Stone Romance

By A.C. Warneke

Stone Romance is book 2 in the Stone Passion trilogy.

Once upon a cold winter’s night a magnificent man enters Jenna Jacob’s life and with a kiss nothing will ever be the same again....

For almost seven years, Jenna had been sleepwalking through life, going through the motions and trying to be the best mother she could be to her precocious daughter. Now she’s ready to start living again, hoping to test the water with someone safe. But the Fates, and her sister, have other plans and she is introduced to the marvelous Rhys Nosuntres, a man with a ready smile and pure erotic magnetism that draws Jenna in despite her wariness. Even when complications arise to keep them apart it is hard to stay away from one another no matter how hard they try.

Events in the form of the mysterious Omari conspire to bring them together, sending Rhys and Jenna on a journey of discovery. What Jenna discovers changes everything: Rhys is a Gargoyle, he is a Guardian between the two worlds, charming and generous and an inventive lover. Jenna can’t help but fall in love with him.

But the Fates can also be cruel, giving Jenna everything she thought she wanted just when she discovered everything she needed.

Stone Romance is a full length paranormal romance (approx. 98,000 words) that teeters on the verge of being erotica, which some may find offensive; there is strong language, the scenes are spicy and the sex is explicit. Stone Romance contains: M/F. light bondage, and a scene between Jenna and Rhys in his gargoyle form that is a little out there.

While it isn't absolutely necessary to read Stone Lover to enjoy Stone Romance there are certain events that may not make as much sense if book 1 is not read before book 2.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.C. Warneke
• Release date: Mar 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301687558

A.C. Warneke

Like most writers, I spend most of my time telling myself stories and occasionally writing them down when they get too loud to remain in my head. Each book likes to be created in its own way, which makes establishing an environment that is most conducive to writing quite difficult, though it occasionally involves Dove chocolates, music, minesweeper, lots of solitaire, notebooks and scraps of paper, doodling and day dreaming, and fruity, sugar-free bubble gum, not necessarily in that order and not always at the same time. Of course, none of this would be possible without the love and support of my very loving and very tolerant family, who politely listen as I go on and on about my characters' motivations and back stories, their connections within the worlds created and how they fight to gain control of their destinies. But I am a cruel writer and make them earn their happy endings. Since I am also a Romantic at heart, they are all happy endings. Available Books: Darkness Comes (Darkness book 1-PNR) Darkness Falls (Darkness book 2 - PNR) Stone Lover (Stone Passion Trilogy book 1 -PNR, romantica) Stone Romance (Stone Passion Trilogy book 2 -PNR, romantica) Stone Destiny (Stone Passion Trilogy book 3 - PNR, romantica) Siren Song (PNR) Stone Solitude (Stone Passion Twins book 1 - PNR, romantica) Stone Seduction (Stone Passion Twins book 2 - PNR, romantica) Awakening (PNR/UF) Blight (UF) After Blight (Blight book 2 - UF) Blind Attraction (Contemporary) Winter's Heart (STEAMY Contemporary) A Million Kisses or More (Contemporary) I love hearing from readers. Email me at: [e-mail] or connect on facebook: www.facebook.com/ACWarneke or visit my blog and leave a comment: acwarneke.com

Book preview

STONE ROMANCE

by

A.C. Warneke

Smashwords Edition

*****

Published by

A.C.Warneke on Smashwords

Stone Romance

Copyright©2012 by Andrea Warneke

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*****

This book wouldn’t have been written without the support and encouragement of those who read Stone Lover and wanted to know what happened next. Stone Romance is for you. Thank you.

~

I also want to thank my wonderful Beta Readers – you are amazing. Thank you!

I wish to thank my children for dragging me outside to throw a disc around to clear my head when the words were stuck. And I want to thank my husband for encouraging me to continue writing.

~

And to the members of the Armed Forces: thank you.

Always.

STONE ROMANCE

*****

Prologue

Jenna Jacobs stepped out of the shower and cringed as she caught sight of her image in the mirror. Instead of looking away as she usually did, she forced herself to look at her reflection and see the wretched creature she had become. A shudder wracked her frail body as she barely recognized the stranger staring back, whose long, black hair hung in wet strands to her waist.

