Published by Self-published Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Solitude and Dean Hughes have always gone hand-in-hand. It wasn’t by choice, but because of circumstances beyond his control. And once again, things are out of his control when he finds himself being named permanent guardian for his five year old niece just in time for the holidays. Dean had always imagined that he’d have a family of his own someday, just not quite like this. With the support of his hometown friends, he knows he’s going to be okay. But it’s Abby’s help with his niece that’s making the biggest difference.
This isn’t the Christmas either of them has planned, but maybe it’s the chance for the most perfect one yet!
“Hmm?”
Before he could even blink, Abby reached out and pulled him by his wool scarf into the house and shut the door. The house was dark and – thanks to him – a little cool, but he was able to clearly see the look of amusement on Abby’s face as she moved in close. One of her delicate hands rested on his chest while the other raked up into his hair.
He really liked when she did that.
“Let me ask you something,” she began quietly – her voice going slightly sultry. “Do you want to go home?”
Unable to speak, he simply shook his head.
“Okay.” She gave him a curt nod before moving in even closer. They were practically touching from head to toe. Those big green eyes looked up at him and he knew he’d been fighting with himself over nothing.
“I kind of felt like I was being presumptuous,” he admitted. “We had a great day together and…well…this was really our first date. I didn’t want you to feel like I was pressuring you or pushing you into something you didn’t want.”
“We’d already talked about it,” she said simply. “Hell, I almost skipped dessert because I was really looking forward to coming back here and finally being alone with you.”
His own dark eyes went wide. “Really?”
Abby nodded. “Honestly, I would have been fine with grabbing a pizza and staying in.”
Dean couldn’t help the laugh that came out. “Sure, now you tell me!” he teased right before he reached up and cupped Abby’s cheek in one hand. He stroked the soft skin and then he turned serious. “I meant what I said, Abby. I just didn’t want you to think that this was all I wanted. I really enjoyed going out with you today and I think you know enough about me to know that it’s not something I usually do.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t throw out my pizza suggestion,” she said, her own expression serious. “It means a lot to me that you were willing to go out tonight and leave your comfort zone. You didn’t have to.” Then she got up on her toes and placed a soft kiss on the side of his throat. “But I’m really glad you did.”
There were so many things swirling around in his head that he wanted to say, but none of it seemed…enough. He wasn’t good with talking about his feelings. That wasn’t his style. But he could show her.
He could spend all night showing her.
Leaning down, he kissed her. It was the kind of kiss that you eased in to – that built up momentum and left you anxious for the next one. And boy oh boy was he anxious for the next one. And the one after that. Abby let out a soft hum that he actually could feel and knew she was feeling exactly as he was.
It was all the encouragement he needed.
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.
When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, blogging, playing way too many games of Scrabble on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina. For more information visit her website at http://www.chasing-romance.com/
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