Kindle Edition
Category:
Romance
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Paralegal Alex Barton was about to give up on on-line dating - until she met Heath Valentine. Alex and the incredibly hot and mysterious Heath spend an intense couple of weeks together - mostly in bed.
When Heath inexplicably goes MIA, handsome cop Cody Patrick takes her mind off her broken heart. What happens when Alex discovers where Heath was - and how Cody is involved
Alex Barton is a hardworking young paralegal in the Emerald County Prosecutor’s Office in the fictional Northern California coastal town of Scottsville. Despite her grueling work life, Alex, a single woman in her early thirties with a passionate nature, yearns for a real connection with somebody. As Alex cruises through the personals of the dating site Compatibility.com one night, she lays eyes on the stunningly attractive Heath Valentine, who reaches out to her online.
Their first date is a sizzling one, and Alex is soon head over heels for Heath, an apparently wealthy man who lives in a tastefully designed house. Alex is thoroughly seduced—though her older and wiser friend Mari warns her not to get emotionally involved. Mari knows a slick salesman when she sees one.
In Nadine LaForet’s suspense-filled debut erotic romance, hot and steamy sex is interwoven with romantic rejection and doubt. For Heath is too good to be true, and Alex is forced to face the embarrassing consequences of her actions. Through a series of twists, a new man comes on the scene for Alex who will accept her for who she is. But even after seeing the light, can she escape the net that has been woven around her?
“Heath was definitely more handsome in person than on his profile—if that was even possible. He was vital and flirty and had an incredible level of magnetism she found inescapable. From the second she felt his hand on her shoulder and heard him say her name, she was physically drawn to him in a way she had never experienced before...”
Excerpt
Alex got to the coffee shop early for her date with Heath. She had given herself plenty of time so she wouldn’t be late. After debating what to wear, she had decided not to change into anything special after work. She wanted to look nice, which she always did at work, but she wanted to be able to change up her outfit and make it a little more flirty and sexy for her date. She had chosen a snug-fitting black dress with a kick pleat in the back. She wore a black blazer, pearls, and black kitten heels with it at work, but once the work day was over she lost the blazer and pulled out a black cashmere wrap; took off the pearls and replaced the pearl earrings with some fake diamond studs; added a thin red belt; and traded out the sensible black heels for some lipstick-red pumps. She had also taken off the granny panties she wore for work and put on some black lace boy shorts ’cause you just never know. Some lipstick and a dab of perfume behind each ear and between her breasts, and she was good to go.
When she arrived at Perk she didn’t want to just sit at a table expectantly waiting for her date so she ordered a latte. “Better make it a decaf,” she told the barista. “I am meeting someone for a first date and I am already nervous.” The barista smiled. “Well, you look great. Good luck!”
Once Alex had the coffee in front of her she felt a little calmer. She sat at a table with a view of the front door and as much of the street as she could manage—she wanted to be able to see him walking up before he could see her. She took her phone out of her purse to turn off the ringer and to check the time. It was already five minutes after six. Oh great she thought, her heart sinking. He better not be flaking out on me. She took a deep breath. God, I hate chickenshit men who string women along like— “You must be Alex,” a deep voice said, as she felt a large hand on her shoulder.
She looked up at the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He smiled and said, “I’m Heath. I’m sorry I’m late. I wanted to call you because I knew I was running late and I didn’t want you to think I was standing you up, but I realized I didn’t have your number.”
She stuck out her hand. “Hi, yes, I am Alex,” she said, standing up. Heath chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he took her hand—but instead of shaking it he pulled her closer to him. “Wow, you are tall. I like that,” he said, looking directly in her eyes. Now that she was seeing him in person Alex realized that his eyes weren’t really “bedroom eyes.” Nope, those are “come fuck me” eyes...and I am in big trouble.
“I enjoyed your profile,” he said, not breaking his stare.
“You did?” she asked. “What about it did you like the most?”
“Well, certainly your smile,” he said, pulling out her chair and gesturing for her to sit down. He pulled out his own chair and paused. “I see you already have a drink—mind if I grab one, too?”
“Of course not.”
“May I get you anything else? A dessert?” he asked.
Alex shook her head “no.” She realized she hadn’t stopped smiling at him since he walked in. How did he get in without me seeing him? Must have come in the back door. Do they have a back door here?
“Don’t go anywhere.” He winked at her.
Normally Alex was not a big fan of the wink, but coming from Heath it seemed natural. That was almost cute, she thought. He is so hot I might let him get away with it.
Alex was pleased Heath wanted a coffee because it gave her a chance to check him out while he ordered—and from behind, no less. That is one nice ass, Alex thought. Alex loved a good ass—something to watch, to admire, something solid to grab onto when the time was right. She shivered uncontrollably, just thinking of the possibility of her hands on his ass, rubbing the roundness, the firmness... She shook her head. Focus, Alex. Calm yourself down.
Heath was definitely more handsome in person than on his profile—if that was even possible. He was vital and flirty and had an incredible level of magnetism she found inescapable. From the second she felt his hand on her shoulder and heard him say her name, she was physically drawn to him in a way she had never experienced before. Heath’s eyes were sexy and playful, his lips were...well, kissable was the first thought that came to mind. They were full and red and looked soft. His smile was engaging and put her at ease instantly. His face was just a little bit scruffy, and, combined with his just-ruffled-enough haircut, he was totally irresistible.
Alex watched as the barista took his money and noticed she, too, was blushing slightly—apparently Alex wasn’t the only one he had that effect on. Heath laughed with the barista and Alex felt a twinge of jealousy. Um, hello, he is my date. As Heath waited for his cafe latte he leaned against the counter and turned toward Alex, smiling at her. As he did, her twinge of jealousy faded away—she was his date, not the flirty barista— and she’d have his attention...maybe even all night, if she wanted.
Heath took his drink from the barista and walked slowly back to their table, trying not to spill coffee on his Allan Edmonds suede loafers—or his neatly pressed dark jeans. Alex appreciated a man who was mindful of his wardrobe. She was used to working in a setting where men knew how to dress and took pride in it. While it hadn’t been important to her when she was younger, after working in the prosecutor’s office and around men who knew the power of dressing well, she found she respected men who took pride in their appearance. This was not to say she didn’t appreciate a man in loose pajamas and a T-shirt on a lazy morning, but there was clearly a time and a place for everything, she thought.
As Heath set his drink down he took off his sport coat and draped it over the back of his chair. He sat down with his legs slightly spread, and Alex couldn’t help but notice the bulge in his jeans. She felt her face flush at the sight of it and smiled to herself as she tried to play it off by looking intently out the cafe window.
“So, Alex...” His voice trailed off as she turned back to face him.
“Barton,” she said. She lifted her drink to her lips and smiled. She took a sip, watching him over the rim.
“Alex Barton. Nice sound to it. And very nice to meet you, Alex Barton.” “Likewise, Heath....”
“Valentine. Heath Valentine.”
“Oh wow, really?”
“Yeah, I know,” he said, laughing. Alex loved his laugh instantly. It was deep and warm and genuine. It made her feel good.
“It gets worse, my birthday is February 14th.”
Alex laughed out loud. “Did your parents plan that? I mean, that’s a lot to live up to.”
“I know, right? But it’s OK, I manage alright.” He stopped laughing and looked at Alex. Instantly she felt a tingling warmth spread out from the center of her body. Damn, how does he do that? He smiled again as if he knew what kind of an effect he was having on her. Alex swallowed and stared back at him—this time it was Heath who looked away. He picked up his drink and took a gulp.
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