Hit the Beach!

 

Warm weather is finally here and outdoor activities have returned, including leisure time by the water. Just in time for you to load up your e-reader for that trip to the pool, here’s one of my summer short reads from Extasy Books, “Beauty and the Beach (Key West Heat, Book 2).” 

 

“When supermodel Brandi Knox is hired for a tropical-themed magazine spread, she insists on having her favorite photographer, Justin Malone, do the job. He arranges the shoot on Sunset Key, near Key West. The two have been involved on and off for several years, in a friends-with-benefits situation. This time, their feelings for each other seem to have developed into something deeper. When the sun finally sets on their latest assignment, will they still be just friends, or something more?”

This is a fun read with two likeable characters who share a lot of heat ‘neath the palms. It’s an interracial romantic comedy that touches on the perils of pop culture and celebrity. Brandi is a popular fashion model, sort of a Tyra Banks type, with an entourage and a huge following. Justin has always been protective of her when they’ve worked together, making certain that she not only looks good in his photos, but that she leaves the assignment with her emotions intact. The attraction between them has been evident, but more along the lines of casual hook-ups and booty calls. Their interactions are playful and teasing, as in this excerpt:

Justin took a drink of wine before aiming his camera at the sunset over Key West. “How come you still live in Georgia? Most of the models I work with operate out of New York or LA.”

 “I like to stay close to my family and my roots. Why do you still live in Cincinnati?” 

 “Same reason, I suppose.” He laughed softly. “I remember when you came there to visit me last year in the dead of winter.”

 Brandi shuddered. “I’ll never forget it. Froze my ass off. Do you still have that God-awful brown velveteen couch and armchair combo in your living room?”

 “Nah, I upgraded to something better.”

 She chuckled. “When I told my mother that I was going to spend a long weekend with a white guy I’d been seeing, she almost fainted.”

 “Why?”

 “That sort of thing just isn’t done on her side of the family.”

 “What about your father? How did he feel about it?”

 “He’s pretty cool about things and he doesn’t have a problem with my life choices.” She paused. “In fact, you were my first.”

 “Your first what?”

 “My first white guy, silly.”

 “I hope you weren’t disappointed.”

 She looked into his eyes. “I kept coming back for more, didn’t I?” Brandi rested her hand on his arm. “I liked shacking up in that one-bedroom apartment of yours.”

 “Even though it was cramped?”

 “It was big enough for the two of us and that’s all that mattered.”

 “Yeah, it was kinda cozy, wasn’t it?”

 “Mm-hmm. The fact that it was twenty below zero outside made cuddling more fun, too.”

 He smiled at the memory. “I think that was the best staycation I ever spent with a woman.” He paused as something came back to him. “I still remember the phone call two weeks after you went home.”

Brandi cast her eyes down. “I was really scared when I was late.” She looked at him. “What would you have done if I’d been pregnant?”

 He took her hand and squeezed it. “I would’ve been there for you.”

 “Seriously?”

 “Yeah.” He sipped his wine while deciding if he really wanted to say what was on his mind. “Brandi, when we started our affair, I knew I was breaking the first rule.”

 “Which rule?”

 “Don’t sleep with the models. It’s what they teach you in Photography 101. But there was something about you that made me want to take the chance, and made me care about you. I know we’ve always said Don’t ask, don’t tell, but when I see a tabloid pic of you on the arm of some jock or rock star, I die a little inside.”

 She leaned in close, cupped his cheek in her palm then kissed him. “They don’t mean anything, Justin. They’re just photo ops arranged by some paparazzi to hustle a quick buck.”

 “I’m going to respect our rule and not ask what happens after the cameras go away.”

 “You don’t need to because I’ll tell you what happens – nothing. Some of them try their damnedest to get me into bed but I know how to say no.”

 Justin leaned over and gently kissed her. “You didn’t have to tell me that, but thanks.”

 

If you’re in the mood for quick fun read with great atmosphere, some laughs, steamy sex and a realistic romance with a will-they-or-won’t-they premise, check out “Beauty and the Beach.” Available at Amazon Kindle, and wherever great e-books are sold.

 Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His website is Tim Smith, AllAuthor.  

 

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