As if from a distance, she heard what sounded like a tortured growl before he abruptly broke the kiss and set her away.
For a moment, Charlotte stood there frozen, her balance not all what it ought to be. But Alex was not unaffected, his breathing just as shallow as hers. His shoulders heaved as he appeared to attempt to gain control. He stared at her and in those moments she saw the transformation in him. His expression became closed.
Coming Early 2012
“I should not have done that.” His voice was a little gruff. Other than that, he was as she met him, cool and remote. “And you should not have permitted it.”
Indeed, lay the blame at her feet. “Alex I don’t hate you, and our chemistry has always been…good.” Explosive, wild, uncontrollable were words that better described the heat that had always sizzled between them.
“Oh, I’m not saying I don’t still find you attractive for it’s obvious I do. I’m saying I have no intention of getting more involved with you than circumstances warrant. We have a son and there is a document filed with the government that says we’re bound together legally. But that is all we shall ever have.”
Ever. Such vehemence in that one word.
For Charlotte, the word sounded too concrete and final. It held no hope of possibilities. It conveyed years of…nothing. “Are you saying you have no desire for more children?” Alex—or at least the one she’d known—had wanted a houseful of them.
“Oh, I want more children,” he replied softly, his gaze steady on hers. “I just don’t want them with you.”
Charlotte forced herself to breathe through the pain. He was deliberately trying to hurt her. She could tell by the look in his eyes, the provoking stare that dared her to respond. Willed her to. Swallowing hard, she tamped it down, the pain, the hurt, the jealousy, all he’d undoubtedly wanted to elicit in her.
“Then you should not have kissed me,” she said calmly, not sounding at all as broken as she felt inside.
“Are you telling me if I did so again you wouldn’t stop me?”
Charlotte wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to hear and sensed neither did he. “If all you just said was true, you wouldn’t need me to stop you.”
Oh Bev, such a tease. I didn’t even read it. I can’t bring myself to because I know that I’ll want more. I’m so anxious for this book. 🙂
I’m really eager to read Charlotte and Alex’s story. This book looks so good!
Thanks for the sample, now where’s the rest, LOL. I’m looking forward to reading it.
And here I thought An Heir of Deception was just a short novella and always wondered how could cram so much story into a novella…now I don’t have to wonder. Bring on 2012!
Can’t wait to read the rest of this story!
To quote a term I heard on another romance blog last week, this book seems to have a lot of “romangst”.
And romangst can make the best stories!
Ever since I read the first 3 chapters of this book, I been dying to read it…I wish it was release this year instead of next year
Geez!!
I want more!! LOL!!
Awesome teaser!
Have a wonderful evening!
Geez… I don’t know whether I’m happy I read the sampler or not. Total lump in my throat through the whole thing 🙁 Can’t wait till it comes out. I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a box of kleenex at the ready.
Thank you for the sample of AN HEIR OF DECEPTION, I really didn’t want it to end! Can’t wait for it to be released!
I’m with everyone else. I WANT TO READ ALEX’S STORY! Oh my Gosh… Besides the Harry Potter books, this is the only book I’ve been dying to read… Thanks for the teaser, Bev. In some ways it ease some of my anxiety, but now I’m hungry for more. Love this series, and wish it would never end.
How sad. To be so cruel to someone who cares for you is the lowest of the low. I will definitely have to read AN HEIR OF DECEPTION to find out how he redeems himself.
Thanks for a great tease.
Its Good. I cant wait to read more . 🙂
Beverly Kendall is a new author for me. This does sound like a book I would like to read. I agree with Library Pat , I want to know how Alex redeems himself.
Oh who am I kidding? I broke down and read the teaser. It’s so mean on both their parts. I look forward to their battle of wills. 🙂
Okay, posting this excerpt is just cruel! I can’t wait for Alex’s book…oh, and Charlotte’s.
What a great excerpt, Bev! I am looking forward to the release of this book so very much! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks for the little excerpt!
Great teaser, Bev!
Bev… you’re so mean! The teaser was delicious as always and like Kati R. our feathers are ruffled. I want this book, and waiting til January is like a slow death or a march down a neverending hallway where chocolate resides on the other side. But the teaser does remind me of everything I have to look forward too. 🙂
Bev – Thanks for the excerpt; I can’t wait to read the entire story. Is it a coincidence or do all authors save the best hero for the last book in a series? Nora Roberts trilogies come to mind. In your series, I really liked James and Thomas, but there’s something extra special about Alex. Perhaps it’s the hints of the severed relationship with his father and what exactly caused it. I imagine the reasons will all come out in this book.
I also have a question. In the fourth paragraph, it says “bond together legally,” instead of bound together. Both terms can be used, but I usually hear bound. I was wondering if you knew where the 2 versions originated from? Is one British or Canadian vs. American? Thanks
Kim, I’ve loved Alex from the get go. He’s always held a special place in my heart and so has his and Charlotte’s story. I guess in that way, I do think I’m saving the best for last–or at least that’s my hope. Readers will inevitable decide for themselves.
And yes, that’s my error, it should be bound and I fixed it. Thanks!
