A classic romance just in
time for Valentine’s Day!
EPPIE Finalist for Best
Contemporary Romance: LOVE AT THE TOP
Author: Susanne Marie Knight
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Available electronically at Amazon.com
and Smashwords.com
Price: $3.99
Buy link:
Blurb:
UNWILLING TO LOVE AGAIN: Ever since her divorce,
Cassidy Romanelli is reluctant to trust another man. A chance meeting with a
bearded stranger, Alex Smith, causes her to have second thoughts. But when she
finds out Alex is really her new boss, multi-millionaire A.E. Haydon-Smith, can
she learn to trust her heart instead of her head?
THE WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS: On holiday before assuming
his new position, A.E. Haydon-Smith meets the woman of his dreams only to
discover she prefers his riffraff personae rather than who he actually is. Will
he be able to win over the reluctant Cassidy and heal her wounded heart?
Excerpt:
Returning
to Alex's office at ten past six, Cassidy dragged herself through the door. She
couldn't wait to slam her apartment door closed, peel off her dress, and flop
onto her couch. Working this assignment, as well as trying to keep up with the
demands of her regular job was slowly draining her reserves of energy.
But
the real reason for her total exhaustion was trying to keep her emotions on an
even keel around the finger-licking good Mr. Alex Haydon-Smith.
Oblivious
to her surroundings, she dropped her handbag and kicked off her wing-tipped
shoes. The feel of the plush carpet against her feet soothed her, and she
headed for her desk. Just a few items to wrap up then she'd head for home.
"You
look weary, Cassidy."
She
jumped. Alex sat at his desk, his jacket off and white shirt sleeves rolled up.
His forearms had an abundance of dark hair, which probably meant his chest also
had....
"Cassidy?"
He waved his hand close to her face to catch her attention.
She
flushed. Bedroom thoughts were dangerous thoughts. "Um, hi. I thought
you'd gone for the day."
Sinking
into her chair, she brushed the hair off her forehead. He'd been working, too.
His tie jammed into his pants pocket, he hunched over the desktop, scribbling
on his ever-present yellow pad. The loosened collar on his shirt revealed curly
black hairs. He looked endearingly casual. He looked like Alex Smith.
She
picked up her cup of cold coffee and gulped it down. Goodness, but it was
bitter. She shivered. She felt very vulnerable right now. Too vulnerable. Her
defenses were weakening.
He
leveled a pencil at her. "Go home, Cassidy. Get some rest." Leaning
back in his executive chair, he stretched his hands behind his head. "By
the way, where do you live?"
"You
know where I live. You have my personnel records, remember?"
"Right.
Queens." He flipped his pencil off the desk. "Want me to drive you
home?"
"No,
no."
She
had to keep him at arm's length. After their understanding in the elevator, she
didn't want to take any chances. Business and pleasure didn't mix.
One-night-stands had a way of breaking hearts. Her heart had just recently
healed, and she wanted to keep it that way.
Rubbing
her temple, she stood. Forget this paperwork. She'd better leave now while her
body still obeyed her. "Well, I think I'll go now. See you tomorrow."
Before
she had a chance to turn, he was by her side, gripping her shoulders. "Why
are you frightened of me?"
Her
heart slammed against her ribcage. "Fr--Frightened? D--Don't be
ridiculous." Without her heels, she felt so tiny next to him. She had to
crane her neck to look up at him.
His
voice turned husky. "I'll never hurt you, Cassidy. I promise you
that."
He
lowered his head, capturing her lips. At first his touch was soft, then he
crushed her against his chest, burying his fingers in her hair.
She
moaned. She couldn't deny her feelings any longer. Lifting up on her toes, she
wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and pulled him closer still. She
circled small swirls on his back with the palms of her hands and sank deeper
and deeper into love's abyss.
All
sensations were pushed into the background, except for the frantic beatings of
his heart and hers that became a wild primitive mating ritual.
Although
her knees wobbled, he held her steady. He nibbled the sensitive skin of her
earlobe, then trailed his lips down the curve of her neck.
A
thousand electric vibrations pulsed through her. His sensuous kisses rocked her
sanity. She'd never felt this way before, but, dear God, she wanted more.
"Cassidy."
Alex whispered her name, sighing deliciously into her ear. Back to her parted
lips, he swept his tongue inside her mouth.
Trembling,
she let him take possession of her tongue, of her mouth. On its own, her head
tilted back, as if seeking a soft bed to continue their lovemaking.
With
a sudden movement, he lifted her up and carried her over to the black,
cushioned couch. Gently placing her down, he brushed his lips against her
cheek.
"Cassidy,
I've wanted this since the moment I met you."
His
warm breath fanned her face. She gazed up at him and saw his desire-darkened
eyes. Those eyes fueled an untamed longing in her. She licked her lips.
For a
fleeting second, a strange expression passed over his face, and she paused to
analyze it. On his face was a look of victory, or of triumph. Like she was a
conquest.
Conquest?
Another notch on that damned gun belt? Anger pushed passion aside. Anger or
self-preservation?
Slithering
out from under him, she rose unsteadily to her feet. She held up both her hands.
"I'm sorry. But I just can't...."
She
had to get out of there, fast. By the drop of Alex's black eyebrows, she could
tell Mount Haydon-Smith would erupt momentarily.
Maybe
she couldn't blame him. She hadn't meant to tease. But then she hadn't planned
on being seduced, either.
And
she was nobody's conquest.
He
sat up, a look of bewilderment in his blue eyes. "Cassidy, why?"
No
words could get past her lips. Her throat had thickened and she couldn't speak.
Shaking her head, she spun around, and as fast as she could, picked up her
handbag and shoes, to beat a very hasty retreat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoy!
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box:
award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!
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