A Promise Made by Anissa Garcia

Josh McKenzie may come off as intimidating with his solid build and cold stare, but when trouble calls, Marla quickly learns there is more to the sexy tatted man with the British accent. And if she’s not careful, she can easily lose herself in his gentle touch and soft voice.

A feisty redhead with a mouth that won’t quit, Marla Sullivan knows how to push all of Josh’s buttons, making him want her in the worst way. His biggest hurdle is breaking through her stubborn walls and proving he’s here to stay.

When Marla’s faced with an unknown danger, Josh is forced to reveal his buried past. Promises made and surfaced truths may be the catalyst that brings them together...or pushes them further apart.

“I’m sorry I didn’t eat your omelet today,” I said softly, enjoying the feast before me, yet knowing I was eating humble pie.

“You were upset, I understand.” Swirls of aquamarine focused on me as he finished chewing. “However, I wasn’t going to let you go on without eating all day. You need your strength, and concentration and energy levels dip when you hit starvation mode.”

I rolled my eyes and grappled with my chopsticks, fighting to keep the bite between them. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring me green juice, Mr. Protein. Tell me all about metabolism spikes and muscle mass please, because I’m just fascinated.” My attempt at being sassy failed, and I yelped as a piece of my rainbow roll flopped into the vat of soy sauce and drowned. A laugh poured out of Josh’s mouth as I pouted and attempted to claw it out. “It’s your fault,” I cried flippantly. “You wanted it and gave it the eye. I know you did.”

“If I had wanted it, I’d have taken it,” he said, reaching over with his chopsticks and seizing a piece of my precious sushi. “Like this.” He stuffed it in his mouth and chewed, leaving me to stare at him, my eyes blinking with incredulity.

“You stole my roll.”

“I stole a small piece of it. Here,” he placed his in front of me as I scowled.

“It has no rice. No carbs equals no good.”

“Just try it, Red.”

The way he said the nickname he gave me made my stomach jump to my throat, and I suddenly wasn’t hungry anymore. I loved the way he spoke, his voice so tender, yet masculine, bossy, but kind. I had no option but to obey and dipped it in the eel sauce carefully. He observed the way I ate, as if he was looking at a painting, taking in the wonder of it, the mystery and appreciation. It wasn’t disconcerting; it was sexy, and I felt beautiful.

His voice turned husky as he spoke, “Good?”

I nodded. “Why aren’t you working?”

He placed his chopsticks down, and I wondered if he had pretended to eat this only to get me to eat. I had a feeling he would go home and have chicken and vegetables. Or go do five hundred push-ups. Mmm. Now that was something I could watch. “I’m exclusive to Evan, so when he’s not here, I don’t need to work. I take on other clients because I can, and because he doesn’t care if I do. Another trainer is on staff.”

“Oh.” Wow, so he was his own boss basically. I found that extremely sexy as well. Okay, maybe I was finding everything about him attractive. “What do you do back in L.A. then when Evan doesn’t need you?”

“I have a private facility where I train other actors that studios send me. I lend out the space to two other trainers who have a few clients, but it’s by referral only.”

“So it’s like a secret society, like The Skulls or something?” I asked, still munching on the delicious food I had no idea I would be so grateful for. He had brought me exactly what I needed without me realizing how much I needed it. How did he manage that?

He chuckled, nodding. “I guess so, since nobody knows where it’s located or how to get a hold of me unless through someone I know, it could be seen like a secret society.”

“Sounds like a reality show. Really Big Buff Dudes of Beverly Hills. So mysterious, McKenzie,” I teased with a smile, feeling better than I had in weeks, especially when I made him laugh the way he was. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was getting to know him better, or because of his confession earlier in the day, but it was getting easier to chat with him. Despite that fact, I would never get used to how he made me feel when I looked at him.

His hand reached over and brushed my bottom lip with the slightest touch sending chills down

my spine. “I’ll let you know whatever you want to know, Sullivan,” he whispered.

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Anissa Garcia resides in Austin, Texas and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications and English. She held an array of jobs including Public Relations Manager for Barnes and Noble. Wanting a change of pace, she moved to Los Angeles where she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and trained full-time in theatre. After working in Hollywood, she returned to Texas where she has written articles for Cosmopolitan and Lady Couture. When not writing stories, watching movies, or drinking a latte, she loves to daydream about romantic fictional men.