Lieutenant Declan Kavanagh is a powerful Navy SEAL and a force to be reckoned with. His commanding presence exudes strength, dominance, and power. The moment he accidentally knocks into the beautiful Kristie Rossi and sends her crashing to the ground, he knew he had to have her.
Doing her best to avoid the handsome Lieutenant at every cost, Kristie finds that fate has other plans as she finds herself needing his help more often than not. Will she give in to the promise of forever with the handsome Navy SEAL and finally allow his desire for her to be satiated or will she close the door on their passion?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stepping into a world away from the realities of the humdrum, with a glass of wine, candles, and a great romance novel is Christina's prescription for serenity. Romance novels, though revered as a woman's fantasy to the alpha male, men will find themselves secretly reading these novels in the hopes of becoming an alpha.
The ultimate goal of my writing is for women to enjoy the fantasy and for men to realize that chivalry is not dead.
EXCERPT
Pulling up to the restaurant, Kristie turned off the engine and looked into the mirror. She reapplied her lipstick and added a dab of her favorite perfume. Slipping out of the car, she fumbled with her keys as she dropped them and her phone into her purse. Her body bounced off of a very hard surface and she tumbled to the ground; her purse...and all its contents...flying through the air.
Her eyes focused on black shoes and slid up the trim body of a very large man. As her eyes slowly rolled up his body, she noticed muscular thighs, a trim waist, and broad shoulders. The moment her eyes locked with his, her heart rate accelerated and her hands began to sweat as she stared into one of the most handsome faces she’s seen. His dark brown eyes seemed to devour her causing her to feel like a deer in headlights. He looked as surprised as her as he stood there with an odd look on his face
“Kristie,” yelled Lorie as she and Daniella watched everything from the opposite side of the sidewalk. Helping Kristie up, Lorie asked, “Are you okay?”
Standing there watching everything, Daniella whispered with excitement in her voice, “Um, don’t look now, but that man can’t seem to take his eyes off of you, Kristie.”
~*~*~*~
Declan couldn’t believe his eyes as he stared at the vision on the ground. Surely that woman couldn’t be real. There was no way. He glanced again and swore he saw an angel before him as her golden blonde hair blew lightly in the spring breeze. Squeezing his eyes shut, he opened them again and felt his head spin as his racing heart caused momentary paralysis. Unable to move, he stood there with his mouth open as his brown eyes drank in the vision before him.
“Dude,” Paul nudged him after he made his way over to where Declan stood. A look of disgust filled his face. “What the hell just happened?”
Running his fingers through his hair, Declan turned and watched one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen walk away. Not able to say anything coherent, he stood there like a first class boob and just stared at her.
Following Declan’s eyes, Paul groaned, “You knocked that woman down and just stood there. What the hell is wrong with you? You look like the worst kind of person.”
Rubbing his eyes while he got his breathing under control, Declan attempted to find his voice and muttered, “I don’t know what happened to me, its like a pod person took over my body and rendered me motionless. I couldn’t move, couldn’t think, couldn’t speak; I just froze up.”
“Froze up? How does one just freeze up like that? Is she hurt?” asked Paul with concern.
“How should I know? I was the idiot that just stood there with my mouth hanging open.”
Looking at his best friend, Paul shook his head and started laughing, “You can take down an entire enemy squad but one tiny woman has you frozen; she actually rooted you to the very spot you’re standing in.”
“Dude, did you happen to get a look at that girl?” Declan asked, his voice a squeak, which made him cough to clear it.
Folding his arms across his chest, Paul growled, “There were three of them, or did you miss that too? One girl had long brown hair with caramel highlights and hazel eyes. If I guessed her age, I’d say she would be around twenty-four years old and was approximately five feet, eight inches tall. The other girl had medium length, light brown hair and the most amazing blue eyes I’ve ever seen. I’d say she was either twenty-three or twenty-four and was approximately five feet, six inches with an amazing body.”
“Three?” asked Declan cutting off his friend as he turned to see if he could find the little goddess. Regret and disappointment flooded through him when he realized she was gone.
“Let’s go before you cause any more trouble,” barked Paul as he led his friend to the same restaurant that he’d watched the three girls walk into. “Please, do me a favor. If we ever run into that girl again, don’t act like a classless boob; you have manners, use them.”
~*~*~*~
Keeping her face down to hide her blush, Kristie didn’t want to acknowledge the rude stranger. Instead, she sat there studying the entire menu and doing her best to keep her nerves in check. Her heart was beating so fast, she was afraid it just might beat right out of her chest and fly across the room. Taking a deep, calming breath, she closed her eyes for a moment in an attempt to regroup.
“Well hello ladies,” the stranger’s friend said with a huge smile on his face. He looked extremely charming but it was Lurch that kept drawing Kristie’s eyes. “We just wanted to know if your friend is all right?”
Lorie glanced up at both men and blushed as she took in the handsome strangers. They were both good looking and she glanced at Kristie, kicking her to get her attention. Kristie jumped, “Ow,” before she glared at her sister.
