Description:Emotionally scarred by personal tragedy, Tori Morgan needs to get away from Houston and figure out what to do with her life. Seeking refuge and time to think, she accepts a position at a remote ranch in Montana. Firmly convinced love happens once in a lifetime, she resigns herself to being alone.
Her new boss is the first complication in her plan. Mesmerized by his voice on the phone, she arrives at their first meeting with a mixture of anticipation and dread.
And rightfully so. Six feet four inches of man capped off with a potent sexuality that makes clear thinking difficult, Wade McBride wreaks havoc on her emotions from the start. To make matters worse, she discovers she must pretend to be his fiancée for the sake of her new patient.
Wade needed a nurse for his mother but got more than he bargained for in Tori. She was a breath of fresh air in world full of crap. Pretending to be in love with her seemed like a good idea at the time.
The plan started out easy enough, even as they try to ignore the instant, heady desire percolating between them, unware of danger watching from the shadows.
The test kiss changes everything.
Once was not enough for Wade. Every inch of him craved more. But it isn’t real, it’s pretend. Right?
Tori is convinced his mouth should be registered as a lethal weapon. His kisses are electric, his voice seductive. Her body begs for his touch…but is she ready for this? Will she ever be ready?
They dance around the elephant in the room until they have to face the facts…what happens when make believe becomes real?
Excerpt Tori glanced at the outstretched hand and reached for her purse. She didn’t bother to glance at the photo as she passed it over; didn’t need to. Her mind’s eye provided a vivid picture. Wind-blown ebony hair, streaks of grey at the temples. Strong, defined cheekbones anchored by heavy brows. Sky blue eyes framed by killer lashes. And his mouth. Oh God. What was it about his mouth that intrigued her so?
Full lips parted in a sexy smile that lit up his face and made her breath catch. She gave herself a mental shake and tried to focus on the task at hand. “His sister sent it. He’s the one on the left. The other one is his late brother, Isaac.”
“Holy-moly girlfriend! No wonder you can’t wait to go. Talk about your tall, dark and handsome. He’s what…six feet at least; bedroom eyes if ever I saw ‘em, come hither smile…daaa-yum! I bet he’s got a killer ass, too.”
“Sassy!” Tori reached for the picture but her friend moved away, still studying it.
“What did you say his name is?”
“Wade McBride.”
“Well, Mr. Wade McBride, you are one delicious lookin’ cowboy.” She made a show of fanning herself with the picture. “And I’d be on ‘at puppy like mornin’ glory on a fencepost.”
Her face grew warm and she shook her head. Sasha had a one track mind of late and did her best to get Tori on the same track.
“Damn. Damn. Damn!” She handed the picture back. “Sure you don’t want me to come along? You’re a bit out of practice you know, and he may be more than you can handle alone.”
“It’s nothing like that and you know it. It’s a job.”
“Yeah, well, it should be.” She rummaged through the contents of a dresser drawer and tossed a filmy nightgown at Tori. “Better take this along. Winter or not you’ll want it ‘fore this is over.”
“Good grief! Is sex all you think about?” She tossed the garment back to her and pulled out a pair of sweat pants.
“Hell yeah when I see a Timex man.”
Tori ducked her head and sighed. “I know I will regret this, but…a Timex man?”
Sasha giggled. “Think a can of RediWhip topping, some chocolate syrup…a strategically placed cherry.” She paused for effect. “And see if ‘at cowboy can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.”
Her face flamed as an image of McBride lathered in whipped topping and chocolate syrup formed. “Oh my God, Sasha! Where on earth do you come up with this stuff?” She extended her arm, palm up. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“Trust me…one day you’ll thank me.”
“No. I won’t. Besides, he has a lot on his plate with his sister and mother both ill and the ranch. He needs a nurse, not a lover.”
“Says who?”
“Sassy, please.”
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; you were too good for Eddie.” She waved her hand back and forth to silence Tori’s rebuke. “I know, I know, it’s wrong to speak ill of the dead. He was a good cop, a decent father, but a crummy, cheating husband.”
Tori sat on the edge of the bed and said nothing as her friend continued. “You’ve got the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.” Sassy joined her on the bed, her smile reflective. ”I guess that explains why you put up with me all these years. And you have a capacity for caring I truly envy. It’s why you are such an awesome nurse. Well, that and the reasonably intelligent thing.”
Tori snorted. Sassy would never change. Thank God.
“I know you loved Eddie. I never understood why, but I know you did. But he’s gone, Tori. You need to let him go and love again.”
“I…I don’t know if I can. Every time I think about moving on, of getting involved with someone, I feel guilty. Like I’m…betraying him. I know it sounds silly to you but its how I feel.”
Sasha slid an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I don’t think it sounds silly at all. He was your husband and you loved him. But he’s gone.” She blew out a breath. “You’re my best friend in the whole world. I want you to be happy. I want to see your eyes smile again.”
“I know you do. And I appreciate that.” She leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m not interested in a relationship right now.” She sighed. “I don’t think I even remember how to kiss anymore so a relationship is out of the question.”
About the Author:A sixth generation Texan (or seventh, depending on which relative you ask), Dana Wayne lives still in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her husband of 38 years (and counting) and a Calico cat named Katie. Her three children and four grandchildren keep her life exciting. Free time is spent with family or tent camping on a lake somewhere. A voracious reader, she knew from a young age she would one day be an author. She has written numerous poems, shorts stories, and newspaper articles as well as contributing to numerous writing group anthologies. Retiring in 2013, she focused on her first love, writing novels. Her debut novel, Secrets of the Heart, a contemporary romance, released this summer is available on all major outlets.
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Love in the Fast Lane
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