Title: For Everly
Author: Raine Thomas
Publisher: Iambe Books, LLC
Release date: May 27, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Buy Links: Amazon
Determined to overcome a dark and tragic past, college student Everly Wallace is only months away from earning her degree in physical therapy. She’s consumed with school, caring for her ailing grandfather, and figuring out how to pay the next bill. The last thing she wants is a relationship, but it just might be the one thing she needs.
Major League pitcher Cole Parker hasn’t fought for anything in his life. He went from a privileged upbringing to a multimillion dollar All-Star career. But when his pitching shoulder starts to give him trouble at only twenty-four years old, he faces the possibility of his injury becoming public knowledge and costing him everything.
In a desperate bid to save his career, Cole decides to hire someone to treat his injury, someone who will keep things off the record and out of the media. He finds the perfect solution in Everly. As mysterious as she is beautiful, she provides an enticing distraction from his pain. Soon, physical therapy is the last thing on his mind.
When an act of betrayal brings the truths they both fear to light, Cole will have to fight for the first time in his life…not just for his career, but for Everly’s love.
She
folded her jeans and set them on the lounge chair. Taking one final
deep breath, she pulled her top over her head, then set it neatly by
her jeans.
Her
gaze shifted to Cole, who was suddenly silent. She realized he was
staring at her with a rather strange expression on his face. Had she
somehow managed to shock the world-famous Cole Parker?
She
didn’t speak, but walked over to the stairs. His eyes followed her
every move. He had yet to meet her gaze. He was honed in on her body.
Something about that was empowering.
Liberating.
Although
she had no experience with playing the temptress, the situation felt
right to give it a try. Dark, seductive lighting…clear, warm
water…a hot, transfixed male. Yeah, she was pretty sure the
circumstances were right. She just didn’t know if she had it in
her.
She
slowly descended the steps into the water. “So, Mr. Parker,” she
said in a casual tone, “what shall we do in this magnificent pool
of yours?”
“Um…”
He
didn’t move as she walked from the shallow end to where he stood
with the water lapping at his waist. She allowed her gaze to move
over the hard muscles of his upper body as she approached. Even as
she fully appreciated his fine physique with a woman’s eye, she
felt pride for helping him maintain it.
“The
water feels wonderful,” she said.
She
walked to his side until the water reached her belly button, then
came to a stop less than a foot from him. His gaze finally moved to
hers. For the first time, she read stark desire in a male’s gaze.
Her pulse raced.
What
in the world was she doing? Temptress? Yeah, right.
“Everly,”
he said.
His
voice was low. Ragged. He closed the distance between them. Her
nerves shimmied.
Oh,
God. Was he going to kiss her? What should she do?
He
paused. His eyes swept over her face. Whatever he read there had him
backing up. Once again, she felt both relieved and disappointed.
Why
was she so awkward with guys? With intimacy?
“You’re
not nearly wet enough,” he said then.
Her
mouth fell open. Then he grabbed her and leaped with her into the
deep end. When they surfaced, she laughed and splashed him for
dunking her. She realized the pool was filled with saltwater instead
of chlorine as she pushed her hair out of her eyes.
“I’m
totally getting you back for that,” she said, fighting a smile.
The
chase was on. He was a strong swimmer, but she was lighter and
sleeker. When he would have powered his way across the pool to evade
her, she zipped along beneath the surface and paced him. After
several minutes of pursuing him, she cornered him near the waterfall
that spilled in from a spa off the far side of the pool. They were
both breathless and laughing like idiots.
“I
think grabbing my swimsuit to drag me back was playing dirty,” he
said as he caught his breath.
“Sure
it was. Serves you right.”
“Remind
me not to dunk you again unless I want to skinny dip.”
She
laughed again. His back was turned to her, the position in which
she’d finally caught him. Only then did she register that her arms
were still around his waist.
The
feel of his body pressed against hers…his taut skin beneath her
fingertips…it was—
“Tell
you what,” he said, turning around to face her. She didn’t want
to move her hands, and since he didn’t try to escape her touch, she
didn’t. “That was too easy. I’ll find you with my eyes closed.”
“Oh,
yeah? Marco Polo style?”
“Something
like that. And when I do, I want a reward.”
She
could only echo him as she held his intent gaze. “A reward?”
“Yes,
Ms. Wallace. I want a real kiss.”
Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA Fantasy/Romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy and the Firstborn Trilogy, and a New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.
Author social media links:
Twitter (http://twitter/Raine_Thomas)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/rainethomas)
Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/raine_thomas/)
Website (http://rainethomas.com)
Blog (http://RaineThomas.com/blog/)
Many thanks for being a part of the FOR EVERLY launch, Jamie!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Rained Thomas, on the release of FOR EVERLY! Myou have much success headed your way!
ReplyDelete~Katrina~
Congratulations Raine Thomas
ReplyDelete