I can’t wait to read this. Beverley why must you tease me so?
Of course we all want more now!!! Great excert and I just love that cover!!
Ladies and Gentleman, there are 82 more days before January. 82 long days… to be percise. Hopefully by then it will be a matter of a week before Alex’s story is revealed. My father taught me that patients was a virtue, but honestly, I’m not quite sure I can bare the excitement. Thanks for the brewing excitment, Bev. In the long run, I know it will be great and well worth the wait.
Thank you!!! You are wonderful, lovely women who have brightened my day immeasurably. 🙂 And the winners are… Check for the next post. Three of you won a lovely book. 🙂
“An heir of deception” I can’t wait for it! Will it be released in paperback or only in digital format?
Hi Robi, there will be a POD(print on demand) option for this book, which essentially means it will be around the price of a trade book. 🙂 Digital will be much cheaper.
Oh Bev, such a tease. I didn’t even read it. I can’t bring myself to because I know that I’ll want more. I’m so anxious for this book. 🙂
I’m really eager to read Charlotte and Alex’s story. This book looks so good!
Thanks for the sample, now where’s the rest, LOL. I’m looking forward to reading it.
And here I thought An Heir of Deception was just a short novella and always wondered how could cram so much story into a novella…now I don’t have to wonder. Bring on 2012!
Can’t wait to read the rest of this story!
To quote a term I heard on another romance blog last week, this book seems to have a lot of “romangst”.
And romangst can make the best stories!
Ever since I read the first 3 chapters of this book, I been dying to read it…I wish it was release this year instead of next year
Geez!!
I want more!! LOL!!
Awesome teaser!
Have a wonderful evening!
Geez… I don’t know whether I’m happy I read the sampler or not. Total lump in my throat through the whole thing 🙁 Can’t wait till it comes out. I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a box of kleenex at the ready.
Thank you for the sample of AN HEIR OF DECEPTION, I really didn’t want it to end! Can’t wait for it to be released!
I’m with everyone else. I WANT TO READ ALEX’S STORY! Oh my Gosh… Besides the Harry Potter books, this is the only book I’ve been dying to read… Thanks for the teaser, Bev. In some ways it ease some of my anxiety, but now I’m hungry for more. Love this series, and wish it would never end.
How sad. To be so cruel to someone who cares for you is the lowest of the low. I will definitely have to read AN HEIR OF DECEPTION to find out how he redeems himself.
Thanks for a great tease.
Its Good. I cant wait to read more . 🙂
Beverly Kendall is a new author for me. This does sound like a book I would like to read. I agree with Library Pat , I want to know how Alex redeems himself.
Oh who am I kidding? I broke down and read the teaser. It’s so mean on both their parts. I look forward to their battle of wills. 🙂
Okay, posting this excerpt is just cruel! I can’t wait for Alex’s book…oh, and Charlotte’s.
What a great excerpt, Bev! I am looking forward to the release of this book so very much! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks for the little excerpt!
Great teaser, Bev!
Bev… you’re so mean! The teaser was delicious as always and like Kati R. our feathers are ruffled. I want this book, and waiting til January is like a slow death or a march down a neverending hallway where chocolate resides on the other side. But the teaser does remind me of everything I have to look forward too. 🙂
Bev – Thanks for the excerpt; I can’t wait to read the entire story. Is it a coincidence or do all authors save the best hero for the last book in a series? Nora Roberts trilogies come to mind. In your series, I really liked James and Thomas, but there’s something extra special about Alex. Perhaps it’s the hints of the severed relationship with his father and what exactly caused it. I imagine the reasons will all come out in this book.
I also have a question. In the fourth paragraph, it says “bond together legally,” instead of bound together. Both terms can be used, but I usually hear bound. I was wondering if you knew where the 2 versions originated from? Is one British or Canadian vs. American? Thanks
Kim, I’ve loved Alex from the get go. He’s always held a special place in my heart and so has his and Charlotte’s story. I guess in that way, I do think I’m saving the best for last–or at least that’s my hope. Readers will inevitable decide for themselves.
And yes, that’s my error, it should be bound and I fixed it. Thanks!
I can’t wait to read this. Beverley why must you tease me so?
Of course we all want more now!!! Great excert and I just love that cover!!
Ladies and Gentleman, there are 82 more days before January. 82 long days… to be percise. Hopefully by then it will be a matter of a week before Alex’s story is revealed. My father taught me that patients was a virtue, but honestly, I’m not quite sure I can bare the excitement. Thanks for the brewing excitment, Bev. In the long run, I know it will be great and well worth the wait.
Thank you!!! You are wonderful, lovely women who have brightened my day immeasurably. 🙂 And the winners are… Check for the next post. Three of you won a lovely book. 🙂
“An heir of deception” I can’t wait for it! Will it be released in paperback or only in digital format?
Hi Robi, there will be a POD(print on demand) option for this book, which essentially means it will be around the price of a trade book. 🙂 Digital will be much cheaper.
Ohh, I want MORE! 😀
I felt like crying!!! i love these books. i cant wait until it comes out. does anybody kno the exact date?
No exact date yet, Whitney. The minute I know, you will all know.