“It’s always been you,” she replied, reaching up to brush her lips softly against mine.
I kissed her back, then deepened the kiss, eager to show her the depth of my feelings. Gaby met my passion with her own, pushing me into the door and slanting her head to gain better access as her tongue swept through my mouth. Her sweet smell swirled around, taunting me, and I tangled my fingers in her silky hair and held on.
She moaned against my mouth, and I was about to step away from the door and lift her onto the sink, when a knock pounded loudly at my back, startling us both.
“Scott, if you’re done pawing at your girl, it’s time to wash up and eat.” At the sound of Rose’s voice I pushed off the door and looked down at Gaby, who was giggling behind her hand.
I smiled down at the picture she made, then cleared my throat and answered, “Yes, ma’am,” which only caused Gaby to giggle louder.
“Shhh,” I said with a smile.
“Too late,” Gaby replied saucily. “We’re busted.”
I chuckled at her, then opened the door. As we tip-toed down the hall, hand in hand, her taste still on my lips, I knew with certainty that I’d finally met my perfect match.
Please keep reading for an excerpt of book 4 in the Time for Love series, 15 Minutes.
Chapter 1 – Brock
“I’ll be right back,” I yelled to my brothers as I went out into the bar to grab a beer.
My brother’s, Brady, Brendan, and I, were playing at the bar tonight, and were scheduled to go on in another fifteen minutes, but I really needed a beer. It had been a long week at work. Our band, Whiskey Heat, was just for fun… my real job was running my painting business, and it took a lot out of me.
I’d started out painting houses for my parents’ friends, which they’d booked out of pity after my parents died, and I’d grown it into a successful business. I was proud of the fact that I’d built something that would not only support me, but my brothers as well. It wasn’t easy and although I loved playing these gigs with my brothers, I was pretty fucking tired by the end of the week.
“Fat Tire,” I said to the bartender. Beer was free on the nights we were playing, shit, it was even free on the nights we weren’t. Fast Eddie, the owner, was also a customer. I’d painted his bar, inside and out within the last year, so I always drank for free.
I was enjoying the cool relief of the beer sliding down my throat, enjoying the calm before the storm, when a soft hand on my bicep made me turn.
“Hey,” Gaby said as I turned, all smiles and sunshine. That’s what she’d always reminded me of… sunshine. We’d dated for a while a few months ago, but it had ended when I walked in on her kissing Scott, her current boyfriend. I’d been pissed initially, but now that some time had passed, I realized I hadn’t been in love with her. Plus, they were obviously happy, to the point of moving in together, so I figured we were all better off.
I wasn’t holding any grudges.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I gave her a smile. “You guys here for the show?”
“Yup,” Gaby turned and pointed over to where her group was seated. My buddies, TJ and Cal, along with Cal’s wife Shelly, and TJ’s fiancé Sasha, were all in a tall table by the dance floor.
“Scottnot here?” I asked when I didn’t see him.
“He’s working late, but he’ll be here before your set’s over.”
“Sounds good, I’ll see you after.”
She bounded off back to her friends and I finished my beer. As I placed the empty bottle on the counter, I cocked it towards the bartender, indicating I’d like another. I’d take it up on stage with me to sip on throughout our set. I always worked up a sweat when we performed.
I was waiting for my beer, when the hint of something spicy and expensive wafted towards me. I turned my head to see the back of a woman. She wasn’t dressed for a night at the bar. At least not a bar like this one. Even from behind she looked like she belonged in a country club. Her skirt was long enough to be demure, but the way it hugged her ass, clued me in to the fact that the ass was magnificent, no matter what the package. Her blouse was tucked in the skirt, and she wore stockings with her high heels. Definitely not jiving with the jeans and t-shirts most of the other patrons were wearing.
I let myself fantasize that the stocking led to garters underneath that fancy skirt, as her perfume did crazy things to my senses. I felt my dick harden as my fantasies got away from me, then the bartender interrupted by saying, “Here’s your beer, Brock,” and I saw her stiffen before she turned to look at me.
Her hair was dark brown, and fell past her shoulders, straight and silky. Her face was striking. It could have been beautiful, if she’d ever fucking smile… Instead, it always looked pinched and unhappy.
“Hello, Brock,” Victoria said dryly. Her eyebrow rose as if she thought I was standing next to her on purpose.
Snooty Bitch.
“Tori,” I tipped my beer to her in greeting, suppressing my grin as I waited for her reaction. I knew I’d get one. “Here for the show?”
“It’s Victoria, and no, I’m not here for the show,” she answered. Even when she spoke she looked constipated.
“Why are you here then?” I asked, not because I cared, just to irritate her.
She huffed out a breath, the loss of control almost cute, then spat out, “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m supposed to be meeting my sister. She hasn’t shown up yet.”
“I didn’t know you had a sister,” I replied before taking a pull of my beer. Victoria watched my mouth as I drank, then my throat as I swallowed, and my dick jumped back to life of it’s own free will. Shit, maybe it’d been too long.
