
The Warrior's Whisper, Windy City Nights 1
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Evernight Publishing
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Blurb
He returned home from battle a changed man. Her love can make him whole again.
To the outside world, Heath appears healed and integrated back into civilian life just fine after being injured in Afghanistan. But even though the battles are over, the scars, guilt, demons and insecurities remain.
Leah has loved Heath all her life. He’s known her since the day she was born, seeing as he’s ten years older and her brother Jake’s best friend. Although he’s always regarded her as “family”, she believes they are meant to be together.
Heath always considered Leah off limits. A forbidden temptation he shouldn’t want and can never have. When he sees her before Jake’s wedding ceremony begins, he’s so overwhelmed he makes a move against his better judgement.
His insecurities ultimately get the best of him. He believes she deserves more than a battle weary Marine who suffers from combat nightmares.
Leah has a secret that will change their lives forever, but can Heath conquer his demons so they can make a way forward together or will he abandon her when she needs him the most?
Excerpt
Heath sighed. “Are there any other empty banquet rooms available?”
Leah’s heart picked up speed, and her stomach did little flips. She would finally be alone with Heath. She preferred they were alone somewhere with a bed, but at this point she’d take whatever she could get.
The security guard pointed to a room behind them down a short hallway that led outside. “Yes, sir. That one is free.”
He strode toward the empty banquet room with purpose and her in tow. “If anything changes out here, come get me,” he called out behind them.
After they entered the small banquet room that held five tables done up with white table cloths and white napkins at each chair, Heath slammed the banquet doors closed and had her backed up against the nearest cherry wood paneled wall before she knew what was happening. He crushed his lips against hers, his tongue demanding entry. She was surprised she was so turned on by his alpha display.
She happily acquiesced, and Heath took possession of her mouth. His tongue relentlessly tangled with hers until she became so drunk with lust her knees nearly gave out. She held him around the neck and felt him slide his hands down from her waist and grip her ass cheeks and squeeze. He ground his rock-hard dick against her stomach, and her pussy contracted. One of them groaned, she wasn’t sure who, before they ended their kiss, both panting.
He touched his forehead to hers and held her tight. “You drive me fucking crazy, Leah.”
She couldn’t help but smile. He drove her crazy, too, in every dirty, sexy, lustful way possible. “What’s going on with you? Us?”
He sighed and let her go. He stepped back slightly and took her hands away from around his neck, holding them gently in his. She immediately regretted asking him anything. She wanted him close. Needed him close. She ached for him, had for years.
He shook his head seemingly conflicted. “I’m not entirely sure, but I know I want you, Leah. So much I ache with it. But I know I shouldn’t and I’m not sure what the fuck to do about it and it’s pissing me off.”
Her heart soared. The man she’d loved her entire life was admitting to wanting her. Though not a declaration of love, she knew he cared about her. She also knew better than to gush about her undying love right now.
She looked up into his sorrowful but caring gaze. She didn’t want him to have any doubts regarding the two of them together. She knew deep in her heart they belonged together. She was certain that with a little time he would come to know and believe it, too. Although she didn’t want to, she needed to take things slow. Ease him into the idea of the two of them together.
She smiled at him, hoping she appeared calm and collected. “I think you must know I want you, too. Why shouldn’t you want me? I don’t understand.” She had a good idea why. Because Heath and Jake were close friends. Brothers. And you don’t mess with your friend’s little sister, right?
Fuck that. She and Heath were adults. If they wanted to be together her brother better not get in the way. Her brother Jake had more than enough to keep him busy—a new bride, a baby on the way, and a job with the Cobras that kept him on his toes. Where she and Heath were concerned, Jake needed to mind his own business and stay out of it.
“I think you know why, little girl. At least partially.” Heath kissed her gently. She was so into him any affection sent her body into overdrive. She was burning up, needing him to get over his aversion toward at least fucking her as soon as possible. She could only take so much.
“Does it have to matter I’m Jake’s sister? I’m a grown woman now. I’m sure you’ve noticed. Jake doesn’t get to decide who I’m with. I do.”
She wondered if knowing him all of her life was a disadvantage rather than an advantage as she’d always thought. Would he have doubts about her if they had just met?
“I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize a long and important friendship. We’re all like family, don’t you agree?” Heath looked down at her expectantly.
She agreed with his assessment about their close-knit ties. But she didn’t agree it should stop them from becoming even closer. She knew her family loved Heath like their own. She didn’t believe for a minute they’d be upset if they got together. Even Jake, eventually. Once he got over the “bro code” crap.
