Title: Change of Heart
Author: S. E. Edwards
Genre: New Adult
Published: May 20, 2013Persevere.
That’s how I’ve gotten through nineteen years of life. It’s what I do every single day—no matter how badly the odds are stacked against me.
Persevere, and survive.
Those are my two guiding words. I never knew either of my parents. I have no family and no home. The only person I could ever rely on was myself. In this cruel world, that’s about as much as I could ask for.
Love? Hah. Don’t talk to me about love. I stopped believing in it the day my first boyfriend ripped out my heart three years ago.
That’s why love is the last thing on my mind when I leave a packed college bar with a captivating stranger. Yet everything changes when I’m awakened in the middle of the night by a pounding at the door. Suddenly, an arrangement meant for just one night threatens to become something much deeper.
All expectations are thrown to the wind as I’m tangled in a dangerous world unlike anything I can believe. The man I met has secrets swirling around him like a dark cape. I’m about to become his biggest one…
Together, we stumble toward the elevator. Rich breaks away for a second to hit the button. The light doesn’t come on.“Damn,” he growls, “it’s busted again.”
I’m one step ahead of him. I’d spotted the stairs when we entered. I grab his hand and pull him after me with no hesitation. I start up the cement stairwell, determined to get to his room as fast as possible.
“Penny, wait.”
I look back, confused. “What?”
A devilish smile plays on his lips. “Only this.” Without warning his hands wrap around my waist, and I’m being lifted up as easily as if I were a doll. He turns to the side and presses my body against the wall, suspending me between him and the concrete.
His mouth crashes down on mine again. I curl my legs around his torso, locking my ankles together, and kiss him back with the passion reserved for a lover after ten long years apart. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m getting even more turned on. Rich’s hands move down to grasp the outside of my thighs, and I moan into his kiss as the muscles of my core clench in sinful fashion. I want him so
badly. If we don’t get somewhere private soon, I won’t be wholly opposed to jumping him in public.
I gasp as he steps away, freeing me from the wall. I start to fall, but one of his hands darts down to catch me just beneath the knees. The other one cradles my shoulders. Before I know it, I’m slung across his arms like a bride on her wedding night.
“I’ve always wanted to carry a girl up these stairs,” Rich admits.
I laugh, and wrap my arm around his neck. “Oh, you are just the best type of romantic.”
Four flights of stairs later, Rich pushes open the fire door to a dimly-lit hallway. He carries me down the hall and stops in front of an entrance on the right. He sets me down, then fishes around in his jeans for the key. When the door creaks open, he sweeps a hand out in front of him. “Welcome to my humble abode.”
I walk in, curious about his apartment. I tend to side with the camp of people who believe that a person’s living arrangements can reveal a lot about his personality. But, I don’t find much to work with here.
The apartment is sparse and dark. Pale moonlight filters in through the balcony window, shining down on the only piece of furniture present: a queen size mattress lying on the floor of the living room. The red brick walls are totally empty—no girly posters or other things I might expect in a bachelor’s apartment. There are no lamps, no chairs, no couches.
After a moment, I notice a second piece of furniture: a small, old-school CRT TV camped in one corner of the studio apartment.
Rich switches on the light. “So?” he asks, “what do you think?”
I walk past the entrance. There’s one hall leading away from the room. It is filled with brown cardboard boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. “Did you just move in or something?”
Rich laughs behind me. “Yeah, something like that. You want a drink?”
“A drink?” I say. “No, I—”
The words catch in my throat as he grabs my hips and spins me around. I had no idea he’d come so close. He’d moved from the door to me without making a sound. His fingers lock together against my lower back, and he tugs me into him, pressing my belly to his waist. I feel his growing erection right away, and a diabolical excitement builds inside me.
Nothing happens.
For a long moment, Richard just holds me like that, staring into my eyes as I’m left dangling off his arms. His irises are the color of sea mist. I’m hypnotized by the deep intensity I see brewing just beneath the surface. I have no doubt that that type of intensity is mirrored in my eyes.
