Excerpt!
“Chlo? Where'd you go?” He pokes his head around the corner and I smile shyly back at him.
“Just waiting for the pizza to cool off.”
His expression tells me he knows me better, but he doesn't ask questions. He grabs two plates from the cabinet and grabs us each two pieces before pulling me off the counter. As he does, my body scrapes his, and I'm fully conscious of the sudden change in my breathing.
He tips my chin up with his fingers so I’m looking back at him. He’s staring down at me tenderly. It's almost as if nothing’s changed, but I know that everything has changed between us. Before, the touching meant friendship. Now, I can't stop thinking of the night of Comic Mania when we had a chance to explore something more. We’re having one of those moments right now. Aren’t we?
In the short time I've been home, the feelings I once had for Gavin have only quadrupled. It doesn't help that he's brushing his thumb against my cheek with a heart-melting intensity in his gaze.
“You're going to miss the part where Louise turns her brother into a dog,” he says playfully.
This does the trick. I let out a laugh and wrap my arms around his waist, my cheek resting against his solid frame. “Damn. What did you do to your body?” I tease, pulling back and rubbing the cloth over his abs. “And your stomach! Carve hills on this bad boy?”
He grins, obviously pleased with the attention. “You like?” He pulls his shirt up to reveal his bare torso. I almost hit the floor. I saw his stomach before at the treehouse, but up close and personal it’s an entirely different story.
“It's nice,” I say, knowing the flush of my cheeks is giving me away.
“Your turn.” He lifts his brow teasingly. “Show me yours.”
I laugh and shove him away. “Nothing's changed here.”
He subtly roams the length of my body with his eyes. “I would argue with that.”
My breath is caught somewhere between my throat and my mouth, and I’m certain there’s a damn horse galloping in my chest. “Gavin Rhodes!” I scold, happy to have found my teasing voice despite my intense desire for him in this moment. All the while, I'm trying to remember if this was how we used to banter. I can't remember Gavin ever being blatantly flirtatious.
He winks and pulls me to him, then rubs my back with the palm of his hand in slow, steady circles. “Chloe.” His voice is raspy, cutting me straight to the core.
I wanted to tell him all my secrets, but he became one of them instead.
Chloe Rivers never thought she would keep secrets from her best friend. Then again, she never imagined she would fall in love with him either. When she finally reveals her feelings, rejection shatters her, rendering her vulnerable and sending her straight into the destructive arms of the wrong guy.
Gavin Rhodes never saw the betrayal coming. It crushes him. Chloe has always been his forbidden fantasy--sweet, tempting, and beautiful. But when the opportunity finally presents itself, he makes the biggest mistake of all and denies her.
Now it's too late . . .
Four years after a devastating tragedy, Chloe and Gavin find themselves crashing back into each other's lives. Haunted by the past, they're forced to come to terms with all that has transpired to find the peace they deserve. Except they can't seem to get near each other without combatting an intense emotional connection that brings them right back to where it all started . . . their childhood treehouse.
Chloe still holds her secrets close, but this time she isn't the only one with something to hide. Can their deep-rooted connection survive the destruction of innocence?
Chloe Rivers never thought she would keep secrets from her best friend. Then again, she never imagined she would fall in love with him either. When she finally reveals her feelings, rejection shatters her, rendering her vulnerable and sending her straight into the destructive arms of the wrong guy.
Gavin Rhodes never saw the betrayal coming. It crushes him. Chloe has always been his forbidden fantasy--sweet, tempting, and beautiful. But when the opportunity finally presents itself, he makes the biggest mistake of all and denies her.
Now it's too late . . .
Four years after a devastating tragedy, Chloe and Gavin find themselves crashing back into each other's lives. Haunted by the past, they're forced to come to terms with all that has transpired to find the peace they deserve. Except they can't seem to get near each other without combatting an intense emotional connection that brings them right back to where it all started . . . their childhood treehouse.
Chloe still holds her secrets close, but this time she isn't the only one with something to hide. Can their deep-rooted connection survive the destruction of innocence?
Author bio:
Hi all! I'm K.K. Allen, Contemporary Fantasy & New Adult Romance author of the Summer Solstice series (Enchanted, the Equinox, and the Descendants), as well as the short story, Soaring. Look for my upcoming New Adult Romance, Up in the Treehouse, OUT NOW!!
I currently live in Florida with my ridiculously handsome son, Jagger. I've always had a passion for reading and writing, so sharing my work with you all is beyond exciting. Thank you all for checking out my page. I hope you'll give my books a shot, and definitely look out for more from me. This train ain't stoppin'. ;)
Giveaway!
This book sounds really really good. Thanks
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