Promo and Excerpt: Forbidden Deception by Mahalia Levey

 

FORBIDDEN DECEPTION

Publisher:  Secret Cravings Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61885-836-8
WordCount: 56077
Formats: PDF, LIT, EPUB, MOBI, HTML

No one knows how a solitary lie has the power to rip a heart to pieces. For ten years Ailyn Dominguez has lived with a constant reminder of heartbreak that left her devastated and pregnant. While nothing gives her more pleasure than being a mother, the lie she lives weighs her down like a ball and chain. Even if she knew where to look, her deceit could cost her everything she holds dear.

Responsibility for others has always rested on Seth Mahone. Every day he gears up to protect and serve, leads his men and finds fulfillment in doing his best. With one friend settled down, he reevaluates his life and the price he paid when the one woman he loved disappeared, leaving a void in his life. Regretting what caused their split, he hasn’t fully let go or found another to take her place.

When the past collides with the present both must confront the deception that split them apart.

BUY NOW:  Secret Cravings Publishing  (all formats available)

Forbidden Deception PG13 Excerpt

Seth. Seth. Seth. Ailyn did an engine search of his name and spent the next hour scouring every link he appeared in. When she came across a picture of him and a date at last’s years annual award party, his striking looks in dress Class A Uniform stole her breath away. The date on his arms in a slinky barely there dress caused a fit of jealousy to course through her. From her perfectly placed wavy tresses, to her curvaceous body, long slender legs and pretty feet showcasing her Louboutin heels. It wasn’t the dress or the shoes that caused the angry wave of envy. Though no one should look so damn sexy without appearing trampy. The body language is what had her teeth on edge. The way he stood, how she hugged his waist showed they were intimate. He made love to that woman with those green eyes of his, leaving her fuming, wanting to claw the bitch’s eyes out.

Taking a breath she tried to read the next but couldn’t get the image of him with the gorgeous brunette out of her mind. Was he still dating her? The thought caused her stomach to roll with nausea. She closed the window, tucked her tablet under her arm, edged her way back to the counter, and ordered another latte and egg and ham on a bagel with provolone cheese. She’d cooled off a tad by the time she’d returned to her seat and propped up her tablet to stare at the black screen.

I will not stalk him online. I will not stalk him online. I will stalk him online.

She bit into her sandwich and went back to the page with her search. Lt. Seth Mahone receives a Valor award from the state representative and a representative from their U.S. district congressman. The same woman stood next to him with a dazzling smile on her face. Seething with mistrust and hurt she whipped out her cell phone and sent a rapid text.

I thought you told me you were single. What was today about? A journey to the past?

I am single. What are you pissed off about this time?

Really? Doesn’t look that way to me. Pictures don’t lie.

I have work to do, Ailyn. If you’re going to be cryptic, I don’t have time to deal with you.

Cryptic. You are all over the newspapers with the same woman at every event. If you’re married, I’m going to sever your balls from your body and shove them down your throat. Is that clear enough?

She stared at the screen forever and blew out a frustrated breath. Men who were the epitome of sex on a stick only broke hearts in the end. The crushing jealousy grew exponentially in the absence of his next response. She didn’t have long to wait. An incoming call flashed across her screen.

“Darlin’, I don’t even know where to begin to approach this. Christ woman, you’re giving me a migraine over nothing. First, I haven’t seen you in ten years. Second, earlier you made yourself loud and clear on where I fit in your life. My past is not your concern. Who I’ve dated or who I’ve fucked after you is also none of your concern, unless we’re heading to the clinic for tests so we can fuck bareback.”

“You’re right your private affairs are not my concern. I don’t know what’s come over me.” She ignored the latter part of his reply.

“I knew you weren’t unaffected even though you pretended to be. For the record, if I saw you with another man all dressed up, I’d want to bash his head in too. Alyssa was a longtime lover I let loose when she kept hinting about marriage.” Dead air passed between them.

“Oh,” Ailyn mustered up.

“Are my balls safe now? I rather like them where they are.” His voice lost the hard edge of steel.

“Yes, of course.” Mortification surged within her. She poised her finger to hang up when his voice stopped her.

“No need to be embarrassed. Finding our way back to one another is going to be one hell of a ride.”

“Seth, don’t look too much into this.” Now he for sure knew she had online stalked him. She finished off her latte and swallowed down the rest of her sandwich.

“Whatever helps you sleep better at night darlin’. I gotta go, I’ll call you tonight.” He disconnected the call.