EXCERPT: BURNING LOVE by @Ashley James 📚 releasing August 27th! #PreOrderNow https://a.co/d/096gCLTH A smile spreads across my face. I look down, trying to hide it, but I don’t miss the way he’s smiling too. It’s genuine and hits me between the ribs. This moment feels dangerously familiar, like we’re fifteen and standing beside the creek again. Teenage hormones raging and nobody around to judge us. Just us and the full moon. Chesney’s Adam’s apple bobs as he looks away, making me wonder if his mind went there too. “Think we’re done for tonight,” he says softly, like he doesn’t trust his own voice. “Probably.” Neither of us moves. My heart is pounding so hard, I wouldn’t be surprised if he could hear it. Something about this moment feels significant, but not in a good way. Eventually, I push off the counter, intending to walk around it toward the front door. Except Chesney takes a step forward at the exact same time. My breath catches as our bodies collide, and my hand flies up to his arm to steady myself. I squeeze without meaning to, a shiver rolling down my spine at the way his muscles bunch under my touch. It takes me a second to realize Chesney’s hands are on me too, grabbing either side of my waist, and for one suspended moment, the world around us ceases to exist. The room feels smaller, and a whole lot warmer. Chesney’s close enough that I can see the freckles scattered across his nose, and the light stubble along his jaw. I feel his breath on my face. My heart slams against my ribs when his eyes dip down before coming back up. I can’t breathe. The space between us disappears, like the entire world narrows down to this one breath, this one decision. My skin tingles, the blood running through my veins on fire as I wait to see what he does. But then the moment shatters like glass when Chesney steps back. His jaw is tight, and he won’t meet my eyes. “It’s late,” he mutters, his voice rough. Even though I know it shouldn’t, disappointment fills me. “Yeah.” Chesney takes another step back, putting more distance between us. “I should get home.” Those four words are a boundary. I nod, swallowing down the bitter taste on the back of my tongue. “Right.” Grabbing his keys, he doesn’t look at me again. With his hand on the doorknob, he mutters a quiet, “Night, Jasper,” before leaving. The door closes behind him, and I’m still stuck right here. The cabin feels too empty as I try not to replay the last thirty seconds. I fail epically. He was so close. It would’ve been so easy to just… No. I can’t go there. Not again. Raking my fingers through my hair, I exhale slowly, then laugh at myself. Only, nothing’s funny. The last thing I needed was to develop feelings for Chesney Jennings again. Great. Just fucking great. #mmromance #ashleyjames #cowboys @theauthor.agency