Hey all!

I thought it was a good time to share a second sample from the second book in the Unexpected Lovers series, ‘Before We Fall’ featuring Tasha and Cole. It is available for pre-order HERE and will likely be out in late September/early October even though the date of release says November 1st.

I hope you enjoy this sample and that you are as excited to delve into Tasha and Cole’s journey as I am to share it with you!

Peace. Love. Light

Rilzy

PS: This is not the final edited version, so read with some grace!

BEFORE WE FALL - SAMPLE #2

Tasha paused outside Navaya’s apartment and took a few deep cleansing breaths, hoping she would be able to rid the negative energy clinging to her like bitter perfume before her friend sensed something was off.

She raised her hand to ring the doorbell when male voices caught her attention and she glanced down the hall. Her eyes widened when she saw the last person she expected to see strolling towards Navaya’s apartment with Xander, Navaya’s best friend.

“Hey Tash,” Xander said, stopping in front of her and pulling her into a tight, friendly hug. The smile she sent his way was genuine. “Hey Xander. Y’all crashing girls’ night?”

“Something like that,” Xander said with a small smile.

She hoped he didn’t catch the way her gaze flicked to the Cole who stood just off to the side holding a bottle of wine loosely in his hand and looking at her with an expression she couldn’t read. An expression she didn’t want to read.

“Good evening, Tasha. How you doing?”

His steady, smooth, deep voice gave absolutely no indication he and Tasha had moved past being anything more than friends of friends who occasionally spent time in each other presence. It gave no indication that he was now the holder of her deepest, most shameful secret or that less than ten hours ago she cried out her frustration in his arms.

“I’m doing good, thanks,” she said. “How ‘bout you?”

“A lot better,” he responded, his gaze roving over her body as if he was trying to satisfy himself that she was okay.

If Xander noticed a change in the dynamics between Cole and Tasha, he didn’t pay it any mind. He was already calling out Navaya’s name as he made his way into her apartment. Cole saddled up beside Tasha and lightly touched her arm.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked. “You seem a bit… jittery.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here. I’ve never seen you at one of these junk food and Netflix nights.”

It came out as an accusation but Tasha didn’t care.

“I was worried about you,” he said. “When Xander invited me to come along after our song writing session, I figured I’d come put my concern to rest.”

She shook her head. “No. Don’t do this. I told you I didn’t want to get you involved.”

“And I told you I already am,” Cole said. His voice dropped to barely a whisper. Tasha looked past him because the intensity of his brown eyes made her feel unsure about what to do with herself. She regretted dragging him into this. Cole had just been minding his business on a night out and now he was saddled not only with the responsibility of keeping her secret safe but worrying about the consequences of doing what she begged him to do. She hadn’t thought about the effect that might have on him.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” she said. “I’m nobody’s responsibility but my own.”

“Is that the reason you’re about to walk into the apartment of the woman who loves more than anything, fighting a battle she knows nothing about?” he challenged.