Her eyes were still blue but they were no longer shining with mischief and laughter. Nope, her eyes were hollow and had been ever since Jeremy was taken from her a lifetime ago. And despite giving birth nearly six months before her body was that of a skeleton with skin pulled taut over sharp bones. It had the added bonus of a few silvery stretch marks on her abdomen.

Pushing her hair out of the way, she placed her hands over her meager breasts. The once perky B’s were now depressed A’s and completely dry, unable to even provide the baby with any nourishment. Her milk had come in but the baby hadn’t wanted to latch on and Jenna hadn’t the desire to try very hard to make it happen. By the time she got home from the hospital after a slightly extended stay, the baby preferred Melanie and the bottle. Jenna hadn’t cared because she hadn’t wanted to breast feed anyway. Another example of how she was failing as a mother and another reason she would forever be indebted to her sister.

Her hands smoothed over the protruding ribs, the indented stomach with the silvery stretch marks, the flaring hip bones. She knew that if she didn’t start eating, if she didn’t get some help, she would cease to exist and she just wasn’t sure if she cared anymore.

Her head whipped upwards and she met her shaken gaze in the mirror as memories flooded her numbed brain, memories of a happier time when the world was laid out before her as a bountiful feast. She and Melanie had been seventeen when they graduated from high school, just a few months shy of their eighteenth birthdays and eager to begin their real lives. Melanie was going to be heading off on some grand adventure, studying cuisine in Paris while Jenna was content with going to the local college and getting her degree in something, probably a major in business, and a minor in art history.

She and Jeremy had made plans for their future and during a private celebration he had given her a ring, making their long-standing engagement official. Of course, they weren’t going to get married until after she graduated from college and he had put in at least four years in the military but their future was mapped out and it was a wonderful future.

A few weeks later her period was late and she called Jeremy in a state of shock and panic, not knowing how they could bring a baby into the world when they were still so young and not settled. He took a long weekend to rush home so they could have a hasty wedding and she wouldn’t have to face anything alone. She told Melanie that they were going to elope and asked her sister to help convince their parents that they were doing the right thing. By the time the two girls were done, her parents thought it was romantic and foolish but they supported the decision.

Everything was set up: a quiet ceremony before a justice of the peace, a small celebration with the families, and a weekend honeymoon. But Jeremy never made it. She let Melanie believe Jeremy never knew about the baby because how could she admit that she had killed her fiancé?

She wasn't even nineteen and she had a baby, no college credits, no Jeremy and no will to continue on and she hated it.

Jenna stared at her reflection and a wraith stared back, its black hair in such contrast to its white, skeletal body. Fury welled within her and without a thought she grabbed a pair of scissors and started hacking off the long black tresses that Jeremy had loved, tresses that belonged to a different Jenna. Tears of rage and grief spilled over her cheeks but she didn’t make a sound.

Staring at the lifeless clumps of hair on the ground, Jenna slowly raised her gaze back to the reflection and gasped as she saw the extent of the damage she had wrought. Her hair was sticking up all over her head making her eyes look huge and bewildered in her pale face. Grabbing the thick robe from the back of the door, she quickly wrapped herself up in it and left the scene of her madness, her heart racing in her chest. What had she just done?

Barely able to catch her breath, she froze when she heard the sound of her sister’s voice coming from her room. Slowly, she pushed open Melanie’s door and saw her sister gently rocking the baby, weaving a fantastical tale about a sleeping princess and an enchanted castle that was guarded by magical gargoyles. Tears filled Jenna’s eyes as she listened, Lenni’s natural ability with the baby a painful reminder to how unnatural Jenna was. A terrible reminder at how much Lenni gave up to stay at home and help because Jenna hadn’t been up to the task.

As if sensing her, Melanie looked up, the brilliant smile faltering only slightly when she saw her sister standing there with her butchered hair. I was just telling Ferris a story.

I know, Jenna said, forcing a smile as she clutched the front of her robe together. Deliberately moving into the intimidating room, she sat down on the edge of Melanie’s bed, trying to keep the illusion of being all right. But don’t you think she’s a little young for tales of fairies that steal one’s soul or dragons that devour virgins?

Melanie chuckled, her gaze steady on Jenna’s face instead of the mess she had made of her hair, which Jenna appreciated. Ferris loves my stories and I haven’t told her about the fairies and the dragons since she was four months old. I like what you’ve done with your hair. The short cut makes you look so sophisticated.

