Royal Rogue
Page 25
At one point, I glance toward the bar. I let out a silent sigh of relief when I see Gracie there with her boyfriend Nicholas. Luke is MIA.
Good. Gracie’s in safe hands. I don’t have to worry. Which means I can focus on Olivia.
She’s one hell of a dancer. Never would’ve guessed the girl in the designer shades would act out the lyrics to “Addicted to Love” in public while taking slugs of Bud Light. But here she is, laughing, making me laugh, rolling her hips and biting her lip and throwing her arms in the air as she sings about one track minds.
Throwing her arms around me.
It starts to rain. Just a sprinkling of droplets. No one seems to notice. Least of all Olivia, who’s behind me now, hands on my hips as she encourages my ass to press into her crotch.
I oblige my lady, and give her as much booty as she can handle until I pull her around, her back to my front, and hold her against me, our bodies moving in tandem.
We’re both sweating. Both breathless. My heart is going apeshit inside my chest. I feel like I’ve been plugged into a socket, blood electric, skin charged. Our chemistry is real.
My feelings for this romance writing, dirty dancing woman are real.
Feelings I would very much like to express physically. I’m too warm and too turned on. I want her too much.
It begins to rain in earnest, followed by an ominous rumble of thunder.
I look down at the back of Olivia’s head. She’s been raking her hands through her hair all night, making it messy.
Just how I like it.
The band calls it a night, blaming the thunder for their shortened set.
Without a word, I grab Olivia’s hand and head for the covered bar. But we’re not the only ones with that idea, and about five seconds later, the bar is packed and we’re edging back out into the rain.
I notice Gracie is still here with Nicholas. I wave to her.
“You okay?” I shout.
She gives me a thumbs up.
“C’mon,” I say, giving Olivia a gentle tug. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Okay,” she replies, jogging after me.
We leave the bar, only to find ourselves on the crowded sidewalk. People are on their phones, trying to get Ubers. The rain is really coming down now.
I start to dig my phone out of my pocket, but Olivia tugs on my arm.
“Let’s just walk. It’s not that far. We’re already soaked.”
“You sure?” I ask. I move closer to her when I see I’m not the only one who’s noticed her wet shirt is completely see through now. “I’m happy to get an Uber.”
She grins. “I’m sure. Last one home is a rotten egg.”
Then she takes off into the rain.
Want to read the rest of Eli and Olivia’s story? Pick up SOUTHERN CHARMER today!
Also by Jessica Peterson
THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHLANDS SERIES
Beards. Bonfires. Boning.
Southern Seducer (NC Highlands #1)
Southern Hotshot (NC Highlands #2)
Southern Sinner (NC Highlands #3)
Southern Playboy (NC Highlands #4)
Southern Bombshell (NC Highlands #5)
* * *
THE CHARLESTON HEAT SERIES
The Weather’s Not the Only Thing Steamy Down South.
Southern Charmer (Charleston Heat #1)
Southern Player (Charleston Heat #2)
Southern Gentleman (Charleston Heat #3)
Southern Heartbreaker (Charleston Heat #4)
* * *
THE THORNE MONARCHS SERIES
Royal. Ridiculously Hot. Totally Off Limits…
Royal Ruin (Thorne Monarchs #1)
Royal Rebel (Thorne Monarchs #2)
Royal Rogue (Thorne Monarchs #3)
* * *
THE STUDY ABROAD SERIES
Studying Abroad Just Got a Whole Lot Sexier.
A Series of Sexy Interconnected Standalone Romances
Lessons in Love (Study Abroad #1)
Lessons in Gravity (Study Abroad #2)
Lessons in Letting Go (Study Abroad #3)
Lessons in Losing It (Study Abroad #4)
Acknowledgments
My life as an author has really cracked open over the past year. This book exists because of the incredible, generous, wicked smart indie community I’ve become a part of, and I cannot thank you all enough for your time, guidance, and general badass-ness.
* * *
Huge shout out to my editor, Kristin Anders, and my cover artist, Noelle Pierce. You have both been with me for a while now, and I so appreciate all the work you’ve put into my books. Thanks to my copy editor Tandy for doing such a thorough—and quick!—job. THANK YOU.
* * *
Another shout out to my incredible right hand woman, Jodi. I’m not joking when I say meeting you has changed my life. You’re fucking fabulous at what you do, and I’m lucky to have you on my team. THANK YOU.
* * *
I had an absolutely amazing beta team for this book, which shows! Thank you Jodi, Quinn, Heather, and Julia for your insightful and invaluable feedback on Jane and Charlie’s story. I’m seriously getting choked up as I write this, because you guys so generously took the time to help me make this book the best it can possibly be. You ladies push me to be a better writer. THANK YOU.
* * *
I’ve really focused on building my reader group, Jessica Peterson’s City Girls, this year. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of my amazing admins, Jodi and Monique, and my equally amazing moderators Raquel, Ingrid, and Whitney. I love you gals to bits, and so appreciate all the time, energy, and effort you put into the City Girls. My life is infinitely better with you all in it! THANK YOU.
* * *
I also want to thank all of the authors I’ve been lucky enough to get to know over the past year. The indie author community is SUCH a supportive, wonderful, amazing place, and I’m so humbled by your support. Maria, Arell, Lucy, Kathryn, Mika, Kelsey, Sophia, Whitney, Dylan, Pippa, Auden, Bobby, Jamie…the list goes on. I’m the luckiest girl on the planet to have you all as my village. THANK YOU.
* * *
Thanks, too, to my amazing ARC team. Specifically Joyce and Tammy. You ladies have supported me from the beginning, and it does not go unnoticed how you often you sing my praises. You are both an absolute joy to be around. THANK YOU.
* * *
Finally, huge thanks to my family and friends—Benji especially. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Thanks for always supporting my salacious romance novel dreams. I love you.
About the Author
JESSICA PETERSON began reading romance to escape the decidedly unromantic awkwardness of her teenage years. Having found solace in the likes of Mr. Darcy, Jamie Fraser (OMG love the gingers!), and Edward Cullen, it wasn’t long before she began creating tall, dark and handsome heroes of her own. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Mr. Peterson, and her smelly Goldendoodle Martha Bean. For more information, please visit her website at www.jessicapeterson.com.