Tag Archives: Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

VOW by Bethany-Kris – Release Blitz

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VOW

by Bethany-Kris
Andino + Haven, #2
Publication Date: November 5, 2018
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

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AVAILABLE NOW!

VOW front and back cover

SYNOPSIS

They say it’s always the one you least expect …

Andino Marcello made his choices—the right ones for duty and famiglia. But even the right choices have consequences. He’s never been more aware of that fact than he is now. The thing is, Andino isn’t the same man he once was. The mafia wants what it wants. He’ll push until they all break. Even her.

They say love shouldn’t hurt …

Haven Murphy needs to move on—from her pain and the man who caused it. But the faster she tries to run, the more things stay the same. She never thought it would end like this for them. The thing is, Haven isn’t the same woman she once was. The heart wants what it wants. She’ll fight until it all lets go. Even him.

How far will he go for love?
All the way to the very bitter end.
That’s his vow.

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VOW teaser1

EXCERPT:VOW by Bethany-Kris

“That looks like it hurts,” she said, gesturing to his injury.

It was the only thing she could think to say.

“The Vicodin with whiskey chaser is starting to kick in, actually,” Andino muttered, glancing down at his arm. “Small fucking miracles.”

Haven laughed, but it came out strained, and probably a little too bitter. She couldn’t even control the rush of emotions that swept over her, never mind the anger that was still ever-present no matter what her stupid heart wanted.

She couldn’t escape this feeling.

She didn’t want to feel like this at all.

“Why are you here?” Andino asked.

She looked back at him, and shook her head. “I heard what happened.”

“I’m fine.”

Clearly.

He just completely missed the point.

Her anger swelled again. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?”

“That I give a shit about you, I guess? I actually care, Andino. I wanted to make sure you were okay, but since the hospital said you voluntarily checked yourself out, that wasn’t good enough for me. I had to know. So, here I am. I don’t know. It’s pointless, right? I shouldn’t be here anyway.”

Haven was glad she voiced that thought—she shouldn’t be here. It wasn’t a matter of wanting to be, but a matter of what was best for her. Of course, she wanted to be here. That didn’t mean it was good for her.

Before she could overthink anymore than she already was, Haven turned to leave with a quiet, “Sorry, Andino. I’m glad you’re okay.”

She didn’t even get the chance to grab the doorknob. She didn’t see him coming for her until his hand was locked around her arm, and he’d spun her back around fast enough to make the room spin in her vision. Her gaze cleared in just enough time to see the emotion darkening his features before he closed all distance between them, and kissed her.

There was no hesitance in his kiss, and no wariness. Like he knew the moment his lips touched hers, she was going to respond just how he wanted her to. His mouth moved over hers in such a familiar way that she couldn’t help herself but kiss him back. A deep, aching kiss that left her lips tingling, and her body weaker than ever.

He could own her with a kiss.

He took her rationale away.

Worries, anger, and control … all gone.

All he needed was a fucking kiss.

There was a part of her that wanted to step back from him, and reevaluate. She knew that was the smart part of her brain whispering through the haze of nostalgia and need. It was the slip of his hand curving around the back of her neck to pull her impossibly closer that silenced the little voice.

Haven reached back for him—her hands slipping over his naked chest to get more of his skin on hers. His tongue teased hers; a silent promise if there ever was one. She always thought he kissed a lot like he fucked. Deep, and fast, and a little wild. Like he couldn’t get enough, but he was determined to get what he wanted, regardless.

And when he kissed her like that, then all of her ability to think clearly was quickly lost. Like now.

All she could focus on was him, and the way his hand tightened on her neck. His growing erection pressed against her body which only served to make her wet. She could already feel that dampness in her panties.

Andino pulled away from her mouth with a ragged breath. Those green eyes of his flashed with something dark and wild. “Upstairs, then?”

How simple that question was.

It should be an easy no from her.

Let this go.

Leave it alone.

Haven was still humming—still high from his kiss, and the promise of what was yet to come. Oh, she knew what would be coming. And that was a large part of the reason why she was quick to nod and say, “Yeah, upstairs.”

