Title: Race for Love
Author: Nana Malone
Series: The Donavons #3
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: July 27, 2015
Summary:Up and coming racecar driver, Kisima Jennings, is all alone in the world and that’s just how she likes it. After all, she has her career, who needs family? But when a near-fatal crash jeopardizes her future, she’s forced to lean on someone for the first time in her life.
As an athletic trainer, Derek Donovan is driven and has always kept his eyes on the prize, never letting personal entanglements come between him and his dream of becoming a head trainer for the New Orleans Jaguars. That is, until one misstep costs him everything. Now he’s starting over, but with a client as tempting as Kisima, is he destined to repeat the mistakes of his past? Or will letting someone close bring him everything he’s ever wanted?
"Can you come in here for a sec?"
Fuck yes. But his rational brain stopped him from doing the stupid thing. "Are you sure about that?"
She hesitated a second. "Yes. Please, I need your help."
With an exhale, he knew how this was going to go down. If he touched a wet, slippery Kiss, he was going to want to touch more. Kiss, lick, fuck. But he opened the door anyway.
Steam filled the expansive bathroom. But through it he could see it was a larger version of the guest bath down the hall. The floor was a white marble and white and gray glass tile lined the shower. His gaze raked over her hungrily. From her delicate feet and strong calves to the lean strong thighs. But then her mauve towel stopped the progression of his exploration. Damn. "What's the problem?"
She sighed with relief as she turned, keeping just her head in the stream of the shower, trying to avoid getting the towel wet. She squinted up at him as the spray of water hit her face. "I managed to wash it okay, and even get conditioner in, but I'm dead exhausted and my shoulder started to talk to me. Normally I'd have just kneeled at the tub to wash it, and last time, Leah helped me, but I'm sort of desperate here."
She was wet, and slick. And he wanted his hand in her hair. He'd had a million dreams just like this one. In fact he wasn't entirely sure he wasn't dreaming right now. "Okay, what do you need?"
"If you could just help me make sure that the conditioner is out, I can do a quick detangle."
"Uh, okay." Except to do it, he was going to have to get into the shower. First option was to take off his clothes and climb in with her. He liked that option. The idea of burying himself inside her had him biting back a groan. Yeah no, no naked. He'd have to go in clothed.
He removed his phone and put it on top of the toilet. When he opened the glass door, her eyes flared. "What are you doing?"
"To make this work properly, you need to be under the stream of water right?"
She nodded.
"Okay then, I'm getting wet."
"Oh, uh..." Her voice trailed.
"Do you want my help or not?"
"I do. Sorry. I guess I just didn’t think this all the way through."
He clamped his jaw together. The sooner you help her, the sooner you can go back to your room and take a cold one. Once in the stream of the shower, her scent surrounded him and he knew he was going to lose the battle and the war. He was already losing a grip on his control and he hadn't even touched her yet. "Uh, just stand in the stream and I'll rinse you out. While you're at it, give me the wide-tooth comb."
"Oh, you don't have to do that. I'll manage."
"Don't be silly. I'm in here, I'm wet and I know how to detangle hair."
A light flush stained her cheeks. "While I believe you've probably done this before, I, uh, black hair is different."
He blinked at her, the laugh rushing out of him just like always. He never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. "I guess I should have probably mentioned four of my sisters are black, or half black anyway. Two of them with hair curlier than yours. I got this."
Her jaw unhinged and she did a guppy routine for a moment, then she handed over the wide-tooth comb. "Have at it."
"Turn around." Damn, why did his voice sound so hoarse? When she did, the water ran though her hair, rinsing out the conditioner and he massaged the rest out with the pads of his fingers. In front of him, Kiss groaned and let her head relax back into the scalp massage he was giving her. The towel she clutched was soaked and no doubt heavy by this point.
He forced his mind to go blank as he rinsed and massaged. Gently, he began to detangle her hair, starting in sections from the ends to the roots. Growing up, he'd had to help get Brooklyn and Max ready for school sometimes, so he knew what he was doing. When he was done, he couldn't keep his hand out of the softness of her hair and he kept finger detangling.
Slowly she turned into him, blinking up at him through wet, sooty lashes. "Th-thank you. I couldn't have done that myself and it went much faster."
The first step in dealing with a problem was admitting he had a problem. He was fighting the pull, but it had been an uphill battle from the minute he saw her. If he was Clark Kent, she was his Kryptonite. "Kiss, I--fuck it." He cupped the back of her head and pulled her into him. Before melding their lips together, he paused, giving her an out, but she didn't protest. Instead, her fingers dug into his soaked T-shirt and dragged him closer.
When he slid his lips over hers, need took over and all brain function ceased.
Oh I’m just your average Ghanaian/American girl who lives in sunny San Diego with an American husband who thinks my family is crazy. My Big Fat Greek Wedding has nothing on us. In my infinite spare time, I chase around my two year old trying to tame her wild mane of hair, try and corral my spunky Scottie and occasionally let my hubby pamper me.
Did you always want to be a writer?
I honestly didn’t even thing being a writer was an option. With strict Ghanaian parents, the only viable options were doctor, lawyer, or engineer. May parents had a small heart attack when I didn’t become either of those and a minor stroke when I started writing, but they survived and I’m much happier.
What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
A little of both. I do a quick short outline, then let it flow from there. I used to have this crazy outline, but soon felt stifled.
Where do your ideas come from?
God only knows. I get a root of an idea from movies, magazines, books, and conversations with friends.
Out of any of your books, which one would you like to be a character in? And why?
Any of the Protectors books of course. I’m dying for my own superpower.
What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
Anything romance. Particularly romantic suspense, paranormal romance or contemporary romance.
Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
Pride and Prejudice.
Have you ever fallen for another author's hero? If so, who and why?
Of course. From Pride and Prejudice to Jane Eyre, to any Nora Roberts book I’ve ever read. That’s the point of romance books. You’re supposed to fall in love with the hero.
Describe the characteristics that make up your perfect hero.
Strong of mind, kind hearted, funny and excellent stamina ;)
What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Family scenes. As a writer it’s a struggle not to put our own family dynamics into every scene.
If you could have dinner with any three book characters, who would you choose and why?
Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird – Because she was spunky and courageous. Lizzie Bennett from Pride and Prejudice because she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. And Emma Corrigan from Can You Keep a Secret because she’s hilarious.
If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Nora Roberts cause I would love to pick her brain. Mark Matherbane, because he changed my life, and JK Rowling because her imagination is so incredibly detailed.
What do you like to do in your free time?
What free time. I’m always writing, or reading, or chasing hubby, kiddo or dog. But if the stars do align, I read.
Favorite movie?
Right now, Magic Mike – Don’t Judge
Favorite song?
Brown Eyed Girl
Favorite color?
Purple
Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Yeppers. I’m working on the next Donovans Books, and the next In Stilettos Series books.
USA Today Best Seller, Nana Malone's love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she "borrowed" from her cousin.
It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.
Want to know when the next book is coming? Hit up her Newsletter here. You'll only get updated when there is a new release or a special promotion for her Sexy, Sassy Readers.
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