March - A Hearts Breath

Fanny Press

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Seattle, WA 98127

For more information go to: www.fannypress.com

helenduggan.com/ellen-march/

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.

Cover design by Sabrina Sun

A Hearts Breath

Copyright 2017 by Ellen March

ISBN: 978-1-60381-264-1 (Trade Paper)

ISBN: 978-1-60381-265-8 (eBook)

Produced in the United States of America

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I can't thank my editors Catherine and Jennifer enough. They truly are brilliant, and I love working with them. When Jen goes, I had a cup of coffee and was thinking . I think, Oh dear, what's coming! However every suggestion from both only adds to the story. They truly know how to make the most of an author. I love you loads ladies, and thank you for believing in me. I'll be forever in your debt.

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E llen March lives in Wales, UK, so we have retained the British spelling and idioms.

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S avannah rose and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Christ, she had to admit she looked rough. No wonder she was incapable of catching herself a boyfriend.

She tossed the mess of brown hair over her shoulders. Cato, you screwed up again, she shouted into the stillness of her bedroom.

The object of her wrath slunk towards her. Hey, baby sis, its not my problem your hair looks a-tangle. He was a tall blond Adonis of pure muscle and sweet sexy eyes.

Well, you cut it.

And did a damn good job, he replied, twirling a hand through her soft locks. You could try combing it. Standing behind her, Cato combed and sprayed and coaxed her hair until it regained its shape. Then he tried not to smile.

You messed up big style, okay?

No I didnt. You just need to get used to it.

She directed a vicious glare at her brother, then returned to the image reflected in the mirror. Her long brown hair now fell to her shoulders.

I asked for a trim, not a hacking attack.

Cato shrugged. Whatever, youll get used to it. Again making her face the mirror, he brushed it back and applied a few more spritzes of hairspray. Your ends could use some conditioner.

I hate it, said Savannah as she swivelled inspecting the new style with a critical eye. But I know what Id like to slap. Then, turning her head, she debated if it really did work, if it suited her. She had to grudgingly admit it did. She kept these thoughts to herself.

Savannah fussed with her new cut, huffing and preening. This is not what I asked for.

Exactly, said Cato, standing back. His long fingers scaled through her locks. Pulling his scissors out of his back pocket, he snipped at a tiny piece. Its perfection.

She struggled to quell the despair she felt at the sight of herself. I dont know. Its too severe.

Oh for pitys sake, Sis, its a haircut. Even you have to admit its an improvement over the mess that was hanging down your back.

Its a damn sight more than that; its a bloody shock to my system. I trusted you to listen.

Cato rolled his eyes and dropped his scissors. Youre such a drama queen.

Savannah spun on her brother. Dont even go there. Im the one working down the caf to make ends meet whilst you prance about at the salon.

He stopped and dropped her a quizzical glare. Anna, let me just say, theres a lot I do there, and mess about isnt one of them. His hands rested on slim hips emphasized by ridiculously body-hugging trousers.

Savannah took a deep breath and tried to adjust her skirt. It was tight. In fact, it was digging into her flesh. Unfortunately there was plenty of that. Have you put this on a boil wash and shrunk it? She struggled to squeeze a finger between the material and the skin it was clinging to, cutting into her surplus flesh.

Cato grinned. A row of perfectly whitened teeth flashed stark against his bronzed skin. Nope, Sis, youve been at the biscuit jar again. Its called weight gain.

She shot him a cold glare with her usually warm chocolate eyes, and her full lips slashed into a wicked scowl. Shut the hell up. Its shrunk okay? With her forbidding expression and defiant stance, Savannah was daring him to answer her back. She covered the not so subtle roll of fat with a baggy shirt and loose apron.

Cato backed down. He knew how volatile her temper could be.

In Savannah, the cute looks of the girl next door were paired with the temperament of a harpy. She was wild and unpredictableimpulsive to the point of stupidityyet overall had the sweetest personality. In fact his sister was a serious pushover. She couldnt walk past a tramp without handing out cash, even if it was her last.

Savannah winced at the pinch lancing her side. Deftly she undid a buttonat last she could breatheand ferreted in the nearby chest of drawers. She pulled out a large pin, subtly sliding it into place to give herself a tiny smidgeon of room.

She checked the timerunning behind as usual. Catch you later. Are you making food tonight? Savannah clasped her oversized bag. Apparently it was the height of fashion or so the street vendor had told her. She hated it. It took forever to find anything.

But for a tenner she strived to look fashionable.

Im working late, and with a bit of luck, going on a date with Callum after. He sucked in a sultry sigh and his eyes darkened. Automatically his hand grazed his crotch.

Savannah didnt miss his action and shook her head in frustration. Yuck, gross. Dont forget that Im your sister. Dont you ever let up?

Cato shook his head. Not if I can help it, Sis. Seems like Ive got all the hot genes whilst you, he paused, have none.

Look, you randy git, leave my sex life out of it. She hooked the bag over her shoulder and dug her hand in to make a brief check of its contents, deep in the bottom.

What sex life? Cato quirked a blond brow, his look probing and oh-so-knowing.

She spun on him and jabbed a pointed index finger into his chest. Slowly advancing on him, she said, Just because everyone is talking about books on sex and BDSM doesnt mean Ive got to drop my knickers at a drop of a hat.

Catos rich laughter sprayed over her. Sis, your knickers are sealed to your ass. Hell, when was the last time you had a date?

Yeah. Wonder what that reason could be? Because I was rearing a lummox of a brother, she hissed between clenched teeth. Spinning around, she yanked at the door and dragged it open. Without turning, Savannah yelled, Why is it criminal to be a virgin in this day and age? Theres too much emphasis on sex and not enough on romance. When she slammed the door behind her, it gave a reverberating shudder. Sex is overrated, isnt it?

Savannah stormed down the path from the rented house they shared, muttering under her breath. The bag swung as a pendulum in time with her wide hips. She wished her brother would shut the hell up.

Did he think she clung to her virginity? Held it close as a prize?

Hell, shed give it away if she had half a chance. The right time had simply never arose. The only social event that tickled her fancy was her vibrator that shed nicknamed Eveready. Because she was forever gagging for sex and it was always there. Mute, cold, and plastic.