Liz & Nick, No Regrets: Echoes of the Heart, #3

By Jean C. Joachim

Called "the Odd Couple" in high school, brainy Liz and athletic Nick hit it off. From tutor and pupil to lovers, they formed a tight bond –until college. Heading off in different directions, they agreed to cut their ties with no regrets. That was the last time they saw each other.

Haunted by feelings of inferiority, the former lovers never pursued each other after college. Unable to find a man who evoked the same strong emotions she had experienced with Nick, Liz settled for dating a "ho-hum" guy. Searching, in vain, for a woman as smart at Lizzie who could love a jock, Nick never married.

Would a surprise meeting, ten years later, give them a second chance or was it too late?

WINNER! 2nd Place - Erotic Short category - 2018 International Digital Awards Contest - Oklahoma Romance Writers of America.

The Maggie Award for Excellence - Finalist, then Honorable Mention for Outstanding Work by a Published Romance Novelist in Romance Novella.

FINALIST IN THE HOLT MEDALLION CONTEST IN THE ROMANCE NOVELLA CATEGORY THROUGH VIRGINIA ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moonlight Books
• Release date: Jun 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9780997183313

Jean C. Joachim

¬¬¬ Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. She writes mostly contemporary romance, which includes sports romance and romantic suspense. Dangerous Love Lost & Found, First Place winner in the 2015 Oklahoma Romance Writers of America, International Digital Award contest. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. To Love or Not to Love tied for second place in the 2014 New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America Reader’s Choice contest. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of RWA. Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued pug, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice. Jean has 30+ books, novellas and short stories published. Find them here: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com. Sign up for her newsletter, on her website, and be eligible for her private paperback sales. here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-Joachim-Author/221092234568929?sk=app_100265896690345

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A Moonlight Books Novella

Sensual Romance

Liz & Nick: No Regrets

Echoes of the Heart series

Copyright © 2018 Jean C. Joachim

Cover design by Dawné Dominique

Edited by Sherri Good

Proofread by Renee Waring

All cover art and logo copyright © 2018 by Moonlight Books

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER

Moonlight Books

Dedication

To my readers everywhere. I love you all.

LIZ & NICK

NO REGRETS

(Echoes of the Heart, 3)

Jean C. Joachim

Chapter One

Pine Grove, NY, the Senior Prom, ten years ago

Nick and Lizzie clung to each other even after the music stopped.

He whispered in her ear. Let’s go.

But it’s not the last dance.

Don’t be a dork. Break the rules. Just this once, he said, furrowing his brow.

Okay, okay. Let’s go.

They threaded their way through the crowded floor. Slipping out of the gym into the hall, they made a beeline for a side door. Once outside, they leaned against it. Liz took a deep breath.

Free! Nick said and laughed.

Liz chuckled and fell into his embrace. The sweet scent of June blossoms lay heavy on the warm spring air.

Come on, he said, leading her to the parking lot. They hopped into his jalopy and headed for Cedar Lake. Nick pulled the old car into a shadowy lane and parked. Grinning at her, he reached into the back seat and grabbed two towels.

Liz opened the door. Pulling up her long, emerald green gown, she swung her legs out and pushed to her feet. Her spiked heels sank into the soft earth, making her trek slow.

Those damn shoes. Thought you didn’t believe in that fancy-ass shit?

It’s prom, Nick. Prom.

Once a girl, always a girl, he said, shaking his head.

Would you rather I was a guy? she asked, swiping at him.

Hell no!

This is too slow, he said, picking her up in his arms. Nick Jameson, star defenseman of the Pine Grove Eagles, had arms of steel. He tossed her in the air, then caught her as if she were a piece of balsa wood.

Elizabeth Wenner, five-four and slender, giggled as Nick strode down to the water. When she leaned against his chest, the polyester fabric of his tuxedo rubbed her cheek. The smell of Nick’s piney aftershave, mixed with his raw, masculine, slightly sweaty scent created a powerful aphrodisiac that hardened her nipples.

The sound of his heavy footfall on the weathered wood mixed with the soft song of crickets. When he put her down, Liz toed off her shoes. Hiking up her skirt, she peeled off her pantyhose and heaved a sigh.

You girls wear too many clothes, Nick said.

Oh, and that stupid cummerbund and those little thingies instead of buttons make sense?

Okay. We’re even. Last one naked is a rotten egg.

Nick stripped off his complicated suit in record time.

No fair! You have more experience getting naked, Liz objected.

Tough. I win. I get to throw you in. He approached her.

She squealed in mock fear. Nick unzipped the back of her dress, and she shed the green jersey, while he unhooked her strapless bra. Liz slid her panties down and kicked them off. He scooped her up, ran to the edge, and tossed her in, then jumped in after.

The night water cooled her body. She surfaced, looking for Nick. Like a whale breaching, he popped up, shaking water off his head. Moonlight kissed his hair, turning it silver. Lizzie treaded water, waiting for him to meet her.

Nick had been on the swim team. His lazy, expert crawl strokes sliced neatly into the surface. Watching Nick do anything athletic was like being at the ballet. For a big guy, he had grace and style. He glided through the water with little splash and wiped his face with his hand when he reached her.

I didn’t think you’d do it.

You don’t know everything about me, she said, jutting her chin out.

He laughed. Uh, yes, I do. I’ve known you for over two years. Ain’t no secrets.

Oh yeah?

Yeah.

Bet you didn’t know I like Brussel Sprouts?

Figures.

Why?

’Cause I don’t. You’re a veggie lover anyway. I woulda guessed.

She splashed his face.

You startin’ something? he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Her lips formed an o, as she feigned fear.

You’re gonna regret that, he said, grabbing her arm.

Nick!

Laughing, he pulled her tight to his chest and lowered his mouth to hers. Trapped, unable to tread, she sank. Panic seized her. She clung to his middle, kicking her legs. He rolled onto his back, bringing her above the surface. She let out a breath and gasped.

You okay?

She nodded. Don’t do that again.

Sorry. You know I’d never let you go under.

She did the breaststroke out to the float and clutched the ladder. Nick joined her.

Did I scare you?

For a second.

I’m sorry, baby, he said, his voice soft. He latched a thick arm around her waist and the other around a rung of the ladder.

She drifted up against him, her breasts teasing his skin. He covered one with a massive hand.

These are good, he said, giving her a gentle squeeze.

Lizzie pumped her legs slowly. Nick lowered his hand down her belly to the juncture of her thighs and slid one thick digit between her folds. A slow hiss escaped her lips as he slipped a gentle finger inside. Then he eased his leg between hers and brought it up against her sex. He’d started her motor.

Let’s do it here, he whispered, his lips sucking the tender skin of her neck.

Okay. Lizzie closed her arms around him. His shaft hard and close poked her.

In the water or out? he asked.

Either.

I can slip right in, he said, pushing his dick toward her. Lizzie brought her knees up and spread them, inviting him. He closed his fingers around her hip and pointed himself at her entrance. He thrust into her while he steadied her with