Thanks for stopping by my First Kiss Friday blog. I’m so happy to have you here. Today’s guest is Brenna Ash who has an excerpt from Rogue you Like A Hurricane. She’s also offering a giveaway, so be sure to read all about it at the end of this post. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene, my lovelies. Happy reading and good luck on the giveaway!

Excerpt:

The halls were quiet as Clarissa made her way to room. Millwool really was a beautiful castle. The wood-paneled walls of the corridor gave it a warm feeling. The high ceilings were lit with chandeliers holding dozens of candles. Above each chandelier, the plaster was molded into a wreath of flowers, allowing the light to play off the uneven surface. 

The floors were dark wood that matched the walls, and a red carpet runner kept the noise of footsteps to a minimum. Which probably was why she didn’t hear Alexander until he called to her from a short distance away.

“Clarissa,” he called again. “Can we talk?”

“I really dinna have anything to say to ye, Alexander.”

Confusion marred his handsome features. “Please, allow me to apologize.”

She laughed, the sound echoing in the space. 

He ignored her laugh and continued. “I shouldna have left so abruptly after the dance. I put ye in an awkward position and that was never my intent.”

She tilted her head to the side as she listened to him. That. That was what he was apologizing for? 

“I didna think about how that would look to others. ’Twas verra selfish of me.”

She spun on him. “Is this really what ye are apologizing for?”

His brows furrowed. “Is that no’ what ye are upset about? Rightfully so, might I add,” he said quickly.

She threw her hands up in the air and started walking. “Ye are insufferable. Almost as bad as my brother.”

“That is no’ how ye were acting yesterday.”

She stopped and turned back to him. He was close on her heels, and she did the only thing that came to mind. She put her hands on his broad chest and gave him a shove, knowing she was stepping out of line. “That was afore I found out I was just a pawn in some stupid game ye were playing.” 

“What are ye talking about?” He asked, eyes dark.

She laughed. “I heard ye. The conversation ye had in the gardens.” She watched as what she said sunk in.

“I am sorry ye had to hear that. He had no right to propose such a thing. I can see why that would upset ye. But what I dinna understand is why ye are taking your anger out on me?”

She shook her head in disbelief. “Ye canna be serious. Why wouldna I be upset? To be used in that way. I’m supposed to be happy about that?”

Alexander pushed his hands through his dark hair, stress evident on his face.

“I think there has been a misunderstanding.” He looked around, for what, she didn’t know. “Let’s talk in my study.”

“I’ve no interest in such a discussion. “It was quite clear that ye are willing to barter me to regain possession of your flock.”

He smirked. Which only caused her temper to rise. She could feel her face heating up. 

“I find naught comical about this.”

“Well, ye would if ye actually kenned what was actually going on instead of jumping to conclusions.”

This time it was her turn to be confused. “I ken just fine. I heard him make the offer. One night and ye will get your sheep back. No money needed.”

“Aye, the louse did make that offer.”

“See?”

“See what? I didna accept it. I told him to go to hell.” Alexander looked flustered. “Jesus, Clarissa. What kind of man do ye think I am that I would agree to such a thing?”

Was it true? She hadn’t stayed long enough to hear what Alexander had said afterward. He’d agreed after the proposal was put forth. There was no denying that.

“Ye agreed after he stated what he wanted. Ye said, ‘aye, right’.”

“Aye, I did.” He tugged at the cravat around his neck, loosening the knot. “Because I couldna believe what I had heard. Once it sunk in, and I told him I would ne’er agree to such a disgusting deal, I came in to find ye and was told ye’d left upset.”

Oh dear, had she really gotten everything so misconstrued? 

“Wouldna ye be upset if ye’d just overheard such a proposal?

“Aye, but why were ye out there in the first place? Were ye alone?”

It was her turn to be flustered. “Dinna put this back on me. I did naught wrong. I was tired of everyone looking at me like I’d grown two heads after ye left like ye couldna get away from me fast enough. I needed some fresh air.”

“I,” Alexander paused. “I am sorry ye had to hear such a vile offer. I hope ye ken I would ne’er, I repeat, ne’er treat ye like property be bartered.”

He reached for her hand, and after a moment’s pause, she slipped her hand in his. 

Tugging her closer, she was flush to his chest, his warmth enveloping her. “Ye are much too precious to me. I would ne’er do anything to harm ye in any way. To dishonor ye.”

With each declaration he dropped his head a little bit, until their mouths were just a breadth apart. 

Her breath hitched. Was he going to kiss her? She wanted him to. 

Eyes closed, she waited for what seemed like an eternity, before warm lips touched hers. The most erotic sensation swept over her, and she leaned into the kiss. His tongue sought entry into her mouth, and she parted her lips, allowing it. 

She reached up, circling her arms around his neck, her fingers teasing the curls at his nape. 

