Title: One To See Me
Author: Alicia Maxwell
Genre: Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2017
Cover Designer: Shari Ryan, MadHat Covers
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.
Can you trust someone who can’t afford to trust you back?
Emmeline is ready to be seen. And someone is watching.
Emmeline Weiss is facing the most important day of her life. The stakes are high: her high-powered, high-society life in Chicago could come crumbling down around her. But if it did, would she be in a free fall, or would she be free? In a time like this, Emmeline knows she needs to sort enemies from friends—and quickly—but who can she trust? And what if trust has more than ONE definition?
As her life dismantles into dark questions and darker answers, the last thing Emmeline expects is for passion and chemistry, physical need and wild sex, to take over. For the first time, with this sexy stranger, Emmeline feels seen.
But maybe it’s because someone is watching…
I step inside and gasp. The space is filled with candles. Their lights flicker, casting shadows on the walls. Some tumblers are bigger, filled with shells, others are just small enough to hold the pillars. My heart jumps at the thought of Alex. Who else would have done this? How? He can’t be here. He’s in Miami. Chicago is not his kind of town. Or is it?
I take a few tentative steps inside and discover the flow of candles is endless, continuing from the main room to the bedroom. The air smells of candle wax and salty ocean breeze. I walk in slowly, making my way through the space. The bedroom comes partially into view; it’s completely filled with candles and glowing in their light.
I make my way in and the whole room is on display. A huge bed is surrounded by flickering lights, a chair tucked into the corner by the floor-to-ceiling window with a view of Michigan Avenue. Alex is sitting in the chair, legs spread wide, elbows on the armrests, hands forming a dome, with index fingers touching his lips. He looks at me quizzically, capturing my reaction.
I exhale and visibly relax, his mere presence lowering my stress level by several degrees.
“Hi!” I say in breathless voice, suddenly feeling overcome by the emotions of the day, energy leaving me and the warmth from the wine I had over dinner coming back to claim me. I’m ready to give up control for the night, let him be in charge. I’m way too tired.
My eyes shine with alcohol glaze, or maybe the unshed tears I kept at bay all day long. I step towards him and extend my arms. He’s on his feet and wrapping me in a hug instantaneously. We inhale each other and stand wordlessly in the middle of countless glimmering candles.
Alex finds my lips and kisses me gently, fingers skimming over my cheeks, tucking a loose, curly strand of hair away. Pulling back for just a second to look at my face, he places a gentle kiss on my forehead and tucks me under his chin. I’m so small against him, both physically and emotionally. He is the ever-in-control one. Finally, I feel safe today.
We spend minutes engulfed in each other’s embrace. Candles flicker near and far, on every surface of the suite, creating dancing shadows on the walls.
Finally, I look up at him, feeling calmed and grounded.
Alicia Maxwell has been an avid reader her whole life. Through the years, she’s enjoyed many genres and authors, from classics, like War and Peace, to modern-day romances. Her latest passion is writing.
As a resident of South Florida, she finds inspiration in the fast-paced, urban lifestyle, proximity to the ocean, and the year-round warm weather.
Her days are filled with reading, writing, and caring for her family—two children, and a husband, who also happens to be her biggest supporter and best friend.
Her two-book literary debut will be self-published in 2017. Look for them, read them, and leave a review. Your feedback and opinions matter and are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance to each and every one of you!
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