I grinned when she looked up and saw that I’d caught her looking, and she scowled, “Why would you know that I have a sister? You don’t know the first thing about me.”
I stepped a bit closer, inserting myself in her space, and when she realized she couldn’t back away, she squared her shoulders and glared at me.
“I could get to know you,” I murmured suggestively, close enough for her to feel my breath on her cheek. She flinched slightly, but maintained her stiff posture.
“Why would you want to do that?” Victoria asked, her voice almost vulnerable. Then laughter off by the dance floor grabbed her attention, and I knew she was looking over at Gaby’s table.
She pulled back and looked up into my face, and I was surprised to see that her eyes were so blue that they were almost purple.
“Don’t think just because we’re rejects of your buddies over there, we have anything in common.”
I turned my head to look deliberately at my friends, then back at her and said deeply, “I’m no one’s reject, Tori, I can promise you that.” Then I tilted my head to look at her, curious. “Are you still hung up on Scott?”
I didn’t know why, but I held my breath as I waited for her response.
She didn’t disappoint when she curled her lip and said, “Absolutely not. If he’d rather be with a mutt than a thoroughbred, that’s his problem.”
I chuckled at her haughty words and replied darkly, “You really do have a stick up your ass, don’t you. I don’t know why I like it, Tori,” I inched closer as I spoke, stopping when my chest brushed hers, and she had to crane her neck to look at me. “But I do. I’d like to help you remove it.”
Her expression turned incredulous and she asked, “Are you hitting on me?”
“I must be doing something wrong if you have to ask,” I replied cockily.
“Why?” That vulnerability flashed again, causing a fire to flick in my belly, then she extinguished it when her face pinched back up again and she asked, “Do you want to make them jealous?”
Maybe she was more hung up on Scott and Gaby than I’d thought. She had been engaged to Scott after all. They’d had a long-term relationship, so it would only make sense that it would take her longer to get over it than me.
Still, there was something about her bitchy attitude and that tight little as
s that made me want a taste, no matter the circumstances.
“It could be about revenge, if that’s what you want,” I lowered my head further and gently took the soft lobe of her ear into my mouth.
The taste was fleeting, but it was potent. Especially coupled with her astonished gasp.
I pulled away, giving her room to breath and think, drinking beer as I watched her thoughts dance across her face. I’d definitely succeeded in confusing her.
The sound of my name being called had me looking up, and I nodded when Fast Eddie indicated it was time for us to go on.
“I have to get on stage now,” I said softly. Victoria looked up at me, then at the stage, confusion on her face.
“On stage?”
I nodded but didn’t explain.
“Hang around, watch the show… I’ll find you after,” I could tell she was ready to bolt, so I gave her one last shove, lowering my voice to say, “Just give me fifteen minutes, Victoria. Fifteen minutes and I’ll convince you to give this a shot,” I gestured between the two of us as I spoke. When she opened her mouth, I put a finger up to silence her. “No illusions, Tori. I know you’ve probably never been with a man like me, but don’t worry, I’m not offended. I don’t expect you to fall in love and take me home to meet Daddy.” Her eyebrow cocked again and I laughed, damn, but she sure was a spoiled brat.
I leaned down once more, my voice low and rough in her ear and said, “No strings, no expectations, just pure pleasure.” I stood and finished with, “I’ll see you after the show.” Then turned to find my brothers. I was in the mood to rock the house.
Acknowledgements
Always, Always, Always, a HUGE Thank You to the readers. Without you, I wouldn’t be fulfilling my dream of getting my stories told.
I also can’t thank my faithful Beta Readers enough: Marilyn Almodovar, Jennifer Snyder, Kristi Strong, Megan Toffoli, Erin Danzer, and Autumn from the Autumn Review.
Thanks to the Team of my Heart: Kristina Circelli for editing, Kelsey Kukal-Keeton for the always amazing portfolio of photos, to Karen at White Hot Formatting, and to the brilliant Allie at B Design for the wonderful cover of this book, and of the entire series.
Thanks to Raine, for always saying Yes!
I’m excited to get to thank my Street Team, Bethany’s Bombshells, for the first time. Thanks for saying yes when I asked if you wanted to join. For giving me a safe place to talk about my work, and for enjoying reading and talking about books as much as I do! Thank you: Kristi Strong, Danielle LeFave, Renee Giraldy, J.I Clark, Laurie Treacy, Khloee Meyer, Megan Toffoli, Lulu Vega, Stefani Hetland, Natasha Vahora, Debbie Prins, Fiza Halliwell, and last but never least, Michelle Hart.
Finally, to my family for allowing me to live my dream, and supporting me every step of the way, thank you!
About the Author
Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. Since then she has published various YA and NA books. She is a lover of romance, family, and friends, and enjoys incorporating those things in what she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Other Titles
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Excerpt
Acknowledgements
About the Author
42 Hours Page 15
