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Aug
27 2011 | ||
Adrian and Gillian do not have an easy start. He’s got his own issues, as does she and they clash – especially when she comes to tell him he’s got a son…
NEVER ENOUGH by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2011, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Publishing Group
Releasing September 6, 2011
He didn’t know why he’d shown up so early. He told himself it was so he could stop in and chat with Brody. But he’d only seen his brother the night before, so it wasn’t as if there was much to catch up on.
He set himself up at his favorite table. In the far corner where he could see anyone coming and going. He had a mocha and bagel, but it was nervousness that brought his knee to bounce, not caffeine.
Adrian knew it was her the moment he caught sight of the dark-haired woman making her way up the sidewalk. What a fucking walk she had. Confident and yet wary.
Her clothes were nice but not showy, he noted when she walked into the café and looked around. The only jewelry he saw were some earrings, tasteful and elegant, a watch and one ring on her right hand.
She locked gazes with him, nodded and made her way over. He may have been suspicious of her motives, but his brother hadn’t raised him not to stand when greeting a woman. So he did, holding his hand out.
She took it and shook. Not overlong. Not too soft or too hard. “I take it you’re Ms. Forrester?”
After a quick nod, she turned just slightly to put her sweater over the back of her chair. Enough for him to catch sight of the neat knot of hair at the back of her neck. Thick. It would have been thick, and with the mass of it he wagered it hung to her ass. He got a vivid flash of the way it would look, dark and smoky against her pale, creamy, naked skin.
“Gillian Forrester. You’re Adrian Brown then?”
She said it seriously and for a moment he believed it. Believed that she really was just making sure instead of knowing it was him without a doubt because she stalked his website or whatever. But he’d been through some type of this scenario more than once, so by that point, he wasn’t much up to trusting anyone but himself.
“Yes. Please, sit.” He indicated the table and she sat. Her voice was perfect. Smooth. Soothing even.
“I appreciate your time, Mr. Brown. I know you’re a busy man.”
And suddenly none of that mattered. Because he wanted a whole heaping helping of whatever the hell it was Gillian had on under those clothes. Sure, they covered every part of her, but fabric couldn’t begin to hide what had to be a hot fucking body underneath it all.
He let his breath out and leaned in closer. “I was far more annoyed five minutes ago than I am now.” He smiled and she returned it, not quite willingly. For some reason that appealed to him too. If she was playing him, she was a fuckin’ master, which could work too. But he preferred to think she was genuine.
The server came over. “Can I get anything for you two? A refill on that mocha, Adrian?”
He held his cup out. “Great. Thanks.”
Gillian frowned slightly, her lips, lush and juicy, turning just a bit. “I’ve already had two coffees today. Can I get a cup of tea, please? Just something black?”
“Earl Grey all right?”
Gillian nodded before looking back at him. She hadn’t expected to be charmed. The man had been such a cad on the phone, she figured he’d be snotty. Instead, he was fabulously charismatic. Charming. His speech had a cadence to it, slow and honeyed. Not southern, but something similar. As if he liked to roll his words over his palate before he gave them up.
And, she had to admit, after sneaking a few looks at his hands and forearms, that he had lovely arms. She had a thing about a man’s hands. When a man pushed his sleeves up, she looked. And she liked what she saw.
Sun-kissed, but not fake-tan orange, a dusting of dark hair. Firm, muscular flesh. Big hands. He had calluses. She knew from the handshake. Where he strummed his guitar she assumed. Strength but not a showy type.
His hair was a dark chocolate tousle. Tumbled around his face and shoulders, taunting her fingers. It would be soft and cool against her skin. A neat beard and mustache only framed lips she had a feeling knew their way around a kiss.
And none of this was anything she should be thinking! She should especially stop looking at his arms. Her fingertips itched to slide along the tattoo she could see. Musical notes. On the other arm . . . she paused. “Woody Guthrie,” she murmured, not meaning to.
His smile was surprised and pleased. “You know the quote?” He turned his arm out so she could see it better.
“My grandmother used to listen to Woody Guthrie when I was younger. She liked to tell this terribly lurid story about how she had a wild and passionate affair with him back in the day.” Oh and wasn’t that an appropriate story.
He laughed though, and she liked it on him so much she didn’t ruin the moment.
When her tea arrived, she put her file on the table and decided to just say it.
“Thirteen years ago my sister gave up her newborn son for adoption. To me.” She licked her lips. “I’ve asked her several times a year since she got pregnant just who the father was and until several days ago, she always refused.”
The teasing warmth in his eyes was gone in a second as he physically sat back, away from her.
