Fractured Lines by Jen McLaughlin will be releasing October 14th, but first we have some exclusive content to share. Each week, FINNClub team members will be sharing special details from the book, and series, in order to share their excitement for the new novel.

Today is all about Finn.... oh, Finn who makes me swoon and sigh....

Title: Fractured Lines (an OUT OF LINE novel)

Author: Jen McLaughlin, Diane Alberts 

Publisher: (October 14th, 2014)

Add to: Goodreads

Order a copy: Amazon, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: The lines we once crossed so easily have widened and torn us apart…

Once upon a time I thought Finn and I would live happily ever after, but real life doesn't always have a happy ending. He's testing my trust, and I'm losing faith in the man I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with, and there’s nothing I do can stop it. He’s the one I trusted to keep me safe, but now he’s the source of my greatest pain…

Forgiveness is fragile, and some fractures never fully heal...

One mistake—a slip in a moment of weakness—might cost me everything I've worked so hard for. The thing about trust is that it's a lot easier to lose than it is to build. Just as I'm about to give up and surrender to the demons from my past, an unexpected threat reminds me what I'm best at: protecting the woman I love. Whether or not she wants me, I will fight for Carrie and our daughter, and I will keep them safe—no matter the cost.

Even if I have to put my life and my heart on the line.

Finn Coram As one reviewer put it, “Oh, Finn, Finn, Finn, Finn-ey, Finn, Finn.”

There’s just something about Finn from the OUT OF LINE series that makes female hearts go aflutter. Maybe it’s the fact that he was/is a Marine. Maybe it’s the Harley he rides. Maybe it’s the surfing. Or the fact that he can kick ass without even breaking a sweat.

I’m not sure what it is, but there’s just something that makes him irresistible to readers and myself alike. When I wrote their third book (which was planned to be the last) it was so bittersweet. Being in Finn’s head was just so much FUN. He’s protective, but daring. Sweet, but dominant. Hot, but sensitive.

When I thought we were done forever, I was sad, but okay with it. After the readers had finished, I got countless emails begging me to continue the story. I didn’t think it was possible, but then…it hit me. I could write Finn as an adult! And so FRACTURED LINES came into existence.

One of the most fun parts about writing him in four books is the progression of his dirty talk. I thought it would be fun to highlight one line from each book, to show you what I mean! So here goes!

OUT OF LINE

“Have you kissed Cory again?”

“W-What?” I asked, caught off guard.

“Since you kissed me, have you kissed him?” he asked, his jaw ticking.

I shook my head. “No. Of course not. Just the once.”

“Good.” He lifted my shirt a little bit more, his fingers brushing my bare skin, never dropping my gaze. “You’re mine now. Don’t forget it.”

OUT OF TIME

His gaze latched on my hand. “Take off everything but the heels and the...” he said, his voice gruff. He gestured to my thigh-highs, “...the tights or whatever they’re called.”

“Finn.”

“You have no idea how beautiful you look right now,” he said, his voice so low I barely heard him. I wanted to press my thighs together to ease the empty ache I was feeling without him inside of me, but I couldn’t. Not with him in between them. “I bet you want me to taste you again. Don’t you?”

OUT OF MIND

“Tell. Me.”

“Finn.” I grabbed his hand and pressed it back where I wanted it. No, where I needed it. He couldn’t stop now. Not when I was so close. “Please.”

“Tell me the truth, and then I will.”

“Y-Yes. I did it, okay?” I moaned when he rubbed me again, but too lightly. Not enough. Not nearly enough. I knew I was being too loud, but even knowing it didn’t make me stop. “Finn, please.”

“You touched yourself and imagined it was me?” He nibbled on my neck and thrust a finger inside me again. Thank freaking God. “Was it my lips or my fingers when you did it?”

FRACTURED LINES

“Excuse me? Are you talking back?”
“N-No.” I licked my parched lips. “I just—”
He caressed my butt, his fingers gliding over the side and across my thigh. When he closed his hand over my core from behind, his fingers dipping inside me just enough to drive me crazy, I collapsed against his chest. “From now on, the only words allowed out of your mouth are more, yes, please, and sir. Got it?”
I nodded frantically, silently willing his fingers to move over me. To bring me to the edge again. “Yes, sir.”  

PRE-ORDER SALE

FRACTURED LINES is now up for pre-order on amazon! If you purchase the book before its release day it will be just .99 cents! This is for pre-orders only! Grab it while it's on sale.

