RENOVATE MY MIND
Author: Chianti Summers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: RLS Images, Graphics and Design, Michelle RLS Sewell
Release Date: October 9, 2019
We love.
We suffer loss.
MISSY
Growing up, life was great, but one day, I received a phone call that changed everything...including the way I live my life. I’m spontaneous and don’t give a damn about anybody’s opinions. At least, that’s the case until I met TJ. He serves me one drink and delivers one hell of a line from the other side of the bar. That is all it takes for him to hook me.
***
TJ
I always said I would never allow anyone to get too close, never allow anyone in again. My heart is closed off, and I refuse to listen to anything it says, choosing instead to follow my head. Then everything changes...sort of. Missy orders one drink, and the sweet sound of her voice clings to me, beckoning to me.
***
Can TJ and Missy find a way to get out of their own heads and listen to their hearts again? If they can't face their fears and heartaches, they may never find the one they were meant to be with.
IN THE PAST…
The music is blaring in here tonight. I only want one moment alone with the man who has been consuming me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him leave the bar area to saunter toward the back of Whiskey’s and down the hallway to his office. I should stay right here and finish my drink. Why would I do that though? This is my chance to talk to him.
Picking up my tequila, I bring it to my lips and slam it back. A little liquid courage is necessary tonight. The burn is still with me when I hop off my barstool and follow TJ.
Making my way through the crowd, I’m constantly saying, “Excuse me,” as I bump shoulders with various people. And finally, I make it through the bodies on the floor. I feel like a ping pong ball with great manners.
Strolling down the hallway, I stop in front of his office door. When I knock, pressing my ear against the wood, I don’t hear a sound that would indicate TJ is in there. Leaning back, I reach for the doorknob and try to turn it, but it’s locked. I sigh and continue my search.
At the end of the hall, I stop in front of the exit door and take a deep breath. I push it open, and unfortunately for me, it gets away from me, flinging open, causing me to stumble through. Damn, it was a lot lighter than I thought.
I gather myself, straighten my shoulders, push my hair away from my face, and scan the area. TJ is sitting on the stairs with a beer in hand. He’s gorgeous. My eyes drift over his body from top to bottom, taking in his wide shoulders which fills out his button-down shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to the elbow. Shifting my gaze downward, I see his jeans clinging to his thighs, his muscular legs end in a pair of black boots that are resting a couple steps further down.
He’s here, and I need to talk to him. Walking as steady as I can in the heels I’m wearing, my hips sway with each step.
TJ pops his head up. “What are you doing out here?” he asks. How is it he didn’t hear my grand entrance? What is he thinking about?
“Hello to you too.” I stop in my tracks. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking for you. I don’t come out to the back of the bar for nothing,” I snap.
After taking a pull from his beer, he growls, “You should go back inside. It’s not a good idea for you to be out here.”
I step closer until I’m standing right in from of him. “I don’t need to go inside. What I need to do is talk to you,” I announce, placing my hands on my hips.
Leaning on the step behind him, TJ rests his elbows against it, letting his beer dangle in his fingers. “There’s nothing to say, Missy.”
“The hell there isn’t.” I’m over all of this tension between us.
Dropping my hands on his knees, I have to hold back a moan when I feel his muscular thighs flex under my fingers. He takes another pull from his beer and his muscles tense again. I need to stay focused on my objective here.
“TJ, why are we fighting these feelings between us? Why can’t we let go and give in to the heat?” I ask, making sure to keep eye contact.
My heart rate has increased waiting for a response. In one quick motion, TJ flies forward making me release him. I stumble back several steps.
“Missy, there is nothing to be said, and regardless of what you think, there are no feelings between us.”
“You’re lying.” I’m not going to back down from this. “TJ, you know there is, you simply don’t want to admit it. Even if we’ve only exchanged a few glances, there’s something there. I can feel it.”
“Go back inside,” he commands, his voice stern and eyes narrowed.
“No, not until you admit what’s happening between us. Hell, just acknowledge that there’s at least some sexual tension, TJ!”
Grabbing me by the arms, he slams his lips against mine. I struggle against his hold at first, but soon, I find myself bending to his will. He runs his tongue along the seam of my lips, and I open, allowing his tongue to invade my mouth and tangle with mine. I start to pull away, but TJ places one arm around my waist and the other at the nape of my neck to keep me in place.
This is all wrong. I’ve wanted this for so long, but now, it feels wrong.
Renovate My Heart
Renovate My Soul
Renovate My Soul
I’m Coming Home
Georgia Peaches Series
(co-written with Colbie Kay)
Sweet Southern Secrets
Sweet Southern Satisfaction
Sweet Southern Summer
Chianti Summers is a military spouse, a mother, a lover of music and wine. She is also passionate about sports and that is why she pursued and obtained her degree in Sports Medicine.
She decided to take a chance on writing in 2016. One day she would love to travel to Italy and mark it off her bucket list. Until that day comes she will continue to be taken away by reading and writing with a nice glass of wine.
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