VOW teaser 2

SEE WHERE IT ALL STARTED WITH DUTY, ANDINO + HAVEN DUET PART ONE!

duty cover

BUY NOW!

duty teaser

SYNOPSIS:

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown …

Andino Marcello’s world is turned upside down when he becomes the next heir apparent to the Marcello empire. He was comfortable in his place as a Capo, but comfort is for the weak in the world of mafioso. The boss’s seat is waiting. It takes meeting a tattooed beauty who has no idea who Andino is or the criminal legacy he now carries beneath his three-piece suits, and charming smile for him to finally bend the rules set out for him. That doesn’t mean he can keep her.

They say things that never challenge you won’t change you …

Haven Murphy is doing her own thing, and she does it well. The owner of a successful Brooklyn strip club, she makes it her only goal to never fail. She’s just trying to live her life when a morning jog puts her face to face with a man that will change the direction of her life with a single conversation. She knows there’s a dark side to him beyond his good looks, and three-piece suits, but it’s hard for her to care when she wants him. That doesn’t mean he can be hers.

He’s going to break her heart; she’s going to keep his.

Because duty waits on no one.

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duty teaser 2

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

WebsiteBlogTwitterFacebook GoodreadsPinterestMailing ListAmazon Author Page

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DUTY by Bethany-Kris – Blog Tour

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DUTY

by Bethany-Kris
Andino + Haven, #1
Publication Date: October 8, 2018
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

DUTY cover

AVAILABLE NOW!

DUTY teaser 1

SYNOPSIS

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown …

Andino Marcello’s world is turned upside down when he becomes the next heir apparent to the Marcello empire. He was comfortable in his place as a Capo, but comfort is for the weak in the world of mafioso. The boss’s seat is waiting. It takes meeting a tattooed beauty who has no idea who Andino is or the criminal legacy he now carries beneath his three-piece suits, and charming smile for him to finally bend the rules set out for him. That doesn’t mean he can keep her.

They say things that never challenge you won’t change you …

Haven Murphy is doing her own thing, and she does it well. The owner of a successful Brooklyn strip club, she makes it her only goal to never fail. She’s just trying to live her life when a morning jog puts her face to face with a man that will change the direction of her life with a single conversation. She knows there’s a dark side to him beyond his good looks, and three-piece suits, but it’s hard for her to care when she wants him. That doesn’t mean he can be hers.

He’s going to break her heart; she’s going to keep his.

Because duty waits on no one.

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DUTY teaser 3

DUTY – MUSIC PLAYLIST

EXCERPT:

“Bad things happen to people who aren’t paying attention,” the woman said.

Andino nodded. “That’s true.”

She gave him another look, adding, “I guess the bad guys probably don’t wear three-piece suits, or walk their dogs in the middle of broad daylight.”

Funny.

Hadn’t he just killed a man a couple of days ago? Didn’t he have a gun hidden at his back? Wasn’t he just told he would be the heir to a criminal empire?

That all spelled bad guy to him.

Just in different ways.

“Life is busy,” Andino said, whistling after for Snaps to come back. Unquestioningly, the dog left the woman’s side, and came back to his master to sit patiently at Andino’s leather loafers. “Too busy for me, maybe. I don’t like change, but someone decided something recently that changed everything for me. Walking Snaps clears my head.”

The woman crossed her arms over her chest, and it drew Andino’s attention to the colorful artwork tattooed up her arms. Full sleeves on both arms, ink covering her throat, and traveling down to where the baggy tank top dipped low on her chest.

Damn.

He wondered what kind of stories her ink told.

Something amazing, probably.

“You should take a break, then, stranger who wears a three-piece suit to walk his dog.” Her tone was half-amused, and half-teasing. “You looked happy right before I interrupted—I bet Snaps would like you to take a break, too.”

“I—”

Andino’s phone buzzed with a call—he cursed as he shoved his hand into his pocket, and pulled the offensive device out to check the call.

Dante.

The boss.

No shunning a boss.

It was a rule.

