Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway: Tempting Rowan [Trace + Olivia 03] by Micalea Smeltzer!

  
 

   “Alright, I’m done,” I forced a small smile for Trent. “Should you go grab that ferret food you need?”
   “Who said anything about ferret food?” He winked, heading towards the checkout.
   I groaned, tilting my head back to look up at the ceiling. “You little liar. Do you even have a ferret?”
   “Yeah, he just doesn’t need any food right now,” Trent shrugged, looking for a line that wasn’t too long.
   “Then why’d you tell me you were here for ferret food?” I continued to fire questions at him.
   “It would be creepy if I said I came here because I saw your car. Ferret food seemed like a safe excuse,” he chuckled.
   “You’re ridiculous,” I shook my head, letting my long hair hide my face.
   “Hey, I got to spend time with you, and you got to spend time with me. So, I’d say it was a win-win situation, wouldn’t you?” He raised a brow as he reached into the cart to begin placing items on the conveyer belt.
   “Who said I ever wanted to spend time with you?” I snapped.
   His eyes flicked up to mine and hurt flashed briefly in the blue depths before being replaced by mischief. “You don’t have to say it, Row. Your body does all the talking, and your body is attracted to my body.”
   “Keep dreaming,” I mumbled, wrapping my arms protectively across my torso.
   “Oh, I don’t have to,” his lips quirked up in a smile, “it won’t be long till you see things my way. I’ve been told that I’m very persuasive.”
   “I’m guessing that you were the kid that was never told ‘no’ as a child,” I quipped.
   “Oh, I was told no plenty of times. Everyone knows my brother is the favorite. Personally, I don’t get it. The guy dresses like he’s going into the woods to cut down some trees, he says the weirdest things, and he’s a pain in the ass.” Shrugging, he added, “Don’t worry though, the lack of attention didn’t ruin my childhood. I’m perfectly okay,” he spread his arms wide. “There’s no need to feel sorry for me, but if you’d like to kiss me and make it all better, I won’t complain.”
   I rolled my eyes. “I’m not kissing you.”
   “You’ve kissed me before, Rowan,” he smirked. Leaning in, so his lips brushed my ear, he whispered, “In fact, we’ve done a lot more than kiss.”
   My cheeks flamed and I put both of my hands against his muscular chest, giving him a shove. He chuckled.
   “You can’t deny the facts, Row.”
   I chose to ignore him, shoving the cart forward so I could start loading the plastic bags. The cashier announced the total, and I reached for my wallet, but Trent was already pulling out a credit card.
   “Nope, no way, put that thing away,” I warned. I was not letting Trent buy my groceries. I didn’t need his charity.
   “Row, don’t be difficult,” he went to swipe his card.
   “Don’t even think about swiping that card, Trenton.” My voice was icy cold. I was pissed.
   “You mean like this?” He blinked his eyes innocently and swiped the card.
   “Cancel that!” I pointed at the cashier. She looked at me like I had lost my mind…maybe I had.
   “Uh…” She looked from me to Trent and back again.
   “Don’t listen to her,” Trent waved a hand dismissively. “My girlfriend likes to assert her independence by buying the groceries. But I’m a man, and that’s my job. She really needs to stop getting her panties in such a bunch.”
   My mouth fell open as the cashier handed him the receipt. “I’m not your girlfriend.” I don’t know why those were the first words to leave my mouth.
   “Oh honey, you always say such hurtful things when you’re on your period. I should’ve gotten you a brownie,” he smirked, throwing a smile over his shoulder at the cashier. We sure were giving her an entertaining evening.
   Trent pushed me aside and rolled the cart out into the night. He headed straight to where my car was parked and I wasn’t surprised to see his shiny black car parked beside it. “Open the trunk,” he demanded, already grabbing up bags.
   “I don’t need your help.”
   He looked at me peculiarly. “I never said you did need my help, but I want to help you, and there’s a big difference. Besides, Row, accepting help doesn’t make you any less of an independent person. I know you’re all for girl power and doing things by yourself, but it’s okay to let someone else step in and take care of you.”
   I swallowed thickly, looking down at the ground so he couldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I opened the trunk and stepped back, hoping he didn’t see how upset I was.
   No one had ever taken care of me. I was raising Ivy, Tristan, and myself.
   Nobody cared about me, and if I let Trent in I’d get spoiled to having him, then he’d leave and I’d be even more shattered than I was now. He got all the groceries in the trunk and reached up to close it.
   My breath fogged the chilly air as I forced myself to thank him. “Thank you,” I finally squeaked after an awkward silence.
   He laughed—and oh my God how I loved his laugh, it was husky and masculine, and perfect like him. “It really killed you to say that, didn’t it?”
   I shrugged. “No one ever helps me, so I’m not used to thanking people.”
   “That’s really sad,” he frowned.
   “It’s the truth,” I pushed my hair out of my eyes, heading for the driver’s door. “I’ll see you…sometime.”
   “Row?”
   “Yeah?” I turned back around and he was right there.
   He reached out, caging me between his arms, his hands resting on the rusted hood of my car.
   “Goodnight,” he whispered huskily, and then he kissed me. It wasn’t really a kiss, more a brush of his lips, but it was enough to ignite a fire in my body. I found myself leaning in, wanting more, but he was already gone.
   I opened my eyes, which I hadn’t realized I closed, and saw him getting into his car wearing a proud smirk.
   He drove away and I still stood there in the cold. I was in a daze, shocked by his brazenness and how much I’d enjoyed the barely there touch of our lips. My heart raced against my ribcage and I reached up to place shaking fingers against my lips. I was so screwed.

I’m drowning in the numbness. It’s pulling me under and I can’t see the surface. It’s easier to pretend I can’t feel. And the longer you pretend, the easier it is to believe. But he wants to save me. Only he can’t. I have to save myself…and I don’t know if I want to.

Rowan Sinclair’s life has been anything but easy. With an alcoholic mother and a sleazy stepfather, it’s been her responsibility to raise her younger siblings. At twenty-one she’s chained to a life she doesn’t want, but sees no other alternative. After all, what would happen to her brother and sister if she were to leave?

Trenton Wentworth sees the pain behind Rowan’s eyes. He wants nothing more than to make it disappear. To hold her. To love her. Except Rowan keeps everyone at a safe distance. But if there’s anyone that can break down the walls she’s built around herself, it’s Trent. So she avoids him at all costs. But Trent isn’t one to be easily evaded. He’s stubborn and determined. He’ll save this girl even if it costs him everything.

Love, lies, and deception.

That’s the name of the game when you’re Tempting Rowan.

 

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Author bio:

Micalea Smeltzer is an author from Virginia. Her name is pronounced Muh-call-e-uh. She is permanently glued to her computer, where she constantly writes. She has to listen to music when she writes and has a playlist for every book she’s ever started. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading a book or playing with her three dogs.

Email: msmeltzer9793@gmail.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/MicaleaSmeltzerfanpage?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/msmeltzer9793

Website: http://micaleasmeltzer.com

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