I’m drawn to Cade as he charms his way into more of my life and offers me something I truly haven’t ever had: a friend. Yet his humor, patience, and drop-dead sexiness take my breath away, and I know my heart is at risk. I want to move forward but am terrified I can’t.
Cade seems to have it together from his own devastating heartache. His subtle actions, however, suggest a different story. And even though he says he wants more, I wonder if he’s able to trust in our developing relationship.
As we navigate through our tangled feelings, we vow to take it slow. Yet no matter how careful we try to be, things between us intensify—and there’s nothing we can do, or want to do, to stop it.
But the biggest question remains: Is chemistry enough to move beyond the past and toward a future together?
Purchase One Funeral from:
At the faux-funeral, Cade teases Hannah about bathroom trips…and other things…
We stepped out into the main room, which was done up just like a funeral viewing, from the spray of flowers at the front to the rows of uncomfortable-looking chairs. And of course, there was a huge ornate cross up on the dais, but then again, we were in a church.
Okay, this isn’t so bad. It’s a funeral.
After a quick scan of the room, I saw Cade. He looked miserable until the moment his gaze locked onto mine. Then he dropped his head, slumping in shame.
I burst out laughing.
Drawn to him, I crossed the room without a second thought. “Nice tie.”
He tugged at the bright collar at his neck, grumbling, “Don’t forget the cummerbund.”
“That’s nothing. Look at me.” I plucked at the shiny, pink fabric. “Isn’t this the most ghastly thing ever to be called a dress? It’s a monstrosity in taffeta.”
He backed up a step, making a show of visually drinking in my entire body from head to toe. “I don’t know, Maestro. All I see is a burlap bag.” His eyes flickered with heat. “And petticoats.”
My legs bounced with sudden excitement, and I forced air out of my lungs on a slow exhale. Cade did things to me—heated, body-rocking, mind-spinning things—and I wanted unlimited amounts of that kind of medicine tonight.
How ironic. I wanted some of Cade’s wild-and-crazy to calm me.
“I need you tonight, Cade. This whole” —I gestured frantically to my outfit, then his— “getup is freaking me out a little.”
He put firm hands on my shoulders, staring hard at me. “A little?”
I thought about the great strides I’d made in therapy and how what I believed became reality. I was stronger than a bridesmaid dress. I’d learned how to separate my present from my past in therapy, and there was no way I was going to let all of that progress unravel now.
Tonight, in a bright pink bridesmaid dress, I made a vow to myself to enjoy the present moment.
I tilted my head and shook it. “No, I’m okay. Even if what I’m wearing is a travesty.”
He pulled me closer and held me against his solid chest, wrapping his arms around me. “But I liked the whole ‘I need you’ part. What if I never leave your side tonight? Would that help?”
I nodded.
“Done.” He pulled back. “So to clarify the details, if I have to lift and hold your petticoats while you pee, will you lift and hold something when it’s my turn?” Wicked eyes glittered down at me.
I gaped. “You are not lifting anything of mine while I pee.”
“But I’m never leaving your side tonight.”
I cast him a sidelong glance, grumbling, “What did I just agree to?”
He chuckled, flagging down a waiter who held a tray of filled Champagne glasses. “Something very interesting from my point of view.” He grabbed two glasses. “Here, drink up. The night is young, and I intend to accompany you to no less than three bathroom trips.”
I jabbed an elbow into his ribs. “Pig.”
He coughed until his shoulders shook from laughter.
I swiped a glass from his hand and glared at him while I drank down the liquid courage, not yet caring that it would make his petticoat-lifting wishes come true.
He slid his hands into his pants pockets, rocking back on his heels, as the corners of his lips twitched. “Actually, I’ve been told I’m hung like a horse.”
I sputtered, choking on my Champagne.
He grinned. “Care to confirm?” He chugged his glass, a crime with the ten-dollars-per-swallow Cristal. “I’ll keep up with you. Then we’ll each fulfill our end of the bargain. Lift and hold. Keep practicing the technique in your mind.”
“I am not holding…there’s no way I’m touching…”
Cade grinned and leaned down, brushing his lips along my jawline. His hot breath fanned an erotic path up the side of my neck until a kiss caressed my ear. “My massive c**k?”
My breaths came in short bursts, my heart racing. All I could think of now was Cade’s massive c**k. And all I wanted to do was see it. Touch it.
I swallowed hard, trying to catch my breath as aching heat pulsed between my legs. When he pulled back, I stared at him. All I could manage was a nod.
What was I nodding to? That yes, I did want to touch it? My thoughts fuzzed.
“That’s right, Hannah. We both know you want to, now. I hope it’s the only thing you think about all night.”
I forgot everything I’d been worried about. Oh, I was still stuck in my head all right. But my thoughts had definitely guttered. All I could think about now was petticoat lifting and other…huge…things. When the waiter went by again, I grabbed another Champagne flute.
Cade barked out a laugh, grabbing another too. He held it up near mine for a private toast. “To adventures together no matter where we go. Most especially in the bathroom.”
I laughed, shaking my head as we clinked glasses to the most ridiculous toast ever. And yet I couldn’t wait for the adventures to begin.
Most especially in the bathroom.
Thank you for reading and sharing this sexy, humorous excerpt. We hope you read and enjoy the rest of this portion of Cade and Hannah’s story in One Funeral.
Digital copies have promotional pricing of $0.99 and are signed during release week.
The No Weddings Series:
Award-winning and bestselling romance author Kat Bastion has teamed up with her husband Stone Bastion to create the new contemporary romance series No Weddings.
A few factoids about the writing team…
Kat enjoys her chocolate rich and dark, her music edgy and soul-filling, and her vacations exotic with toes dug into the sand. And she’s wildly, madly, deeply in love with Stone.
Stone likes pounding the trails on a mountain bike, vibrating the sound system with rock music, and down time spent on a stand up paddleboard. And he loves Kat wildly, madly, deeply…and then some.
Together, they’re having a blast bringing fun-filled romantic stories to life and hope you’ll join them in the exciting adventure.
Kat’s first published work, Utterly Loved, was a twentieth anniversary gift of love poems to Stone that they decided to share with the world to benefit charity. Net proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of net proceeds from all their books, go toward charities involved in the fight against human trafficking.
Kat and Stone live amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Visit their blog at www.talktotheshoe.com, website at www.katbastion.com, and their Twitter accounts at https://twitter.com/KatBastion and https://twitter.com/StoneBastion for more information.
Places to find Kat and Stone Bastion:
This seems like a cool book! Thanks for the excerpt. I love those because it's like seeing the movie trailer for a book xD
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Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
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