“No.”
She sighed and tapped the folder. “Yes. My sister, Tina, died last week of congestive heart failure, and for whatever reason, she finally decided to tell me who the father was on her way out. Miles and I live on Bainbridge Island.” She passed Adrian a card. “This is my attorney. I have other things here. Pic—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Adrian burst out, interrupting her. “Christ. There are easier ways to get money out of me. You’ve got a nice enough body, a pretty face. This is bullshit. I’ve heard this tune before. Didn’t work for her either.”
She blinked several times, her face noticeably paler than it was before.
But her back was ramrod straight as she let out a long breath. “You continue to return to this theme, no matter that I’ve not asked you for a single thing but your time. Miles is your son. I promised my sister to find you and now I have. Fat lot of good that’s done.” She had the nerve to look him up and down, finding him wanting.
He stood, the chair clattering behind him, so angry he barely registered the way she flinched before she recovered her composure. “I don’t give in to blackmail. I’ve dealt with whores and gold diggers plenty of times. You played me wrong, baby. We could have burned things up between the sheets. I’d have tossed some money your way. A lot easier than this bullshit.”
That’s when she stood as well, grabbed her things, tucking the folder into her bag. Her jaw was tight, her gaze narrowed. Every movement was totally precise. Sharp. “You, my son, are a piece of work. No one calls me a whore and walks without a limp. So if you want to keep walking you’ll stay behind that table. Bugger it all, you’re a sullen little boy. You don’t deserve Miles.”
She headed out, pausing to put a few ones on the counter for the tea she’d never drink.
“You’d better go! If I see your face again or you contact any of my family, I’ll have you arrested for attempted blackmail.”
Gillian Forrester paused at the door and sneered. “You’re a pathetic little man. Never you worry, I’m done with you and it’s all your loss.”
Adrian did have to admire the way she sniffed at him and flounced out.
“Shall I call the police?” the server asked.
Brody spoke from where he’d been standing at the doorway. “No. It’s fine. Adrian, with me.” He indicated the tattoo shop and Adrian headed after his brother, ready to punch something.
I promise they make up and get their HEA! Today I’m giving away TWO signed copies of NEVER ENOUGH (yep, international entries too). I’ll choose the winners tomorrow from the comments to this post. Tell me folks, who are some of your favorite heroes?
August 27th, 2011 at 3:43 am · Link
I have been waiting for this book ever since Inside Out was released. I am now literally counting down the days. This excerpt is brilliant and has whetted my appetite for it even more, I seriously don’t know how I am going to manage waiting these last few days. It’s been a long time since I have been so excited about a book release!
August 27th, 2011 at 3:43 am · Link
I have seen a lotr of contest for the book already this month. I have entered everyone I ave come across, and every time I read this teaser, I know I have to get this series. Can’t wait!! 🙂
August 27th, 2011 at 4:27 am · Link
Who are my heroes? I know this may sound corny but the closest one to me is my Dad. He’s been my strength in having to deal with certain people in my life because i can go to him for advice. He really listens to me and I love that about him so much. He’s patient and understanding. I’d do anything for that man.
Thanks for the contest. Looking forward to this book!
August 27th, 2011 at 4:41 am · Link
i so cant wait for this book to come out the Brown series is one of my favs 🙂
August 27th, 2011 at 4:50 am · Link
Any man who is strong enough to stand up to and support a strong woman and still bend to show tenderness. All the Browns and the Chases stand out! Meg
August 27th, 2011 at 5:45 am · Link
I LOVE your books. Your characters reel me in so quickly. This one’s not even out and I’m already looking forward to the spin off stories.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:57 am · Link
Lately one of my favorite heros in a book has bee Ian Mackenzie in Jennifer Ashley’s The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. He is not your normal male lead in a book and he just fascinates me.
By the way, can’t wait to read Never Enough. I love this series of books, having read each one multiple times. Thank you for the awesome stories.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:01 am · Link
I can’t wait for this book…some of my favorite heroes…mmm…I love Acheron from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters series …. he has every reasons to hate the world but he’s selfless…..I also like Jonas from Christine Feehan’s Drake Sisters series.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:05 am · Link
I love all of Julie Garwood’s historical romance heroes like Gabriel and Alec.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:37 am · Link
My favorite heroes from books…the first three that come to mind are Karen Marie Moning’s Dageus MacKeltar, and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Zarek and Acheron.
My personal hero is my mother because she is the strongest woman I know and she has achieved a lot on her own.
