Title: Deceive Me
Series: Broken People Duet #1
Author: Vi Carter
Genre: Dark College Bully Romance
Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar
Model: Cooper
Release Date: March 7, 2022
BLURB
Jared
They say love and hate dance together along the same line.
My feelings for Layla didn’t dance on the line; they destroyed it.
It’s been seven years since she disappeared without a trace.
And now she’s back, but things have changed- I’ve changed.
I’m no longer the Jared she remembers - the boy who wanted to protect her.
I’m very much my father’s son, and I take what I want, and what I want is Layla.
But this time, I’m keeping her forever.
Layla
Seven years, that’s how long it has been since I’ve seen him.
After years of putting myself back together, I’m finally ready to start a life without his memory chasing my every step.
Imagine my surprise when my first step leads me straight back to him.
Only he’s not the boy I remember.
He’s angry.
Damaged.
Hiding secrets that want to destroy him.
He hates me. He wants me.
I’m not sure I will survive the man he has become or his demons that threaten to destroy us both.
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
DECEIVE ME WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE WITH A SPECIAL EDITION COVER
EXCERPT
My hands demand I hurt her. I push harder on her small shoulders, and the foolish love-sick boy in me screams to take my hands off what is his. What he has searched for for years, only each time to come up emptier and a little angrier than the last time. Yet, here she is. Staring up at me with wide blue eyes. Her scent seems to envelop me until I dig a little deeper into her shoulders.
I could snap her so easily.
I want to. She shouldn’t be here.
“What the fuck do you want?” I bark and lean in, inhaling her aromatic lavender scent.
Layla.
Anger bubbles through me, and my back arches.
“You’re the one who dragged me over here.” Her voice is stronger, her gaze more defiant than she had displayed earlier in the gym. She looked like a victim. I remember how good she was at playing the victim.
I grin and take some of the pressure off her shoulders but don’t remove my hands completely. “Because you were staring at me like some lovesick puppy.” Each word I say with a mocking tone.
Her lip trembles and my gaze lingers on her mouth. She’s still Layla, just older. More womanly. That fact isn’t lost on me with all the curves she displayed at gym class. She isn’t someone who fades into the background. She always stood out even when she didn’t want to. I don’t need her to be here. I don’t need the distraction.
“I thought you were someone else, but I was wrong.”
I release her, and she reaches up and rubs her shoulders. I don’t step back. I don’t want to walk away from her. The pull that was always there hasn’t eased with time. If anything, it seems stronger.
I hate her.
“Let’s hope your drooling over me ends.” I fold my arms across my chest. I know my size will intimidate her. I battle with the need to protect her. It’s all I knew. All I cared about. She was the reason I got up, the reason I lived. The reason I fought to survive. Until she left, not giving a fucking care in the world about me.
“I thought you were someone else.” Pain drags down her lips.
Fuck her.
“I don’t want your sob story.” I lean in close to her and dip my head so that she can hear me very clearly. “Stay out of my way, Layla, or I’ll make sure you regret ever crossing my path.” Her chest rises and falls faster. My words fully sink in; I’ve made my point. Her swan-like neck draws my hand to it. She inhales sharply as I tighten my fingers around her fragile throat. Her pale skin is soft. I can imagine pressing kisses along the flesh. I tighten my fingers further, trying to banish the thought.
She pulls away. “Get your hands off me.” Her hysteria pierces my anger. The protective boy in me has me removing my hand, and yet I can’t step away from her.
AUTHOR BIO
When Vi Carter isn't writing contemporary & dark romance books, that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or watching Netflix.
Married with three children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an Author.
She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge.
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