Love Me By Christmas by Jaci Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jaci Burton is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I have not read one of her books in awhile. It was nice to pick up one and I am glad I got to read Ellie and Nicks heartwarming story. After the tragic death of Ellie’s husband, Nicks brother the two hold each other together as they mourn their shared loss. Jaci spins a sweet and some times sad tale of a second chance at love after loss. I cried more than once as I read the journey of Nick and Ellie as they finally find the courage to claim the love the both feel. Great love story.
*Standalone, contemporary romance, second chance at love*
View all my reviews
Monday, November 6, 2017
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Release Blitz: From the Ruins by Janine Infante Bosco
FROM THE RUINS
(A Satan's Knights Novel)
by Janine Infante BoscoPublication Date: September 26, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Erotic, MC, Romantic Suspense
Are you ready to get ruined with Pipe and Layla?
Happy Release Day to Janine Infante Bosco - Author!
¸.•´✶FROM THE RUINS¸.•´✶
#AVAILABLENOW
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2wtQoCc
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2u9Ugb3
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2v5M4vj
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2hvpl6W
Add to #Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vqslHx
.•´✶COVER CREDITS¸.•´✶
Cover Designer: JB's Cover Obsession Design
Model: Michael Joseph
Photographer: Reggie Deanching, R+M Photography
#FromTheRuins #GetRuined #RiseUp #SmokinPipe #SatansKnightsMC
#JanineInfanteBosco
¸.•´✶SYNOPSIS¸.•´✶
✶Pipe✶
In every man’s life there comes a day of reckoning. It’s the day darkness is exposed and sinners are punished for their trespasses.
A day when loyalty is destroyed and a man is left in ruins.
When he walks away from his club and loses his religion.
Whoever said from the ruins they will rise again never walked a mile in my shoes or the pair of red ones I was left holding.
✶Layla✶
He’s bitter, cold and angry.
He’s seen his share of heartache.
Lived through tragedy and despair.
He’s my neighbor.
The man I know should stay away from.
The man who will destroy what’s left of me if I get too close.
He’s Lee Jameson, and I’m Layla Milano.
This is our story.
The story of two people left in ruins forced to rise again.
***NOTE: Contains explicit sexual situations, violence, offensive language, and mature topics. Not recommended for people under the age of 18***
.•´✶#GIVEAWAY¸.•´✶
#Amazon #GiftCard!
Signed paperback of From the Ruins (Signed by Janine and Michael)
$15.00 Amazon Gift card
Giveaway direct link:
.•´✶#EXCERPT¸.•´✶
Excerpt: Pipe confesses some of his truth.
Sitting on the floor next to Oksana’s shoes, I reach for the bottle beside me and take a hefty swig. The liquid slides down my throat, burning my belly. I embrace the pain. I relish in it and wish for more. If I had any balls whatsoever, I’d take a knife to my own throat and feel the pain she felt when her life ended.
“Hey, babe,” I mutter. “You with me today?” I ask the shoes, praying that by some miracle of God they’ll answer me. They won’t. They never do. But tonight, more than anything, more than whiskey and pain, I need her. I need to believe that she stills walks beside me every day. It doesn’t matter that she’s unseen or unheard, just as long as she’s near. It’s selfish of me to want her with me considering everything I’ve done since she’s left this earth. The booze, the nameless women, the list is fucking endless.
“I forgot,” I confess as I close my eyes and take another gulp. “For a little while I forgot and it wasn’t because I was shitfaced or because I was too busy getting off to think of anything else. For the first time since you died, I distracted myself with a woman and didn’t fuck her. The shit thing is, it felt worse than sinking my dick into some faceless stranger. I came home, saw the shoes and felt guilty for playing you dirty.”
Placing the bottle on the floor next to me, I lift my hands to my face and rub vigorously.
“I’m losing it, Oksana,” I mutter. “I’m losing my fucking mind trying to live when all I want to do is die. What’s the point in living when everything I ever loved—you, the club, everything—is gone.”
Taking a deep breath, I draw my hands away from my face and lean my head against the wall.
“I forgot,” I whisper. “I forgot I had nothing because at the hardware store I was the guy who had everything. In the grocery store I was the man who had too much, and in Layla’s kitchen I was the man who wanted more.”
