Derek Bast, always has the final say. In business and in his personal life, things are done his way, or not at all. So when a scathing review of his new band is published in The Scene and has his record producer second guessing his artistic choices, his band mate trying to call the shots, and Bast’s manager convinced he’s impossible to work with, it’s time to hunt down the source of his problems: Bess Halprin, reviewer for The Scene, the girl next door growing up, and his ex-best friend since senior year when she decided to hate him for no reason.

The last person Bess Halprin wants to see standing in the lobby of The Scene is Derek Bast. Unfortunately, she can’t deny that the last nine years look damn good on him. She expected to hate him. She didn’t expect the way he can still tug at her emotions, or the way his kiss—and his hands—set her on fire. Bess should’ve kept her distance, because Bast was right when he guessed her review was written for revenge. The problem is, to this day he has no idea what he did—how he screwed her over their senior year. The bigger problem? She’s giving him the opportunity to do it again, because she never could resist him.

When circumstances bring them both home to Santa Cruz, Bast earns his way into the heart of the girl next door, but when they return to L.A. and real life rushes in, will he be able to keep her this time or are the mistakes in their past destined to be repeated?

When I first started this one I really didn’t think it was going to be one that really grab me, boy was I wrong. So many emotions with this read. It took me a few chapters to really be pulled in the story plot.  This being said I’m pretty picky when it comes to books I chose to read. The book is very well written and there is not much of a down time with the book. So much goes on in this read that your keep on the edge just waiting to know what happens next. 

You have two very strong head people; they have put walls up to protect them from different issues that have come up. This is one very intense roller coaster ride with no stops! Childhood friends they are pulled apart by one mistake that has led to others but end up getting back in touch by a review that is done. Derek is hot head and gets what he wants. Bess is a no holds bar when it come to her work as a report but when it comes to her ex-best friend she can’t seem to tell him what he did to make her hate him, and so we find them knocking heads when Bess review of Derek’s band comes out! 

Looking forward to more from Derek and Bess!!!

My eyes roamed over his face, following the line of his eyebrow to his temple, down to his prominent cheekbone to his straight nose then over his full, beautiful lips that could be so gentle and so demanding at the same time. The lips that always spoke what was on his mind and never held back. “If only you did know me better, then you’d know that wasn’t what broke my trust in you. But maybe you wouldn’t have done it in the first place if you’d have thought about my feelings at all.”

He kissed my hand and spoke against my fingers. “What if I did think about your feelings, but got it wrong. You said I didn’t know you, so I might have done something I thought you would be okay with.”

I shook my head. “No. If that was true, you’re not the kind of person I should be here with right now.”

He held my hand more firmly. “So, if I was selfish and didn’t consider your feelings at all, it would be better than thinking you’d be okay with whatever horrible thing I did?”

“Are we going in circles? It sounds like we’re talking in circles.” Derek had the gift of gab and I had to be careful he didn’t talk his way out of this.

“Bess, whatever it was that I did, I’m so sorry. I apologize. But, I do know you well enough to know you won’t accept my apology without me realizing what I’m saying I’m sorry for. Correct?”

“Yes. And no, I won’t tell you. I know you well enough to know that if you think about it long enough, it’ll finally come to you.”

“Well, I know that you know that I know that—wait. We are going in circles.” He grinned and kissed my hand again. “Just know I can’t think of anything else and when it comes to me, I’ll be down on my knees begging forgiveness.”

We lay there for the longest time looking into each other’s eyes, listening to the ocean and the sound of our breathing in sync. My fingers itched to touch him, to trace over his arms, his chest, along his stomach, hold his hard cock in my hand again. I could almost hear his thoughts mirroring mine, wanting to touch and taste, caress and seek release.

Our hands were the only parts of us touching and I was so turned on my body hummed like a live wire. If the wind blew too hard, I’d explode. I could hear a slight hitch in my breathing. He had to hear it too.

“Don’t look down,” he whispered, his addictive lips so close I could feel each word against my own.

“Why?”

“I can’t help what’s happening in my head or my pants and don’t want something else to apologize for.”

I grinned and looked down. “I think you’re growing a tree in there.” God, he was well endowed.

“That explains why it feels like something’s about to break ground,” he said through gritted teeth.

My eyes found his again. The air between us hung heavy and dense with tension. “What’s on the A.P. friendship syllabus regarding this situation?”

He lifted our joined hands and ran his index finger over my lips. “You write the syllabus. I’m only here for the coursework.”

Not able to stand it one more second, I leaned in and brushed my lips to his. “It’s never only anything with you.”

I indulged with my lips and my tongue, rolling him to his back before making my way down his body to the hard, long gift in his trunks.

Carrie Elliott lives in Ohio with her family, loves going to movies that make her cry and has an ice cream addiction–we won’t mention the coffee and chocolate! She’s the author of the True North Series, Cover Me and Listen To Me now available, Resist Me coming Fall 2014. Find her on Twitter and Facebook and make sure to subscribe to Carrie’s newsletter for exclusive giveaways, content, sneak peeks at covers and more!Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/SYvZD

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