Chasing Brynn (A Tempting Novel Book 2)
Page 26
He bit his bottom lip, dragging it back with his teeth. “But it’s so much better if the partner is someone you love.”
I blushed, still not used to the words. “You know, you never told me your original itinerary for our first date.”
His lips tipped up, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Didn’t I?”
I shook my head as his fingers moved lower on my breasts, playing with the tiny scarlet strings of my bikini top. “You said you changed it at the last minute—but I know it involved a blindfold.”
“Mmmm,” he agreed, “and handcuffs. I’d been thinking of using both of those on you since the day I saw you in the sex toy store.”
I cocked a brow. “I assume a bed was involved?”
He lifted a shoulder. “For some of the time.”
I gave him a playful slap on the arm. “Would you tell me already?!”
He pressed his lips to mine in a heady kiss. I felt my top coming untied, and then felt it drop to the side of the hammock in the sand as he lifted me on top of him. My legs pressed into his sides as he pushed his fingers into my hair, pulling my head down like I was his only source of oxygen. I could feel his length growing even harder under me. He slowly untied the strings on each side of my hips, the bottoms of my bikini falling away. He looked at me, fully naked on top of him, the azure water lapping the sand in the background, and inhaled a rattled breath. “I have a better idea,” he said. “Why don’t I show you?”
I smiled slowly against his lips. “I can’t think of a better plan.”
The End
This was the hardest book I’ve ever written, and the past twenty-three months were the hardest of my life. Losing not only a best friend, but someone I relied on so completely to help me do my job was devastating. There were days I didn’t think I could go on personally, and many days I didn’t believe I could keep writing without Ashley. There were several people who convinced me I could, and that Ashley would figure out a way to come back and kick my ass if I didn’t. I owe them a thousand hugs and my sanity: Jennifer Miller, Sophie Jordan, Cindy Koelbl, and Kelley Crandall.
* * *
I need to give a huge thanks to my amazing production team. Dan, who did my formatting this time around because he wanted to add another title to his husband superhero resume. Robin Harper, at Wicked by Design, for my gorgeous cover, and Leland and Brittany, my beautiful cover models. Amber Garcia at Lady Amber’s Reviews and PR, who helped with my release when I was feeling completely overwhelmed, and saved me from hiding under my desk and mainlining chocolate and wine. Jean Booknerd has been by my side for almost every release I’ve done, and I can’t thank her enough for her kindness and friendship. I will never be able to replace Ashley, but it’s important for me to continue producing work she would have been proud of. I knew I’d have to find new partners to help me do that. I will be forever grateful to the editors and beta readers who helped me with this book: Kelley Crandall, Cindy Koelbl, Athena Wikstrom, and Mercadeez Latimer.
* * *
To Dan—my person…the reason I’ve been able to convince myself to keep breathing. You are my home, my rock, my soul mate and the love of my life. There is little I’m certain of, but the fact that I love you with my whole soul, and you are, and always will be, my constant and the most important person in my life are things I will never doubt. I’m so incredibly lucky to have you as my partner, and my best friend. Thank you for taking care of me, giving me refuge in your arms, and trying to help me even when we were both drowning in helplessness. Thank you for supporting my dreams, standing by me during the good times, and holding me up through the bad. I would not be who I am if I hadn’t met you eighteen years ago, and I would not have survived the past twenty-three months without you. I thank Thor every day that I get to spend my life with you. I love you.
* * *
To Ashley, my Sam…
I sat down to write this page, and realized I don’t know how to write acknowledgments without including you. I wouldn’t be here, in this place, publishing my sixth book and working on my seventh without your years of guidance. I’ve written a thousand notes to you since you passed away…I’m certain I’ll write a million more. I’ve moved forward—one day at a time, remembering all of the things you taught me, and smiling every time I hear your voice in my head exasperated about a comma splice or misplaced modifier. The expectations you had for me are a ghost that lingers, demanding me to push myself and always be better…because that’s what you required of me in life, and death made me more determined to make you proud. You changed the entire course of my life by believing in me. I miss you every damn day. I will love you forever. My words wouldn’t exist without you, and in that way, I feel like I get the rare opportunity to watch you—and help you—live on. Words are eternal, and your essence flows through mine.
* * *
There were a handful of people who will always have a special place in my heart for walking beside me through the grieving process, and being there as I took first steps all over again. I want to acknowledge them for helping me get to this place. Dan (of course), Karen DeVault, Sarah Coombs, Kelly King, my parents, my brother and sister, Brandy Korzep, Britta Sorenson, Krystal Hazlet, Karen Versoi, Adrie Buchanan, Tamara Snell, Jessica Brown, Michelle Kamerath, Michael Coiner, Bobbi Rice, Athena Wikstrom, Jean Booknerd, Sophie Jordan, Heather Crandall, Ali Cross, RaShelle Workman, Lani Woodland, Crystal Perkins, Teralynn Childs, and my trainer, Erin Blevins, and her husband, Michael Blevins, who both taught me I could push through the pain and do hard things. There were a few times when I didn’t think I had the strength to keep writing…and at one point, I’d decided to quit. Michael wrote several articles that inspired me to keep going. His posts focus on physical training, but I can apply almost every entry to other parts of life, too. Check him out on gritandteeth.com, and check out Erin’s website for fantastic recipes: shutupeat.com.
* * *
To Ashley’s parents, Gary and Sharon Argyle, and her family and extended family…I’m incredibly grateful to you all. Thank you for being so gracious, and for continuing to keep us a part of your lives.
* * *
To all the readers, friends, loved ones, and even strangers, who climbed down in the pit of sadness with me and stayed there, understanding, caring, and waiting until I was ready to get out. Thank you for being there, for sticking with me, for being patient, and for helping me fight through this. You have no idea how much your words of support, love, and encouragement helped me during the waves of grief. The private messages, emails, and social media comments were like water in a desert. Your kindness means the world to me, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you being there with me in my darkness. I hope you love Chasing Brynn…it’s the first of many books to come.
* * *
For Ashley. Always.
Tempting Series
Tempting Sydney
Chasing Brynn
* * *
A Dude Reads Romance Series
A Dude Reads Romance-Tempting Sydney
A Dude Reads Romance-Chasing Brynn (Coming Soon)
* * *
Kate Saxee Mystery Series
The Devil Drinks Coffee
Devilishly Short #1
The Devil Wears Tank Tops
* * *
Emblem of Eternity Trilogy
Eternal Starling
Eternal Echoes
* * *
You can find these books on Angela’s Amazon Author Page
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For special sneak peeks, giveaways, and super secret news, join Angela’s newsletter!
If you enjoyed reading Chasing Brynn, please help others enjoy this book too by lending it, recommending it, or reviewing it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads. If you do write a review, please send me a message through my website so I can thank you personally! www.angelacorbett.com
xoxo,
Ang
Angela Corbett graduated from Westminster College and previously worked as a journ
alist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She lives in Utah with her extremely supportive husband, and loves classic cars, traveling, and chasing their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin—who is just as mischievous as his hobbit namesake. She’s the author of Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult fiction—with lots of kissing. She writes under two names, Angela Corbett, and Destiny Ford.
You can find Angela online at
@AngCorbett
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ByAngCorbett
ByAngCorbett
www.angelacorbett.com