Dragging her gaze towards the stranger’s friend, Kristie said, “Thank you...”
He smiled, “Paul,” as he extended his hand, “And that is Declan.” He pointed at Lurch beside him.
Kristie nodded, “Thank you again, but I’m fine.”
“Well okay ladies, enjoy your lunch,” answered Paul as his smile deepened. There was a definite air of tension around her table and it was clear that Paul could sense it. With a nod, the two men turned their attention back to the hostess and followed her to their table.
Kristie watched them go and she noticed that Declan made sure to sit facing her. Lorie hissed at Kristie, breaking her concentration on the man, “You didn’t have to come across so rude. For God’s sake, did you even get a look at those men?”
“I sure did,” said Daniella, she moved closer to her sister. “Lurch couldn’t take his eyes off of you Kristie. I felt the heat all the way over here.”
“You two are crazy,” Kristie laughed nervously while putting the menu down. “That fool just stood there and didn’t even apologize.” Standing up with a huff, she continued, “I’ll be right back. I need to use the ladies’ room.”
****
Declan sat down and watched the three women in what looked like an argument at their table. Groaning, he said, “Did you see her? She’s gorgeous.”
Turning his head towards the table, he looked at the girls and agreed. “I’ve seen your blonde before,” said Paul as he opened up the menu and started reading, completely ignoring the question in Declan’s eyes.
Declan watched Kristie stand up and walk towards the opposite side of the restaurant. He groaned again as his eyes followed her. She moved like a cat, silky and full of purpose and he longed to follow her as she disappeared into the ladies’ room.
“Seriously man, what the hell?” asked Paul as he watched his long time friend. He’d never seen such longing on his friend’s face before. Declan didn’t answer but his eyes drank up the woman as soon as she walked out of the bathroom again and returned to her table.
****
Sitting back down at the table, Kristie looked around then asked, “So are we on for tonight?”
“Hell yeah, we’re on,” said Daniella with excitement in her voice.
“Really?” asked Kristie as she crossed her legs and tapped her fingers on the table. She watched Daniella closely. “Have you given any thought to Sean’s response to this?”
“Sean? Sean who?” Daniella smirked.
“You know — tall, dark, and brooding,” interrupted Lorie as she looked at Daniella with a blank expression.
“Oh that Sean,” Daniella said flippantly. She fanned the air with her perfectly manicured nails before she looked at them. “Yeah, about him.”
“Here it comes,” mocked Kristie moving her chair slightly away from the table while she crossed her legs.
“Well, I’m over the whole thing. I’ve had enough of all the games he plays,” groaned Daniella in a tired voice.
Kristie glanced at her sister and saw the sadness in her eyes but it was clear that Daniella wanted to drop the conversation. “Okay,” said Kristie doing just that. “What exactly is going down tonight?”
Daniella looked around while she leaned towards the table as though she was conspiring. The sadness was gone and it was replaced with a mischievous sparkle. With a show of drama, she said, “Tonight, there’s a singles party at Murphy’s.”
“Oh joy,” said Lorie doing everything but gagging. “I can hardly wait.”
“Don’t knock it ‘till you try it,” laughed Daniella, twirling her hair.
Lorie and Kristie laughed but neither of them held out any hope of the night being fun. Daniella launched into a few of the details after they ordered and they chatted as they ate.
Once they finished their lunch, Kristie turned to the waiter, “May we have our check please?”
“Your check has been taken care of already by the two gentlemen at the table to your left.”
Kristie felt heat rush up her entire body as she turned to look over at the two, handsome men. Her stomach felt like a million and one butterflies suddenly took up residence inside her and it made her feel sick. In an attempt to be gracious, she mustered her sweetest voice and smiled, “Thank you for paying for our lunch. That was very kind of you but not necessary.”
Paul kicked Declan under the table as he once again sat there non-responsive.
Thinking fast to cover the blunder, Declan said in a husky voice, “It’s a simple jester in the hopes that you will accept my apology.”
Choosing to ignore the tall, handsome man, Kristie collected her belongings, pulled out her seat and stood up. The moment she turned around her, body crashed into a brick wall of flesh. Slowly raising her eyes, she spoke through clenched teeth, “You again.”
Paul shoved Declan in his shoulder and growled, “Come on man, again?”
~*~*~*~
Kristie threw her jacket down on the bed and glanced back as her sister walked into the room. Raising an eyebrow, Kristie eyed Lorie who was standing with her hands behind her back.
“What?”
“This is for you,” Lorie laughed as she handed her sister a brand new razor.
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” said Kristie taking the razor and tossing it onto her bed. “What time are we leaving?”
“One hour,” said Lori pointing to her watch. “Start getting ready now.” She smiled again before she disappeared out of the room.
Kristie watched her leave and then headed into her large ensuite bathroom. Undressing, she turned the water on and stepped under the spray, erasing the fatigue from work and the memory of the stranger’s body as she crashed into it.
