Before That Promise

For Drew Lawson, there isn't anyone else as undeniably off-limits as the addictively sweet, mind-wreckingly beautiful Skylar Sullivan. Hell, she's the very definition of the girl-next-door do-gooder. And while he is officially classified as a white hat hacker by the suit-wearing folks who keep track of that sort of thing, no one would ever say that hat of his is exactly pristine.

So when Skylar's arrival at his doorstep on the roughest night of the year for him every year leads to a downright memorable hotel mishap, an impromptu winter road trip, and the discovery of a secret that could change how she sees him forever, Drew is convinced the universe is on some kind of convoluted mission to thaw his cold, jaded heart.

...Because, lordy, they've certainly sent in a ringer to get the job done right.

Before That Promise is a quick & emotional, short & sweet crossover holiday novella starring two of my favorite secondary characters — Skylar Sullivan from my Can't Resist series, all grown up, and Drew Lawson from my Cactus Creek series, as swoonworthy as ever (no worries, you don't have to have read either of those series). There's a HFN (happily-for-now) ending, with the second book in this duet (Every Promise Unspoken) picking up a few years down the line for this utterly meant to be couple.

NOTE: Book Two will be released after Violet's medical prognosis improves (she's been on medical leave since January 2017 receiving aggressive new treatments and surgeries for multiple failing organs). We're hopeful that these treatments take and she'll be able to return to work by Spring 2018. Updates will be available on her website and social media pages.

* * * * * EXCERPT * * * * *

His arms became full-body shackles around her when the thought of her being hurt slammed into him.

Skylar released a surprised mini-yelp, and then quickly tried to reassure him, "Drew, I'm fine. Nothing happened to me."

Where once he'd thought the neverending possessiveness he felt about her was his most primal fate, Drew now discovered his protectiveness over her far eclipsed it. "Don't ever do anything so recklessly romantic like that again. Not for me or anyone. I'd never forgive myself if anything had happened to you. And I sure as hell would've made certain no living soul would ever be able to forgive the man who harmed you."

Eyes glued to his, her breathing faltered at whatever she saw in its depths. "Wh-what happened to your due north?"

Drew slid his hands up to cup both sides of her face. "I'm looking at it. Don't ever doubt that where my moral compass is concerned, you're my due north. More than I realized. More and more every day, it seems."

Strange how this was the first time he was admitting out loud that he often pictured Skylar in his future, and yet it didn't sound at all foreign coming out of his mouth.

Her gaze fell to his lips as he uttered that declaration and it took every last bit of restraint in his body to keep himself from kissing her.

Because he knew that once he did, he'd never be able to let her go again.

The UNFINISHED LOVE Series
Four brothers. Each fighting for their second first chance at love. Years be damned.

(Caine & Addison)
— Book 1: Before That Night
— Book 2: Every Night Without You

(Drew & Skylar)
— Book 3: Before That Promise
— Book 4: Every Promise Unspoken

(Gabe & Hannah)
— Book 5: Before That Kiss
— Book 6: Every Kiss Goodbye

(Max & Kennedy)
—...