TCO Exclusives

The Detective’s Pleasure by Christa Tomlinson : Release Day Exclusive Interview and Giveaway

February 11, 2016 by Denise

Officer Ryan Bennett: He’s pursuing his dream of being promoted to Houston’s elite SWAT team with a single mindedness that won’t accept any outcome but success. But that’s not all he dreams of. Ryan wants more than a coveted position on SWAT. He wants to be owned by a strong Dominant. To give himself up to a Dom who will make him shudder with pleasure beneath a firm yet loving hand. Unfortunately, Ryan has had nothing but failure in that part of his life. Now, he’s hidden that dream away from everyone, including himself. And he refuses to let anyone close enough to see what he truly wants, and who he truly is.

Detective Sam Roberts: Cool and calm, Detective Sam Roberts is good at reading people. That’s why he sees past the hard layer of arrogance surrounding Ryan Bennett to the hurt submissive hiding beneath. He wants to help Ryan, even though the stubborn young man resists him. But Sam isn’t one to back down from a challenge. He’s determined to help Ryan embrace the soft, giving nature of his submissive side. Sam knows he can do it. What he doesn’t know is just how far they’ll both have to go in order to make that happen.

Five-ish good questions with Christa Tomlinson (I know…its’ not Friday, but I like to pretend every day is Friday!)

(A sometimes feature on Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy)

Let’s start with serious: The Sergeant was a HUGE book, it really hit so many people’s must read list, and I know people who have re-read it multiple times (not just me!). How difficult is it to try to follow up book 1 with another book that must be read.

Very difficult! I actually had a bit of a crisis because I was so concerned about trying to follow The Sergeant. I didn’t realize for a long time just how loved Logan and Clay were. But when I did, it hit me that I had a lot to live up to for Ryan and Sam. As I was writing their story I tried to force them to be like Logan and Clay. Ha! That didn’t work. When I finally let Ryan and Sam be themselves, their story unfolded and I fell in love with them.

What is your vision of what Ryan and Sam look like? Do you have celebrity inspirations/crushes for these two characters?

Ryan is young and average height but in really good shape. He has pale blonde hair and gray eyes. My celebrity crushes for him were Ryan Harrison from Queer as Folk and Chord Overstreet from Glee. Sam is my big, tall Texan. He’s a brunette with denim blue eyes and a low beard. Sam is relaxed and easy going with a naturally lean body and a slow Texas drawl. So of course Matthew McConaughey was my inspiration for him.

The cover of The Detective’s Pleasure is clearly Ryan. Tell us the significance of the cover for you, and how it relates to the story.

I love the cover for TDP. It was done by Jay Aheer and out of all the covers she’s done for me so far, it’s my favorite. Capturing the tone of a book is very important in the cover. I’m not ashamed to admit that I write some moody, angsty shit. The darkness and shadows of this cover really convey that tone. I also love the pose of the model. He looks so vulnerable with his lashes lowered and the slight pout on his mouth. It makes me want to cry for Ryan. Excuse me while I get emotional…

Sex scenes are not easy to write. And if writing is your full time gig, life sometimes gets in the way. What is your “method” to “get in the mood” to write a sex scene? How do you deal with it all?

Oh, sex scenes. I think it’s hilarious that I’m good at writing them when I’m such an introverted and modest geek. To get ready to write them I have to have music. No way I could write anything sexy while listening to my dogs wrestling or the garbage truck racing over the speed bumps behind my house as LOUD AS POSSIBLE. Listening to music helps block all that out and I always choose a song that helps set the tone for the scene I’m writing. If I want a soft, sweet scene, I go with Ed Sheeran Kiss Me. For passionate sexy times I like Sail by AWOLNATION. And for anything emotionally rough and turbulent, Marilyn Manson Tainted Love is my go to. Of course, going back and polishing a sex scene is another matter altogether. I normally end up doing it like this because I’m so embarrassed reading what I wrote:

Now, for the fun one. You call me to bail you out of jail. Oh, who are we kidding, you would be my call to bail ME out of jail…so what three things would you bring me? 🙂

Haha! Well, number one is pants. Because I don’t know what went down, but I’m sure you somehow lost your pants. A bottle of wine in case you need a little Hair of the Dog and of course the cash to bail you out. So keep it to a misdemeanor. I hate going into the bank and the ATMs only allow you to take so much out.

Thank you, Denise! This was fun.