With a smile that was almost genuine, Jenna ran her hand through the cropped hair, I needed a change.

Yeah, I know the feeling. Lenni smiled but there was sadness in her eyes that she was no longer able to hide as she carefully watched her sister. I slept with Peter.

Jenna’s eyes widened as her sister blurted that out. Melanie had been planning on saving herself for marriage and Peter was someone she would never marry, no matter how nice he was. Why?

Insouciantly, Lenni shrugged her shoulders as she stood up and carefully laid the baby down in the bassinet. Lovingly, she ran a finger along the baby’s cheek and sighed in contentment, Why not? I like him and it just happened. Ferris is so beautiful, Jenna.

The change in subject was jarring even though it was a tactic Melanie perfected to get out of discussing something that she didn’t want to discuss. Jenna was going to say something but seeing the expression of love and devotion on Melanie’s face as she gazed at the baby tore a hole straight through Jenna’s chest. She had to turn away before she crumbled to dust.

She felt the bed shift as Melanie sat down next to her. As Melanie wrapped her arms around her thin body, Jenna stiffened, unable to bear Melanie’s compassion when she was so damaged. She held herself stiffly until Melanie’s lips pressed against the top of her head and she whispered, It’s okay, Jenna, I’ve got you.

Her lower lip trembled a moment before the tears began to spill once more, before her body broke and began to shake uncontrollably. As Melanie continued to hold her, rock her, love her, Jenna could only cry harder.

You’ve had to be strong for so long, Melanie whispered, the words a poisoned dart to Jenna’s heart. But you’re not alone, Jenna. It’s okay to ask for help.

You’ve already given up so much, Jenna managed to choke out, clutching onto her sister as the world careened out of control. This was what she feared by giving in to tears, this chaos and despair that engulfed her.

I’d give up everything for you and Ferris, Lenni vowed with such passion, such conviction, it shattered Jenna’s soul because in truth Melanie had already given up everything. And every time Lenni had reached out to help, Jenna had ignored it but no longer. She was no longer going to be a wraith sleepwalking through life.

Someday, she would learn to smile again, laugh again. And she would find a way to pay Melanie back for holding onto the life line and never letting go, never giving up, until Jenna was ready to be saved.

Chapter 1

Jenna scrubbed her fingers through her chin length hair and stared at her sister as if she had finally gone mad. What do you mean you invited Vaughn’s brothers to go with us? I thought it was just going to be the three of us tonight?

Melanie looked up, pausing a moment from putting Ferris’s long, brown hair into French braids. Well, Ferris and I thought you might like to meet Rhys but it seemed rude to invite only one of Vaughn’s brothers so we invited both of them. Though I doubt you’ll have to worry about Armand since he will probably refuse to join us anyway. He’s not a big fan of fun. Or me.

Jenna closed her eyes and took a couple of slow breaths to calm the tide of irritation and trepidation that was rising in her chest. I highly doubt my daughter had anything to do with your mad scheme to set me up with Rhys since you’ve been talking of little else all month.

Melanie tied off Ferris’s hair and then wrapped her arms around the little girl in a hug. With a dazzling smile curving her lips, her blue eyes sparkled mischievously and Jenna wanted to groan in exasperation knowing that her sister was going to get her way, as she usually did. Ferris wore an eerily similar expression and once again Jenna had the thought that Ferris was meant to be Melanie’s daughter and not hers. I’m sure I’ve talked about other things, Jen, but it just so happens that Ferris and I agree on this. Rhys is such a great guy and Ferris already adores him.

Jenna ground her teeth together, not ready to just dive right in to the dating scene again. It was only a few short weeks ago that she decided she was ready to test the waters and if Rhys was anything like his brother, he was an entire ocean. I told you that I’m not interested in meeting him. If I start dating, it’s not going to be with your boyfriend’s younger brother. Has he even graduated from high school yet?

Melanie snorted, taking absurd delight in Jenna’s question. Ferris looked over her shoulder at her aunt and the two of them started laughing maniacally, their minds linked by some invisible thread that Jenna would never understand. Flinging herself onto the couch, she sighed in resignation, knowing she was going to have to wait for her daughter and her sister to stop giggling before a normal conversation could continue.

