#Book Blitz #It Started with a Dance by Tinia Montford #New Adult #Romance @Xpresso Book Tours29/7/2022
It Started with a Dance
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: Girl, don’t do it; it’s not worth it. Don’t do it… Don’t do it, Cami. Last time was supposed to be it! Don’t… Paper crinkled under Cami as she shifted on the exam table, facing the cabinet on the wall. It held a box of gloves, a thermometer, an otoscope, and the little disposable thingies that went with it. She exhaled shakily and squeezed her eyes shut. I swear I’m just thinking about stealing the doctor’s glove; I’m not gonna do it. Last time was it… They are good for cleaning. It would be awful if Devin had to bail me out of jail for stealing gloves in a doctor’s office. I’ll get expelled from school and be forced onto the mean streets of the Tenderloin. I’ll have to fight cats for chicken bones and steal cough syrup to stay high. Cami’s karma was shot to hell based on her last six months of existence. She didn’t want the big man upstairs to send a bolt of lightning down to obliterate her. She would be good… Pushing herself up, she strained to hear any footsteps in the hall. The doctor wouldn’t notice a few missing gloves, would she? Her phone dinged twice with a text message. It was her best friend, Deja. Saved by the bell. Where are you?? I thought we were getting lunch? Winter and I are in the restaurant. Cami slapped her forehead. How could she forget? It was their annual back-to-school tradition. Lunch in Japantown and mochi ice cream afterward. A staple in their friendship since freshmen year and even more important since last semester. I had to meet with my adviser. Let’s meet for dinner? Deja’s reply was instant. Fine. Take a sneak pic of your adviser. Clark is foine. Cami hung her head. Why did I lie? Deja and Winter, her best friends, knew about her hospital stint. They visited her every day until they had to go home for summer break, right before she finally received her diagnosis. Cami still couldn’t utter the words chronic disease… She told herself she would confess to them, but when the moment came, she found herself saying viral infection instead. Each time after that, the lie flowed easier and it became harder and harder for her to backpedal. She told herself lying was for a good reason. Cami was tired of being the one people needed to look after. She was reinventing herself after this setback, presenting herself as independent and poised. Even if it was a façade. Anxiety churned in her stomach, and she hoped her doctor would come back with the results she wanted. A glance at her phone let her know the time. 12:04 PM. How long had she been sitting here? Twenty or thirty minutes? It was the first day of the semester, and Cami wasn’t letting it slip through her fingers. It was late August and freezing in San Francisco because of the coastal fog and wind. She tugged at the pink chunky sweater she’d paired with a skirt and combat boots. She pulled her knotless braids over her shoulder, biting her lip with a glance at the door before she pushed herself off the exam table. “I’m just gonna take one. I’ve been through a lot,” she muttered, justifying the petty theft. Cami plucked a glove from the box and held her breath as if alarms would sound. Once the coast was clear, she took another. Then another. Her hands were full as someone knocked at the door. She squealed, dropping some contraband as she darted across the room and shoved the gloves into her book bag, and plopped her butt back on the exam table, winded from that simple yet covert act. “Y-yes?” She tried placing a neutral expression on her face, hoping it didn’t reveal how fast her heart was beating, or her fear that a minor sprint consumed most of her energy. The door opened, and her doctor’s head appeared. “Camille?” “Dr. Aguilar.” The last time Cami was in a hospital, besides her own illness, she found out her father had died. Of course, she didn’t remember this. She had been a toddler; her mother and brother recounted the story solemnly to her years later. It was a good enough excuse to avoid hospitals ever since. Dr. Aguilar almost changed her mind about hospitals. The older woman’s aura of calmness and matronly appearance never failed to put her at ease. Bracelets adorning both arms and rings on all fingers. Plump. Graying hair. She smiled and her eyes went to the blue glove lying on the floor. “The gloves fell out of the box…” That was a lame excuse. 
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Never Enough Cowboy
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Promenade
-- EXCERPT: “Who’s there?” he asked. “I want to be left alone.” She couldn’t find her voice. He was so beautiful sitting there, so flawless, except for the sadness that emanated from off his body. His mood was as dark as the landscape, she could almost see the dark waves that rippled off from him. “It’s me, Vincent.” He stiffened, every inch of him freezing. His fingers dug into his lap, and he swallowed again. “I’m going to ask one more time,” he said. “Who’s there?” November closed the door behind her and stepped into the room. Air flowed in and out of the open windows, not a breeze, more like an energy that pushed and pulled between the bell tower and the land outside. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered, and her voice stuck in her throat. 
