Behind His Lens (34 page)

“I’m so excited.” Then a sudden realization sinks in. “Why did you need to tell me before we met up with Bennett and Naomi?”

His smile widens. “I want them to meet us in one of the destinations. I was going to bring it up at breakfast. The magazine just confirmed everything yesterday, and I couldn’t work up the nerve to ask you until just now.”

“Because you thought I’d say no?”

His gaze penetrates mine with easy confidence. “Oh, no,” he answers confidently. “If you had said no, I would have just invited Mrs. Jenkins.” He waggles his eyebrows playfully.

“Jude!” I swat his arm,
hitting solid muscle, but he drops me back onto my feet and takes off down the street with his hand outstretched for me to latch onto. The early morning sun encases him like a golden backdrop and I have to hold my hands over my eyes like a visor to make out his silhouette.

“C’mon! We’re gonna be late for breakfast, slow poke
,” he yells back to me, but I don’t budge. I stand there, telling myself to remember this moment in the back of my mind, knowing my life will never be the same.

The smile that forms on my lips
nearly splits my cheeks in half as I try to contain every emotion short-circuiting through me. I was so used to the gloom, the loneliness, the pain, the fog, but this is the exact opposite.

This is b
lissful oblivion.

Acknowledgments

             
It goes without saying that I would be no where without the love and support from my family. They’re unconditional support means the world to me.

             
Mom, there are no words to describe how much you mean to me! Thank you for your help with critiquing this book and for listening to me ramble everyday about story ideas.

             
Lance, this book would have never been written without you. You’re better than any main character I could ever cast in my life. I try in vain to create characters that have even half the heart and personality that you exude every day. I love you to the moon and back.

Thank you for all of my beta readers:
Stacey Lynn, Jessica Ingro, TK Rapp, you all gave wonderful feedback, and many of the best scenes in this book wouldn’t have come alive without you all.

To my amazing editor over at
Taylor K.’s Editing Services
.
She was such a pleasure to work with!

Thank you to everyone who accepted an ARC edition of this book and going out on a limb. Your kind feedback has been more than I could have ever asked for.

              To all of my fellow indie authors. I’m part of a wonderful community of men and women that support each other day in and day out.

Sneak peek into:

With This Heart

by R.S. Grey

Coming in Spring 2014

Goodreads
HERE

Synopsis:

My name is Abby Mae McAllister. When I was nineteen I made a series of reckless decisions that took me on the journey of a lifetime. Beckham was mostly to blame for
my recklessness. Gorgeous, clever, undeniably charming Beck barreled into my life as if it were his mission to make sure I never took living for granted. He showed me that there were no boundaries, rules were for the spineless, and a kiss was supposed to happen when it was least expected.

Beck was the plot twist that took me completely by surprise. Two months before I met him, death was knocking at my door. I’d all but given up my last scrap of hope when
suddenly, I was given a second chance at life. This time around, I wasn’t going to let it slip through my fingers.

We set out on a road trip with nothing to lose and no guarantees of tomorrow.

Our road trip was about young, reckless love. The kind of love that burns bright.

The kind of love that no road-map could bring me back from.

Stay Connected with R.S. Grey:

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Sneak peek into:

Kitchen Promises

(Riverside Novel #3)

by
Brooke Cumberland

www.facebook.com/brookecumberlandauthor

Twitter @blcumberland

www.brookecumberland.com

Chapter One Excerpt

Drake walked in wrapped in only a towel. The toast I was bringing to my mouth suddenly dropped from my fingers as my eyes roamed over his perfectly toned body. My eyes followed down to his perfect V that went just below the towel.

“Breakfast in bed and a show?
I’m one lucky gal,” I teased, leaning back against the headboard enjoying the view.

“Someone sounds like they are feeling better.” He smiled.

“Well, I for sure am now.”

“Really?
Well, perhaps I should take advantage of that.” He grinned, slowly unwrapping the towel from around his waist. I smirked as I watched him tease me, putting on a show as he finally released the towel. I watched it fall to the ground. I let my eyes wander up and down his body—appreciating every single chiseled curve of muscle.

“It’s not nice to tease,” I reminded him. “You better put out or get out.”

“Oh, I love it when you talk dirty,” he quipped, laughing. “I can’t decide if I love or hate your pregnancy hormones.” He grinned. It was true—I had a love/hate relationship with them as well. On top of always wanting to sleep and eat, I also wanted sex—
all the time.
 Not that Drake minded, but some days, I was all over the place. I felt like I had no control over them. They were beginning to drive me mad.

“Can you be a little late for work today?” I asked, placing the tray of food on the bedside table. I didn’t take my eyes off him as I watched him walk over to the bed. “I’d hate for you to get into trouble.” I grinned.

“I could probably weasel my way out of it with the boss.”

“You are the boss.”