He turned slightly to make his shoulder face the woman as he picked up the call. “Yeah, boss, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing you can’t handle, I am sure.”

The last thing Andino wanted to do was handle business. Any kind of business. He thought of the woman, and her words. Maybe she had a fucking point.

“Actually, I need a couple of weeks,” Andino said.

“Excuse me?” Dante asked.

“Yeah, I need a break.”

“For …?”

“At this point, whatever the hell I want. And anything that is not in this city.”

He needed to get away, and just … relax. Maybe then he wouldn’t get so snappy when his mother asked about women in his life, or whatever. Maybe then he might start to feel better about this whole fucking boss thing.

“Is this about the business, and la famiglia again, Andi?”

“Do you really need me to answer that?”

“You’re the right choice,” Dante said quietly. “The best choice. And you know it.”

“Fact remains. You’ve upended what I thought was my life. I need time to adjust.”

Dante sighed harshly, and Andino knew then he was going to get what he wanted. After all, Dante would want to keep him happy.

This was a two-way street.

A give and take.

“Fine, but—”

“No buts,” Andino interjected. “A break is a fucking break.”

“Has your father ever told you that you’re a demanding little shit?”

“Yes, and also that it suits me.”

Dante grumbled under his breath, but Andino was pretty sure his uncle said, “He’s not wrong.”

“Yeah, well—”

“Take your break.”

Dante hung up the phone without a goodbye. Andino wished he could say he was surprised. Turning on his heel to apologize and say goodbye to the woman who had been at the mouth of the connecting trail, he found the spot empty.

And the woman gone.

Fuck.

He hadn’t even gotten her name.

Snaps looked up at Andino with his big, dark eyes—ready and willing to find yet another stick to be thrown for him, probably.

“Where did she go?” Andino asked his dog.

Snaps simply wagged his stubby tail.

Thanks for the help, buddy.

DUTY teaser 4

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

WebsiteBlogTwitterFacebook GoodreadsPinterestMailing List InstagramBookbubAmazon Author Page

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DUTY by Bethany-Kris -Release Blitz

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DUTY

by Bethany-Kris
Andino + Haven, #1
Publication Date: October 8, 2018
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

DUTY cover

AVAILABLE NOW!

DUTY

SYNOPSIS

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown …

Andino Marcello’s world is turned upside down when he becomes the next heir apparent to the Marcello empire. He was comfortable in his place as a Capo, but comfort is for the weak in the world of mafioso. The boss’s seat is waiting. It takes meeting a tattooed beauty who has no idea who Andino is or the criminal legacy he now carries beneath his three-piece suits, and charming smile for him to finally bend the rules set out for him. That doesn’t mean he can keep her.

They say things that never challenge you won’t change you …

Haven Murphy is doing her own thing, and she does it well. The owner of a successful Brooklyn strip club, she makes it her only goal to never fail. She’s just trying to live her life when a morning jog puts her face to face with a man that will change the direction of her life with a single conversation. She knows there’s a dark side to him beyond his good looks, and three-piece suits, but it’s hard for her to care when she wants him. That doesn’t mean he can be hers.

He’s going to break her heart; she’s going to keep his.

Because duty waits on no one.

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DUTY teaser 1

EXCLUSIVE RELEASE EXCERPT: DUTY

“Twenty-three,” Andino murmured.

Haven glanced back at him at the sudden drop in his tone when he spoke. She realized then that he had been looking at her again while she searched the floor, but she had been too distracted to notice.

Huh.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Twenty-three stars so far. I missed one behind your ear.”

Her heart stopped for a split second—she swore it did. How was he still keeping track of how many stars she had tattooed on her body? Hell, she had stopped counting four years ago when she got her twentieth.

Subconsciously, she moved to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, but forgot she had pulled her hair up into a high, messy bun to work the bar. Which explained how he had seen the star behind her ear, considering the last time they met, her hair had been down.

Andino grinned lazily.

On another man, she might think that cocky look wasn’t her thing. On him, though? It looked divine.

“You could save me the trouble,” Andino said, “and just tell me how many stars there are.”