When Layla’s friend Joey showed up and set me straight, I walked away. One glance at him and I remembered who I was and what I was worth. There is a reason men like him have everything and men like me have nothing. It’s nothing new to me. In fact, it’s something I’ve learned through the years, through the loss I’ve experienced myself and the loss I’ve witnessed through the eyes of my brothers. It’s the reason Wolf has three ex-wives and Jack buried his son. It’s the reason Riggs almost lost his woman and his child, and it’s the very reason Bones died. It’s why Blackie brings Christine flowers on a Saturday and I’m sitting here talking to a pair of shoes.
It’s the choices you make when you’re young, the choices you think have no consequences. I’d be willing to bet my life that guy Joey doesn’t live with a mountain of regrets. A man like that rides on the right side of the law. He works hard for everything he has and that’s why he gets to keep it. He is rewarded for the choices he made when he was younger, when he fought against temptation and struggled instead of taking the easy way out in life. It is men like that who work a nine to five who never worry about bombs and bullets, and who live life to its fullest potential.
I used to call those men pussies.
But I’m the one sitting here with a half empty bottle of booze and a pair of shoes, looking for the courage to end my nightmare.
The excessive knocking on the door jolts me away from my pity party and forces me onto my feet. Without wondering who it might be, I pull open the door and stare at Layla’s pretty face. Lifting the plate in her hands, she smiles warmly and a fire spreads throughout my chest. It’s the pain I’ve been looking for, the sweet satisfaction of my punishment.
“Hi,” she murmurs. “You left kind of abruptly before—”
“Why are you here?” I sneer, cutting her off.
“Well, I thought if you couldn’t stay for dinner then I could bring dinner to you,” she explains, extending a dish toward me.
She’s nice.
Too fucking nice.
I can’t handle nice.
I can’t handle good.
She made me forget today. She made me wish for more. Now I need her to remind me of the truth. I need her to lash out at me and give me the rawness of pain. I need her to prove to me I’m not worthy of her spit. I need the bitter, angry Layla who isn’t afraid to tell the guy next door he’s a bastard.
“Look, lady, I fixed your fucking sink, played bitch to you and your kids all day and started the repairs on your car. Now I thought we were done for the day. What more can you possibly need from me? The roof cave in and you need some jerkoff to patch it up for you?”
Her eyes flash and her nostrils flare as she glares at me.
There it is.
Give it to me, killer.
Show me the truth.
“Have you been drinking?” she asks, clenching her teeth.
“What’s it to you?” I fire back. “I ain’t on the clock again until tomorrow.”
Silently, she stares at me and I figure she’s getting a glimpse of the devil until her features soften. She cocks her head to the side and the fire fades from her eyes.
“What’s happening here?” she whispers. “I thought we were okay. I mean, today—”
“Today, nothing. Today I fucking bent over backward and took it in the ass because I felt bad for you.”
“You felt bad for me?” she repeats.
Come on, give it to me.
“I pitied you. Look, lady, I get it. You’re lonely. Your husband left you, probably for a woman half your age. That would explain why you’re so fucking bitter, but I’m not looking to lick your wounds and play Daddy to a bunch of brats,” I sneer. “Maybe you can get that Joey character to pity fuck you and take on your tribe.”
Suddenly, she drops the plate and rears her hand back. Her palm connects with my cheek and I grin devilishly at her.
Burn.
Make me burn.
“That the best you got, killer?”
“Fuck you,” she shrieks, pushing her hair out of her face as she clenches her jaw. “Not that it is any of your fucking business but Joey is my best friend’s husband! As for my marriage, I’m the one who left. My children have one father and one mother and that’s all they’ll ever have. You ever talk about my kids like that again, so help me Jesus I will fucking gut you. And as far as looking for someone to fuck me, I have standards and a vibrator, and even if I didn’t I’m pretty sure you’d be the last man I’d want to satisfy me. I wasn’t looking for anything. I came here because you were helpful to me and my children and I wanted to return the favor but you can…” Her words trail off.
“Don’t stop there,” I growl.
Following her gaze, my eyes zero in on Oksana’s shoes.
