*~*Fragrance Free by L.B. Dunbar Promo – Excerpt & Giveaway!*~*

“He made me want him.”

Jacob sucked in a breath. “You wa…,”

Holding up a hand, I cut him off.

“He led me to think the attraction was mutual. He played me.” My voice was soft, questioning, and the darkness of Jacob’s eyes was slowing fading.

            “Why’d you do that, bastard?” Jacob narrowed his eyes at the Irish man for a split second before returning his gaze to me.

            “The thing is, it wasn’t only once. He kissed me. Twice. No three times. Even since I’ve been here with his fiancé right under his nose, he’s kissed me again.”

            “Better stop kissing around, Jacob,” Paddy laughed. I stepped toward Jacob again and he took another step back. I stopped.

            “He flirts with me, and I try so hard to ignore it, like I’m insensitive to it. Like it doesn’t affect me. But it does, Jacob. You need to stop it.” I looked directly into his wide eyes.

            “Or is it just that the homegrown apple is fun to play with? I must not have feelings because I’m from a small town?”

            “I never said that,” he spat at me.

            “Well, you didn’t defend it.” My arms flew out again in my anger. I stepped forward and Jacob stepped back, hitting his bare back on the ropes. He was pinned.

            “And to top it all off. As if finding out he was engaged wasn’t enough, the sting of that wasn’t painful enough, knowing I’d kissed him, he had to rub it in further. Stake to the heart by ear-piercing sex with her under my roof. Touching her. Kissing her.” I was close enough to touch him, but I held back and Jacob leaned further against the rings.

            “You are a bastard, Jacob.” The Irish brogue was full of sympathy.

            “Hit me,” Jacob said calmly, his tone full of venom.

            “No.” I replied.

            “Hit me,” he said, closing his eyes as if he begged me to do it.

            “Never.” I softened my tone.

            “Hit me!” His angry voice was rising.

            “Never, Jacob.” I practically whispered and he took in a breath at the soft sound of his name on my lips.

            “I said, hit me, dammit.”

            “I’m not her, Jacob.”

            “Hit me,” he screamed in my face. I literally felt a breeze from his mouth and although I was shaking a little at this point, I responded calmly one last time.

            “It would never be like that with me, Jacob,” and I raised my hand. He flinched in anticipation and I rubbed my shaky fingers down the side of his sweaty face. I slid them down his cheek to cup his neck then traced the bruise with my thumb where Lucy had bit him, and his breathing began to accelerate. His solid chest, which had been rising with each response, was rapidly moving up and down now. I continued to move my hand over his hard chest muscles and I stopped over his heart, which I could feel beating rapidly through his skin. I traced a heart with my fingers around the tattoo.

Change your destiny.

My eyes leapt upward to his face, which was filled with fear. There was no other descriptor. I had not hit him, but he appeared more frightened than as if I had.

            I pulled my finger back and stepped out of his space. His breathing was still jagged and he was still pressed into the corner.

            “I’ll be up front when you’re ready.” I turned to the encouraging partner.

            “Thank you. That was exhilarating.” I smiled sweetly and exited the ring. As I walked to the entrance area, I heard the clap of hands behind me and Paddy spoke.

            “Damn. I like her. Why aren’t you marrying her?”