Christa

**You can find more on The Detective’s Pleasure here.**

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We are giving away three arcs for The Detective’s Pleasure. Comment on this blog post with your favorite sexy song, what you would write to, if you could. 🙂

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Release Day Review: Shifting Gears by Riley Hart

February 10, 2016 by Denise

Shifting Gears

A Crossroads Novel

Book 2

M/M Romance

Riley Hart

Cover Designer: X Potion Designs
Cover Photo: Stock Photo

Release Date: February 10, 2016

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Rod Nelson is used to being someone’s good time, and that’s fine with him. Spending his days at his adult toy store, Rods-N-Ends, he never knows who he’ll meet. The second Landon Harrison walks in, he has Rod’s full attention. It seems as if Landon wants him too, so why won’t the man jump in the sack with him already?

Landon never thought he’d return home to the town where memories lurk around every corner. He has to admit, Rod makes the adjustment a lot easier. He keeps Landon laughing. Despite the fierce attraction between them, he’s not willing to risk his newfound friendship to get laid.

Neither man wants something serious, but the more they’re together, the harder it is to keep their hands to themselves, until eventually they stop trying.

But flings between friends are never simple, and as they attempt to shift gears, diving into their first relationship, they’re slammed with setbacks. If they want to truly move forward, before they hit the open road together, they’re going to have to let go of a past that could make them crash and burn.

Five-ish good questions with Riley Hart

(A sometimes feature on Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy)

Let’s start with serious: Crossroads was a HUGE book, and really hit so many people’s must read list, being a double GFY, which we don’t see often. How difficult is it to try to follow up book 1 with another book that must be read. It’s pretty much the scariest thing ever. LOL. There is a lot of pressure following Nick and Bryce. I had no idea people would fall for those two as much as I did, and there’s a lot of pressure not to screw that up! I just hope readers continue to love the series and I hope they fall hard for Landon and Rod the way I did.

What is your vision of what Rod and Landon look like? Do you have celebrity inspirations/crushes for these two characters? I always feel like the lamest author in the world when it comes to this question. I never have celebrity inspirations for my characters. It’s hard for me to separate my characters from the celebrity. But both men have dark hair. Rod is smaller than Landon and he has a few tattoos. Landon’s hair hangs over his forehead and Rod wears eyeliner. 🙂

The cover of Shifting Gears is fairly simple, and just beautiful. Did you have a vision of what you wanted it to look like, or did you let the cover artist just go? Does the bracelet have significance as well? I choose the images for my covers. I work with a couple different photographers. All of my covers except Shifting Gears and Return to Blackcreek have all been the same photographer. But once I give the image to the cover artist, I let them take it from there. I’m not good with visualizing stuff like that. The bracelet is in the end of the book, but it doesn’t have huge significance.

Sex scenes are not easy to write. And if writing is your full time gig, life sometimes gets in the way. What is your “method” to “get in the mood” to write a sex scene? Do you need some Luther Vandross on the radio? Maybe some low candlelight? Or do you just need the kids out at Chuck E. Cheese so you have the house to yourself? 🙂 I’m a weird author. I don’t listen to music when I write. Once in a while, but not often. It’s pretty easy for me to get into the zone as long as I don’t have outside distractions. As long as the kids are gone and I’m alone in my office, I can make it work.

Now, for the fun one. You call me to bail you out of jail. You tell me to bring you three things. What are they, and why?

LOL. My cell, because it’s my cell and I was probably going crazy without it.

Alcohol because after spending a night in jail, I’ll need it.

And… hmm…. A change of clothes? LOL

For me, Riley Hart is one of those authors whose books I automatically buy on.

release day whether I have read the book blurb or not. Of all her books Crossroads was by far my favorite so I was really excited for Shifting Gears and man did she not disappoint!

Landon, a motorcycle mechanic and Rod, a sex toy shop owner are both gun-shy about commitment since neither have seen healthy, happy relationships growing up. One abandoned by his father and the other raised by a hateful man, both need to work through past issues to make any kind of future together.

This book has it all; the tender moments, the hot and steamy ones, so much humor, and my favorite couple from Crossroads; Nick and Bryce. Watching Rod and Landon “shift gears” from friendship, to lovers, to a couple in a committed relationship is a beautiful journey that I was sad to see come to an end.

This book is going to end up on my list of books that are re-read often. Well done Riley Hart!

5 pieces of eye candy

I absolutely LOVED Crossroads, book 1 in this series. My favorite trope is GFY (Gay for You) and a double GFY? Well, that’s just double the love for me. Riley Hart always has the right words that hit my heart, and Shifting Gears is no exception for me.

