The only had each other…
Until one forbidden night ruined everything.
This new sexy stand-alone Stepbrother is Now Available
**Additional Retailers to follow**
Blurb
Stepsister. He hated that f*cking word.
When their parents got married, the only thing Caleb Luxan had in common with Wren Brashill was that they both hated their parents. When he was sixteen, Caleb discovered Wren's closely guarded secret and vowed to protect her: from that day forward she became the reason for every decision he made.
Jealousy and long-suppressed desire overpowered Caleb's fierce protectiveness and they spent one forbidden and unforgettable night in each other arms, but the aftermath left Caleb panicked, Wren heartbroken, and their relationship in shambles. In the time since that fateful night, he’d only seen her once and had only managed to make the situation even worse.
The sudden death of his estranged father calls Caleb home and face-to-face with Wren for first time in years. He is presented with a choice that forces him to confront the painful memories of his youth and his many regrets with Wren.
Like it or not, his father's last, hard lesson, will demand Caleb deal with his long denied emotions for Wren, or let go of her forever.
Excerpt
Caleb’s muscled frame was rigid and as Wren looked at him, she studied his profile, and could feel his coiled tension. The fingers in his right hand curled into a fist. “I was so mad. So many times, I wished he’d been the one to die.” His voice was full of pain, as the words tore from him. “I fucking hated him with every breath I took. You saw how much.”
Wren nodded, though he didn’t see her acquiescence. She knew what he went through growing up when they had formed an affable alliance against their parents. She hated her mother at least as much as Caleb hated his father and she understood his anger and pain; then the apathy that became a welcome alternative. They’d been unlikely allies against a common enemy.
“Maybe I deserved his indifference.”
Wren got up and went to Caleb, standing behind him as he stood still as stone, and staring out the window. Her heart ached with love and grief for Caleb. She wanted to touch him; to offer reassurance, to take away the ache in his voice and heart. Without considering her actions, her arms slipped around his waist and she pressed up against his strong back and leaned her head against him, between his shoulder blades.
Caleb was massive in comparison to her, and she was like a flower curling around him. Her hands fanned out against his hard stomach, her fingers finding the definition of his abs beneath his shirt. “Stop, Cale. I won’t let you do this to yourself. Your dad wouldn’t want that. None of it was your fault.” Her arms slid fully around him and held him tight against her body. “I can’t bear it. You’ve had enough pain. Enough.”
Caleb sucked in a deep breath, the action bringing her even closer. He could feel every curve of her body pressed so closely against his back. He could feel her breathing, could feel how she shared his pain. His hand came up and he ran the flat of his hand from her elbow down to her hand, and then wrapped his fingers around hers.
“When did you turn into the strong one?”
Wren’s arms tightened around him. “When I met you. ”
“Oh, Wren.” Should he just spill his guts? Would it fix everything? “I’ve got so much to say to you. How long can you stay?”
She nodded against him, unwilling to end the contact between their bodies; needing the closeness as much as he did.
He wanted to apologize for how he acted the last time he’d seen her, he wanted to say a hundred things… he needed her forgiveness.
“How long do you need me?”
In that moment a miracle happened; a sort of beautiful irony that taunted Caleb with it’s fragileness. It was as if he’d never screwed everything up between them. But would it stay this way?
How long do I need you? Caleb thought. His heart raced to the point of exploding, and he wondered if Wren could feel it.
Forever.
Review
Caleb and Wren have always had a close relationship ever since Caleb decided to protect her from her vindictive, self obsessed mother. He may have not wanted her when she showed up in his house after his father married her mother, now he can't imagine a life without her. But one night changed everything, their seeming unbreakable bond is put to the test when Caleb crosses the line with Wren and runs away.
Now after several years apart, the death of Caleb's father brings them back together. Can they work through their past issues, regain their close bond, and have a chance at the future they have always wanted.
One Step Closer really surprised me, in a good way. Caleb is a passionate man with a huge heart, and his protectiveness shines when it comes to Wren. How can you not fall in love with a man like that? I love how no matter what he always puts Wren first, her happiness is everything to him. When he decided to take care of her, he does whatever it takes to make it happen. Caleb is a fighter through and through.
I love Wren's heart and determination. Watching her become the strong, independent woman from the shy, scared little child she was when she first walked into the Luxon house. I think the journey she has been on has lead her to herself. Even though she has loved Caleb for ages, she's still willing to let him go if that is what's needed to make him happy. She's never needed the money or the fame, she's only ever wanted love.
I really enjoyed this book, even if at times it was a little long winded. Kahlen was able to weave a story that is passionate, heartfelt, and full of chemistry. The flashbacks give a insight into how Caleb and Wren came to be and journey they had to take to get to this point in their lives. In addition, there are no words that can explain how much I love Jonesy. She is brilliant and a perfect mother/grandmother figure to Caleb and Wren. And even though Caleb and his father were never able to make peace while Edison was alive, I love how Caleb was able to come to terms with who his father was and why he was they way he was.
If you are looking for a second chance at first love, than One Step Closer is the book for you.
Now after several years apart, the death of Caleb's father brings them back together. Can they work through their past issues, regain their close bond, and have a chance at the future they have always wanted.
One Step Closer really surprised me, in a good way. Caleb is a passionate man with a huge heart, and his protectiveness shines when it comes to Wren. How can you not fall in love with a man like that? I love how no matter what he always puts Wren first, her happiness is everything to him. When he decided to take care of her, he does whatever it takes to make it happen. Caleb is a fighter through and through.
I love Wren's heart and determination. Watching her become the strong, independent woman from the shy, scared little child she was when she first walked into the Luxon house. I think the journey she has been on has lead her to herself. Even though she has loved Caleb for ages, she's still willing to let him go if that is what's needed to make him happy. She's never needed the money or the fame, she's only ever wanted love.
I really enjoyed this book, even if at times it was a little long winded. Kahlen was able to weave a story that is passionate, heartfelt, and full of chemistry. The flashbacks give a insight into how Caleb and Wren came to be and journey they had to take to get to this point in their lives. In addition, there are no words that can explain how much I love Jonesy. She is brilliant and a perfect mother/grandmother figure to Caleb and Wren. And even though Caleb and his father were never able to make peace while Edison was alive, I love how Caleb was able to come to terms with who his father was and why he was they way he was.
If you are looking for a second chance at first love, than One Step Closer is the book for you.
About The Author
I'm a single mother of one daughter, Olivia. She's amazing in every way.
I was born in the Midwestern United States and educated at a private university where I received a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Business Administration.
I've always been creative with art, music, theater and writing. I decided to write a story as a way to build a network for a business venture. The reader support of my stories and my overwhelming desire to find out where my characters would take me, soon had the writing morphing the business. No one was more shocked than I. When readers began nominating my work for online awards, it took my breath away and only made me love it more. It soon became clear that writing was, and should be, my focus.
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