Kristen Proby creates magic. She puts
her fingers to her keyboard and sparks fly, readers swoon.
Seducing Lauren
is book two in the Love Under the Big Sky series. Lauren Cunningham just got
out of a nasty divorce. Her ex unfortunately is still not done with her. When
he threatens more than just coming after her trust fund, Ty Sullivan finally
steps into Lauren’s life and makes his feelings known. Ty has had a thing for
Lauren for a while now, but thought it inappropriate to make a move before now.
Lauren, having been badly burned by love and friendships, distrusts what Ty’s
actual motives are. Ty doesn’t waver though. He slowly makes his way into her
heart by showing her exactly how a real man that cares for her acts.
“Lauren, the only thing I want from you is you.”
Ty completely surprised me with his sensitive
side. When he cares for a woman, he shows it. He is passionate, loving and
protective. Once he set his mind on pursuing Lauren, he gave it his all. One of
my absolute favorite things about him…Lauren has a tendency to let time escape
her when she’s working, which means meals are forgotten and skipped, Ty,
however, whether he’s there or not, makes sure she’s taken care of.
“…Mr. Sullivan called it in and asked us to deliver it to you. He said to
send you whatever your favorite is.”
Seriously, what man does that?!
“I’m not letting you out of my sight, sweetness. You’re stuck with me.”
Lauren is a fun, feisty woman. She
has no problems standing toe to toe with you and telling it like it is. Her
career choice was fun to see. I detect a little bit of Ms. Proby went into her
character; I’m not giving any spoilers up on that one. Being with Ty has helped
get her out of her shell. We see a playful and loving side to her.
Lauren’s trust issues aren’t the only
angst in this book however. This book went a little bit darker towards the end
and I absolutely loved it! It was unexpected, had my heart pounding and left me
an emotional mess. The turn this story took takes us outside of what we’re use
to in a Kristen Proby romance novel. I think she did a phenomenal job. I for
one am looking forward to seeing what other surprises she has in store for us
in the future.
You NEED to read this book!
EXCERPT:
As I approach his house, I see his Jeep parked in the drive, the
hood up, and a tight, jean-clad ass bent over the side.
Okay, he’s definitely home.
I tentatively wander around the other side of the Jeep and lean
against the side, looking at the engine. He hasn’t noticed that I’m here yet,
and I’m not even sure how he’ll react to seeing me here, but I can’t seem to
stay away. His dark head is bent low, his arms buried in the engine, tinkering
with something. His arms are bare as he’s pulled off his T-shirt, which is
draped over the windshield. A thin sheen of sweat covers his shoulders and
back, and his entire sleeve tattoo, which runs from just above his wrist all
the way up to the top of his right shoulder, is on full display, making my
girlie parts all tingle and come to life.
Holy Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
He’s so fucking toned it’s crazy. Jeez, his muscles bunch and
stretch as he pulls on the wrench in his hand.
“Come on, you motherfucker,” he mutters. I have to bite my lips to
keep from laughing out loud.
“So, what seems to be the problem?” I finally ask when he doesn’t
notice me, keeping my eyes trained on the engine when his head whips up to look
at me. I slowly lift my eyes to his and grin.
“I didn’t hear your car,” he murmurs with a smile.
“I walked.” I shrug and look back down into the bowels of his
Jeep. “What’s wrong with your car?”
“You walked from your house?” he asks incredulously.
“No.” I shake my head and chuckle. “From Sips. I had coffee with
Cara this morning.”
He stands up straight and leans his palms on the side of the Jeep,
watching me. My eyes immediately fall to one drop of sweat slowly making its
way down his hard chest.
“You had coffee with Cara?” He smiles.
“Yeah.” I shrug shyly. “I’m sorry to just stop by like this. I was
out for a walk and just sort of found myself here.” I feel my cheeks heat and I
back away, but he shakes his head and smiles widely.
“I’m glad you came by.” He raises his brows as I continue to
stare.
