ONE TO SAVE (One to Hold, #6)
(Derek & Melissa)
By Tia Louise
Coming March 26, 2015! #SaveDerek
Cover Design by Steven Novak
Photography by Lauren Perry, Perrywinkle Photography
Some threats come at you as friendly fire. Some threats take away everything. Family won’t let you go down without a fight. The Secret isn’t as secure as Derek’s team originally thought it was, and a person on the inside of Alexander-Knight is set on exposing him, breaking him, and taking away all he holds dear. Refusing to let anyone suffer for his crimes, Derek takes matters into his own hands. He’s exposed, he’s defenseless, but his friends are determined to save him. A STAND-ALONE, ONE TO HOLD NOVEL. Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Pre-Order ONE TO SAVE Today!
Amazon | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo | Are | Nook: *coming March 26!
Exclusive Excerpt
One to Save
©Tia Louise
Chapter 1: Secrets
Melissa
In the cool darkness of the semi-crowded bar, I study the glass in front of me and consider my journey, how many steps I’ve taken in the last two years, how far I’ve come. Memories of my old life fade like smoke in a glass. The shame that held me so tightly now dances at the edges of my mind like the whisper of a bad dream, a flicker of shadows that no longer make sense in my world.
Melissa
In the cool darkness of the semi-crowded bar, I study the glass in front of me and consider my journey, how many steps I’ve taken in the last two years, how far I’ve come. Memories of my old life fade like smoke in a glass. The shame that held me so tightly now dances at the edges of my mind like the whisper of a bad dream, a flicker of shadows that no longer make sense in my world.
Young
women in shiny slip dresses twist and laugh on the dance floor, but instead of
resentment, my lips curl into a smile. My old self—cynical, bitter, defeated—is
a memory I have to work hard to recall. These days I could dance all night with
them, but I’d rather spend my energy engaged in other activities.
The slim
glass holds a pale amber liquid, and I can’t resist taking a sip. An
involuntary wince pinches my eyes as I put it down. Seven and seven. Refreshing
citrus dragged down by the heavy undertone of whiskey. So gross.
Sliding
my palms over my thighs, I realize my outfit isn’t much different from those of
the girls on the dance floor. The deep red silk is fitted at my waist, and
drapes loosely over my torso. My long dark hair is swept over one shoulder
revealing a thin spaghetti strap. I lightly touch the delicate gold chain
around my neck leading to the floating heart pendant that sits between my
collarbones, and light glances off the thick gold cuff on my wrist.
Unlike
that night, I’m alone. My best friend Elaine is miles away with her new
husband, most likely indulging in that blissful honeymoon period of early
marriage. Make that, most certainly indulging. I know those two well.
No, I
came by myself to the bar in Princeton after finishing my business with a
client in town. My infant son is in Wilmington, spending the weekend with his
grandmother. Studying my hands, I admire the deep blue sapphire ring on my
finger, but I have no wedding band.
At
thirty-two, I’m an unmarried mother of a beautiful little boy, and I wouldn’t
change a thing… Yet. The tiny silver scar at my hairline reminds me of what a
bad marriage looks like, and with my successful marketing business and the
gorgeous cottage at the beach I own, I’m satisfied with my life. Calm, not
desperate. I’ll take my next steps deliberately, with confidence.
All
these thoughts preoccupy my mind when I blink up and catch him watching me from
across the square-shaped bar. Blue eyes, strikingly blue because of the way
they stand out beneath his dark brow, coupled with collar-length thick dark
hair.
He’s massive,
at least six-two, and elegantly dressed with a thick stainless watch on his
wrist. I can spot his type a mile away—rich, powerful, accustomed to getting
what he wants. I can’t deny the hum his gaze sets off under my skin. I know
what he wants.
Catching
my lip in my teeth to stop my grin, I also know what I want, and it’s no
coincidence I happened to look up at that exact moment to meet his stare.
Still, I’ll make him work for it.
He
starts to move, his eyes never leaving mine. I don’t look away either. Thick
cords of muscle ripple beneath the thin black sweater he wears as he glides
past the oblivious patrons talking and laughing. Some are more animated than
others, waving their arms and putting their drinks in peril.
Yellow
lights hidden in the recesses above the bar illuminate rows of liquor bottles
in all colors and shapes. Glasses hanging upside down above also catch the
flickering light. It’s a raucous atmosphere, but this man and I are in our own
secret place of longing and desire.
As he
rounds the final corner, and I see him in full, my breath quickens. My eyes
drift from his broad shoulders to his narrow waist, grey slacks and black
shoes, then back up just as he reaches me. A close beard shadows his face, and
the muscles low in my pelvis tighten at the thought of how it feels brushing the
soft skin of my inner thighs…
#SaveDerek
#March26
Books by Tia Louise
One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014
One to Protect (Derek & Melissa), 2014
One to Love (Kenny & Slayde), 2014
One to Leave (Stuart & Mariska), Dec. 29, 2014
One to Save (Derek & Melissa), coming March 26, 2015!
One to Chase (Amy & Marcus), coming May 2015!
SIGNED COPIES: http://smarturl.it/SignedPBs
About the Author
Tia Louise is the Amazon and International Bestselling author of the ONE TO HOLD series.
From "Readers' Choice" nominations, to picking up USA Today "Happily Ever After" nods, to winning a 2014 "Lady Boner Award" (LOL!), nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.
A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the USA with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations...
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