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by: #Book Blitz #Unbreakable (The Deception Game 4) by Kristin Smith #Dystopian #YA @Xpresso Book Tours26/7/2022
Unbreakable
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo -- EXCERPT: SIENNA: Ever since we arrived in Old Richmond, President Turner’s team of doctors have done test after test and x-ray after x-ray to determine how severely my spinal cord is damaged. And it’s all led to the same conclusion. It’s damaged beyond repair. Which means I’ll never walk again, at least, not in this life. Am I angry? Yes. Do I feel sorry for myself? A little. But that’s not what keeps me tethered to this bed. Sadness is a weighted sandbag that drags me down, down, down. All I want to do is sleep. Day after day, I lie on my back in a bed in a room that’s too posh to be a sick room. I let them check my blood pressure and temperature. I let them empty my catheter. I let them switch out my IV bag. And I don’t complain when they stick me with this needle and that one. For all intents and purposes, I’m alive. And yet, I’m not. I lost the two most important people in my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover. So what that I can’t walk? So what that my life as I knew it is over? So what. So what. So what. My mom and sister are dead. Burned alive. Death is a plague that has visited my doorstep over and over. No matter where I go, it finds me and the ones I love. And I’m tired. So very tired. Tired of living. Tired of loving. Tired of caring. There’s a soft knock on the door, and then Zane sticks his head in. His face lights up when he sees me. “Hey,” he says. “Can I come in?” His gaze travels to Chaz, who is asleep in a chair near the corner of the room. His head sags against his propped-up arm, his chubby cheek squished against his fist. Chaz hasn’t left my side since we got to Old Richmond. My eternal watchdog. “Trust me,” I say, “nothing short of an explosion can wake him when he’s asleep.” Zane chuckles at this as he crosses the room and sinks into the chair beside my bed. “How are you holding up?” “I’ve been better.” His face is awash in pain. “I’m really sorry, Sienna—” “It wasn’t your fault, Zane,” I remind him. We’ve been over this again and again, but he still carries the blame. Like he could somehow have avoided the hidden explosive. The thought is absurd. “It was,” he says, his voice firm. “But I’m going to fix it. I promise.” “I know you will,” I say. “You can do anything you put your mind to.” He smiles. “Your confidence in me means everything.” A loud snore comes from the corner of the room. Zane and I exchange looks. “See?” I say. “Told you.” When Zane laughs, it feels like a little bit of goodness has returned to the world. His laugh almost elicits a smile from me. Almost. He reaches for my hand, then takes it in his. His hand is strong, solid, the muscles arching as he squeezes my fingers. “I’ve missed you,” he says, and it’s so sudden and completely unexpected that I’m not sure what to say back. “I’m right here,” I joke. “That’s not what I mean.” His eyes connect with mine, and his gaze is so intense I have to look away. “Sienna, I need to know.” “Need to know what?” “Is there any hope for me? For us?” I draw in a sharp breath. I thought I spelled it out pretty well in my bedroom that night in his house before the assassin tried to kill him. Apparently not. I try to say the next words as gently as I can. “I’m with Trey now. I love Trey.” Pain fills his eyes as his hand slips from mine. “I understand.” “Zane, I’m sorry—” “Don’t be. It’s not what I wanted to hear. But it’s what I needed to hear.” I reach for his hand again, and reluctantly, he gives it to me. Bringing it up to my lips, I kiss the soft spot between his knuckles. “There’s a girl out there for you. One who will love you and appreciate you for the incredible person you are.” When Zane stares at me, his eyes full of longing, it tears holes in my heart. “I know,” he says. “I just hoped it would be you.”
