At Arm's Length
By Amber Nation
Genre: Sports Romance Standalone
Release Date: November 10, 2016
Cover Designer: Najla
Qamber Designs
Beast:
-a wild animal
that is large, dangerous, or unusual.
-an unkind cruel
person
-Holden Reed
Football was
everything for Holden Reed, through blood, sweat, and tears he lived his life
for the game. The spotlight that endlessly followed him due to his fame, was
his downfall, especially when he failed to keep his anger in check. Due to his
lack of control and explosive bouts of rage, he rightfully earned the nickname,
“The Beast.” And with the results of his rogue actions, he heard the one word
no professional athlete ever wanted to hear. Suspension.
After what was
supposed to be a mandatory time-out to straighten out his ways, he finds
himself at the mercy of a beautiful Innkeeper while stuck at a Bed &
Breakfast in the backwoods of Colorado.
Dutiful:
-conscientiously
or obediently fulfilling one’s duty.
-motivated by
duty rather than desire or enthusiasm
-Marlee Tate
Once upon a
time, Marlee Tate devoted her life to a prestigious PR firm, taking an active
role in following her hopes and aspirations. But with one phone call from her
family, she was ready to toss her dreams aside without hesitation to be the
daughter she felt she needed to be. Now, she’s back at home, forced to work at
her family’s livelihood, Tate Manor.
During what was
considered to be the worst snowstorm in Colorado history, the treacherous
weather sent the abrupt but intriguing stranger crashing into her doorstep.
What will happen
when two guarded souls collide together after being hidden away from the
outside world? When half-truths come to light and hearts are meaninglessly
tossed aside? Will they arise from their stubborn stupor or continue to keep
each other at arm’s length?
Think about
baseball.
That’s the tactic they say to use, right?
When your mind was running rampant with devious sexual thoughts that would make your grandmother blush, and your heart was beating itself into some sort of intense frenzy, you’re supposed to think about baseball.
That’s the tactic they say to use, right?
When your mind was running rampant with devious sexual thoughts that would make your grandmother blush, and your heart was beating itself into some sort of intense frenzy, you’re supposed to think about baseball.
Baseball. I kept
chanting in my head, thinking it’ll automatically turn off the loop of images.
I never thought my sexual prowess was this demanding before.
It was the
bottom of the ninth inning, you are up at bat. Your fingers squeezing on the
rubber grip of the bat as you get into position. The sun is sweltering on your
skin, and the helmet doesn’t allow for much air flow especially with your thick
locks shoved underneath. Even with the sweat building up inside your batting
gloves making your hands slip, you try to grip onto the bat even tighter. You
think of your teammates and how disappointed they’ll be if you don’t get this
hit, not to mention how disappointed you’d be in yourself.
But like always
you tend to overthink things especially the outcome of the situation, and
instead of keeping your eye on the ball and your head in the game you freeze.
Your muscles lock up tight as your entire body tenses up.
I can’t believe
I tensed up.
Nothing but
Holden’s lips have been on my mind since last night and thinking about what
exactly the extent of what his abilities with said lips would be.
I was a disgrace
to the entire female race.
I was certainly
a failure to myself.
And if the deep
audible breath Holden took before retreating was anything to go by, a
disappointment to him as well.
I hated being a
disappointment and even more being humiliated which I wouldn’t doubt was the
exact emotion Holden was going through at this very moment. I always did what
was asked of me without any voiced objections. It made for a rather tame and
uneventful life on my part, but it was safe.
So why did I
keep going against everything I’ve ever done when I’m with Holden?
And why wasn’t I
regretting this entire interaction?
I bent down to
retrieve the dish soap from underneath the counter, hyper aware of where Holden
was standing with each and every movement.
Thinking of
baseball backfired in my face. I didn’t think anything would help calm my
nerves and my racing heart.
Why did I have
to be so abnormal and freak out with the very thought of a guy’s lips on my
skin? I wanted them there, damn it. I wanted his lips on me more than I wanted
my next breath, and breathing was very crucial to living.
Could I dare ask
him to try it again? Would he find me morally repulsive after my first brush
off?
Amber Nation is
a stay-at-home mom and wife currently residing in Southern Indiana with her
husband and two beautiful daughters. Amber writes Contemporary Romance,
Romantic Suspense, and Romance Comedy novels. She loves hoarding paperback
books, shopping, concerts, road trips, and watching her daughters sport it up
on the field or in the court. Her personal motto is to always believe in
yourself and above all else, be you!
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