In celebration of the pending release of my new novel, ‘Miss Spelled’ on September 1st, here is a second sneaky peek excerpt…
In this scene the lead character, Lou Mercer, has orchestrated a ‘chance’ meeting with her bad-ass but irresistible ex, Hunter Wincott. Her goal is to persuade him not to divulge their past relationship to her fiancée, Aiden- Hunter’s school yard nemesis. Good luck with that one, Lou!
Hunter is at the concierge desk and my tummy does flip-flops as I make my way over to him attempting to look nonchalant on the way, but most likely doing a bad impression of it. The sound of my sprinting heart beat rises above the hub-bub of people in the foyer.
“Yes sir, Mr Wincott, I will organize that right away,” the concierge says as I draw nearer.
His aftershave, a spicy blend with sandalwood undertones, takes me back to our time together, when he was every naive girl’s dream of the ultimate boyfriend—passionate, charming, lethal in bed and very opinionated but in a sexy kind of way. His star was on the rise when we met, after he had attended Oxford.
My stomach lurches upwards and I stop, suddenly overtaken by dizziness and confusion. What the hell am I doing? This is a ridiculous idea. Hunter probably wouldn’t even remember me. There were so many women during our time together, I can only imagine how many have followed. It’s absurd to think he will help me now.
“Yes sir, I will have that waiting for you tomorrow morning on your way out,” says the concierge.
“Good, and make sure it’s the top of the range, will you?” he says.
Only the best for Hunter Wincott. Just like old times.
My nerves get the better of me and I turn to walk away. This was a stupid idea. Aiden needs to know the truth, no matter the cost. Honesty has to be the best way to go.
My mobile launches out of my sweaty hand and drops to the floor. None of my fingers seem to be working, my nerves are shot and eyes blurry with tears as I bend down to pick it up.
“Lou?”
The voice is unmistakeable, although the north London accent has thickened since our last conversation eleven years ago.
“Lou, is that you?” he asks again.
I look at the expensive men’s shoes in front of me, all the way up the exquisite woolen suit, to the incredibly handsome face at the top. Those sapphire eyes, thick black glossy lashes and slightly olive complexion. He’s still a sexpot.
Oh shit!
He crouches down on his haunches and places one strong, warm hand on my elbow. A shiver flashes through my body as though he is a live charge plugged into me. With the other hand he picks up the phone.
“Is this yours?” He smiles the same smile that seduced me all those years ago. The same smile that probably seduces countless other women as well. When you’re onto a good thing…
“Ah, um…yes. Thank you, Hunter,” I stammer. “What a coincidence!” My smile feels lopsided and a manufactured giggle catches in my throat.
He helps me back up to a standing position and leaves his hand on my elbow, his current still passing through my body.
A huge void has developed between my brain and mouth. All I can do is stare and feel myself overheat, almost forgetting the reason for my journey here.
His eyes run all over my body as he puts the other hand on my arm and looks at me as though my body is a fine piece of artwork he is thinking of acquiring, just trying to figure out which room it would look best in. He always said I was perfect in every room of his flat. As was he—except for the cheating thing, that is—but it’s easy to forget betrayal in the presence of this man.
“Lou,” he says in the deep voice that is an aphrodisiac in itself. “You look good enough to eat…slowly.”
Yep, he still has the touch. All the moisture in my mouth evaporates and reappears under my armpits.
Hunter takes a step closer and I feel my body being enveloped in his strong, thick arms, the kind of arms that appear on the cover of romance novels. As tall as Aiden, but broader and stronger in frame, like a rugby player. I can feel every contour of his athletic body beneath his shirt. Momentarily, it’s not possible to remember my own name. It’s as though it was yesterday we were together.
He takes a small step backwards, enough so that we are no longer embracing but still in each other’s personal space.
“I can’t tell you how often I’ve thought of you over the years. How are you?” he says.
I clear my throat and tell my heart to slow down, and my loins to stop quivering.
“I’m good, great in fact. Thanks. And you?”
“Life has treated me very well. What a coincidence to meet you here. Do you have time for a drink, dinner perhaps?”
I check my watch to make it look as though I have something planned. It’s past nine o’clock.
“A very late dinner?” Hunter asks and then gives me the smile that no sane woman can resist.
Trying to remain focused on my mission is so hard with this perfect specimen of manhood standing so close. There’s something about him, a quality that is consuming. It becomes crystal clear to me how fell for him in London, and then forgiven him for his regular betrayals.
“I…uh…”
“Just you and me. I’ll organize it.” He waves over the concierge, who scurries towards us. “A table set up in my suite, fresh seafood for two. Make sure there’s an icy bottle of Krug Vintage waiting. An eighty-eight if you have it.”
“Yes sir, very good.”
Hunter turns back to me and smiles. Should I run out the foyer and flee for my life, or stay and run the risk of being charmed to death, especially in his room of all places. He was like a magician when it came to bedrooms. One wave of his warm hand and my panties used to disappear.
“What about the restaurant?” I say. “Can’t we eat there?”
“Are you afraid you won’t be able to resist me, Lou?” he smiles.
It’s only 6 days to go until ‘Miss Spelled’ is released! Whoo-hoo! And to celebrate, Amazon US, Amazon Aus and ITunes have reduced the pre-order price to only 99c!
The pre order links are below:
Itunes
Amazon US
Amazon Aus
Magic Realism mixes with romantic comedy in this new novel from Sarah Belle about the dangers of internet shopping – and using magic to solve real world problems.
Lou’s life is perfect. She loves her job, her renovated house, and most of all, her gorgeous fiancé, Aidan. But when her old flame and Aidan’s school yard nemesis turn out to be the same person, Hunter Wincott, Lou’s life is blown apart. She must divulge her secret past, or have Hunter give it away. Either way, she runs the real risk of losing Aidan.
In desperation, she turns to Google. A quick search turns up Majique, the Internet Witch, and a spell that will delete herself from Hunter’s memory. But something goes wrong in the casting process, and Lou deletes much much more than just a memory. She deletes herself from her life completely.
Luckily, there’s a one-week window for Lou to get back to the life she loved. One week to win back Aidan, before he walks down the aisle with the wrong woman, and damns everyone to a lifetime of misery. It would be easy, if only Aidan had any idea who Lou actually is.