“Of course,” she laughs sarcastically. “I should’ve known you’d have company. You must be slacking though since there is only one pair of shoes tonight,” she shouts as she goes to reach for them. “You’re a fucking pig,” she seethes.
Snapping, my control flees and I reach for her wrist.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” I scold, foaming at the mouth. “Those are my wife’s shoes,” I holler as I lose my footing and stumble back. Falling on my ass, Layla pulls her hand free from me and takes a step backward. Her eyes widen and she looks appalled.
“You’re married?” she asks with her voice full of disgust. “Oh my God, you’re fucking married? I didn’t think it was possible for you to be a bigger piece of shit but—”
“She’s fucking dead,” I shout, unable to listen to her anymore. I thought having her tell me I was a worthless piece of garbage would make me feel better, but having her think I’ve been stepping out on my wife is too much. Call me all the names in the world, blame me for her death, but don’t tell me I wasn’t devoted to her.
I’m a lot of things but I’m no fucking cheat.
“Lee,” she whispers hoarsely.
“Get out,” I order, combing my fingers through my hair. Angling my head back, I meet her pitiful gaze and I shake my head. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs.
Instead of taking a step backward, she takes two forward and kicks away the broken plate. She bends her knees and crouches down in front of me.
It’s wrong.
So fucking wrong.
I don’t want her pity.
Fuck her and her sorrow.
“Go away,” I plead.
Leave me to my hell.
Leave me to my grief.
Leave me alone where I’m meant to be.
“I didn’t know,” she explains.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, turning away from her.
“Lee—” she whispers.
Then I feel her.
Her hand touches mine and an electric current passes from her fingertips to mine. It’s too much and I snap my hand back. My eyes find hers and the burn in my chest deepens as the tears roll down her cheeks.
“Get the fuck out,” I growl.
She doesn’t move for a moment before she wipes her eyes and whispers her apologies once more. Without another word, she stands, but before she turns around she glances at the shoes.
The truth is in those shoes.
They’re the reminder.
For those red shoes don’t only symbolize the sharp knife of a short life.
They prove the worse consequence of all is waking up every day in a world you’re unworthy of living in.
That’s the fucking truth I forgot.
The truth Layla made me forget.
A truth I’m unworthy of forgetting.
#FromTheRuins #GetRuined #RiseUp #SmokinPipe #SatansKnightsMC
#JanineInfanteBosco
.•´✶ABOUT AUTHOR JANINE INFANTE BOSCO¸.•´✶
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong-willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she’s made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.
¸.•´✶CONNECT WITH JANINE¸.•´✶
Website: http://www.janineinfantebosco.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanineBosco
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grassking205/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1FJa8S3
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/29Dfru4
Amazon Author Profile: http://amzn.to/2b98hQM
Book Bub Author Profile: http://bit.ly/2kXDpo1
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
FREE - A Black Ops Romance by Riley Edwards
From best-selling author Riley Edwards comes another,
heart-stopping last chance military romance.
After the love of Lily's life and best friend dies in combat, she struggles to move on - until Carter Lenox enters her life. Carter has a secret, one that will destroy Lily. But when a terrorist hell bent on revenge tries to kill Lily, Lenox has no choice but to claim the one woman he should never have.
FREE - A Black Ops Romance
Genre- badass military romance
Heat level - Smokin'
Over 18! Bad boy alpha military men use foul language and enjoy dirty talk.
ON SALE $0.99 - Until 8/23
I wanted him to follow his dreams. I wanted him to escape the life he hated. I thought I was doing the right thing by not telling him how I truly felt. Until it was too late, and my silence turned into my biggest regret.
Twelve years ago, Shane Owings died, taking my heart with him. I was left devastated and broken hearted. Time didn’t heal, as the years went on I only missed him more.
She was my best friend… the only woman I ever loved.
When I ran off to join the Army, I left behind everything I had ever loved. I thought I was doing the right thing, but my good intentions quickly turned into my biggest regret.
Every year on the anniversary of Shane’s death I watched as Lillian Nelson visited Shane’s grave and spilled her secrets to a dead man. Each year I hoped she wouldn’t be back, that her heart would finally heal and she would move on. But year after year she was back. So many times I wanted to reach out and comfort the beautiful woman, but I knew she would never forgive me. It was my fault Shane was dead.
