EXCERPT REVEAL -- Restraint

by Abstract Book - July 27, 2020

RESTRAINT by Adriana Locke

Release Date: August 3rd

(Amazon & KU )

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Blurb:

Blaire Gibson knows better than to have one-night stands.

She prides herself on her decision-making skills.

It’s the one asset that has never let her down.

But even the best thinkers have weaknesses.

Hers is a delicious business mogul with a quick tongue.

Unfortunately for her, that tongue is good for more than just talking.

Holt Mason doesn’t need to justify anything to anyone.

He wants Blaire.

He pursues Blaire.

And he gets Blaire because that’s how his life works.

Until it doesn’t.

What begins as a single night in a hotel room spirals into an unusual agreement.

As late nights provide the space to trade secrets and walls come tumbling down,

more is shared than just pillow talk.

They both should’ve known better.

They should’ve shown restraint.

Because when guards are dropped, hearts get hurt.

*RESTRAINT is a brand-new standalone romance from USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke.

Excerpt:

There’s a look in his eye, something behind the brazen façade, that intrigues me. I haven’t given a man more than a dirty look in longer than I can remember. Who has the time? Who has the energy? Who wants to deal with that bullshit? But as I stand on the porch of this beautiful home in the middle of a perfect southern evening, I remember Sienna’s instruction to enjoy my vacation. “You don’t know enough about me to be right,” I volley back, continuing the banter because I can’t help myself. “I disagree.” He shifts his weight, folding his arms across his chest. “I’ll tell you three things about you besides the obvious. If I’m right, you’ll go to dinner with me.” I think this over. I didn’t tell him anything about me, not even my name. There’s no way he can actually come up with one thing, let alone three, that’s deep enough to warrant a dinner date. If nothing else, it’ll be a fun little experiment and a chance for me to prove that men don’t know everything. “Fine,” I say. “But you have to impress me. Hair color, eye color—those types of things don’t count.” He grins. “Absolutely not. There’s no fun in that.” “All right. Shoot.” “Your name is Blaire,” he says, catching me off guard. “You like gummy bears but feel like it’s a childish thing to enjoy, so you try to be discreet about your obsession. You prefer the red ones and hate the green ones. You like shopping but hate spending loads of money on things you think are a waste.” My jaw almost hits the floor. “And,” he says, taking a step closer to me, “you don’t date because you don’t have time. You also find men to be barbaric, adolescent creatures which, may I add, I find offensive.” “How could you possibly know all that?” I demand. The heat rolling off his body clamors into me, upping the beat of my heart tenfold. I hate my reaction to him and I hate even more than I can’t control it. “Lincoln said your name. You dropped the candy from your purse in the airport and I just happened to notice you had it hidden in a little pouch. All the red ones were gone and it was chock full of the green. Your lipstick was a type my mother uses, so I know it’s expensive as hell, but your earbuds earlier weren’t a name brand so I put together you don’t value them as much.” “I just lose them constantly,” I say, still sorting his observations. “And now you lost our bet. Ready to go?” My summer dress billows in the breeze, reminding me, once again, I’m not home. This wouldn’t be like a dinner with a man I see regularly or could even see regularly if I wanted to. He lives almost a thousand miles from me. What could one dinner hurt? “Fine,” I say, stepping around him. “But I’m driving.”

About the Author:

USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.