Two years ago I made a mistake, a big one, and then I threw in another couple just for good measure. I screwed up my life big time but I made it through. I was lucky.
Then I was given the opportunity for a fresh start. Two years in Auckland, NZ, ‘The City of Sails’. Away from the LA gossip, a chance to breathe, to get my life back together.
I grabbed it and packed my new set of golden rules with me.
I don’t do relationships.
I don’t do commitment.
I don’t do white picket fences.
And I especially don’t do arrogant, holier-than-thou, smoking hot K9 officers who walk into my ER and rock my world.
Josh:
The only thing I know for certain about Dr. Michael Oliver is the guy is an arrogant, untrustworthy player, and I’d barely survived the last one of those in my life. Once was more than enough.
The man might be gorgeous but my eleven-year-old daughter takes number one priority and I won’t risk her being hurt, again. I’m a solo dad, a K9 cop and a son to pain in the ass, bigoted parents.
I don’t have time for games.
I don’t have time for taking chances.
I don’t have time for more complications in my life.
And I sure as hell don’t have time for the infuriating Dr. Michael Oliver, however damn sexy he is.
Michael fought the hold, his face slick with tears. “Let go.” But the arms pulled tight.
“Shh, it’s okay,” a soothing voice hummed in his ear. “I’ve got you. Shh.”
His eyes flew open. The voice was familiar, safe. Josh. And with that his body began to relax. The man pressed a long kiss against his neck, his hair and his shoulder, each notching down Michael’s panic a step or two. And with the last kiss, the arms around him loosened just a little. Enough to finally breathe.
“You’re okay, babe. I’ve got you,” the handler whispered.
Michael leaned back into the man and let his heart settle from its sickening gallop. The memories returned. He was in Josh’s house, his bed, his arms and he was okay. He needed to get a grip. Don’t lose it completely in front of the nice man, idiot. It was just a short dip in the crazy pool. Just a reminder but...Damn. Why tonight?
The handler’s fingers trailed across Michael’s belly and hips, releasing the knots of panic. He sucked in some deep breaths and found himself held and rocked, comforted like a child, swaddled as light kisses were pressed on the nape of his neck. God almighty, it felt good. So, he let himself drift, happy in the moment to never leave that cocoon of flesh where everything felt right.
After a time, Josh slowed the rocking and the two men lay quiet. Michael twisted in the man’s arms to face him, kissing him lightly on the lips. Memories drifted of the evening before.
“Thanks,” he whispered against Josh’s mouth, the word failing to convey anywhere near the gratitude he felt for Josh’s silent acceptance of Michael’s crazy.
“Nightmare?” The handler raised a brow
“Yeah.”
“You get them often?”
“Now and then.” Michael felt the sting of embarrassment flush his cheeks. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted, not now, maybe not ever. And especially not with this man who seemed to slip so easily under and around every wall he’d worked so damned hard to hammer in place. The guy already knew too much.
“Shh, it’s okay,” a soothing voice hummed in his ear. “I’ve got you. Shh.”
His eyes flew open. The voice was familiar, safe. Josh. And with that his body began to relax. The man pressed a long kiss against his neck, his hair and his shoulder, each notching down Michael’s panic a step or two. And with the last kiss, the arms around him loosened just a little. Enough to finally breathe.
“You’re okay, babe. I’ve got you,” the handler whispered.
Michael leaned back into the man and let his heart settle from its sickening gallop. The memories returned. He was in Josh’s house, his bed, his arms and he was okay. He needed to get a grip. Don’t lose it completely in front of the nice man, idiot. It was just a short dip in the crazy pool. Just a reminder but...Damn. Why tonight?
The handler’s fingers trailed across Michael’s belly and hips, releasing the knots of panic. He sucked in some deep breaths and found himself held and rocked, comforted like a child, swaddled as light kisses were pressed on the nape of his neck. God almighty, it felt good. So, he let himself drift, happy in the moment to never leave that cocoon of flesh where everything felt right.
After a time, Josh slowed the rocking and the two men lay quiet. Michael twisted in the man’s arms to face him, kissing him lightly on the lips. Memories drifted of the evening before.
“Thanks,” he whispered against Josh’s mouth, the word failing to convey anywhere near the gratitude he felt for Josh’s silent acceptance of Michael’s crazy.
“Nightmare?” The handler raised a brow
“Yeah.”
“You get them often?”
“Now and then.” Michael felt the sting of embarrassment flush his cheeks. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted, not now, maybe not ever. And especially not with this man who seemed to slip so easily under and around every wall he’d worked so damned hard to hammer in place. The guy already knew too much.
She has travelled extensively and lived in many places including the US, Canada, France, Australia and South Korea, and loves to add experiences from these adventures into her writing.
She is a cat aficionado especially of Maine Coons, and an avid dog lover (but don’t tell the cat). She loves to cook- pretty damn good, loves to sing - pretty damn average, and as for parenting a gorgeous daughter-well that depends on the day.
She has lovely complex boys telling sweet sexy stories in her head that demand attention and a considerable number of words to go with them. Their journeys are never straightforward and can even surprise Jay, but the end is always satisfying.
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I enjoyed getting to know your book; congrats on the tour and I hope it is a fun one for you :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the tour and thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. I appreciate the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome.
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHi there. Thanks for hosting my book today. I’ll be popping in and out over the day to answer any questions you might have. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the excerpt!
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DeleteCongrats on the release. Looks like a great story!
ReplyDeleteI hope so. It's getting good reviews which is a relief!
DeleteSounds good. congrats.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe blurb for this book had me adding it to my TBR list right away. A doctor and a K9 cop. Perfect. And I'm anxious to know what Micheal did that was so bad.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Hope you enjoy it. You'll have to see haha.
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DeleteThank you for the amazing giveaway.
ReplyDeleteFirst Impressions sounds good.
Thanks for reading the excerpt.
Deletecongrats on the new release
ReplyDeleteadded to my wish list
Great. Hope you enjoy it. It's been a busy time.
DeleteAn interesting synopsis.
ReplyDeleteI thought so. I was a crtical care nurse for years and it was good to add a bit from that side of my hospital experience in this one.
DeleteWhich character was the most difficult to write and why?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the excerpt! Thank you and congrats on the tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteYeah, he totally sounds arrogant.
ReplyDeleteTotally a front though haha!
DeleteLoved the blurb. Thanks for the giveaway :-)
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ReplyDeletemia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
You’re welcome.
DeleteGood Morning, Happy Saturday! Hope it's a fun day for you and that you also get time to yourself to relax and get "me" time. Thanks for all the hard work you do bringing us this great giveaway.
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ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome
ReplyDeleteHello and Happy Tuesday! Stopping by to thank you for the chance at winning. You're Terrific!
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DeleteGood Morning and how's it going? I am back to thank you and want you to know I appreciate you and thank you for the giveaway. I know you work hard for all of us.
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ReplyDeleteHello and Happy Thursday! Going to be a snowy one in Michigan after all these nice days we had. I don't want any more snow. Thanks again for the chance at winning and hope your day is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you. First day of fall here.
ReplyDeleteI would like to give thanks for all your really great writings, including First Impressions. I wish the best in keeping up the good work in the future.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteYou are most welcome! I appreciated that you shared the book blitz with us.
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