One year after undergoing a unilateral mastectomy, twenty-eight year old ER nurse Stella Ciaramitaro is working on healing all wounds, visible and invisible. And it’s going pretty well. Sure, she has four pain-in-the-butt sisters, an occasionally suicidal dad, and some serious trust issues. And, yes, all dreams of soul mates, mind-blowing sex, and everlasting love have gone the way of her left breast. But overall, she’s hanging in there. Doing just fine, actually.
Or at least she was until HE showed up.
Nathan Drazek is a hot mess and he knows it. The laundry list of things contributing to his dysfunction includes, but is not limited to: a childhood full of mental and physical abuse, four tours in Afghanistan, and ten years policing one of the toughest beats in East Cleveland. Adding insult to injury, he’s ridiculously straight-laced, beyond aloof, and nearly incapable of interpersonal relationships. But that’s okay, because Nathan isn’t interested in anything more than just getting by.
Or at least he wasn’t until SHE showed up.
From the moment Nathan nearly arrests Stella on, sparks fly, limits are tested, and boundaries are shattered. A tenuous, tender friendship quickly evolves into something powerful and passionate they cannot wish away or control. But as they grow closer, new issues arise and old hurts resurface, threatening to destroy their fragile new beginning.
With everything at stake, Nathan and Stella must ultimately decide which runs deeper: their scars or their love.
Excerpt #1:
“Why did you come to my house?”
If she was surprised by his abrupt question, she didn’t show it.
Instead, Stella just lifted a shoulder and replied, “I’m not sure, to tell you the truth. I guess I thought we could be friends.”
“I don’t want to be friends. I have enough friends.”
Run away. Get away from her as quickly as possible.
Run.
Now.
Their eyes remained locked as Nathan stayed right where he was. They did their weird staring thing again.
For a long time.
Until she finally whispered, “Do you feel it? Nathan, you feel it too, right?”
Nathan slowly shook his head.
“Please don’t lie to me. Don’t pull any macho BS with me. Please.” She scooted closer and Nathan instinctively moved away. She scooted again. “It’s only us here. You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone. And I don’t want anything from you. In fact, I really don’t want anything from you. I just want you to tell me that it’s happening to you, too. Because I feel like I’m going crazy.”
Join the motherf***ing club.
“I’m married,” Nathan blurted.
She smiled sweetly. “No, you’re not.”
“I have a girlfriend.”
“No, you don’t. I called your partner and asked him. Because I can’t very well show up on your doorstep asking for a running partner if you have a girlfriend or are married, right? He also clarified the whole asking-if-I-wanted-his-number thing.”
F***ing Danny.
Out of nowhere, Nathan was more honest with this wacky, terrifying woman than he’d ever been with anyone else.
Although she really wasn’t giving him any other choice. She’d cornered him like a caged animal.
I like nice guys...I always have and I always will. I married one and now I write about them. :)
When I'm not torturing my stoic, stalwart heroes with strong, witty heroines, I enjoy reading, drinking way too much coffee, trying to be the best wife and mom I can be, and procrastinating (especially when it comes to cleaning the house). I am also a part-time student, a lover of history, and hopelessly addicted to Lifetime movies. Do not judge me. :)
I also like smiley faces. A lot. :)
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