Hiya Everyone! I need to share with all of you that Rumors (Dirty Laundry #3) has a giveaway running leading up to the release of Secrets. Go here to enter.
Here’s a little taste of Annie and Terrance’s love story:
She walked softly down the hallway. The warm light from her bedroom illuminated a figure sitting on the couch. It was too large to be Tristan. Terrance had his head in his hands. She debated creeping back into her room and pretending she didn’t see a thing. But, something about the scene cried out to her.
“Hey.” Her voice was soft.
Terrance didn’t move. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light she saw the bottle of alcohol on the coffee table in front of him. A shot glass sat empty next to it. Annie’s heart pounded in her chest. Not even a full two weeks in her home and he’d already fallen off the wagon.
“What’s wrong?” She sat on the couch next to him.
“Everything.” His voice was like gravel.
“Did you have a drink?”
Terrance took in a stuttering breath. He only shook his head. Annie let out a sigh of relief.
“I wanted to though. My head is pounding and whenever things have fallen apart I’ve always had the bottle. It’s been the one constant in my life.” His sad, painfilled eyes met hers.
“So, what stopped you from taking the drink?”
He shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. I was determined to dive into the bottle the minute I found it. But, the idea of you or Tristan finding me passed out or worse made me stop. I didn’t want to see that disappointed look on your face again.”
“What disappointed look?”
“It’s the look you get every time I act like an ass. It’s just blank. You’re actually pretty scary with that look on your face.”
Annie let out a little laugh. “Oh really? Well, it doesn’t usually stop you from being a jackass.”
He laughed then grimaced.
“Have you taken anything for your headache?”
“No. I wasn’t sure if I should.”
She bit her lip then said. “Lay down and put her head in my lap.”
“What?”
“Lay down and put your head in my lap.” She tapped her lap. “Come on.”
“Uh…okay.”
Terrance moved his big body on the couch then laid his head in her lap. His eyes sparkled in the low light.
“Close your eyes.”
He lifted one eyebrow in question.
“Just do it.”
With one more long look, he closed his eyes.
“Now, just relax. I do this for Tristan when he isn’t feeling well.”
Terrance’s body tensed waiting for what would happen next. Annie drew her fingertips lightly across his forehead then down his temple to the bottom of his jaw. She felt him shudder. Her fingertips left his jaw and continued down his throat to his exposed collarbone. Annie repeated this while she felt him relax and his breathing evened out. She smiled as she continued to lightly caress him coaxing out the pain and tension from his body.
His eyes opened drowsily. “Is it supposed to make me tired?”
She smiled at him. “The pain made you so tense that when it is finally relieved your body shuts down. So, in essence, yes it will make you tired.”
“Okay. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Her fingers had moved to his arms drawing lazy designs on the arm closest to her.
“Where is Tristan’s father?”
Annie’s ministrations stopped. She was frozen in that spot. It was a question she’d dodged for years.
“I don’t talk about that.”
Terrance’s eyes opened and he stared at her. He had an open expression on his face. She watched as his hand came up and caressed her cheek. Unconsciously she leaned into his caress. Her mind blanked for that moment. No thoughts of her job. No thoughts of Tristan. There was nothing. She’d never experienced that in her life. The movement of his hand stopped breaking the spell. Her eyes opened to see Terrance was sitting up and leaning toward her. Annie put her hand on his chest to stop him.
“Are you feeling better?”
Terrance nodded.
She stared at the hand on his chest. “Good. I’m going to say goodnight. You have PT in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Annie.” His voice was soft but carried to her as she retreated to her room.