Haven really shouldn’t be flirting while she worked. It was a rule she had for all the girls that worked the place—it was fine to smile, and whatever else, but lap dances, private rooms, and meets outside the club were strictly forbidden. They weren’t that kind of joint, and she didn’t even want to give the appearance that they were to begin with.

And yet, all she wanted to do in that moment was play with Andino—tease him a little, and give it back to him just as much as he was giving it to her. He made it easy, and fun. God knew it had been a long damn time since a man came around to perk her interest.

Haven always had too much to do.

Too much work.

Too much responsibility.

Too much everything.

Valeria was always telling Haven to take a break, or do something fun. To try something new, and get out of her comfort zone. Maybe this was something she could do that with—what would it hurt?

“Where’s the fun in me telling you how many stars are tattooed on my body,” Haven asked, “when you seem quite intent on finding them yourself, Andino?”

The man across the bar flashed his teeth in a wickedly sinful smile, and let out a husky laugh that made her wet between her thighs from the sound alone. It rocked through her body, and touched every single one of her nerves.

Jesus fucking Christ.

The man was several feet away.

A bar separated them.

He wasn’t even touching her!

And he made her wet.

Yeah, this could be fun.

“I mean,” Haven continued, shrugging her dainty shoulders, “your way seems a hell of lot more fun than just telling you. The game ends once you know.”

Andino shoved his hands in his pockets, and rocked back on his heels a bit. He turned his head to the side, giving her a glorious view of his strong jaw, green eyes, and all the hard lines of his face. The man really was beautiful. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days what with the dusting of facial hair covering his jaw and cheeks. She bet that scruff would feel some kind of good between her thighs.

Wow.

She went right to that place fast.

The man had to be at least two-forty or even two-fifty in weight, if not more. And yet, he didn’t look bulky. Fit, strong, and dominating. She hadn’t noticed before, but he had a tiny cleft in his chin, and a dimple in his left cheek when his grin deepened just enough.

Yes, with his suit tailored to fit his large frame, and those looks of his, he was every woman’s walking wet dream come to life. Sex in the flesh, if there was such a thing. Tall, mysterious, handsome, and a whole lot of trouble.

Andino peered at Haven through the corner of his eyes, and she swore she could feel the wheels in his head turning. “So, is that what this is, then? Have you decided?”

She cocked her head to the side a bit. “You’re going to have to be clearer.”

This,” he said, gesturing between them, “you and me, and whatever this little chase is I seem to be doing with you. You’ve decided it’s a game, then?”

Haven wet her lips, and smiled. “I didn’t know you were chasing me, Andino.”

“Me either … until now. You know, though, so tell me.” He edged closer to the bar, and pressed his hands to the top. Leaning a little over the counter, he came close enough that she could smell the cologne he wore—a strong, distinct musk that made her think leather, smoke, and man all rolled into one. Somehow, Haven had moved to creep a little over the bar, too. Both of them were close enough that all she could see was his handsome features, and the darker green flecks inside the lighter greens of his eyes. “Is it a game you want to play?”

“Is there going to be a winner?”

Andino laughed, nodded, and slapped the bar before pushing away. “You bet your pretty ass, donna. There will most certainly be a winner.”

DUTY teaser 3

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

WebsiteBlogTwitterFacebook GoodreadsPinterestMailing List InstagramBookbubAmazon Author Page

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DUTY by Bethany-Kris – Cover Reveal

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DUTY

by Bethany-Kris
Andino + Haven, #1
Publication Date: October 8, 2018
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

DUTY cover

Cover Credits: Mykel Mignon at Oh So Novel

DUTY front & back cover

SYNOPSIS

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown …

Andino Marcello’s world is turned upside down when he becomes the next heir apparent to the Marcello empire. He was comfortable in his place as a Capo, but comfort is for the weak in the world of mafioso. The boss’s seat is waiting. It takes meeting a tattooed beauty who has no idea who Andino is or the criminal legacy he now carries beneath his three-piece suits, and charming smile for him to finally bend the rules set out for him. That doesn’t mean he can keep her.

