A Haunted Love by Dakota Star
Publication date: August 14th, 2020
Synopsis:
Ash detests Halloween. Three years ago, her husband's death during the same week left her scarred. Now, all she desires is a simple, ordered life in the small town of Humble, Connecticut and time with the cutest boy ever--her nephew. That becomes impossible when her sister brings a handsome soldier, Cole, to her door. From the moment they meet, Ash has a hard time ignoring his good looks and those intense gray eyes that have seen enough war and heartbreak to fill a lifetime. What starts as a mutual attraction and a romp in bed leads Ash to face her demons. War has left Cole with more than just physical scars as well. But does serendipity, a ghost, or something sinister have other plans for them? When someone starts stalking Ash, Halloween turns to horror. Does Cole have what it takes to incinerate Ash's doubts and keep her safe?
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Excerpt
"Please stop scrutinizing me that way."
"What way?" His head tilted, eyes never leaving hers.
"That sexy, smiley way." Ash's insides fluttered.
"Whatever you want," Cole said but kept her gaze.
Color rose, spraying her neck with red. "I'm wondering if this night doesn't need something stronger to end it with instead of the wine."
"Which was great by the way." He rose from the table to help clear the few items left.
They moved into the kitchen. "I'm not a huge hard liquor fan, but I have some left over from the Halloween party. Let me see what there is." She moved to the pantry and returned with two tumblers of whiskey. "Why don't we have these in the living room?"
They settled on the couch and Ash flicked up the end-table lamp switch, illuminating the room with soft glow. Sitting side by side, she too a sip of whiskey, relishing the burn as it went down. A cozy warmth filled her.
He downed his drink in one gulp and then shifted so their faces were only a few inches apart, close proximity making her nervous and giddy. Again, her stomach flipped, urges that she never thought she'd experience bubbling inside.
"I thought going back into the Navy would make me happy, but I see other options now."
"You do?" Her voice turned soft and breathy.
"Yes. And one option is sitting right next to me."
"This is moving too fast." Ash moved back, squeezing against the couch cushions. "I think it's time to call it a night."
"I'm sorry if I misinterpreted the situation. I thought maybe..." He trailed off.
She studied him and wondered how honest she should be. A sigh escaped as the truth emerged. It must be the drink. "You're right. I'm attracted to you, but it's not that easy. I lost my husband three years ago and I still miss him every day. I can't do this." She couldn't think of a way to clarify the situation further and hoped he'd understand.
Remaining quiet, his head tilted to the side, eyes trained on her. "I understand, but can I ask you a question?"
She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and pulled her sweater cuffs over her fingers, self-conscious of the way he studied her. "Okay."
"You aren't allowed to have fun in bed anymore?" He smiled. "Have you left that part of your life behind for good?"
She huffed at his attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't want an emotional attachment right now. His death is still too fresh and raw."
"It's been three years." His hand caressed her knee. Bonnie told me a little about the situation." He paused, appraising her. "Let's take emotional attachments out of the equation. I promise not to fall in love with you, if you promise the same. I just got out of the service, and I'm not sure where my life is headed."
He ran a hand over his crewcut, skimming the short hair. "I could be back in the Navy in a few months. I like you. You're beautiful and fun to be around. You have a great dog and really nice sister. How about we have some fun and leave it at that. We can go a day, a week, a month. You decide that part."
"I'm confused."
He stood, grabbing his jacket from the chair where she'd placed it when he arrived. "Think it over." He moved toward the door, but then returned to her, grabbing her hand, pulling her off the couch and close to him.
Her head buzzed and her stomach muscles clenched as he dropped a kiss on her cheek.
"I hope to see you again soon." His mouth caught hers as she was about to speak, making words flee. Longing filled her as his lips pressed against hers. It was coming home and starting a new journey at once. Hunger filled her as his mouth demanded more. His lips on hers made everything else bearable. She took a step closer as he pulled away.
Ash stood dazed in the living room even after she heard the screen door bang shut.
"What way?" His head tilted, eyes never leaving hers.
"That sexy, smiley way." Ash's insides fluttered.
"Whatever you want," Cole said but kept her gaze.
Color rose, spraying her neck with red. "I'm wondering if this night doesn't need something stronger to end it with instead of the wine."
"Which was great by the way." He rose from the table to help clear the few items left.
They moved into the kitchen. "I'm not a huge hard liquor fan, but I have some left over from the Halloween party. Let me see what there is." She moved to the pantry and returned with two tumblers of whiskey. "Why don't we have these in the living room?"
They settled on the couch and Ash flicked up the end-table lamp switch, illuminating the room with soft glow. Sitting side by side, she too a sip of whiskey, relishing the burn as it went down. A cozy warmth filled her.
He downed his drink in one gulp and then shifted so their faces were only a few inches apart, close proximity making her nervous and giddy. Again, her stomach flipped, urges that she never thought she'd experience bubbling inside.
"I thought going back into the Navy would make me happy, but I see other options now."
"You do?" Her voice turned soft and breathy.
"Yes. And one option is sitting right next to me."
"This is moving too fast." Ash moved back, squeezing against the couch cushions. "I think it's time to call it a night."
"I'm sorry if I misinterpreted the situation. I thought maybe..." He trailed off.
She studied him and wondered how honest she should be. A sigh escaped as the truth emerged. It must be the drink. "You're right. I'm attracted to you, but it's not that easy. I lost my husband three years ago and I still miss him every day. I can't do this." She couldn't think of a way to clarify the situation further and hoped he'd understand.
Remaining quiet, his head tilted to the side, eyes trained on her. "I understand, but can I ask you a question?"
She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and pulled her sweater cuffs over her fingers, self-conscious of the way he studied her. "Okay."
"You aren't allowed to have fun in bed anymore?" He smiled. "Have you left that part of your life behind for good?"
She huffed at his attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't want an emotional attachment right now. His death is still too fresh and raw."
"It's been three years." His hand caressed her knee. Bonnie told me a little about the situation." He paused, appraising her. "Let's take emotional attachments out of the equation. I promise not to fall in love with you, if you promise the same. I just got out of the service, and I'm not sure where my life is headed."
He ran a hand over his crewcut, skimming the short hair. "I could be back in the Navy in a few months. I like you. You're beautiful and fun to be around. You have a great dog and really nice sister. How about we have some fun and leave it at that. We can go a day, a week, a month. You decide that part."
"I'm confused."
He stood, grabbing his jacket from the chair where she'd placed it when he arrived. "Think it over." He moved toward the door, but then returned to her, grabbing her hand, pulling her off the couch and close to him.
Her head buzzed and her stomach muscles clenched as he dropped a kiss on her cheek.
"I hope to see you again soon." His mouth caught hers as she was about to speak, making words flee. Longing filled her as his lips pressed against hers. It was coming home and starting a new journey at once. Hunger filled her as his mouth demanded more. His lips on hers made everything else bearable. She took a step closer as he pulled away.
Ash stood dazed in the living room even after she heard the screen door bang shut.
About the Author:
Dakota Star lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. Both her daughters have finished college and moved away so her dogs, cats, and retired horse now keep her busy. When not outside hiking or horseback riding, she loves to read and travel.
She has worked as an editor, a freelance writer for local newspapers, and an educator at local environmental non-profits like aquariums and The National Audubon Society.
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