Talk to Me (Public Lives, #1)
Author: Clare James
Release Date: June 9, 2014
Genre: Steamy New Adult Romance
Blurb:
Finn Daley took the world by storm two years ago when he was drafted by the NHL. The young, handsome, high-scoring player quickly became a fan favorite. He had everything going for him: fame, fortune, a promising career, and his pick of women. But when he made an abrupt exit from the NHL last spring, everything changed and he’s been in hiding ever since.
Casey Scott plans to find out why.
After interning for free all summer at the top television station in the Twin Cities, Casey lands an on-air gig. Trouble is, the new role is Sports Girl—which means reporting from local bars and tailgating parties to create excitement for the hometown heroes. All while wearing tiny team jerseys that are so tight they leave little to the imagination.
But she has a plan. Uncover the biggest sports mystery of the decade, and she’ll be on her way. Question is, how far will she go to get the story?
Buy the Book:
Chapter One:
Casey
I
was a bloody mess, sitting on Finn effing Daley’s kitchen counter. My skin was
torn and mangled, and there were rivers of crimson running down my thigh and
puddling in my socks. It was an unusually warm fall day, so I was wearing my
favorite blue running shorts and a t-shirt—an outfit that allowed for such an
injury, and one that now felt exceedingly indecent. Especially when he was so
close that I could feel his breath marking my skin.
If I
was producing this clusterfuck of a story for TV news, I would definitely use
this scene as the Teaser. That’s what I wanted to do with my life, work as a
broadcast journalist. I had learned that starting a story with blood and the
hint of sex was pure magic. It didn’t get much better for the viewing audience.
Remembering
back, however, I guess there was more than just a hint of sex that day—so
there’d have to be some major editing done before it ever hit the air.
Consider
this the unabridged version.
Finn
ran his hand through his hair and tugged it—at the root—two times. After
spending countless hours studying him, I had learned it was a nervous habit.
When he looked back up at me, his eyes dilated. All the softness is his gaze
had grown hard. Gone was the sweet caretaker intent on patching up my injured
legs. This guy looked more like the violent hockey player on the ice who bashed
players into the boards whenever he got the chance.
“It’s
no accident that you just happened to be riding your bike past my house, is
it?” he asked, backing up from me. “No accident that we just keeping running
into each other?”
“What
do you mean?” I said, holding my breath. There was no way he could’ve known who
I really was or what I was really doing here.
Just
play it cool, Casey.
“I
admit,” he laughed, balling his hands up into fists. “It’s been awhile since I
had a little visitor. I guess I should be flattered that the girls haven’t
forgotten about me. Who sent you? Gina? Heather?”
He
moved in closer and my heart thrashed around in my chest. I had no idea what he
was talking about, but it couldn’t have been good. I tipped my chin up so he’d
know I wasn’t afraid. He would not intimidate me.
“Nobody
sent me,” I told him.
“Ah.”
He smiled. “Came here on your own accord, huh? Curious Casey Scott. Does your
brother know what kind of girl you are?”
“Look,”
I said, my concern on the verge of panic after his drastic change in tone. “I’m
sorry, I bothered you. But nobody sent me. I was just biking in the area…”
That’s
it. Deny. Deny. Deny.
I
continued to babble, but Finn wasn’t paying attention to my words. It was well
past time to abort this mission. It was a stupid idea anyway, and I was coming
to realize that maybe Finn Daley was just plain crazy. And Lord knows I had
enough of that to last a lifetime.
Bracing
my arms on the ledge, I started to slide down to make a run for it.
Finn
caught me.
He
flipped me back up onto the countertop and caged me in with his arms. He leaned
forward and I was immediately consumed by his scent—clean, crisp, and
welcoming, like everything in his home. It was almost serene there; a bubble of
calm in what must have been a terribly chaotic life. At least when he was still
playing hockey.
When
our gazes finally locked, a wave of relief washed over me.
I
don’t know how I mistook his demeanor for violent. It wasn’t. Aggressive? Yes.
And definitely in control. But I knew he wouldn’t harm me. He worked his way
between my dangling legs and I swear I wanted to pull away. I tried, but failed
epically.
My
face went hot. Hell, my entire body went hot.
Finn’s
stormy grey eyes turned even darker. His cheeks flushed. His chest rose and
fell with accelerated breath.
Yes,
even I knew what this was. He wasn’t violent or angry—at me anyway. This was lust.
Pure, carnal, and desperate.
It
paralyzed me.
Finn
pushed my legs open, gripping each thigh in his hand. My breath caught and all
that heat pooled between my legs. I opened my mouth to say something—I’m not
sure what—but nothing came out.
“Did
you want it like this?” he asked, moving one hand to stroke me right down my
center. Slow and deliberate. There was no hesitation in his motion, and no
mistaking what these girls did for him. What he thought I was there to do.
Could
I play along?
I
knew I should’ve been logging all this information in my mind. This was part of
his story. I needed to get more details; I needed to work. Yet all I could
focus on was his touch, and the effect it was having on my neglected body.
He
moved his hand away and my body screamed in protest. I bit the inside of my
cheek because there was no way in hell I’d let him know I wanted more.
Who
did he think he was, anyway?
“Or.”
Finn clamped his hands onto my waist and pulled me off the counter.
No.
No. No.
As
much as I hated to admit it, I wasn’t ready for this to end. Whatever this was.
He
then flipped me around, and bent me over the cool surface.
Yes.
Yes. Yes.
My
head was spinning. I was not a tiny girl. Still, he tossed me around
effortlessly. It made me feel utterly defenseless. And completely desirable. My
body was bent over the counter and it was freaking glorious.
In
my indecent workout clothes, every sensation was magnified. The cold granite
chilled me right through my top, and my nipples pebbled on contact. The breeze
tickled me as my shorts road up, revealing a nice slice of my ass.
“Wait,
Finn,” I choked out. I had to put an end to this. This situation was obviously
a case of mistaken identity, and he was obviously expecting someone else. I had
to tell him.
Finn
heisted my waist up so high I was balancing on my tiptoes. I could only imagine
how I must’ve looked—sprawled out over the counter with my ass high in the air.
I
should really tell him.
He
reached between my legs and pulled my shorts and panties to the side.
Well,
maybe I could wait another minute to see where this was going.
Or
two.
Finn
didn’t say anything as he began to stake claim over my body. I stayed mum,
letting him take over.
The
cold air hit my most private parts and I almost came undone right there. I
tried to pull myself out of the lust-induced state. I knew this wasn’t right.
It was actually mortifying, but I couldn’t make him stop. I didn’t want him to.
I never understood the insane things woman did for men, or for sex … until
right at that very moment. I had been thinking about nothing but him for days
and now I was here at his home. And he wanted his way with me. I couldn’t help
feeling that I so wanted to give it to him. Strange that I still felt
empowered. Even in this vulnerable position. It was a heady sense of control I
had over him and I was getting drunk on it.
“Tell
me how you found out about my interests, Casey,” he growled in my ear as he
plunged two fingers deep inside.
“Ah,”
I called out and my eyes rolled back in my head.
When
he repeated the motion, I was so disoriented I had to remind myself to breathe.
Still, somewhere under the sublime layer of need, I knew I had to set the
record straight. But all that came out of my mouth was needy whimpers and
incoherent chatter.
“That’s
okay,” he said, with a deep chuckle. “I guess I’ll just have to make you talk
to me.”
About the Author:
Clare James is the author of steamy contemporary romance and new adult novels: BEFORE YOU GO, MORE and DIRTY LITTLE LIES. A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on—mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine.
A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.
A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.
www.clarejamesbooks.com
@clarejamesbooks
http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor
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