Sneak Peek Excerpt: Werelove by Lakisha Spletzer

Sneak Peek Excerpt: Werelove by Lakisha Spletzer
Dusk Conspiracy Vol. 1
Available in Paperback at Amazon

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Laylah Le Croix has a rich father, mansion, and servants. Yet she is lonely and neglected. Her father would rather work than speak to her. At the academy she is bullied and mistreated.
When Weres attempt to kidnap Laylah, she is saved by the mysterious Donil Silentshadow. Donil rouses feelings in Laylah that make her question her life and her father's animosity toward her handsome rescuer. Confused by these emotions, she seeks answers from those closest to her and is rebuffed.
She must make a choice. Obey her father's edicts or follow her heart to learn the truth about her past.

Sneak peek Excerpt:

Laylah stared at the ear comm. Her father hadn’t even spoken to her. Instead he handed her off to Jacques. She was glad that Jacques was alive, but was hurt by her father’s brush-off.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here,” Donil assured her.

She gave him a wan smile. “I don’t know why I bothered hoping this time would be different.”

He cupped her face in his hands and peered into her eyes. “Because, Beautiful, that hope is a part of who you are as a person. It’s the part that makes you special. It can even inspire people to be better than what they are. Never forget that. Now, let’s get you ready to go home.”

She didn’t move, simply stared back at him. ::His hands are so warm against my cheeks. And his eyes…so kind, caring, sincere.::

Donil heard her thoughts and returned her stare with his own frank admiring gaze. He saw the hurt from her father’s rejection reflected there and wanted to erase it. He gently tilted her face up and kissed her.

Laylah tensed, her hands going to his arms while her eyelids fluttered closed. She opened them when his lips left hers. She felt bereft.

Their gazes collided and they both blushed. She looked away first, eyes downcast. She was so confused! And yet, she wanted more of the same. “Oh, wow!”  She had no other words to describe the riot of emotions playing havoc inside her head and heart. She snuck a peek at him from beneath lowered lashes.

“I agree. Wow!” Donil smiled and brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. So lovely. Laylah was precious and special to him. She really had no clue how much she meant to him.

Laylah's pupils contracted and her eyelids slowly closed. Her heart was threatening to beat out of her chest and the heat…the heat was intense!

“I would love to kiss you again, but Mom would tan my hide if I don’t get you home,” Donil stated, breaking the silence.

Screw home! Laylah wanted to be with him! He, who made her feel alive. The thoughts were bold, daring and so unlike her that she panicked. She jumped away from Donil as if scalded, her hand automatically reaching up to tug on her braid. She yanked on it hard several times as she fought for calm.

“Laylah?” Donil stood still.

His concern almost made her run back to him for comfort, but she stopped herself. Barely. “Whew! Look at the time. I told Jacques an hour. I’d better get a move on or he’ll worry.”

“Laylah.” Donil tried to reach for her, but she evaded him, a feat in itself since she was on crutches. She was out of the room and halfway down the hall before he caught up to her.

“Laylah!”

“No! Please, don’t! I can’t do this. If I touch you, then I’ll start to hope and then it’ll be dashed. Please, I need to go home!”

Donil ran his fingers through his hair and regarded her. After a moment, he nodded. “Mom will take you home.”

“Oh, no. I can’t ask that of her. I can take a cab.”

“No. No cab, Laylah. You’re our guest and it would be rude to do that. Besides, she wants to take you. She has patients out that way that she needs to visit so it’s not a hardship to take you home.”

“If you’re sure?” Laylah was tugging on her braid as if her life depended on it.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Mom!”

“Keep your shirt on, Son, I’m coming. Yes, Dear?” His mother emerged from one of the rooms.

“Laylah is ready to leave.”

“Oh, good! Come on. Donil, pick her up. Get her off that ankle. I’ll carry the crutches.”

“Hey! No! Wait a minute!” Laylah protested, but Donil scooped her up into his arms. She forgot to breathe as the smell of his cologne hit her nose rendering her speechless, her cheeks bright pink in mortification.

Donil took her to his mother’s truck and put Laylah on the passenger side. His mother put the crutches in the truck bed.

Donil lowered the window, closed Laylah’s door and leaned on it. “I’ll see you soon, Beautiful.”

“I’d like that,” Laylah whispered, her shy gaze met his teasing one.

“You’re adorable when you blush.”

Laylah gasped and tugged her braid. He thought she was adorable? A handsome guy liked her! Heart soaring, she mumbled a thank you. His chuckle made her look up.

“Bye, Beautiful.”

“Bye, Donil.” She waved as Kattcha started the truck. They pulled out and Laylah watched Donil until they rounded the bend and the cabin was no longer visible. She closed her eyes and began savoring the memories she’d made.