I can’t wait for Never Enough to come out. I’m hooked on it already, just from the teaser.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:07 am · Link
Can’t wait for this to come out. My favorite type of hero is the imperfect type who has his flaws and learns as goes. Let’s the heroine do her thing but is there as back up when she needs it.
I loved many a hero but one of my all time favorites is Roarke in the In Death Series b/c you know he walk through the gates of hell for Eve to make his own bargain w/ the devil to be w/ her.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:11 am · Link
Some of my favorite heroes? Well, I count many Nalini Singh, Lisa Kleypas, Robyn Carr, Meljean Brook, Pamela Clare and Lauren Dane heroes among my favorites. That’s just off the top of my head… I know that as soon as I submit my comment, I’m going to think of ten other authors who write my favorite heroes… 😯 I mean, I almost forgot to mention Nora Roberts! And Lynne Connolly—seriously, who doesn’t love a hero in heels and makeup, brandishing his sharp wit (and rapier) in defense of his heroine. I looooove Richard!
August 27th, 2011 at 7:23 am · Link
I first thought of Charles from Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega series, then Ian MacKenzie. Reading the comments before me I have to add LC’s Richard, Julie Garwood’s medieval men, Roman Lyons, and all your shifters.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:26 am · Link
I have been captivated by “Never Enough” since my very first glimpse of the cover and story line. I would be “over the moon” to win a signed copy!!! Some of the reasons that I am intrigued with Adrian: While dark and wounded heroes bring out the nurturer in a woman’s soul, I also think that they ignite the naughty spark in a woman’s spirit! There is something about them, even though you may try to remain proper, that makes you want to show your own naughty self : ) They certainly won’t reproach you for letting down your hair and giving in to temptation! Bad boys are just as delicious and delectable as that last piece of chocolate fudge cake that you devour in the dark on a midnight kitchen raid! Fallen Angels are also delicious bad boys, especially when they have a few surprises tucked beneath their wings : ) Even on the road to redemption, they manage to be nice and naughty! Whether earthly, unearthly, or somewhere in-between, Fallen Angels take romance reads to new heights : )
My grandfather, who was definitely not a “bad boy” remains my favorite hero of all time. He was the light of my life. I will always be a “Paw Paw’s girl”. A man who takes care of his family with his wealth is a provider. A hero is a man who takes care of his family in all circumstances, especially when wealth is unavailable or unattainable. A man with a compassionate heart, strong principles, honor and humor will always be heroic to those who love him. Money cannot buy those qualities.
I did not have my own HEA with the love of my life, but I still hold his memory dear in many ways. He was tall, wiry, and quick with wit, temper, and laughter. His voice was raspy and he had a goofy laugh. He had dark golden blonde hair, and the most beautiful green eyes ever! His outward bravado was matched only by the size of his heart. For me, an inner core of compassion is essential in a man. They may fuss, cuss, rant and rave, and act like spoiled little boys, but those big hearts are there when it counts. Here in the mountains of VA, hunting is a way of life (not mine) and also a necessity to thin the deer population. My guy loved the outdoors, and he was raised in a family of hunters. However, he once told me that he freed a deer which he found trapped in barbed wired. He determined that the animal was not badly injured, just caught, so he cut him free. He would hunt animals on their own turf, but he could never kill one for sport that was trapped. Sometimes the men who seem to be the most easily defined turn out to be the ones with the most layers. If they are good guys, then it is very much worth your time to work through those layers to the heart of gold found inside. What makes a man most attractive is a quiet confidence, a definite masculinity, that shows itself in thought and action. Handsome men are sometimes merely “pretty”, nice to look at, but not always substantial in personality. When you find a man who is strong, smart and sensitive, sweet and sensual, you don’t want to look at anyone else.
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
August 27th, 2011 at 7:55 am · Link
In real life, my Grandad. He was always there no matter what with a kind word or helping hand.
in fiction, Jack Travis from Lisa Kleypas Smooth Talking Stranger, what a yummy alpha male!
I cannot wait for Adrian’s story. Brody & Cope are my favs from this series.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:02 am · Link
OH MY GOD!!!! I can’t wait !!! Brody is one of my favorite heros!!!!
August 27th, 2011 at 8:09 am · Link
Wow, would love to win a copy of this book in print.
Hope everyone stays safe with the storm. We are supposed to be hit bad and hope we don’t lose power, would hate to lose my internet. LOL. But that is better than having a tree hit something or have lots of water damage.
Thanks for the offer.
I love Rome from Sarah’s Child – strong man with horrible demons but Sarah’s love heals him.
