An excerpt from If You See Her by Shiloh Walker

A FACE IN THE MIRROR

Hope Carson may not look like a survivor, but she has escaped an abusive ex-husband and recovered from a vicious assault. Now she endures the painful memories and suspicious rumors surrounding her involvement in the attack. Her ex is a cop, so the last people she trusts are law enforcement officials—and she certainly doesn’t trust how the local DA makes her feel inside.

Remy Jennings should know better. He has no business falling for a woman who he suspects may have a deeply troubled mind. And even if he did make a move, she’d bolt like a frightened rabbit. But how can he deny a burning desire that threatens to consume him? As Hope’s past catches up with her in the worst way, Remy is determined to break through her defenses, earn her trust, and keep her safe in his arms—before it’s too late.

 

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

“One reason?” Remy cocked a brow. Uncoiling off the couch, he came over and stood in front of her. Idly, he combed his fingers through her hair, watched as the silken brown strands fell back into place. “You know, I’m not really the kind of guy who is prone to violence. Not automatically. I usually think things are better solved a different way. I can remember the first time I saw you, though. How Prather had his hands on you, how you looked so scared…and even though he hadn’t hurt you, I wanted to hit him. Just for scaring you. There isn’t any really any sense to that, I know. No logic. No reason. But I wanted to do it and I’d only seen you for a split second.”

 

She lifted her gaze to his.

 

Slowly, he lowered his head, and staring into her eyes, he rubbed his mouth against hers. Without lifting his head, he murmured, “Then you took off running and all I wanted to do was follow. Not much sense in that, either, considering all you did was look at me for that split second and you wouldn’t say two words to me.”

 

Her breathing hitched. She reached up, curled one hand around his wrist.

 

“Sometimes a few minutes, a few seconds…even just one look can be all it takes,” he said quietly, lifting his head and staring down at her.

 

www.shilohwalker.com

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