★BOOK REVIEW + EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY★ Chance Encounter by Christy Reece

“Now that the excitement has passed, I just realized how tired I am.” She flashed him a shy smile. “Thanks for a lovely day. It’s exactly what I needed.”

“I enjoyed it, too.”

He wanted to say something else, keep her there for a few more minutes. Wanted the right to kiss her, hold her close. But no matter how much both of them had enjoyed their time together, today hadn’t been a date, and he sure as hell wasn’t her boyfriend.

He nodded, backed away. “Good night.”

He came to an abrupt stop when she whispered, “Brennan?”

“Yes?”

“Would it be too out of line if I asked you to kiss me again?”

Hell yeah, it’d be out of line. And totally unprofessional and inappropriate if he complied. So then why was he walking toward her, standing in front of her?

She was easy to read. He saw the anxiety, but more than that, he saw the hope, the need. “I don’t want to frighten you again.”

“You didn’t frighten me…” Her smile was uncertain, almost shy. “You made me really nervous…and—”

“And?”

“You made me feel something I haven’t felt in a very long time. Wasn’t sure I ever would again.”

“Like what?”

A pretty, pink flush washed over her face. “You made me want.”

She left him breathless with her sweetness, her honesty and courage. Even though every masculine instinct told him to take her, hold her, devour that sweetness, Brennan held himself still. Everything, including the smallest of gestures, must be up to her. She’d had too much taken from her already. Damned if he would demand something she wasn’t ready to give.

He could, however, give her this. “I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone more than I want to kiss you.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? Skylar told me you dated a Miss America contestant and a Miss World in the same week.”

He liked that she could tease him, that she felt comfortable with him.

When he did nothing, she bit her lip slightly, tilted her head. “So, you going to do it or not?”

“No, you are.”

Anxiety again, but it was almost immediately replaced by excitement, curiosity. Stretching up on her toes, she leaned into him, put her mouth on his, and then instantly raised her head, looking somewhat disappointed.

“That the kind of kiss you wanted?” Brennan asked.

Darn him. He knew it wasn’t, but he also wouldn’t take anything she wasn’t ready to give. After yesterday’s near fiasco, she couldn’t blame him for his caution.

Kacie wanted to growl her frustration. She’d never asked a guy to kiss her before, never had to. And now, she wanted this man’s kiss more than anything, and he expected her to do it on her own?

“Okay…let’s try it again.” She put her hands on his shoulders, her mouth on his and pressed a firm kiss onto his unsmiling lips. That was better but still not what she wanted.

Taking a breath, she wrapped her arms around him, pressed her body against his, and put her mouth back on his. Still nothing.

She spoke against his mouth. “You know it takes two to tango.”

She was so close she felt the smile curve his mouth against hers. 

“You’re doing good…keep going.”

She might’ve given up if it wasn’t for the fact that she was pressed against his chest and could feel the rapid beat of his heart. He might be playing it safe, but he wasn’t unaffected.

Feeling empowered, Kacie put her mouth against his again, moved softly, caressing. He responded, but too slowly, too careful. She wasn’t about to give up, though. She pressed deeper into him and licked his lips, then took a nibble at his sensuous lower lip. A deep growl started in his chest. Progress, at last.

Continuing the assault, she nibbled, sucked, and also added the occasional tongue caress. That lasted for several seconds until, with a deeper growl, Brennan took over. His mouth opened, and he drew her into a soul-devouring, heart-stopping melding of his mouth to hers.

Kacie halted all efforts to control the kiss as she let Brennan sweep her away into the most delicious moment of her entire life.

Minutes later, he raised his head and said softly, “Good night, Kacie.”

Every part of her body throbbed with need, and though she knew she’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted Brennan Sinclair, she also knew she wasn’t ready to take this any further. 

Pulling away from him, she said softly, “Good night,” and made her exit before she could change her mind.

She felt his eyes on her as she walked up the stairway. If she turned and went back down, she knew she could have more of those delicious kisses, plus other things. She didn’t have the courage to try, though…at least not yet.

Feeling as though she was dancing on air, Kacie prepared for bed. Her usual ritual of face washing and teeth brushing were done automatically as she relived those moments in Brennan’s arms. How wonderful he had tasted, and while she’d felt safe and cared for, she’d never experienced such off-the-edge excitement. It was like freefalling from an airplane but knowing that you would land safely and securely.

She pulled on a favorite pair of pajamas, short shorts, and a tank top, pulled back the covers, and settled down to sleep. By habit, she’d left the light on in the bathroom, but she was almost sure that very soon it would no longer be a necessity. Even though someone out there possibly wanted to ruin her, she actually felt safer than she’d ever felt in her life. How incredible was that?

Sliding her hand under her pillow to position it more comfortably, she paused when her fingers touched something odd. Puzzled, Kacie sat up and picked up her pillow. She squinted in the dim light. Flat, shiny, and square, it appeared to be a photograph of some kind. 

Flipping the light switch at the top of her bed, she looked down again. A moan escaped her, and then she couldn’t breathe. Breath rasped from her lungs in loud, ugly gasps. A dim part of her mind told her she was hyperventilating, but she couldn’t stop, couldn’t think. 

Oh God, how had—

Practically falling out of bed, Kacie stumbled to the door, opened it and was at Brennan’s door in a second. She barely managed to wait until she entered his room before she sobbed his name.

Kacie Dane, supermodel and America’ sweetheart has a hidden and difficult past. Someone is set on making her new life hell and reveal her tainted history.

Five years ago she was abducted by a maniac and sociopath who drugged and raped her repeatedly. She came a long way reconstructing herself and making her new life a safe haven. She is still skittish about dating men and lives like a recluse when she is not working.

Reaparrances of proofs from her previous abduction are about to break her again…

Fortunately, Kacie stayed close to Noah McCall, head of LCR , who decides to set her up with a bodyguard / fake boyfriend until they can identify and neutralize the threat.

Freshly recruited by LCR, Brennan Sinclair is the lucky guy who’s picked to play Kacie’s fake boyfriend and bodyguard. He retired from a successful football career after the tragic events that cost him both his son and wife’s lives. He is still portrayed as the villain and sole responsible by the media to that day.

I liked the beginning of the book, the set up really called for all my attention as I was suspecting everyone, even Kacie, lol. The idea to set her up with a bodyguard acting as fake boyfriend to not gain anyone’s attention was great and held promise of a future romance between this fragile young woman and a broken hero.

Despite a good plot and a great start, I lost focus around 30% in. The investigation about the bad guys took forever to lead somewhere, it dragged a little. The romance part was slow, as expected,  regarding Kacie’s past with sexual encounters. I was glad that the author gave some time to the heroine to manage and go past her barriers and issues regarding such an heavy subject. I appreciated Brennan complete comprehension about it.

That being said, I never felt the chemistry that was told to me in the book. Yes the author showed some moments of intimacy and mostly Brennan consoling Kacie… But for me it missed something and I’m not sure what. Maybe some action? Brennan involved in Kacie’s security did not make for a lot of actions and bravado demonstrations from his part.

There was a great kick in around 70% but follow up was strangely OTT and suddenly unbelievable. Thus far, all seemed very realistic and I didn’t understand the change of turns the author made. It completely disconnected me from the feelings I had throughout the book and this lead me to a 3 stars rating, which is not bad in my book.

(Five Kindle or Nook Gifted Ebook copies of Running on Empty, A LCR Elite Novel #1. Alleskelle Blogs is not responsible for this giveaway. Please contact the tour host or the author.))

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