Toxic

by Debra Jupe

  She eyed him. “Was I one of your mistakes?”

  He held his arms out from his sides. “I’ve never tried so hard to not be with someone as I did with you. I kept pushing you away, though I think I wanted you to pull me closer.” Ethan took a step nearer and scooped up her hands and clutched them tight between his. “We haven’t known each other long and what little time we had, I either tried to run from you or get you into bed.” He hesitated as he struggled for his next words. “Can you forgive me? I can’t keep you out of my mind, my dreams, or my heart.” He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. “There are some things you just know. I’m supposed to be with you. You make me a better man. I want you, Gracie. Do you feel the same about me?”

  Stunned by his admission, Gracie stood motionless for several seconds, unsure how to respond. Could she trust this man? She certainly wanted to. “What about your issue? Your PTSD?”

  “In therapy. Understand, it’s something I’ll always deal with, but I’m going to do my best to keep it under control from now on, especially since I’m aware aspects of my job can trigger it, which is another issue. I will be away because of what I do.” He smiled. “I’ve come to like the idea of having someone to come home to.”

  “It’ll take a while for me to trust you again. And I understand your behavior had to do with your job, but this showing up and disappearing in the middle of the night without reason won’t be happening.”

  “I know. I’ll work hard to make you feel safe and secure with me. I just want to make you happy.” He squeezed her hands as he stared at her for a long time. “So are we okay? Can we do a restart?”

  “Hmmm, not sure. A guy breaks up with a woman, saves her life, disappears for a month without a word, reappears and convinces her to sleep with him again, disappears again and again.” Gracie’s mouth twisted as she let several seconds pass. “Sounds like if I say yes, you’ll be getting a truck load of sex points.”

  “Nope.” Palms on her shoulders, he tugged her closer. “No more points and all past points are null and void. This is just you and me, Gracie.”

  “You and me.” Gracie smiled. “I like that.”

  A word about the author…

  Debra was born in Waco, Texas, and is a lifetime Texan, living in different areas throughout her adult life. She enjoyed creating stories growing up, though the idea of becoming an author did not occur to her until 2004. Since then, she has worked on learning to write while pursuing her bachelor’s degree, which she earned in 2011 in business.

  She now resides in her hometown of Waco and is an active member of the Central Texas Chapter of Romance Writers of America, where she is secretary of the group.

  In her spare time, she loves being with her son Stephen and his wife Astrid, and daughter Hannah and her husband Ryan. Besides writing, she also enjoys traveling, shopping, a relaxing pedi, and a good plate of Mexican food.

  debrajupe@gmail.com

  debrajupe.wordpress.com

  www.debrajupe.com

  ~*~

  Other Debra Jupe titles

  available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  ECHOES IN THE WIND

  TOMORROW DOESN’T MATTER TONIGHT

  Other Books You Might Enjoy

  Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight

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  http://amzn.com/B00OQEYM32

  Within twenty-four hours, Katie Drapier has lost her job, become a murder suspect in her former boss's death, and run into her school girl crush, Jack Pharrell, who stomped on her heart fourteen years ago.

  Jackson Pharrell is down on his luck. Nothing seems to be going his way. Things go from bad to worse when he discovers a dead body, who turns out to be the former boss of an old friend's pesky sister. Plagued with guilt from the past, Jack feels obliged to help her find the murderer while ducking a murder charge, even if it means breaking the law. Together, they dodge police, the real killer, and the growing heat between them. The plan is to rise above their woes and get on with their lives. Falling in love is not an option.

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  Lt. Mitch Montero of the Philadelphia P.D. does not count romance as part of his life. Work is essential for Dr. Carisa MacDowell to handling her financial woes. Their collision on the street changes everything.

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  Nothing prepares them for the murder of the groundskeeper. Their investigation leads to a child abduction enterprise and a fight for a child’s life. Never more than now are Carisa’s ER skills tested.

  Will the chaos cease long enough for Mitch and Carisa to explore their growing attraction?

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