Title Undone
Author Livia Quinn
Genre Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb
When Aussie gem hunter Cass McKay appears unexpectedly on Elektra's design shop doorway, her reasons for sending him away a year ago become…complicated, their passion for each other and her dark secret, intricately entwined. The truth will put their love and lives in danger.
One year ago on the eve of Carnival, Elektra broke their engagement after the "Blood" opal was stolen from them. No one steals from Cass, especially not when it cost him the woman he loves.
Elektra's reason for breaking their engagement has now come back to bite her. Cass intends to return to Brazil, putting himself in danger to retrieve her opal, in hopes that Elektra will give their relationship another chance.
Staying out of Cass' bed isn't an option if she's going to keep him safe, but coming clean might make things worse. Elektra is walking a tightrope between desire and deceit, and the truth will endanger not only their love, but their lives.
Excerpt:
Brazil
One a.m. found the bar deserted as Cass threw back a shot of Cachaca, the strong native rum, and quickly poured another. They were as prepared as they could be with eight college-age men, two older men, a part time cop, three women, Monty and him.
His emotions were running the gamut from anticipation to worry, hope to despair. In the days since he’d returned and the opal was within reach, Elektra had become companionable, even flirtatious, but he realized now her heart was only engaged during their lovemaking. She seemed determined to keep him at a distance.
He downed the rum but as Elektra approached he set the shot glass down gently, deliberately on the table.
She was dressed in a flowered calf length skirt and a gypsy peasant blouse she must have borrowed from Elena. Pretty, so pretty. He was torn. When he’d returned originally, he’d been sure that all he’d have to do was get the opal, and she’d be so grateful she’d throw herself into his arms. But gratitude was underrated, and she was already in his arms, using him for great sex while she awaited delivery of the opal. Cass couldn’t settle for gratitude.
“Hoist with my own petard,” he thought. An ache settled in his chest as he admitted the truth, finally. He kept waiting for her to take what he offered, to meet him halfway, commit to a relationship. But it was no use— all she wanted was the opal.
He picked up the bottle.
“Pour me one will you?” Elektra said as she sat in the chair next to him and extended her glass.
Pouring them both one, he waited while she tossed the strong liquor back, squeezed her eyes closed for a second and extended her glass. “More.” His eyebrows inched up. She appeared to be on a mission and needed a couple stiff ones to accomplish it.
“Better go easy, if you want to tag along tomorrow.” He squinted at her, wondering what she was up to.
“I can handle it if you can,” she said, the plump swells of her breasts delineated by the gathered bodice. Sex, that’s all she wanted. His anger flared and he snapped. He’d teach her a lesson, show her he wasn’t her plaything.
He grabbed her wrist and yanked her after him. “Hey.” She half-heartedly resisted as he strode down the hallway. “I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Yanking the door open to their room, he threw her on the bed. “Don’t play games with me, I’m not in the mood.”
“I can see that, so why bring me here? You were on your way to a good drunk.”
“And what are you afraid of—that I’ll be too hung over to get your damned opal? That’s all you care about anyway. You’re driving me stark ravin’ bonkers.”
“Well, you’re the one who insisted on finding the frickin’ thing again, so why don’t you just forget it? Who’s pushing you? Let Vargas keep it.” Her voice hitched.
Right, Cass thought. She didn’t want him to do that. What was this, reverse psychology? He growled, capturing her wrists in one hand. His mouth came down in a hard possessive kiss.
Buy Links:
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Author Biography:
Livia Quinn is a DC native who lives by the bayou in Louisiana with her husband and Cajun husky, Dusty. She gets her inspiration from the state's fascinating culture and weather. She loves stories with emotion, family and love of community so you’ll find small towns, humor, quirky characters and lots of love in her stories. She has published twelve books, both paranormal and contemporary romance.
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