I've got a Valentine special going on for a limited time. 💕👩❤️👨💕💘💞 The excerpt below is from Cupid's Gift, which tells the story of a divorced father and a single mom who is content living her life the way it is, until Bryce and his dog crash into her life.
The man standing in the doorway was perfect, except for the diamond stud in his ear. Then the wind chimes jangled, and a roar shuddered through my body. I spun in the chair, one hand pressed to my chest.
A wheat-colored monster tore into the clinic, past the man holding the door open. If that thing didn't cut its speed, it would either run straight into the desk or jump over it and topple me to the floor. I got ready to bolt out of the seat, if necessary, but the man stopped the giant torpedo with one command. "Maddox, sit."
The idiot dog stopped short of the desk and sat on his haunches, panting so loudly it was impossible not to hear him from where I sat. "Sorry about that."
The man walked into the reception area to stand beside the dog. "Maddox gets a little excited when he's away from home."
"That's what you call it?" I said, clutching the thong at my neck. "I thought he was going to lay me out flat on the floor."
The stranger smiled, forcing me to pull in a sharp breath. He was mega-gorgeous. Bitter-chocolate dark with a set of teeth so even, I thought they might be dentures. Tall and slender. Not drop-dead handsome, but delicious eye-candy. Perfect, I thought again, minus the earring.
He caught me looking at the diamond glinting in his earlobe and one of his eyebrows did a little lift, as if he were asking what part of my business it was. Ignoring what his expression conveyed, I put on my professional face and let go of the death grip I now had on the pendant I wore. "Can I help you?"
"It's okay, Melanie." Matthias, my boss, walked past me and gripped the man by the hand. "Bryce. Good thing you called because I was gonna leave ten minutes ago."
I wondered about that since the switchboard had been silent for the last hour, which meant Bryce had to be a close friend or associate. He'd probably called Matthias on his cellular.
They did a weird grip that started with a regular handshake and ended with clapping each other on the back. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes.
As I had many times before, I wondered if my boss had lost his mind, but Matthias had so many sides to him, it was impossible to keep track of whatever he was up to at any point in time. The two of them continued talking and I got busy with the appointment schedule onscreen, trying not to listen to their conversation.
It was clear they were at ease with each other, and I wondered about the identity of Matthias' visitor. He reminded me of someone, but I wasn't sure who. I searched my mind. Had we met before?
If we had, it was probably in passing, since I would have taken note of a man wearing an earring if I'd met him before. This one was interesting enough for me to remember him from a previous meeting. Still, I was almost sure this wasn't the first time I'd seen him.
"This boy needs some attention," Matthias said, bending to scratch the dog at the back of his neck. I hoped the disgust on my face wasn't obvious as I glanced at Matthias.
The dog's coat was matted in places, an indication that it was in need of a good brushing. That thought made me glance at Bryce. If he couldn't take care of his dog ...
He caught me looking at him, and the pleasant expression slid from his face, leaving one I couldn't read.
I wanted to squirm in my seat, but forced myself to stare at the screen before me. So I was guilty of judging, but given the condition of the dog, I could be forgiven for thinking this man looked good, but only knew how to take care of himself.
His polo shirt and jeans were crisp and clean and the hint of musk wafting toward me said he also smelled good. While I inhaled his scent, I reminded myself the condition of his dog was none of my business. The phone rang and I grabbed the handset, grateful for the distraction.
If you like the sound of this story, check it out here - lrd.to/cupids-gift
The Vet's Valentine Gift is available here - lrd.to/TVVG16
The man standing in the doorway was perfect, except for the diamond stud in his ear. Then the wind chimes jangled, and a roar shuddered through my body. I spun in the chair, one hand pressed to my chest.
A wheat-colored monster tore into the clinic, past the man holding the door open. If that thing didn't cut its speed, it would either run straight into the desk or jump over it and topple me to the floor. I got ready to bolt out of the seat, if necessary, but the man stopped the giant torpedo with one command. "Maddox, sit."
The idiot dog stopped short of the desk and sat on his haunches, panting so loudly it was impossible not to hear him from where I sat. "Sorry about that."
The man walked into the reception area to stand beside the dog. "Maddox gets a little excited when he's away from home."
"That's what you call it?" I said, clutching the thong at my neck. "I thought he was going to lay me out flat on the floor."
The stranger smiled, forcing me to pull in a sharp breath. He was mega-gorgeous. Bitter-chocolate dark with a set of teeth so even, I thought they might be dentures. Tall and slender. Not drop-dead handsome, but delicious eye-candy. Perfect, I thought again, minus the earring.
He caught me looking at the diamond glinting in his earlobe and one of his eyebrows did a little lift, as if he were asking what part of my business it was. Ignoring what his expression conveyed, I put on my professional face and let go of the death grip I now had on the pendant I wore. "Can I help you?"
"It's okay, Melanie." Matthias, my boss, walked past me and gripped the man by the hand. "Bryce. Good thing you called because I was gonna leave ten minutes ago."
I wondered about that since the switchboard had been silent for the last hour, which meant Bryce had to be a close friend or associate. He'd probably called Matthias on his cellular.
They did a weird grip that started with a regular handshake and ended with clapping each other on the back. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes.
As I had many times before, I wondered if my boss had lost his mind, but Matthias had so many sides to him, it was impossible to keep track of whatever he was up to at any point in time. The two of them continued talking and I got busy with the appointment schedule onscreen, trying not to listen to their conversation.
It was clear they were at ease with each other, and I wondered about the identity of Matthias' visitor. He reminded me of someone, but I wasn't sure who. I searched my mind. Had we met before?
If we had, it was probably in passing, since I would have taken note of a man wearing an earring if I'd met him before. This one was interesting enough for me to remember him from a previous meeting. Still, I was almost sure this wasn't the first time I'd seen him.
"This boy needs some attention," Matthias said, bending to scratch the dog at the back of his neck. I hoped the disgust on my face wasn't obvious as I glanced at Matthias.
The dog's coat was matted in places, an indication that it was in need of a good brushing. That thought made me glance at Bryce. If he couldn't take care of his dog ...
He caught me looking at him, and the pleasant expression slid from his face, leaving one I couldn't read.
I wanted to squirm in my seat, but forced myself to stare at the screen before me. So I was guilty of judging, but given the condition of the dog, I could be forgiven for thinking this man looked good, but only knew how to take care of himself.
His polo shirt and jeans were crisp and clean and the hint of musk wafting toward me said he also smelled good. While I inhaled his scent, I reminded myself the condition of his dog was none of my business. The phone rang and I grabbed the handset, grateful for the distraction.
If you like the sound of this story, check it out here - lrd.to/cupids-gift
The Vet's Valentine Gift is available here - lrd.to/TVVG16
Most of your titles are perfect for Valentine's month, Joy.
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