Until… A terrorist shows up looking for revenge.
I had to come out of the shadows and protect the one woman I had no business falling in love with.
Free is a steamy last chance at love military romance. No cheating. Guaranteed HEA.
About Riley Edwards
Riley Edwards is a best-selling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children. Her two eldest children have flown the coop and are now serving in the US military. Riley also has a teenage daughter that is the source of laughter and wit around her house. Her youngest son is a "bad-ass" in training and is very much a mini version of his Alpha father. Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley's favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance. (Those are also her favorites to read.) She's known for her jaw-dropping plot twists. You know the ones? Those pivotal scenes in a story that when executed so flawlessly it leaves you breathless and begging for more? Yeah, those! She's mastered the art of blending suspense, romance, and smoldering sexy times. It's like Criminal Minds, and the Spice Channel mated, and a perfect love child was born.
To learn more about Riley's books, please visit, www.RileyEdwardsRomance.com. And don't forget to sign up for the Riley's Rebel's Newsletter.
FOLLOW RILEY
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Facebook Fan Group
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Twitter @rileyedwardsrom
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Thursday, August 10, 2017
Sale Alert: Today is the perfect day to discover a cowboy to drool over.
Today is the perfect day to discover a cowboy to drool over.
12 incredible cowboy romances are available to download today for FREE or $0.99 for a limited time only.
Be sure to also enter the $25 Amazon gift card giveaway too.
Purchase links & giveaway: www.hottreepromotions.com/cowboys
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Cover Reveal: His Heart is Hers by Sheila Kell
“Sheila Kell is a mistress of the genre…”
– Readers’ Favorite
Title: His HeartSeries: HIS Series #7
Author: Sheila Kell
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: Sept 5th, 2017
Release Date: Sept 5th, 2017
Designer: CT Cover Creations
Photographer: Eric Battershell
Featuring: Sami
Bossert and Zeke Samples
Photographer: Eric Battershell
Featuring: Sami
Bossert and Zeke Samples
From Romantic Suspense BEST-SELLING
Author: What happens when a man is called to protect the woman who captured
then crushed his heart? In Sheila Kell’s story of danger and second chances,
two people are connected by a painful past and a love that is threatened.
Author: What happens when a man is called to protect the woman who captured
then crushed his heart? In Sheila Kell’s story of danger and second chances,
two people are connected by a painful past and a love that is threatened.
Eight years earlier, Matt Hamilton gave away his heart only
to have that love snatched away. When called in to protect Caitlyn Robinson,
the damaged woman from his past, he’s prepared to risk everything to make sure
she’s kept safe.
to have that love snatched away. When called in to protect Caitlyn Robinson,
the damaged woman from his past, he’s prepared to risk everything to make sure
she’s kept safe.
By the time his team is in place, Matt discovers Caitlyn
hasn’t truly recovered from the event that previously destroyed them. He’s
determined to be the one to save not only her life, but her heart. Possibility
drives him forward, but first, he must catch the bastard chasing her.
hasn’t truly recovered from the event that previously destroyed them. He’s
determined to be the one to save not only her life, but her heart. Possibility
drives him forward, but first, he must catch the bastard chasing her.
***
HIS HEART is the seventh
book in the HIS romantic suspense series. If you like thrilling, edge of your
seat reading with sizzling sex scenes, then you’ll love each installment of
Sheila Kell’s best-selling series.
book in the HIS romantic suspense series. If you like thrilling, edge of your
seat reading with sizzling sex scenes, then you’ll love each installment of
Sheila Kell’s best-selling series.
Preorder your copy of HIS
HEART to meet the hot-bodied men of HIS on Sept 5th!
HEART to meet the hot-bodied men of HIS on Sept 5th!