God, Melanie and Ferris even looked like mother and daughter, with their similarly elegant noses and the shape of their eyes and their long, chocolate brown hair, though Ferris’s hair was a shade or two darker. The only difference between Ferris and Melanie was the color of their eyes: Ferris’s eyes were an unusual shade of bluish-green, while Melanie had blue eyes the color of the summer sky, the same shade as Jenna’s

Though she shared similar facial features with Melanie and the same shape and color of eyes, Jenna’s hair was black as midnight and short, just brushing her chin. Even though she had chopped off the locks in a moment of bleak despair it was simply easier to keep her hair short, especially with a baby.

Jenna’s eyes moved between Ferris and Melanie, a slight smile tipping her lips. It was impossible not to love the two of them, even if it drove her nuts trying to understand them. They believed in fairy tales and magic, mystical creatures and happy endings and Jenna no longer did. She knew that reality wasn’t nearly so wonderful and she couldn’t pretend, no matter how badly she wanted to at times. Granted, it had its moments but life was dark and painful and some days it was all she could do to get through the day without worrying about the bottom being jerked out from under her again. She wasn’t sure if she would have the strength to struggle back from the abyss again.

Of course, Melanie could never understand Jenna’s reservations. Her sister had never loved someone so much, planned to spend the rest of her life with him, only to lose him in a heartbeat. Lenni led a charmed existence, untouched by the darker side of life, blissfully unaware of the harsh realities most people experienced. Throughout high school, Melanie was the imaginative one that everyone wanted to protect and shelter, the one with a dreamy smile on her lips as she waltzed through a life filled with magic.

Even now, she found the perfect, albeit tiny, apartment and she was madly in love with a drop dead gorgeous man that was madly in love with her. Vaughn worshipped Melanie, looking at her as if she hung the stars and the moon, watching her as if he would protect her with his life. It would shock Jenna if the man didn’t propose within a fortnight, three weeks tops.

Jenna wished her sister all of the happiness in the world, she did. She just wished Melanie wouldn’t try setting her up with Vaughn’s brother. She had barely just made the decision to dip her toes in the water again and she wasn’t ready for anything serious. Serious simply hurt too much.

As long as she didn’t think about Jeremy too much and what her life could have been she was okay. But when she was alone at night, the what if’s started crooning their worrying song in her head. The last thing she needed was a date with some prepubescent man-child who was only interested in sex. High school boys were all about the race to the finish and not the journey along the way. Even Jeremy sometimes had difficulties making it last but he had loved her and because they had been so young, sex was all about fumbling in the dark and clumsy penetrations.

Occasionally Jeremy had surprised her with extended foreplay, despite her furious blushes and feeble protests. Once, probably the night Ferris was conceived, she came with him inside her. Letting out a long sigh, she realized that it had been over six and a half years since she had an orgasm that wasn’t the result of her own manipulations.

He’s not a child, Jenna, he’s a fully grown man, Melanie managed to get out between giggles, pulling Jenna back into their conversation. Why would you think otherwise?

Jenna’s brows drew together in a puzzled frown because she wasn’t sure why she thought Rhys would be so young. Probably because Vaughn didn’t look very old, maybe mid-twenties, and Melanie kept referring to Rhys as his younger brother. And some of the stories she told, mainly the ones where Rhys was able to eat everything in sight and not gain an ounce, made Jenna think of teenage boys, with their hummingbird metabolism and dinosaur appetites. Then is he a frat boy?

Maybe an overgrown frat boy wouldn’t be so bad because there would be no chance of a deeper relationship. But getting involved with Melanie’s boyfriend’s brother was a bad idea for a million different reasons, the least of which was the awkwardness of having to see him afterwards when things didn’t work out. If Melanie married Vaughn, family gatherings would become something to be avoided like the plague and that was not something Jenna wanted to contemplate because she really liked her family.

Rhys is not a frat boy, either, Melanie chuckled. He’s gorgeous and funny and has a set of abs to die for.

Jenna smirked, one side of her mouth quirking upwards in a disbelieving smile, And he’s not a frat boy? Any guy who has abs to die for tends to be gay or a total narcissist so which one is Rhys?

