A Brush with Death

Crime and Passion Stalk City Hall Series #2
August 11, 2020
VJC Books

>>To prove his undying love and loyalty, he’ll risk sacrificing her trust.

Ben Deprez has been secretly in love with Cori for years and knowing of her wounded heart has him waiting impatiently for the right time to make his move. Now is the time, and Cori seems receptive, but Ben’s past still haunts him. He’s never been that guy who can say or do the right thing when it comes to women. His divorce is proof.

Cori Pierre-Simon has had about all she can take working two jobs to support her family since her ex left without a trace ten years earlier. The last thing she needs is to get involved with another man who would surely disappoint her.

Just when Cori decides to open her heart to Ben, women he holds key information about turn up dead. Then, when she uncovers an unusual connection between Ben and another woman, she realizes she should have never trusted him and his womanizing ways.

When Cori’s son finds himself in an illegal predicament, he turns to Ben for help. Ben answers the call for aid full-well knowing that in helping the teenager he will risk losing Cori’s trust, the very thing he’s worked hard to earn. Ben is left hoping she loves him enough to forgive him for the decisions he’s made to right the wrongs of her son and himself.

What a turn of events today. When she'd accepted Ben's dinner invitation, she did it for him. As it turned out, she was the one in dire need of a friend.

His hold loosened, and he slid his large, warm hands up, cupping her cheeks. He swiped away her tears with his thumbs as those intense eyes of his darkened. He was going to kiss her. Caution flags rose in her head, but her heart begged her brain to ignore them. Just once, it would be nice to allow herself to indulge in the comfort and security of a man's arms, even nicer if she could count on him for continued support.

She knew she should turn and run, but her feet wouldn’t move. Instead, she stared into his dark eyes and tried to pull him in with her gaze. His head dipped, and he pressed his lips lightly to hers. Adrenaline rushed her veins. That was the exact reaction she feared, yet she kept moving her lips with his—soft and slow. It was beautiful, too beautiful.

His hands skimmed down from her cheeks to her neck, over her shoulders, down her sides, and then he hooked them at the small of her back and pulled her tighter to him. His clean, fresh, soapy scent drove her insane with need to stay near him. When he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, heat surged through her, and she parted hers to let him in. Her knees weakened. He tightened his grip. He took her mouth more thoroughly, moving expertly.

Good God he could kiss.

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Tracey b - This is an entertaining, steamy, well-written, fast paced romantic suspense novel with likable, engaging, mature characters. It has intrigue, small town and family drama, a captivating mystery, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This book is the second entry in Ms. Clarizio's "The Crime and Passion Stalk City Hall" series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading the other entries in this series with great anticipation.