An all-new emotional standalone novel is out now from author A.S. Teague, and I have an excerpt for you.
Excerpt
My mouth fell open, and I looked around the room for the camera crew that was surely here filming an episode of Punk’d. I was sure that show was no longer on the air, but with the way the night was going, I was certain they must have been making a comeback and we would be the first episode they aired. “Did you take a freaking UFO here and aliens have invaded your body?”
He was still grinning like he knew a secret that I didn’t when he answered my question with a question. “Cupcake guy kiss you like that?”
Not even close.
“That is none of your business. And you’re gross for even thinking you can ask me that!” I tried my best to sound offended, but I’d never been a good liar; I was even worse at make-believe, and Griff knew it.
His eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, invading my personal space again. I leaned away trying to put some distance between his lips and mine. “Admit it. That was as goddamn incredible for you as it was for me.” His gaze dropped to my mouth once more and then came back to my eyes. “Your mouth is just as desperate for mine as I am for you right now.”
I shook my head as I slid off the stool. I needed to put as much space between us as I could if I was going to be able to rationally think this through. “I am not your wife. I am your friend. Your biggest fan, maybe. Hell, call me your baby mama if you want. But none of those make me your wife.”
He slid off his seat and came around to stand before me, blocking my path to the door. He gripped my shoulder and dropped his head until his face was inches from mine. “You’re the first person I call when I have a good day. You’re the only person I can stand to talk to when my day is complete shit. You take care of me when I come to town. You fly to be by my mother’s side in the middle of the night when I can’t be there. You’ve spent the last seven years taking care of our daughter almost on your own because my career’s kept me away, and you only complain a little.” He paused. “You do everything for me, just like a wife would.”
My heart was in my throat, and I had to swallow before I could respond, “I’m just doing what any good friend who had a baby with that friend would do.”
“Bullshit.” He lifted a shoulder. “You don’t kiss a friend the way you just kissed me.”
I shook my head while he nodded his. “I’ve accepted it. Why don’t you?”
“Nope. Nope. Nope.” I slid out of his grasp and grabbed my purse. “Not having this conversation anymore. It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
“Want me to join you?” He smirked, and I gave him the finger before turning and nearly sprinting through the hotel club lounge.
“You can run, Brooke Spires, but I know where you live this time!”
“I’m not running away!” I grumbled as I pushed through the doors.
But I totally was.
And, truth be told, I wasn’t sure if it was Griff I was running from or myself.
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