Rod, who appeared in book 1, puts on this fun loving appearance, always with a joke. However, it masks the pain he continues to hold onto from his fathers rejection when he found out he was gay. Rod really was a deep well of emotions. Most he tried to hide from himself, as well as Landon. Yet, he always wanted to have that one man, the love of his life.

Meanwhile Landon had his own pain that he was dealing with, his own father’s rejection in the form of disappearing without a word. His answer was to assume that love was not real, and that it wasn’t in the cards for him. He wasn’t looking for that one man, merely moving from one to the next.

My love for Landon grew, as a reader, by his deep and abiding respect for Rod. He refused to sleep with him, because he liked him so much. He knew that once that happened, the friendship would be gone, and he really wanted his friend, more than he wanted a one night stand.

These men ended up being the perfect match for each other. They were supportive of one another from beginning to end, despite odds that could have easily torn their relationship apart. No matter what though, they held onto what was important, their love and respect for each other.

Ms. Hart showed a side of men that we don’t often get to see. These men, like so many men, had trouble communicating their feelings, their desires, and their concerns, and it could have caused deep rifts in their relationship. Eventually though, they got their HEA, YEAH!!!!

I can see who might be next in this series (I won’t say, because I think that would be a spoiler), but I sure hope it goes in that direction!

Great job on this book, Riley.

5 pieces of eye candy…more if I could!

Damned if Rod’s hand didn’t start to shake. He couldn’t move, didn’t know what to say, but knew he had to let something pass his lips. “Why are you doing this?”

The light from the television shone around Landon, and he shrugged. “I know it’s not the same as the real thing, but I just wanted to do something nice for you. That’s it.”

He’d done nice things for Rod already, a big one being the way he’d let Rod drive his bike.

“When’s the last time someone did something nice for you?” Landon asked.

The answer was easy. “The last time I saw you.”

Landon shook his head. “That doesn’t count. That was selfish. I want someone to ride with, and I like sharing my love of bikes. Unless you’re talking about the sex, and then there’s the fact that I came so hard I saw double.”

But this was just for Rod… He tried to make sense of it, tried to work through how they’d gotten here. Landon was the one who made sure Rod knew what this was. It was Landon who didn’t want to take the chance that Rod would read something into it that wasn’t there and now here he was, doing things like this for him. The kind of thing no one had taken the time to do for him before.

“Come on, we’re going to miss the show again.”

When Rod didn’t reply, when he couldn’t reply, Landon continued, “Just ride it out with me. That’s what I’m doing, riding it out. We’re shifting gears, that’s all. Not sure where we’re going. Not even sure I know how to get there, but let’s just try to enjoy the ride.”

And he wanted that. Wanted it so fucking much, that the need ate him alive. It scared the shit out of him at the same time.

Still, Rod closed the distance between them. When Landon sat, Rod went to the other end of the couch, lied down, and put his head in Landon’s lap like he’d done fifty times before.

Landon touched his hair, ran his fingers through it and neither of them spoke; they just continued sitting there together, watching the show.

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.

She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine, while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.

Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rileyhartwrites/?ref=hl

Website: http://www.rileyhartwrites.com/p/home.html?zx=48696725e5833865

Blog: http://www.rileyhartwrites.com/index.html

Twitter: @RileyHart5

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THIRDS Character Spotlight: Calvin and Hobbs, A TCO Exclusive

February 5, 2016 by Denise

We are so excited here at Two Chicks Obsessed! All week, in honor of Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet, releasing Friday February 5th, we will have character spotlights for your. We have asked Dex and Sloane, Cael and Ash, Seb and Hudson, Letty and Rosa, and of course Calvin and Ethan Hobbs, five questions, and you are going to love their answers. So, sit back, grab a HUGE Therian sized steak, and enjoy today’s Q&A with Calvin and Hobbs. (Thanks to Calvin for assisting with the interview, since Hobbs’ selective mutism makes an interview a challenge.)

Calvin & Hobbs

TCO: What’s your guilty pleasure?

Calvin: I probably have a few, but my favorite has to be spending a day lazing about with Ethan. Sometimes we’ll go to a quiet, secluded place outdoors while he’s in his Therian form, and I’ll lie down with my head on him like a pillow, and we’ll just watch the clouds go by.

Ethan: [Smiles, and holds Calvin’s hand].

Calvin: For Ethan, it’s daytime drama.

