There's always something good to read on Cover Reveals: Daring to Try by Cassandra Carr

Cover & Excerpt

Daring to Try by Cassandra Carr
Dare To Love Series (Kindle Worlds)

Wide receiver Taylor Wilkinson's worst nightmare has come true. As a member of the Miami Thunder professional football team, Taylor has always prided himself on staying in shape and playing smart. What he didn't count on was a three hundred twenty pound defensive lineman tackling him and using his body to cushion his own fall to the turf. Over the roar of the crowd on Thanksgiving Day, Taylor heard the pop in his shoulder and knew things would never be the same.

Fresh out of surgery to repair the double break in his collarbone, his season is over. After ten years in the league, Taylor fears his career might be too - not many players last into their thirties in professional football. Pinning his hopes on Sherryl Stoddard, the best sports psychologist in Miami, he's ready to do whatever it takes to get over his fears and back onto the field. Now, if only he could stop thinking about Sherryl's curves...

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Content/Theme(s): Sports, Football, Psychologist
Release Date: January 25, 2016
Publisher: Kindle Worlds

Excerpt & More

Purchase link(s): Amazon
Excerpt:
“Okay, here goes. I’ve dated through the years, had a couple of girlfriends, but it was mostly all superficial. I wanted to have someone to take to team functions, someone in the stands rooting for me. But none of those women were anything close to the type I could see myself with down the line. After football, I’ve always seen myself settling down and maybe starting a family.”

“Uh-huh…” Settling down? Starting a family? I’m talking going on one date at some point in the future and he’s about fifty steps ahead. I want a family someday too, but it’s not exactly top of mind right now.

“And, just so you know, retirement may be coming sooner than I’d expected.”

“Are your PT people saying they don’t think you can return to playing?” She hadn’t known the situation was so dire. A pang of genuine sadness gave her pause. In her profession, Sherryl saw this all the time, and while she could sympathize with what her clients were going through, it had never hit on such a personal level.

“No, but even if I do, this” Taylor gestured toward his sling, “is going to bother me for the rest of my career, hell, quite possibly for the rest of my life.”

“I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

One side of Taylor’s mouth kicked up just a bit. “I want to play football again. It was all I wanted for months after I got injured. Now, though, with you hopefully in my life, it doesn’t seem quite as important. Don’t mistake me, I’m not ready to hang up my cleats yet. The thought of it doesn’t terrify me anymore, though. Before, I didn’t see anything coming after football. Like I said, my overall, unformed plan, even as far back as college, was to try to get into broadcasting somewhere when my career was over. You’re real, though. I can see you.”

“Are you sure you’re not transferring your passion for football into passion for me?”

“No, I’m not using transference to soften the blow to my psyche. I’m not projecting feelings to you that aren’t there. Can you stop psychoanalyzing me for a second and just listen?”

Sherryl winced. “I don’t mean to. It’s a force of habit. A bad one, I know. I’m listening.”

“As a woman or as a counselor?”

“I can’t very well separate one from the other, but I’m trying.”

“Then we’re on the same page?”

Holding up a hand, Sherryl said, “I think we’re in the same book, but not on the same page. You’re further along in this, whatever you want to call it. I tried to ignore it for the sake of my job and professional reputation. You didn’t have similar moral issues.”

“But you’re different. Yes, you’re beautiful, and yes, I’d give anything for the chance to kiss you again. You’re also someone I could see myself with. You know, stupid stuff like bringing me a bottle of water when I’m mowing the lawn, being by my side when I announce my retirement from football, all those things a couple does together.”

“Uh-huh…”

With a chuckle, Taylor drew closer. “I’m happy you’ve come around enough that you acknowledge there’s something between us. I would’ve felt like an idiot if this had been a one-way attraction.” Reaching up, he tucked a bit of hair behind her ear before trailing his fingertips down her jaw line. “So fucking beautiful.”

Taylor took a gentle hold of her chin and pulled her face forward until their lips met. He moaned and Sherryl nearly lost any remaining shred of hesitation. His tongue moved into her mouth as he slid his hand to the back of her neck. Her hands clutched at his shirt, trying to keep her on the ground even as Taylor’s kiss began to take her to heaven.

His fingertips wandered down her back, pausing briefly to grip her hip before they rose and grazed her blouse, right over her breast. Then he encircled her waist and pulled her on top of him as he reclined on the couch. Taylor never broke their kiss, and their tongues chased each other. He’d tucked her into the side of his body closest to the back of the couch, where his sling-supported shoulder would be protected. She straddled one of his legs, the muscles evident right away. Mmm, no wonder he’s one of the fastest guys in professional football.

Finally his lips broke away, moving down to her neck, and she lifted her head to give him better access, a groan of pure need from her own lips surprised Sherryl, and reality came crashing in. She scrambled back to her former position, fixing her clothing and hoping her eyes didn’t look as discombobulated as she felt.

“W-we can’t.”

Taylor blew out a loud breath. “I’m sorry, I just want you so fucking bad.”

“Let’s take one thing at a time. We need to play it cool for a while anyway. And I’d like to go on some actual dates and get to know each other better.”

“As long as a while doesn’t turn into a long while. Don’t think I’m letting you get away now,” he murmured, his lips skating over her sensitive ear.”

“Deal.”
~~~~~~
Purchase link(s): Amazon
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