Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends and family!ย I have a turkey to tend to, but I first wanted to pop in and give a shout out to my fellow Evernight author,ย Jordan S Gray, whoseย debut novel, Prude, is out now!
Prude by Jordan S Gray
Available: September 14, 2016
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-77339-001-7
Rebecca Washington is a girl in control. Well, at least when it comes to acing her college classes. The rest of the time, she seems to be at the mercy of everyone else. Like when sheโs dumped in front of her peers, hit on right afterwards by a jerk for some stupid bet, and then paired up with the jerk for a lit project.
In order to maintain her perfect GPA, Rebecca will need to give a stellar presentation while ignoring the prying eyes that will be staring at her. When her partner, Derek, starts to ease her fears of public speaking with his laidback attitude, sheโs forced to confront her new feelings about him and his charming smile. Rebecca knows falling for a guy who teases her for being a prudish nerd can only end badly, but what if itโs just another thing out of her control?
[Read an Excerpt]Where to Buy:
โฝ Amazon AU
โฝ Amazon CA
โฝ Amazon UK
โฝ Amazon US
โฝ ARe
โฝ BookStrand
โฝ Evernight Publishing
Excerpt:
Derek grinned. โWhat do you think about your exโs girlfriend?โ
โObviously that sheโs annoyingly beautiful and, apparently,ย fun.โ The word left a bad taste in her mouth.
โI could say the same about you right now.โ
Rebecca felt her face redden even more. She pushed her bangs behind her ear, trying to find something else to stare at other than Derekโs mischievous eyes. Nothing seemed worthy.
โI know weโve been doing well with the whole friendsโ thing,โ Derek started.
Rebecca cocked an eyebrow. โWhat now? Are you going to make fun of me?โ
โI wouldnโt dream of it,โ he said. โI was just wondering if, as a friend, Iโm allowed to ask you to dance.โ
She let out a choking laugh. โHere? Weโre at a party.โ
He gestured to the several groups of people who were dancing. โPeople dance at parties.โ
โI donโt think we should.โ
โBecause you donโt want to, or because you donโt want to draw attention to yourself?โ
โMaybe the latter,โ Rebecca mumbled to the ground.
Derek took her hand, pulling her to the center of the living room. At first, their position terrified Rebecca, until she realized it was the most popular dancing spot. In the crowd, she felt shielded from prying eyes, like it was just the two of them.
Thereโd been times, when Rebecca was home alone and listening to music, where sheโd danced. But she had never done so in a public setting or with someone else, and in heels too. She bit her lip nervously as Derek guided her hands around his neck.
โRelax,โ he muttered. โItโs just a dance.โ
His statement didnโt reassure her at all. Her heart beat faster as she realized that she could feel every inch of him. They were so close. Her head was practically resting on his shoulder, and her body was pressed firmly against his.
The feel of his hands on her waist made her shiver, her crop top inching up slightly as they began to move. Rebecca tried to focus on the beat, but it was really no use. Her fingers clasped together as she mentally reminded herself that playing with Derekโs hair was not a friendly thing to doโeven if it looked really soft.
They swayed together, his hands staying rigidly in place. Rebecca wondered what he was thinking about and why heโd decided to dance with her, but it was no use. Derek was likely someone sheโd never fully understand.
The song switched to something with a faster pace and erratic rhythm, but Rebecca hardly noticed. Derek moved a hand away from her hip, leaving Rebecca feeling a little colder, until he used it to brush a piece of her fallen bangs behind her ear.
She had no idea how her legs and hips were still moving because, on the inside, Rebecca was totally, completely still. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt his breath on her neck. Every single one of her nerves were on fire, zapping around in her body like lightening. Rebecca had never felt more alive โฆ or scared.
One of her hands drifted down to Derekโs chest, and she pressed against it. She hoped that heโd know she was trying to get away, but he only pulled her closer to him. Rebecca let out a gasp, clutching his neck and shoulder tightly.
โAre you having fun?โ he asked softly.
Rebecca nodded once, unable to muster up anything coherent. Her brain was shutting down, and she wished it was from embarrassment or anger. No, this was something entirely different. So often Rebecca felt like two-halves of her were always in disagreement, but now, every part of her felt the same. She didnโt want him to let go.
About the Author:
Jordan S Gray is a full time mother, college student, and writer. She never did quite grow out of that emo stage, and considers coffee, punk music, and Taylor Swift to be the necessary fuel for her writing. PRUDE is her debut novel, and you can find her on Twitter @JordanStephanie where she procrastinates most of her adult responsibilities and all of her schoolwork. You can also visit her on Facebook & Goodreads.