Praise for Sheila
Kell
Kell
“Wow! Can Ms. Kell tell a great story.” – InD’tale
Magazine
Magazine
“One thing is for sure, Sheila Kell has solidly landed
herself on my One-Click-Addiction List with this group.” – BookwormBetties
herself on my One-Click-Addiction List with this group.” – BookwormBetties
Cover Reveal: Appointed by Fate by Sky McNeil
Author: Skye McNeil
Title: Appointed by Fate
Series: The Mobster Files, Book 1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 30, 2017
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: Claire Smith
One of Iowa’s most prominent criminal attorneys, Joci Dorous is ruthless and devoid of emotion in the courtroom. It’s what makes her the best. Her most recent client allegedly committed murder and, despite a rocky start, Joci is determined to win Cameron Shearer’s case.
Since this is her first homicide, she has the support of a second-chair attorney—her ex who wants her back. To make things more complicated, her hunky cop of a booty call, Cameron’s arresting officer, isn’t quite ready to let her go either. Who knew being surrounded by three hot guys could be so deliciously exhausting?
As the mystery of the case unravels, she soon discovers the true reason behind Cameron’s impromptu visit to Iowa. It’s this knowledge that endangers all those she holds dear. Caught up in confusion, chaos, and criminal law, how will her heart survive the final verdict?
Skye McNeil began writing at the age of seventeen and has been lost in a love affair ever since. During the day, she moonlights as a paralegal at a law firm favouring criminal law.
Skye enjoys writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries novels that leave readers wanting more and falling in love over and over. She writes contemporary and historical novels ranging from sweet and sassy to steamy and sultry.
Her constant writing companions are two cats and two dogs. When she’s not writing, Skye enjoys spending time with family, photography, volleyball, traveling, and curling up with a cup of coffee and reading.
Sign up for Skye's newsletter HERE.
Monday, August 7, 2017
Cover Reveal: From The Ruins (A Satan's Knights novel) by Janine Infante Bosco
FROM THE RUINS
(A Satan's Knights Novel)
by Janine Infante Bosco
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Erotic, MC, Romantic Suspense
Are you ready to get ruined with Pipe and Layla?
Happy Cover Reveal Day to Janine Infante Bosco - Author!
Check out the AWESOME new cover for
¸.•´✶FROM THE RUINS¸.•´✶
#PREORDER your copy now!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2wtQoCc
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2u9Ugb3
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2v5M4vj
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2hvpl6W
Add to #Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vqs lHx
#FromTheRuins #GetRuined #RiseUp #SmokinPipe #SatansKnightsMC
.•´✶COVER CREDITS¸.•´✶
Cover Designer: JB's Cover Obsession Design
Model: Michael Joseph
Photographer: Reggie Deanching, R+M Photography
¸.•´✶SYNOPSIS¸.•´✶
Pipe
In every man’s life there comes a day of reckoning. It’s the day darkness is exposed and sinners are punished for their trespasses.
A day when loyalty is destroyed and a man is left in ruins.
When he walks away from his club and loses his religion.
Whoever said from the ruins they will rise again never walked a mile in my shoes or the pair of red ones I was left holding.
Layla
He’s bitter, cold and angry.
He’s seen his share of heartache.
Lived through tragedy and despair.
He’s my neighbor.
The man I know should stay away from.
The man who will destroy what’s left of me if I get too close.
He’s Lee Jameson, and I’m Layla Milano.
This is our story.
The story of two people left in ruins forced to rise again.
***NOTE: Contains explicit sexual situations, violence, offensive language, and mature topics. Not recommended for people under the age of 18***
#FromTheRuins #GetRuined #RiseUp #SmokinPipe #SatansKnightsMC
.•´✶#GIVEAWAY¸.•´✶
#Amazon #GiftCard!
$20.00 Amazon gift card & 8x10 Print of Michael Joseph
Giveaway direct link: http://www.rafflecopter. com/rafl/display/6dc324a87/?
.•´✶#EXCERPT¸.•´✶
Excerpt From The Ruins © Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved by Janine Infante Bosco.
Stalking down the wooden steps, I cross my lawn to hers and prepare myself for another argument. Deciding I should’ve dragged my ass back to bed and damned the world to hell, I pound my fist against her front door.
Let that punk kid give me lip.
Or better yet, let her husband get in my face.
I’ll welcome them to the neighborhood.
The door swings open and my gaze travels downward to the pipsqueak staring up at me like I’m the big bad wolf.
