Blog Tour Promo & Giveaway
The Refrain
(The Bridge #3)
(The Bridge #3)
by
Ashley Pullo
~ Synopsis ~
Their
paths have crossed, setting the refrain in motion.
Ever since flannel and Doc Martens were considered edgy fashion,
Canadian cousins Natalie and Chloe have dreamt of a life in New York City. But
now that they’ve finally scored a Manhattan zip code, their teenaged fantasies
are overshadowed by an adult reality. With Natalie struggling to accept a
long-distance relationship—and her constant battle with loneliness, her
survival depends on Zach’s safe return. And with Chloe’s endless need to find
balance and purpose—and her embarrassing secret holding her back, can Adam Ford
be the one to understand her completely?
Change is inevitable and fate is insisting. And when panic follows
crisis and love is questioned, stories can change in unexpected ways. The
narrative becomes the verse, the part to the whole—the story within the story.
~ Links to Buy ~
~ Excerpt ~
Slamming
her hand against the keys to the piano, Chloe shouts, “Who is she?”
“The client is a
forty-seven year old man.”
“Not the client, who are you fucking?”
Chloe demands, her voice deep and raw.
Adam takes two steps closer, glaring
down at Chloe’s pitiful face. “I’m not fucking anyone. Not even my wife,”
he snarls. It’s the answer Chloe needs to hear, but not the one she
wants.
She moves a step closer and pokes his
chest. “Then explain this to me.”
“Explain what?”
“This—this tension. Why don’t I
trust you? Why am I so angry—where the fuck have you been?” Chloe’s
voice is dry and emotional, the words stinging her throat and falling from her
mouth like hot embers. She punches his arm, hits his chest, and slaps at his
smug expression.
Adam grabs her arms, his fingers
digging into her flesh, but Chloe fights him. “Stop it,” he says. Chloe
continues to wave her arms, desperately trying to break herself free.
Adam tightens his grip and twists her arm behind her back, controlling
her…controlling her behavior. “I have a career. Do you understand
that? I’m working, I’m being a provider, I’m being a dad—doing the right
thing.”
With as much contempt as she can
gather, she shouts, “The right thing? The right thing—your life is just
one blob of obligation now? Fuck you, Adam. Always trying to be
perfect—always doing the right thing. We wouldn’t want anyone to know
what you really are!”
“What does that mean?” Adam eases
his grip, upset by her threat.
“You’re a wall.” Chloe yanks her
arms free and shoves Adam’s chest. “A fucking brick wall—no emotion and
no attachment to anything that doesn’t fit your definition of right or wrong.
I’m sick of it!” Chloe’s voice is shaky and inaudible, tears suddenly
drowning her words.
“Really?” He smirks. “You
need me. You need me to be your wall—you need an excuse to be
destructive. But then when you need that brick wall again, who’s supposed
to build it?”
Chloe grits her teeth and holds her
breath, rage setting in. “You’re a fucking asshole. God, you’re so
arrogant—fuck you.” Chloe shoves past Adam, running straight to the front
door. She hesitates momentarily to study her bare feet but then
impulsively decides to run out into the summer rain. She wants to run
away, she wants to feel that sense of purpose again. Adam follows behind
her, shouting her name. He’s enraged and bewildered—this is why he loves
her—this is why she needs him.
“Chloe stop.” Adam catches up to
her and grabs her hand, yanking her in his direction. The raindrops
conceal her tears, there’s no end to one and a beginning of another—no separation
of pain and passion. Possibly the secret to any great romance…passion
evolves from pain.
Adam takes Chloe in his arms and forces
her against the large maple tree. The fullness of the branches protects
them from the rain, but their emotions are completely exposed and unrefined.
Chloe sobs, jerking her hand from his
tight grasp. “Leave me alone.”
“No,” he responds.
Adam pins her against the tree,
slamming his hands above her shoulders. They stare into each other’s
eyes—carnal lust brimming with each sensation, old and new…this is one of those
moments. Chloe’s chest rises and falls. Rain splatters against the
tree. Adam’s lips quiver with need. Eyes wander over familiar
features. Drip drop—it’s rhythm.
And then, associating pain with passion,
Chloe bites Adam’s lower lip—sucking and licking the delicate, rain-kissed
skin. Adam’s hand moves to her neck, squeezing gently to signify his
control. He kisses her, deep and satisfying, absorbing every last drop of
painful doubt from her mind. Chloe’s arms move to his shoulders,
grasping…searching…
Words are meaningless. Words are
breathless.
“Adam.”
Adam releases his hold, but not his
authority. In a hasty, yet sensual effort, he lifts Chloe into his
arms—positioning one arm under her legs and the other tightly around her back.
“Shut up.” He commands with a smile.
And just like Rhett Butler seizing
Scarlett O’Hara with passionate fury, Adam reclaims Chloe. Under the pouring
rain. Up the steps of the ironed stoop. Through the door of their
centuries-old brownstone. Dripping wet. Hearts racing. Souls
connecting.
…and then he slams the door.
Before you read
The Refrain,
read
The Ballad, book 1
&
The Intermission, book 2
All 3 are on sale for
99 cents during the blog tour!
The Ballad (Book 1)
Links to Buy
The Intermission (Book 2)
Link to Buy
~ About the Author ~
Hey y'all! I'm Ashley
Pullo, a New York transplant with an abundance of Texas charm and a proclivity
for all things pop-culture. I like to think that I'm witty, gorgeous and highly
intelligent but honestly, I'm not that funny. I'm a suburban mom living the
dream with my handsome husband, two perfect children and a moderately cool dog,
Roscoe. Life is pretty awesome, and you taking the time to read my words makes
it that much sweeter! The Bridge Series is designed to involve the reader in
the authenticity of life, love and loss. Enjoy the journey…revel in the
imagery…and fall in love with modern storytelling at its finest.
~ A Rafflecopter Giveaway ~
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