Double Takes by Pippa Greathouse
Adam has his own set of rules, intended to keep her safe.
Blurb
Samantha Hillis, a widow of three years, has just begun to put her life back together when a shooter in the parking lot of the mall destroys dozens of cars and causes multiple injuries. Sam is pulled into the arms of Adam Stapleton, a handsome lieutenant of the Highway Patrol, and she feels for the first time in years what it’s like to be held in a man’s arms. And it’s wonderful.
But Adam has his own set of rules, intended to keep her safe. As a series of double-takes and other events happen that make her doubt her own judgement, she realizes she’s been drawn into a web of suspicion. She’s now the object of a murder investigation, of stalking, and her own home has been broken into and ransacked. The only one she can trust now is Adam.
Publisher's Note: This romantic suspense story contains graphic scenes, power exchange and steamy romance. If any of this offends you, please do not read it.
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Extract
“Don’t pick those up. Just tell me what they say, and I’ll bring them.”
“Nonsense. I’m strong as an ox.” She lifted it, surprised that it weighed as much as it did.
“Samantha!”
Surprised at his tone of voice, she froze. He moved toward her and took it from her, frowning. “What did I just tell you?”
“Not to, but I’m—”
“I heard what you said.” His voice was firm. “This is my house. I’ll do the heavy stuff. Do you hear me?”
She took a step backward, away from him. “I hear you.”
“Then do as I say.” His voice was not just firm. There was a stern quality to it.
She stared at him, speechless, and blinked. She was at a loss. It wasn’t the first time today that he’d used that tone of voice with her.
“I don’t like being scolded.” She had to admit, she sounded petulant.
“There’s a way to avoid it.” He moved into the kitchen with the oversized box, setting it on the island. When she didn’t respond, he turned to her. “Some of these are quite heavy. I don’t want to be responsible for you getting hurt.”
“I’m accustomed to doing things for myself. And I’ve handled heavier things than this.”
He leaned one hand on the countertop, turning. “I’m absolutely sure that’s true. And perhaps in the past three years you’ve had to do it a lot. On the other hand, this is my house and right now you’re my responsibility, so these are my rules. Now. That’s all I’m going to say about it, except for this. The next time I see you doing it, I’ll smack your bottom.”
She gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”
His face was close to hers; quite close. “Try me.”
About Pippa
An assignment by my elegant and sweet fifth grade teacher was what started it all. The assignment? To write a short story and read it aloud to the class.
Enter a story about a group of fifth grade kids camping in the woods who were attacked by a Grizzly; add body parts everywhere and kids being mauled to death one by one, and pile on top one horrified teacher (Poor Mrs. J!). The kids thought it was cool, however, and I was hooked.
Writing continued throughout Junior and Senior High, in the form of space stories, then spy stories, and by the time I reached high school, had turned into romances! Every year when spring fever hit, I would take my notebook outside at lunchtime, and soak up the sun, and write. Then I would take it home and type it up on onionskin paper, on an old Underwood typewriter (Yes, I know I'm old!)
One day a few years ago while cleaning, I came upon a tote containing a wad of onionskin paper, rolled up. I was delighted to find a story that I had written when I was about eighteen, and thought, "Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I sat down and re-wrote this? And submitted it?”
My favorite Heroine? One with intelligence, integrity, courage, and firm determination. I love to have the heroine and hero ‘make a difference’ in the surroundings and lives of others in the story.
And needless to say, my favorite hero is an "Alpha male" who loves his woman to distraction, but is smart (yes, in my opinion, smart is extremely sexy!) stern, and willing to be as strict as necessary to protect her from danger, even danger from herself.
Please email me! I’d love to hear from you!
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