Then, moving slowly, as if restraining himself, Richard lowers his mouth to cover mine. This time, his kiss is sweet and gentle. Subtle and caring. He explores my upper lip first, then traces the line going to the corner of my mouth. His lips form a perfect mold over mine.
I was wrong before. This is the kiss reserved for a lover you haven’t seen in ten years.
I’m Scarlett Edwards. I’m a full-time student (2nd year, undergrad) and part-time writer. I hope to switch those around soon!
I’m kind of old fashioned. I write all my stories using paper and ink. At the end of the day, I transcribe them on my laptop. It takes a bit longer, but writing in a notebook really focuses my thoughts.
I love vintage photography. I have an old-school film camera that was my mom’s from before I was born. I use it to take pictures almost every day.
Yours to Savor is the first full book I worked on. It went through six drafts, and took me ten months to complete. In the two months since getting it done, I finished two drafts of brand new stories. I’m getting faster!I love hearing from my readers. I love getting feedback about my books. I’m just getting started, and plan on doing this writing gig for a long, long time.
I take inspiration from all the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover, Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else…. you girls rock!
I love hearing from readers! If you read my book and want to share your thoughts, good or bad, email me! Scarlett@ScarlettEdwards.com. I’ll be sure to reply!!
Click on the Giveaway Graphic below for your chance to win a $50 gift card.
First of all the cover is effen HOT!!!! like steaming HOT!!! and HELLO!!!! Can I hear more about Richard? 😉 This seems interesting and I can’t wait to read it…. Richard sound mysterious…. what is he hiding…. hmmmm?
The cover looks sweet, but the blurb sounds a little dark and the excerpt sounds hot. I LIKE IT!!!!!!
I loved all 3! 🙂
The cover is great!! HOT!!
Looking forward to read it!!
Thanks for the chance to win.
The cover catches you, the excerpt makes me want to keep reading! And the blurb I agree with Gloria’s comment it seems a bit dark but interesting
Love the cover! I can’t wait to read it.
Love the cover and excerpt so much that I just bought it on my nook! Will start reading tonight 🙂
Love the cover and the excerpt! will definitely add to my TBR!
The cover is nice, it’s the standard romance cover however, 2 people kissing. It’s not bad but it’s routine….
I loved the blurb that drew me in so I added this to my TBR List! Thanks!
Love the cover….thanks for the giveaway!
Love the cover. Its eye catching! This sounds like a really good book and one that I would love to read! Great excerpt and blurb!!
I like the cover because they look like everyday people – wet hair with sand in it. 😉
The cover is hot, the blurb sounds like a great story and the excerpt is steamy to say the least. Looks good.
I like the cover. It’s sweet and the synopsis is intriguing enough that I added this book to my TBR list on GR. 🙂
This sounds like a great book and after reading the excerpt, I definitely want to read it! The cover looks great.
Absolutely love all of it. So excited to read it.
I think the cover is simple but beautiful.
I also love the review.
Amazing!
This book sounds like a good read…I like the cover and excerpt sounds good….always love the idea of finding love especially one where one has given up on love….thanks for the great giveaway…
makes me want to read this one! thanks 🙂
Love it
Cover: Beautiful! 😉
Excerpt: Awesome! Definitely adding to my TBR!
Blurb: Interesting 🙂
it looks pretty and steamy and the book sounds very interesting
It all looks pretty hot to me, 🙂 thanks for the giveaway
Hummmm the cover is great and the excerpt looks like something HOT….only the blurb sounds dark and yet interesting… Tks for the giveaway!!!
I’m looking forward to reading this book! Thank you for the giveaway.
Love the cover…Do I sense a little bit of a beach theme??? Excerpt is fabu!! Cant wait to read:-)
the cover is so beautiful and i can sesnse this is a two thumbs up and a five star rating book! ~xo