Guarding Me by Megan Slayer
Novella
Contemporary, Military
M/F
Megan Slayer Publications
Maya McCombs thought she had her life planned out—decent guy, a baby on the way and a solid job. That is until her plans blew up. Being single and pregnant isn’t high on her list, but she’s got to survive. No one said surviving meant she’d have to do it alone.
Master Sergeant Levi Court had big plans, too. He followed the woman he loved to a new state and a whole new set of circumstances. Too bad she isn’t interested in keeping the relationship going. On a whim, he heads to the Dinner Plate Diner. Maya is all he’s ever wanted in a woman.
Can he prove to her that two hearts, no matter how broken, can be stronger together?
This book has been re-edited and re-issued in this edition.
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EXCERPT:
Copyright© 2017 Wendi Zwaduk
“Hey, Maya?” Rose ducked into the kitchen. “Marty said you wanted a hot guy or two to come into the restaurant. He’s white, but he might fit your bill.” She opened the door just a crack and pointed. “Him. He’s like a pro-wrestler-looking, Thor wannabe but with short hair.”
Maya snorted. Rosie loved wrestlers, so everyone had a touch of pro wrestler to them. She looked in the general direction Rosie pointed. She paused. Sure, most of him was hidden in the booth, but the parts she saw were indeed half pro wrestler and half Thor wannabe. Under the hat she noticed his shaved head. The muscles in his arms bulged and stretched the T-shirt thin. She didn’t see any tattoos, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t sporting ink.
“He’s in your section and worth staying over an hour. What have you got to lose?” Rosie dug her elbow into Maya’s side. “Get him. You’re single.”
Single? Check. Ready to mingle? Not quite, once the hot guy realized she was preggo. But she did have a job to do. Maya grabbed her pad from her apron and headed in the direction of the sexy man’s table. “What can I get you?”
When his gaze met hers, sparks shot through her body. He didn’t just look at her. His gaze consumed her. She shivered and gripped her order tablet tighter.
“I’ll have a cola, fish sandwich and chips.” He tapped the menu on the tabletop. “I’ve never been here before. Hope it’s good.”
She jotted down his order. “The sandwich is good. I’ve had it a couple times. The chips here are all homemade and to die for.” She grinned. “I haven’t seen you around town. Glad you stopped in.” She sashayed from the table, a spring in her step. He might have been flirting with her. She wasn’t sure.
“He seems to like you,” Rosie murmured. “I went over there and he acted like I wasn’t there.”
“I’m sorry about that.” Maya filled the glass with ice and soda. “Maybe he had a lot on his mind?”
“You’ve been around Nicky too long. You’re making excuses.” Rosie picked up her order. “He might be interested. Might not, but don’t let him or anyone else walk all over you.”
As much as Maya hated to admit it, Rosie had a point. Nicky seemed to have a hold over her. He never used rational thought and none of his decisions had been smart. Maybe it was the thrill of dating a man she swore she could change. Maybe she’d lost her mind.
Then again, why not flirt a little? Smile, talk sweet and maybe she’d earn a bigger tip. Better than nothing. Still, the last time she’d flirted, she ended up with Nicky. This time she’d play it cool and calm. She put the order on the carousel and turned. She’d wait for him to come to her—then she’d pounce.
Megan Slayer and Wendi Zwaduk 