Would love to meet the model for this book; whoever picked him was right on the money and ever since I saw the cover had to read the book no matter what it was about. LOL.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:16 am · Link
Some of my faves have been from Sarah McCartys books as well as Maya Banks or Suzanne Brockmanns alpha male heroes. In real life I’m fortunate to have my own 6’2 tall, dark, handsome hero as my husband who is proudly Active duty Airforce coming up on 14 years now. He’s deployed to places I can’t even pronounce, let alone find on a map and I’m so proud of him, have been all 12+ yrs we’ve been married, he’s definitly hero qualified like the men in great books 😉
August 27th, 2011 at 8:32 am · Link
My heroes would have to be my parents. They were just out of high school when they got married. Not six months later my dad lost both of his legs due to a work accident. At 18 and 23 years, my parents did not give up on each other. They worked through this trial and so many others. We lost my dad in 2003. He was a very strong man and did not let his disability stop him from doing anything. He did the yard work, played sports with my brother, worked at his job till he retired, and helped me raise my daughter. Three years after my father died, my mother suffered a major stroke that has made her bed bound. Her body may no longer work, but her mind and spirit are still strong. I feel that without their teachings and examples over the years growing up that I would not be strong enough to take care of my mom like I am. So I thank God every day for the parents he blessed me with.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:49 am · Link
I love the cover of Never Enough! It’s gorgeous.
A hero to me is a man who sticks by his wife and family no matter what. Who honors and cherishes her and whose love and desire for her truly is “never enough”. I think that’s what most women want in a man!
August 27th, 2011 at 8:49 am · Link
well thats a tough question! but i’d have to go with my guys from laid bare, Jr ward’s lover mine and maya banks colters! Im all for second chance stories and in all three of these it goes along with the 2nd chance theme! Cant wait till sep. im counting down, i havent been this excitied for a book in a while! 😛
August 27th, 2011 at 8:54 am · Link
I can’t wait to read this book!!!! I love Brody and Cope. Love the Brown series.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:55 am · Link
I cant wait to read this. I would say my dad was my hereo even thoguh hes been gone 8 yrs miss him every day
August 27th, 2011 at 9:08 am · Link
My heroes are my family members. They support me, encourage me and best of all love me unconditionally. I feel the same way about them. Thankfully I can also say I’ve come across many heroes in books who have inspired or gained my admiration.
August 27th, 2011 at 9:18 am · Link
My favorite heroes are people who just go and do what needs to be done, like firefighters and military personal. In fiction, I love a strong man who does the right thing.
August 27th, 2011 at 9:20 am · Link
It’s really hard to narrow it down! The top two that come to mind are Matt Farrell from Judith McNaught’s Paradise and Sam Starrett from Suz Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series.
August 27th, 2011 at 9:23 am · Link
🙄 I LOVE the cover on Never Enough! It’s gorgeous! I just finished the Chase Brothers and really enjoyed them. Can’t wait to read this one. My Fav hero is Barrons of The Fever, although I have several! Thanks for the giveaway. So hope I win.
Dpbussie@yahoo.com 😈
August 27th, 2011 at 9:30 am · Link
Wow…can’t wait to read this book! My favorite heroes…Jaime from Outlander and Stan from Over the Edge (Suzanne Brockmann).
August 27th, 2011 at 9:52 am · Link
I may have to call in sick on the 6th just so I can stay home and read this book 😈
August 27th, 2011 at 9:54 am · Link
I cannot wait for this book. Gillian is giving his ass the smack down – I love her!
Real life heroes would be those who don’t know it. Like my friend who has raised her daughter by herself working two jobs. Now Veronica is an adult buying her first home at 27 (something her mom could never afford).
Another would be my Uncle who just these past 12 days endured the slow death of my grandmother. He was with her every day and at the moment of her passing. To hold up to that is heroic in my eyes.
And then there is our military – enough said.
Thank you.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:00 am · Link
My Dad and my DH. They both have made so much with what they started with.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:00 am · Link
That’s so mean! LOL. So hard to narrow it down & I’m sure I’ll have left off some good ones.
Besides your Cope from Inside Out &
your Shane from Taking Chase
Vic from Beth Kery’s Wicked Burn
Zach from Roxanne St. Claire’s Edge Of Sight
Wes from Louisa Edwards Just One Taste
Luc from Christy Reece’s Last Chance
I’m going to stop now & go regret the ones I missed.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:01 am · Link
Dean Winchester from Supernatural, lol, and Zsadist from JR Ward’s BDB!
