Synopsis:
Persevere.
That's how I've gotten
through nineteen years of life. It's what I do every single day--no matter how
badly the odds are stacked against me.
Persevere, and survive.
Those are my two
guiding words. I never knew either of my parents. I have no family and no home.
The only person I could ever rely on was myself. In this cruel world, that's
about as much as I can ask for.
Love? Hah. Don't talk
to me about love. I stopped believing in it the day my first boyfriend ripped
out my heart three years ago.
That's why love is the
last thing on my mind when I leave a packed college bar with a captivating
stranger. Yet everything changes when I'm awakened in the middle of the night
by a pounding at the door. Suddenly, an arrangement meant for just one night
threatens to become something much deeper.
All expectations are thrown to the wind as I'm
tangled in a dangerous world unlike anything I can believe. The man I met has
secrets swirling around him like a dark cape. I'm about to become his biggest
one...
Excerpt:
Together, we stumble toward the elevator. Rich breaks away
for a second to hit the button. The light doesn’t come on.
“Damn,” he growls, “it’s busted again.”
I’m one step ahead of him. I’d spotted the stairs when we
entered. I grab his hand and pull him after me with no hesitation. I start up
the cement stairwell, determined to get to his room as fast as possible.
“Penny, wait.”
I look back, confused. “What?”
A devilish smile plays on his lips. “Only this.” Without
warning his hands wrap around my waist, and I’m
being lifted up as easily as if I were a doll. He turns to the side and
presses my body against the wall, suspending me between him and the concrete.
His mouth crashes down on mine again. I curl my legs around
his torso, locking my ankles together, and kiss him back with the passion
reserved for a lover after ten long years apart. I didn’t think it was
possible, but I’m getting even more turned on. Rich’s hands move down to grasp
the outside of my thighs, and I moan into his kiss as the muscles of my core
clench in sinful fashion. I want him so
badly. If we don’t get somewhere private soon, I won’t be
wholly opposed to jumping him in public.
I gasp as he steps away, freeing me from the wall. I start
to fall, but one of his hands darts down to catch me just beneath the
knees. The other one cradles my
shoulders. Before I know it, I’m slung across his arms like a bride on her wedding night.
“I’ve always wanted to carry a girl up these stairs,” Rich
admits.
I laugh, and wrap my arm around his neck. “Oh, you are just
the best type of romantic.”
Four flights of stairs later, Rich pushes open the fire door
to a dimly-lit hallway. He carries me down the hall and stops in front of an
entrance on the right. He sets me down, then fishes around in his jeans for the
key. When the door creaks open, he sweeps a hand out in front of him. “Welcome
to my humble abode.”
I walk in, curious about his apartment. I tend to side with
the camp of people who believe that a person’s living arrangements can reveal a
lot about his personality. But, I don’t find much to work with here.
The apartment is sparse and dark. Pale moonlight filters in
through the balcony window, shining down on the only piece of furniture
present: a queen size mattress lying on the floor of the living room. The red
brick walls are totally empty—no girly posters or other things I might expect
in a bachelor’s apartment. There are no lamps, no chairs, no couches.
After a moment, I notice a second piece of furniture: a
small, old-school CRT TV camped in one corner of the studio apartment.
Rich switches on the light. “So?” he asks, “what do you
think?”
I walk past the entrance. There’s one hall leading away from
the room. It is filled with brown cardboard boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. “Did
you just move in or something?”
Rich laughs behind me. “Yeah, something like that. You want
a drink?”
“A drink?” I say. “No, I—”
The words catch in my throat as he grabs my hips and spins
me around. I had no idea he’d come so close. He’d moved from the door to me
without making a sound. His fingers lock together against my lower back, and he
tugs me into him, pressing my belly to his waist. I feel his growing erection
right away, and a diabolical excitement builds inside me.
Nothing happens.
For a long moment, Richard just holds me like that, staring
into my eyes as I’m left dangling off his arms. His irises are the color of sea
mist. I’m hypnotized by the deep intensity I see brewing just beneath the
surface. I have no doubt that that type of intensity is mirrored in my eyes.
Then, moving slowly, as if restraining himself, Richard
lowers his mouth to cover mine. This time, his kiss is sweet and gentle. Subtle
and caring. He explores my upper lip first, then traces the line going to the
corner of my mouth. His lips form a perfect mold over mine.
I was wrong before. This
is the kiss reserved for a lover you haven’t seen in ten years.
Author
Bio:
I'm Scarlett Edwards. I'm a
full-time student (2nd year, undergrad) and part-time writer. I hope to switch
those around soon!
I'm kind of old fashioned. I write all my stories using paper and
ink. At the end of the day, I transcribe them on my laptop. It takes a bit
longer, but writing in a notebook really focuses my thoughts.
I love vintage
photography. I have an old-school film camera that was my mom's from before I was
born. I use it to take pictures almost every day.
Yours to Savor is the first full book I worked on. It went through six
drafts, and took me ten months to complete. In the two months since
getting it done, I finished two drafts of brand new stories. I'm getting
faster!
I love hearing from my
readers. I love getting feedback about my books. I'm just getting started, and
plan on doing this writing gig for a long, long time.
I take inspiration from all
the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover,
Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else…. you girls rock!
Social Media:
Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble:
Personal Message:
"I love hearing
from readers! If you read my book and want to share your thoughts, good
or bad, email me! Scarlett@ScarlettEdwards.com. I'll be
sure to reply!! <3"