They say things that never challenge you won’t change you …

Haven Murphy is doing her own thing, and she does it well. The owner of a successful Brooklyn strip club, she makes it her only goal to never fail. She’s just trying to live her life when a morning jog puts her face to face with a man that will change the direction of her life with a single conversation. She knows there’s a dark side to him beyond his good looks, and three-piece suits, but it’s hard for her to care when she wants him. That doesn’t mean he can be hers.

He’s going to break her heart; she’s going to keep his.

Because duty waits on no one.

goodreads-badge-add-38px

DUTY teaser

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: DUTY

“Bad things happen to people who aren’t paying attention,” the woman said.

Andino nodded. “That’s true.”

She gave him another look, adding, “I guess the bad guys probably don’t wear three-piece suits, or walk their dogs in the middle of broad daylight.”

Funny.

Hadn’t he just killed a man a couple of days ago? Didn’t he have a gun hidden at his back? Wasn’t he just told he would be the heir to a criminal empire?

That all spelled bad guy to him.

Just in different ways.

“Life is busy,” Andino said, whistling after for Snaps to come back. Unquestioningly, the dog left the woman’s side, and came back to his master to sit patiently at Andino’s leather loafers. “Too busy for me, maybe. I don’t like change, but someone decided something recently that changed everything for me. Walking Snaps clears my head.”

The woman crossed her arms over her chest, and it drew Andino’s attention to the colorful artwork tattooed up her arms. Full sleeves on both arms, ink covering her throat, and traveling down to where the baggy tank top dipped low on her chest.

Damn.

He wondered what kind of stories her ink told.

Something amazing, probably.

“You should take a break, then, stranger who wears a three-piece suit to walk his dog.” Her tone was half-amused, and half-teasing. “You looked happy right before I interrupted—I bet Snaps would like you to take a break, too.”

“I—”

Andino’s phone buzzed with a call—he cursed as he shoved his hand into his pocket, and pulled the offensive device out to check the call.

Dante.

The boss.

No shunning a boss.

It was a rule.

He turned slightly to make his shoulder face the woman as he picked up the call. “Yeah, boss, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing you can’t handle, I am sure.”

The last thing Andino wanted to do was handle business. Any kind of business. He thought of the woman, and her words. Maybe she had a fucking point.

“Actually, I need a couple of weeks,” Andino said.

“Excuse me?” Dante asked.

“Yeah, I need a break.”

“For …?”

“At this point, whatever the hell I want. And anything that is not in this city.”

He needed to get away, and just … relax. Maybe then he wouldn’t get so snappy when his mother asked about women in his life, or whatever. Maybe then he might start to feel better about this whole fucking boss thing.

“Is this about the business, and la famiglia again, Andi?”

“Do you really need me to answer that?”

“You’re the right choice,” Dante said quietly. “The best choice. And you know it.”

“Fact remains. You’ve upended what I thought was my life. I need time to adjust.”

Dante sighed harshly, and Andino knew then he was going to get what he wanted. After all, Dante would want to keep him happy.

This was a two-way street.

A give and take.

“Fine, but—”

“No buts,” Andino interjected. “A break is a fucking break.”

“Has your father ever told you that you’re a demanding little shit?”

“Yes, and also that it suits me.”

Dante grumbled under his breath, but Andino was pretty sure his uncle said, “He’s not wrong.”

“Yeah, well—”

“Take your break.”

Dante hung up the phone without a goodbye. Andino wished he could say he was surprised. Turning on his heel to apologize and say goodbye to the woman who had been at the mouth of the connecting trail, he found the spot empty.

And the woman gone.

Fuck.

He hadn’t even gotten her name.

Snaps looked up at Andino with his big, dark eyes—ready and willing to find yet another stick to be thrown for him, probably.

“Where did she go?” Andino asked his dog.

Snaps simply wagged his stubby tail.

Thanks for the help, buddy.