Order on:

Amazon | Amazon UK

About the Author:

Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Find Jen Online:

Website | Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Goodreads

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Today I'm here to help celebrate the Re-Release of Beautifully Damaged! The new and revised edition is released TODAY! I haven't had a chance to read this title yet, but I've heard good things and I'm pleased to announce that it's being released! 

Bright, shiny NEW cover and all! 

Title: Beautifully Damaged

Series: Beautifully Damaged #1

Author: L.A. Fiore

 Re-Release Date: March 25, 2014 

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: This edition of Beautifully Damaged has been extensively revised and includes new scenes.
Ember Walsh is a trusting soul with the quiet beauty of her late mother, who perished in a mysterious car crash when Ember was three. A little tomboyish from being raised by her father, Ember packs a punch when a stranger gets pushy with her in a bar, catching the steely blue eyes of a tall, gorgeous tattooed man—Trace Montgomery. Still damaged from her last disastrous relationship and warned off the bad boy by friends, Ember fights the smoldering heat that Trace sparks in her when he begins shadowing her like a dark angel.
Burdened by a lifetime of horror and heartbreak, amateur fighter Trace doesn’t want to want Ember. His deep self-loathing keeps him from having any meaningful relationships, but Ember is an itch he can’t scratch. The two push and pull, slowly crumbling their walls, seemingly brought together by fate, because the turmoil that haunts their pasts is interlinked in undeniable ways. But can these two fighters finally lay down their arms?
In Beautifully Damaged, L.A. Fiore delves into deep scars and lets love and forgiveness uncover redemption.

  

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L.A. Fiore lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, their dog, two kittens and Willow: their three-legged hamster. Her twin sister lives right down the street and being a seasoned zombie hunter, there is comfort knowing when the zombie apocalypse comes they'll be ready. L.A. loves hearing from readers and can be reached through Facebook at the link below.

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Title: Sugar Kisses (3:AM Kisses #3)
Author: Addison Moore
Publisher: (February 11, 2014)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Sugar Kisses—nothing tastes sweeter than revenge…

Roxy Capwell couldn’t be more miserable. She just had her heart stomped on by her cheating boyfriend, and the last thing she’s looking for is love. She hates men.

Cole Brighton couldn’t be happier. He’s a player of the highest order, there’s not a girl at Whitney Briggs University that he can’t tag and bag. He loves the ladies.

Roxy’s dream is to own and operate her own bakery one day, but with no oven in her dorm, and a lucrative baking competition on the horizon, she agrees to move in with her best friend’s brother, the obnoxious, womanizing, Cole Brighton.

Between the heavenly scent of baked goods, and Roxy’s perfect body strutting around the apartment, Cole can’t think straight. So when Roxy’s ex starts sniffing around again, Cole volunteers to play the part of her new boy-toy and things get heated both in and out of the kitchen.

Roxy discovers she might not hate every man on the planet, and Cole discovers nothing tastes better than Roxy and her late night SUGAR KISSES.

Roxy is ball of stress and anger.
Cole is all ego and sex.
Their attraction is unstoppable.
And when their bodies collide—it's combustible.

Teaser:

Roxy and Cole’s story.
 (Cole’s POV at the apartment)

          Roxy comes in close with that I’ll cut you look on her face but I don’t move, hell, I don’t breathe.
          “If you ever think of landing those lips on me again I will make sure it’s the last kiss you ever share with anyone.” Her chest heaves, her cheeks darken a deep shade of red calling her bluff.
          “Oh yeah?” I take a step in and push my face toward hers. “If you ever land those lips on me again I’ll make sure it’s the last kiss you ever share with anyone”—a cocky smile cinches up one side, and I can tell it’s pissing the hell out of her—“other than me.”

About the Author:

Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

Find Addison Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Title: Rush (The Game #1)

Author: Eve Silver

Release Date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

Synopsis:  So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

Available from:

    

Teaser #1:

He smiles, a faint curve of his lips that reveals the barest hint of a long dimple carved in his right cheek. “No, but I can read your expression. And I’ve been doing this long enough that I know what most people tend to think when they first open their eyes.”

“Doing what long enough?”

“This,” he says, and nothing more.

A second of silence stretches into two. Though I can’t see behind his glasses, I have the feeling he’s not looking at me anymore, that he’s scanning the area, looking for…something. But as I stare at him, I see me—tiny distorted reflections of me in the shiny, convex lenses.

Copyright © 2013. Eve Silver. All Rights Reserved.

Teaser #2:

I stare at the things in front of me: the Drau. I can’t look away.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember Jackson talking about Medusa.

Don’t look at their eyes.

Their mercury eyes.

They’re poison.

They will kill me.

Copyright © 2013. Eve Silver. All Rights Reserved.