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Violins and Vampires
-- EXCERPT: LEXA Another Saturday night, another stakeout. This time, I’m in the Big Apple Café, watching the apartment of Dr Khatun. It’s a lot of nursing the same cup of java while staring out a window. Suddenly, a man pauses on the sidewalk outside. This isn’t just any guy, mind you, but Caelin MacGregor, the so-called King of Empire Investments. Rumors are, Vass is a ruthless in business and a bastard in general. I believe those tales. Then there are other whispers. Folks say Caelin is a vampire with mind control powers. I have a different opinion on that. What a load of B-S. Caelin pauses, giving me a chance to inspect him more closely. To say that Caelin is just handsome is like declaring that the Mona Lisa is simply a painting. The slightest shiver rolls across Caelin’s shoulders. Inch by inch, he turns toward me. My pulse skyrockets. Our gazes meet. Everything goes haywire. Lights flash in the coffee shop. Street lamps pulse and crackle. A breeze strikes up out of nowhere. Mist pours across the floor. An electric shock of worry moves through my limbs. This can’t be good. Everything in the coffee shop goes dark, except for a few beams of moonlight. Moments pass as my eyes adjust. Once I can see clearly again, I can’t believe what’s around me. The cafe is empty. The street outside is deserted as well. The entire city appears dark and abandoned. And I’ve changed, too. Now I’m sitting on the tabletop with my skirt up and legs parted. A man towers before me. It’s Caelin. Maybe I should scream now or run for the exit, but I don’t. Instead, my entire being seems frozen in shock… Except for my ability to soak in more details of Caelin. Up close, this so-called king even more magnetic. A gentle scruff lines his chin. His face is framed with strong bone structure. His full lips appear ripe for a kiss. The gentle scent of musk and leather assaults me. It isn’t fair for this man to be gorgeous and smell good as well. All this time, Caelin has been staring at me with a look that can only be described as worshipful hunger. Don’t get me wrong. I make side money in bikini contests. Getting ogled is nothing new. But I’ve never been visually devoured in the way that’s happening right now. The sheer intensity makes my core twist with desire. With every cell in my body, I want to touch the curl of hair at the base of Caelin’ neck. Some part of me screams that this whole situation is impossible. More of me doesn’t care. 
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Loving Dark Men
-- EXCERPT: The guy. He’s been missing since the first day. Well, maybe I’ve been missing. He’s never in the dining hall, and, of course, he’s not in the lab. And those are the only two places I go, so… He smiles at me and my whole body goes tingly with the memory of what we did in the woods. I stop walking and just stare. He’s leaning against a tree and immediately I see him the way he was that first day. He’s wearing something very similar—sweat shorts and a shirt tucked into his waistband. He must jog a lot. He signals to me with a single finger. Not a wagging finger, but a point. Almost like he’s beckoning a waitress. I do a half-hearted wave back and turn to the coffee cart. I don’t know what’s going through his mind right now, but I’m not interested. It was a one-time thing as far as I’m concerned, something I’m not going to dwell on or feel shame over, but there is no burning need inside me to force it to make sense. It was… a need met. An itch scratched. Hell, that’s giving it way too much credit. It was a weird once-in-a-lifetime sexual opportunity that came about due to my new surroundings and-- Once-in-a-lifetime? Really? Fine. I’m slutty, what can I say? I still don’t feel any shame. And I do not look over my shoulder. Not before I order, not while I order, and not while I wait for my coffee. I give him plenty of time to go somewhere else. But when I turn, he’s still there. Lifting that one finger at me again. And this time, he does beckon me. Then he turns and walks into the trees. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I mutter this under my breath, then look around, to see if anyone is paying attention. No one is, as far as I can tell. When I look back at him, all I catch is his bare back disappearing into the woods. Nova, you will not follow that man into the woods. Nova… Nova! But I’m already walking in that direction. Because… that kiss. Holy shit, that kiss. I mean, I don’t think a man has ever kissed me like that. Well, maybe Travis. But that was his one and only chance. I was leaving the next day for college. And, in fact, we never did see each other again. No. One teenager’s desperate attempt to make himself memorable is not the same as this man’s all-encompassing lust. Nova. You’re walking. Yes. I am. You’re walking towards the woods. You’re very observant, monologue me. But save your breath. I’m going. At the very least, I need his name. I mean, what kind of man beckons a strange woman into the woods, helps her jerk himself off, comes in her hand, then just… walks away? Not even a half-hearted ‘see ya later?’ Not even a ‘thank you?’ I need something to add to this story. I can’t leave it like this. It will drive me crazy.