Ethan: [Gasps. Point innocently at himself.]

Calvin: Please. No one’s buying it. If we’re home during the day and not doing anything in particular, he’ll watch a soap opera. I don’t know how he keeps up with them, but no matter how many episodes he’s missed of something, he’ll know whose dead ex-husband returned from the grave to reveal he had a secret baby with his ex-wife’s sister, who turns out to be long lost royalty from some country with an evil twin sister who supposedly killed him. I don’t know. It hurts my brain just thinking about it.

Ethan: [wriggles his eyebrows]

Calvin: You’re hopeless.

TCO: Pick your poison (beverage of choice)

Calvin: I’m partial to rum. Not on its own though. I have a pretty high tolerance. It surprises some people considering I’m not all that big. Dex stole my drink once and ended up dancing on the table. Poor Sloane spent most of the night keeping him off furniture and from stripping. Dex is such a lightweight.

Ethan: [shakes his head in shame. Laughs, then whispers in Calvin’s ear]

Calvin: Oh, yeah. It’s hilarious. Like the time he had a couple of Bradley’s foggy specials and grabbed Ash’s ass at the bar thinking it was Sloane. The two of them were horrified. You should have seen their faces. Funniest shit I’ve ever seen.

Ethan: [Laughs and nods in agreement]

Calvin: As for Ethan, he doesn’t have a preference. He’s not particularly fond of bitter stuff, or alcopops. He’s more of a vodka and Sprite kind of guy.

TCO: Sinful snack

Calvin: Hm, I’m not much of a snacker, and not big on sweets. I do enjoy ice cream though. Ethan and I used to hang out in one of the nicer neighborhoods and wait for the ice cream truck. The guy never came to our neighborhood. Too dangerous. So we’d wait, after saving up our change, and we’d pig out on ice cream.

Ethan: [Eyes go wide and he licks his lips. He whispers at Calvin]

Calvin: Definitely for Ethan, my mom’s pecan pie. He has to have one baked just for him. You do not want to get between him and my mom’s pie. Not unless you’re looking to lose a limb.

Ethan: [Narrows his eyes and nods]

TCO: Workout of choice

Ethan: [Cheeks go pink as he whispers in Calvin’s ear]

Calvin: [Face goes red] That’s not the kind of workout they meant.

Ethan: [Whispers in Calvin’s ear again]

Calvin: We’re not discussing that.

Ethan: [Smiles widely and puts his arms up, wriggling his hips.]

Calvin: [Mortified. He covers his face with his hands] Oh God. What are you doing? Stop. Stop doing that.

Ethan: [Laughs]

Calvin: That. Whatever that is, is Ethan’s favorite. I don’t even…. Is this over yet?

TCO: Pick a weapon-only one

Calvin: My snipe rifle.

Ethan: [Makes an explosion motion with his hands]

Calvin; Obviously for Ethan, anything that goes “boom”.

As always, there is tons of extra goodies at ThirdsHQ. Don’t forget to preorder Catch a Tiger by the Tail, here. And if you haven’t read this fantastic series, please don’t hesitate, grab Hell & High Water, . I promise you won’t regret it!!!

Thank you so much to all the THIRDS characters for stopping by, and a special thank to the lovely Charlie Cochet for giving us an additional peek into their world. Congrats on Release Day Charlie!!!!

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THIRDS Character Spotlight: Seb and Hudson, A TCO Exclusive

February 3, 2016 by Denise

We are so excited here at Two Chicks Obsessed! All week, in honor of Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet, releasing Friday February 5th, we will have character spotlights for your. We have asked Dex and Sloane, Cael and Ash, Seb and Hudson, Letty and Rosa, and of course Calvin and Ethan Hobbs, five questions, and you are going to love their answers. So, sit back, grab a dainty mug of tea, and enjoy today’s Q&A with Seb and Hudson.

Seb & Hudson

TCO: What’s your guilty pleasure?

Seb: Photography. A lot of people are surprised by that. They think because I’m a tiger Therian, and a Defense agent that I don’t have an eye for that sort of thing, but I do. I love taking pictures of life’s moments. Of the beauty around us.

Hudson: He really is very talented. As for me…. You won’t discuss this with anyone, correct? It’s um, well, you see…

Seb: Celebrity gossip magazines.

Hudson: Thank you, Sebastian. I was getting to it.

Seb: You should have seen him and my mom when they got together. It was adorable. The way they’d huddle over a gossip magazine with cups of tea.