Teaser #3:

Color and sound explode, too bright, too loud. Even the air on my skin feels like it’s too much. My fingers go lax. The bag’s handle slides down my palm, then along my fingers to the tips, impossibly slow. The world tips and tilts and I flail for balance.

Luka grabs my hand and holds tight.

I blink. My house, my open front door, Dad, they’re all gone. My breath comes in short gasps and every muscle in my body feels like it’s knotted up tight.

I’m standing in a grassy clearing bounded by trees.

The lobby.

We’ve been pulled.

Copyright © 2013. Eve Silver. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author:
Eve Silver lives with her gamer husband and sons, sometimes in Canada, but often in worlds she dreams up. She loves kayaking and sunshine, dogs and desserts, and books, lots and lots of books. Watch for the first book in Eve’s new teen series, THE GAME: RUSH, coming from Katherine Tegen Books, June 2013. She also writes books for adults.

Author Links:

     

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Signed copy of Rush, US and Canada only.

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Title: The Avery Shaw Experiment
Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields
Format: ebook
Genre: YA contemporary romance
Release Date: May 2013

Synopsis:

When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

Teaser One - Avery

Grayson finally noticed Aiden and I on the couch. “What are you two dorks doing?”

“Learning about steroids,” I said cheerfully. “You should probably know that using them can cause acne, testicular atrophy, decreased sperm count, prostate enlargement and gynecomastia.”

Grayson looked rightfully appalled. “Gyneco-what-ia?”

“Enlarged breasts in men,” Aiden translated. “So you should lay off the juice before you have to start borrowing Avery’s bras.”

I gasped at the mention of my underwear and whacked Aiden’s shoulder hard.

Behind me, Grayson laughed. I knew he was about to deliver a comeback, but I refused to look at him. Seconds later his breath was warm on my neck. He whispered just low enough that his mother couldn’t hear what he said. “I like my bras colorful and lacey, Aves. Not sure your collection would do it for me.”

Total mortification. Grayson may be as close as family to me, but he was still one of the hottest, most popular guys in our whole school. Him discussing my bras in that low sexy voice that could stop a girl’s heart on the spot made my lungs constrict. Plus, he was right of course. My bras were all of the plain white cotton variety.

Teaser Two - Grayson

I started to leave the room but she stopped me at the door. “Grayson?” Her tone tugged at something inside me. “You really want to take me with you tonight?”

She sounded so small and unsure of herself. It was how she always sounded at school and around strangers, but never when she was at home with us. I think my brother had really broken her. I was seriously going to have to beat him sometime.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I know I really freaked out on you earlier, but I promise I’ll be fine. Aiden’s right.” She swallowed back a lump in her throat. “I’ll manage without him somehow.”

“Aiden’s a tool. You can learn how to manage tomorrow. Tonight’s New Years Eve and for once in your life you’re going to spend it without Aiden or The Discovery Channel.

I knew I was making progress when she cracked a smile and asked, “What about Whootylicious in 7 B?”

I thought of the luscious booty I’d originally planned on seeing tonight and sighed. “That will be an unfortunate loss, but, like you, I will just have to deal.”

I winked and then decided I’d give her ten minutes before I came back and physically dragged her out of bed.

I seriously LOVE Kelly's books, so I'm always super excited to find she has a new book being released! This one looks so good and I can't wait to finally read it! If you haven't read Kelly's books, you guys are seriously missing out on some great characters and stories.

Other books by Kelly Oram

About Kelly Oram:

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Website † Twitter † Facebook † GoodReads 

Win all four books by Kelly Oram in ebook format. This giveaway is open international, as long as you have a way to open the file.

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Title: The Boys of Summer (Summer #1)
Author: C.J. Duggan
Publisher: December 17th, 2012, (321 Pages)
Add to: Goodreads


NOTE: Power is a "New Adult" title and is intended for a 18 and older reader due to mature content.

Synopsis: It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn't relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references, and occasional coarse language.

Excerpt:

          Moon rays filtered through the windshield, giving the cabin an otherworldly glow.

          Toby’s perfect teeth were illuminated when he smiled. “You know, you are the worst winner!” He shook his head. “Ever since you won the bet, you've been apologizing  Just go with it, enjoy it, because I assure you, next time …” - he leaned closer - “… you will not be the winner.” He pulled back, smug.

          I curved a brow. “Next time?”

          He nodded. “I fully intend to redeem myself.”

          “Want a chance to rebuild your shattered ego, do you? I bet you’re itching to fix my bike so you can be rid of me once and for all.” I shouldered him gently, teasing him as I would Adam. And then I realized what I had done; I had treated him like my friends. He looked down at his shoulder, then up at me. His eyes shadowed with untold meanings that I couldn't read.

