Excerpt Reveal: Moody – Penelope Ward

Posted August 18, 2022 by Cocktails and Books in Excerpt Reveal, Give Me Books / 0 Comments

 

Title: Moody
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 22, 2022
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From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
The day I showed up to Dax Moody’s sprawling home, I had no idea what was coming.
As a traveling massage therapist, I was used to entering the houses of strangers.
But this assignment was different from any before it.
From the outside, I’d correctly assumed the owner was rich. What I didn’t realize was that he would be younger than I’d imagined, single, stunningly gorgeous, and mysterious.
Despite the fact that Dax had booked a massage, it never actually happened, since our first appointment was unexpectedly cut short by a comedy of errors.
Certain I’d never see him again after that day, I’d done nothing but think about the captivating man.
To my surprise, he called a second time. That appointment, we talked a lot, developing a stronger connection. But once again, there was no actual massage.
The man I now affectionately called β€œMoody” kept calling me to come back.
It took three times before I finally gave him the massage he’d ordered. Let’s just say it was challenging to keep things professional. I was extremely attracted to Dax, and by that time, I was falling hard.
Eventually, I’d find out why he’d been so aloof, the reason why he and I could never be together.
Our story was supposed to end there, but it didn’t.
Instead, I was left perpetually longing for a forbidden man.

 

 

 

 

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EXCERPT
Copyright Β© 2022 Penelope Ward
β€œWhat do you do exactly?”
β€œI…stand beside you and rub my hands into your skin and work to get some of the knots out of your muscles.”
He shook his head. β€œNo. I meant, what do you do? Is this your full-time gig?”
Is that an insult? β€œYes. I went to school for massage after college, and I make a good living. Being a massage therapist is not something you do on the side. It’s a great, fulfilling career in and of itself,” I said defensively.
β€œI didn’t mean to imply it wasn’t.” He fidgeted with his watch, which looked like it cost more than my car.
I blew out a breath. β€œI do have other aspirations, but this pays the bills and allows me to put some money away, too. I’m currently saving for a trip to Europe.”
β€œI see.” He stared out the window, almost looking as though he wanted to escape.
What’s with this guy? β€œLook…I can leave if you’re not comfortable.”
β€œNo.” He walked over to a cabinet and took out a bottle of some kind of liquor. β€œI just need something to take the edge off.” He poured himself a glass of amber-colored liquid.
I stared at his big, masculine hands. β€œWell, this is a first.”
β€œA first what?” he asked.
β€œThe first time a client has ever had to relax before a relaxing massage.” When I laughed, I accidentally snorted.
His eyes narrowed. β€œWhat the hell was that?”
β€œSorry. I didn’t mean to snort. That happens sometimes when I’m nervous. It just comes out.”
β€œWhy are you nervous?”
β€œMaybe your attitude is rubbing off on me.”
He chugged the alcohol and slammed the glass down. β€œI’m sorry. I don’t know how to relax. It’s my nature. Even when I’m supposed to be freaking relaxing…the thought of relaxing stresses me out.”
I nodded. β€œThat’s actually a real thing. It’s called relaxation-induced anxiety.”
He chuckled. β€œThanks for the diagnosis.”
β€œI used to be like you. I’d get panic attacks from the quiet when I tried to meditate.”
He licked the side of his mouth. β€œI suppose that defeats the purpose.”
β€œExactly. And sitting still, like in the hair salon or dentist’s chair, used to make me panicky when I was younger.”
β€œYounger? You’re pretty young. How long have you been doing this massage thing?” he asked.
β€œA couple of years.”
β€œWhat made you get into it?”
β€œI wanted to make people feel good. And it doesn’t bore me. I never have to be in one place.”
β€œDoes it pay well? How much of the fee do you get to keep?”
My eyes narrowed. β€œYou ask a lot of questions.”
β€œWell, maybe I need to get comfortable with you before I let you put your hands all over me.”
For some reason that comment rubbed me the wrong way. Let me put my hands on him? As if it was a privilege? (As if he could read my mind and sense my attraction? Ugh.)
I raised my voice. β€œI thought you told the company someone recommended me. Why are you so apprehensive?”
β€œOkay.” He sighed, scrubbing his hand over his face. β€œLet’s get this over with. What do I do?”
Jesus. He’s wound tight. β€œTake off your shirt and lie down on the table. You can leave your pants on or take them off.”
He let out a guttural laugh. β€œTake my pants off?”
β€œYes. That’s actually customary. But it’s always the client’s choice. I can leave the room, if you wish, while you undress. There’s a towel to cover yourself. But you can totally leave your pants on, too.”
β€œI will be leaving my pants on, thanks.”
β€œOkay. Just make sure you take the stick out of your ass one way or the other.”
He glared at me but finally cracked a slight smile. I’d take it.
I laughed. β€œIn all seriousness, just breathe. That’s all you need to worry about.” I took a deep breath in, willing myself to take my own advice.
Dax slowly pulled his shirt over his head, once again granting me a view of his rippled muscles. There wasn’t an inch of anything soft on his body. I turned away suddenly when I caught my eyes lingering a little too long.
He then lay down stomach-first on the table and within seconds, I heard the pitter-patter of paws and the clanking of a metal collar coming from down the hall.
A large English sheepdog pushed through the door and entered the room, barking profusely at the sight of me. Then he jumped up on the table and landed on Dax’s back.
β€œDamn it, Winston!” Dax yelled.
I didn’t even know a dog that big could jump so high. The dog shot me the evil eye. This house is just full of welcoming people.
β€œHello,” I said awkwardly.
He growled. It seemed Doggy was just as extra as his owner.
β€œGet off me, you fluffernutter!” Dax groaned.
The dog kept growling at me while I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. β€œWhy is he so angry?” I asked, trying to stifle my amusement.
β€œHe’s protective to a fault. He was napping upstairs when you arrived. I hoped he’d stay sleeping. I hadn’t planned on him coming down, although I should’ve.”
Dax sat up and somehow got the beast of a dog off him. He hopped down off the table. β€œI’ll be right back,” he said, guiding Winston out of the room and down the hall. The sound of the collar disappeared into the distance.
Left alone for a moment, I exhaled and wandered over to a shelf that displayed various things, including a large, white seashell that seemed completely out of place, given the room’s otherwise masculine vibe. It was beautiful. Remembering what my mother had told me when I was little, I lifted the shell and placed it against my ear in an attempt to hear β€œthe ocean.” Met with the ambient noise that resonated from within, I closed my eyes and smiled.
β€œPlease don’t touch that,” Dax called from behind me.
Shaken by his abrupt tone, I jerked, and the shell slipped from my fingers and crashed to the ground.
He let out a jarring shriek.
My hands shook. β€œI’m so sorry… I…” I bent to clean up the pieces, but he bolted to stop me.
β€œDon’t touch anything!” His tone was grating.
β€œWhy? It’s my fault,” I insisted.
β€œPlease just get up,” he commanded in an even harsher tone.
Burning with embarrassment, I stared down at the mess. That’s when I realized something had fallen out of the shell.

 

 

 

AUTHOR BIO
Penelope
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.
Β 
She grew up
in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a
television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,
and beautiful daughter with autism.
Β 
With over two
million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author
of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen
languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
AUTHOR LINKS
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

 

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AMAZONΒ USΒ /Β UKΒ /Β CAΒ /Β AU
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AMAZONΒ USΒ /Β UKΒ /Β CAΒ /Β AU
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