One to Protect (One to Hold Book 3) (22 page)
He hugs her back, and I watch his eyes close slowly. “Where was it?”
My brow lines. I fucking know where it was as well as he does—and who had it—but it’s clear my partner is working an angle.
Melissa pops back again. “In the cushions of that damn couch! As many times as I tore it apart. I can’t believe it was there all the time!”
“I’m so happy.” His voice is low, and he puts both hands on the sides of her head, smoothing her hair back with his thumbs. I never got the whole story on why that particular item of jewelry made him snap in Baltimore. I probably never will.
“You guys coming over tonight?” Elaine walks around to her car. “I’ll follow Patrick back. I want to shower.”
She gives me a little wink, and I’m ready to let Derek and Melissa ride off into the sunset. It’s time for Elaine and me to get dirty while getting clean.
“Yes!” Melissa turns to us. Derek’s hands are on her shoulders. “Oh, and Patrick?”
I squint back at her. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
I tip two fingers at my forehead and give her a little salute. “I’m the Guard, baby. Protection is what I do best.”
She gives me a smile, and even Derek’s expression softens. They’re going to be fine. In that moment, I’m confident we all are.
The End.
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One to Protect
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Liam’s List
, a New Adult Romance packed with Heat and Heart by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Haleigh Lovell!*
Liam's List
By Haleigh Lovell
His best friend’s sister.
A list.
A love story.
Can Vivian help Liam heal one steamy encounter at a time?
NOTE
: Rated 18+ for language and frequent sex scenes. Complete novel. No cliffhanger. Dual POV. Companion novel to the New York Times and USA Today bestseller
Vivian’s List
by Haleigh Lovell.
*To be released April 24, 2014, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, and Smashwords
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Acknowledgments
First, I have to thank
you
, my amazing readers! Who knew in October 2013 I’d write three books in this superfun series with more on the way? Thank you all for the emails and photo teasers and quotes and for just sharing how much you love Derek and Melissa and Patrick and Elaine (and Kenny and all the secondary characters) with me! It means so much, and it is
so
motivational. I wish I could give you all a big squeeze—please take these virtual hugs!
Thanks to my dear husband, Mr. TL, who is the most amazing partner, the greatest editor, my “chief brainstormer,” male POV expert, the butter to my bread… LOL! Love you so much. And to my two little ladies, who keep me giggling and who are so patient with mommy when she’s working all the time.
An absolute HUGE Thank You goes to the indispensible Erica Duvall, who I could not do all this without! You’re not just a great reader-friend and fan, you’re my girl Friday! Love you! Thanks also to Kelley Langlois for getting that ball rolling and for being so sage and encouraging and funny and awesome. You’re the best.
I love love LOVE my street team, my “Keepers”! You have all become friends to me, and as much as anybody, you guys are just
amazing
in your support and encouragement and sharing! Thank you so much to Ilona Townsel, Jackie Wright, Rebecca Bennett, Nicole Huffman, Melissa Tholen, Chrissy Fletcher, Karrie Puskas, Heather Carver, Jas Dela Cruz, Christi Curtis, Daphnie Bennett, Lisa Maurer, Teresa Gomez, Jennifer Marr, Melissa Jones, Jennifer Noe, Lisa Gerould, Lorraine Black, Amber Gleisner, Lucinda Pilsbury, Angela Craney, Holly Leffler, Evette Reads, Becky Barney, Jennifer LaFon, Richelle Robinson, Jess Danowski, Zee Hayat, Brandelyn Harris, Ali Hymer, Jennifer Engel, Autumn Davis, Angie Lynch, Maria Barquero, Laura Goff, Ellen Widom, Katrina Boone, and “honorary members” Nikki Hardie and Christina “Bookalicious” Badder. You guys are so fantastic—you keep me going when I’m tired and you make me feel better when I’m discouraged. Love you all so much!
Another HUGE Thank You goes to my superfly team of beta readers and critique partners, who I adore and who make me shine. Love you, Aleatha Romig, Kate Roth, Tami Johnson, Ginger Sharp (“Princeton expert”), Tracy Womack (“eagle eye”), and Rebecca Bennett (“sticker queen”).
So many bloggers have supported me since September 2013 in large and small ways, I don’t even know how I can begin to list you all here. It would take pages and pages, and invariably, I’d leave someone out. I will give a special Thanks to Melanie “Sassymum,” and Ali and DebbieReadsandBlogs for inviting me to my very first author events—what a thrill! To Angie Lynch for making me a Smut Muffin (LOL!), and to Tamela Gibson for putting Patrick on the banner in The Library (WOW!). Everyone else, please know how much I appreciate all of you. You’ve been so kind and happy to help, and every time it makes my day. I hope all the best for all of you.
Every one who leaves a happy, encouraging review, sends me a kind word, or simply buys my books and enjoys them, I appreciate you more than I can say.
Thank you!
<3
About the Author
Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire
all
of her stories. *
wink*
)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.
She lives in the center of the U.S.A. with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations.
It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction.
Books by Tia Louise:
One to Hold
(Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep
(Patrick & Elaine), 2014
One to Protect
(Derek & Melissa), 2014
One to Love
(Kenny & Mr. X), 2014
One to Leave
(Stuart & Nikki), TBD
Amazon Author Page:
http://amzn.to/1jm2F2b
Connect with Tia:
Twitter
(@AuthorTLouise)
Instagram
(@AuthorTLouise)
(Derek & Melissa’s story)
WARNING: Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!
Derek Alexander is a retired Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.
When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.
Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.
Standalone, M/F, HEA
Now Available on
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Google Play
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ARe
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*Keep clicking to read an exclusive excerpt from
One to Hold
!
by Tia Louise
WARNING: Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!
There’s a new guy in town...
“
Patrick Knight, single, retired Guard-turned private investigator. I was a closer. A deal maker. I looked clients in the eye and told them I’d get their shit done. And I did…”
Patrick doesn’t do “nice.”
At least, not anymore.
After his fiancée cheats, he follows up with a one-night stand and a disastrous office hook-up. His business partner (Derek Alexander) sends him to the desert to get his head straight—and clean up the mess.
While there, Patrick meets Elaine, and blistering sparks fly, but she’s not looking for any guy. Or a long-distance relationship.
Patrick’s ready to do anything to keep her, but just when it seems he’s changed her mind, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.
Standalone, M/F, HEA
Now Available
on
Amazon
|
Barnes & Noble
|
iTunes
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Kobo
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ARe
Print copies on
Amazon
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Createspace
Exclusive Excerpt
One to Hold
By Tia Louise
© TLM Productions, 2013
Chapter 1: A One-Week Stand
In the cool darkness of the semi-crowded bar, I could allow the last year to dissolve into a hazy fog, a far-off memory. Each low thump of bass that disappeared into the dull roar of voices beat it further down. With a little more alcohol, it could even become a dream—something that never occurred in real life. Something that could be brushed aside like a phantom, not a true form. Not a reality that burned shame, low and deep in my stomach.