“I know.” And with that, he made his way on top of me, brushing the covers off. “I think I can spare a few minutes…” He pressed his lips across my jaw, slowly moving to my neck. He bit it gently, making a moan escape my mouth at his touch and eagerness. “…for you.”

His hands slid up my sides, taking my shirt up with them. I arched my neck to the side, giving him better access as the sensations riveted through me.

I reached down, pressing him harder into me. I felt his hardness against me, making me desperate and needy for him.

The hormones made my body respond to him so much more—not that I didn’t before—but it was magnified. It was intensified, and I felt desperate to have him.

“Screw the foreplay. I need to have you right now,” I demanded, pushing his body harder against mine.

“Such a romantic, aren’t you?” I could feel him smiling against my neck as he continued softly kissing.

“I mean it. I’m going to explode,” I breathed out rapidly. Just his touch could undo me completely.

“Alright, hold on, baby.” He lowered his body and in one swift motion, slid my panties down. I wasn’t looking for romance right now. I needed him just as much as I needed to breathe.

I threw my shirt over my head and unclasped my bra. It was still weird seeing my body naked with the way it was changing so fast, but it was also a constant reminder of the love Drake and I shared.

Instead of pressing into me like I wanted him to, he tenderly laid kisses over my stomach and in between my breasts. He was torturing me. He knew it, too. I was practically grinding against him, yet he refused to give in.

“Baby, please,” I moaned out desperately.

“I can’t help it. You are just so beautiful. You have the most beautiful pregnant glow.” He continued to lay kisses around my bump, slowly, taking his time.

“That’s great,” I huffed, cupping his face up to look at me. “I’m going to handcuff you to this bed and straddle you if you don’t—”

He forced two fingers inside me before I could finish what I was saying. I moaned loudly at the surprise sensation, arching my hips up to greet his fingers.

“You’re feisty when you’re desperate.” He laughed as he worked his fingers in and out of me, hitting the perfect spot over and over.

I ignored him and grabbed the bedrail behind me, arching my body up to him as I needed and wanted to feel him inside me.

“How badly do you need it, baby?” Drake whispered with a hint of humor in his voice.

“You know how badly,” I snapped, unable to open my eyes. Still, I could hear the amusement in his tone. He enjoyed torturing me and secretly loved it.

“Say it,” he demanded, pressing harder into me, twisting his wrist, and practically taking all the air out of my lungs. “Say what you need, baby.”

“I need you! I need you inside, right now. God, I swear, I’ll do anything,” I pleaded, willing to do just about anything to get what I wanted from him.

“Anything for my sweet girl,” he hummed, lowering his lips to where his fingers were. He sucked hard, leaving no time for me to retaliate. My back arched, enjoying the sensations that released inside of me. My body shivered with pleasure, unable to control my own breathing as I moaned out.

He lifted his head and covered my body with his. I watched as he licked his fingers, moaning out pleasurable sounds.

“Keep your hands up,” he ordered. I continued hanging onto the bedrail, tightening my grip as he finally pushed himself into me. The feeling was overwhelming as I took him all in, finally feeling full and satisfied.

He leaned down and kissed me gently as he rocked his hips into me. His breathing quickened as the air blew over my lips. His mouth wandered to my ear, blowing and licking over my lobe, making it harder to leave my hands up. I wanted to dig my nails into him and drive him insane as much as he was doing to me. He lowered his hand and cupped my breast, squeezing gently. I screamed out his name, pushing my breast into his hand urgently, desperately needing the release.

He lowered his face and took it into his mouth, swirling his tongue around my peaked nipple. He grabbed one leg and placed it on top of his shoulder, allowing him to get deeper inside me. That was enough to set me off. I screamed out, not holding back as I greeted his hips with mine, soaking up every pleasurable second.

It wasn’t long before Drake did the same, milking his own release as he grinded into me. He lay on top of me as we both tried to get
ahold of our breathing, panting into each other.

“Well, if this wasn’t the best morning I’ve ever had—breakfast in bed
 
and
 sex all before my shower.” I grinned. My legs felt like jelly as all my muscles were stretched and aching.

“Glad to be of service.” His voice was filled with amusement. I’ve been like this for the past few months—needing sex on demand. I felt bad, as if I
were using him, but I figured it wasn’t much different from before I got pregnant.

“Must be horrible for you, always needing to fulfill my needs, and all.”
I stroked his back with my fingertips as he continued lying on top of me.

“It’s not always easy being the boss. Sometimes I have to do the dirty work.” I could feel his smile against my chest as we bantered.

“Oh, you poor thing. I almost feel sorry for you.” I rolled my eyes.

He kissed me lightly on the lips before rolling off the bed. I just watched as he walked to the bathroom. I listened as the shower started and steam began filling the room.

“Come on, let’s shower together.” He smiled, holding his hand out for me.

“Definitely the best morning ever.”
I grinned, taking his hand in mind as I followed him in.

And it
 
was
 the best shower ever.

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