Title: Fated Bliss (The Bliss Series, #2)
Author: Cassie Strickland
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release: Date: June 15, 2016
Synopsis
Ben
Those gold eyes were the first thing I noticed. I
wanted more than anything to get lost in them, drown in her, to let go of my fears
and doubts my past had left behind.
But it wasn’t just me I had to consider.
My son came first.
She’s a force to be reckoned with, though. She was
everywhere, in my dreams even, tempting me to throw caution to the wind.
And I was weak.
I gave into my clawing desire and let myself enjoy
one night with her, having no clue she’d change me forever.
Once wasn’t enough. I became addicted. I craved her
– her scent, her skin, her smile, her eyes…her love.
I need Samantha.
Samantha
My life was uncomplicated. It was free and
easy.
Then I met him, the man with the blue-violet eyes
that entranced me.
I had a feeling I was making a big mistake when
agreeing to one night of carnal bliss, but I was unable to walk away. I just couldn’t
have foreseen how big of one it was.
He turned my world upside-down, working his way
into my heart until it beat only for him. Now everything is complex, and there are
secrets he’s not telling me.
Will he ever let me in?
Time would tell, but one thing is sure – I’d walk
through hell and back, feel the blistering lick of each flame against my flesh, for just
the promise of Ben.
Not intended for anyone under the age of eighteen
due to language and sexual content.
Note from the author:
Fated Bliss is the second book in The Bliss Series,
and though it is recommended to read Finding Bliss first, it’s not needed. Fated Bliss
is a standalone novel with an HEA.
Excerpt
Ben cleared his voice, breaking the silence. “Is this
you?”
I hadn’t realized we’d stopped outside my
door.
“Oh…yeah.” My hands shook as I slipped my keycard
from my clutch. I smiled at him as I opened the door. “Come on in. There’s a fully
stocked bar inside.”
I didn’t give him a chance to say anything and
ambled inside, expecting him to follow. I threw my purse on the dresser and
continued to the bar, turning on lights as I went.
“Nice place,” Ben remarked behind me, closing the
door.
“I know. My brother hooked me up,” I replied,
grabbing two beers and opening them.
With my heart in my throat, I discarded the caps and
spun around. Ben was standing at the mouth of the hall leading into the room, his
shoulder to the wall, seemingly unsure. I continued to him and passed him the
beer.
“Why don’t we have a seat,” I suggested, waving to
the couch in front of the floor to ceiling windows.
Why was I so nervous?
You already know why, Sam.
You. Do. Not. Do. This!
Before I could turn back around, Ben grabbed my
hand and plucked my beer from my grip. He placed the beers on the dresser next to
my clutch, slowly maneuvering me until my back was pressed against the wall. I
swallowed thickly and peered up at him. With two hands next to my head, he caged
me in and crowded me.
He sighed slowly and then played with a strand of
my hair between two fingers. “Samantha…”
I felt like this needed to be said, so I blurted, “I don’t
do this.”
He flashed me his pearly whites and replied, “I
know. I can tell. But you’re not the only one out of your element here, sweetheart.
This is the first time I’ve followed a woman back to her place.”
My forehead scrunched with shock and disbelief.
“Really?”
His head descended, and though I expected him to
kiss me, he merely rested his forehead against mine. I could detect a hint of beer on
his breath, but surprisingly, it was tantalizing. I wanted to close the distance so
badly that I’d sell my soul for just one sip from his lips.
Ben groaned, “You weren’t supposed to
happen.”
“Why not?” I whispered, confused.
Talking was the last thing I wanted to do.
Everything in me ached for him.
“When I came here…” He leaned closer and pressed
his cheek to mine, inhaling deeply. My legs shook. “You weren’t in my plans. I
couldn’t have foreseen such a stunning,” he placed his lips to the underside of my
ear, “captivating,” his teeth nipped my jaw, “completely tempting woman.” His
tongue snuck out as he nibbled down my neck, causing my knees to turn to rubber.
“You’ve knocked me on my ass, Samantha. I don’t know what in the hell I’m
doing.”
I shuddered, letting my head fall back, opening
myself up for his exploration. “I wasn’t expecting you either, Ben. I’m in over my
head, too.”
“We don’t have to do this,” he stated, his voice
jagged, though his actions were contradictory. His hands traveled down to my waist,
his fingers digging in deep to keep me anchored in place. “I can walk out of here. All
you have to do is tell me.”
No chance in hell.
“Don’t you dare, Ben.”
“I want to make promises. I want to say I’ll see
you tomorrow and the next day and
the next. I want-”
“Shhh. Don’t, Ben. Don’t say those things to
me.”
Promises were the last thing I needed. My heart
couldn’t handle it once this was over if he made any.
“See… I know you’re not the type of girl that does
this.” He drew the shell of my ear between his teeth and bit down lightly. I
whimpered. “You’re sucking me in, sweetheart, just like I’m doing to you.
Something’s bound to go wrong, and the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
Shamelessly, not wanting him to move, I wrapped
my arms around his neck and held tight. “Nothin’ needs to go wrong. I don’t expect
anythin’ after tonight, so you can’t
hurt me.”
I might be slightly sore once this was over, but he
was worth it.
Just for the night…
“You’re lying, sweetheart.” He pulled back a little,
taking his lips from my skin, and peered down at me, his eyes ravenous. “We’re both
going to be bruised and bloody come
tomorrow.”
“Why, Ben?” I questioned.
“Because, baby girl, I’ve never wanted anyone the
way I want you.”
His words had power over me, and breathlessness
left me lightheaded. “Ben…” I moaned, and my lids fluttered closed.
“Fuck it,” he growled, and then his lips crashed into
mine.
About The Author
Cassie Strickland lives in
East Texas with her husband, her daughter, and her Jack Russell terrier. With the
support of her family and friends, she recently changed her career path to
something new and exciting, something she loves to do – writing.
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