Now or Never

hypersensitive. Usually when they had sex, it was fast and frantic, but this time it was slow, lingering and sweet as if they were savoring every second.
    She ran her fingers across his sweat-slick muscles of his broad shoulders, and moaned into his mouth.
    She never wanted to let him go. For the first time, she gave herself over completely to him. There was no holding back, no fear, just the primal need to be with him. She knew they belonged to each other. Her whole body shivered in pleasure when he brought her body to climax, again and again.
    She felt so wonderfully alive in his arms. It was strange, but for some reason, when he looked into her eyes, she felt like he was really seeing her, flaws and all. What surprised her most was that he looked like he loved everything he saw.
    Deeply content, Grayson laid her head on Derrick’s chest. Every muscle in her body was limp. She laid there in a haze, feeling warm and protected coiled in his arms.
    She was the first to break the silence. “You know you’re the boy my mom warned me about,” she told him, poking his chest playfully.
    “Guy on a motorcycle?”
    Grayson laughed, “A Taurus. She said I wouldn’t be happy until I found one.”
    Derrick gave her a lopsided smile, and Grayson nuzzled up against the warmth of him. In that moment, curled against his side, their hand’s meeting on his chest, she had never felt so close to another human being.
    Derrick’s lips touched the inside of her wrist, and she sighed softly. “I want to make you happy, Gray.”
    Hope and joy soared through her, though it was mixed with a touch of fear. They’d been through so much, both bad and good. There was no guarantee they’d make it, no matter how dedicated they were, but she was okay with that. She didn’t know where the relationship would go exactly, but for now she was willing to enjoy the ride.

A.J. Bennett
    A.J. Bennett lives in Nashville, Tn with her husband and bulldog. She’s addicted to coffee, popcorn and books. To find out more about A.J checkout her website. www.ajbennettauthor.com
    Acknowledgments
    I would like to thank everyone involved in helping this book become a reality. My husband for his unwavering support. My beta readers Amy and Heather for their invaluable input. The editors Heather and Allison for their patience with my comma issues. Eden Crane for the gorgeous cover.

Sneak Peek
    Shattered Perfection
    by Piper Caleb
    Chapter One
    And so it is… March 11, 2005
    Day One
    Pulling up with a car full of luggage, the taxi driver said to me, “Well aren’t you just a girl with a lot of baggage.” All I could do was roll my eyes and say literally under my breath. Did he not know where he was taking me when I said “The Fererra Center”? Maybe he didn’t, but still some people just shouldn’t be allowed to speak.
    Today was “overwhelming” to say the least. I am trying to take in everything I can.
    I had the choice to go to group after dinner or to stay for relaxation (aka they watch you like hawks for two hours after each meal to make sure everything stays down). I went to group…or “processing” as they call it here. I didn’t plan on saying a word, but I also wasn’t planning on having someone stare at me for two hours, so group it was.
    I am actually really glad I went to the group. There was this girl in there who was like me in the eating disorder category…aka you name it I got it. Anorexia, bulimia, binging, purging, you name it I did it.
    Anyway, the girl’s name is Jessie and she had the most gorgeous long brown hair I have ever seen. I tuned out of her never ending bitching about a girl at the dinner table across from her who apparently was hiding her butter and she was pissed the staff didn’t catch it. She was constantly playing with her hair, even pulling some strands out while she was talking…that’s all I could focus on. The staff member who was running the group tried to get me to speak. I said “pass” and everyone laughed, which should have made me feel more comfortable, but it didn’t.
    I chose the wrong men to be with; I know it so why can’t I fix it? Why can’t I only worry about myself instead of constantly focusing on how I can better the “man” in my life? I need to make myself strong on the inside instead of what is on the outside. I know all of this, but why can’t I put any of it into action? I guess that’s why I am in this place.
    After the break-up with Tucker I found myself utterly and