Off Limits (Sparks in Texas Book 4) (14 page)
Read Off Limits (Sparks in Texas Book 4) Online
Authors: Mari Carr
However, despite his newfound happiness, Chas can’t
seem to shake the memories of his tours in the Middle East, of the
firefights, the killing…the deaths of his friends. When the
flashbacks grow stronger, Chas struggles to hide his increasing
lack of control, terrified of losing everything he’d just
regained—including Sydney.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Waiting for You.
Available now.
Sydney stood next to Gran, who was flanked by
Julian on the right. The three of them were standing at the
international arrivals gate, grinning like fools as they held the
banner Sydney had made. Chas’ flight had landed and her heart was
racing a million miles an hour. She’d seen him just a few months
earlier over the holidays. They’d exchanged small gifts and
consumed a bottle of eggnog together. Chas had even told her a
little bit about two friends he’d lost in combat, the story
breaking her heart.
Chas had ended up sleeping on her couch that
night, while she’d tossed and turned in her bedroom, fighting the
urge to go out and comfort him. However, there had been something
in his eyes—some dark, unfamiliar sadness—that had stopped her,
that had told her to keep her distance.
Several more people walked through the gate.
Sydney watched as relatives reunited with hugs, laughter and
sometimes tears. She loved coming to the airport, loved the energy
and the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle. It was a hotbed of
emotions unlike any other place.
Gran captured her attention with a nudge of
the elbow. “There he is.”
Chas strolled through the doors in jeans and
a t-shirt. It would seem so weird to see him dressed in civilian
clothing rather than his fatigues from now on, and she wondered if
he’d give up the crew cut he’d kept for so many years and return to
the longer style of his youth. He looked around the area, searching
for them. Sydney smiled and waved when his eyes met hers.
Chas walked faster then, laughing when he
read their banner. Sydney took it from Julian and Gran, stepping
back so that Chas could greet his family.
She was shocked when he bypassed both of them
and walked right up to her. He tugged the banner out of her hands
and dropped it to the floor a split second before he grabbed her in
his embrace and kissed her.
His mouth was demanding, forcing her lips
apart so he could stroke her tongue with his. Sydney fought off a
wave of dizziness and disbelief. Even a bit of embarrassment when
she recalled his grandmother was standing less than five feet away
from them. She put her hands on his shoulders, intent on pushing
him away, but Chas only gripped her tighter, one of his hands
rising to cup the back of her neck, his fingers lightly stroking
the sensitive skin there.
She was a goner. Sydney stopped giving a shit
who was there and what they were seeing. Chas was home. And he was
kissing her.
Twelve years melted away into a haze of
nothingness. He was home. Finally.
Sparks in Texas,
Book 3
Jeannette's life is...nice. Great job in the family
restaurant, cute house, sweet cat. All very nice...and boring...and
maybe a little lonely. But she'll suffer that price for the safety
she desperately covets. Now, if only something could keep her safe
from the temptation that is Luc and Diego. The gorgeous firemen are
a danger to her libido, if not her heart.
Lovers Luc and Diego have had a hunger for the pretty
cook at Sparks Barbecue since they rolled into town three years
ago. But everyone knows Jeannette doesn't date, so the men's lust
seems destined to go unslaked, no matter how much they want her in
their bed. If friendship is all she's willing to offer, Luc and
Diego will greedily take it.
That changes quickly when an arsonist throws
Jeannette in harm's way, forcing her to find security and comfort
in Luc and Diego's arms. But the trio's simmering heat is barely a
flicker before the men learn Jeannette has secrets that run dark
and deep...presenting them with a challenge unlike any they've yet
to face.
Note: This book contains a scene of abuse from
16-year-old Jeannette's past.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Something Sparked.
Available now.
Throughout the dance she’d shared with Luc,
she had been aware of Diego’s eyes on them. Somehow knowing he’d
been watching had excited her, though she was hard-pressed to
understand why. It was as if she wanted Diego to know how Luc was
making her feel…because she sensed that made Diego happy.
Which was bizarre, because she had no idea if
that was true or not.
Diego took her into his arms, tugging her
until her breasts were pressed firmly against his chest. He didn’t
ask, didn’t hesitate. He simply took. While that idea should
terrify her, it didn’t. Instead, he had a way of making her feel
cherished, safe, protected.
Like Luc, Diego was a skilled dancer. With
subtle pushes and pulls, he guided them, taking over so that she
could just enjoy the moment.
“You liked Luc’s kiss.”
It wasn’t a question, but she answered
anyway. “Yes.”
“I liked watching it.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“Do you understand now?”
It was a vague question, but Jeannette didn’t
need clarification. She knew what he was alluding to. She
nodded.
“You feel it to. I can see it in your eyes.
Even though you’re dancing with me, focused just on me, you know
he’s there watching us. It makes you hot and shivery inside,
doesn’t it?”
She swallowed, struggling to find her voice.
“It does, but—” She tried to stop herself, tried to beat back the
fears. It appeared Nettie refused to go down without a fight.
“But nothing.” Diego tightened his grip.
However, this time she couldn’t sink into the embrace. Her back
stiffened as self-preservation and years of running away ganged up
on her.
He loosened his hold, tipping her chin up,
forcing her to face him. “We’re going to take this nice and slow,
Jeannette. But we’re not stopping.”
“I can’t…do…” Again, the words died. She
couldn’t go where they wanted to take her. But damn if she didn’t
want them to try anyway.
“You can’t tonight. I can see that. But we’re
not going to stop trying. We’ve got as many nights as we need, all
the time in the world.”
She frowned and asked the question that had
tormented her since they’d pulled her into the park and insisted on
this date. “Why would you go to all that trouble?”
“If this weren’t our first date, I’d take you
home and turn you over my knee for that. Even now, I’m sorely
tempted.”
Had he seriously just threatened to spank
her? And was she honestly disappointed he was resisting? God, this
whole night was confusing. And maddening. And sexy as hell.
Regardless, her spine stiffened. “All I’m
saying is, you and Luc could basically have your pick of women
around here. I’m not sure why you’d want—”
Diego placed his finger over her lips. “I’m
going to advise you to stop while you’re ahead. If I hear one more
self-deprecating comment come out of those pretty lips of yours
tonight, I won’t be held responsible for my actions. And believe
me, angel, as much as you might want to tempt me on that, you
aren’t ready for it.”
Jeannette wasn’t sure how to reply. Diego’s
thumb stroked her lower lip, his gaze glued to her mouth like a
starving man eyeing a steak.
Though the slow music continued to fill the
air, couples swaying back and forth around them, neither of them
moved. Instead, they stood there, on the edge of the floor, and
looked at each other.
Diego didn’t seek to close the distance
between them. In fact, it seemed as if he were waiting for
something. Waiting for
her
.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He smiled at her request. He had been waiting
for an invitation. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
Mari Carr
Off Limits
Winner Takes All
Wild Card
