Salvation
by Robin Covington
Series: Nashville Nights, #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 11, 2015
Letting go never felt so good.
Carlisle Queen is dying and no one knows it.
Burying the pain of losing her friends and her professional swimming career in a terrorist attack, America’s former sweetheart dulls her pain with drugs, pills and parties. The bomb left her with more than nightmares; shrapnel is lodged in her back and inching closer to her spinal cord. When the doctors tell her paralysis is inevitable, she decides to take her own life rather than face a lifetime in a wheelchair.
Mateo Butler isn't anyone’s hero.
Reeling from the death of his little sister and his own cowardice, he spends his nights partying and his days ignoring the medical school acceptance letters and his parents’ concerned phone calls. Just a couple of months from graduation, he’s facing a future filled with shame and regret. The last thing he needs is to meet the woman who compels him to be a better man.
Can they save each other?
When Carlisle and Mateo meet, the chemistry between them is combustible. They play, party and hide their true selves until one night turns their lust into something more…something real. As secrets are revealed and walls collapse, what they were and what they might become doesn’t matter as much as who they are together. When the choice comes down to life or death, can love be their salvation?
I lift up and off her body, slowly pressing kisses on any patch of exposed skin I can find. Her skin is like silk against my lips, her taste salty and sweet.
“I could eat you up.” I take a quick bite of her ass and tell her just how amazing she is. “You. Are. So. Fucking. Delicious.”
We lower ourselves to the seat, a tangle of laughter and limbs. When was the last time I laughed with a lover? Never. Sure, we had a good time. Enjoyed the moment and each other. I didn't stay around or keep them around long enough to laugh together.
But I’m not in any hurry to go anywhere right now. I dispose of the condom, right my clothes and settle lengthwise across the seat, pulling her down alongside of me. The music from the festival continues, providing a perfect backdrop to our silence.
“We need to do that in a bed sometime,” I say, tracing a finger up and down her arm. “I’d like to actually see you completely naked.”
Carlisle stiffens slightly and I wonder what I've stepped in this time.
“I’m not girlfriend or sleepover material,” she answers, her voice soft but firm.
“And I’m not asking you to move in. I’d just like to fuck you, roll over and pretend to sleep while you pick your clothes off the floor and sneak out.” I press a kiss against her hair and navigate the land mine field I've clearly landed in. “You can even have a walk of shame.”
“You’re kind of an asshole.”
“I really am but I’d still like to hang out with you again.”
“Don’t you have medical school or some other time-consuming activity coming up?” She looks up at me, her expression indecipherable but concerned.
“That’s the plan.” If she’s not girlfriend material, I’m not sharing material and that includes my shit about school, my sister, or any of it.
Carlisle remains silent in my arms, the music from the stage drifting over us with the breeze. I get her, I think. She’s not cold or stuck-up. A part of her is closed off except when I have my cock buried in her body. The couple of times we've been together, I've seen who she probably was before her body and her life was blown apart and then paraded through the media in the last eighteen months. When something like that happens to you, it is a rare person who can move forward without leaving the old you behind.
“Look, my wingman status remains even if we never fuck again. I’m screwed up and so are you but when I’m fucking you I forget about it for a while. I like sex with you and I like hanging out with you. Nothing more than that.” I put a finger under her chin and tip her face up to look at me. Her green eyes are open but clouded with her hesitation. “I don’t like to chase women, especially ones who have no desire to be caught. You have my number. You call me when you want to have some fun together. You control it all. Sound good?”
She watches me, her gaze assessing until she rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Oh hell. You might be a nice guy after all.”
I laugh, a little confused. “I try not to be a dick as a general rule but my ‘Y’ chromosome gets in the way once in a while.”
Carlisle laughs, lying back down on my chest. “For the record, I’m not screwed up. I’m okay.”
“Really? Okay?” I don’t try to hide my skepticism.
“Yep.” She nods against my chest before placing a kiss on my collarbone. “And by okay I mean that I’m seriously fucked in the head but I’m sick of talking about it.”
Oh hell, this one is just about perfect. I look up at the stars and wonder what I’m doing with this girl.
Haven't started the Nashville Nights series yet?
Book 1: Temptation
Available for Pre-Order
Book 3: Redemption
When she’s not writing sexy, sizzling romance she’s collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, and stalking Joe Manganiello. You can find Robin at her website (robincovingtonromance.com), Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Don’t send chocolate . . . send eye candy!
Robin lives in Maryland with her hilarious husband, brilliant children (they get it from her, of course!) and her beloved furbabies.
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