Melanie opened her mouth to answer but the sound of someone knocking at the door cut off the words before they formed. Her smile grew impossibly wider as she crossed the miniscule distance to the door, throwing the words over her shoulder, You’ll see in a moment.

As she watched her daughter rush to catch up to Melanie, a brilliant smile on her little face, Jenna covered her face with her hand and chuckled softly. She would never win against those two. Peeking at the newcomers from between two fingers, her laughter died in her throat as a breathtakingly beautiful man with absurdly long hair wrapped his arms around Melanie and hugged her, picking her up and spinning her in a circle before setting her down. Then he bent down and as he greeted Ferris, his smile softened to one of genuine affection.

Without hesitation, Ferris stepped into his arms and embraced him with all of her five-year-old exuberance, chattering away as he stood up with her arms practically choking him as they hugged his neck. Jenna’s heart did a painful little lurch in her chest as the image of Jeremy holding his daughter flashed in her mind, juxtaposed with the reality of this stranger holding Ferris. How could such a magnificent man look so natural holding a nearly six-year-old child?

His long, reddish-brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail and hung to the small of his back, long, thick strands of gorgeous auburn hair. When he smiled, a dimple caressed his cheek and his brown eyes sparkled with amusement. The gorgeous stranger and Vaughn were definitely brothers. They shared similar facial features, from their stone-chiseled jaws to their straight noses and their full lips. But while Vaughn only had eyes for Melanie, Rhys was looking at her with avid curiosity.

There was a sense of familiarity about him, as if they had met before or knew one another in another life. Shaking her head to clear it of such ridiculous thoughts, she smiled wryly because she would have remembered meeting such an extraordinary man. And the longer he looked at her, the warmer his gaze became….

With a self-conscious gasp, Jenna was painfully reminded of her sprawling position: slouched on the couch with her palm over her face, gaping at the man as if she had never seen an incredibly attractive man before. Clumsily scrambling to her feet, she ran her hands over her short locks then over the front of her blouse, smoothing the wrinkles from the cotton material. She could feel the blush coloring her cheeks and she knew she was being ridiculous. Normally she wasn’t so bumbling, tongue-tied and gawky. In the real world she could strike up a conversation with even the most hardened of social misfits and put them at ease. Hell, in high school she had been the fun one, the daring one.

But that was a lifetime ago. Now she worked in the frequently dull but secure profession of an accountant and her social calendar consisted of play dates with mothers who had children Ferris’s age. Her social skills were widely out of practice and in the face of a dazzling smile they had disappeared. She really needed to get out more.

Pasting a smile to her frozen face, she wiped her palm against her thighs before holding it out towards the newcomer who still held her daughter. Hi, you must be Rhys. I’m Jenna.

He wrapped his strong fingers round her palm and brought her hand up to his mouth, pressing a heated kiss on her knuckles as his eyes darkened. Electrical currents shot up her arm and her skin burned where his lips pressed. He looked at her as if he knew her, as if he wanted to know her better, on an intimate level, and her breath caught in her throat. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Jenna. You’re even more beautiful than you are in the pictures Lenni has shown me.

Jenna’s blush deepened as she lowered her lashes, absurdly pleased by his words, the way he said her name in that whisky and sex voice of his. It didn’t change the fact that she was going to disown her sister when this night was over. As often as Melanie had talked about Rhys, she hadn’t bothered to mention how utterly irresistible he was. He was sex on a stick, oozing sensuality and charm with no effort at all. Rhys was all of the oceans combined and Jenna knew he had the ability to pull her under and make her drown.

Or she would just have to learn how to swim in the deep end. She just wasn’t sure if she was ready to go that far, if that was even where this was heading. She had just met the man and had no need trying to figure out her next move when he hadn’t made a move at all. The only thing she knew was if he was a frat boy she might have to consider going back to college to get a second degree.

Easing her hand from his grip, tearing her gaze away from his full lips, she turned to the golden-haired, golden-eyed Vaughn and smiled with true affection Vaughn.

Jenna, he said, returning her smile. Stepping forward, he enfolded her in a warm embrace, placing an affectionate kiss on her cheek before letting her go. It’s good to see you again.

You, too, she murmured.

He stepped back and wrapped his arm around Melanie, pulling her into his hard body in a gesture that was protective and possessive. The two of them were two bodies that shared one soul.

