There's always something good to read on Cover Reveals: Smoke & Pearls by Marianne Rice

Smoke & Pearls
by Marianne Rice
a Paige Tyler's Dallas Fire & Rescue
Kindle World novella
Will their newfound love be strong enough to battle through the betrayal, or will their relationship go up in smoke?

Sidney Mitchell, granddaughter of a wealthy Dallas icon, loses her beloved Grandpop and her world slips off its axis. When a handsome stranger sends a smile her way at the funeral, she welcomes the distraction and accepts his lunch invitation. He quickly becomes an important figure in her life, helping her forget her grief and focus on her future.

After working a twenty-four hour shift, firefighter Max Harmon is involved in a fatal accident. While paying his respects at the funeral of the victim, he is knocked off his feet by the beautiful blonde with the sad eyes. They’re both looking for an escape and turn to each other, finding friendship, laughter and incredible chemistry.

Sydney loves that Max is unaware of her heritage. For the first time, she’s not worried about a man using her for her family’s wealth. Their passion burns hot until she learns Max is the reason her Grandpop is dead. He may be charming, kind and sexy, but she can’t forgive him for stealing her Grandpop from her, and for starting the cover-up she’s sure is there.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Content/Theme(s): Firefighter, EMT, Lawyer
Release Date: January 18, 2017
Publisher: Kindle Worlds

Excerpt & More

Purchase link(s): Amazon
Excerpt:
Hours later, after they filled up on corn dogs and French fries and fried dough, and watched the final tractor pulls and horse competition, they trudged back to Max’s truck.

“I had so much fun, but I’m exhausted. And stuffed.” Sydney rubbed her stomach and rested her head against the headrest.

“I’m sorry for keeping you out late on a work night. I know not everyone has the random schedule I have.” They still hadn’t mentioned last names or jobs, wanting to keep their budding relationship away from work and too much serious talk. He didn’t mind getting opening up, but he noticed how Sydney closed off anytime he hedged toward personal topics.

“Don’t apologize. Once again you’ve taken my mind off…off things I’d rather not think about. Work being one of them.”

Max put the keys in the ignition and rolled down the windows, but didn’t start the truck. “I had a great time tonight, too.” He couldn’t remember laughing so much with a woman. Sydney was fun and spirited and not afraid to get dirty. The fancy car and clothes from the other day were a far cry from the woman he hung out with tonight.

She turned her head and blinked lazily up at him and hell, call him a pansy, but his heart skipped a beat.

“Can I kiss you now?” He picked up her hand and kissed her fingertips.

“I’d be offended if you didn’t.” She scooted across the bench and he met her halfway.

Max placed her hands on his shoulders and rested his on her hips, drawing her even closer. “I’ve been wanting to do this all night.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, pausing when their lips touched and taking the time to inhale her fresh scent.

She smelled like a fancy flower and fresh straw and he wanted to take her home and lose himself in her forever. Too many times during the evening he wanted to do this, to taste her, but he respected her too much to ravish her in public.

In the privacy of his truck, however, was a different story. And if the moans and gentle massage from her fingers into his shoulders were any indication, she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her.

Sydney inched closer, pushing her chest into his. The softness of her breasts and the tickling of her hair against his arm nearly caused an explosion in his shorts. They had more privacy than in the open field, but were still in a public place.

Tracing her lips with his tongue, he watched as her eyes grew heavy with sensual awareness. He sipped her once more before trailing kisses along her jaw and toward her ear, their surroundings tumbling away as he fell under her innocently intoxicating spell.

“You smell…amazing.”

“I’m a sticky, smelly mess.” She giggled when he kissed behind her ear. “And that tickles.”

Max pulled away, a hint of devilish humor in his eyes. “You’re ticklish?”

“Extremely.”

“Good to know.”

Sydney shook her head and pushed him away playfully. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Oh, I’m thinking about it.” He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her in for one last swift kiss before letting her go and starting the truck. “I should get you back.”

“Yeah,” she said, disappointment filling her voice.

They made it back to her car too quickly and Max helped her out of his truck.

“I had the best time tonight, Max.”

“I’m glad.”

“Thank you.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips before sliding behind the wheel of her fancy car.

“Call or text me when you get home.”

“I will.”

He watched her until the red lights couldn’t be seen anymore and then drove back to his humble apartment in the city.
~~~~~~
Purchase link(s): Amazon
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