Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. Today’s guest is my dear friend Rue Allyn who has an excerpt from her upcoming novel One Day’s Loving. It’s available for pre-order now.I love this cover, don’t you? Happy reading my lovelies and enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“You do not love me, sir. What you offer is a marriage of convenience. Although what convenience such an alliance may be to you, I cannot imagine.”

His expression hardened, his jaw growing tighter by the moment.

Mae gathered her courage and continued. If she was going to reveal her feelings, she would show them all. “Grandfather did not encourage participation in the social scene. Therefore I have no social standing that can bring you any advantage. You cannot possibly want to marry a penniless woman, and I will not believe you so callous that you would propose marriage as a means to have a child simply to allow yourself access to the Alden fortune. A fortune that, I remind you, you already control as executor. Marriage to me can do nothing for any ambitions you have.”

The ice left his eyes. “You say a great deal of what I will not gain by wedding you, but nothing of what you will lose.”

Her lips trembled, and her hands fisted in her skirt. She would not expose herself further and risk derision for her fears. Instead, she fell back on pride. “As long as the Alden estate remains unsettled, my sisters and I will be objects of pity, whether we wish it or not.”

“I do not pity you, Mae. I despise your situation, and I am greatly concerned for your safety.”  He grasped her shoulders, turning her to face him.

She wished she could mistake his meaning. “Once the terms of Grandfather’s will become public, I am well aware I may be the object of undesirable and unwanted attentions from men of all sorts.”

“His will places you in danger of another abduction and worse. You need a protector.”

“You believe that protector should be you.”

“It would be one advantage of our marriage. You would also have a confidante, someone with whom to share your troubles. You might even discover unexpected pleasures.”

“Being under the legal protection of a man has brought me more sorrow than pleasure.”

“Not all men are like your grandfather. Marriage to me would be very different from his guardianship. Allow me to demonstrate.”

“How?”

He drew her close and bent his head. His eyes filled her vision, and he laid his lips over hers.

She inhaled a silent gasp of surprise. Then heat and surging pleasure overwhelmed her senses. She should not want this. She should resist. If she yielded, she would have no place to hide. Her feelings would be exposed. Did she have the courage to step from the shadows? She wasn’t in any danger now—or was she?

His lips played on hers. The kiss lingered sweet with yearning. Something—desire?—rippled through her as his arms enfolded her and his mouth coaxed hers open. Yet she still held herself back from the fascinating changes his touch wrought in her body.

Despite a burning rush of sensation, she could not throw caution to the flames. Nonetheless, she returned the kiss, desperate to know if he offered safe harbor or only deeper darkness. She wanted to cast aside fears to indulge in one bittersweet instant of madness, one day of loving when pleasure and delight held the world and worry at bay. She did not dare. She nearly wept, certain she would never again have the chance.

When James lifted his head and released her, Mae felt dazed, disoriented. Fire leapt in his hazel gaze. A tender smile tilted his mouth—that talented, hazardous mouth.

She wanted to reach for him, but she’d already risked too much. Safer to retreat, rebuild the defenses where she could hide from the emotions he stirred.

***

“Well?” His question dropped into the silence.

A becoming blush colored her face. She stepped back, looking everywhere except at him. He wished that blasted will to Hades.

She lifted her hands to cover her cheeks and cleared her throat. “I have given you my answer and do not feel obliged to explain. Once that onerous will is in the past, I may see things differently. If you still feel so inclined, you may restate your offer then.”

His mouth twitched. He was sorry to have embarrassed her, but he could not regret the kiss. “What if I don’t want to wait?”

Though strained, her voice was steady, but her hands trembled. She made a valiant attempt to maintain outward calm.

“While our acquaintance is short, you have never shown yourself to be an impatient man. A single kiss will not convince me that you have developed a sudden and demanding passion for me. Be practical, sir. Our marriage would serve neither of us well.”

One Day’s Loving
By Rue Allyn
Pre-order Now
Release Date: August 17, 2020

Persephone Mae Alden is the invisible Alden sister, quiet, industrious, generous, kind-hearted, loyal and reliable.  The words used to describe Mae remind her of a well-trained dog.  She’s not happy about it, but what can she do?  She likes her quiet life and would be seriously upset if she had to defy convention like Edith or act on instinct like Kiera. But everything changes when necessity forces her to bravery and she must choose between love and family.

A horrifying bequest convinces Boston attorney James W. Collins V that Mae Alden needs a husband, and she’s just the type of wife he wants. The two of them will be a perfect match. Refusing his offer makes no sense, so why won’t the woman accept?

Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/mqr0R2

About the Author:

About Rue Allyn:  Author of historical and contemporary romances, I fell in love with happily ever after the day I heard my first story. (Yes, I was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two, but I could hear much earlier than that.) I studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. Heck, as an author, I get to read the story before anyone else. I am happily married to my sweetheart of many, many years. Insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler I love to hear from readers about your favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You can send me your words of wisdom . . . Don’t shake your head at me; all words are wise in one context or another. You can trust me on this; I’m an author. As I was saying, you can send your words of wisdom, humor, and friendship to me at Rue@RueAllyn.com. Can’t wait to hear from you

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