He pulled her closer and she arched her body into his. The feeling foreign but welcoming. She didn’t want it to end. When their tongues entwined and danced wickedly together, a soft moan escaped from her lips. 

She needed to take a breath, but she didn’t want to break the contact. Didn’t want the sensation to stop. Her belly was on fire. Her core heating. She wanted more. Even though it was wrong , she didn’t care.

Pushing her against the wall, he leaned his body against hers, breaking the kiss, but trailing his lips down her neck. She gasped for air. Goose pimples broke out on her skin. It was so hot in the hallway.

And then she remembered where they were. In the hallway. For all to see. What if Nicholas came up? He would kill them both. 

It took all her strength to push Alexander away. As soon as his lips left her skin. As soon as his body no longer covered hers, she was cold. She wanted the warmth he provided. Craved it. But it wasn’t proper. They couldn’t be found in such a compromising position. Especially after Nicholas had forbidden them from doing so.

“We must stop,” she whispered. Her lips felt swollen from Alexander’s kisses, and she touched her fingers to them. 

Alexander looked like he’d been burned. His gaze snapped to the end of the corridor where the stairs were. “I find the need to apologize to ye again, lass.” He gave her a wicked grin. “But I would be a liar if I said I dinna want to kiss ye again.”

She blushed. Hard. She wanted to kiss him again, but she didn’t say that. 

“Ye should go back to your guests.”

“Ye are my guest,” he said quietly.

“Aye, but I had already left the group. What excuse did ye give for leaving? Dinna ye think my brother will get suspicious for ye being gone so long?”

Alexander sighed. “Ye make an excellent point.” He grasped her hand and brought it to his mouth, his lips lingering on her soft skin. “But I would much rather stay here.”

“Ye canna. Besides, apparently, Gwen made plans for she and I today that I must get ready for.”

He nodded. “For that, I will let ye be to do whatever it is ye need to do.” 

She turned and started walking away, her legs so unsteady that she was certain she wasn’t walking in a straight line.

“Clarissa,” Alexander called from behind her.

She paused and looked over her shoulder at him.

“Dinna forget. I would ne’er agree to such an arrangement. E’en if I didna have feelings for ye, I still wouldna agree. Ye deserve the world, no’ to be treated as property.”With that said, Alexander turned on his heel and headed back down the hall toward the stairs that would lead him to where everyone else was.

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Rogue You Like A Hurricane
By Brenna Ash

With the stakes so high, do they dare risk it all?

Alexander Campbell, Duke of Argyll, faced a challenging transition back to civilian life that proved to be far more difficult than he had anticipated. Devastated by the decimation of his estate’s finances and the loss of his prized sheep due to his reckless brother’s gambling debts, he now struggles to restore order and stability. Amidst this chaos, the presence of his best friend’s sister, who had now blossomed into a breathtaking beauty while he was away at war, threatens to derail his focus and determination to rectify the situation.

Miss Clarissa Gordon is completely devoted to delving into her vast library of books, a passion that far surpasses any interest in the gentlemen who have been vying for her attention. Their pompous and dull demeanor pales in comparison to the captivating Alexander, particularly after his recent return. With his dashing charm, he effortlessly stirs up feelings she had long kept concealed, making them impossible to deny.

In a high-stakes dilemma, Alexander’s ability to provide Clarissa with a secure future is in jeopardy. Achieving her brother’s approval seems like an insurmountable challenge. Despite Clarissa’s disregard for wealth and status, her brother insists on these qualities in her future spouse. Alexander faces a critical decision between safeguarding his own livelihood or a life with Clarissa. As the tension escalates, Clarissa takes matters into her own hands.

Can they work together to secure Argyll estate and convince her brother of their shared affections? Or will his stubbornness thwart their chance at a blissful future together before it even starts?

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

Rogues of Redemption
Book 1 – Sweet Rogue O’ Mine
Book 2 – Rogue You Like a Hurricane
Book 3 – No Rogue Like You

Buy Links or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited:

Amazon:

Ebook/Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D63Y7RSL

Print: https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-You-Like-Hurricane-Historical/dp/B0D7HGMYJF

About the Author:

Award-winning author Brenna Ash is addicted to coffee, chocolate, and all things Scotland and BTS. She’s a firm believer that one can never have too much purple or glitter. She loves rom-cons and always cries at the HEAs. 

When she’s not busy writing about sexy, Scottish Highlanders, Medieval Pirates, Regency Rogues, she spends her time reading with her favorite music playing in the background, binge-watching Outlander and Bridgerton, park-hopping with her besties, spoiling her cats, Lilly and Mochi, or watching BTS content online. Brenna lives with her husband on the Space Coast in sunny Florida.

Website: www.brennaash.com

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/brenna_ash

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How about a Giveaway?

To be in the running for a print copy of Rogue You Like A Hurricane, tell us what you like about the Fall/Spooky Season? Brenna will leave this giveaway open through the weekend before she generates a random comment as a winner. Good luck!