Great.
“Uh, hey, kid,” I start, running my fingers through my hair as a pair of big brown eyes level me.
“You’re the man from last night,” she says, shaking her little finger at me. “The man on the lawn who broke my mom’s car.”
“I didn’t break your mom’s car,” I grind out.
“But Tommy said—”
“Look, kid is your mom or dad home?” I ask, cutting her off, not really looking to go head to head with some little half pint. Huffing, she crosses her arms against her chest and rolls her eyes dramatically.
“We don’t live with daddy anymore. He and mommy are divorced,” she reveals, uncrossing her tiny arms as she plants her hands on her hips and angles her head. “Dad is living in our old house which sucks. Shit, don’t tell my mom I said sucks. She gets all pissy when I curse but it’s not really a curse right? I mean you should hear some of the things that come out of my mom’s mouth.”
Jesus, this kid.
Rubbing my temples, I look past her hoping to find her mother but the mud wrestler ain’t nowhere in sight and the kid continues to ramble on, revealing all her mama’s secrets.
“Tommy says we’re here because mom can’t afford a house in the city,” she adds. “But, I think it’s also because mommy hates daddy and wants to be far away from him.” Her lips straighten into a thin line as she glances down at the floor seeming to be in deep thought. “That sucks too,” she mutters with a frown.
Dropping my hands from my face, I shove one into my pocket and stare at her. Not sure what to say, not really understanding why the fuck I care, I press my finger under her chin and lift her eyes to mine.
“Divorce sucks kid,” I tell her.
“You said sucks,” she says.
“Yeah, you did too,” I point out, watching as the frown fades from her lips. Lifting her chin, she studies me curiously. Having a pair of little eyes on me, eyes that are full of wonder is a sobering moment for a bastard like me. It makes me think about how I’m perceived in the eyes of a child.
My thoughts are quickly jarred when I hear half-pints mother shriek from deep inside the house. Then I hear her other two kids shout and before I realize what the fuck I’m doing, I’m following the little girl into the house. Running into the kitchen, the kid comes to a complete stop and I stand behind her, taking in the chaos.
Water spurts from under the sink like a waterfall and the mud wrestler holds a pot in front of her as if to catch the fucking water. The older boy grabs another pot and tries to help his mother while the other girl covers her face with her hands.
“Make it stop,” the girl cries.
“I don’t know how!” the mother shrieks, emptying the pot into the sink. Her son goes sliding across the floor and she’s quick to grab his wrist before he hits the floor as the water rains down around them making it clear they’re fucked.
Stomping through the puddles soaking the kitchen, I brush past them and kneel underneath the sink to turn the water valve off. As I twist it closed, I spot the busted pipe. Suddenly the commotion comes to a standstill as the water trickles off and silence fills the kitchen. Slipping my head out from under the sink, four sets of eyes peer back at me like I’m a fucking unicorn. Wiping my hands along the front of my shirt, I focus on the mud wrestler as she seems to be the least judgmental of the four.
“The main pipe under the sink cracked. I shut the water off for now,” I explain as she continues to stare at me in disbelief. Unable to help myself, I take her in too. Dressed in a pair of pajamas with her hair piled high on top of her head, she’s quite a looker. The thin tank top of her pajamas is soaked, molding to every curve of her body, revealing a narrow waist and hips that a man holds onto. Lifting my gaze higher, my eyes zero in on her tits. Her nipples are hard and fully visible through the wet shirt, leaving nothing to my imagination. It’s hard to believe the tall boy standing next to her is her son or that any of these children came from that body.
Forcing my attention away, I reach for the towel hanging on the back of one of her chairs and toss it in her direction.
“Might want to cover up,” I tell her, eyeing the boy standing behind her, wearing the same stumped expression as his mother.
Recovering she catches the towel and crosses her arms against her chest, hiding her perfect tits from my view. Last night it was too dark and I was too drunk to notice her hazel eyes or how full her lips are. My gaze meets hers and I realize the view up top is just as sweet as everything from the neck down.
“What—how did you get in here?” she stammers, finally finding her voice. I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her to thank me for stopping the waterfall in her kitchen but she just looks at me expectantly.
