Call it a belated Valentine’s gift, call it me visiting a bar and thinking, wow, this is exactly how I pictured The Rattler (the bar Lucas buys) but most importantly, call it free for this weekend only!

It, of course, being First Love, Second Chance, the second of my City Hearts series and a fan favorite. (Don't worry, my books can be read in any order!) From today, until Monday, 2/21/22, you can download their story for free on Amazon.

Here’s a little preview…

I woke up slowly, enjoying the delicious tenderness I felt all throughout my body. Luke’s bed was cozy, the scent of his conditioner clinging to the pillow I rested on, familiar and gentle. Luke himself was absent. I was used to him being up early. He loved coding first thing in the morning, though he’d usually come back to bed for it. From the sound of the shower running a few feet over, he wasn’t far away. 

The smile that had been forming on my face fled when I opened my eyes and took in the room. The bed was the same as it had always been. But the rest of the room was gone. Or, more accurately, it was in boxes. Next to the tidy pile of boxes, sat a large suitcase and carry-on. I couldn’t pretend this was any other Saturday where we’d laze in each other’s arms. 

Because he was moving. Today. He’d gotten a job at one of those billion-dollar tech companies in California, and they were adamant that he start right after graduation. They had even paid him a relocation fee. It was too good an opportunity to pass up, and for months I’d been excited right along with Luke, even encouraging him to take it. He’d always loved computers. Some nights I’d wake up to him lying next to me, laptop bright. He’d apologize for waking me, but I loved hearing him talk about his passion. What he really wanted was to form his own company, and a couple of years networking at this job would give him the chance he needed. 

But he’d entertained the idea of turning them down. For me. 

I’d told him that was ridiculous. He was too smart to waste his life with me, though I didn’t say that out loud because that would’ve sparked an argument I didn’t have the energy for. 

The bathroom door opened, and the steam billowed out. There was my Luke, towel wrapped around his hips. I grinned.

People might stereotype nerds as skinny and short but that was absolutely not the case with Luke. His chest was exposed, revealing abs that hadn’t gone away even after the late-night pizza we’d pigged out on. His face was freshly-shaved, smirking while he watched me take in his whole body.

He wasted no time crossing the room. When he got back in the bed, it wasn’t next to me, but on top. I involuntarily arched to push my body closer to his. I wanted as little space between us as possible. 

“Like what you see?” he teased, his voice low and gravely. 

I nodded, then reached to trace the muscles in his arm with my fingers and his body shivered in response. I liked the effect I had on Luke. Made me feel better about the effect he had on me. Nothing came close to the way I felt with him. I doubt you ever feel that way about more than one person. 

It sucked he was moving. It sucked I still had three more years of school. I’d toyed with the idea of transferring colleges to be closer, though I didn’t voice that out loud either. 

Luke would have shut it down. And maybe deep down I worried he wouldn’t want me there. The world was going to open up, and having a coed as a steady girlfriend would slow him down. Besides, the hours he’d be working would be crazy and as selfish as it was, I didn’t think I could do a relationship where I was just a part-time girlfriend. 

Luke pressed himself against me and I opened up for him, holding him close, feeling every inch of his body as if I could tattoo his touch over every part of me. He was already carved on my heart. 

We stayed in bed until we had to rush to the airport, and I stayed with him until the stupid TSA people insisted I couldn’t go any further. 

I watched him walk away. He looked back once, dropped his luggage, and rushed towards me, capturing my lips in a kiss that brought tears to my eyes. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was our goodbye. 

“I love you,” he breathed. 

I nodded back, barely able to speak. “I love you too.” 

I watched him walk away a second time. This time he didn’t turn around. 

He walked, and I tried to memorize everything about him. His hair color, his size, his shape.

Because I suspected that would be the last time I ever saw Lucas Northman, and it hurt like hell.

Want to find out what happens when they do, in fact, meet again?

Grab your copy now!

Lots of Love,

Vesper

P.S. If you’ve read First Love, Second Chance, make sure you check out the story of the first time they met in college (newsletter exclusive!!)