Hudson: Next question, please.

TCO: Pick your poison (beverage of choice)

Seb: I’m content with just beer. Nothing fancy.

Hudson: I much prefer a nice cup of tea or coffee to alcohol, but on occasion I will indulge in a cocktail or two.

Seb: He’s as bad as Dex.

Hudson: What are you saying?

Seb: That you’re not very good at holding your liquor.

Hudson: Preposterous! I do perfectly all right, thank you very much.

Seb: You do, huh? Should we discuss the time you had a couple of shots of Goldschlager and I had to chase you through Times Square as you sang songs from Rocky Horror Picture Show because you wanted everyone to know what a wonderful and naughty musical it was.

Hudson: I recall no such evening.

Seb: How very convenient.

Hudson: Say “naughty” again.

Seb: Shut it, mister.

TCO: Workout of choice

Hudson: I don’t work out as much or as often as my teammates, but then the requirements for our positions are vastly different. I work out once a day in Sparta. When I need to blow off some steam, I do some boxing.

Seb: He’s got a mean right hook.

Hudson: Which you taught me.

Seb: I did. Don’t let that sweet, handsome face fool you. Underneath his calm, posh exterior lies the ferocity of a wildcat.

Hudson: Bollocks.

Seb: I love it when you get all flustered and curse.

Hudson: Next question if you don’t mind.

TCO: Pick a weapon-only one

Hudson: I detest weapons. My weapon is my intellect. I’m a doctor. Of course, those who end up on my table are beyond my help, but my skills come in helping them find justice. In helping those who cared about them find closure. When I can, I volunteer with the THIRDS outreach program which means lending a hand and providing care for those without the means to get it elsewhere.

Seb: He’s really something isn’t he?

Hudson: Yes, well, it’s your turn I believe.

Seb: Always so modest. For me, it’s whatever’s available. I don’t like to rely on solely one skill. That way there’s less of a chance for you to get caught off guard.

Check back every day this week, as we bring you more character spotlights!

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THIRDS Character Spotlights: Dex and Sloane, A TCO Exclusive

February 1, 2016 by Denise

We are so excited here at Two Chicks Obsessed! All week, in honor of Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet, releasing Friday February 5th, we will have character spotlights for your. We have asked Dex and Sloane, Cael and Ash, Seb and Hudson, Letty and Rosa, and of course Calvin and Ethan Hobbs, five questions, and you are going to love their answers. So, sit back, grab a HUGE mug of coffee, and enjoy today’s Q&A with Dex and Sloane.

Dex & Sloane

TCO: What’s your guilty pleasure?

Dex: I don’t really have any guilty pleasures because when I want something, I just have at it. I mean, really. Life’s too short.

Sloane: Yeah, he has at it, and then I’m the bad guy for making him work it off.

Dex: But I love it when you make me sweat, babe.

Sloane: I don’t think this is that kind of interview.

Dex: Sloane’s guilty pleasure is empanadas. You should see him. It’s like catnip.

Sloane: That is true. They are so good.

Dex: You have a little, a bit of um, drool on the corner of your mouth.

Sloane: Shut up. I do not.

Dex: You’re right. My bad.

TCO: Pick your poison (beverage of choice)

Dex: Coffee. All. The. Coffee. If it’s alcohol, anything. Sadly, I’m not too big on the hard stuff.

Sloane: Which means pretty much all alcohol. He’s a lightweight.

Dex: Babe, seriously. How can you do me like that? Speaking of do me—

Sloane: Stop. Just… behave yourself.

Dex: Ha! It’s like you don’t know me.

Sloane: I’m not really into anything fancy. I’m usually good with a beer.

TCO: Sinful snack

Dex: Anything with cheese. I love cheese. Oh, and gummy bears. But not with cheese. That’s just gross. Isn’t it? Hm, yeah, I think that would be gross. Unless it was a gummy bear made of cheese! Oh, but then it wouldn’t be called gummy would it?

Sloane: You had another triple shot of espresso in your coffee didn’t you? I’m pretty sure I said one shot.

Dex: One shot. Pardon me while I laugh haughtily. For those who couldn’t hear me, I just laughed haughtily.

Sloane: This is every day.

Dex: And you love it.

Sloane: I do.

TCO: Workout of choice

Dex: Sexy-times.

Sloane: That’s not what the question meant.

Dex: Well it should be. I mean what better work out is there? All your muscles get worked out, and—

Sloane: Okay, we should move onto the next question. Oh, and my answer is weights.

