Wicked Little Promise - Lake State University Book 4 - by Rachael Brownell

Cover Design: Emily Wittig

Graphics: SWBR Graphics & Design

He’s my new boss.

We’re also friends. Nothing more.

So what if he’s my secret crush of three years? Or that he’s sexy, tempting, smells like heaven, and makes my girly parts twitch? He’s also sweet, caring, and everything I’d want in a man… if I wanted one.

Which I don’t.

Falling in love is the last thing I want right now. I’m not even sure I believe in love anymore. It leads to heartbreak and that’s an emotional rollercoaster I’m not interested in riding.

All my friends might be coupled up and deliriously happy, but that doesn’t mean I want what they have. Happily ever after is not in the cards for me.

No, I’m not jealous.

I keep telling myself that, not that I believe my own lies.

Which makes the next few months the biggest challenge of my life. Spending hours alone with him. Working side-by-side late into the night. Keeping my hormones in check when I get a whiff of his intoxicating scent.

I can handle this. I’ll just repress my feelings the same way I have been since the moment we met. Masked by a fake smile and practiced deep breathing.

How hard can it be?

When he starts making me promises, it becomes harder than I could have ever imagine. Because I want him to keep those promises even though I know he won’t be able to. I won’t let him.

It’s the only way to keep myself from falling in love with him. Because if I do, I may never recover.

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Placing my hand on her shoulder, I'm about to wake her when she moans my name.

Moans.

There's a pleading sound in her voice. A desperation I've never heard from her before. The sultry sound sends a shot of desire straight to my dick.

I stare in fascination when I realize she's dreaming about me. Fantasizing. The way I do about her at night.

I'm torn between letting it continue and waking her up.

My tormented side gets the best of me, and I find myself backing out of the parking lot and heading to my apartment. Once I'm there, I carefully and slowly lift Piper into my arms and carry her inside. I'm opening my door when her eyes flutter open.

"Where are we?"

"My place. You fell asleep."

"Okay," is all she says, letting her eyes fall closed as she snuggles into my neck.

Brady's nowhere to be seen when I walk in. It's the first time in weeks he hasn't been perched on the couch, waiting for me, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Making my way down the hall, I nudge my bedroom door open with my foot and blindly walk to the edge of my bed. Laying Piper down, I remove her shoes and tuck her in. The sight of her in my bed is overwhelming. More so than the feel of her in my arms.

Kissing her on the forehead, I force myself to walk away.

Ten minutes and a cold shower later, I'm crawling in next to her. She looks peaceful as she sleeps. She hasn't said my name again, making me wonder if I misheard her. So I lay facing her, listening and watching her until I can't keep my eyes open any longer.

There's a smile on my face when I fall asleep.

But an even bigger smile when I wake up. Because Piper's wrapped in my arms, half on top of me. Her hair is in my face, and her leg is tangled with mine. She's still sound asleep, but she's talking again.

And my name rolling off her lips is clear as day.

"Julian, please."

She's begging. And from the sound of her voice, I know exactly what she's begging me for.

"Mmmh. Yes. Please."

Her body starts to move, rubbing against mine. The apex of her thighs pressed against my hip causes my morning wood to stand at attention.

I lay perfectly still, selfishly not wanting to interrupt her dream. Wanting to hear her moan my name again. To continue begging for what she wants.

Because sleeping Piper is confirming everything. How she feels. What she wants. Most importantly, that it's me she wants it with.

Rachael Brownell is an International Bestselling author of new adult romance.

She lives in Michigan with her husband, son, snuggly dog, and hateful cat. She moonlights a few days a week (her excuse to get out of the house and socialize) and writes almost full time. Her first book was published way back in 2013 and since she’s released more than 30 additional titles.

When she’s not writing her next novel, you can find her hanging out with her family, watching her son play baseball, or running on the treadmill at the gym (though she skips more days than she goes). She also enjoys golfing but is still learning, so if you see her on the course… stand back.

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I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

 This is book 4 in the series but easily stands alone as we have not seen much of Julian and Piper in this series until now. 

This series is built around two siblings who have lost their father, Max and Willow. Max's good friend is Julian and Willow's good friend is Piper. They have known each other for several years but Piper has never shown an interest in Julian, though Julian has been crushing on her. 

Piper is going thru a rough time now as her parents are divorcing. She also has a new job/internship working at Julian's family restaurant. Thats when these two really get to know each other but Piper is feeling down on romance because of her parents. Can Julian get her to open her heart to his? 

It was an enjoyable story and I loved getting to know these two characters. Their attraction really jumped off the pages and I adored watching them fall for each other while also hiding or trying to hide their relationship from their friends.