Jenna’s eyes darted to Rhys, who continued chatting with Ferris as if Jenna wasn’t there at all and an odd pang tightened her throat. But then, he looked up and their eyes met and she felt the earth shift beneath her feet.

Crap.

No, it was okay. It was a simple physical reaction to a gorgeous guy who looked incredibly handsome holding her little girl in his strong arms. Of course her heart would melt a little. It was merely lust and it was only because he was the first man she had really seen since making the decision to test the dating waters. He was the first man to look at her as if she was the richest, most decadent dessert and he was an avowed lover of desserts, ready to devour her. The feeling of being desired as a woman was heady and she just wanted to enjoy it for a little while.

It wasn’t like anything could come of it. Obscenely hot men like Rhys preferred equally hot women who didn't have the responsibilities of a child. Since she wasn’t disturbingly gorgeous and she did have a child that excluded her. But as long as she kept her head clear, kept it light and impersonal, she would be able to enjoy flirting with him.

Standing up and leaving Ferris with Lenni and Vaughn, Rhys crossed the very short distance between them and stuffed his hands in his pockets, a boyish grin on his handsome face, I hope you don’t mind me tagging along.

It’s fine, she said inanely, her ability to converse intelligently a hazy memory. Smiling wider to conceal her missing brain, she added, The more the merrier, right?

Ferris has your smile, Rhys said, reaching out and brushing his thumb over her bottom lip. The touch was light, barely there and just as quickly gone, but she felt it in her toes. She was going to have to revise her initial assessment because the magnetism of this man was dangerous and exhilarating. It might even be worth testing the waters and if she could find her ability to communicate, it might even be wonderful. A little embarrassment at family dinners would be an acceptable price to pay.

But then his words registered and warmth blossomed deep in her chest. Her smiled softened as she glanced at her daughter, conversing so easily and readily with Melanie and Vaughn. Looking back at Rhys, her tongue not quite as thick as it was two seconds before, she told him, Everyone thinks she looks like Lenni.

Rhys cocked his head to the side as his gaze moved over her face in a visual caress. His brows drew together as he slowly shook his head, No. While she has long hair that would throw most people off, she definitely looks like you. And if she continues to take after her mother, which I am sure she will, she is going to be stunning when she grows up.

Jenna’s tongue decided to take that moment to tie itself into another knot, all progress gone in an instant because an attractive man complimented her. She had to hand it to Melanie – her sister knew how to tempt a girl into throwing all caution to the wind. But how could her resistance melt in an instant? It wasn’t normal, no matter how gorgeous and appealing Rhys was.

You are such a charmer, Rhys, Melanie crooned from where she stood next to Ferris at the doorway. With a meaningful glance at both Jenna and Rhys, she squatted down to Ferris’s level and smiled, Why don’t you grab your coat so we can get going.

Ferris quickly did as Melanie asked and the three of them were heading out the door before Jenna realized what their intentions were. They were leaving her alone with a man that had been crafted from her darkest dreams, dreams that she tried to deny even as she longed to dream them.

Snapping out of whatever delirium she had fallen under, Jenna shook her head and laughed at her fanciful thoughts. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to end up like Melanie, with visions of mythical beasts and happy ever after’s filling her head. Grabbing her jacket from the coat hook, she looked at Rhys with a bemused smile. But then, as she was about to slide her arms into her coat sleeves, he took the garment and held it up for her in an old world gesture of chivalry. Allow me.

Thank you, she murmured, delighted by the gentlemanly act even if he seemed too young to have such courtly manners. Turning, she slid her arms into the jacket, feeling the warmth of his body as he stood so close. His breath moved over the skin of her neck as he stepped even closer, drawing his hands down the front of the coat to smooth out the lines and she had to resist the urge to shiver. Breathing deep, his warm, spicy scent filled her lungs and she did shiver.

Turning, around to face him, she offered a shaky smile, trusting in the old adage to fake it until it was real. If she pretended she had the capability to have a conversation it just might work And here I was worried that you were still in high school and barely out of puberty. You’re not still in high school, are you?

He threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and sensuous and completely wonderful and she knew right then and there that she was in trouble. Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea.

Melanie did say you were Vaughn’s younger brother, she said with a slight shrug of her shoulders and a teasing smile as she began to