When we eventually parted, we were both breathing heavily. I was sure she could feel my erection pressed up against her, but there was no way I was going to let her go again. Kate looked up at me and smiled for a moment, which was quickly replaced with a tiny frown.
“What is it?” I asked softly.
“What are we going to do about work? It’s not exactly professional that we are seeing each other and working together.”
“That’s easy. Marry me.”
Kate gasped at my suggestion.
“But, of course, before you do that,” I continued, “we can get you moved out of that shitty apartment and into my place.”
Kate remained quiet.
After a few moments, I felt myself getting antsy. “Kate, that was a genuine proposal, you know. Marry me. Be my wife.”
She smiled and asked, “How does that solve our problem exactly?”
“Easy, a husband and wife team working together gets far less attention. Besides, we are already a great team. Come on, what do you say?”
Kate leaned up and brushed her lips against mine. “Yes,” she whispered.
I squished Kate even closer and deepened our kiss, my hand running up and down her body. I groaned against her mouth, barely able to control myself, craving her so badly. “You know, we should go surprise my parents and tell them the good news,” I suggested.
Kate’s hand reached down, and she pressed her palm against my painfully hard cock.
"Maybe we could put that plan on hold for just a little while?" Who was I to disagree? “Oh, and Ben?” she breathed against my lips.
“Yeah?” I growled huskily.
“Don’t quit Blue Velvet. There’s no need to get carried away.”
I looked down at her and smiled. “Yes, dear.”
“One more thing,” she breathed again.
“Yeah?”
“Is there still a big pile of hay inside the barn?”
“Probably. Why?”
A smile spread across her lips. “Let’s go put it to good use.”
“I always did love this barn.” I grinned back and pulled her inside.
There is so much to be written here, I don’t know where to begin. This journey has been a long one. This began as a small challenge to myself, to see if I could write a scene that I might see in one of the many romance books that littered my bedroom floor. Then, I let my best friend read it. She told me that I should sign up to be a part of NaNoWriMo. I thought she was crazy; I mean, I was no writer. But I took the challenge, because why the hell not. 50,000 words later, I was hooked and well on my way to the novel you have in front of you. I have so many people to thank for helping make this happen, some of whom I will surely forget, but please know that I am grateful for all the help I have received.
Cris: My life is so full with you in it. You have been so patient and supportive with my many hours of ignoring you. I am very grateful to your video games and to our friends who have kept you company. Love you. (P.S. No obey! Hehehe I win.)
Meagan: Girl, I can’t say enough to you. When my emotions and insecurities were getting the best of me, you were there to boost me back up or kick me in the ass, whichever was needed more. You know how I feel about you. Simply though, this book would not have happened without you. Ever.
Kids: I love you both more than my own life. If you never learn anything else from me, I hope you will see this and know that you should always follow your dreams, doesn’t matter what it is. I always dreamed to one day have a book to hold with my name on it. For so many years I was too scared to try. It doesn’t even matter if anyone reads my book, I did this for me. I’m proud of that. You can accomplish so much if you keep trying.
Mom: Even if you never read the words, I know you support every page I’ve written. Thank you for letting me drag you to writing events, so I didn’t have to go alone.
Dad: You’ve always been in my corner. Thank you for letting me bounce so many ideas off of you, especially cover ideas.
Ali: I am so glad that we met when we did and that we could go through this journey at the same time. You are such a wonderful person. I appreciate all the late night sprinting sessions, and I sense many more to come. Thank you also for beta reading – your comments were the funniest most enjoyable I have had. I am grateful for your support and for helping me figure this all out.
Anie: Thank you from the bottom of heart for volunteering to beta my book. I love your books and I look up to you as a writer, so you can understand why I still can’t believe that you took the time to read mine. The guidance you provided helped immeasurably.
Patti: I cannot thank you enough for being a part of my writing process. You have given me so many tools to work with and have offered all kinds of advice. And sometimes you were just an ear to bounce ideas off of. Thank you so much for taking my cover and making it what it is. It would not look as great without your help.
Anastasia & Ani: Thank you both for taking the time to beta my book. I appreciated every comment and suggestion.
Kendra: Thanks to Kendra of Kendra's Editing and Book Services for taking my baby and making it so much better.
Ena: Thanks to Ena of Enticing Journey Book Promotions for helping me get the word out about my novel and for her patience along the way.
Jesse & Rachel: My beautiful models. Not going to lie, I was starting to panic about my cover when I found you two. I am so thankful that you both agreed to let me photograph you. Our shoot was some of the best fun I have had shooting. Thank you a million times over for wanting to be the faces of Ben & Kate. You both are such wonderful people and I wish for you to have huge success in all your ventures. I hope we get to work together again someday.
To my readers: Thank you for taking a chance on a new author. I hope you love Ben and Kate as much as I do. They have become so real in my head, that while I am glad to be able to move on to the other wonderful characters in my mind, I am sad that the story is over.
I haven’t been a part of it for very long, but I have such love for the Indie community. I have met some truly wonderful people and the support of the all the blogs and fellow authors is awe-inspiring. I am so glad to be a part of this.
Erin was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, where she resides with her husband and two kids. She is a stay-at-home mom and has long dreamed of having a published book of her own. Starting Over is her debut romance novel, being released August 21, 2015. When she isn’t writing, Erin has a love of most forms of art – painting, photography and crocheting.
Contact information
www.facebook.com/erincristofoliauthor
[email protected]
www.twitter.com/ErinCristofoli
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