          “What if I didn't want to fix your bike?” he said in all seriousness.

          “Why, is my company so stimulating that you can’t bear the thought of being without me?” I teased nervously.

          I was aiming for light and airy, but something must have gone wrong with my delivery because Toby’s face went blank. He looked out into the lights of Onslow, ran his tongue over his bottom lip and sighed.

About the Author:

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.

The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.

For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit her Online -

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Order The Boys of Summer Online:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Barnes and Noble | Apple iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

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Enter to win an eBook copy of The Boys of Summer!

• One winner will receive an eBook copy of the above title.

Rules and how to enter:

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway.
Name & Email Address must be provided. (Easy Entry, just click the form & it does it for you!)
You must be at least 18 years old to enter. (Because of the mature content you must be at least 18 years old to enter)
This giveaway is open: INTERNATIONAL!
Giveaway ends: February 27th, 2013 (12:00AM EST)

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Title: Giving Up The Ghost (A 13 Shades of Red Novel)
Author: S.A. Price
Publisher: Sisters Price Publishing, (February 19th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads

NOTE: This title is considered "New Adult" and is intended for a 17 and older audience due to mature content.

Synopsis: Rhys Bellamy is the front man for the wildly successful 13 Shades of Red, a band hailing from New Orleans that is just a bit more then they appear. He’s sexy, caustic and on a path of self destruction that has everything to do with the fact that he can speak to the dead. A man hounded by the death of his fiancée, Rhys is a lothario of the highest caliber. His life, his band, and his agony celebrates his lost love, Phaedra, and it has made him a very popular man with the ladies, even if they will never mean anything to him. Too bad Phaedra has never and will never contact him.

When the band’s first US tour meets with some unforeseen management issues, Saffron Richards is brought in to take care of it. A veteran of the business, Saffron knows all about Rhys and his reputation and doesn’t want to become another notch on his belt. Too bad fate has it in for the both of them, and gives them an attraction neither can deny.

But life on the road with an up and coming band has its problems, from bosses to groupies to just plain old flat tires. And Phaedra, who has been watching from the mists and reveling in the misery of her lost lover doesn’t want to see him happy. Being together is harder than it sounds, especially when Phaedra crosses the veils on All Hallows Eve to reignite the love that Saffron has set to ash in Rhys. And Phaedra is not giving him up without a fight. Not because she loves him, but because she doesn’t ever want him to forget.

Warning: this is considered a New Adult genre release. Reader discretion is advised.

Teaser:

Because All women wanted a man as fine as Rhys Bellamy to pine for them till the end of time, wanted a man to be so devoted that no one would ever touch his heart again… and she was no different. But it wasn’t him she wanted, like so many in the crowd thought of him, no she knew it was the idea, what he, his songs and his voice represented, true, blinding and insane love.

Find Stella & Audra Online:

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Purchase Giving Up The Ghost Online:

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I can't WAIT to read this book!!!

Title: Broken (This Trilogy #1)
Author: J.B. McGee
Publisher: Indie Author, 143 Pages (September 28th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Note: This is an "New Adult/Adult" Title

Synopsis: Gabby's life has been anything but easy. She is surrounded by friends who seem to have everything she doesn't: money, social standing, and happily married parents. While dealing with the loss of her mother, she experiences her first heartbreak. She commits herself to her studies and runs away from any emotions that aren't safe. Bradley Banks, a confident CEO and commercial architect, who has long time commitment issues forces Gabby to feel again, but will he be her next heartbreak?

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT FROM: Mending, the sequel to Broken -


Bradley had arranged for a limousine to take them to their destination and back.  He thought it would be nice to not have to worry about driving.  The girls would be able to talk.  They would all be able to drink.  He hadn’t been able to see Ryan much since he was in residency, so he knew they would enjoy catching up on sports.
He kissed her hand.  “It’s a limo, climb in.”

Sam giggled and looked up into Ryan’s brown eyes.  “Did you know about this?”

He smirked and conceded, “I did.”

Sam put her hands on her hips and sighed.  He bit his bottom lip grinning and she busted out laughing.

Gabby and Sam climbed into the back of the limo and Bradley made sure everyone had a drink.  He had arranged for their favorite champagne.

“Where are you taking us?” Gabby asked.

“Yeah, Mr. Moneypants.  Where are you taking us?” Sam chimed in.

Bradley smirked as he looked at Ryan. “Should we tell them?”

Ryan bobbed his head from left to right. “Hmmm.  Nah.”

