Alyssa Summers is not the kind of girl who cheats. Sure, she’s prone to over-indulgence. She spent years spiraling out of control before she checked herself into an eating disorder clinic. But she’s under control now. She spends her days locked in the prison of her apartment, waiting for permission from her fiancé, Ryan, to resume her acting career.
And then she meets Ryan’s business partner, Luke Lawrence. Tall, handsome, and disarmingly direct, Luke is the perfect temptation. There’s something so appealing about him, and it’s not just his big, brown eyes or his hard body. He’s witty, confident, completely apathetic to her engagement.
Alyssa knows Luke is after more than friendship, but she can’t resist his pursuit. The more time she spends with him, the more she wants him. But Ryan has done so much for her. How could she betray him? Even if she wants Luke more than she’s ever wanted anything. Even if this is the first time, in so long, that she’s wanted anything at all?
A knock on the door interrupts us.
“That must be Luke. Ignore him,” Ryan says.
Luke steps inside. He’s taller than I imagined. Younger too. In his late 20s probably. He’s built like a runner—tall with long, lean muscles. And he’s handsome. Very handsome. His coffee-colored eyes and messy black hair stand out against his light skin.
Okay, handsome was the wrong word. He’s hot. Smoking hot.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he says. “You must be Alyssa. I’m Luke. Luke Lawrence.”
His eyes connect with mine. Jesus, his eyes are amazing—the darkest of browns, big and full of life. He holds my gaze as he shakes my hand. I nod. He’s Luke. Luke Lawrence. Ryan’s partner. Remember Ryan, your fiancé? He’s standing behind you.
“Nice to meet you,” I say.
Luke brushes his fingers across my wrist, and I feel a rush of electricity flood my body. I gulp. It’s nice enough when Ryan touches me, but it’s nothing like this. Nothing so intense.
“What do you want?” Ryan asks, barely able to hide his hostility.
“We’ve been working together three years. Don’t you think it’s time I met your girlfriend? Excuse me, your fiancée.”
“You’ve had chances,” Ryan says.
“Aren’t you going to offer her something to drink?” Luke asks.
“I’m fine,” I say.
“Are you sure? We have a bunch of crap. Water. Tea. Coffee.”
“Maybe a coffee.”
“Alyssa was just leaving,” Ryan says.
“She can leave after her coffee,” Luke turns to me and offers his hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
Ryan frowns. Before I can make much of it, Luke leads me into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
The office kitchen is small, and the promised coffee is from one of those single-cup machines. Luke loads the machine, adding exactly the right amount of water. My heart beats faster and faster. I swear I start sweating. I shouldn’t be alone with him. It’s not appropriate.
Especially when he’s so fucking handsome.
“You were amazing in that film, Mahogany,” he says. “You stole every scene you were in.”
“Thank you.”
“You must hear it all the time.”
“Only occasionally,” I say. It’s not like I go anywhere where I would hear it. It’s not like I go anywhere where anyone would recognize me.
“I remember when it came out. I think Ryan had just started dating you. And he was bragging about how gorgeous and talented you were. But he hadn’t seen it. So I told him, and—fuck, you probably got the short end of the stick on this one. I told him that you do a strip tease in it.”
“Well, aren’t you a fucking instigator,” I say with a laugh.
“Did he throw a fit?”
“He wasn’t pleased.” Ryan is never happy about any love scenes. God forbid a role call for nudity.
“Sorry, but the look on his face… God, he was so jealous. I thought he might punch me.”
“Oh, please. You did it just to annoy him. You would have worn a black eye like a badge of honor.”
“Maybe.” He laughs. “Probably.”
“That’s why you insisted on making me coffee, isn’t it?” I ask.
“Well…”
“Well?”
“I’ve been dying to meet you for a while.”
“Are you saying that because he might overhear?”
Luke shakes his head. “I was hoping you’d be a bit more…”
“Vacuous?”
“Show off.” He brushes his hand against mine for no particular reason, his eyes locked on mine, studying me for a reaction. I bite my tongue to keep from blushing. He’s touching me on purpose.
“It’s not because you’re blonde,” he continues. “Or because you’re gorgeous. And not because you played that slutty cheerleader.”
My heart beats faster. He thinks I’m gorgeous.
“And not because all actors are idiots.” I offer.
He nods. “I couldn’t imagine Ryan being with someone smarter than him.”
“Than he is,” I correct him. I brace for an eye roll, but he smiles, his big, brown eyes lighting up.
“I’m jealous. I’ve never been with someone who corrects my grammar.”
“Ryan hates it.”
“Fuck Ryan.”