August 27th, 2011 at 10:04 am · Link
In books, I’d say Clayton Holland from Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath is a hero. Keeps his convictions no matter how much the entire town is against him. In real life I’d say my father, who’s had numerous health problems and a severe work injury and still survives.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:04 am · Link
Who is my favorite hero? I don’t know, I have read so many books. I really love Kyle Chase from the Chase brothers and Kier from Elizabeth Vaughans Warlord series.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:06 am · Link
I am a Lucas and Judd fan from Nalini Singh’s series. Pretty much all the hero in that series are great.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:10 am · Link
I have to go with Curran from the Kate Daniels series. Rawr!
August 27th, 2011 at 10:24 am · Link
I’m so excited, I have been waiting for this one *grins* My favourite heroes are ones that are strong and badass but are also caring and sometimes vulnerable, like Brody Brown. You know Brody is a total badass but you can see his softer side through his love for his family and his love for Elise and her daugther.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:35 am · Link
As the hurricane barrels toward NYC, I am reminded that my mother is my hero. She has lived through so much and had shepherded us kids through so much that I’m not worried for my family at all; they will be in good hands with her there.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:37 am · Link
Roarke from In Death series is my all time favorites hero at Romancelandia. No one can beat him, ’nuff said 🙂
For the real world, family, lover and friends are heroes to me…
August 27th, 2011 at 10:37 am · Link
I would say Chase Dupre from Gemfire by Robin lee Hatcher. He was what made me fall in love with historicals when i was in my teens. And I have so many others but he was my first.lol
August 27th, 2011 at 10:39 am · Link
I guess my heroes would be my husband and my grandfather. They have always been there for me when I needed them the most and I will always be grateful for that.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:39 am · Link
I cannot wait for this book. September seems so far away 😉
To me a hero is someone who inspires you to be better by their actions.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:39 am · Link
Okay first I have to say I WANT MORE!!! That trailer is gonna kill me waiting till the 6th to read it. That is the first day of my vacation and I have already pre-ordered it. I cant wait till that morning when I drop the kids off to their first day of school and then rush home, turn on my NookColor and float away to Seattle and lose my self in the world of the Brown Family!!!!
Okay, now that I got that out of the way =) My Heroes?? Thats a broad question for me. If i limited the parameters to people i know, the heroes that come to mind or my children. Whether corny or not, on a daily basis they fill me with stregnth, admiration and love. They save me in everyway a hero can and for that i am eternally in their debt.
Now if I were to broaden my that, i would have to say that my heroes are that of any person or character who has found the inner stregth to conquer their demons and find what their heart desires and deserves. This of course is not limited to male or female but both. On of the strongest examples for me would be taken from the Brown Sibiling series in the form of Erin Brown. The stregnth and endurance of her character throughout the series took my heart along for the ride. This left me the feeling of a friend that I wanted to comfort. But i always felt reassured she was okay when her recieved the comfort from Elise, Ella and even Raven.
The strength a person shows when moving past the status of “victim” in their own mind, regardless of what anyone else thinks or says…to me, is what makes a person my hero ❗
August 27th, 2011 at 10:41 am · Link
I love Lucas from Nalini Singh’s Slave to Sensation and Roman from Relentless!
August 27th, 2011 at 10:42 am · Link
I’d love to win a copy of this book. The cover is what captivated me to begin with!
My heroes are the soldiers that serve in the U.S. Military!
Thanks!
August 27th, 2011 at 10:43 am · Link
Thanks for the continuation of the series – can’t wait to catch up with the Browns again!
My most recent hero is actually being remembered as I write this. Jack Layton was a Canadian politician, but he was also an honourable man. I know that the two are often mutually exclusive (honourable and politician, that is), but he was a rarity. You may not have agreed with his politics, but everyone across party lines agreed that he was a good man with the best interests of his country apart. I was fortunate to meet him several times, and he always focused not only on what was being said, but also on who was saying it. Even when you disagreed, it was a respectful – and lively! – discussion.
Layton was a rare breed – he was an English-speaking Quebecer, who was comfortable in both English and French. He fought passionately for his city as a councillor and his country as a federal leader. He loved his wife and his family and recognized the importance of generations, learning Cantonese in order to encourage his non-English speaking mother-in-law to live with his family full time. He advocated for the rights of cancer patients while fighting the disease, but ultimately kept his own diagnosis within his family, preferring privacy to publicity.
His final words to his country sum him up:
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
Heroes live amongst us every day. We just need to recognize them.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:45 am · Link
My favourite heroes are Curran from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Adam from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs & Raphael from the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:50 am · Link
My real life heroes are my family. In books i love Judd and Clay from Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changleing series.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:50 am · Link
My real life heroes are my family. In books i love Judd and Clay from Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changleing series.