“I let him in,” the half-pint offers.
Instantly, her brother turns to her and lectures her claiming the role as man of the house.
“You can’t be letting strange men in the house, Lexi,” he reprimands, wringing out his t-shirt.
Half pint rolls her eyes to the heavens before looking back at me.
“What’s your name?” she questions innocently.
It’s a simple question yet I stare at her as if she asked me if I knew the cure for cancer. My first instinct is to tell her my name is Pipe but I’m not that man anymore. I’m not the man who got his road name because he made pipe bombs his club sold back in the day. I don’t ride with the Satan’s Knights anymore.
“Lee,” I mutter. “The name is Lee, kid.”
She steps forward and offers me her little hand.
“I’m Lexi,” she reveals as I awkwardly shake her hand with my massive paw. Then she drops my hand and turns to her brother. “Now, Lee isn’t a stranger anymore, Tommy.”
“Okay, parties over kids,” the mud wrestler declares. “Jenna, take your sister upstairs and help her get dressed.”
“Why do I have to help her? She’s five.”
“Because I said so,” she replies exasperatedly. Cringing as the words leave her mouth, she turns to her eldest child. “You too, Tommy.”
“I’m not dressing Lexi.”
“Go shower, now,” she orders. “We need to get a move on.”
The two girls prance out of the kitchen but Tommy remains still, sizing me up much like he did last night. It’s clear the kid is protective of his mother and since half pint squealed all her mama’s business, I can respect the kid for stepping up. I hold his gaze and jut my chin, giving him a silent vow that all is good here.
“Tommy,” my neighbor repeats and the boy finally tears his eyes away. A moment later he reluctantly leaves the kitchen. “Thank you for turning the water off,” she says once we’re alone and I turn my attention back to her
I nod, letting my eyes roam over her, wishing she’d uncross her arms now that her kids are out of sight.
“But you didn’t come here to fix my plumbing and I don’t see you as a member of the welcoming committee so I’m confused as to why you’re standing in my kitchen.”
“Your car is blocking my driveway.”
“You mean the car your friends smashed?”
“That’s the one,” I reply, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “If you’re planning on going into town you’re going to want to fix that bumper first. The fucking troopers up here won’t think twice about giving you a citation.” I pause, angling my head slightly as I continue to take her in. “I’m guessing that’s the last thing you need right now.”
Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink as her eyes narrow in anger. Grinding her teeth, she drops her arms and draws in a deep breath as she balls her hands into fists.
“And how would you know what I need?” she bites back.
Oh, I know what she needs. Any man with a pair of working eyes can tell this woman is wound tight. She needs to release some of that tension inside her. She needs to get fucked until she can’t remember her name let alone her troubles but I doubt she wants to hear that.
“Your daughter has loose lips,” I say instead. “Might want to tell her not to spill your business to strangers.”
“Thanks for your input but I think I’m going to pass on the parenting advice from a man who had two half naked girls on his lawn in the middle of the night—both who are probably young enough to be his daughters.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I remain impassive as she studies me with her those judgmental eyes of her.
I’m used to people’s remarks. Being a biker, I’ve had my share of assumptions made about me. Everyone thinks they know everyone. You take one look at a person and swear you’ve got them all figured out. At times, I myself have been guilty of the offense. It takes years of making the wrong convictions and learning from each mistake to realize you never truly know a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.
“I’ve got everything under control,” she adds and for a moment I wonder who she’s trying to convince.
“Suit yourself, killer,” I retort with a shrug and push off the counter.
“Layla,” she whispers before sighing. “My name is Layla not killer,” she adds, emphasizing the name by adding air quotes.
“Good to know,” I say as I start towards the door. “Get your car out of my driveway, killer.”
Then without another word, I step out of the kitchen. I’m halfway toward the front door when I hear her curse and my lips quirk slightly.
Half pint was right.
Her mother has a filthy mouth.
#FromTheRuins #GetRuined #RiseUp #SmokinPipe #SatansKnightsMC
#JANINEINFANTEBOSCO
.•´✶ABOUT AUTHOR JANINE INFANTE BOSCO¸.•´✶
Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong-willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she’s made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.
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