Taylor Made for Love, 1
When Austin Taylor returns home after a long military career, battered and weary, he wants to settle down near his family, work alongside his brothers and friends, and make up for lost family time. The last complication he needs is to fall in love with the wrong sister of his family’s dearest friends.
Grace Harper is flying high on the success of her first true crime-inspired mystery novel. She didn’t expect her youthful attraction to the battle-scarred, older boy next door to be reciprocated, especially when her oldest sister had already claimed him. Nor did she expect to gain a psychotic fan so early in her career.
An unexpected disruption to two close-knit families’ steadfast plans, dangerous repercussions of a haunting military scandal, and a fan threatening their youngest superstar test family ties and the loyalty of deep-rooted friendships.
Excerpt:
Austin wrapped his arms around her from behind. “What if I want to entertain you?”
“Well,” she giggled, “I like entertainment.”
His large hand covered her stomach. The warm pressure against her navel piercing sent a wave of sensation between her legs, and she sighed.
“Me too, baby.” He dipped his nose against her neck. “Mm, you smell nice.”
Grace stiffened as his erection poked her in the back. Goosebumps covered her body. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Your familiarity is a pleasant surprise. Are you sure you’re not a little buzzed?”
He eased back with a frown, his hands on her waist.
Pulling him close, she quickly added, “No complaints. I love the way your body feels against mine. You’re warm and solid, and secure.”
His arms held her tight, but he pulled his head back. He studied her with those gorgeous, clear-bronze-colored eyes. “Are you feeling insecure about something?”
She wondered what he was thinking. “Well, this world is full of crazy people. Besides all that, I’m nervous about our family’s reaction if this gets out.”
“We’re consenting adults. You had to know our relationship would change once I came home for good. Unless you’ve moved on, which, if I remember correctly, I encouraged you to do.” He frowned. “Have you had trouble with a guy?”
Her heart fluttered. “No, not really.” Unless it was the strange person mailing her weird fan letters. But other than that, no guys. She needed to redirect his focus. This was the first time he’d verbally acknowledged there was something physical between them. Well, other than that sexually charged kiss four years ago. “So far, my attraction to you has been my best-kept secret. I haven’t given up on us, though. I wasn’t sure if it was one-sided, and just me crushing on the hunkiest guy next door who wasn’t around much.”
“What about that twenty-first birthday kiss?”
“Well, there was that.” She chuckled as she flushed. “I’ve doubted my interpretation of your reaction, thinking my hope built it into something that was in my imagination.”
“It wasn’t your imagination. Trust me,” he groaned. His hands brushed down her back and cupped her behind. “You don’t know how hard it was for me to leave you that night.”
He released her and moved away, leaning his hips against the counter, his hands on either side, gripping the edge of the granite top as he faced her. His scruffy beard and shadowed eyes made him look haunted. If she had to guess, he wasn’t sleeping well. Her heart ached for whatever was dogging him. She knew he held secrets from the battlefield that kept him awake at night. Siblings talked. But as far as she knew, no one was privy to exactly what those memories entailed.
“This is not one-sided, and it hasn’t been for a while now.” He flushed.
Her heart thundered, having dreamed of gaining his undivided attention. Something she’d never been able to accomplish before. Or so she’d thought. What’s a girl to do when she gets what she’s wanted forever, but is entirely at a loss about what to do with it?
- Series:
- /series-taylor-made-for-love/
