She's in love with him.
He's trying not to love her.
One night changes everything.
Aston Banks never meant to get close to Megan Harper – not even for that one night. Haunted by a childhood he refuses to face, he knew she could break through every wall he’d ever built and tear them down without even realising she was doing it.
Betraying Braden by starting a relationship with Aston wasn’t on Megan’s to-do list, but the second she sees a glimpse of someone other than the arrogant ass she’s come to know, she can’t walk away.
Aston’s childhood is worse than Megan ever guessed, but as he tries and fails to push her away, it’s clear her love is stronger than the demons that cling to him every day. And now, because of it, he finally has to deal with what he’s buried deep down.
What he doesn’t want to face. What he’s fought against for so long.
And they have to do it all without Braden finding out.
Keeping a relationship secret has never been harder.
**This book can be read as a standalone novel, but reading The Love Game (The Game, #1) beforehand is advised.**
Goodreads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17341528-playing-for-keeps
Link to Chapter One in Playing for Keeps:
http://www.emmahartbooks.com/2013/06/playing-for-keeps-chapter-one-earc.html
Purchase Links:
Amazon US // Amazon UK // Barnes & Noble // Kobo // iBooks // Smashwords
Link to Chapter One in Playing for Keeps:
http://www.emmahartbooks.com/2013/06/playing-for-keeps-chapter-one-earc.html
Purchase Links:
Amazon US // Amazon UK // Barnes & Noble // Kobo // iBooks // Smashwords
EXCERPT:
ASTON:
“You okay?”
I shake my head. “No. Every time. Every
fucking time he brings her up. I thought he wouldn’t in front of you, but he
did.”
“He has his own pain,” she says softly.
“It doesn’t excuse it, but he does. He feels guilty for what happened to you –
that he couldn’t stop it.”
My mind reels for a second and I look
down at her. “He told you that?”
She nods, letting her hand drop from my
back and standing in front of me. I stop.
“You’ve never let him tell you.” She
reaches up and cups my face. “He hurts, too, Aston. You both hurt. It’s not
something that will go away, but you can’t let it rule your lives. If you let
pain rule you you’ll get lost in it.”
“What if I’m already lost?”
“You’re not lost. You’re hiding, but
you’re not lost. I won’t let you get lost.”
I let my hands come up and rest on her
back, pulling her into me. “What if there’s no map?”
“Then I’ll get lost with you,” she
whispers. “I won’t let you let them win, Aston. I won’t let you get sucked in
by those demons. I won’t let that happen. I care too much.”
And she does. I can hear it in her
voice.
She wraps her arms around my neck, and I
hold her to me tighter, our foreheads resting against each other.
“I’ll try, Megs,” I promise. “I can’t
say I won’t, but as long as you’re here, I think I’ll be okay.”
“And you’ll talk to your Gramps? Just
once?”
“I’ll think about it. How about we just
focus on stopping me from getting lost for a bit?”
“You just need a place to aim for,
that’s all. You need a place to go to.”
“Go on then.” I smile. “Give me a
place.”
“Okay.” She pauses for a second, closing
her eyes and chewing her lip.
“I’m waiting…” I tease her.
Her blue eyes open, shocking me with
their vitality. “Aim for the moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among
the stars.”
“I don’t need to aim for the sky. The
only star I’ll ever need is standing right in front of me.” I brush my lips
over hers. “Maybe the place I need to aim for is nowhere other than where I am
right now.”
“Maybe I’d go with you wherever you
ended up.”
“Maybe I’d never ask that of you.”
“Maybe you wouldn’t need to ask. Maybe
you’ll never need to ask me for anything, because I’ll always be here.”
About this Author:
By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old and growing bump, due September 2013. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of juice and writes books.
Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.
She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.
Find Emma Online At:
http://www.emmahartbooks.com/
www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks
@EmmaHartAuthor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6451162.Emma_Hart
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE LOVE GAME, BOOK ONE IN THE GAME SERIES!
THE LOVE GAME PURCHASE LINKS:
