by Jessica Gray
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Want to know, how everything started with the Paxton siblings? Read EXPLOSION OF LOVE, a story of friends to lovers. Grant Paxton and Samantha Armstrong have been friends forever, until she comes running to him for consolation. Heat rises and soon they’re confronted with a totally different kind of relationship.
EXPLOSION OF LOVE
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Please enjoy a preview of the story of Samantha and Grant
EXPLOSION OF LOVE
The Armstrongs, Book Six
Jessica Gray
Preview Explosion of Love
Samantha Armstrong grabbed another handful of tissues from the box in a futile attempt to get a grip on her running nose and her streaming eyes. The box fell to the floor with a bang, and she left it lying there. She had bigger problems to worry about than a stupid tissue box. Her world had just turned upside down, in more areas than one.
At the age of twenty-four, the world should be her oyster. She was a highly sought-after top model in New York, but today, she’d probably lost it all because of her temper, and the underhanded dealings of someone who’d said he cared about her. After today’s debacle, you’ll be lucky if you can land a job advertising dog food.
She gave in to her tears for another few minutes and wallowed in self-pity. But if she was honest, she had to blame herself and her lack of self-control for what had happened. She pushed away that insight and dug through the pile of magazines, receipts, and other contents that had spilled from her purse, in search of her cell phone. Why did that stupid cell phone always have to hide somewhere? The whole imbecile world is conspiring against me!
When she located it, she scrolled through her contacts until she found the one she wanted, her best friend Grant Paxton.
“Hello, Sammie. Long time no talk.” Grant answered the phone with a smile in his voice.
He was the only person in the world she let get away with calling her Sammie. Not even her brothers were allowed to do that. But with Grant, she actually liked the way he pronounced it, sweet and fun at the same time. Just like him.
“Hi, Grant.” Samantha heard his cheerful tone, but it didn’t penetrate though her sadness and despair. Not today. She struggled not to unload her sorrow on him right then and there. He’d take it in stride, but it wouldn’t make her feel any better. She needed a hug in the worst way.
Making a rash decision, she told him, “I’m coming to Chicago. Can you pick me up at the airport?”
After a slight pause Grant replied, “Sure, Sammie. When do you arrive?”
Sam mumbled something into the phone, while opening her laptop to search for a flight, and trying to dry her tears at the same time.
“I didn’t catch that. What time does your flight arrive?”
“I’m working on it.”
“What do you mean? You haven’t scheduled your flight yet?” Grant asked in disbelief.
As he spoke, she booked the last remaining seat on a flight leaving in over an hour. “I’ll be there around 6:40 tonight.”
“Say that again. Sorry, I dropped the phone and only caught the last word.”
Samantha repeated the time of her arrival, a little louder this time, but there was no way to disguise the huskiness in her voice, left behind by her tears. She’d just given herself away.
Grant’s sigh echoed over the phone line. “What is it this time?”
Damn, I can’t hide anything from him. Sam blew her nose and answered his question on the verge of breaking out into tears: “I broke up with Craig.” And I need you to make me feel better.
“Again?” Grant asked.
This wasn’t the first time she’d called him after breaking up with the slime bag, but it would definitely be the last one. She felt stupid because she hadn’t seen through Craig before. How stupid could a girl be and go back to the same unworthy guy time and again?
“Yes. But this time it’s for good.”
Grant said nothing, but she envisioned the eye-roll her comment produced. He might not believe me right now, but I’m serious this time.
“So, how long are you staying?” Grant asked, moving away from the subject of her breakup. He’d made his opinion of the man known a time or two, and now she wished she’d listened to him – or to her brothers. If she wasn’t so stubborn, she might have taken their advice and kicked that guy to the curb years ago.
“I’m not sure…”
“You’re not sure.” Grant repeated her words as if there was a mystery he needed to solve. “Aren’t you a busy supermodel, who’s booked out for weeks in advance?”
“Yeah, but not right now.” And maybe never again. I more than likely ruined my career. After my temper tantrum today, nobody will want to work with me ever again.
“Well, you know I love seeing you. Text me your flight number and I’ll pick you up. Take care.”
Samantha hung up the phone with a small sense of relief. Grant always had that special way of making her feel good. Secure. She didn’t spend much time analyzing it, but given the choice between running home to her family, or to Grant, she would always choose Grant.
