Box of 1Night Stands 21 Sizzli

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.” God, she wished he’d leave before she started crying again.Which she promptly did anyway.“Please go away.You’re making this so much more difficult than it has to be.”“Running away is more difficult than being with me?” He shook his head as though he knew better.“Don’t run from me, Leah.”Her heart leapt at the sweet words.He was right.Running away was useless and exhausting.After a year of loneliness, she’d be a fool to deny his offer.He’d proven to be kind, intelligent and sexy.Maybe not such a bad foundation after all.When he continued to stroke her cheek, she leaned into his strong hand.“What do you want?”“I want to see where this takes us.” He bent his head and gently kissed her.“Let me help you feel again.~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~Valerie Mann has lived from sea to shining sea and currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina.She has her own romance hero husband, five children, and two lazy cats.She started writing when she figured out her school chums would listen to her stories, with “The Stolen Ring”, a riveting tale about a ring stolen from a museum gumball machine, being her first critical success.Between family, authorly stuff, managing and editing for an electronic publisher and whatever else she can cram into a day, she’s having lots of fun! She loves to hear from her readers! ValerieMann09@yahoo.comYou can visit Valerie at her website:www.valeriemann.comBrokenA 1Night Stand StoryByNY Times and USA Today Bestselling AuthorDiane AlbertsAlso by Diane AlbertsKill Me TomorrowReclaimedAbsolutionEscape to Me~DEDICATION~This one goes to all the military heroes serving our country.Without you, America could not be free.Without you, I wouldn’t be able to write this book.From the bottom of my heart, thank you.And to all of the Marines I have met, and lost, in my life—I will never forget.Chapter OneMatt sighed, moving his wheelchair into the elevator while attempting to fight down the dread threatening to overwhelm him.Why had he allowed his team to book him a pointless date when his heart didn’t feel ready? Since returning from Afghanistan with useless legs—and losing his fiancée to boot—he didn’t feel like romancing the ladies.He’d get what he came here for—sex—and maneuver his chair the hell out of this elegant hotel.His “date” would likely be grateful for his hasty exit.Who would want a crippled war hero who woke up screaming once a night lingering around, anyway?Not Sara.Less than a month after his return, she’d run off as if the devil himself chased her.Not like Matt could have caught her.He couldn’t even walk, let alone run.Besides, why would he want her back when she couldn’t stand the sight of him? He’d left home a virile man and returned an invalid.Not many people could handle the result of what he’d suffered in the war.With no family or loved ones nearby to help, his squad feared he’d fallen into depression, and he suspected they were right.Not that he’d admit it.Hell, no.No man worth their respect cried to a bunch of Marine snipers.Not unless he wanted pity, and he damn well didn’t need that.He got enough of it from strangers every day.The knowing stares, the humiliating rush to hold the door open for him.Every last bit of kindness ate him raw.Why, in this great country, did a soldier need to be injured to garner attention? Plenty of men in his squad deserved it more than he did.His agony stood out more.Enlisting in the Marines, he had known the risks he incurred when he’d signed his name on the dotted line.Known he might lose his life.But instead, in an odd twist of fate, he’d lost his legs.He hadn’t had a contingency plan for that.Oh, well.Cry me a river, build a bridge, and drive the hell over it.Life moved on.Even now, his team prepared to return overseas, minus him.There wasn’t much a crippled man in a wheelchair could do in war.Besides be a target.Hearing a delicate sniff, he glanced over his shoulder in surprise.He’d been so distracted he hadn’t noticed the gorgeous woman standing in the corner behind him.Black-framed glasses perched on her nose, her delicate features surrounded by wispy blonde hair that cascaded to her shoulders.Her skimpy red dress bared an unbelievable amount of golden, tanned skin.Thank God for hot California nights.When her green eyes met his, he stopped breathing at her sheer beauty.Once upon a time, he’d have taken advantage of the moment.First a sly smile, followed by an even smarter pick-up line.After a few drinks, he’d have been between her legs.He’d been whole then.Now, he’d be lucky if he could entice anyone to screw him without the help of Madame Eve’s service, let alone someone as stunning as his elevator goddess.She smiled and studied him.Frowning at the lust raising certain parts of his body, he lowered his attention to his clenched hands.No way in hell he’d be caught looking at her again, no matter how much she tempted him.He didn’t need to observe her pity as he wheeled out of her life.“Were you injured in the war?” Her musical tones startled him.She’d moved so softly, he hadn’t heard her approach.He cleared his throat.“Um, yes.Afghanistan.”“My brother’s in the Army.He’s heading overseas in two weeks.Are you Army?”I’m nothing, anymore.He shook his head.His voice came out more curt than he’d intended.“No.Marines.”“Ooh-rah,” she murmured.She studied the numbers and clucked her tongue.This left him free to study her profile, marveling at her perfection…and the curve of her cheek.If only he could….No point finishing such a futile thought.He couldn’t.And wouldn’t.The bell dinged for the fourth floor.His fingers tight on the wheels; he headed into the hallway without another word to the gorgeous blonde.With each roll that brought him closer to his date, his nervousness increased, making his arms shaky and weak.He hoped the woman awaiting him knew her date would be a useless cripple.And if God had any pity, she’d be nothing like the intimidating woman in the elevator.***Tiffany tossed her hair over her shoulder and stepped out into the hallway.Palms sweating, she darted a glance at his back.He studied a paper in his lap, seeming unaware of her presence.It appeared that he had no clue his date for the night had stood right next to him, ready to be his.As soon as she’d laid eyes on him, she’d known who he was.His black hair and light blue eyes stood out like a beacon in the night.He looks even hotter in person than in his picture [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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