Excerpt: 'It's Not Too Late for Therapy' by L.A. Long

HEA shares an excerpt from It's Not Too Late for Therapy, a new contemporary romance by L.A. Long.

About the book (courtesy of Soul Mate Publishing):

It's Not Too Late for Therapy is the not-so-classic story of love the second time around. Charlotte Mason is a brilliant, generous woman who is scarred by years of childhood bullying and the betrayal of two men she once loved. For the last decade she's raised her daughter alone after the death of her philandering husband in a one-vehicle crash, which took not only his life, but that of his lover.

Despite the challenges, Charlotte believes she's found balance nurturing her daughter and pursuing a challenging, and sometimes heart-wrenching, career as a victims' advocate, never acknowledging that she, too, is a victim.

All that changes when she runs into Gregg Wyte, her first love, on a homecoming/visitation weekend to Albion College with her daughter. Gregg is as surprised to see Charlotte as she is to see him, but while she's dismayed, he's delighted. Gregg is determined to prove he's not the selfish, indiscreet bastard he was in college. But Charlotte's been hurt so many times by cruel words and deeds she's doing her best to prove she's no one's doormat. Then, just when Gregg seems to be making inroads to her heart, a secret from her husband's past comes to light. As if that's not enough, Gregg's been hiding his own secret and when Charlotte finds out, it threatens to shatter their world.

EXCERPT (from chapter six)

Almost three weeks had passed and things were getting back to normal, or whatever normal was. Emily's soccer team won their division title but it was bittersweet, what with one of their team members charged with attempted murder and

Emily and her two friends still dealing with the emotional fallout of the event. It helped that Em had a week off for Thanksgiving vacation and that Christmas was coming.

Everyone was busy and that kept the kids' minds engaged in other things. Plus, the school had been proactive in dealing with the assaults and having specialists available to answer the students' questions and counsel those who had a need. They also gave a series of presentations on bullying, raves, date rape drugs, and the like. They'd asked me to participate, as I had done so several times before, but because Em was involved, I declined but put forth several other names.

As a result of the incident, Emily's already close group of friends became tighter. It was as if they'd closed ranks. The only place they gathered was my house, which gratified me, especially since the attack took place here. Part of it might have been because my daughter wouldn't eat or drink anything that was not made or opened by her or myself. Em was presently talking about the annual holiday formal and whether or not she and Luke would go. She wanted my opinion.

"I say you guys should go and have a great time. It's your senior year. Don't give Marcie the power to diminish the joy of it. I'll even chaperone if it will make you feel better."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but would you?"

I laughed, my daughter never wanted me to chaperone any of the dances. "I will."

"Will what?" Gregg came in the back door. We'd gotten to the point where he let himself in if he was expected.

"Chaperone the holiday dance," Em said. "Maybe you could help. Keep an eye on Mom so the male teachers don't hit on her. They always do."

"Emily Elizabeth!"

Gregg was laughing and my offspring was saying,

"What? It's true," and she laughed along with Gregg. Even though it was at my expense, I was glad to see her so unrestrainedly carefree. I was also glad to see that she wasn't afraid to ask for my help, even if it was simply to oversee a school dance.

"I'd like that, I think," Gregg said. "Plus, I do have to protect your mother's honor."

"Good," Em said. "I'll tell Mrs. Rains. I don't think there will be a problem." And with that my daughter happily left us in the kitchen.

I smiled and shook my head.

Gregg turned me to him and kissed me more urgently than usual. I felt flushed. "It's good to see you smile and Em laugh. It's been a long few weeks," he said.

"Umm . . . yes, I think we're turning the corner," I said, off balance. I needed to work on that umm. It seemed to be a fallback position.

"It's a huge step," he said, watching me.

"It is and you didn't need to volunteer to attend the dance."

"What, don't want me around, Ms. Mason? Want to see if the teaching pool at Grosse Pointe High School has any new prospects to choose from?" He arched an eyebrow at me.

"No," I laughed, "I'm not interested in dating any of the instructors at Em's school."

"Does that mean you are interested in dating me?"

Where did that come from? I thought we were enjoying each other's company and an occasional kiss, but he had said he wanted more.

"Isn't that what we're doing?" No umm.

"Are we?" He moved to cage me against the counter top, one arm on either side.

I refused to allow him to see that I was flustered. "If we're not dating, what would you call it?"

"A very long prelude to something. Something hot, sexy, and maybe steamy."

I looked at him and he looked at me. Both playing the same game: don't speak, the other person will find the silence unnerving and spill their innermost thoughts. But I miscalculated and instead his mouth came down on mine. It was demanding, hungry, and not merely hot — it was fiery.

He took my face in his hands to get a better angle. I felt my heart rate increase and my body respond to his.

"Hey, Char," Luke came through the kitchen door; he didn't knock either.

"Sorry, sorry," he said, holding up his hands. I wasn't sure who was more embarrassed, Luke or me.

"It's okay," I said, giving him my best smile. "Em's in the study."

"Thanks," he grinned and something passed between him and Gregg. Boys, I thought. Luke continued on to find Em and no doubt kiss her, too.

I looked at Gregg, but instead of being angry I started laughing and used both my hands to push him away.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"What indeed." I said and removed my physicality from his lips, hands, or any other part of him.

"I wasn't suggesting we carry on with the kids in the house."

"Maybe your little red car then," I grinned.

"Nope, she's down for the winter, but the SUV has reclining seats."

"Well, then. Let's take the bottle of red and get to it."

He grinned, a predatory look in his eyes, he took several steps toward me. Brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, he said, "Be careful lady. I may take you up on that."

"Steam up the windows in my driveway, huh?"

"You bet."

"I'll make dinner, but that's about the hottest thing you're going to get out of me tonight."

"Rain check for another night then."

"Perhaps," I did my best to smile suggestively at him.

"It's a start," he said and kissed me quickly.

Find out more about L.A. Long's books at lalongbooks.com.