He hands me the cup of coffee and points me to the packets of cream and sugar. I dump one packet of sugar into my cup—one can’t hurt—and take a long sip. His eyes are still on me, big and wide and full of enthusiasm.
I feel breathless again. My heart beats faster and louder.
“I should let you get back to work,” I say.
“You can stop by anytime. If Ryan won’t see you, I will.”
“You’re really after that black eye, aren’t you?”
“Well, it would be a badge of honor,” he says as he walks me to the door.
His hand brushes against my back and, once again, my body surges with electricity. What would his hands feel like on my bare skin? What would they feel like on my ass or my chest or between my legs?
Crystal Kaswell, author of Rouse Me, is a novelist and screenwriter living in Los Angeles. An Orange County native, she barely survived the winters while she studied film at New York University. When she isn’t writing, she is playing board games, drinking tea, or riding her beach cruiser around Los Angeles.
mmalavec says
Yes, I love them!!!! ♥
Tina McClay says
I read them, but not my favorite kind of reads.
jodi marinich says
i enjoy love triangles too if done right
catlover415 says
I love a good triangle but they should tissues with the ones that really get you torn. Congratulations!
Deborah Favorito says
I like a really good triangle. But only in books. Congratulations on your book.
Theresa Ann Fischer says
I like love triangles only in fiction.
Anita Yancey says
I do enjoy reading books about love triangles. I just can’t wait to find out who will win their hearts desire.
Marcy Meyer says
They can be really stressful to read, if there is a lot of angst. But, they are fun!
Denise H says
I read them, but I agree with Marcy…they tend to really stress me out and it feels like a roller coaster ride….I don’t really like roller coaster rides LOL I don’t mind them, but I have to prepare myself before.
Debbie Jensen says
Love triangles make interesting reading.
micklovesbooks says
Love Triangles are fantastic! Love them! Can’t wait to read Rouse Me!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Filia Oktarina says
Never read any Love Triangle story before.
Lourie Staib says
Love triangles in real life can be very complicated…they are best left to books. 🙂
Louise says
Always have loved a good, sexy triangle 😉
Laina G says
If they are written right, I LOVE them
Juli Huber Hall says
I love Love triangles, makes for a more interesting story
cyndibarber says
Of course, who doesn’t like to read one. In real life, not so much. This book is going on my kindle tbr also.
DJ Sakata says
not so much
Gina H says
I do and I don’t like love triangles, it depends on how it is written, and how it ends up. Thanks for the giveaway!
Robin B says
I like triangles as long as everyone gets a HEA. I guess if one of the people inthe triangle is bad they don’t have to have one but the nice ones need a HEA.
Staci Pope says
I love the dynamics of love triangles.
Lori Moore says
I love them
mrsmac19 says
I do enjoy a good love triangle book, but I need to break them up w/ more traditional romances. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
beanabeana says
Thanks for the chance luv
Lisa says
I do enjoy a good triangle….but I get awfully scared at times too. The angst gets me all sorts of crazy lol
Linda Szymoniak says
I’m okay with romantic love triangles, but since I tend to like a particular pairing in a book, movie, etc. pretty quickly, I’m not happy when that pairing doesn’t happen.
Kristy Petree says
Love triangles CAN be good, but most of the time they’re annoying, especially with all the “Team X” vs. “Team Y” fandom stuff. Thanks!
Maria Theresa Santos says
Not so much
lesleyg says
I’ve really only read one & it was VERY emotional for me.
Book Lovin says
I love love triangles. It is full of angst.
Cheryl Rogers says
I really do not like love triangles. To complicated right?
Stacy says
I “love” love triangles too!!
Jenny Dauksa Schaber says
sometimes I love them and sometimes I hate them. It all depends on the writer. The excerpt here leads me to believe that I would LOVE this one. Thanks for bringing this new book and author to me.
Ana Celaya says
I find love triangles very intriguing and exciting, I’m always desperate to know who will win the competition of love in the end 😛 lol
This book seems amazing, looking forward to read it!!
Mary Preston says
Most of the time I love love triangles, sometimes I just feel so sorry for the one who loses out.
Lavender Smith says
I like them as well, it’s also great to write a love triangle!
Joseph Hawkshaw says
Love to read them pretty cool.
Samantha says
It depends on the triangle. Sometimes I love the dynamic and other times they make me not want to read the book at all.
Sara Griffin says
It has to be a really good love triangle! Sometimes they’re just tooooo trashy, but others, it’s goooood!
Mary Bilowus says
I love stories that involve a love triangle. Looking forward to reading this. Sounds good.
Diana Doan says
I have a love-hate feeling toward them. It depends on the triangle I guess.
Nuresha Perera says
not any of my favourires