It's almost here! Just one more week before the release of DO ME and the entire Irresistible Husband Series. I'm so excited...(in my Pointer Sisters voice).
Did you happen to catch the 6 at 6 interview about the book? If not, you can read it here (of course, Braxton had make an appearance and interrupt): http://bit.ly/DoMe6at6
Now, here's an EXCLUSIVE excerpt just for you:
Ugh! I hate weddings. Londyn Grant moved back as far as the crowded dance floor allowed, but it still didn’t create enough space between her and her dance partner. The mixture of cologne, smoke and alcohol was enough to make her nauseous. She couldn’t believe she was the only one from the office here. Her coworkers—all five of them—had backed out of attending the wedding at the last minute, citing one reason or another and leaving Londyn as the only attendee at their administrative assistant’s daughter’s nuptials. Her sole reason for accepting the invitation had been because she had counted on having her two male colleagues to create a buffer between her and the constant flow of wannabee suitors. She had declined several of the celebrations over the past year because she’d begun feel to like prey in a nightclub, as if she wore a neon sign posted on her forehead that read, single and lonely. Okay, so that might have been the truth, but since her disastrous relationship ended a couple of years ago, she’d crossed men off her list. She’d take loneliness over a broken heart any day.
Another song came on and the man raised his hands in the air and did a spin move. Londyn took advantage, and while he had his back turned, snuck off the dance floor. Fanning herself, she headed to the bar for something cool. Out of her periphery she noticed a man dancing with a teen. Her steps slowed and she stood transfixed by his movements. He seemed to be enjoying himself, if the smile on his face was any indication. Tall, rich, brown skin with close-cropped dark hair, a beard riding his jaw like a shadow—giving his handsome face a dangerous edge—and a smile that would probably make the strongest sister weak. He’d discarded his suit jacket and even in the white dress shirt, she could tell he had a fabulous body. Yeah. Sexy. Londyn shook herself. What am I doing? No men, she reminded herself as she continued to her destination.
Minutes later, Corinne came toward her with a wide grin befitting a proud mother of the bride. “Oh, Londyn, thank you for coming.” They shared a quick hug.
“It was a beautiful ceremony and they look so happy.” She’d spoken with the bride and groom briefly to offer congratulations.
“Wasn’t it? I’m so excited for them. My baby girl has married into a wonderful family. They’re all so warm and friendly. Have you had a chance to meet some of our family?” She winked at Londyn and whispered conspiratorially, “Quite a few of these handsome devils are single from what I understand. My nephew just moved here from Florida. He’s joining a law practice here. I could introduce y—”
“No,” Londyn said quickly. She forced a smile. “I mean, I’ll just mingle for a while, if you don’t mind.” She didn’t do matchmaking, either. “I’ll probably only stay a little longer.”
“Okay, but let me know if you change your mind.”
She wanted to tell the woman she didn’t plan to change her mind in this century or the next, but kept the comment to herself.
“I’d better go. My sister needs something. If I don’t talk to you before you leave, I’ll see you on Monday.” Corinne rushed off.
Thank goodness,” Londyn muttered. She went back to her assigned table and sipped her ginger ale while the party continued in full swing. The DJ played a mixture of old and new school songs that had everyone either up on the floor or bobbing their heads in their seats. This was how she had envisioned her own wedding—full of love, laughter and the promise of forever. Tears burned her eyes and the old sadness bubbled up inside her, but she forced it back down. She refused to shed another tear over her ex. The jerk.
She continued to scan the room, smiling at a senior couple out on the dance floor grooving to Usher’s “Yeah!” Eventually, everyone relinquished the floor to them and let out a series of whoops when the woman did a little shimmy.
“Go, Grandma!” a woman called out.
Everyone around the room had gotten into the action, except the man she’d seen dancing earlier. He sat a table with a heavy scowl lining his face. She wondered why. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who hated weddings. Curiosity got the better of her —as a psychologist, she had an interest in human behavior—and she found herself crossing the spacious ballroom to his table.
“I thought I was the only one who hated weddings.”
He glanced up at her and slowly rose to his feet. “Why would a beautiful woman like you hate weddings?”