I shake my head and raise my eyes to his, then bust out laughing.
“Why are you laughing?” he asks with a wide grin.
“Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a shirt. I
didn’t realize the tats went all the way up your arm. Who would have thought
that under it all you’re just a bad boy?”
His eyes flash with heat as he narrows them on my face, watching
me. He pulls a rag out of his back pocket and begins wiping off his hands, but
his gray eyes stay on mine. Did I offend him?
“I’m not such a bad boy. Looks can be deceiving, Lauren.” He
smirks as he lowers the hood on his Jeep. “But from the look of you right now,
you don’t seem to mind the tats.”
“I don’t mind.” I shrug nonchalantly and try to ignore the way my
heart picks up speed as he slowly saunters around the hood of the vehicle.
“Do you have any tats?”
“Yeah.”
His eyes widen in surprise and then rake over me from head to toe.
“Where?”
I grin, enjoying this flirtatious banter. “Here and there.”
“I have ways of making people talk, you know.”
“Bright lights and rubber hoses?”
I ask with a raised brow.
He tosses his head back and laughs, an all-out belly laugh. “I’m
not a cop,” he smirks.
“You might get to see them. Someday.”
He closes the gap between us and kisses me gently on the forehead,
not touching me anywhere else.
“I hope someday comes sooner rather than later,” he whispers
before pulling back and smiling softly down at me. “I would hug you, but I’m
dirty.”
I wave him off, as if it’s no
biggie, although I don’t mind so much that he’s a bit dirty and sweaty. “What
were you doing?” I gesture to the car.
“Changing the oil.”
“There are places you can go,” I inform him with a perfectly
straight face, “where you pull into this big garage, and then you leave your
car and go into this small room with five-year-old magazines and stale coffee,
and the people there will change your oil for you.”
“Or, smart-ass, I can do it myself in my own driveway.”
“Suit yourself.” I shrug.
“Did you sleep okay on the
couch?” he asks, changing the subject.
“Yeah, actually, I did. But I
could always sleep just about anywhere.”
“Hence the chaise in your office.” He chuckles.
I nod and stuff my hands in my
pockets. “I’m sorry that I interrupted your morning. I was just out for a walk
and found myself here.”
“I’m glad you did.” He scratches his stomach, and my eyes follow
the movement. His abs are just delicious. For being so dark haired, he has
little hair on his chest and stomach, but a light trail of hair falls from his
navel and disappears into his jeans. He’s also sporting a V in the muscles on
his hips that the heroes in my novels would covet.
“Lo?” he asks with a wide grin.
“Yeah?” I drag my eyes up to his again.
“I lost you for a second.”
I blink rapidly and feel heat fill my cheeks. Jesus, get a grip! You’ve seen hot men
before, Lauren. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”
About Kristen Proby:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is
the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle series. She has a passion for
a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense
of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a
bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for
themselves.
Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest.
She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.
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And don’t
forget to read the first book in the Love Under the Big Sky Series…
Josh King is an expert at running his
family’s multi-million dollar ranch in Montana. (And all that outside manual
labor has done wonders for sculpting his six-foot-three body, too.) But as sure
footed as he is when it comes to the ranch, Josh doesn’t know anything about
how to deal with an adolescent boy—so when his twelve-year-old nephew, Seth, is
dropped off on his doorstep, looking scared and acting surly as hell, Josh
knows he needs help in straightening him out.
Cara Donovan loves her quiet life as a teacher in her sleepy hometown, so she
jumps at the chance to make a little money over the summer as a tutor. But when
she learns she’ll be teaching Josh King’s nephew, Cara’s sweet summer job gets
a little bit hotter. Cara tries to focus all her attention on tutoring Seth,
but Josh proves to be a delicious distraction, while Josh’s memories of the shy
girl he once teased in high school are nothing like the beautiful woman he’s
facing now. Can he persuade her that there’s more between them than a summer
fling?
