Addison Longwood survived the plague that struck down almost
everyone around her. She survived the hazardous trek into the countryside to
find shelter within a group of like-minded individuals led by a man she can
actually respect. Settled and contributing, she allows herself a sense of hope.
From the remaining military, Captain Jesse Forbes is charged
with locating survivors in order to rebuild the country. His initial impression
of Addison’s band isn’t positive and he sets his sights on the young woman in
order to infiltrate, and assess her leader—the end justifying the means, or so
he assures himself.
But there are far greater dangers lurking, threatening the
very existence of the survivors. Alliances are forged—and tested. Betrayal cuts
deep, lives are lost and others changed forever.
Who are the good guys anyhow?
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Excerpt:
Wrapped
in an old piece of toweling—another item to add to the shopping list—she was
squeezing the moisture out of her mane when Jesse Forbes came through the door.
One of her guys lingered just outside, guarding the man, but every molecule of
her being told her to run, far and fast before she put some steel in her spine
and managed a nod.
“Morning.
I see you’re up ahead of most everyone else too,” he said.
Making
small talk in the showers, with him fully
clothed and her … not, sucked. To his credit, aside from one sweeping glance
down her body, he looked at her face.
“Seems
like it.” She edged around him, catching his amused stare and grabbed up her
clothes. “Excuse me.”
“I
wondered how long your hair was.”
She
blinked, and despite herself, her hand rose to finger the wet tangles. Not
particularly vain, she’d left her hair to grow, finding it easier to tie up and
out of the way instead of fighting with the unruly curls. Especially now she
could keep it clean and avoid the critters that tended to infiltrate dirty
hair, particularly among close quarters.
It had been carefully secured and out of the way on the mountain that day so he
couldn’t have known.
Deciding
not to answer, she ducked into the tacked-on separate room, no more than a
tent, thank goodness for the temperate climate. She rubbed furiously at the
dampness still on her skin and then
yanked on her jeans under the cover of her towel. She pulled on her shirt, only then using the toweling to wring more
moisture from her hair.
“Sorry.
Again. I seem to put my foot in my mouth around you. And I’m not yet privy to
the rules around here.” His smooth baritone sounded too damn close and she
wheeled around, cursing the fact she’d turned her back on him. And he was
between her and her rifle.
She
hadn’t been mistaken about his size and breadth, although refused to feel
intimated—or anything else. Besides, his guard was close by. Her brain
processed his educated comment. Sometimes he
sounded like an average Joe, then next, a
college professor. Privy? Her obsession with books allowed for the
interpretation, but still…
Forcing
herself to project calm, or whatever felt close to that, she said, “Are you
asking about segregation? Of the sexes?” And why had she used the word sex
in his vicinity?
“That,
among other things.”
“Mitchell,
I mean, the Colonel, will apprise you.” She thought she saw a glimmer of
intrigue in those strangely colored eyes
but it passed too quickly to be certain.
“He
said he’d assign someone. As a guide.
Aside from my armed escort.”
“Then
you’ll be set. Excuse me.”
“Is
there a time that’s better for me—and the guys—to shower?” His hands went to
the collar of his T-shirt and he tugged it over his head.
Addy
had seen enough torsos—and other man parts—in her life. How could she not, given her history and where she now slept?
So Jesse’s cut chest and chiseled abs shouldn’t have had any effect on her. And
they didn’t, her excellent self-control surging to the fore. They. Did. Not.
“No
set times,” she said, infusing her voice with casualness. “This shower is
communal for the fighters. The camp defenders, I’d guess you’d call us. There’s
another, larger one for the rest of the
camp. The guys make allowances for us four women—me, Marcia, Denise, and Laura—first thing. I woke up
earlier today.”
“Couldn’t
sleep?”
Was
that a knowing look? She fought a blush. He was getting under her skin and she
had no doubt he knew it. Probably knew women inside and out, had lots of
experience with them. Well, she had lots of experience with men, too, and none
of it positive.
“I
slept fine,” she lied. “I woke early, is all. So if you hurry, you won’t be
disturbed by the other women when they arrive. Unless it won’t bother you.” For
sure it wouldn’t bother Denise and probably not the other two.
“I’ll
just be quick then.” His long fingers reached for the button on his khakis. It
didn’t escape her notice he didn’t remark on being disturbed by the women.
Refusing
to look as though she was fleeing, Addy folded her towel before turning on her
heel and stalking out, dipping to snatch up her rifle. The glimpse of his
naked, sculpted butt and strong legs was emblazoned on her retinas, but she
blinked the vision away. Add arrogance
to his confidence. Not necessarily a nice mix.
About the Author:
Allyson Young aka Peri Elizabeth Scott lives in cottage country, Manitoba, Canada, where she and her husband pretend to work well together in their seasonal business.
She has always enjoyed the written word, and after reading an erotic romance quite by mistake, decided to try her hand at penning one. That was followed by a mix of spicy (Ally) and sweet (Peribeth) romances in various genres as well as a post apocalyptic adventure without a lick of romance.
A best selling Amazon author, a hybrid and coauthor, as of April 2018 she has published seven series and several standalones, with others in the works.
allysonyoung.com
About the Author:
Allyson Young aka Peri Elizabeth Scott lives in cottage country, Manitoba, Canada, where she and her husband pretend to work well together in their seasonal business.
She has always enjoyed the written word, and after reading an erotic romance quite by mistake, decided to try her hand at penning one. That was followed by a mix of spicy (Ally) and sweet (Peribeth) romances in various genres as well as a post apocalyptic adventure without a lick of romance.
A best selling Amazon author, a hybrid and coauthor, as of April 2018 she has published seven series and several standalones, with others in the works.
allysonyoung.com
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