Excerpt: 'Arrest of the Heart' by Judy Kentrus

Judy Kentrus visits HEA to share an excerpt from her new release, Arrest of the Heart.

Judy: Lincoln Adams and Jessie Taylor's attraction is heating up but meets with a few obstacles. Edith Amanda, Jessie's precocious 9-year-old daughter, has her own agenda — finding a husband for her mother. Jessie's mother is aware of the budding relationship and creates situations to try and keep them apart. Margaret is aware of the long-buried secrets Jessie and Lincoln are keeping, ones that will change their lives and permanently damage their chance for happiness. The following is a stolen moment in the Taylor kitchen at dinner time.

EXCERPT

Lincoln stopped short at the sight of Jessie standing on tippy toes in her bare feet, reaching for a bowl on the third shelf of the cabinet. The thought barefoot and pregnant flashed through his mind. The change in the woman he was eager to get to know was heart-stopping. The close-fitting pants hugged her perfect bottom and outlined her slender waist and thighs. Her hair was loosely flowing like golden strands of fire across her shoulders. She'd changed her clothes just for him.

"Let me get that." They reached for the oval serving bowl at the same time, and their fingers collided. Neither moved or withdrew their touching hands. The heat between them was instantaneous. Linc lowered his eye to Jessie's upturned face, and it felt like all the air had been sucked out of his lungs. The lip gloss brought out the healthy glow to her flushed cheeks and outlined the perfect shape of her kissable lips. The filmy material of the blouse enhanced the natural fullness of her breasts that were lightly brushing his chest. She smelled wonderful.

"I got it," she barely managed beyond the breath-stealing tightness in her chest. She was melting from his nearness and thought tight cheeks, dimpled ass. Jess realized her breasts were pressed against his solid chest. He was so gorgeous, and she was in so much trouble.

A flash of lightning followed by a rolling boom of thunder made them jerk apart. Linc acknowledged the embarrassing pinkness to her cheeks and reached for the bowl, just as Edith Amanda came rushing into the kitchen.

"Here's the trophy I won two years ago in the fishing contest." Edie frowned at her mother. "Why did you change your clothes? Where are your shoes? You have lipstick on. You are wearing the perfume that you put on for special occasions. How come you are wearing that top? You told Grandma you don't like to wear it because people can see your girly points. Like now."

Jess was at a loss for words and wanted to muzzle her blabbermouth daughter. She immediately crossed her arms over her breasts and bit her bottom lip, attempting to hide the lip gloss. Linc would realize she'd didn't put on a "girly" face too often and had dressed up just to make herself a little more appealing to him. She hoped he didn't recall the words she'd thrown at him in the cell block, 'It will be a cold day in hell before I dress up for you.' She just did.

Linc did the gentlemanly thing and stepped in front of Jessie. "I think your mom looks very pretty." He quickly tossed in a needed distraction. "What did you catch?"

Edie's eyes brightened as she held up a faux gold statue of a wide mouth bass. "He was fourteen inches. I beat out three boys!"

Jess immediately reached for the white-bibbed butcher's apron hanging on the hook by the pantry door to cover the evidence of her arousal. What had gotten into her? Three days ago, she wanted to strangle him, and now all she could think about was drowning in his arms and sinking her teeth into his full bottom lip. She'd totally lost it! Women were definitely fickle.

Find out more about Judy and her books at www.judykentrus.com.