Empire Blue
Book Two
DC Stone
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Date of Publication: 06/19/15
ISBN: 978-1-77233-392-3
ASIN: B00ZZ7S9YW
Number of pages: 256
Word Count: 86,150
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Book Trailer:
Book Description:
Dwayne Gonzalez has always had a thing for the beautiful Brooke Mason, but she married another man, had his child, and started her life without him. Now, years and a divorce later, he’s still on the sidelines, yet in Brooke’s and her daughter, Hailey’s life, but not in the way he wants.
A drug investigation brings Dwayne on the front step of Brooke’s life. With his attention distracted, Hailey is kidnapped and engulfed in a human trafficking ring. Dwayne marches in and toes the line between the right side of the law, and in it, pursues his heart’s desire.
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/UzHuq11-r1E
Worried about Hailey, exhausted to the bone, and slightly swaying, Brooke clung to Dwayne, took strength from this solid, very real protector. She would have to be dead not to notice his firm body beneath her fingertips, the hardness of his chest pressed to her breasts, and the wicked, clean scent drifting from his skin. While they were no longer hugging, but more her clinging to him, she didn’t want to turn away, couldn’t find the power to do so. How easy would it have been to end up with this man? She’d caught the looks he had given her before. But that had all been in the past, a separate life for them both.
She had become a mother, someone who dedicated her entire being to making sure her daughter was well-rounded, cared for, and knowingly loved. Not only that, but she wasn’t a young pup any longer, and from the few women she’d seen Dwayne with, his type seemed to have a list of traits all very similar: young, perky breasts, tight asses, single, and free of major responsibilities.
His hand tightened on her back and she held her breath, waiting to see if he would push her away.
Just a few more minutes, please.
She needed him, this close contact with another being. It had been so damn long.
Hailey refused to slow down to cuddle on the couch as she had once done as a young girl. Her daughter had her own life now, one currently held in peril, but Brooke had faith they would find her. They had to. Failure wasn’t an option.
Dwayne trailed his hand up her back and pressed a palm to her head, his other arm tightening around her waist. She went with the direction, pressed her face into his warm neck, and breathed. His skin emitted heat rivaling the summer’s sun. She grasped the back of his suit jacket, wishing she could be closer. He shifted their bodies, and her aggravation spun to something else. His lips brushed her temple, and moist air fanned across the side of her face. He hovered there. So close, all she had to do was turn her face and take his mouth. She knew he would let her, too.
So near to him, starved for human contact, she wanted to get lost for a while. She trailed her nose along his neck, took another deep breath, and pressed closer.
He grumbled something unintelligible, the sound coming from his chest more than his mouth. His hand at her waist laid flat on the small of her back and urged her closer still.
The situation was moving fast out of control. Tendrils unraveled, but she was helpless to stop it. This strong male held her as if she were a treasure. He had the power and ability to make her forget everything, to make all the stresses and danger go away.
His hand slipped beneath the back of her shirt and made direct contact with her skin. They both hissed and his breath pushed her hair from her face. His cruel yet sensual mouth continued to drift in a teasing caress across her temple. She turned her head, like molasses on a cold day, up and toward him. Her lips tingled in anticipation, waiting for his kiss. She brushed her mouth across the line of his jaw, a hairsbreadth from his skin.
His heart thudded against hers, a matching hammer between their bodies, telling her he was just as affected. The hand at the back of her head tightened. She trailed the caress over his cheek; his lips were right there, centimeters away.
The rest of their surroundings faded. She didn’t know if it was because of this man drawing her absolute attention, or because of her exhaustion.
She touched the side of her mouth to his and thought she’d be prepared for the rush of desire.
She was so wrong.
Character Name: Dwayne Gonzalez
Character Bio: A detective with the Nyack Police Department, Dwayne can usually be found at the local Starbucks, teasing his best friend and partner, Charlese, or fighting against crime. He’s known as the town’s playboy, but has a secret he isn’t fighting to escape.
Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?
Sits back and stretches legs, crossing them at the ankles in front “Well,” he hedges, drawing the word out, “that’s a loaded question, isn’t it? I wouldn’t say it’d be easy to narrow down the list on a best or worst quality about myself. If I had to guess what my brothers or Charlie would say, they’d most likely tell you things I’m not willing to list out. But that’s just because they are shits, to be honest. In my opinion, I’d say my worst quality is believing in the basic emotions, which are also the most strongest. It’s a hard hurdle to get over, understanding my past and all. But to go hand-in-hand with that, I’d say my best quality is helping others.”
