By Veronica Blade
Release date: Now Available!
Sebastian’s unexpected desire to devour Violet’s mouth baffles him—he barely knows her and he prefers his women a little more agreeable. Besides, he has more important things to focus on, like rebuilding his scorched reputation after years in a drunken haze. Since she’s a miracle worker at public relations, he’s stuck with her and her bad attitude. If only he could purge the freakishly realistic x-rated visuals of Violet popping into his head, he might actually accomplish his goal and be allowed back into the band. But she isn’t making anything easy.
When Violet’s father, Full Throttle’s band manager, asks her to salvage Sebastian’s public image, she can’t turn down the chance to make a name for herself. But spending so much time with Sebastian is brutal. While drinking is out of character for her, she’s even more embarrassed that she lost control one night and tumbled into bed with him. To complete the humiliation, he acts like their night of debauchery never happened. How will she endure the next few weeks working with someone she’s secretly infatuated with but who barely knows she’s alive?
EXCERPT
Thankfully, this time that I’d walked in on him writing lyrics, he was wearing a shirt. Granted, it was a tank top and his bulky biceps were saying hello in the most distracting way possible, but at least I wouldn’t be assaulted by that six-pack. Damn, he was hot.
“Are you going to join me or stand there all night?” he asked, leaning over to jot something down on the pad.
“When I interrupted you yesterday, you stopped playing. I didn’t want to disturb you again.” Heat warmed my cheeks and I was glad he hadn’t looked at me. His lack of eye contact obviously meant he wasn’t interested in me. Didn’t matter how much I lusted after his body, there was no real connection between us. I knew it. He knew it. “Those lyrics are pretty dark.”
“Wrote them after my sister disappeared.” His fingertips skated across the guitar strings. “So you haven’t told the father?”
“Back to the baby, are we?” I grimaced. “I’m about nine weeks pregnant. Risk of miscarriage decreases dramatically after the first trimester. Figured I’d wait until then to inform the father.”
“So you’re keeping the baby?” He lifted one brow.
“Yes.” There, it was out. And now that Sebastian believed I was having another man’s baby, there was no way he’d be attracted to me in any way. Zero chance of anything happening there. My gaze darted toward the kitchen. “Can I have a glass of water before I take off?”
“Let me get that for you.” He set his guitar on the sofa and flicked a hand in the direction of the kitchen. Apparently, I was supposed to follow him.
“With or without ice, or do you prefer room temperature?” He grabbed a tall glass from a cabinet, then swiveled to face me.
How sweet of him to ask. Most guys didn’t think of things like that. “Room temperature, please.” I offered a small smile as my gaze followed him to a spout at the sink. He filled the glass and handed it to me. “Thanks.” I took a gulp and set the glass down. “For the water and for taking care of me.”
He shifted his weight and I could swear he was closer to me now.“The nap must’ve done you some good, because this is the first time I’ve seen you without a frown.” He reached out an index finger and brushed the space between my brows. “You’re even prettier now.”
I peered up at him midgulp. Seriously? I knew he wasn’t coming on to me. After how unpleasant I’d been, he couldn’t possibly see me that way. He was probably just trying to encourage more good behavior. I vowed to stay nice, no matter how hard resentment toward him reared up and kicked me in the ass. I swallowed the last sip and handed him the glass. “Thanks.”
A smiled played at the corner of his mouth as he took the glass from me. He set it on the counter behind me and his shoulder brushed mine. A billion little shivers danced along my skin and I drew in a breath. He closed the small space, leaning in toward my ear.