We are celebrating the release of Alexa Padgett's A Moonlit Serenade, book 8 in the Seattle Sound series! To celebrate this release, we have an exclusive excerpt to share! So... Check it out and grab your copy now!
Genre:
Adult
Contemporary Romance
Series:
Seattle Sound, #8
Publish Date:
November 8, 2018
Publisher:
Sidecar Press, LLC
Synopsis:
The sound he can’t forget
He fell in love with her voice first. But trying to recruit mysterious girl-next-door music teacher Ryn Hudson to work on an album together is proving harder than Jake Etsam ever imagined. She’s prickly, defensive, wounded, and stubborn. And he’s in danger of falling in love with the rest of her, too…
The hope she can’t deny
Ryn has had her share of heartache, and she’s not eager to risk a silly crush on an arrogant, unavailable rock star. Jake’s band is one of the hottest act in the world, and for a woman who’s already lost it all, celebrity drama holds no appeal. But the man himself is harder to turn away…
The chance they can’t resist
As the holiday season takes over chilly Seattle, Jake and Ryn can see that something between them glows warmer than twinkle lights. But even if they can stop their doubts, close their eyes, and believe in magic, the dangers of his fame and her past can’t just be wished away…
*Excerpt*
Jake took the glass from my hand. Probably a good thing based on how much it was shaking. Rounding the counter, he cupped my cheeks in those big, callused hands, tilting my head back to meet his eyes through those delectable brown frames.
“I like you, Ryn.” He paused a long beat, studying my face. “I haven’t said that to a woman in a long time.”
My diaphragm stuttered.
“When I stopped in that first time, I knew I wanted to work with you. Now, after lunch, after seeing what you do, I’m compelled to get to know you. Maybe…maybe more. If you’re ready.” He paused again. His hands shook against my cheeks. “Can you live with that?”
“I-I…yes.” My voice was breathy, so unlike me.
“As you make dinner, will you tell me more about you?”
“Yes.”
“And—maybe—if we agree to it later, will you let me kiss you good night?”
My cheeks were so warm, they had to be burning Jake’s palms. The heat crept down my neck, over my chest. “Yes.” The word was barely audible. My stomach rolled as my thighs clenched. Jake, taking charge of the situation, made me burn. He waited a beat while I tried to regulate my breathing. I didn’t, and the ache between my legs grew.
“Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
My gaze dropped to his mouth, flicked back up to his eyes, which gleamed behind those sexy-as-sin frames. Dropped to his lips again. He held his breath, waiting to see what I’d do next. “Yes.”
“What’s that?” Now his voice was raspy. That meant desire, right? Before I could chicken out, I leaned up onto the balls of my feet and pressed my lips to his—just as I’d fantasized since he walked into my classroom a few days ago.
His lips were softer than I expected. Firm. I dragged my tongue across the bottom one, shocked by how different the texture was from my own. He gathered me closer, one hand sliding to my lower back and clasping my hip as if he couldn’t stand any space between us. I settled against his chest, one of his thighs between mine, his lips still pressed to mine.
He dropped his hand farther and cupped my bottom, pressing me tighter to his thigh. He pulled back and hissed a curse. I continued to grip his shirt, unsteady on my feet, as I reached up and touched my lips. They were plump, slick. Tingling with need.
“I didn’t expect that.” His voice was rougher, his muscles taut—with need?
My limited experience with men frustrated me now. I wanted Jake to want me with the same desperation I wanted him, but I wasn’t sure that was possible. Or plausible. Releasing his shirt, I stepped back. “Me to kiss you?”
He stepped closer, caging me between the counter and his thick arms. “Yes.”
“I—it’s the glasses,” I whispered.
He chuckled. “Well, if I’d known that, I would have started wearing them on stage.”
My face crumpled at his words. I didn’t want to think of other women kissing him, loving him. Oh, that hurt.
“Hey, come back.”
I shook my head, embarrassment lighting my body up hotter than a blow torch.
“I didn’t mean to…you scrambled my brains with that kiss. That was one of the hottest moments on my life.”
I blinked up at him. “You thought that was hot?”
He pressed closer, his thighs bracketing me. “Yeah.”
“Oh.” My hands drifted from his hips, over his waist, sliding up, up to his chest. He was so muscular. I liked his size because he remained gentle, careful.
Fine. I liked Jake Etsam. A lot.
“May I kiss you again?”
I sucked in a shuddering breath before I managed to nod.
Liking Jake wouldn’t end well. Which meant I’d just signed my own ticket for a broken heart.
Binge read the Seattle Sound series now...
(covers link to Goodreads)
~~~~~
**About the Author**
With a degree in international marketing and a varied career path that includes content management for a web firm, marketing direction for a high-profile sports agency, and a two-year stint with a renowned literary agency, award-winning author Alexa Padgett has returned to her first love: writing fiction.
Alexa spent a good part of her youth traveling. From Budapest to Belize, Calgary to Coober Pedy, she soaked in the myriad smells, sounds, and feels of these gorgeous places, wishing she could live in them all—at least for a while. And she does in her books.
She lives in New Mexico with her husband, children, and Great Pyrenees pup, Ash. When not writing, schlepping, or volunteering, she can be found in her tiny kitchen, channeling her inner Barefoot Contessa.
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