What's that old saying?
All work and no play makes for a dull life?
Well then, looks like Emerson is about to spice things up!
Now on tour with Rachel's Random Resources, and stopping by the blog today with a special EXCERPT to tantalize, take a closer look at our title in the spotlight...
Blinded Me With Science
by
Tara September
Opposites attract like a magnet to steel, or in this case, Emerson to Steel
Emerson Powers has been so focused on obtaining her science degree that she’s neglected the more social aspects of college life. With the new start of her junior year, she’s determined to fix that with a real hands-on lesson in biology. The assignment is simple enough—teach the rock star’s son how to be good, while he shows her how to be very bad. Two objectives, one outcome … will the lesson be love or heartbreak?
Steel is no longer the bad boy Emerson knew from prep school, and he’s set to prove it by helping Emerson complete her secret list of desired college experiences. And if he can convince her that they are meant to be together along the way, even better!
While teaming up on experiments, both in and out of the classroom, Emerson discovers a new side to Steel. Leaving her to question everything she thought she knew. Still, is it enough to forgive the past or just mere chemistry?
AMAZON
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~~~ EXCERPT ~~~
Emerson
is totally absorbed by her pursuit of a degree in science — to the
detriment of her social life. But on the first day of her Junior year
of college, Emerson decides to take action by completing a list of
desired experiences, which includes a campus prank. And thanks to the
unexpected help of her high school nemesis Steel they execute an epic
stunt together…
Steel:
Dude,
don’t laugh. Just don’t. Contain yourself.
But
… nah, I can’t help it. At least my laughter is quiet when
Emerson joins me just before dawn at our meeting point, behind the
hedges outside of the student center. She’s dressed head-to-toe in
black and slinking around like she’s a cat burglar avoiding a
minefield of laser beams or something. I’m surprised she didn’t
have us synchronize our watches before bed or use secret call names.
One-Two-Papa-Papa-Over!
“Hey
Slick,” I whisper once she reaches me, providing her with a code
name anyway. It seems apropos given the tight, black leggings that
are molded to her sinful body, emphasizing her legs for days. My
mouth is dry, imagining just how I’d like to make her “slick.”
I dig my fingernails painfully into the palms of my hands to calm my
raging lust. It doesn’t help.
“Steel.”
Emerson finally acknowledges me through gritted teeth, while rubbing
her hands together to keep warm. “I get why we are meeting early,
but not why you’d pick the evening of the Leonid meteor shower.
Half the campus is out and on their way to the sports fields. It’s
where I should be too!” She casts curious eyes up to the dark sky,
but it’s still too early to see the celestial event just yet.
“You
just answered your own question,” I explain, already enjoying
myself just because Emerson is here next to me. “No one will expect
for you to be anywhere else but out seeing the cosmic debris. And
thanks to the extra students around, it won’t raise any eyebrows if
we’re spotted in the camera footage later.”
Emerson’s
face pales and her eyes go alarmingly wide at the mention of security
cameras. “Don’t worry,” I’m quick to reassure her. “There
aren’t surveillance cams here, but there is one pointed on the path
toward the fountain. So, simply stay close, like we’re two
lovebirds strolling out to look at the stars.” I’m a little
surprised when she doesn’t argue about the lovebird part. Instead,
she nods, scanning the area as if to confirm that I’m telling the
truth about the cameras. “See? Aren’t you glad you brought me
along for this scheme?”
I
don’t quite catch what Emerson mumbles under her breath, but I
smirk just the same. I’m probably better off not knowing.
“Do
you have the stuff?” I ask, sounding like a drug dealer in the
movies, which is very different from real life, and I should know. I
never once met my dealer in a back alley. No, my connection operated
via text and delivered my order from a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade.
I don’t miss those days. I’d much rather be sneaking around with
Emerson on a silly campus prank any time—especially when she’s
dressed like this. She’s the only drug I need to feel high. Aight,
that sounds corny, but it’s true. I literally feel the same
euphoria by simply looking at her.
“I
have it right here.” Smiling triumphantly, Emerson holds up a clear
container of liquid that’s no bigger than a bottle of shampoo.
“That’s
it?” I ask, unable to hide my doubt. “That doesn’t seem
powerful enough to produce the kind of effect we talked about.”
“Don’t
worry, I made it myself,” she says sounding superior, and it’s a
major turn-on. “It’s highly concentrated. This one bottle is the
equivalent of three jumbo jugs of the strongest laundry detergent you
can find.”
I
don’t know why I’m impressed, as I expected nothing less from the
brainy beauty before me. Still, it’s fun to test her. “And …
the bubbles won’t start overflowing until we’re out of there,
right?”
She
nods with a sideways grin that I very much want to trace with my
tongue and then down her elegant neck to suck on the pale flesh
exposed. Picturing it has me groaning inwardly. Simmer
down now, Steel!
“Yes,
we should have about fifteen to twenty minutes before the party
starts,” she informs confidently, totally unaware of my real
thoughts and the party for two I’d rather be having.
“I
believe we have a new prank master,” I say, smartly placing an arm
across my midsection and bowing to her for further emphasis.
Emerson
inclines her head like a royal highness would do upon a loyal
subject, and we both smile at one another. She’s clearly enjoying
this little bit of mischief, and it fills me with pleasure to witness
it.
“Let’s
go make it rain up in here,” she says, mimicking a DJ announcer’s
voice and throwing what I assume she thinks are gang signs, but it
looks more like a surfer’s hang-loose greeting. I laugh out loud,
and she’s quick to cover my mouth with her delicate hands, as if
trying to shove the sound back into my person. Still laughing, I lick
her palm and she jumps back, immediately releasing her hands like I
knew she would.
“Don’t
play with fire, baby, or you’re going to get licked!” I point
out, and despite being in the shadows, I can see her eyes roll. “All
right, let’s do this, Slick,” which I’m just realizing rhymes
with lick.
“Save
the rhymes for your lyrics and the licks for your guitar,” Emerson
says sounding proud of herself, then stills suddenly. “Hmm … I
don’t usually do that.”
“Lick?”
“No,
enough with the licking,” she says, swatting my bicep. “I meant,
I don’t usually say what I’m thinking like that.”
“You
could have fooled me,” I tell her. “Remember that time I told you
that you smelled good and you replied, ‘Thanks, I use both
nostrils?’”
“Yeah,”
she grumbles, looking down at the ground in embarrassment, a faint
blush on her cheeks. “I only say stuff like that around you though.
I guess you bring it out of me.”
I
hope to bring out a lot more than that, but unlike her musings, I
keep that point to myself. “And you bring out a better me,” I say
softly.
Emerson’s
distracted gaze shoots back to mine, alert once again. “What did
you say?”
“Nothing.”
Taking advantage of her moment of shock, I pull her up alongside me.
Unfortunately, not for the kiss I’m picturing, but to start our
walk toward the copper fountain that holds the statue of Athena, the
Greek goddess of intelligence and battle strategy.
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About the author...
Fueled by an IV of green tea and Prosecco, Tara September is a multi-award-winning contemporary romance author of bestselling sassy & steamy love stories filled with banter. Based in Southwest Florida, Tara holds a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, a B.A. from Wheaton College in Massachusetts, as well as attended college courses at Queen’s College in London, U.K. She is also the proud mom to identical twin 10-year-old boys and three cats.
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Special thanks to
Rachel at
Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
