All In
by Marta Brown
Release Date: 05/28/13
Summary from Goodreads:
On the picturesque island of Martha's Vineyard, there are two kinds of residents. Locals and Stays.
Local boy, Lane McCarthy, plans on spending his summer working at the country club to save money for college in the fall, while summer stay, Ashley Whitmore, and her elite group of friends are only there to play.
As the summer heat goes up on the island, so does the ante, when both Lane and Ashley must decide what they’re willing to wager in order to follow their dreams… and their hearts.
With stakes as high as the surf, and hopes as high as the midday sun, will they risk everything and go all in?
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Excerpt:
Ashley
When we step
outside of the ice cream parlor, Lane reaches over and wraps his hand around
mine, making me feel warm all over, despite the cool breeze coming off the
ocean.
We walk down
the boardwalk hand in hand, our arms swinging between us, and I can’t stop my
blush each time I catch Lane staring at me, and then giggle each time he
catches me sneaking a glance at him too. Both of us with silly grins on our
faces.
As we turn the corner, at the edge of the boardwalk,
right in front of us is a perfectly preserved turn of the century carousel.
I gasp at its beauty. How have I never been here
before? Although, a community carousel is the last place that my parents would
ever think to bring us. A ride on a schooner is more their speed.
The carousel is covered in small bulbous lights that
cast a warm glow over the richly colored horses, each with a different face and
intricate carvings on their saddles. The sounds of children and parents
laughing intertwine with the carnival style music coming from the ride, and I
can’t stop myself from hopping up and down on the tips of my toes like a child.
Lane chuckles, gripping my hand tightly, as we watch
the ornate horses spin around and around and up and down until he points at a
big brass ring when it spins by. “If you can grab the ring the ride’s free. Come
on.” He gives me a smile and like a couple of kids we run along the side of the
carousel until we both grab hold of the ring and hoist ourselves up and onto
the ride, laughing and out of breath.
I move to a stationary white horse wearing a deep
red saddle and without saying a word Lane lifts me up, in one swift motion, and
sets me down so I’m face to face with him riding sidesaddle. He grips the
horse’s gold post with one hand, and I can’t help but admire his sinewy arms,
lean and strong.
“You are so beautiful,” he says, looking into my
eyes as he brushes his thumb against my cheek with his other hand. His sincerity
takes my breath away.
I wrap my arms around his neck drawing him closer
until he’s standing between my legs. His soft smile fades into a smolder as he
leans forward, causing my breath to hitch with the anticipation of his lips on
mine.
I close my eyes as he closes the short distance
between us achingly slow. My heart skips a beat when I finally feel the warmth
of his lips press against mine. He tastes like ice cream and smells like
summertime, and I suddenly wonder if the swirling I feel is from the ride or
from his kiss.
He pulls away slightly before wrapping his hand
around the base of my neck and pulling me into his lips again, making me
certain of one thing.
I’m swirling, and it’s definitely from his kisses.
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