Loch and Key is now on sale as of today! Thanks to all the readers, reviewers and bloggers who’ve picked this up and are leaving awesome reviews. I’m thrilled that it’s in the top hundred for military romances on Amazon already! This is book 3 of The McLaughlins series, but you don’t need to have read the first two books in the series to read the third, but it does make it more powerful).
All the military training in the world won’t help him knock down her walls.
Years ago a terrifying attack left Kenzie McLaughlin trusting only a few men in her insular life on Whidbey Island—her brothers and her father. But when a sexy Navy guy who waltzes into the family pub doesn’t hesitate to makes his interest known, no amount of mental red flags are enough to keep her from being tempted to dip a toe back into the dating pool.
Twice burned in the past, Brett Craven has sworn off serious relationships, at least while he’s still in the Navy. A gorgeous redhead with a fiery wit and wariness of men, though, has blown his well-reasoned strategy out of the water.
There’s no denying the attraction between the two, but Kenzie teeters on a tightrope anchored on one end by hope, the other by caution. Because if she lets her guard down long enough to fall for Brett, it could leave her vulnerable to the one man who’s been left free to prey upon her fear.
Now available!
Amazon | Amazon UK | Kobo | Barnes and Noble | Apple
EXCERPT
He was so potently masculine right now, for a moment she had a brief stirring of panic as he commanded softly, “Come here.”
Her feet felt glued to the ground, and it wasn’t until he held out a hand that she forced herself to take the six or so steps to the bed.
His fingers laced through hers. “Thank you for breakfast. For coming over this morning.”
“You’re welcome.” She sat down on the edge of the mattress beside him, struggling with the urge to bolt.
His fingers stroked her knuckles and a tremor raced through her.
“Lie down beside me, Kenzie,” he said softly. “I won’t touch you. I promise.”
They were only words, and lying down beside him opened her up for all kinds oftrouble. But she trusted him. He wouldn’t touch her unless she asked him to.
He scooted over, leaving her enough room to climb on top of the blankets beside him. It should’ve been weird. Maybe even a bit terrifying. Brett was larger than Charles, and likely stronger. Deadlier if he needed to be, but when her head fell against the pillow and they continued to hold hands, she had no fear.
“You don’t work today?” he asked casually.
“Not ’til tonight.”
“But you were at the pub?”
“Aye. I was dropping off my roommate to go to work.” She smiled. “The pub is very nearly my home. My brothers are there quite often, and I’ve worked there since I was sixteen.”
“Brothers? How many do you have?”
“Three.”
“You’re the only girl?”
“Aye.”
“Spoiled rotten?”
She laughed, and some more of her nerves dissipated. “Oh, aye.”
They fell silent again. She held quite still, breathing in the scent of him and his room. The overall masculine presence of the room. The heat gathering inside her swelled, spreading far and wide throughout her body.
She was aware of every breath he drew in. Every little maddening stroke his thumb made over her knuckles.
Moisture gathered low between her legs and she bit her lip. He was the first man in many years that she could remember being able to arouse her. It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about sex or had orgasms, but generally they were fantasy induced and achieved alone in her room.
Now there was Brett, a very solid, tangible presence lying right next to her. Awakening her body to sensations she’d thought long dead. She wanted, she realized, more than anything to take advantage of that fact.
“What are your plans for the day? What time do you work?” he asked, his voice a bit more strained now.
Maybe he was aware of the mounting sexual tension between them.
“I have none. I don’t want to talk about work,” she admitted, almost on a whisper. She rolled onto her side and faced him.
“You don’t?” He adjusted his body as well, so they lay facing each other. “What do you want…to talk about?”
“I don’t want to talk.” Oh God, she was being awfully bold right now, and it felt a bit liberating.
His gaze darkened. “What is it you want, Kenzie?”
She wanted to answer. Tried to answer, but her heart was beating so fast and the words were thick in her mouth. Her eyes must’ve conveyed what she wanted, because he drew in a deep shuddering breath that made his beautifully defined chest expand.
He moved slightly, so that he could cup her cheek in one hand and lower his lips to brush against hers.
She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, parting her lips to give him access to her mouth. He took it without hesitation. His mouth slanted across hers before his tongue plunged deep inside to tease and suck.
He tasted of coffee and bacon, and all sorts of wonderfully male goodness. His fingers on her cheek were exquisitely gentle, even as he plundered her mouth.