Crimson Point Security Series #6
Release Date: March 28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-928044-55-0
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook & print
Length: Novel (79,000 words)
BLURB
Neither of them were looking for love.
After suffering devastating loss, physiotherapist Everleigh is rebuilding her life in the picturesque seaside town of Crimson Point. She’s even made a list of new things she wants to try—and it doesn’t include men. But when unexpected sparks fly between her and a friend, her life is turned upside down all over again. Grady is taking a new job in another state soon, and her instinct is to guard her heart—but she decides to take a risk on him anyway. She knows better than anyone how short life is, and would rather risk more pain than miss out on the chance for something real. Then evil strikes without warning, shattering her newfound happiness and plunging them both into a desperate fight for survival.
It finds them anyway.
For the past few years pararescueman Grady Mendoza has focused on his career in the military and set everything else aside, including relationships. Until Everleigh. She’s been off limits until recently but when mutual attraction flares hot between them, it’s game on. Now he can’t stay away, and soon she’s making him question everything he thought he wanted out of life. Because time is running out for them, and the thought of walking away from her is tearing him up inside. And when they’re suddenly thrust into the middle of a deadly maelstrom, Grady is prepared to give up everything to save her—including his life.
CONTENT WARNING: This story contains scenes of extreme gun violence that may be upsetting to some readers. Discretion advised.
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EXCERPT
Grady stood slowly and paused, keeping hold of her hand. Everleigh looked up into his eyes.
Big mistake.
Her heart stuttered. She might be out of practice and not have a ton of experience with the opposite sex, but there was no mistaking the heat and male interest in his gorgeous eyes. She licked her lips, her belly somersaulting when his gaze dropped to her mouth and held for long enough to assure her he was thinking about kissing her.
She wanted it. Wanted him to take the decision out of her hands, close the small distance between them and cover her lips with his. Wanted his hands on her. Wanted to flatten herself against that warm wall of muscle and just absorb him through her skin.
Startled, she released his hand and stepped back, softening the rejection with a quick smile as she reached down to grab the blanket. “Ready to go?”
He nodded, sliding his sunglasses back onto his nose, hiding his eyes and making it impossible to read his expression or guess what he was thinking now. She spun around and started across the beach, stepping out of the shadows and into the bright late afternoon sunlight, the sand suddenly hot under her bare feet. With every step, she was conscious of Grady right behind her, her entire body focused on him.
Her heart was still thudding when they reached her car. She turned toward him to say goodbye, keys in hand, and froze.
He was right in front of her. Inches away, his big body crowding her against the door.
She stared up at him, suddenly paralyzed.
One hand rose to slide his sunglasses up onto the brim of his hat, and then his golden stare was locked on her in a way that made her mouth dry and her heart pound. Then he reached out to tug her hat off, setting it on the roof of her car before brushing her hair away from her flushed cheek. His thumb slid across her skin, his gaze once again dropping to her mouth.
The breath backed up in her lungs. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Could only stare up at him, frozen by anticipation and the most powerful surge of desire she’d ever felt.
His big hand slid down to curve around the back of her neck, his thumb skimming over her thudding pulse as he searched her eyes, sending sparks scattering across her skin. His intent was clear, as was the pause that stretched out until she was dying inside. He was giving her time to decide. To stop him if this wasn’t what she wanted.
But she did want this. Oh, God, she did…
He bent his head, bringing his mouth closer. Closer.
Her hands flew to his shoulders, fingers settling on the powerful muscles concealed by the thin layer of cotton, her eyes drifting closed. Then his mouth was on hers.
Her brain short-circuited. Completely shut off as a heady thrill shot through her veins. She sucked in a sharp breath, a soft, almost helpless sound coming from her at the rush of sensation and desire.
The hand at her nape slid up to cup the back of her head, long fingers rubbing over her scalp while his other settled on her waist, his lips settling more firmly on hers.
Everleigh leaned into the kiss, feeling like she was melting from the inside out. She was floating, having an out-of-body experience while Grady slowly kissed and nibbled at first her top, then her bottom lip, touched his tongue to it in a way that had her bare toes curling into the sand.
He kissed the tip of her nose. Worked his way across her cheeks, then dipped down to her chin, kissing there before going back to her mouth, as if she was precious to him and he’d been dying to kiss her for so long and didn’t want to stop.
Her belly flipped and her heart squeezed. The way he kissed her made her feel so cherished. She had no defense against it.
When he finally lifted his head, she blinked up at him, stunned by what he’d made her feel with just a few innocent kisses, her body suddenly humming all over and hungry for more. The molten heat in his eyes made her pulse trip, and the slow, tender smile he gave her turned her on even more.
“I’ve wanted to do that for months,” he murmured, his fingers moving along her scalp in a way that had her eyelids drooping.
“You have?” she whispered, stunned. She hadn’t known. Had she just been in so much of a fog she hadn’t noticed before?
He nodded. Leaned in to run his nose along hers, the motion sensual, almost leonine. “It was worth the wait.”