Defying Gravity: Shattered Cove Series Book 3

Book 3: Shattered Cove Series

by A M Kusi

Genres: Multicultural & Interracial Romance; New Adult Romance; Police & Law Enforcement Romance; Small-town Romance; Romantic Suspense; Enemies to Lovers; enemies-to-lovers; political romance; small town romance; strong heroine; New Adult romance; bwwm

Synopsis

A Black nurse with a teenager to raise. A white cop hiding a tender heart. Do they have what it takes to indulge their forbidden passion?

Caregiver Belle Jones always puts her own needs last on the list. As a busy nurse and sole provider for her teenage brother, she has no time for meaningless hookups. And when her younger sibling arrives home in the backseat of a police car, the fury she feels for his strutting uniformed escort far outweighs her spark of desire.

Sheriff Bently Evans works hard to protect his town... and keep his emotions locked away. When it comes to relationships, that means burying his real feelings behind crass humor and his flirtatious playboy reputation. But after driving a stranded African American teen home, he meets a stunning woman who makes it impossible to sustain his act.

As Belle slowly falls for the rugged lawman's true gentle nature, she fears he's not the type to ever commit. And just as Bently is ready to be vulnerable, an ominous warning forces him to push the woman he desires away from a deadly risk.

Will a judgmental society drive a wedge between them, or can they conquer all with their powerful love?

Defying Gravity is the tantalizing third standalone novel in the Shattered Cove contemporary romance series. If you like off-limits passions, socially relevant reads, and couples who triumph over adversity, then you'll adore A. M. Kusi's page-turning tale.

Buy Defying Gravity to find hope and healing today!

***No cheating. HEA guaranteed.***

Release date: October 1, 2020

Publisher: Our Peaceful Family

Print pages: 384

Sample

Bently pulled in along the side of the street and put the truck in park. TJ hopped out, quickly shutting the door, and Bently followed suit. He walked around to the back to grab the bike just as a door slammed behind him.

"Oh, shit," TJ said.

"What the hell happened to your face, TJ?" a strong feminine voice growled.

Bently turned. The breath ripped from his lungs. The woman before him was the most beautiful person he'd ever laid eyes on—and he'd laid eyes on a lot. Big ringlets of curls danced around her brown glowing skin in the breeze. Her dark eyes flashed at TJ with worry before she targeted him with those stormy spheres. Fear tinged the edges of her furious glare. Her bright red lips moved as his ears rang, blood rushing to his groin.

"Did he do this to you?" She grabbed TJ's face, checking him over like a mother hen. TJ turned away from the unnamed beauty.

"Nah, just some kids at school messing around," TJ said. "Sheriff Evans gave me a ride."

"You got in the car with a cop?" she snapped.

Bently closed his mouth, embarrassed that he'd been standing there gawking. Wiping invisible drool from his mouth, he cleared his throat and extended his arm, offering the smile that he'd been told melted most women's panties. "Hi. I'm Bently."

She stared at his open hand like he'd just stuck it in a public toilet. "Is my brother in any trouble?"

He frowned and straightened from the rejection. "No. Of course not."

"Good, then we're done here." She grabbed TJ's arm and pulled him into the house while Bently stared, utterly confused. What the hell just happened?

"Belle! My bike—" TJ protested.

"Get inside!" His sister shot him a look and TJ shut his mouth and complied.

It needs the tires fixed anyways. I can do that.

The woman shoved her brother in the house and whirled around. Her powerful gaze met his before she slammed the door shut.

Damn, she was something.

***

A few hours later, Bently pulled the bike from his truck bed, admiring his handiwork. This fresh set of tires and the tune-up he'd performed would be the perfect icebreaker. It wasn't unusual for him to go above and beyond the call of duty for his fellow townsfolk. But none of them had a sister who was hotter than sin and feisty as fuck either. Does this count as breaking my no-hooking-up-with-locals rule?

Nah. This was just good old-fashioned flirting and helping a fellow community member out. It wasn't like he would follow through.

Bently knocked on the door, noting the older model Ford Focus in the driveway that had seen better days. Red flowers bloomed at the base of the porch, a discarded pile of pulled weeds off to the side. Several potted plants were spaced around the small area and a few baskets hung from the rafter hooks. He swiped the sweat from his brow and drew in a deep breath. Nerves scattered through him as he shifted his feet. Since when was he this off-kilter over a woman?

The energy shifted as the knob twisted. His heart beat faster as he swallowed.

The door opened and Belle's smile quickly morphed into a frown.

"What do you want?" Belle said, her chin rising.

"Good evening." He smiled and waited a beat. Her scowl only deepened. Have I lost the touch? Did cancer steal this from me too? He cleared his throat. "Uh, I just wanted to return TJ's bike."

She looked at the metal object as he set it on the porch. "Okay."

"Is he home?"

"He's doing homework," she answered with a hint of suspicion in her voice.

"I'll only be a second. If you don't mind, can I come in and ask him about who gave him that shiner one more time?" Maybe she'll see I'm just trying to help.

"Do you have a warrant?"

"E-excuse me?" he asked, baffled. He was used to not being everyone's favorite person as an officer of the law, but this was something more.

"Unless you have a warrant, you cannot come into my house or search my property. I know how you people work."

What the fuck?

"You leave my brother alone. He's smart and he's going places. He's a good boy. We don't want any trouble, officer." Belle's voice was steady, but her trembling hand gave it away. He glanced at her dainty fingers shaking at her side.

Belle balled them into fists before he considered her face, the fear in her eyes. She's scared of me.

"I never intended to cause trouble. Just wanted to make sure he got home safe. Have a good evening, ma'am." He turned and walked back to his truck, utterly speechless.

Defeated, he started the engine and shifted into gear. He needed a good strong drink. A woman's company wouldn't hurt either. Visions of sucking on those red lips and fisting those dark curls made his cock jerk. He gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

Too bad it would only be a fantasy and his hand tonight.