From the Blurb:
For years, Alyssa has been going to bed with a memory. Is she ready to wake up with a fantasy?
Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mate, but not Alyssa Barrow. She met Rob at nineteen, and they were set to live happily ever after—until he became ill. In his final days, Rob urged his beautiful, young wife not to abandon happiness—or pleasure. He even left her a special gift, a sexy game plan to help her move on: Thirty cards with instructions for thirty days of passion. You’ll know when the time is right, he’d said. Now it’s two years later, and when Alyssa meets her hot new neighbor, Harrison Kemp, she begins to think the right time is right now…
From his sculpted thighs to his devilish grin, Harrison is the kind of man women want. Before she can lose her nerve, Alyssa tells Harrison about her long-ignored cards…and asks him to help her fulfill them. It’s a favor he’s more than happy to, um, perform. With his skillful touch, and the hot press of his lips against her skin, Alyssa finds herself re-awakening to life—and a host of other sensations. But what began as not-so-innocent fun soon grows into true intimacy, and Alyssa realizes she’s opening herself up not just to sex…but to love. When it comes to a future with Harrison, what’s really in the cards?
Saucy, heartwarming, and insightful, 30 Days explores the agony—and the ecstasy—of starting over, and how a little encouragement, and a little courage, can go a long way…
Excerpt:
Now, having survived the trials of the sex shop, I was faced with the monumental task of opening yet another door, which proved to be challenging. Someday I’d relearn this basic skill.
As I stood searching through my purse for my keys to the building, a bag filled with sex toys and various things tucked under my arm, I counted the minutes until I could lie on my bed and have a nap.
“Hey, can I get that for you?”
I jumped at the sound of the distinctly male voice behind me and my keys fell to the ground by my feet. Turning, I came face to face with Mr. Nice Ass. Unlike the brief glimpse I’d gotten of him the day before, I had nothing blocking my view of his physical perfection. Tall, built like a runner, with rich brown eyes and neatly cropped black hair. As he got closer, the scent of his aftershave and a hint of coffee washed over me. A pang of desire burned low in my belly, and my pussy took notice. He was easily one of the most attractive men I’d even gotten this close to in my life.
God, did that make me a bad wife? Sorry, Rob.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” He reached down and picked up my keys. “I recognized you from the other day when I moved in and wanted to say hi. I haven’t had a chance to meet many of my neighbors yet.”
“No worries. I’ve just . . . it’s been a weird day.” I readjusted the bag beneath my arm and prayed he wouldn’t notice the sex shop’s logo. “I’m Alyssa Barrow.”
“Harrison Kemp.” He grinned. “My mom was a Star Wars fan.”
“Nice.” I turned and managed to find the proper key, sliding it home. It didn’t help ease the tension building in my body. It was hard to take a deep breath and not be aware of my proximity to him. “How are you finding your place? Are you all settled in?”
The air was tremendously cooler than what it was outside and the T-shirt and lace bra I had on did little to cover my now hard nipples. Great, I could use the bag I had to cover up the perky evidence, but then I’d be showing off my purchase. Or I could do nothing and let the girls advertise their presence.
Aw, fuck it. I decided to borrow a lesson from Nikki and try not to care what Harrison might think, no matter how awkward it made me feel.
“I’m still surrounded by boxes. I learned long ago that I suck at unpacking. With luck I’ll have everything where it should be right before my contract is up and I have to move again.” He kept pace with me, his gaze dipping only briefly before returning to my eyes.
I straightened my shoulders and kept walking beside Harrison as we made our way toward the condos. “That would drive me nuts. My husband used to keep things in boxes just to get me worked up.” I stopped walking and took a breath. “Rather, my late husband.”
Harrison frowned. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.” There were many people I talked about Rob with, but it didn’t seem right sharing anything with Harrison. “Well this is me. We usually have a condo association meeting once a month in the old cafeteria. It’s coming up in a few days. I’ll see you there if not sooner.”
“I’ll be in and out of my place a lot for the next little bit. I keep buying stuff. I’m sure I have it in a box somewhere, but you know. It was nice to meet you, Alyssa.” He smiled, but didn’t linger long at my door. “Have a great evening.”
The air in my condo was still and filled with the scent of my air freshener. The urge to laugh was only slightly stronger than my urge to puke. Hot cute guy had chatted me up while I had sex toys in a bag and intended to go to bed and get myself off.
Or as I now called it in my house—Friday.
***
30 Days by Christine d'Abo is a contemporary romance, released by Kensington on July 28, 2015.
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Christine d’Abo is a romance novelist and short story writer, with over thirty publications to her name. She loves to exercise and stops writing just long enough to keep her body in motion too. When she’s not pretending to be a ninja in her basement, she’s most likely spending time with her husband, daughters, and her two dogs.
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