“I’ll do that,” he said hoarsely as he neared. Instead of reaching for the tiny buttons though, his fingertips skimmed my cheek. “I can’t be without you. You get that, don’t you?”
I nodded and kissed him, sending tiny electrons whizzing through my body, urging me to move things quickly, but making me want to freeze this moment in time.
My blouse slid off my shoulders and I realized I’d been too mesmerized to notice he’d undone the buttons. Feather-light kisses rained over my shoulder as his hands brought my hips closer.
Hayden paused and gazed into my eyes. Pictures flashed into my mind of waking up together in the morning, his arms wrapped around me as he kissed me. I saw us together in the distant future, Hayden on one knee slipping a ring on my finger.
They weren’t my pictures. They were Hayden’s hopes and dreams. He’d created the images and sent them to me in the form of a question. He needed to know if I wanted those things too. With him. I rested my palms against either side of his face and smiled. “Yes,” I whispered.
THE END
Acknowledgments
So many wonderful people have helped make this book the best it can be. From my critique partners to my beta readers — I couldn’t have done this without them. It really does take a village to write a book.
I’d like to thank: my sister-in-law Allie — she is my light. My brother Jerrol who tirelessly answers when I ask his advice and my brother John who gave me great tips for the back cover blurb. Susan Hatler who makes me laugh and reminds me who I really am as I writer. My cousin Danette for her valuable insight. Suzanne Lazear (Innocent Darkness, Flux Publishing Fall 2012 – a great read!) and Becky Lees for their fantastic feedback. My beta readers (in no particular order) who keep me believing in myself and my writing: Lee, Calyn, Sausha, Jen, Athena, Kat and many others who read Something Witchy This Way Comes and cheered me on.
But the first place award for cheerleading goes to…. Ashley at Ashley’s Freelance Editing. J
And let’s not forget my mom who courageously trudges through the trenches of all my first drafts to root out the evil writing and offensive story holes. A very special thanks to my other sister-in-law Sara who is ALWAYS there for me with my writing, who is brutally honest and won’t let me get away with anything less than great, while still being relentless with her support and cheerleading. I’m not sure if I would’ve continued writing if she hadn’t been there every step of the way. Lastly, my amazingly supportive hubby who would be proud of me — even if I never sold a single book. I seriously couldn’t have come this far without him by my side.
Other books by Veronica Blade
COMING SOON
A Bite’s Tale: A Furry Fable
Novella available November 2011
Thrown to the Wolves: Shapes of Autumn, prequel
Novella available November 2011
My Wolf’s Bane: Shapes of Autumn, book one
Full length novel available in print and eBook.
Wolves at the Door: Shapes of Autumn, book two
Full length novel available in print and eBook.
March 2012
Please feel free to visit our website at www.CrushPublishing.com or author’s website at www.VeronicaBlade.com for updates on releases.
Table of Contents
Title page
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Acknowledgments
Other books by Veronica Blade