Crossing the Line By: Samantha Long Blog Tour

About the Author

I'm a multitasking mom of four. When not writing/doing laundry/changing diapers, I like to catch up on episodes of Supernatural and Castle. If you can't find me in front of the computer, I'm most likely watching my DVR.

I've been writing since the first grade, where I wrote a one page story titled "If I was an Indian". My warrior husband was going to be the best hunter, I was going to live in the best teepee and apparently, I was having an affair with the Chief. Racy, I know.

Of the things I'm addicted to sweet tea, movies, and books top the list. My favorite authors include Nora Roberts, Lauren Kate, Kresley Cole, and Gena Showalter. Few of many I love.

Thanks so much for reading!

Sam :)

Synopsis

Victoria doesn't have time for love after a bitter divorce. She's too busy. Her twin daughters are approaching puberty and her interior design business is expanding. So when Nick enters her life, she has to remember why she's too busy for a little lust. Which is difficult considering he's the contractor hired to redo her office. Besides, his tattoos and MMA past make him a poor candidate for a woman who's trying to level out her life.

Nick thinks Victoria's hot but doesn't want to get involved with a woman who has kids, much less one that's been hurt by a man. Too much baggage. He's sworn off relationships, tending to stick with one-night stands. Victoria is a client, one he doesn't want to cross the line with, but the more he's near her, the quicker his resolve weakens.

Excerpt

When Victoria finished getting ready she glanced around the house and saw that her sisters had lit the candles on her mantle and coffee table. Her face heated. What were they trying to do? She hurried to the first one and blew it out. She went to blow out the second and the doorbell rang. "Crap!" She rushed, blowing the rest out before going to the door.

"Hey." Nick held out a single stargazer lily when she opened the door.

Victoria bit her lip to keep her smile under control. "They're my favorite. How'd you know?" He looked amazing.

"Addie. She took my number from your phone and said that maybe it would soften you up."

"Oh." Somehow that didn’t diminish her happiness over the flower. She had to remind herself that he was here for answers. He followed her inside and she put the flower in a vase and set it on the mantle. She prayed he wouldn't notice the smoking candles. "Addie's such a bitch." She laughed at her sister's meddling.

"What happened to the candles?" Nick looked around. "Addie said she was lighting them for ambiance."

"Oh, God." Victoria burst into laughter and the last of her nerves dissipated. "I blew them out. I didn’t know she told you about them."

His lazy grin sent heat straight through her. "That's a shame. I thought you were trying to get all romantic on me."

Victoria didn’t know what to say to that. She gestured to the Chinese takeout bag he held. "I'm starving." She wasn't really, but she wanted to stall before asking him what last weekend was all about.

They sat at the bar, side by side, eating and talking about the office. Nick filled her in on all the progress they'd made in the last week and he seemed so unaffected by what happened last weekend. Like it hadn't mattered to him that he'd left her at the end of a really great night with nothing more than a good bye.

She pushed her plate away and spit out the question. "Why did you just leave last Saturday?"

His body tensed. He set the food down before turning to look at her. His hooded gaze gave nothing away. "I couldn't come inside."

"Oh? Then why are you here now?" She stood, needing to put some space between them. Hurt and humiliation clouded inside of her. He watched her pace silently before he stood.

"You're not understanding."

"How can I when you don't explain what's going on? I thought we were having a great night. I was, anyway, and then you didn't talk to me on the way home. And then you left." She tried to bury the hurt in her anger but it rose through.

Nick shook his head. He came to her and put his hands on her arms. Victoria stilled. "I couldn't come inside, because if I did, I wouldn't be able to keep my promise."

That baffled her. She looked up at his face, noticed his clenched jaw. She realized that even though his past was seeped in violence, she wasn't afraid of him. He wouldn't hurt her. Not physically, at least. "What promise?"

Nick shoved a hand through his hair, making the ends stand up everywhere, then ran a hand down the stubble on his face. She wanted to feel that stubble on her skin. "It's stupid. Don't worry about it."

"No." He couldn't say something about a promise and then tell her not to worry about it. "What promise, Nick? Did someone make you promise to leave me alone?"

"No, nothing like that." he sighed, shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He looked lost.

Victoria stepped closer and watched his eyes darken. Tension swept into the room. A new kind of power filled her. He wanted her; she knew that with a strong confidence. Something held him back and she was going to figure out what it was. "What is it then?"

"Ah," He swallowed audibly when she stepped even closer. "I promised myself."