Note from Frolic: We’ve got a special treat for you today! An exclusive excerpt from Jill Shalvis’ upcoming novel The Lemon Sisters, out Jun 18th!
Exclusive Excerpt:
“Okay,” she said. “Time for me to go to bed.”
“Or you’re running,” he said. “Again.”
She closed her eyes and told herself to ignore the soft taunt. No matter what they’d been – or hadn’t been – to each other, she wasn’t looking for love with anyone, and certainly not a wash and repeat with the one man who could destroy her. It wasn’t as if she’d been a monk. She’d dated, but she hadn’t let anyone in. Not ever. Even Cole had complained about the brick walls she’d encased her emotions in.
And he was right. She could get involved to a point, but she always pulled back.
“You don’t have to run from me, you know,” Garrett said. “There’s no reason for there to be anything but honesty between us.”
Yes, there was… “Maybe I’m just not feeling it.”
Another soft laugh. “Okay.”
“Hey,” she said and poked a finger in his pec. His hard, ungiving, sexy pec. “If I was feeling it, you’d know.”
“Yeah? How?” he challenged.
“I’d be …flirty. I certainly wouldn’t be thinking of all of your faults.”
He grinned. How like a man to not be worried about his faults.
“So what are these so-called faults?” he asked, curious. Still not concerned.
“Well, for starters, you’re wearing black knit boxers with bananas on them.”
This made him laugh outright. “Someone sent me a subscription box. They come once a month. Last month’s pair had cocks all over them.”
“Like … chickens, or…?”
He was still smiling. “If you’re curious, I’ll be happy to wear them tomorrow and give you a peek.”
“Whatever,” she said. “And the fact that some woman sent you a subscription to undies is another reason I’m not feeling it. You’ve stayed friends with every single person you’ve ever met.”
“And that’s a fault?”
She shrugged. Of course it wasn’t a fault. It was the opposite of a fault. “Well, except for me, of course.”
“Because you don’t answer phone calls, texts, emails…” He tilted his head. “Tell me something.”
Oh boy. “What?”
“Why did you and your last boyfriend break up? That Cole guy.”
“I told you, he’s my boss.”
“But you’re sleeping together,” he said, his eyes holding hers prisoner. “Or you were.”
“How do you know that?”
He smiled grimly. “You just told me.”
Dammit. She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re not together if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” she asked.
“Why aren’t you together?” he pressed.
“Because I don’t like him like that.”
Did his eyes warm very slightly, or was that her imagination? “Because you’re just not feeling it?” he asked mockily, using her words.
She rolled her eyes. “You think you’re funny. How about we talk about you. Tell me about the girlfriend you said you don’t have. The one who called you the other day for a hookup.”
“It wasn’t a hookup. She dumped me.”
She snorted. “Right. You expected me to believe a guy who looks like you do, and is funny and smart like you are, got dumped?”
“Actually, I expect you to believe whatever I tell you.” He shifted close until they were knee to knee. “Because I’ve never lied to you, Brooke. Never will.”