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
He spreads his hands wide, before crossing them over his chest again. “What? I’m an open book. You see what you get. If there was one thing I wished people knew about me, it’d be that there’s more to me than meets the eye. Sometimes people are quick to judge, and all I’m saying is, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.” He winks.
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
He grins wide. “Ah, but if I told you that, then there’d be no reason to read my book, would there?”
What are you most afraid of?
The grin disappears, replaced by a serious look. “Losing what’s important, whether it be focus or someone who means something to me.”
What do you want more than anything?
His gaze shifts to the side, looking off into some faraway distance. He seemingly struggles to answer, but then turns his gaze back, and his face changes. Long gone is the seriousness, and back in its place is a teasing vibe. Could this be a shell he uses to protect himself? “World peace?” he answers. “Perhaps a cure for cancer?” Hmmmm….
What is your relationship status?
He wiggles his brows, and leans forward, his forearms resting atop his thighs. “What’s your relationship status? Perhaps you need to read my story and find out.”
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
He shrugges. “I like to wear clothes that reflect my life. In order, in control, and to impress. Some may be comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, and I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. I’m more comfortable in suits and slacks.”
How much of a rebel are you?
He makes a face. “As a teen, my brothers and I got into a lot more trouble than I could get away with now. Being an officer of the law requires a certain level of compliance.”
What is your idea of happiness?
Again, he sits back and mimics his earlier pose, crossing his ankles and legs, getting as far from me as possible. Could this be his way of nonverbally saying he doesn’t like these questions? “Happiness can really be any number of things. Some say money, others success, family, friends, relationships. While that’s all important to me, my idea of happiness is vastly different from what anyone else thinks.”
What is your most treasured possession?
He grins. “Perhaps I can get DC to get you a copy of this book…”
What is your most marked characteristic?
He shrugs. “I like to have fun, tease, get involved. Charlie would say it’s my ability to flirt with anything with a skirt, but again, I’d counter with that judgement and understanding there’s more to it than that.”
What is it that you, most dislike?
“Liars. False promises.” The answer is abrupt, concise.
What is your greatest regret?
His lips thin. “Letting her get away.”
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
“Integrity and compassion. Don’t feed me bullshit lines. Don’t play games. Be adventurous, courteous, and willing to take a risk.”
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
“Hmmmm, Charlie is the one who always has her head in a book, but if we’re talking fiction, I could include characters on a TV show or movie, right? That’s a pretty tough question. One I’ve never thought about.” Once again, his eyes cast to a corner in the room, his mind visually working for an answer. At several moments, they refocus. “Ray Donovan.” He holds up a hand. “Now, don’t judge based on that answer alone.” His hand drops. “There’s something to be said about a guy who’s willing to do a little bit of bad for those close to him, for those he cares about. He may not do things in the most ethical of ways, but no one can fault him for his reasonings behind it. He knows what he wants, and he goes for it.”
Which living person do you most admire?
“There’s no way to narrow that list down, as there are many individuals who contribute to the goodness of a world almost bad. I will say though that Pope Francis tops that list right now. He’s identifying with all generations and both genders. He’s making a difference and showing the world that again, there’s more to religion of people than meets the eye.”
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
His lips thin, and he doesn’t answer.
What is your motto?
“Tell a lie once makes all your truths questionable.”
D.C. “Desi” Stone is a best-selling romance author and full-time fraud investigator. She lives in the northeast with her incredibly supporting husband, two kids, and the ever-growing family of cats.
After serving eight years of service with the United States Air Force, she went on to transition into the world of financial crimes and became a lead investigator for many years.
Reading has always been a passion of hers, getting lost in a good, steamy romance is one of her favorite past times. She soon after discovered her own love for writing and recreating stories and characters in her head. Her writing concentrates on romantic with specifics in paranormal, suspense, and erotica.
Now, when she isn’t trying to solve a new puzzle in the world of fraud, she is engulfed with coffee, her laptop, and all those crazy characters in her head. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Hudson Valley Romance Writers, New Jersey Romance Writers, RomVets, RWA Kiss of Death, and the Liberty State Fiction Writers. She served as the 2014 NJRW Vice President and Conference Chair. Come stop by on Facebook, Twitter, or her website and say hello!
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