Authors: Mira Lyn Kelly
Tags: #Contemporary Fiction, #Contemporary Women, #Contemporary, #Romance, #Literature & Fiction, #Women's Fiction
Truth or Dare (33 page)
Ava had flown back to San Diego for a week in July, during which time she’d actually been able to eat a few meals outside the office as they’d been offering her a permanent position. One she declined, along with the follow-up, significantly sweetened offer last month. Each time she dragged out her recounting of the offer and her subsequent pass for maximum dramatic impact, nearly putting Sam into an apoplectic fit in the process.
After giving himself some time to heal, Tyler ended up telling everyone about Charlie, sharing what he’d been trying to achieve over the previous year, and the outcome. For once, there hadn’t been any teasing, just an outpouring of friendship and support in the form of a few bromantic hugs from the guys, and Tony and Ava briefly succumbing to tears.
There were still moments when Tyler felt the loss of what he’d had with Charlie, just as there were moments when Maggie felt the clutch of doubt about their future. But for both of them, those moments were growing fewer and farther between.
Because life was good.
And no matter what happened, no matter what unforeseen changes might lie ahead, Maggie wanted to live in the perfection of the now.
The feel of Tyler’s hands coasting across her belly as she rested against the solid mass of his chest. The warm water around them and the last of the bubbles lingering at the tub’s edge.
“Let’s go someplace,” he suggested, rubbing his nose and jaw against the sensitive skin of her neck. “Plan a long weekend and fly out to Vermont. Or Napa. Seattle, maybe? What do you think?”
She thought he could tease her like this forever, and she’d never get tired of his hands on her body, the light scruff of his jaw on her neck, and his lazy, contented voice rumbling at her ear. She thought he was perfect.
“I’ve never been to Vermont. What would we do out there?”
He dropped a slow, open-mouthed kiss against her throat, letting her feel the barest, most decadent hint of his teeth and tongue.
Her breath hitched and suddenly she was melting back into him. “Mmm,” she sighed. “Well, I like the sound of that already. But maybe you should tell me more. Really sell me on the idea.”
She could feel his smile against her skin as his arms snaked tighter, to hold her close. This was how she loved to be. It was so right.
And then Tyler was washing the suds off her arms. Drying her skin. And leading her into her bedroom. Stopping here to kiss her deeply. Pausing there to drive her wild. Laughing when his phone rang and Maggie offered to wait if he wanted to take it—he didn’t. Laughing harder still when in the next breath he’d tossed her on the bed and followed her down. Then the laughing was through. And it was just the two of them, lost in each other’s eyes, in their escalating breath, and this thing between them that was so much more than all of that.
He positioned himself between her legs. As always making her wait that single extra beat, just the time it took for her eyes to meet his and hold. For the connection between them to lock into place so they were completely and perfectly together. When it was like he was already inside her. Beating in her heart, slipping in and out of her lungs with each breath. Making every part of her ache in that poignant, perfect, too-full way.
And then he was sinking deep. Thick and hard, and oh so right, and in that moment there was nothing but the words she could feel before he even said them.
“I love you. Always.”
She believed.
To my husband, Chris
There are so many wonderful people to thank for their contributions to getting this ball rolling, seeing me through all the writerly crazy that’s part of my process, and inspiring me along the way. But especially I’d like to thank Megan Mulry (seed planter, sounding board, and steadfast friend there through the thick of it), Amanda Carlson (instigator, lake walker, and total sweetheart), Julie Ann Walker (tour guide goddess and sage advice giver), Nicole Resciniti (super agent extraordinaire), Marty Winefield (real estate guru), all my writing sprint buddies on Twitter, my readers asking what’s next and when they can get it, my wonderful family and friends, Sue Grimshaw, Gina Wachtel, and the entire amazing Loveswept team. THANK YOU!! Couldn’t have done it without you!
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A Dare to Love Novel
Truth or Dare
Coming Soon:
Touch & Go
USA Today
bestselling author
Mira Lyn Kelly
grew up in the Chicago area and earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University. She met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy, only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four beautiful children and naughty dog provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isn’t reading, writing, or running to keep up with the family, she loves watching movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
Mira loves to hear from her readers, so don’t be a stranger!
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September 23, 2014 is the first day of autumn, and there is nothing like cool weather to encourage us to curl up and read a good book—as if we need any additional encouragement, right? Here are some great Loveswept book ideas to help you fall into the new season.
USA Today
bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly’s new Dare to Love series debuts with
Truth or Dare,
a fabulous contemporary romance that fans of Jill Shalvis will adore. Laura Drewry returns this month as well with the witty and tender romance
Prima Donna,
featuring a sexy love-shy doctor. Debut author Claudia Connor introduces the McKinney brothers in
Worth the Fall,
where readers meet widowed mother Abby and Navy SEAL Matt, both seeking forgiveness and looking for a way to start over. A book I’m sure readers will devour is
Control
by Laura Marie Altom—runaway Ella escapes an abusive marriage, dot.com billionaire Liam is used to having control, and together they are explosive. Coinciding with the World Series, Katie Rose gives us The Boys of Summer with
Bring on the Heat,
introducing Chase and Darcy (or is it Lydia?) in this mistaken-identity love affair. And if the weather gets a little too cool, heat it up with
Longing
by Jamie K. Schmidt, a lighter take on erotic romance—but don’t be fooled, Anya and Clint are hot!Lastly, don’t miss the newest Flirt title: Lauren Layne’s
Broken.
The second book in her Redemption series, it tells the story of a girl with secrets, a guy with scars, and a love that could save them…or destroy them.I hope you don’t miss these stories that will warm your heart and make you blush a little, too! And share your favorites with friends—we all need a little cuddle-up time with a good book. Until next time…
~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Bring on the Heat
Chapter One
Darcy Hamilton pulled up to the Moorestown estate in her 2005 blue Honda Civic. The car was good on gas, but appeared a little battered in the luxurious cul-de-sac lined with million-dollar homes and BMWs. Climbing out of the vehicle, she hoisted her overnight bag from the trunk and then started down the paved path to the enormous mansion.
It was a gorgeous summer day in New Jersey, and she paused to admire the beautiful landscaping that surrounded the impressive property. The spring tulips and daffodils had long since faded, and the hybrid tea roses were blooming in full splendor. Leather-leaf shrubs and evergreens lined the house, softening the edges of the dun-colored bricks. Towering brass planters held geraniums and ivy ribbons trailing toward the emerald-green lawn where not a single dandelion dared take root.