The thought of her family had her trying to remember where all of her siblings were, and she sighed in relief at the realization that only one or two of them were in Chicago at the moment.
Whew! I don’t need them breathing down my neck right now. Sure, they’d be sympathetic to her plight, threaten bodily harm to Craig for his actions, but it wouldn’t stop there. No, it would continue, becoming more than she was willing to put up with in her frame of mind.
She wasn’t up for the lectures she would more than likely receive from her brothers. They had never liked her ex-boyfriend, and as much as she hated to admit it, they’d been right all along. She just hadn’t wanted to see it or to listen to anyone. But today, she couldn’t handle even one “I told you so” from them. Getting her nose rubbed in her failures was the last thing she needed. I need a shoulder to cry on and someone to make me feel good about myself. I need Grant.
Before rushing off to the airport, she tossed a few clothes into her suitcase, packing the essentials and nothing else. She needed out of New York, and away from the possibility of running into her ex. Fast. That douche bag had just officially ruined her career. As far as the fashion world was concerned, she was as good as dead now.
Samantha put on her huge sunglasses and hailed the first taxi to pass by her building, instructing the driver to take her straight to the airport. She’d been lucky enough to secure a seat on the last flight to Chicago this afternoon, and hoped it wouldn’t take her too long to get through airport security. With one carry-on bag, and already checked in online, she should be able to make it in time for boarding.
It’s not like you’re prepared for any instant photos anyway. If the media gets wind of what went down today, you’ll be sought after, but for the wrong reasons.
That unpleasant notion had her rehashing recent events in her mind. Again. It seemed that was all she’d done for the last few hours: replay the events of earlier today over and over in her mind. No matter how many times she rehashed things, they didn’t make her actions look any better the twentieth time around.
It hadn’t been enough for Craig to put his needs before hers. No. He’d had to destroy her in the process. Lying piece of…
Samantha started sobbing again, drawing the attention of the taxi driver. Thankfully the driver was too occupied with rush-hour traffic, navigating the numerous cars trying to get out of the city and home for the evening, to start a conversation with her.
When the taxi arrived at the airport, she attempted to mop up her face with the soggy tissues in her hand. She swallowed several times before she stepped out of the taxi, taking the suitcase the driver was hold
ing for her and handing him a roll of cash. “Thanks.”
She entered the terminal, eager to get on the plane and home to Grant.
Grant would know what to do. He always knew.
They had been friends for as long as she could remember. As they grew up and became adults, their friendship had stayed strong. She trusted him. He’d always had her best interests at heart, even though his brutal honesty was often a lot to cope with. Especially when he pointed out things she knew but didn’t want to admit. Like her lack of self-control, or that Craig wasn’t the right guy for her.
Their close friendship had been one of the things she’d missed most in New York. Since she’d left the Windy City four years earlier, they’d seen each other once or twice a year, at the most, and she’d missed him. A lot.
(End of Sneak Peak)
To continue reading, pick up the book of Samanta and Grant:
EXPLOSION OF LOVE
More Books by Jessica
The Armstrong and Love in Sandy Beach books can be read as stand alones. For more enjoyment, read them in series order. Characters carry on from one book to the next and from one series to the next
The Falling for Him Series is best read in order. Books 1 through 5 have cliffhangers. The rest of the books don’t.
THE ARMSTRONGS
Power of Love - (Trevor and Nicole)
Forever my Love - (Ryan and Kendra)
Daring to Love (Evan and Charlene)
Surprised by Love (Douglas and Toni)
Travel, Live, Love (Patrick and Angela)
Explosion of Love (Samantha and Grant)
LOVE IN SANDY BEACH
Momentous Kisses (Allison and Russell)
Billionaire Kisses (Reese and Nikos)
Turbulent Kisses (Chase and Pearl)
Determined Kisses (Ethan and Hazel)
Resounding Kisses (Terrence and Ivy)
FALLING FOR HIM
Book 1: Rachel and Peter
Book 2: Rachel and Peter in Spain
Book 3: Rachel and Peter back home
Book 4: Lara and David
Book 5: Rachel and Peter - The Wedding
Stubborn Love – (Clara and Nigel)
Christmas Miracle – (Rachel and Peter)
I Love You Twice – (Melissa and Dean)
Found by Love – (Lee and Rocco)
More Books by Jessica
Entangled Love
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