The Past Between Them

[Author Stephanie Morris]

TITLE: The Past Between Them

AUTHOR: Stephanie Morris

AUTHOR URL: http://www.stephaniemorris.webs.com

GENRE/THEME: Contemporary African American Romance

PUBLISHER: Sugar and Spice Press

URL TO THE BUYING PAGE:

http://www.sugarnspicepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=77

EXCERPT RATING: PG-13

BLURB:

Tovah Warren is devastated when she loses her father. Things get worse when she loses her job. Just when it seemsthat the world is already crashing down around her, the attorney of herfather’s nemesis’ son shows up on her doorstep insisting that her father stillowes money to Jefferson Incorporated. With the all the bad blood between theWarrens and the Jefferson’s, Tovah can’t be sure if this is just anotherunderhanded ploy or not. What she does know is that she isn’t going to payCordell Jefferson one penny. The debt is her father’s, not hers.

Cordell Jefferson is infuriated when his attorney returnswith the torn pieces of a notification to Tovah Warren informing her of thedebt that her father still owes to his company. Their families have beenfeuding for decades, but that wasn’t his concern. He wants to collect the moneyowed to his company and move on to the next debt. Tovah makes it clear that shedoesn’t plan to cooperate. Cordell decides to take matters into his own hands,only the instant he meets her, the reason he wants her to cooperate changes…

Excerpt:

“Tovah Warren?”

His voice sent little shivers through her. It sounded every bit as refined andsexy as he looked. The time that had passed since that day when she had watchedhim playing basketball had only enhanced his appeal. What had once beenyouthful good looks had matured into breathtakingly handsome features combinedwith a captivating appeal that reached her on the most primal level. And hiseyes…she couldn’t remember those milk chocolates being so intense. They werethe type of eyes that could delve into the very core of a person’s existenceand uncover the innermost secrets hidden there. A sudden shortness of breathtook her by surprise. It was easy to see why so many women fell all over themselvesin an attempt to get close to him. She shook away the unwanted thoughts andtried her best to rein in her rush of sexual excitement.

“Yes, I’m Tovah Warren.”

Calm down, girl, breathe slowly. He is only a man.

Her instructions to herself went by the wayside when his gaze traveled fromher face down her body to her feet, then slowly moved upward, caressing herfrom her bare legs to her face again. There was no mistaking the sensual lookthat covered his face. It was an expression that said he liked what he saw. Itwas the sort of look that made her feel naked and exposed while offering thepromise of unspeakable pleasures.

If only she had known he was going to show up at her place. She would havechanged out of the beige cotton slip dress and slipped her bare feet into apair of sandals. If she had changed clothes, maybe she wouldn’t feel as if hewas studying every curve of her body. A shocking jolt of excitement hit her—asensation as frightening as it was undeniably lustful.

"I’m Cordell Jefferson.”

It was a struggle, but she found her voice. Still she couldn’t keep thecontempt out of her voice when she spoke. “I know exactly who you are.”

Surprise flickered across his face, then rapidly disappeared. “You were quiterude to my attorney earlier. In fact, Jack stated it was the first time a womaninstilled fear within him. I’m afraid your actions have left me with no choicebut to take matters into my own hands.” He studied her for a long moment, andthen the corners of his mouth curled upward…a heart-stopping, sexy smile thatemphasized perfect white teeth in sharp contrast to the mahogany hue of hisface. “It seems we have some pressing business to wrap up.”

She couldn’t prevent the immediate sharp intake of breath as a response to hissmile, his closeness to her and the overwhelming strength of his masculinity.It took every ounce of her inner fortitude to maintain a minuscule amount ofself-control while responding to his statement. “No, I believe you aremistaken. We don’t have anything to discuss.”

“Oh, we most certainly do, Ms. Warren.” He completed another blatant scan ofher physical attributes, head-to-toe before recapturing eye contact with her.“We have quite a bit to talk about.”

The sensual shimmer in his gaze frightened her as much as it excited her. Herpoise slipped away quicker than she could keep hold of it. The last thing shewanted to do was come across as uncertain or wavering in front of CordellJefferson.

“May I come in?”