“Probably for the same reason you do.”
He lifted a brow. “Is your mother so determined to marry you off that she’s bringing a string of guys around and letting them know you’re single?”
“Not quite, but they’ve been coming anyway. May I?” Londyn asked, gesturing to the empty chair next to his. She’d spent the past two years telling herself she neither wanted or needed a man, that she had no time in her busy schedule for romance. She had devised so many excuses that she’d become adept at keeping any and every man at bay. Yet, tonight, she had purposely sought one out. A man whose mother thought he needed help. Men who looked like him didn’t stay unattached long and could take his pick among women. Just from his mannerisms he seemed to be a good catch. She couldn’t recall any man she’d dated standing at her approach. So why, she wondered, wasn’t he seeing anyone?
“Please.” He seated her then reclaimed his chair.
“Braxton.” He extended his hand. “And you are?”
His large hand closed around her smaller one. Strong and warm. And since he seemingly wasn’t interested in relationships, safe. “Londyn. Bride or groom’s family?”
“Groom. He’s my cousin. What about you?”
“Bride. A member of the family is my colleague.”
Braxton opened his mouth, then closed it. His lips settled into a grim line.
Londyn followed his gaze and saw a woman she assumed to be his mother, a look of determination on her face, approaching with another woman. She chuckled.
He hopped to his feet. “Would you like to dance, Londyn?”
She read the plea in his eyes. “Sure. I’ll help you out.”
A slow grin curved his lips. “I appreciate it.”
He led her out to the dance floor. Belatedly she realized the DJ had switched from the fast-paced dance songs to a slow, jazzy ballad. The moment Braxton wrapped his arms around her, she knew she’d made a mistake. He smelled good and his hard body against hers felt even better. Even in her heels, he towered over her five-foot, three-inch frame by almost a foot. He gathered her closer, keeping a respectable distance, but his thighs brushed against hers and she stifled a moan. All the emotions she’d repressed since her breakup surfaced, and for the first time in a very long while, she felt desire. Londyn was torn between wanting to flee or move closer to the man whom she now realized was anything but safe.
“So, what do you propose I do as payment?”
She looked up at him. “Payment?”
“For helping me.”
Londyn averted her gaze. “Nothing, since you’re helping me, too,” she said without thought. She wanted to snatch the words back as soon as they left her mouth. Just great, Londyn. The man probably thinks you’re desperate or something, she muttered to herself. To his credit, he didn’t push the issue. As soon as the song ended, she intended to thank him and leave, but he swung her out and started moving his hips to the up tempo beat of the next song. No way would she leave the dance floor now, not when it was a song by her favorite artist, Prince. The old school funk of “Musicology” made her throw her hands in the air and sing along. The DJ followed up with Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T.”, Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love” and a few more classics. Londyn couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. Finally, they left the dance floor.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“Actually, I’ll have to take a raincheck. I need to get going.”
Braxton nodded. “How about I walk you to your car?”
“Then you can consider your bill paid in full.” His deep laughter surrounded her and made her belly flip.
“I’ll take that.”
He placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her to the elevators and down to valet. She stole glances at him striding next to her and couldn’t figure out why he needed help finding a woman. The man was fine, sexy and a true gentleman. She tried to discern how old he might be—somewhere in his mid-thirties like her she guessed based on the way he carried himself—but his unlined face didn’t give anything away. Another thing she noticed about him was that he didn’t talk a lot. While waiting for her car to be brought around, she asked, “How much longer are you planning to stay?”
“I’ll probably be right behind you. I stayed through all the formalities, so my mom should be satisfied.”
“Miss, your car,” a valet said behind Londyn.
“Thank you.” Londyn turned to Braxton. “Thank you for a great time, Braxton.”
“Thank you. Maybe I can return the favor one day,” Braxton murmured.
She smiled. Secure in knowing she’d never see him again, she said, “Maybe.”
𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒐 𝑴𝒆 
𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧: https://bit.ly/DoMeSL
𝐁&𝐍: https://bit.ly/BNDoMeSL
𝐊𝐨𝐛𝐨: https://bit.ly/KoboDoMeSL
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