Bibliophile Mystery: Book Blitz! Excerpt & Giveaway Bending the Rules by L.K. Lewis

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 1, 2014
Amazon

“Drake isn’t just someone I love, he’s the one I love the most in this world. He’s my best friend, my breath, my everything. I realize in this moment that the true reason I’m on this journey to find Drake is not just because I miss him and want him back, I’m also missing a huge part of me. Until we’re together again, my life isn’t complete. Without him I’m not whole.”-Morgan

“… I’m so sorry I couldn’t go to you. It was nearly impossible not to but Morgan we wouldn’t be standing here right now if I had. You found me Baby. When you met me on your first day at Baylor what seems like a lifetime ago you found me. Only this time I’m not letting you go.”-Drake

Struggling to get her life back on track after being left suddenly and inexplicably by (secret) boyfriend –not- boyfriend and boss Drake Baylor Jr., Morgan Lane searches the globe to find Drake knowing that the only way to truly live the life she’s worked so hard for is with him by her side.

Banished to Zurich, Switzerland by his father after being caught Breaking the Rules, Drake has nine months to get the European Division of Baylor Industries back on track. Again, he must obey the rules so that he can hopefully return to his life with Morgan and take the helm of Baylor Industries.

Everything is going according to plan as usual for Adrian Thompson who has just gotten Drake banished to Switzerland as part of his plan to get Morgan (his college sweetheart and hopefully future trophy wife) back in his life for good. With a little help from Lana Lane, Morgan’s mother, Adrian is hoping to have Morgan wearing his ring by New Year’s Eve.

After a few months of being wooed by old flame and now boss Adrian, and without so much as a word from Drake, Morgan hesitantly accepts Adrian’s invitation to join him for New Year’s Eve in St.Moritz Switzerland. Foiling Adrian’s plan, a “chance encounter” finds Morgan back in Drake’s arms.

Will Drake and Morgan be able to overcome the distance and time that is now between them along with a few of the hurdles that life has thrown their way? Morgan and Drake are once again faced with figuring out how to start their new future together- this time not Breaking the Rules, only Bending them.

Drake

I must be imagining things. That’s the only explanation. I excuse myself from the group to grab a drink and as I walk to the bar I’m drawn to the most beautiful and unforgettable long strawberry blonde hair flowing in large curls down a lean, bare back whose skin somehow always holds its tan from the summer.

It has to be Morgan. It just has to be. My body has been on fire since arriving here in St. Moritz. I find myself looking for her everywhere I go. My legs almost start into a sprint toward her but I make them slow to a brisk stroll, doing my best to maintain a steady breath. When I reach Morgan, her back is still turned towards me as she mindlessly swirls the red wine in her glass. I gently wrap my hand around her shoulder and she turns toward me, gasping loudly as tears fill her eyes.

“It is you,” I say, feeling lost for words all of a sudden.

“Drake?” Morgan whimpers as a tear falls down her cheek. I lean forward and kiss it away.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I’m here on vacation with Adrian,” she starts to explain as Adrian appears out of nowhere.

“Yes, darling?” Adrian says as he hears his name.

The sound of crashing glass pulls me out of the daze I suddenly find myself in and I realize Morgan has dropped her wine glass and it shatters all over the floor. People rush to help us clear up the glass. I look into her eyes and all I see is confusion and sadness.

“Morgan? Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?” I ask.

“I…I uh…I’m sorry, I have to go,” Morgan says as her voice cracks. The next thing I know is she’s racing out of the ballroom. I sprint after her but it’s hard to navigate through the large crowd of people that have convened in the lobby to enjoy some after dinner drinks and munchies. I barely catch a glimpse of her strawberry blonde hair race out the front door of the Ritz and all I can think about is that she isn’t wearing a jacket.

*****

“I’ve been living every second of every day for you. For us. To come home with a clean slate and a Fortune 500 company to run. I want for us to run it together because there is no one else on Earth that could do a better job at this than you. I’m so sorry I never got to say goodbye to you, my love, and I swear I would have if I thought my father wouldn’t find out. I figured he would talk to you and see the hurt in your eyes at my departure if I told you. Everything I have done has been for our future,” Drake says, while wiping the tears from my eyes.

“I understand, Drake, but you have to know that these have been the hardest months of my entire life,” I say. “I looked for you. I searched the world for you.”