The girls both nudged their guys simultaneously.  “Not fair.”


Gabby had gotten excited as they approached Hopeland Gardens in Aiken, but slouched when they passed the entrance.  She had hoped that was where he was taking her ever since they had taken the Aiken exit.  She wondered where he might be taking her if not there.  What else was there to do in Aiken that would be so special, she thought?

When the limo pulled into the parking lot of the old shopping center next to the Applebee’s, she remembered that you have to take a shuttle to Hopeland Gardens at Christmas to see the lights.  She and Sam made eye contact and beamed at the realization he had made arrangements for them to come together to see the Christmas lights.

Bradley placed his hand on Gabby’s leg.  “Hey, I thought it was time to make some Christmas traditions.  I know how special this was to you and Sam last year.”

A tear streamed down Gabby’s face and she was unable to speak.  She just shook her head and cupped his face in her hands.  He leaned over and kissed her, whispering, “I love you, Gabby Girl.”

He had told her he loved her at Thanksgiving.  The past couple of months had been the best in her life.  She couldn’t believe they were actually true.  “I love you, too.”

Sam and Ryan watched on and Sam just rolled her eyes.  Ryan’s hand was resting on his lap barely touching Sam’s leg.  She moved her hand closer, and then slowly threaded his fingers through hers.  Neither looked at each other, but both were blushing.

Bradley pulled away, “C’mon.  Let’s get in line.”

“Oh you mean you didn’t pay someone off to get us to the front of the line?” Sam winked.

Bradley gave her a condescending playful look. “No, I didn’t think all these sweet people with children would appreciate that.”

“Awe, Bradley.  You’re so sweet,” Sam teased.


The wait for the shuttle had not been too long.  The ride was only a couple of minutes.  Gabby felt like she was in high school riding on a bus with her boyfriend, holding hands, laughing with her sister and Ryan.  She smiled at the couples with children and prayed that one day, these traditions would evolve into their family traditions.

“The lights are beautiful, aren’t they?” Gabby asked Bradley.

He leaned down and kissed her.  “They are, but not as beautiful as how you look with the lights bouncing off of you.”

Gabby couldn’t do anything other than grin like a fool.  She shook her head and finally found words.  “You’re so smooth, such a charmer.”

Bradley shrugged his shoulders while raising his eyebrows replied, “Hey, what can I say?”

Gabby nudged him. “Let’s get some hot chocolate.”

Ryan motioned for the opposite direction.  “We’re going to go to the dollhouse thing over there.  We’ll catch up with you two later.”

Bradley smiled a wry smile.  “Sure, man.”

Bradley

Everything was going as planned.  He and Ryan had already talked and planned for him and Sam to give them some space.  He just needed to wait for the right time.  His palms were sweaty even though the temperatures were just above freezing.  He was thankful for his gloves so that she couldn’t tell just how nervous he was.

It didn’t matter what she said, even though he wanted her to say yes.  He just needed to finally ask her, get it off his chest.  Her staying with him had only made him want it even more.  It was the next logical step in the relationship.

“Bradley?” Gabby nudged him.

He shook his head trying to snap out of his nervous thoughts.  “Yeah, sorry.”

She handed him his hot chocolate.  “Do you want to go into that Racing Hall of Fame or do you want to just walk around?”

Bradley smiled. “Let’s just walk around.”  Bradley held his hot chocolate with one hand and put his other around her back, bringing her close to him to keep her warm.  She walked with both hands on her cup, blowing and sipping her drink.  When they got to a bench overlooking one of the big ponds that went in front of the stage, Bradley motioned for her to sit down.

“This is so pretty.  I love this place at Christmas.”  Gabby squeezed her shoulders in trying to stay warm.

Bradley put his empty cup down on the bench.  He turned towards her and shook his head, “You really don’t even have a clue how gorgeous you are, do you?”

She shook her head smiling.  “No, I don’t see it.  But, you say it an awful lot.”

“Gabby…” He ran the back of his fingers down her face.

“Yeah?”

“Please don’t freak and run away when I ask you what I’m about to ask you.”

Gabby’s brows furrowed with concern.  She looked around.  “Where exactly would I run?  We took a shuttle and a limo.  I’m kinda stuck, at your mercy at the moment.”

“I just mean from us, from this.” He wanted her to know it didn’t really matter what she said.  He knew she would immediately think that what they were wasn’t enough if he didn’t clarify. “Gabby, I need you to know that no matter what you say, I love you and I want you any way I can have you.  I still mean that.”  He leaned in and kissed her.

“You’re really making me nervous.  Just ask whatever you need to ask already.”

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