Start
Over: A Novel
A Start Again Novel
By J. Saman
Genre: Contemporary Romance Stand Alone
Release
Date: January 30, 2017
“This book
captured my heart and just wouldn't let go.” - 5 star Goodreads
Review
“From the
opening chapter, this book had me hooked.” - 5 star Goodreads Review
“Wonderfully
written, thoroughly engaging and completely romantic, sometimes love rocks you
when you least expect it!” - 5 Star Tome and Tender Book Blog
Review
“I can’t explain
how much this couple sizzles...like, totally hot!” - 5 Star Review from
Author D.C Triana
I like to play
by the rules. But when I get coaxed into crashing a party, I run into the last
man I ever thought I’d see again, my one and only one-night stand, Luke Walker.
It's been ten years since we’ve seen each other, but our chemistry is just as
palpable as it was that night so long ago. Only problem is, I’m leaving in one
month for a pediatric fellowship across the country.
I like to keep
everything close to my chest. But when I see Ivy Green again, the woman I was
never able to get out of my mind, I want her. It doesn't matter that my dark
past and dangerous present mean I can't keep her. That my secrets would destroy
any shot at a real future. After all, she's leaving in a month. What's the
worst that could happen?
I was half
joking last night at the idea of no-strings sex. I know it’s not possible.
She’s an all or
nothing girl. I knew that the moment she spoke to me that first time, which is
why I chose nothing all those years back. I had to. My life was too uncertain
and I was not about to drag her into that with me.
And now the game
maybe different, but I’m still a key player in it.
Yet, I’m so
oddly drawn to this breathtaking creature that my thoughts are consumed by her.
I’ve never wanted to be connected to another human the way I find myself
wanting to be connected to her.
“I was hurt when
I woke up and you were gone.” Her quiet words jolt me out of my thoughts and
her admission stuns me into silence. “But I figured that’s what happens after a
one-night stand and I should just get over it and remember it for what it was.
So I dated other blokes and I went on to medical school and all was great—until
Jason of course. I did think about you from time to time.” I squeeze her hand
and she squeezes back. I can’t stop myself from smiling at her, but I don’t
offer anything more because I can tell she’s not done. “I placed as a resident
in the hospital here, followed by my fellowship, and that’s what I’ve been
doing ever since.”
Ivy turns to
look at me and that one simple expression says she gave everything we discussed
last night a tremendous amount of thought.
“I’ve worked
unbelievably hard, Luke. Four years of medical school. Three years of
residency, two of my regular fellowship and now a certificate fellowship that
I’ve been dreaming about for these nine years—for most of my life. It’s my goal.
The end game of my education that will lead me to the position I want. That’s
how it works and I can’t let anything get in the way of that.”
She pauses,
sitting there holding my hand and watching me intently.
I angle my body
to face hers, abandoning her hand in favor of her face, which I hold like it’s
the most precious thing in the world.
“I’d never mess
with that. Never in a million years. I think you know that, otherwise you
wouldn’t be sitting here with me now. I realize I’m screwed up. That I send
mixed messages and do everything with you backwards. But I want to change that.
I do. I tried to tell you last night. I just want to spend some time with you.
That’s all. Nothing more.”
Ivy nods her
head and I release her face, taking her hand again, but whether she understands
me or not is something else entirely.
“So, friends?”
“Yup.
Friends.”
We fall silent
again, sitting out here in the freezing cold, watching our breath vaporize into
the morning air.
“I’m sorry I
left you that morning. It was a chicken-shit thing to do and even though I
think we both know why I did it, it doesn’t excuse my actions.”
She shrugs a
shoulder. “It is what it is and it’s fine. Thank you for the apology and it is
accepted.”
“Awesome. Can we
go inside now? I’m freezing my balls off.”
“Wouldn’t want
that, would we?”
She moves to
stand up, but before she can get very far, I jerk her back down.
I lower my lips
to hers because they’re right there and I’ve wanted to kiss her since I heard
that melodic voice in the dark two days ago.
Fuck friends.
I’ve dreamt of this girl for a decade.
I kiss her
lightly at first, rediscovering her flavor. The cinnamon and vanilla sweetness
is still as intoxicating as it was the first time I pressed my lips to hers.
Our soft languid kiss quickly morphs into something fueled by years of pent-up
frustration.
That and I’m
desperate and terrified that she’s going to push me away any second, so I’m
kissing her like it counts. Like I’m fighting the damn clock, because in a way,
I am.
But she doesn’t
push me away, so I take her lower lip into my mouth, sucking it just a little
to get a deeper taste. My memory of her mouth has not done it justice. It’s
infinitely better. Warm and soft, and so goddamn sweet.
Parting her
lips, my tongue sweeps against hers, a groan escaping from the back of my
throat. Her mouth conforms to mine, allowing me to lead us. We’re at the
precipice here. One small shove and we’ll be tumbling into an inescapable
abyss.
Amazing what one
kiss can lead to.
Author J. Saman
lives in New England with her husband and three daughters. When she's not
writing romance and looking after her busy family, she works as a nurse
practitioner. J. is a lover of picking at old wounds and second chance
romances. She likes strong female leads and sexy alpha men with a sweet
side.
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