Misunderstandings

Here's an excerpt from my first book "This Time for Always". In it the hero and heroine are meeting up again after being apart for nearly twelve years. Needless to say, they have some unresolved issues and perceptions of what happened all those years ago.

Logan followed her from the room. Before she could make it to the safety of her office, the touch of his hands on her shoulders stopped her. He turned her to face him. His eyes bored into hers for long seconds until he demanded, “What the hell is going on, Sharlie? What are you doing here?”
Although every nerve ending in her body had come alive at his familiar touch, she managed a calm, “Nice to see you again, too, Logan,” above the pounding of her heart. “As for what I’m doing here, I thought that was obvious. I work here.”
Logan sighed, then removed one hand from her shoulder to run it through his thick, dark hair.
Her heartbeat quickened as she remembered her hands making the same journey so many times. She used to love running her fingers through Logan’s silky hair while he lay his head in her lap after—
What was she thinking? She shook free of his other hand.
Logan raised an eyebrow. “Quite an interesting place for Daddy’s little girl to be. I’ll bet the old man doesn’t cotton to his darling working in a bar.”
“What my father thinks is no concern of yours. Although having a rich father turned out to be quite an advantage for you, didn’t it? How many business holdings do you have?” Sharlie’s voice was bitter.
Logan folded his arms across his chest. Anger flared in his eyes. “Ah, yes. Daddy’s money. Not much it can’t buy, now is there?”
Their gazes smoldered and clashed. Then into the storm came a voice.
“Miss Montgomery?”
Taking a few seconds to pull her attention from Logan, Sharlie took a deep breath and turned to face the young woman who had spoken. “Yes, Pam?”
The waitress looked from Sharlie to Logan as if she could feel the tension in the air. Sharlie didn’t doubt it. The air almost crackled with electricity.
“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I have a question about this tab.” She held out a receipt.
Sharlie glanced at the small slip of paper. “This looks fine. Have the customer sign it at the end of the night.”
“Thanks, Miss Montgomery.” The rookie waitress grabbed the receipt and scooted away.
Sharlie could feel Logan’s gaze boring into the back of her head. She turned to face him. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.” She started to brush past him, but stopped when his hand gripped her upper arm. Her flesh warmed at once.
“We’re not finished.”
“Yes, we are. I have things I need to take care of.”
Logan smiled, causing her heart to skip a beat. “You have to take care of me. Pete’s instructions if I recall. Show me around and answer my questions.”
Sharlie stared at him in amazement. “You can’t be serious about buying this bar.”
“Oh, but I am.”
“I don’t want you here.”
“Well, now. That decision is out of your hands. If you’ll wait here for a few minutes, I’ll be right back.”
“If you’re so anxious to see this place, where are you going?”
Logan’s hand swept over his attire, and her gaze followed it down the lines of a well-tailored suit. “I don’t think I’ll blend in down in the bar wearing this. I’ve got a change of clothes in my truck.”
“I can’t wait around for you. I have a bar to run. I’ll be downstairs.” This time Logan allowed her to pass him.


Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra

www.debrastjohnromance.com