Title: Learning to Love Again
Author: Cynthia P. O'Neill
Blurb for Learning to Love Again, Book 3:
Control can be a wonderful feeling, especially when you’re an alpha like Garrett Andrews Waters...
But how do you control a beast from the past intent on destroying everything you hold dear? He’d already lost his parents and aunt, but now threats against him, his fiancé, Laurel Hart, and their unborn child pushes him into hiding to try and protect all he cares for.
Can he outsmart Walt Peterson and regain control or will he lose everything he’s come to trust and love, including his own life?
Laurel Hart’s life has been upended, with one traumatic event after another…
But she’s survived thanks to her family and Garrett. She’s learned to trust in Garrett’s love for her; letting go of her past, and his, has opened her up to the idea of learning to love again.
Will her trust and affection be short lived with Chase Peterson hot on her trail, determined to make her his, or will justice prevail and allow them to finally live in peace and have their happily ever after?
It’s a heart pounding race to the finish
for both Garrett and Laurel, with
surprises around every corner.
I grew up in a small town in South Florida called Clewiston and moved to Central Florida to attend college. I married my friend, love, and soul mate and still reside in the area with our amazing son, and a feisty, four-legged little doggie boy.
In my books, I draw on my background in healthcare, business, and science, along with my husband’s engineering and wireless technology knowledge.
I currently write on all levels of Romance. The Learning Series is for those who like a little more steam with their books, falling into the categories of Contemporary and verging on Erotica, with a hint of Suspense. The Remembrance Series encompasses Young Adult, with a touch of Paranormal activity and a hint of Historical romance. A new contemporary romance series is underway, called Need. It will be different than the others, because each book will focus on a new couple, while the other characters will still have a large presence throughout the series.
I try to make my writing very personal and close to her heart. Regular life is the inspiration for my books, but I'm only limited by imagination taking ideas to new heights, opening up possibilities that would normally not exist.
On a more personal note...I love to cook and create in the kitchen and on the bbq grill. I sometimes lose myself in a song at the piano. I often sing with my son while we are driving or making dinner together. I enjoy crafts (flower arranging, making wreaths, painting pottery, needle point and drawing in pencil and charcoals). My music tastes are eclectic at best, ranging from classical piano to hard rock/heavy metal. It all depends on the song, group, and if it has a good beat or is a soulful ballad.
Cynthia P. O’Neill Links:
Excerpt #1 – Learning to Love Again, Learning Series #3
I could feel my body shivering over the thoughts roaming around in my mind and soon felt the comfort of an extra blanket being pulled over me and the warmth of a warm body surrounding me. I jumped at the contact of an arm wrapping around my waist.
“No need for alarm, darling, it’s just me,” Garrett whispered softly into my ear as he placed a gentle kiss along the side of my neck.
I opened my eyes slowly and turned towards him, letting my head fall against his shoulder and snuggling deeper into his form, breathing in his intoxicating vanilla musk fragrance. He cradled me closer as one of his hands ran soft strokes up and down my spine.
I rubbed my nose against his until his lips found mine. His tongue traced the outer edges of my mouth, nipping me on the corner with his teeth, causing me to open right before he plunged in. I could feel his manhood harden against my thigh as his hands began to feel upwards towards my breasts, squeezing them firmly.
I felt lost in the moment until he pulled back.
“Laurel, we need to stop.”
But why? My heart shattered. The fear of rejection coursed through me, wondering if I’d hurt him to the point he didn’t want me anymore. I quickly turned on my side and scooted away from him, but not before he pulled me back against his full length. He kissed the side of my neck and nuzzled into it, breathing in my scent.
“It’s not that I don’t want you. You have no idea how badly I want to tie you to this bed so I know you won’t run from me again, and take you with everything that I have.” He turned me so I could see his face. “I need you, but we’re on approach for the airport and will be landing in ten minutes. That’s not enough time to do everything I crave. We’ll have to wait until we get back to the penthouse and let everyone see that you’re okay first.”
I realized what he was saying and started to get up and collect my shoes so I could return to my seat for landing. I was reaching for the door when I felt him press up against me and whisper, “Just wait until everyone leaves tonight, because then you’re mine!” he growled as he bit gently into my earlobe and thrust his manhood against my bottom. He always did know how to take my breath away.
Excerpt # 2 – Learning to Love Again – Learning Series, Book 3
Laurel seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as soon as we were inside the penthouse. She looked amazing in her dress. I couldn’t keep my hands off of her bare back in the ballroom and her exposed leg in the car. She was the one thing that calmed me and I desired her more than anything else in my life, but I wouldn’t press, given the day we’ve had.
“Would you like to take a bath together or would you rather us turn in for the night?” I asked as I led her up to our bedroom.
She laid her purse on the nightstand by our bed, then turned towards me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and whispered so close to my lips, that I could feel her breath across my face, “A soak would be nice, but right now I just want to get out of this dress, feel the warmth of your skin pressed hard against mine, and let the night take us where it may.”
Damn, my woman knew how to turn me on in a heartbeat. I was already at semi attention, but now she had me rock hard and wanting out of my clothes as quickly as possible.
I wasted no time in stripping myself bare. Her eyes grew big as she realized the power her words had over me.
Now it was her turn. My hands found the side zipper of her dress as my tongue grazed up her neck to the back of her ear, where I sucked on her skin. “Do you have any idea how desirable you looked in this dress tonight?”
I bit her lightly as she moaned, “No.”
I grabbed her hand and moved it down to my cock. “You feel how much I want you?” Her fingers circled round me as I shoved into her hand.
Nikki Rae is an independent author who lives in New Jersey. She explores human nature through fiction, concentrating on making the imaginary as real as possible. Her genres of choice are mainly dark, scary, romantic tales, but she’ll try anything once. When she is not writing, reading, or thinking, you can find her spending time with animals, drawing in a quiet corner, or studying people. Closely.
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