Waiting to Love You, an all-new multicultural, small town, military romance from USA Today bestselling author AJ Alexander is now available!
After spending my entire childhood moving wherever the military told us to, I put down roots in Tyson’s Creek. My plan was simple—start a business and live a peaceful fulfilling life with my friends. That is until Seth Williams walked into my yoga studio and turned my world upside down.
I swore that I’d never fall in love with a military man, but the more time I spent with him the more I started to fall.One night I let my guard down, allowing the walls around my heart to crumble to the ground. After spending one amazing night together he was shipped off to defend our country.
Then one day, a little over a year later, Seth shows back up—throwing my entire life into chaos again. This time, I can’t make the same mistake. I have to keep Seth away from my heart to protect the life I’ve built here—not for myself…
But for our daughter.
NOTE: This story was previously published as Anchor in 2022. It has since been recovered and titled, reedited, and significant additions have been made to the story.
Keep reading for a look inside Waiting to Love You!
I turn my attention toward the voice and freeze, my eyes connecting with the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Her red hair lays over her shoulder in an intricate braid, with a few stray tendrils of hair framing her face. As she comes closer, I notice there are streaks of blonde in her hair brought out by the halo of sunlight behind her head. My eyes continue to wander down her body, taking in the fitted green top covering her curvy frame and the way her apple bottom fills out a pair of black yoga pants. Images of sinking my teeth into that ass as I take her from behind fill my mind, creating a rising problem in my pants.
Her face lights with happiness as she throws her arms around Brady’s neck and squeezes tightly. He chuckles softly, lifting her in the air before placing her feet back on the floor. She doesn’t even get a second to breathe before Riggs wraps her in his arms and spins her around, causing her to let out peals of laughter. Jealousy shoots through my veins as I jump to my feet, my entire being vibrating with the need to rip her from Riggs’s arms. I’ve never had this reaction to a woman before, let alone one I just met, but my body is moving before I stop myself. I have no idea who she is, but I plan on remedying that as soon as possible and learning everything about her.
Unable to contain my desire to meet this woman, I step between her and Riggs, causing her to take a step back.
“Hello,” she replies as she raises her eyebrow in question.
“Hi,” I reply awkwardly, suddenly at a loss for words. Flecks of gold sparkle in her emerald-green eyes as she looks me up and down, probably making many assumptions about me and my manners.
I hold out my hand, shoving it in her direction. “Hello. I’m Seth.”
The gruff sound of my voice surprises me as I clear my throat loudly, causing all three of my friends to snicker softly. I’ve always been slightly socially awkward, but this time it’s different. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to speak. Words are stuck in my throat as I try to make sense of what is happening right now. I’ve never been a person who believes in love at first sight, but right now, I do.
“Hi, I’m Bristol,” she responds tentatively as she looks down at my outstretched hand before grasping it in hers.
As soon as our skin connects, an electric current sizzles up my arm. Her eyes widen in surprise as she pulls her lip between her teeth. The two of us remain standing there, frozen, staring at each other. My heart aches as my hand moves on its own, brushing along her cheek. Her eyes drift closed as she leans into my touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips as I tuck a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. We stare at each other, neither of us moving, trapped in each other’s gaze until Brady clears his throat and breaks the spell.
He gives her his trademark grin. “Excuse him, Bristol. This is my friend, Seth; we are in the same unit together.”
Bristol’s demeanor immediately changes, her eyes hardening in my direction before plastering on a fake smile. “Nice to meet you, Seth. Are you guys ready to get started?”
“Sure thing. Lead the way, darlin’,” I motion toward the glass door separating the waiting area from the main studio. She flashes me a tight smile before spinning on her heels and walking through the glass door.
“What the hell just happened?” Brady’s eyes are focused on her retreating form.
“I don’t know, but the temperature in the room dropped by a thousand degrees the minute Brady said you were his friend,” Riggs retorts, a confused look crossing his face.
“Do you and Bristol have something going on?” I growl, my fists tightening at my side.
“Calm down, Seth. Bristol and I are just friends, nothing more. What did you do to piss her off that quickly? You only said three words to her.”