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by: #Book Blitz #Taking the Fight (Gloves Off: Next Generation 2) by L.P.Dover #Contemporary Romance26/7/2022
Taking the Fight
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play -- EXCERPT: Whenever Braden got close to me, I could feel the burn in my veins. Just watching him train put me on the brink of orgasm. What made it worse was when we would spar together. He’d always find a way to get me down on the mat with his body between my legs. That was why I refused to train with him alone. Then again, I’d never really gotten the chance to with so many people being at the gym. Waving a hand in front of my face, I blew out a breath, hoping the heat on my cheeks would ebb. Once I had enough time to cool down, I grabbed the wedding portfolio on my bookshelf and quietly crept down the hall to see what Braden was doing. He’d turned his ball cap to the front, but I didn’t regret telling him that he looked stupid with it backward; it kept him on his toes. However, I honestly did think he was cute with it that way, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. His focus was on a shelf on the wall lined with pictures, mainly of Peyton and me, but there was one of my mom and Braden’s mother together with their arms around each other’s shoulders. They were best friends. “I bet my mom can’t wait for yours to get back in town. I don’t think they’ve seen each other in four months. That’s like a century in best friend years,” I called out. Braden chuckled and turned around. “Is that how you are with my sister? It’s been a while since you’ve seen her.” Peyton is my best friend, but I loved her like a sister. Nodding, I focused on the picture of Peyton and me on the beach, posing for the camera in our bikinis with the ocean behind us. “I love her just as much as I love Emma,” I stated. A smirk spread across his face. “Then what happened with me? Our mothers forced us together our entire lives and yet you hate me. What gives?” Batting my eyelashes, I smiled back. “I don’t hate you, Braden. I just think you, my brother, and Ripp have the big-head syndrome. My cousin, Brooks, is excluded from this.” Brooks was the only one out of our group that was responsible. He chose to become an FBI agent instead of a fighter. Now he was away on an undercover mission, and I had no clue when I’d see him again. “Big-head syndrome?” Braden asked, grinning slyly. “Are you saying I have a huge dick?” I held up a hand, cutting him off. “I can’t with you right now. I’m talking about the disease you have where you think you’re all that.” Braden thrust his head back and laughed. “And what? You think you’re not the same way? I’ve seen all the men who want you, Reagan. It’s hard not to when all they do is stare. You enjoy the attention.” He marched over and stood in front of me, his body so achingly close I could feel the heat radiating from him. “And don’t you dare say otherwise. We both know it’d be a lie.” I did like the attention, even more so now that I’d won my title and had millions of followers. What I craved more, though, was his attention. There was never a lack of it, but I could never get enough. I wanted more than the verbal sparring that was common between us. My phone beeped with an incoming text, so I stepped back to distance us. Emma: Where are you? Carter just put the burgers on the grill. I quickly texted her back. Me: On my way. “We have to go,” I said, looking up at Braden. “What are we going to tell Emma when she asks why you’re with me?” Braden’s lips tilted up. “She’s marrying my cousin, Reagan, and I’m the best man. We could always say we’re trying to conserve gas.” His gaze narrowed playfully. “You make it sound like there’s something secret going on between us. Am I missing something?” “Nope. There will never be anything between us,” I claimed. “That’s wishful thinking on your part.” Braden stared into my eyes and then down to my lips. “Whatever you say, sunshine. You know one day, you might regret not taking me up on my offers.” I followed him out the door and locked it while he strolled down the stairs. “I’d rather be a nun,” I shouted. He laughed the whole way to his car. Who was I kidding? I wouldn’t last a second as a nun.
