a long walk. It was a cool evening, but comfortable, and the breeze off of the lake was fresh. She couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss back at the truck, and though they were both quiet at the moment, it was not awkward.

Jack slipped his hand into hers, intertwining his fingers. “How’d you like the food?”

“It was as good as I’ve heard. You?”

“Not bad.”

Just like he wanted to learn about her, she wanted to do the same with him. She was growing attached and it scared her, but she was going to enjoy it. “So you’re a firefighter?”

Nodding, he picked up a rock and skipped it across the lake. “Yes ma’am. Five years now.”

“Five years. That’s incredible. I admire you guys. I can’t imagine the kinds of days you have.”

Jack shrugged and held her hand again. “It has its moments. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“So you were one of those little boys who ran around saying they wanted to be a fireman when they grew up?”

Jack laughed at the assumption and tightened his grip on her hand. “Not exactly. I always strutted around, claiming I wanted to be a cop. My dad didn’t like that too much. He was a firefighter too. He was all about carrying on the tradition.”

Alice noticed the light in his eyes as he talked about it. It was definitely his passion. “What changed your mind?”

“Exposure to the firehouse. Seeing the camaraderie between everyone. My dad died young from the job. I guess I felt like I had to fulfill his wishes and I’m glad I did. I’d like to think he’s proud of me, wherever he is.” He raked his hand through his hair. “And you? What are you going to school for?”

Alice felt bad for asking, but it didn’t seem to bother him too much. He was definitely proud of his past. “Teaching. I graduate next semester.”

“Teaching?” Jack asked, arching his eyebrow. “Now that’s a terrifying job.”

“As opposed to yours?”

Jack laughed. “A burning building or a classroom full of ankle biters? Burning building any day. No doubt. Either way, congratulations on getting as far as you have gotten. Graduating college is a fantastic accomplishment.”

“Don’t put me in my cap and gown yet. Still have that last semester to get through.”

Jack turned to face her, holding each of her hands. Looking up at him, Alice hadn’t realized how tall he was. Just what she liked. He had a power over her. She couldn’t be obvious about it. She couldn’t come off that easy.

“I bet you’ll get through it no problem. You’re a great student. You’ll be an amazing teacher.”

“And how would you know that, Jack?” She smiled, her tone mischievous.

“I can tell.”

“We’ve been out twice and that’s enough time to tell?”

Sitting down on a nearby park bench, he scooted her in beside him, never releasing her. “I’m very perceptive, Alice. I’m learning a lot about you.”

“Yeah? Me too. What’s something you’ve learned about me?”

Reaching out, Jack caressed her neck, moving his thumb up to her lips. A smoldering look replaced his playful expression, and they were as close as they could get to each other.

“I’ve learned that you’re a damn good kisser,” Jack replied, leaning in, kissing her once more. He pecked quick kisses on her cheek, down her neck, and up to her ear, nibbling on it. A low moan escaped Alice’s throat, and she gasped when his hand rested in the small of her back. She ran her hands through his thick hair. It was soft and she shivered when either of his hands began to massage her.

She lost all sense of where they were. It didn’t matter that they were out on a park bench at the local lake. All that mattered was that she was with Jack, and there was no place she’d rather be.

***

“Alice, honey, are you okay?”

Her mother’s voice pulled her away and she sat up on the bed. “Yeah, Mom, I’m good.”

“I think we’re going to go grab some ice cream while you finish up what you’re doing. Your father needs to get a few things at the store anyway. Do you need anything while we’re out?”

Alice smiled, but it felt so fake. “No. Thanks for asking. Just give me a little more time.”

“Take all the time you need, Dear. We understand.”

Her mother shut the door, leaving her alone again. Alice felt the warmth gather in the corner of her eyes. The mere thought of her first kiss with Jack made the emotions come out, and she gripped a pillow, clutching onto it for dear life. First times were always special. She’d never forget every first time she shared with him.