Download links
Evernight Publishing
Paperback at Amazon
Other Retailers
Blurb
He returned home from battle a changed man. Her love can make him whole again.
To the outside world, Heath appears healed and integrated back into civilian life just fine after being injured in Afghanistan. But even though the battles are over, the scars, guilt, demons and insecurities remain.
Leah has loved Heath all her life. He’s known her since the day she was born, seeing as he’s ten years older and her brother Jake’s best friend. Although he’s always regarded her as “family”, she believes they are meant to be together.
Heath always considered Leah off limits. A forbidden temptation he shouldn’t want and can never have. When he sees her before Jake’s wedding ceremony begins, he’s so overwhelmed he makes a move against his better judgement.
His insecurities ultimately get the best of him. He believes she deserves more than a battle weary Marine who suffers from combat nightmares.
Leah has a secret that will change their lives forever, but can Heath conquer his demons so they can make a way forward together or will he abandon her when she needs him the most?
Excerpt
Heath sighed. “Are there any other empty banquet rooms available?”
Leah’s heart picked up speed, and her stomach did little flips. She would finally be alone with Heath. She preferred they were alone somewhere with a bed, but at this point she’d take whatever she could get.
The security guard pointed to a room behind them down a short hallway that led outside. “Yes, sir. That one is free.”
He strode toward the empty banquet room with purpose and her in tow. “If anything changes out here, come get me,” he called out behind them.
After they entered the small banquet room that held five tables done up with white table cloths and white napkins at each chair, Heath slammed the banquet doors closed and had her backed up against the nearest cherry wood paneled wall before she knew what was happening. He crushed his lips against hers, his tongue demanding entry. She was surprised she was so turned on by his alpha display.
She happily acquiesced, and Heath took possession of her mouth. His tongue relentlessly tangled with hers until she became so drunk with lust her knees nearly gave out. She held him around the neck and felt him slide his hands down from her waist and grip her ass cheeks and squeeze. He ground his rock-hard dick against her stomach, and her pussy contracted. One of them groaned, she wasn’t sure who, before they ended their kiss, both panting.
He touched his forehead to hers and held her tight. “You drive me fucking crazy, Leah.”
She couldn’t help but smile. He drove her crazy, too, in every dirty, sexy, lustful way possible. “What’s going on with you? Us?”
He sighed and let her go. He stepped back slightly and took her hands away from around his neck, holding them gently in his. She immediately regretted asking him anything. She wanted him close. Needed him close. She ached for him, had for years.
He shook his head seemingly conflicted. “I’m not entirely sure, but I know I want you, Leah. So much I ache with it. But I know I shouldn’t and I’m not sure what the fuck to do about it and it’s pissing me off.”
Her heart soared. The man she’d loved her entire life was admitting to wanting her. Though not a declaration of love, she knew he cared about her. She also knew better than to gush about her undying love right now.
She looked up into his sorrowful but caring gaze. She didn’t want him to have any doubts regarding the two of them together. She knew deep in her heart they belonged together. She was certain that with a little time he would come to know and believe it, too. Although she didn’t want to, she needed to take things slow. Ease him into the idea of the two of them together.
She smiled at him, hoping she appeared calm and collected. “I think you must know I want you, too. Why shouldn’t you want me? I don’t understand.” She had a good idea why. Because Heath and Jake were close friends. Brothers. And you don’t mess with your friend’s little sister, right?
Fuck that. She and Heath were adults. If they wanted to be together her brother better not get in the way. Her brother Jake had more than enough to keep him busy—a new bride, a baby on the way, and a job with the Cobras that kept him on his toes. Where she and Heath were concerned, Jake needed to mind his own business and stay out of it.
“I think you know why, little girl. At least partially.” Heath kissed her gently. She was so into him any affection sent her body into overdrive. She was burning up, needing him to get over his aversion toward at least fucking her as soon as possible. She could only take so much.
“Does it have to matter I’m Jake’s sister? I’m a grown woman now. I’m sure you’ve noticed. Jake doesn’t get to decide who I’m with. I do.”
She wondered if knowing him all of her life was a disadvantage rather than an advantage as she’d always thought. Would he have doubts about her if they had just met?
“I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize a long and important friendship. We’re all like family, don’t you agree?” Heath looked down at her expectantly.
She agreed with his assessment about their close-knit ties. But she didn’t agree it should stop them from becoming even closer. She knew her family loved Heath like their own. She didn’t believe for a minute they’d be upset if they got together. Even Jake, eventually. Once he got over the “bro code” crap.