Once Perfect

Book 1: Shattered Past

by Cecy Robson

Genres: Women's Fiction; Contemporary Romance; New Adult Romance

Synopsis

His life was never easy. Hers wasn’t supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson’s raw, steamy series debut—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn.
 
Evelyn Preston’s future once looked perfect—until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and ex-army MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they’ve led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love.
 
Mateo wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he’s feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid.
 
As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn’s past—even if that means tackling his own to save her.

Praise for Once Perfect
 
“Once Perfect is exactly that: perfect for fans of sweetly sexy New Adult with a to-die-for protective hero.”—New York Times bestselling author Marquita Valentine

“Sweet and sexy, a perfect combination . . . Cecy Robson delivers pure reading bliss.”—USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett

“This book was amazingly fantastic! I loved it from beginning to end and read it in one sitting. Mateo has made my list of top ten favorite alpha heroes! I highly recommend this one!”—Wendy S. Marcus, author of Loving You Is Easy

“This is another series that I will be fangirling. Once Perfect was a reading highlight of the year. . . . [I] fell in love with the characters and the writing. I can’t wait for the next book, Once Loved.”—Books Like Breathing

“Exciting and sexy . . . Robson excelled in her debut to the New Adult genre. . . . I was engaged from beginning to end.”—Under the Covers
 
“Once Perfect is not your normal NA book. . . . It’s a very emotional book that touches very difficult topics like abuse. It’s also a book with a lot of messages; the most important is never judge others by mere appearances.”—The Bookaholic Cat
 
“A love story with depth and feeling and emotion. In short, a story worthy of the genius that is Robson’s writing. I didn't expect anything less from her.”—My Guilty Obsession
 
“Rec it? Absolutely. I adore New Adult stories, and if you do too, Once Perfect is a great addition to your TBR!”—The Book Hookup

“I couldn’t imagine two people more perfect for each other [building] a real loving relationship.”—Books-n-Kisses
 
“This book was awesome! Mateo is the ultimate bad boy, sexy hunk of love.  Evelyn is the poor little rich girl who has to learn to survive on her own. Together they are the most amazing couple. . . . [Once Perfect] is a must read!”—BB’s Book Reviews

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Release date: October 7, 2014

Publisher: Loveswept

Print pages: 272

Sample

Chapter One

“Malibu Barbie. We need more cocktail napkins!”

I stopped wiping the bar booth, torn between throwing my bucket at Sam or at the cluster of bouncers chuckling at his Barbie dig. I still had two more booths to clean before the doors to the Main Line’s infamous Club Excess opened and the real work began. A crowd of spoiled brats―offspring of Philly’s wealthiest families―with too much money and too much attitude already crowded the doors. I should know. I used to be one of them. Except they still had the money.

I had a screaming boss.

“Malibu!”

“Jesus, Sam, I’m going.” I tossed my towel on the table and stomped across the dance floor in my black thigh-high boots. If it weren’t for the crazy tips the drunk idiots dropped like bowling balls, no way would I work at a place where I had to accessorize tiny black shorts and a skimpy tank with these hooker boots. The white dress shirt tied at my belly was Sam’s way of compromising when me and a few of the other waitresses complained about our new “uniforms.” The more desperate among us tied it closer to their cleavage. I didn’t. Even if it meant less money, I wanted to hang on to what little pride I had left.

My steps slowed as I neared the group of bouncers huddled around Mateo. He was young, younger than at least half of them, and still they looked up to him. Considering Mateo was an ex-con who fought in fight clubs, you’d think the staff would avoid him. I sure did. Hell, I’d barely spoken to him in the six months I’d worked at Excess, using any excuse to keep my distance. That said, there was something about him that made people take notice. His burly arms crossed his chest. Power was inked on one forearm in bold Gothic lettering, Wrath on the other, and black flames crawled up both, disappearing beneath the sleeves of his tight black T-shirt.

My puny shoulders tensed as I drew closer. Mateo had served time for beating some poor guy so brutally the victim had spent two weeks in the hospital recovering from the bashes to his face and body. I watched Mateo, a lot. Every now and then, I’d catch him glancing my way, too. He’d offer me a brief nod or a small smile, but I never offered anything in return. His size, the depth of his voice, and his aptitude for violence scared me, despite his captivating looks. He moved like a panther staking out his turf, ready for anything, his steely hazel eyes taking everything in.

He spoke low and rough as the last of his crew arrived. “Listen up. Keep the drugs and the dealers out. They come in with that shit, you see anyone selling―send their asses out the door. Sam doesn’t want another OD in his place. If those rich pricks want to die, they can do it somewhere else.”
The others answered Mateo with stiff nods, except for Dale, who whistled as I walked by. “Nice ass, Evelyn . . .”

His voice trailed off. I turned to shoot him a dirty look over my shoulder only to catch the death glare Mateo was firing his way. “Leave Evie the heck alone and pay attention, Dale,” Mateo told him. Dale immediately dropped his gaze, allowing Mateo to return his attention to the rest of the group. “With the first week of classes over, these fools are looking to party hard, and the dealers are ready to assist. Don’t go it alone. Call for backup if you need it, when you need it. I’ll take point near the bar. Ant’s my second. He’ll take point left of the floor. If I’m mixed up in some other shit, you call him. Got me?”

The bouncers collectively muttered in agreement. Even Dale.

My heart was thumping against my sternum and I lost my footing. I reached for my ponytail and tightened it fast, trying to pretend that was the reason I’d tripped and not, absolutely not, because Mateo had stuck up for me and shut Dale up on my behalf. Or because he’d called me Evie. Again. No one else had ever called me that.

I slipped behind the bar where Sam was stacking another rack of glasses. “Grab two boxes and make sure they have the new logo―not the old,” he snapped. “Numbnuts spelled ‘Excess’ wrong on the last one.”

“I know, Sam, I know.” I frowned. “You’re bartending again tonight?”

“No. I just wear the apron to show off my man boobs. Of course I’m bartending. I had to fire Joe when he helped himself to the register last week!” He brushed back his crazy hair. I pegged him at roughly fifty, but his snow-white Lion King mane made him appear at least ten years older. “Hurry up, Malibu, we only have twenty minutes before those needle dicks bust down the door!”

“I’d move faster if you didn’t make us wear these boots,” I muttered.

“Quit complainin’. Those boots earned you at least three hundred the first night you wore them. I saw you counting the bills.”