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by: DescriptionThree Powerfully Alluring Vampire Men And One Queen to Rule Them All All Mina ever wanted was to escape her father's control. Half human, half vampire, she lived eternally torn between two worlds, never fully experiencing the pleasures of either—until her father chose her as the pawn in his latest political move, gifting her to the darkly powerful and dangerously seductive Malachi Zion. Malachi is not a vampire to be trifled with. He rules with an iron fist and has a reputation for the darkest of sins. But the longer Mina spends with him, the more she realizes he's not the monster she first thought—and as fear bleeds into lust, then trust, then something more, Malachi opens Mina up to a world she never knew could be hers for the taking: including the love of Malachi's two closest friends and companions. Now surrounded by all three men, the center of their shockingly seductive world, Mina may finally have the power to face down her father and take back the life—and crown—that by all rights should be hers. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.  My thoughts:
Court of the Vampire Queen consists of three previously published novellas Sacrifice, Heir, and Queen (Bloodlines series) which explains why there are brief re-caps at the beginning of Act II and III. Katie's writing is engaging and, as usual, there are a lot of steamy scenes (the protagonists are in a polyamorous relationship), so, if you pick this book looking for spice, you'll probably like it. Just read the content warnings (esp.blood play, explicit sex, pregnancy) and don't expect an intricate plot or serious character development. Mina, the female protagonist, is a half-human, half-vampire daughter of a powerful 'bloodline' vampire overlord Cornelius. Given that she has no magical powers, her father has little use for her and sends her away as a gift (more like a snack) to his powerful prisoner Malachi. If Mina survives Malachi's bloodlust and even better gets pregnant by Malachi, Cornelius will be able to gain control over Malachi's bloodline. In this world/realm there 'turned' vampires and 7 bloodlines that are slowly dying out. Malachi and Mina's connection is immediate, but things get more complicated when he is joined by his friends/allies/(ex)lovers who would like to help him break free from Cornelius's imprisonment. In the meantime, they do discover that our magicless Mina was quite special, after all. As I mentioned above, the plot is pretty straightforward and heavily padded by sex scenes. The protagonists (Mina and her 'reverse harem' Malachi, Wolf, and Rylan) are well-differentiated, but we don't know much about their past or their views on just about anything apart from Mina). Mina herself is a far cry from strong, sassy urban fantasy heroines- her males keep talking about her as if she isn't present, she feels everyone is making huge sacrifices by being with her, whenever there is a serious decision to make or a cost to pay, someone else does it. Overall, come prepared and expect lots of smut. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. #Book Review #Booked On a Feeling (A Sweet Mess, 3) by Jayci Lee #Romance @St.Martin's Griffin25/7/2022
From the blurb: An overachieving lawyer. A failing bookstore. A childhood friend. The chance of a lifetime. Lizzy “Overachiever” Chung, Esq. doesn’t know the meaning of “can’t.” That is until she passes out from a panic attack during her first trial. Her law firm gives her paid time-off to “relax,” but she has no clue how. Jack Park, her childhood friend, wants her to rediscover the iridescent joy she had pre-law school and college, and convinces her to stay with him in Weldon. He's been planning to move away from his parents' loving but overprotective gaze and more specifically away from Weldon and his family’s brewery, but that can wait a few more weeks until his friend finds her footing again. But when an unexpected attraction flares between them while Lizzy tries to resuscitate a failing bookstore on Weldon, the two must choose between past dreams or their forever together. Publisher: St.Martin's Griffin Publication Date: July 26, 2022 ISBN 9781250621146, 1250621143 Purchase  My thoughts: This is my third book by Jayci Lee and by now I can call myself a real fan! If you've read A Hot Mess and The Dating Dare , you'll be delighted to come back to the fictional town of Weldon with the most creative desserts ever and weird, but hilarious beer names. Let me count the reasons why you should read the book: -Food, food, and food!!! Food for recharging after a hard day/week/year, food for a happy family reunion, food for a difficult conversation, and food for getting over a heartbreak. Lovers of Korean cuisine, don't miss this ode to taste, flavour, texture, and comfort Korean dishes bring to weary souls all over the world. -Quite a large part of the book is set in a bookstore! actually, in two bookstores, one in LA, the other one in Weldon. Jayci Lee even includes a little tirade against people who don't understand the importance of reading romance- human connection and guaranteed HEA, anyone? - Friends-to-lovers trope. It is one of my favourite tropes, although it isn't easy to create the right kind of tension. Our protagonists Jack and Lizzy have known each other since they were ten, and at least one of them has had a massive crush on their BFF. -Likeable characters at a crossroads in their lives... Lizzy is an attorney and a litigator as well, so everyone expects her to be super-ambitious and thrive on fight and conflict, while she is struggling with anxiety and needs to think hard whether she is pursuing the right kind of career for her. What I liked about Lizzy was the way she took charge and acted, once she had a clear picture of a problem. She didn't particularly strike me as a high energy person, but her excitement about ticking off 'done' items off 'to do ' lists was positively contageous. Jack refuses to be a victim of his own insecurities- he might be the business mastermind behind the family brewery business, but it isn't his passion that drives it, and it isn't his dream, so, fair enough, Jack is ready to step out of his comfort zone and venture into a brave new world. What he doesn't want is to lose his BFF- Lizzy...and we all know that going from friends-to-lovers is a journey that can be undertaken only with the right person and at the right time. - Romance. There a few scorchingly hot moments- yay, strong men with washboard abs and toolbelts...alternatively, strong men in sexy aprons who aren't afraid to admit they don't know much about cooking (despite having grown in a family restaurant, hmm), but everything is tasteful and full of passion. -steady-paced and low-angst- did you really want lots of drama and tears in this heatwave??? Sweet and entertaining, Booked on a Feeling is perfect for readers who love food descriptions, traditional tropes, small town setting, and HEA. Can't wait to read Jack's twin brother's story! Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Griffin for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.  About the author: JAYCI LEE writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance every free second she can scavenge and is semi-retired from her fifteen-year career as a defense litigator. She loves food, wine, and travelling and incidentally, so do her characters in books like The Dating Dare and A Sweet Mess. Jayci lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose cuteness is a major distraction.