Turning off the water after her long hot shower, Kristie stepped out and began getting ready. Once her hair and makeup was complete, she walked to her closet and stood there blankly staring at her clothes. She had tons of outfits from fitted slacks to dresses and skirts to tight jeans and cropped tops. “What am I doing standing here debating on what to wear? Just pick something for crying out loud. It’s not like I’m going there to meet anyone anyway.”
“Kristie? Who are you talking to?” asked Daniella as she entered the room and plopped down on Kristie’s bed in heap.
“Oh, me. I enjoy talking to someone highly intelligent.”
“Ha, ha, very funny. Almost ready?” asked Daniella looking at her shoes.
“Yes,” said Kristie as she walked out of her closet while slipping a pink chiffon dress over her head. “I’m ready.”
“Wait. I’m wearing pink,” said Daniella frowning. “We both can’t wear pink. Change into something else.”
Rolling her eyes, Kristie walked back into the closet and sorted through her clothes again. Finally, after discarding a few outfits, Kristie pulled out a cute, little, yellow number and changed. “That’s it. Let’s go before I undress and go to bed.”
“Good. Lorie is wearing blue,” said Daniella with false excitement laced in her tone. “We all look great. Now let’s go; our car service is waiting for us.”
~*~*~*~
Walking into the dark lounge, Kristie made her way over to a vacant spot near the bar and relaxed. Taking a long, look around, Kristie noticed a lot of men crowding the bar...most of them handsome and, she assumed, single. Smiling, she said, “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”
“No, it isn’t,” said Lorie as she smiled at a random guy as he walked by.
“Well sisters, I say we put smiles on our faces and have some well-deserved fun,” Daniella said as she looked around without pause.
“Kristie,” said Lorie nervously tapping her shoulder. “Don’t look now but Lurch and his sidekick just walked in.”
“So?”
“Have you looked at him? Oh lordy, he cleans up nicely,” Lorie’s voice was filled with lust and excitement and Kristie felt a flare of jealousy before she stamped it down.
“Then go talk to him,” said Kristie as she turned towards the bar and ordered drinks for her and her sisters. The last thing she wanted to do was look at that sexy man again. Feeling her nerves take over, she did her best to smile as the bartender placed the drinks in front of her. Fishing into her purse to pay, she said, “Thank you,” before she picked up the drinks.
Handing out the drinks to her sisters, she said, “Here’s to better days for all of us.”
Daniella downed her drink in two gulps and slammed the glass down on the bar. “He’s here. He’s freaking here.”
“He who?” asked Kristie. She scanned the room but couldn’t see the person Daniella was freaking out about.
“Sean. Sean is right there talking to that leggy redhead,” Daniella growled as her plump red lips dipped into a frown. “I knew it. I just knew he was a dog in heat.”
“See,” Kristie slipped her arm around Daniella’s shoulder as she looked around. “Men are dogs plain and simple. They see another tail wagging that’s sexier, prettier, looks better or smells better and off they go. Ugh, just so bloody irritating.”
“Don’t look now but Lurch is headed his way,” Lorie gasped as Daniella shrugged off Kristie’s arm and stomped away. “Right about now I can really use a shot. How about you?”
“Double.” Kristie watched her sister walk over to Sean and slap him across his face. “Make it a triple.”
“Here,” said Lorie handing Kristie a huge glass of amber liquid. “Bottoms up.”
Kristie took a sip and gagged. “Oh gross Lor, what is this stuff?”
“Jameson,” she said watching Lurch and his hot friend walk over to them.
“Evening ladies,” said Paul moving close to Lorie with a huge smile on his face.
Kristie felt her heart pick up speed the moment tall, dark, and handsome swooped in. “Evening,” he said in a deep voice that made her toes curl.
“Hi.” Kristie took another sip of the gross amber liquid and cringed as it burned a path straight to her stomach.
Moving closer to Kristie, Declan inhaled and stood there looking like Adonis only sexier and more handsome with more muscles. Kristie felt her entire body heat up just from his nearness and took a breath to calm her nerves.
“Hi, I didn’t officially introduce myself; I’m Paul Fisher,” Paul said with a huge smile before he nodded towards Lurch, “and this, big guy, is my long time friend, Declan Kavanagh.”
Lorie was the first to speak. “Hi, I’m Lorie and this is my sister, Kristie.”
Paul looked to his left and noticed several vacant love seats in the corner and said, “Why don’t we go sit down over there?”
Lorie looked in the direction he pointed to and nodded, “Sure, that sounds perfect.”
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcjgallo
Author page: christinagallo.com
Twitter: @CGalloWrites
Publishing page: doublefantasypublishng.com
Books: Given Up On Love - Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Given-Up-Love-Christina-Gallo-ebook/dp/B00ZDLO3EA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436046792&sr=8-1&keywords=given+up+on+love+by+christina+gallo
His Wicked Pleasure: Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-wicked-pleasure-christina-gallo/1122232251?ean=2940152134452
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