A Promise Broken Excerpt
Copyright
© 2017 Anissa Garcia
I didn’t say anything. Instead my
eyes roamed down his body as he approached. His jeans and shirt were perfectly
snug. He sat beside me grabbing the remote, and I was hyper aware of his
proximity. He smelled like fabric softener and aftershave. It was familiar and
comfortable.
“Hilary,”
his voice was soft as his eyes met mine. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like
what?” I blinked at him with innocence.
“Like
you want me to make love to you,” he said breathlessly.
My
heart skipped a beat. I fumbled with my hands. “Don’t flatter yourself,
Collins.” His phone trilled from his pocket. He reached in to check it, looked
at the screen and hit the end button. “Who’s Isabella?”
He hesitated. “Uh, my chef.”
I rolled my eyes. “Bullshit. You
know I can tell when you’re lying.”
“I’m
not lying,” he laughed. “She’s my chef.”
“And
your fuck buddy?” His eyes closed. Yup, he slept with her. His whole body
tensed. “Do you like her?”
His
eyes shot to mine. “No. I mean, yes, but…not in that way.”
The
pang of possessiveness that swept through me was familiar to when Graham said
he was working late, and that his co-worker was just that. “Is she pretty?” I
asked quietly.
He
nodded. “Very.”
“Oh.”
Ouch, that stung more than I wish it had. I snapped out of my pity party and
stood. “Well, then? Why aren’t you answering her call? You could be with her
now.”
His
bewilderment was obvious as I rushed to the window. It was hot and I needed a
draft, and he was right. Drinking around each other wasn’t a good idea. He
watched as I yanked on edges of the glass, trying to pry the window open.
“I told you I don’t care for her in
that way.”
“So?
You don’t have to care for her in that
way in order to fuck. You did it already, didn’t you?” I struggled, but it
wouldn’t budge. “Dammit, the window won’t open, and it’s so hot in here.”
“Only
once,” he mumbled, as if reluctant.
“Spare
me the details, Zachary.” I tugged, becoming breathless as I fought against it.
My voice pitched higher as I hit the edges with my palms. "Stupid
window.”
He
drew up behind me, placing his hands over mine. I froze as his body pressed
against me. We lingered, my back on his chest. Fast paced breaths escaped him.
His mouth was near my ear, the humidity of his breathing caused me to tremble.
“Gently,”
he spoke affectionately, drawing the window up. The crisp air didn’t make a
difference when his warm body was near mine. His hands wrapped around my waist
and he squeezed for only a second as his lips descended between my neck and
shoulder. He gave the skin there a sweet kiss. His lips lingered longer than
they should’ve. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. His nose grazed over my neck
as he pulled away. “Graham will regret letting you go for the rest of his
life.”
Chills
ran down my spine, all thoughts of Graham long vanished. My ringing body
turned, needing more of Zach’s touch. His warm palms cupped my cheeks. I wanted
more of him. All of him. He looked amazing tonight. I loved the way his emerald
green eyes anchored on mine, promising me my darkest desires were a whisper
away. His thick, dark hair swirled in waves I wanted to run my hands through.
His strong touch had me reeling, and when he denied himself being a good man,
instead of pushing me away, it only made feelings trickle in through the cracks
of my heart.
He
backed off, headed to the stairs, escaping me, leaving me in complete need.
Bitterness toward my brother was creeping over me. Zach wouldn’t lose his
friend, his boss. I was a risk he wasn’t willing to take. I had to remember
what Zach said when he left me that day. Hilary,
this can’t ever happen. I was sure he’d stick by what he said. He was a
good man, after all, and a good man didn’t break his promises, but maybe, just
maybe, some promises were meant to be broken.
Praise
for The Promise Series
"Fall in love with Evan and Grace in A Promise Kept,
an absolutely delicious debut from Anissa Garcia." - New York Times, USA Today Bestselling Author, J. Kenner on A
PROMISE KEPT
"A super sweet, sexy romance that left me with the
biggest smile on my face. I totally loved A Promise Kept!" - New York Times, USA Today Bestselling
Author, AL Jackson on A PROMISE KEPT
"Anissa Garcia has the unique ability to draw out
emotions that I didn't even know I had." - Devious Book Blog on A PROMISE KEPT
"This has to be the most beautifully and well written
book that I have read this year!" - Danielle,
Short and Sassy Reviews on A PROMISE KEPT
"A Promise Made was lovely, sweet, intriguing, and proved
that true love can and will prevail. Five star contemporary romance." - Audrey Carlan,#1 NYT Bestselling Author on
A PROMISE MADE
"Anissa Garcia delivers us another sexy romance with
strong characters you can't help but fall in love with. She promises to be an
author to watch out for and add to your must click list!" - Love Affair With Fiction on A PROMISE
MADE
Other Books in The Promise
Series
A PROMISE KEPT
A PROMISE MADE
A PROMISE IGNITED (a short story)
UNDERCOVER ATTRACTION (Coming soon!)
Anissa Garcia resides in Austin, Texas and earned her
Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications and English. She has held an array
of jobs including Public Relationship Manager for Barnes and Noble. Wanting a
change of pace, she moved to Los Angeles where she attended The American
Academy of Dramatic Arts, and trained full-time in theatre. After working in
Hollywood, she returned to Texas where she has written articles for
Cosmopolitan and Lady Couture. When not writing stores, watching movies, or
drinking a latte, she loves to daydream about romantic fictional men. You can
find her online at http://www.anissagarcia.com.
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