Hostile.
That was one word that summed up Lira Matthews in Kane’s honest-to-god opinion. Actually, calling her hostile was putting it lightly.
Belligerent. Vicious. Scathing. All wonderful words that could be used to describe Lira.
Never in his entire life had he met a woman like her. From the very moment she stepped into the small town of Hazelwood she intrigued him. It could have been her guarded, distrusting eyes or her sweet softness hidden underneath her tough façade — all Kane knew was he wanted her.
To Lira, a Dean’s list medical student, Kane was just another hot mechanic. Sure, he had corded arms that made you gulp in desire and a kindness to him that made your insides melt, but they were from two different worlds. Two worlds that were never meant to meet — they both knew that.
That was until Lira’s past catches up with her and she must decide whether she can face her fears or let it consume her whole.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black truck zoom past me and suddenly brake a few metres ahead. It shifted its gears into reverse and sidled up beside me. The driver’s door thrust open and Kane jumped out in all his glory, rounding the hood of the vehicle and walking towards me.
Of course he was here.
His cropped, dark hair was quickly becoming drenched. Drops of rainwater ran down from his hair over the hard ridges of his face and disappeared into the front of his shirt. I tore my gaze from the expanse of his solid chest and lifted my head to meet his eyes. His sharp green eyes skimmed over my face and ran over my drenched body.
“Lira, what are you doing in the rain?” Kane snapped, shaking out of his leather-lined jacket and pushing my arms into it. This jacket was different to the leather one he was wearing last night. The softest wool I had ever felt lined the inside, instantly warming my chilled bones. The cuff came past where my arm ended, the heavy jacket ending just above my knees, but it was perfect. I buried my face into the collar, breathing in the heady scent of Kane; warm soap and the slightest whiff of tobacco. My eyes flickering shut, I let myself take in Kane’s smell. I could get drunk on this stuff.
Alexia Halliwell is a New Adult Romance author, fresh to the wonderful world of publishing. Born and raised in beautiful Sydney, Alexia loves nothing more than lounging under the shade of a big gum tree inhaling her favourite paperback. When she isn’t bar-hopping down the streets of Sydney (for research purposes of course) or cuddling her gorgeous pup, she’s probably snuggled in bed with a cup of tea, spinning elaborate tales about all the characters screaming at her in her head.