Dex: Like my weight. You’re very good at lifting my weight.

Sloane: I can’t take you anywhere.

TCO: Pick a weapon-only one

Dex: My charm. It’s… disarming. See what I did there, babe?
Sloane: Unfortunately. For me, I’m going to say when I’m in my Therian form, my claws.

Dex: You’re wrong.
Sloane: Am I now?
Dex: Yep. Your weapon is your sexiness.
Sloane: Aw. You want something don’t you?
Dex: Can we stop by the bakery on the way home? They have new donuts.
Sloane: Why are you asking me? You know even if I say no, that you’ve had far too much sugar today, you’ll just make that face, and see! There it is. That face, and the lip thing. Fine. Let’s go get your donuts.
Dex: Woohoo!

Check back every day this week, as we bring you more character spotlights!

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Never Too Late by Sloan Johnson : Exclusive Cover Reveal, Excerpt and Giveaway

January 26, 2016 by Denise

Dax: My life ended six years ago. No, really. I was dead on the side of the road following a gruesome motorcycle accident. From what I’ve been told, it’s only because of one stubborn man that I have another chance to make something of my life. I no longer hate him for screwing up what I thought I wanted. I want to thank him. NEED to tell him what his actions mean to me.

Now, I’m headed back to the town I’ve never set foot in even though it’s a huge part of my life. I’m not thrilled about that, but the job offers haven’t exactly been flowing in. They’ll probably think I’m crazy, because there’s no way I won’t be able to look at every guy I walk past, wondering if he’s the one who saved me.

Michael: My entire life, I wanted to save lives. I’d earned a full-ride scholarship and had been accepted to med schools across the country. I was so close to making those dreams a reality until the night I held a dying man in my arms. I’ve never been able to get the images of his lifeless body, caked in mud, out of my head. Even when the paramedics tried to take over saving him, I couldn’t let go. I never let go. Eventually, my guilt over not doing more cost me everything but my son. And now, I worry I’ll lose him if I don’t get it together.

I’ve often thought that if I could find him, maybe I could get some closure and finally get my life back on track. Now he’s here and I’m more of a mess than ever. Once the truth comes out, will he keep trying to save me or will he realize that it’s too late?

The doorbell rang and I rushed to the front of the house. When I opened the door, I was met with a smug looking Dax and a very sheepish looking son. “Lose something?” Dax asked as he pushed his way into the house.

“Jagger, did you go to Dax’s house without me?” I asked, crouching down to hug him. My entire body shook and I nearly lost my balance, but Dax reached down to steady me. I offered him a quick smile before turning my attention back to Jagger. “What do I have to do to get you to see how much it scares me when you do shit like that?”

“I just wanted to help you.” Jagger’s explanation was muffled as I cupped the back of his head, pressing his face into my shoulder. “You were worried you’d be late for work, so when you got dressed, I ran down to talk to Dax.”

A boulder settled in my stomach. My kid was once again running to my rescue. God, what type of parent was I? “That was nice of you to do, but you still can’t leave without me,” I reminded him, every bit of anger seeping out of my body. I wanted to be pissed at hell with him for what he did, but he wouldn’t understand that it was only because he’d scared me so damn much.

“We had a talk on the way back down here,” Dax told me. “Now, if what the kid says is right, you need to get your butt to work. He and I have big plans tonight, and you’d just be the third wheel.”

It may not have been his intention, but that cut deep. I hated knowing that I was getting ready to go deal with a bunch of drunks for the night while he stayed and took care of my son. Again, my job not his.

Sensing the drastic drop in my mood, Dax reached out a hand to help me up from the floor. “Hey, you know I didn’t mean anything by it,” he said softly once Jagger ran off to start pulling blocks out of the bins in the living room. “I know you’d rather be here with him, but that’s not possible. And kids don’t like changes in their routines, so I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure he has a good night. Plus, he told me he’s worried about your mom. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, she’s got a fever and a nasty cough. It’s probably nothing, but my dad wants to take her in to get checked,” I told him, even though I was still struggling to convince myself that it wasn’t anything serious. Somewhere along the way, I’d lost the ability to think rationally and I’d become convinced that everyone I dared to care about would leave me eventually. “Are you sure you don’t mind staying with him tonight? I know you already gave up most of your day for us.”

Without further ado…here is the delicious cover!

Preorder at Amazon

One commenter on this post will win a $10 Amazon gift card. Let Sloan know what you think about the cover!

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