“I know,” Drake interrupts.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I saw you in Paris. I watched you collect your bag in the baggage claim at Charles De Gaulle.”

“You what? Drake, how could you? You must have known I was looking for you. I wouldn’t have told anyone. I can’t believe you would let me continue to torture myself by searching for you when you could have explained what was going on. I knew it was you in the baggage claim. I sat there calling your name like an idiot. I wanted to run and throw my arms around you but the soldiers patrolling with their heavy artillery scared me and I didn’t want to cause a scene. How could you stand there and not turn around?” I’m so hurt and so pissed I can’t even see straight. I slam my tea down on the coffee table before me and run to the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

All I’ve wanted for the past three months is to have Drake back and now that I do, I suddenly need space from him. I’ve thought about how it would be if we were ever reunited…would we find our happy ever after? Can we survive this separation? We love each other more than anything, but I’ve been so hurt I don’t know how to see past this. And now we have a baby on the way, how can we not be together? It’s getting late and I’m confused and tired and emotional. I feel like putting this conversation on hold until the morning when we have both rested and can think clearly.

I’m about to exit the bathroom to go crawl in bed when I hear a light knock on the door and Drake starts speaking in a soft, almost broken voice. “Morgan, I was torturing myself too. Don’t you have any idea how hard it was to walk away from you? You are my breath, my life, my everything. I would have never done this if I had another way to keep you forever. I promised you I would always fight. I was fighting to keep your job at Baylor. To support your dreams. I have been fighting every God damned day for the past three months for us. If I would have talked to you in Paris it would have put us in jeopardy. There was no way to be sure my father wouldn’t find out than to leave you alone. That was my only certainty.

“I’ve already said there is no way for me to ever show you just how sorry I am for everything. Please forgive me, Morgan. That’s the only way we will be able to move on,” Drake says. I open the bathroom door and lock eyes with Drake. I can see the hurt in his eyes and I know he’s been just as miserable as
me. I take a step towards him, and he whispers, “I love you, Morgan. I never in a million years wanted us to have to go through these past few months,” while reaching out to pull me into his arms.

I go willingly, curling myself into his embrace and crying into his chest. “I believe you, Drake, and I forgive you,” I whimper into Drake’s chest. “It’s going to be hard to forget that though.”

“I know, baby. Please just tell me you’ll try. Let’s figure out how to move forward together,” Drake says as he showers the top of my head with kisses.

*****

“Take me to bed, Drake. I need to feel your warmth inside me again,” I say while pulling out of his embrace. Drake doesn’t waste any time taking me by the hand to lead me to his bedroom. When we reach his bed, Drake slowly undresses before me. I haven’t taken the time to fully admire just how beautiful he looks in his tuxedo until I watch as he starts removing his bowtie then works his way down. I’m practically drooling when he finally drops his boxers, his erection springing free.

I take Drake in my hand, slowly massaging his velvety smooth girth as I reach behind his neck with my other hand to pull him down for a kiss. “I love you, Drake, I’ll never stop fighting for you either,” I say as I continue to slowly stoke him.

Drake reaches for the band of my yoga pants, yanking them down to the floor. He gives me a slow, sweet smile encouraging me to step out of them and I do, while reaching my arms overhead so he can pull my sweater off. Drake lays me down on the bed and suddenly his eyes go wide while he looks me over head to toe.

“When were you going to tell me?” He asks as he pulls his mystified gaze from my belly, meeting my eyes.

“How do you know?” I ask, bewildered that it only takes him a moment to realize something it took me months to figure out.

“Morgan, I know your body better than anyone else. I knew when I looked at you tonight that there was something special, more beautiful about you but it only took one look at your gorgeous body to see how it’s changed. Look at your breasts, your hips, this amazing little bump that is carrying our child,” Drake asks with love and admiration in his eyes.

LK Lewis lives in Northern Michigan with her Husband and 3 year old son.

Born and raised in Michigan, LK spent her early twenties chasing the man of her dreams (now husband of 8 years) around the country, residing in both New York, and Portland, Oregon. While living in Portland, LK attended East West College of the Healing Arts, and is now a Massage Therapist, Makeup Artist, and Spa/ Boutique Owner.

When LK isn’t working, writing, or chasing her son around, she enjoys boat days, playing in the sunshine, and giggling with her husband. You may also find her on twitter most days, especially live tweeting when The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Sons of Anarchy or The Walking Dead is on. Check her out, you may enjoy her colorful commentary!

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