Read an excerpt from Your Endless by Layla Hagen
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An incurable romantic with a chronic case of bad luck with men...
Museum curator Summer Bennett knows that happily-ever-afters are not make-believe. After all, her siblings all found their soulmates, so she’s optimistic her prince charming will come along too...eventually. In the meantime, she focuses on her job and her volunteering—which brings her face to face with one of Hollywood’s hottest A-listers.
When Alexander Westbrook flashes America’s favorite panty-melting smile, Summer's entire body responds. When she asks him to get involved in the community where she volunteers, Summer is shocked that the Hollywood heartthrob agrees right away. Two weeks working side by side with the world’s sexiest guy, and the game is on.
Far from the public eye, Summer discovers she likes the real Alex even more than his on-screen persona. Secret kisses and whispered conversations spark a fire in her that nothing can extinguish. If only his life wasn’t splashed all over the tabloids…
Alex can’t keep his eyes--or his hands--off of Summer. But she’s too sweet, and too damn lovely to be swept up in his Hollywood drama. His career is at risk, and an iron-clad clause in his contract with the studio makes a relationship impossible. But staying away from her is out of the question.
Excerpt
“Do you want to talk about today?” Summer asks as we lean back on the couch.
“Not tonight. I like that this place is drama-free. Thank you for making that happen.”
She widens her eyes, then groans. “You saw the magazines.”
“Yeah. I wanted to thank you yesterday but thought bringing the evening up would just make you uncomfortable again. But thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She takes a small sip of wine, sinking lower on the couch.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just residual embarrassment for that night. I’ll get over it. Eventually.”
I turn to her, framing her jaw with my hand, leaning in. “Summer, we’ve been over this.”
A small sound escapes her, somewhere between a chuckle and a choke. “You probably forgot all about it already.”
The gentleman thing would be to tell her I did. But I don’t have the energy to act any longer tonight, and I don’t want to act around her. I want to be honest, and something in her body language tips me off that she needs that honesty.
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. The sight of your beautiful body is branded in my brain.”
Her mouth pops open. “But... you said it wasn’t a big deal, that you’d seen plenty of actresses—”
“I was trying to put you at ease.” By the looks of it, I did just the opposite. “You have no idea how hard it was to keep my control, Summer. I wanted you so badly.”
She sucks in a breath. “You did?”
“I still do.”
She parts her lips, her eyes widening with surprise. I bring a hand to her face, caressing her cheek, resting my thumb at the corner of her mouth.
Her skin is so smooth, it spurs a need deep inside me, to touch more of her. To taste her. Would she taste as sweet as I remember? Have I idealized the kiss, the memory growing sweeter, more real the more time we spent together, the more I learned about her?
“I’ve missed you today,” I confess.
“You did?”
“Yeah.”
“So did I. I arrived late at breakfast, and no one saved me muffins.”
“I brought you something.” I pull the small package out of my pocket and take out the necklace with a little key pendant. “I saw it at LAX. It made me think of you.”
“I love it.”
“Let me put it on.”
She turns around, baring her neck to me. I clasp the necklace, lingering with my fingers at the back of her neck. She lets out a little sigh. I trace the contour of her shoulder, needing to touch more of her. Summer tightens her grip on one of the couch cushions.
I move closer until my chest almost touches her back, rubbing my thumb gently in the crook of her neck and shoulder. When she tilts her head slightly to the other side, giving me access, I don’t hesitate. I lower my mouth, pressing kisses to her skin.
“Alex!”
The vibration in her voice is the sexiest sound. I bring one hand to her waist, spin her around, then capture her mouth with mine.
She parts her lips, granting me access, entwining her tongue with mine as soon as I request it. I deepen the kiss, moving my hand from her waist to her thigh, bunching up her dress. I want to feel her skin, taste it, because she tastes even better than I remember, and I want to explore all of her.
“Alex,” she whispers again when I trail my mouth down her neck. “One night. Just this one night.”
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About Layla Hagen
Layla Hagen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She fell in love with books when she was nine years old, and her love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.
She writes steamy and romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.
She is represented by fabulous Louise Fury (The Bent Agency)