Double Dog Dare
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: The doorbell rang. “Oh no,” Lizzie cried. “I’m not ready yet.” She snatched the earrings from Summer’s hand. “You have to stall him. I still need to finish my hair.” Summer looked down at the baggy flannel boxers she’d pulled on earlier when she got home from making the final preparations in her classroom. Had she even remembered to shave her legs today? Yesterday? The T-shirt she wore was tied in a knot at her waist, revealing the Ben and Jerry’s induced swell of her belly. No way was she dressed to greet anyone, much less a hot jock. “Oh no,” she said. “I’m locking myself in my bedroom until you leave.” “I just agreed to your big ask,” Lizzie hissed. “This is mine in return.” She slammed the bathroom door in Summer’s face and locked it. Milli was barking like a fiend in the living room when the doorbell rang again. Crap. There was no time to wrap herself in a Snuggie. Or refill her wine glass with liquid courage. With a resigned sigh, Summer made her way to the front door. Milli’s toenails were tapdancing on the oak floors as the dog prepared to launch herself at whoever was on the front porch. Summer positioned her leg awkwardly to prevent Milli from escaping and opened the door, revealing an unexpected familiar sight—none other than Monty’s owner. She bit back a groan at the sight of the mouth she’d been having some serious dreams about last night. The eyes she’d been wondering about yesterday were hazel. And currently very bemused. “You,” she said, sounding just as priggish as she had the day before. Monty’s owner shoved his hands into the pockets of his sharply pressed khakis. “Uh, I hope I’ve got the right address. I’m looking for Elizabeth Pearson.” Of course, he was. Summer was suddenly appalled she’d been fantasizing about her cousin’s date. “She’s expecting a football player.” In for a priggish penny, in for a priggish pound. He rocked back on his heels. “Number eighty-one in your Growler’s program and number one in fans’ hearts. And the league’s leading receiver, two seasons in a row.” “Wow.” That explained Papa Harry’s “big fan” comment from yesterday. Milli whimpered as she clawed at Summer’s leg to escape. No doubt the silly dog wanted to roll over and expose her lady parts to her lover’s owner. “Asseyez-vous et comportez-vous, Milli,” Summer commanded. The dog neither sat nor behaved. Instead, the wee beast continued to struggle to get free. Number Eighty-One chuckled. “I’m pretty sure the only French that dog understands is French fry.” Summer bristled with indignation. How dare he fat-shame her grandmother’s adorably pudgy dog. “I’ll have you know that Milli Chanel understands French perfectly. She’s brilliant.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “You don’t say.” Crouching down on his haunches, he stared into Milli’s eyes. Summer swore the dog sighed. “Voulez-vous manger vieilles chaussures, Milli?” Mother of God. The man was fluent in the language of love, not to mention bread and chocolate. Summer was shocked her panties hadn’t spontaneously combusted as the perfectly accented words sensuously rolled off his tongue. Milli seemed to be having the same reaction. The dog’s eyes practically rolled back in her head as though he’d asked if she wanted cheese on her burger rather than if she wanted to eat old shoes. Satisfied he had proved his point, he stood up with the lithe grace of a natural athlete and smirked at her. “I rest my case.” Milli whimpered at the loss of Monty’s owner’s undivided attention. “Oww!” Summer yelped when the dog’s claws broke the skin on her leg. She hopped on one foot to the kitchen, leaving the guy to fend for himself with the little hussy that was her grandmother’s dog. She snagged a paper towel and held it to her shin while pouring herself another glass of wine with her other hand. Who said she wasn’t talented?
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