He was made for her, all she had to do was take the
leap…
Taking the Leap, the all-new
beautiful and emotional contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley, is available now!
Read on for a peek inside this
incredible love story.
Alexandra Sharp has been crushing on
her co-worker, John “Rix” Hendrix for years. He’s her perfect man, she knows
it.
She’s just not his perfect woman, and
she knows that too.
Then Rix gives Alex a hint that maybe
there’s a spark between them that, if she takes the leap, she might be able to
fan into a flame This leads to a crash and burn, and that’s all shy Alex needs
to catch the hint never to take the risk again.
However, with undeniable timing,
Rix’s ex, who broke his heart, and Alex’s family, who spent her lifetime
breaking hers, rear their heads, gearing up to offer more drama. With the help
of some matchmaking friends, Rix and Alex decide to face the onslaught
together…
As a fake couple.
Fall in love
with Rix and Alex!
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What kind of coffee drink do you like?
I could have lied, and when I
saw him at the office, said I was driving when I got the text and that was why
I didn’t answer.
But there was a part of me
that was so excited to get my very first text from Rix, and that part was
strong.
So strong, that thought
didn’t even occur to me before I texted back with oodles of curiosity, Why?
Because I’m buying you a coffee, babe.
Another babe.
That was three.
Highly inappropriate, even
infantilizing.
I said not one word about the
“babe.”
Instead, I texted, Iced Chai.
Once I sent that, I texted, Mocha latte, iced or hot.
And on its heels, I sent, For just hot, flat white.
Then I got nervous that I
might be sounding like a goof.
So nervous my thumbs couldn’t
seem to stop tapping letters, and I therefore texted, I assume you want to know what I want right now, rather than all that I
like. So just to say, I tend to be a coffee explorer, since I like coffee. And
caffeine on the whole. That means the list is kinda long. But if you’re asking
for right now, which you are, because it’s chilly this morning, flat white.
After I sent that, I realized
that I was absolutely sounding like a dork in sending it, all of it, including the three before. As such, I watched in agony
as Rix’s three dots cycled and cycled and then they did it some more.
Until I got, How much coffee have you already had?
This would have been funny if
it wasn’t so mortifying.
Just one, I responded miserably.
Try to cycle down cuz you’ll have another when you get to
work. Later.
I decided I’d texted enough,
so I let that lie.
It didn’t lie for long.
Rix showed at my desk at
River Rain (which wasn’t going to be my desk at River Rain for very long, it’d
be my desk at Trail Blazer since we were moving the next day, Judge’s office
furniture, mine, and some unused stuff they had sitting around was all going to
the new offices for temporary use because the telephones and Internet were
being hooked up that day and it was time to occupy Trail Blazer).
Rix set my flat white down
while I valiantly attempted not to blush, he made no attempt whatsoever to hide
he totally did not miss I failed at this endeavor, smiled a smile that I wanted
to think was friendly, but instead it seemed sexy, this thought being
exacerbated when he muttered under his breath so I almost couldn’t hear it,
“Only you could make a rambling coffee order adorable.”
I sat frozen.
Rix winked at me and said in
his normal voice, “Bottoms up, Alex.”
With that, seeing as he was
in his chair that day, he wheeled away.
Since there was a lot going
on with packing for the move and tech hookups and such, I only had to deal with
Rix in passing for the rest of Monday.
However, Tuesday morning, I
was shoving stuff into my bag at home, preparing to head down the mountain to
dig into the move, when my phone chimed.
OK, I have ten minutes, explain today’s coffee order.
Yes.
Another text from Rix.
A startled laugh escaped from
me because he was being funny.
I then texted back, You don’t have to buy me coffee.
To which he texted, I know I don’t.
Then I sent, I’m just saying, we’re good. We had a blip
last week. But now we’re great.
We’re great?
Damn.
Why did reading those two
words texted by him make my breasts swell?
Good. Great. I mean, things are fine. You don’t have to
butter me up with coffee.
So coffee is a way to butter you up?
Oh God.
What was that?
Was it flirty?
Or was it just being funny
and friendly?
Or was it just a kind of
getting-to-know-you, valued co-worker, but in a jokey fashion?
Tell him what you want and stop texting, Alex! I admonished myself.
I did not stop texting.
Well, yeah. Kinda. Like I said, I like coffee.
You did say that, so maybe you’ll tell me what kind you want
this morning.
Time to get beyond this.
Iced Chai.
That’s tea.
Oh my God!
Flirty?
Or jokey?
I’m feeling tea today, I replied.
Right. And then he sent, That
only took five minutes. I’d fill the other five by asking you what kind of
donuts you like, but we got a lot to get accomplished today. I’m sure I’ll
enjoy your dissertation on that, but I’d prefer to sort out my office so I can
start doing the shit I’m getting paid to do.
He one hundred percent did
not need my views on donuts then.
Therefore, I noted, Good call.
He sent a smirk emoji, which
shared the impossible.
Rix could even make emojis sexy.
Add Taking the Leap to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3yY4ifE
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Taking the Leap, after first meeting Rix and Alex in Chloe and Judge’s story Chasing Serenity. Their story is a slow burn, workplace relationship with a fake relationship thrown in for good measure.
Alex is awkward, shy, and nerdy, whilst Rix is a sexy, damaged alpha. Rix is a hero with a disability whose behavior whilst questionable at times is also understandable. This duo has so much in common, and share a love of the outdoors, are down to earth, compassionate, loyal, and caring. Both are haunted by their pasts but for vastly different reasons.
This title is a story of forgiveness, understanding, acceptance and love, with it’s fair share of drama. This pair complement each other perfectly and their chemistry is undeniable. Rix and Alex are endearing characters and their love story is not only emotional, but tender.
I look forward to the next addition to the River Rain series.
