The First
Taste by Jessica Hawkins
Series:
Slip of the Tongue #2
Release Date: August 4th, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 4th, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Andrew Beckwith has already devoted his life to
one girl—and as far as he’s concerned, she’s all he needs. The rough-around-the-edges
bad boy left his reckless ways behind six years ago when his daughter Bell was
born. To the female population’s dismay, he’s unapologetically single. When
Bell’s mother walked out on them years ago, he vowed never to let another woman
close enough to hurt them again.
Amelia Van Ecken isn’t just another woman. She’s
an independent, smart, and savvy businesswoman who doesn’t have time for sex,
much less love. In the midst of a drawn-out, bitter divorce, all she wants is
to bury herself in work. But when sharp-tongued Amelia and stubborn Andrew
cross paths, sparks fly—and burn. Two things are obvious in an instant: they
want each other, and they’re from different worlds. It’s the perfect formula
for an off-the-charts one-night stand. After all, it’s not as if opposites ever
attract.
The First Taste, a standalone spin-off of the Slip of
the Tongue.
Excerpt:
“What’re your plans tonight?”
She scoffs. “It’s Friday night. What aren’t my plans? I have drinks with friends in an hour, then a late
dinner, and who knows after that.”
“Cancel them.”
She gapes at me. “Cancel my plans? Why would I?”
“Come out with me. Sadie says there’s a place around here
with great pizza.”
She laughs, tilting her head and exposing the smooth column
of her throat. “First, I don’t eat carbs, so there’s no way you’re getting me
to do anything with the promise of pizza. Second, I just told you—I don’t
date.”
“And neither do I.”
“Then why are you asking me out?” she asks.
“Because despite what you may think, I am a gentleman, and it’s only good manners to buy you dinner
first.”
“First?” she asks, wrinkling her nose. “What’s second?”
We stare at each other. I let her figure it out on her own.
It’s rare to meet a woman like me, someone who truly has no interest in finding
a partner. I’ve heard that claim from enough girls to know when they’re
bullshitting me, and unless Amelia is a Grade-A con artist, she definitely
isn’t looking to get serious.
When she understands, the wrinkles on her forehead ease, and
she parts her lips. I answer with a knowing smile. Suggesting sex within half
an hour of meeting someone might normally get me slapped, but I get the feeling
Amelia appreciates a more direct approach.
“I don’t date,” I say, “but I’m still a man with eyes.”
She makes no secret of looking me up and down. “You’re not
my type either,” she warns. “I like men who carry a briefcase and see a barber
regularly.”
I run my hand through my black hair, which I know is too
long. “How’s that working out for you?”
She narrows her eyes. “Fine. Perfect.”
“I have some tattoos too,” I say. “And ride a motorcycle.
Since that’s normally how I get most girls, I suppose those are turn-offs for
you.”
“They are,” she says immediately, straightening her
shoulders. “I’ve never understood the appeal of a bad boy.”
“Then tonight, we’re a match made in heaven, aren’t we? It
shouldn’t be hard for either of us to say goodbye afterward.”
She bats her eyelashes a few times, not because she’s
flirting but because she’s thinking. Considering. Which means it’s basically a
done deal. I’ve never gotten this far with a girl only to have her walk away.
“Why even bother with dinner?” she asks.
I take a moment to study her, her shoulder-length, perfectly
coifed blonde hair. Her defined red lips that look like a heart when pursed,
which is often. Yeah, based on the fact that I’m noticing details—something I
try not to do anymore—I know I’m feeling her tonight. Most guys would jump at
the opportunity to skip the small talk, but that doesn’t really appeal to me. I
like women, always have. Just because Shana fucked me in the head doesn’t mean
I don’t appreciate them. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend time around
them—just so long’s it’s surface stuff.
I don’t want to scare her off by suggesting I might want to
have a conversation with her, so I just shrug. “Because I’m starving.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Indulge me then. I need my energy.”
“For what?” she asks.
I arch an eyebrow at her. I’ll definitely need my energy for
a night with her.
She reads my expression and her cheeks redden. “Oh.”
Jessica Hawkins grew
up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs,
California. She studied international business at Arizona State University and
has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. To her, the most intriguing
fiction is forbidden, and that’s what you’ll find in her stories. Currently,
she resides wherever her head lands, which is often the unexpected (but warm)
keyboard of her trusty MacBook.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jessicahawkinsauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6889902.Jessica_Hawkins
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jess_hawk
Website: http://www.jessicahawkins.net
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