COVER REVEAL with EXCERPT: 'Here Without You' by JJ Harper
Title: Here Without You
Series: Cooper’s Ridge #2
Author: JJ Harper
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Publisher: Self-Published
Cover Artist: JC Clarke/The Graphics Shed
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance; Suspense
Length: 348 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; M/M/M; Ménage; Bartender; Lawyer; Angst: Low; Comfort/Hurt; Second Chance; HEA; Standalone
About Here Without You
Archer Hawkins and Mallory Halston literally run into each other and a true love story is born. Archer pursues Mallory with absolute determination making him fall hook, line, and sinker.
“I really would like to get to know you, Mallory.” His voice husky in my ear. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, I’m sorry.” I’m already kicking myself for turning him down. “That’s okay, I’ll ask again tomorrow, and the day after, I’ll get you to say yes in the end.”
But just when they’re about to get everything they ever hoped tragedy strikes leaving Mal alone and adrift. Putting his past behind him Mal stumbles upon Cooper’s Ridge. Changing his name to Carter, he takes a chance, becoming a bartender at The Last Drop Inn, and embarking on a new life.
Local attorney, Dan Mortimer, has finally found and captured the heart of Cooper’s Ridge’s newest resident, Carter.
“I was coming in to see you, and maybe get you to agree to dinner with me. C’mon Carter it’s only dinner, I’m a nice guy I promise.”
But when Dan’s college friend comes to town to recuperate after a horrible car accident, it seems the most important men in his life may have something to answer for. And just how far will an evil, conniving, homophobic mother with a vendetta go to bring them all down?
Here Without You is a gay ménage story with plenty of hot sex and strong language and is therefore suitable for readers aged 18 and over.
“I would have thought an important guy like you would have minions to fetch your coffee for you.” I laugh as hot coffee guy, as I now call him, comes up to the counter.
“I could, but then I wouldn’t get to speak to you, now would I?” He winks. “I didn’t see you here yesterday? I didn’t get anywhere nearly as much foam on my cappuccino from the sullen girl.”
“I don’t work here every day. I’m in college so it just fits around my schoolwork.” I blush, I didn’t expect him to notice whether I was here or not.
“What time do you finish today?” he asks.
“Why?” I carry on making his order, knowing he won’t move off until it’s finished.
“I wondered if you’d like to grab a drink or maybe something to eat with me,” he asks. I just stare at him; my mouth drops in surprise. “You’re old enough to drink?” he queries and smiles, but it’s not in condescension.
“Um, yeah, I am. But why do you want to have a drink with me? You don’t even know me.” Admittedly I’ve seen him every day I’ve been here, and he does wait for me to serve him. Letting others past until I get to him.
He laughs, and it sends shivers over my body. “I guess that’s why I would like to have a drink, to get to know you. So, what do you say?” His tongue darts out and dampens his bottom lip, and I follow the motion, unable to tear my eyes away.
“I can’t tonight. I have a study group. I go straight from here.” I hand him his drinks.
“Tomorrow then?” He leans forward and whispers, “I really would like to get to know you, Mallory.” His voice is husky in my ear.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, I’m sorry.” I’m already kicking myself for turning him down.
“That’s okay. I’ll ask again tomorrow, and the day after. I’ll get you to say yes in the end.” With that, he winks and moves off to pay.
And he does just that, the next day, and the one after that. Then I have two days off and when I get back to work, I look forward to seeing him again, but he doesn’t show up. The day seems to drag on and on. Plus, summer has arrived, and the temperatures have rocketed, making every customer be in a bad mood. Hell, we’re all in a bad mood. I finally look up at the clock and realize I can leave. I can’t get out of there fast enough.
I rush out the kitchen door and straight into the furnace as the heat hits me in the face. Dragging my t-shirt over my head and tucking it into my back pocket, I walk away, then hear someone whistle and call out my name. Turning to the sound, I see hot coffee guy standing outside the shop front.
“Mallory.” He sounds breathless as his eyes roam over my bare chest. “What a pleasant surprise. I was just thinking about you.”
“Really? It can hardly be a surprise considering I work here.” I tip my head and look him over. He’s not all dressed up in one of his fancy suits today. He’s dressed in a cute pair of pale-blue shorts and a white polo shirt; his sunglasses are on the top of his head, pushing his blond hair away from his forehead. Giving him a much more approachable look, and a younger one too.
Pre-Order
Get ready with book 1 in the Cooper's Ridge series,
'Denver's Calling'!
Meet the Author
JJ Harper likes nothing more than to lose herself in books, either reading or writing them. She spends her days dreaming about hot men and love stories, letting her imagination run away with her.
Living quietly in the South Lincolnshire countryside with her very patient husband and her uber-lazy dog she hides behind a sweet smile but really is a coffee-addicted, wine drinking, potty-mouthed girl with no intention of ever growing up or growing old gracefully.
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