DUTY teaser

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

author photo

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

WebsiteBlogTwitterFacebook GoodreadsPinterestMailing List InstagramBookbubAmazon Author Page

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CAPTIVATED – COVER REVEAL

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CAPTIVATED

by Bethany-Kris
Publication Date: July 9, 2018
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance, Standalone

COVER CREDITS

Cover designed by London Miller
Cover photo by Michael Stokes
Cover model: Antoni Bialy

CAPTIVATED cover

#PREORDER NOW!

CAPTIVATED cover 2

SYNOPSIS

A shadow meets the light …

When someone needs to disappear, the Chicago mob calls on Joe Rossi. A man who can move without a sound, and kill without a word, they don’t call him the Shadow for nothing.

This time, it’s a New York crime family in need of his skills, but it takes one glimpse of her to make him agree to the job.

Liliana Marcello is every inch a principessa della mafia. Her life has taught her to be wary of strangers, yet her ballet career contradicts everything by putting her on display.

It’s a man with a dark smile and a constantly changing demeanor that makes her feel safe again, but it’s the unknown that holds her back.

It takes one look …
One dance …
One word …
One smile to captivate a man.

And one second to kill a woman because of it, too.

Not all monsters hide in the shadows.
How are you supposed to see them coming?

CAPTIVATED teaser

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

“Drink?”

Liliana made a face. “You know, I probably shouldn’t.”

“Ah, dancer.”

She shrugged. “Everything needs to be exactly as they want it.”

“As long as one of the things they want isn’t for you to starve yourself, or work yourself dead then … whatever makes you happy, Tesoro.”

“Some girls do.”

“Hmm?”

“Starve themselves down to nothing but sticks in the hopes of being noticed, or whatever the case may be. Their brains and mind get so sick from it all that they don’t even realize how much they need help. It’s sad, really. Scary. Once, I might have been one of those girls, too. Not so much anymore.”

Joe glanced down at the glass of whiskey he had poured, and twirled it a bit making the ice inside click against crystal. “Can’t say that’s a bad thing, though.”

“No, growth is … good.”

“It can be.”

Joe kept his gaze on the whiskey, and Liliana suddenly decided to be a little bold. They weren’t outside where anyone could see, or where her sister was right there to watch and make her feel nervous. There was no stumbling over her words, or feeling skittish.

Really, Joe didn’t make her anything but comfortable.

And a little hot sometimes.

Crossing the distance between them, Liliana came to stand right in front of Joe. It was only then that he finally glanced up from the glass in his hands to give her one of his slow, easy grins. The kind that made her stomach do that weird clenching thing—like butterflies for big girls.

“Hey,” she whispered.

Joe tipped his head to the side a bit. “Hey.”

“Thanks for helping me today.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Lucky you were there to help me, really.”

Joe quirked a brow high. “Yeah, lucky.”

Before Liliana could over think her next move, and while she was still feeling that bit of boldness in her heart, she stood on her tiptoes, and kissed Joe. It was a fast kiss—nothing too spectacular, and certainly not lingering. Just a sweet press of her lips against his, and then she was pulling away again.

As fast as it had happened, it was over.

Then, she waited.

For him, that was.

Joe’s gaze darted to hers, and she swore she saw a flash of heat behind his eyes. Without ever looking away from her, he set that glass of whiskey to the wet bar, grabbed her waist with a firm grip, and brought her even closer. She didn’t even get the chance to take a breath before he kissed her.

His kiss was not like hers.

Deeper, harder, and hungrier. A teasing stroke of his tongue against the seam of her lips, demanding she open up to him, and let him in. She couldn’t even help herself but to part her lips, and taste him.

Joe pulled her closer still until her chest was molded against his, and she found it hard to take in a decent breath. And only then did he pull away. His hand came up to cup her cheek, and his thumb stroked her cheekbone with a soft touch.

“I mean, if you’re going to kiss me,” he murmured as he pulled away, “then at least really kiss me, Liliana.”

She laughed breathlessly. “I wanted to see …”

“What?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did you see whatever it was?” he asked.

Liliana grinned widely. “I did.”

“And?”

“Would you like to go out with me sometime, Joe?”

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ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

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