BLURB from Goodreads
Photographer Sierra Stratton views the world through a lens all her own. She has an uncanny sense about people, something that often causes her trouble. When she meets the sexy and brooding Evan Dorsey, her intuition tells her he’s suffering, and she wants to be the one to help him.
Evan isn’t open to help from anyone, however. His focus is on his Major League career and making himself as marketable as possible for his upcoming free agency. He plans to ride out the season in Atlanta and then sign with another team, away from the painful memories that haunt him.
Someone’s eager to send him on his way, too. Between anonymous threats and equipment sabotage, it’s clear he’s earned himself an enemy along the way. To him, it’s one more sign that he’s right to move on.
But Sierra threatens his conviction. Her contagious smile proves hard to resist, as does her kiss. She tempts him in ways he never anticipated, making him question his plans for the first time. If he’s not careful, she might just convince him that he’s meant for her.
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EXCERPT
“There’s
something invigorating about autumn in Atlanta,” she said. She shared the same
southern accent as Cole, he realized. “It represents promise.”
“Promise for
what?”
She shrugged.
“Endless possibilities.”
He frowned. What
the hell did that mean?
Once again, she
took his hand. Her hand was dwarfed by his, but he couldn’t deny that the contact
felt nice.
“You looked lost
in there, Evan Dorsey. I thought maybe I could do something to help guide you
on your way.”
Pulling his hand
from hers, he said, “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I don’t need
to.” She tilted her head to the side and looked at him with her compelling
eyes. “Have you been sick?”
The question
made him glance away. He supposed she hadn’t done her research before making
this approach. Still, she was closer to the truth than made him comfortable.
Her voice was
quiet when she continued, “I ask because your suit looks tailored, but it’s
loose on you right now, as though you’ve lost weight. There are dark circles
under your eyes, making me think you aren’t sleeping well and probably haven’t
been eating right. And your hair is short, like it’s just growing back. Since
your scalp is pale, I assume you don’t normally wear your hair that way.”
Jesus, she was
observant. Shaking his head, he turned to walk back into the reception.
“I see,” she
said. Her tone made him hesitate. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Evan.”
When her slender
arms went around him from behind, he didn’t know what to do. No one had ever
offered him such a pure gesture of comfort. Everyone who attended the funeral
had been too emotionally involved to do so, not that it would have been
welcome.
But this hug
from a stranger was about to undo him.
He stood frozen
in place as she walked around him to face him again. His gaze moved down to her
bare feet and noted that her nails were the same shade of purple as the streaks
in her hair. Belatedly, he considered how cold she must be.
“I can see that
you’re in a dark place,” she said, touching the side of his face. It was just
the whisper of a caress, but it made his throat tighten. “It’s good that you
honor the memory of this person you loved. But don’t be afraid to live now.
What you’ve gone through, it will bring you where you need to be. Even the
stars can’t shine without darkness.”
Mesmerized, he
didn’t resist when she pulled him down. He closed his eyes when her lips
touched his. She kissed him, an expression of comfort more than passion. The
taste of sweet champagne lingered when they parted. She smiled again, her
dimples teasing him, then turned and walked back inside.
After a moment,
he followed her. This woman whose name he didn’t even know had given him more
to think about in their few minutes together than anyone had in a long time.
For someone who appeared no older than her early twenties, she had incredible
insight.
She’d given him
a glimpse of light that he hadn’t even known he craved. He supposed the least
he could do was thank her.
Returning to the
reception, he went looking for her. He figured she’d return to the dance floor,
so he started there. After twenty minutes, he had to give up.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is also the author of the bestselling New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly, and the much-anticipated spin-off, Meant for Her. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social media, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.
Ways readers can connect with Raine:
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