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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Excerpt: Release (Fire and Ice #2) by Violet Vaughn

Published: July 1st, 2014

Description:

Left out in the cold…

Skater Lori Langley was USA’s golden girl, headed for the Olympics and destined for a medal. But when her coach's abuse forces her to give up the opportunity, her world spins out of control. Their perilous love affair is discovered and plastered all over the tabloids.

Three years later, Lori is ready to move on. New to skiing but determined, she reinvents herself as a ski instructor and moves to Breckenridge, Colorado. Driven to rebuild her life Lori isn’t prepared for the likes of sexy Kaleb Wakefield. One look from the sensitive snowboarder unchains her heart and she explores love without fear.

When the past returns to haunt her, Lori's new found freedom is at risk. What’s lurking in the shadows is worse than she could have imagined. She fears for more than her safety when she realizes Kaleb is in danger too.

Will Lori and Kaleb pay the ultimate price?

Casey Cassidy is a girl who gets what she wants.

Determined to get over Jason and find a man that wants a family, she moves to Breckenridge, Colorado.

Landing a job skiing every day, Casey finds Blaine Johnson - a wish come true. A hunky surfer turned ski instructor, he checks off every requirement on her list.

Except for the one she forgot to add.

Blaine has a secret. A secret so big it keeps intimacy smoldering, when Casey needs fire. No matter how hard she tries, the embers won’t ignite. Can she live without passion to get the family she craves?

When Jason comes to town, Casey questions everything she wished for. Their consuming love threatens to explode and ruin her dream. Will she have to choose between a family and the love of her life?

EXCERPT


Movie over and wine gone I’m cuddled against Kaleb’s chest, but nerves take over. “Should I get the dessert?” I pop up before he can answer.

I’ve anticipated a heavy make-out session, but am suddenly chicken. Throughout the movie he rubbed my back, and his fingers flirted with the bare skin at my waist. My body simmers right now, but my head freaks out. I’ve only been with one guy. It was good for a while, and then it wasn’t. What if being with Kaleb brings on a panic attack? What if he thinks… No. Normal guys aren’t like that.

I take a deep breath and open the dessert box. Releasing a big sigh I sense Kaleb near me. His palms land gently on my shoulders. “Lori, I’m nervous, too.”

I turn to him. “You are? Why?”

“Let’s see. Well, what if all I am is a good kisser? What if I touch the wrong places, or you don’t like my body, or I’m too sweaty or—”

I put my fingers on his lips. “You’re adorable. Okay, here it is. I’ve only been with one other guy and it didn’t end well. I don’t…” Damn it. “I wasn’t very good at it.”

“My last girlfriend didn’t think I was very good at it, either. We can be dorks together. Okay?” He leans down and kisses my neck lightly. I welcome the shiver it causes and thread my fingers through his hair.

He whispers and his hot breath teases me. “I’m in no hurry. We can take all the time you need.” He moves his lips to my mouth and kisses gently. He waits for me to take the lead.

I nibble on his lower lip and slide my tongue into his mouth. Meeting me, we gently caress each other until he pulls away and says, “Let’s do dessert.”

He slides a piece of dense chocolate cake onto the plate I set out. “I won’t eat more than a couple bites, so why don’t you keep the other for tomorrow?” It wasn’t a question though, because he closes the lid and puts it in the refrigerator.

I grab the plate along with two forks and lead the way to the couch. I sit with a leg tucked under me. He takes a fork and lowers himself onto the sofa. “I think you’ll like this.”

I put a bite into my mouth and hold it on my tongue. Espresso-infused chocolate flavor spreads in my mouth. “Ummmm.” I close my eyes and swallow the lump slowly. “Oh yeah, that’s good.”

He chuckles softly. “Now to get you to say that about me.”

With my next bite I tilt my head and remove the fork coyly. “I hope you say it about me.”

Feeling brave, I stick a finger in the thick cream and raise it to his mouth. He sucks it and rolls his tongue around the cream. My eyelids drop as the sensation travels to my core.

I set the plate on the coffee table and swipe a little more cream. Leaning up on my knee, I put my finger in his mouth and my other hand on his shoulder. I’m inches from his face. I lick my lips and when he nips at my hand I crush him with a kiss.

This time it isn’t sweet. It’s hot and sexy, and a low sound escapes my throat. I release my grip on the firm muscles of his arms and move my hands over to his chest. My goodness, he’s ripped. Ridges so defined, I use my fingers to trail the edges of his pectorals and bump over his abs. I fiddle with the bottom of his shirt, wanting to take it off and touch his skin. Reaching under it, I let my hands make their way back up.

He grips my shoulder blades and breaks away with a low groan. “Should I take my shirt off?”

I nod and bite my lip. He reveals what my hands already know. Light hair disappears by his nipples and reappears in a line below his navel. “Not too sweaty, nice body.” I raise my eyebrows at him. “Ummm, this is good.”


About the author:
Violet Vaughn writes New Adult Romance in her home in New Hampshire. She lives with her husband, two teenagers and three Portuguese Water Dogs. An avid skier she taught skiing and snowboarding before she started her family and now skies every winter weekend for enjoyment. Summers are full of hiking and running with her dogs.


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