A Rival's Kiss by Maya Hughes is now live!
Title: A Rival’s Kiss
Series: Fulton Rivals #3
Author: Maya Hughes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Najla Qamber
Release Date: May 5, 2022
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Walking away would be the smartest decision, but no one’s ever accused me of being smart. Cold, determined, brutal, but never smart.
Willa’s mine from the moment I rescue her. I protect her from a brawling crowd and she stares up at me like I’m her prince charming. No one’s ever looked at me like that. No one has ever dared to come that close.
I didn’t know she was the little sister of one of my biggest rivals. Her brother and I have both drawn blood on the field, dislocated joints, broken bones, but I’ll never want to show her that side of me.
I long to be the man she believes I am, but there’s only one way I know how to win—how to survive—and that’s ensuring my enemies lose.
Once he finds out who his sister has been dating it’ll be all-out war, and I might lose the only woman who’s ever looked at me like I’m not built only for destruction.
Changing my ways won’t be easy, but I’m willing to risk it all for her.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
http://mybook.to/arivalskiss
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3xr9rQo
EXCERPT
“At your place, I can give you your present.” She nibbled on her bottom lip and I laid on the gas to find out what she had in mind. We hadn’t been apart long, but she’d been on my mind the entire time I hadn’t been on the field.
“You know we’ve got at least another hour until we get to campus.”
Her grin widened. “Waiting will make it even better once we get there.”
“You’re killing me, Willa.” I shoved down the urge to slam on the accelerator to get us there faster.
“Sorry, I swear I’ll be good.” She crossed her fingers over her heart. “I can’t believe you came. I’ve spent the last couple weeks unsure if you wanted to see me.” She glanced down at her hands. One thumb brushed over the knuckle of the other. “When I sent the text, I wasn’t sure how you’d respond since you haven’t said as much since Christmas, but I also know you’re busy getting ready for the playoffs.” She moved one hand and the other like she was trying to reason with herself about why I hadn’t had as much to say in our texts.
“I figured you were busy with your family.” I hated myself for making her doubt for one second how I felt. Forgetting her brother. Forgetting the distance between us. Forgetting what I should be focusing on, I pulled over into the emergency lane of the highway.
She glanced behind her and braced her hands on the seat and peeling dashboard. “What are you doing?”
My seatbelt clicked as I released it and I took off my hat and kissed her again.
I let loose every emotion racing through me from the minute I left her hotel room until she stood in front of me by the baggage claim. The flood of feelings staggered me. Like a valve released on a dam that had been threatening to burst for years.
Her fingers gripped my coat tight and when I broke the kiss, feeling out of breath like I’d run in a touchdown after an interception, she looked up at me and licked her lips. The ones I couldn’t wait to taste again.
“Sorry, I freaked you out. And sorry I screwed up picking you up at the airport.”
“I don’t mind,” her whispered breathless words threatened the dam bursting completely. “Keep screwing up like that and I’ll have to keep you.”
It was like a lava bomb went off in my chest.
She so easily said things that would topple my world. Keep me. No one ever kept me. No one ever cared enough.
“You know we’ve got at least another hour until we get to campus.”
Her grin widened. “Waiting will make it even better once we get there.”
“You’re killing me, Willa.” I shoved down the urge to slam on the accelerator to get us there faster.
“Sorry, I swear I’ll be good.” She crossed her fingers over her heart. “I can’t believe you came. I’ve spent the last couple weeks unsure if you wanted to see me.” She glanced down at her hands. One thumb brushed over the knuckle of the other. “When I sent the text, I wasn’t sure how you’d respond since you haven’t said as much since Christmas, but I also know you’re busy getting ready for the playoffs.” She moved one hand and the other like she was trying to reason with herself about why I hadn’t had as much to say in our texts.
“I figured you were busy with your family.” I hated myself for making her doubt for one second how I felt. Forgetting her brother. Forgetting the distance between us. Forgetting what I should be focusing on, I pulled over into the emergency lane of the highway.
She glanced behind her and braced her hands on the seat and peeling dashboard. “What are you doing?”
My seatbelt clicked as I released it and I took off my hat and kissed her again.
I let loose every emotion racing through me from the minute I left her hotel room until she stood in front of me by the baggage claim. The flood of feelings staggered me. Like a valve released on a dam that had been threatening to burst for years.
Her fingers gripped my coat tight and when I broke the kiss, feeling out of breath like I’d run in a touchdown after an interception, she looked up at me and licked her lips. The ones I couldn’t wait to taste again.
“Sorry, I freaked you out. And sorry I screwed up picking you up at the airport.”
“I don’t mind,” her whispered breathless words threatened the dam bursting completely. “Keep screwing up like that and I’ll have to keep you.”
It was like a lava bomb went off in my chest.
She so easily said things that would topple my world. Keep me. No one ever kept me. No one ever cared enough.
Ezra Johannsen is a complex character, he's like an onion that you have to peel back multiple layers in order to get to the center. But once you do I promise you he is a person that you will want to wrap up in a huge hug and protect from the wicked people in his life.
This story gutted me and it was more than just Ezra's story, Willa's family may love and protect her but there is so much more going on there that you will wonder how she is the strong independent woman that she is.
The meet-cute between Ezra and Willa was great, it happens at a football game because that is a big part of their story...football, who he plays for and who her brother is, and yes they are Rival's as the title implies.
The chemistry is great but what I really liked was the way they cared for one another and were there to help each other when they needed it. Be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster I would highly recommend keeping a box of tissues handy.
If you enjoy Steamy New Adult Romances, Sports Romances, College Romances, or are looking for a read that has great chemistry and all the feels I would definitely recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Meet Maya Hughes
.png)
Maya Hughes, that's me!, can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! :-) I'm a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.
I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters' eyes.
I'm the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can't breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum.
Connect with Maya
Website | mayahughes.com
Amazon | https://amzn.to/3LQL3fC
TikTok | https://bit.ly/3Eg0URB
.png)
I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters' eyes.
I'm the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can't breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum.
#nadinebookaholic #bookaholic #nadinesobsessedwithbooks #bookblogger #blogpost #newrelease #bookreview #oneclick #amreading #igreads #booksofinstagram #bookish #booknerd #booklover #bookcommunity #bookstagram #bibliophile #bookshelf #bookclub #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #bookaddict #goodreads #bookphotography #bookrecs #bookworm #romance #romancereaders #STFU #mayahughes #EzraandWilla #series #ARivalKiss #firstlove #FultonRivals
No comments:
Post a Comment