Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog! Today’s guest is Tricia Linden who has an excerpt from her latest release, Until A Change of Heart. I loved this book and it kept me up until the early morning hours. I couldn’t put it down and I know you’ll enjoy it too! Happy reading, my lovelies, and enjoy!
Excerpt:
As they rounded the corner, she saw they had reached the hedgerow overlooking the back lawn. Both grateful and weary, Sarah sat down on a nearby bench to rest and rub her aching feet. If only she could remove her shoes, it would be so much better, but such a display of undress would surely give him the wrong impression.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She was tempted to claim she couldn’t take another step so he would be forced to carry her, but that seemed unreasonable and manipulative, and much too forward for her to attempt. “I’m fine,” she declared.
“Are you sure? My offer to carry you still stands. I’m happy to oblige if needed.”
The thought of him lifting her up in his arms sent a pulse of heat through her core. Good thing she was sitting down. If she had been standing, surely her knees would have wobbled. To feel those strong arms around her, protecting her, was a hard temptation to resist. To wrap her arms around his neck and snuggle up against his chest would surely be amazing. Sadly, such dreams were the fantasies of lovers, not adversaries delayed on their way back home.
Before she knew what had happened, he pulled her to his chest and scooped her up in his arms. It was every bit as wonderful and exciting as she had imagined. No. Actually, this was much better than what she had imagined. This was real.
She leaned in close, resting her head on his shoulder. “Jayson, this really isn’t proper.”
“I couldn’t resist.”
That was exactly what she wanted to hear. Except, realistically, she needed to be practical. Someone might see them, and she wasn’t about to let him carry her the rest of the way to the house. “It’s nice to know you would do this for me.” More than nice, it was divine. “But you really should put me down. I can walk.”
“Do you insist?” he asked, still holding her.
Laughing, she replied, “No, I’m asking politely.”
He dropped her feet to the ground and she stood before him, still locked in his embrace. “As you wish.”
Leaning in close, he brushed his lips gently against hers. Her first kiss. Sweet and heavenly. The thrilling sensation had her gasping for breath. Cupping her face in his hands, he deepened the kiss, pressing his lips tenderly against hers. She moaned softly as the feeling of warm butter slid over her skin and down to her toes. How was it possible that the mere meeting of lips should cause her brain to melt? Yearning and desire rose up inside her more powerful than anything she had ever felt before.
When he pulled back, she opened her eyes to find a contented smile dancing in his eyes.
“I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you today.” Still smiling, he added, “I hope you’re not offended.”
“Umm, no, not really.” Offended? Goodness no, she wasn’t offended. She was delighted. Far more delighted than she was willing to admit, being a properly raised young lady.
“Should I stop?”
Stop! Good heavens, no. But that wasn’t the proper answer. “We should probably get back to the house. They’ll be looking for us.” Darn, it hurt to always be so proper, but changing old habits didn’t come easy.
“As you wish.”
In truth, she wished he would kiss her and hold her here forever. Although such an idea wasn’t very practical, that didn’t stop her from wanting it. The thought of sharing her first kiss with Jayson brought a smile to her lips and a shiver down her spine. The man was pure temptation wrapped in a fashionable, well-fitting jacket. And he smelled good, too.
But she was a proper girl who more often than not did the right thing. She stepped away, ending their embrace. Despite the warmth of the day, she felt cold all over.
She hated how the logical side of her won out over her emotional desires, but that was how she’d been raised. Nineteen years of her mother’s preaching wasn’t going to vanish in an instant simply because a handsome man held her in his arms. Her conscience might take a beating, but it wasn’t going to go away at a moment’s notice.
They were expected back at the house and were already going to have a hard time explaining their delay.
“We need to get back. They’re probably looking for us,” Sarah repeated for her sake as much as for his.
“When we see the others, let me do the talking,” Jayson offered, as if he shared her same thoughts. “Don’t worry, Sarah. I won’t do anything to embarrass you.”
“Or dishonor me?” she asked.
“Never in a hundred years,” he answered.
“How about in two hundred years?” she teased.
“That I can’t promise. That’s a pretty long time to behave myself.”
Until A Change of Heart
by Tricia Linden
Sharing secrets requires trust.
Jayson Goddard, the spoiled second son of a wealthy New York family, is thrown into a psychological and spiritual journey he could never have imagined, and is forced to confront past mistakes as he works off a blood contract with Jules Vanderzeit, the Maestro.
Sarah Miltmore, the youngest daughter of a family struggling to maintain its tenuous status with New York’s social elite, can no longer deny her psychic abilities. Believing society will surely shun her if they learn the truth, she’s forced to decide if she should hide her talent or risk exposure for the man she loves.
She has a secret, but so does he, and neither will share until they believe the other can be trusted.
Every choice has a consequence.
What if you got dead drunk and agreed to sign a blood contract with the Maestro?
What if you had a psychic talent but insisted on keeping it a secret?
What if you met the love of your life but refused to see them for who they really are?
Sarah and Jayson are about to learn every choice has a consequence, and it’s often not what you expect.
Buy Links:
Amazon, Apple, Kobe, Barns & Nobel
About the author:
Tricia Linden, author of timeless romance with a touch of magic.
Former International Banker turned romance writer.
In this lifetime, I’ve lived in five states, on two islands, and on a farm, and am now living in Northern California. Besides my love of reading and writing romance, I have a great fondness for zydeco dancing, classic rock and best of all, Pink Flamingos. Over the years, I’ve gathered a rather large collection of the fun pink birds.
I believe as spiritual beings, we’ve been here before and we’ll be here again. I believe what happens along the way is part of a grand and glorious adventure that never ends. I believe there can never be too much romance or too much love in the world.
Website: https://tricia-linden.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriciaLindenAuthor/
Tweeter: @TriciaLinden69
Email: Tricia.Linden@ymail.com
Sherry Ewing 