Riggs and Brady are right. I highly doubt that I could have done anything, but there must be a reason for her sudden change in behavior. I just don’t understand why she would shut down so quickly after hearing Brady and I are friends. Does she have a thing for Brady he doesn’t know about? Is it because I’m in the military? No, that can’t be it, especially with how she reacted to Brady.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Bristol moving around the studio, laying four beige-colored yoga mats on the floor as she gets ready to start our class. “I’m not sure, but she doesn’t seem like she wants to talk about it right now.”
I take a step forward to enter the studio but feel someone tugging on my arm. I turn to find Walker eyeing me skeptically.
“What?”
“You need to tread lightly with her, Seth,” Walker warns as he releases my arm, his eyebrows pulled down in concern as he examines my face. “Bristol is Leia’s best friend from college, but…” he begins, but shakes his head. “Never mind, just be careful, okay?”
Walker strolls past me and into the studio, Riggs right on his heels. Brady gives me a slap on the back. “Don’t think too much about it. Talk to her and ask what her deal is, then we can proceed from there.”
“My eyes instantly shift to Bristol again, a soft sigh escaping my lips, which causes Brady to laugh. “You’re hooked, aren’t you?”
I pause for a moment and consider what he just said. Am I hooked on a girl that I’ve never laid eyes on before today? I don’t know, but I do know one thing. If there’s one woman I would trade my little black book in for, it would be her.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts before shrugging my shoulders. “There’s just something about her that calls to me.”
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author AJ Alexander has been writing romance since 2018. She love writing small town romances with found families and all the nosey nellies that help her characters find their happily ever afters! She lives in Arizona, otherwise known as the surface of the sun, with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and a lovable golden retriever.
When she isn’t writing you can find AJ reading, binging the latest true crime documentary on Netflix, or binging the latest Korean Drama or Anime that’s released. AJ is a cynical hopeless romantic that believes in love at first sight, that bigger is always better, and everything should be put off for a nap.
For more information about AJ Alexander and her books, visit her website:
Against all odds, the bartender gets the girl… Heather
The term friends to lovers never ends well, as a publicist, I know it’s a walking headline of a disaster. So when things shift with my long-time friend from college, I’m torn between what feels right and the inevitable fallout.
I’ve given up on finding “Mr. Right,” but Wyatt won’t give up on me; and I don’t know why. Despite knowing better, I find myself falling for him. The gorgeous bartender who’s off limits. Wyatt
I pour drinks, while other people pour out their hearts. I’m great at giving advice, but following it… not so much. The last time I listened to my heart it didn’t work out so well. I chased it and nearly destroyed my friendship with the girl of my dreams.
I can’t keep bottling up my feelings and I know Heather feels the same, but I know I don’t deserve her I know my time to be with her is limited, but I’m ready to take another shot at love. With her.
AJ Alexander is a wannabe psychologist, writer, and author of the recently completed, SEAL’ed Series. AJ’s passion is writing angst filled happily ever afters that have to be earned by her characters. Women with no backbone need not apply. AJ uses sarcasm and an unlimited supply of song lyrics to bring her romance novels to life.
AJ lives in the angst capital of the world, Seattle Washington with her own personal knight in shining armour and her two beautiful girls.
Against all odds, the dog walker gets the girl… Addison Never knowing if someone is genuinely interested in me or my family’s money keeps my guard up. So when he shows up, my instant hatred for his good looks and sexy smile is no surprise. I soon discover that Cole isn’t who I think he is, but I’m afraid to lower my walls and let him in. After his relentless pursuing, I find myself being led down a path I never thought possible. Cole I never thought I deserved to have the white picket fence life – until her. The last thing I expect to find when I knock on my client’s door is the answer to my deepest desires. One look and I know Addison is out of my league. That will not stop me from trying to make her mine… but my past might.
For the most part I enjoyed Stay, Cole & Addison were good together and there was enough believable history for them both to make either wary of relationships, but that didn’t stop them from taking a step together.
My biggest issue was they way the characters acted at times and the somewhat random things that were said at the oddest moments – Addison and Heather especially came across on occasion like adolescents instead of gals in their early 20s… maybe it’s an age thing (that being mine!!) but I like characters to act as you would expect them to at a given age.
This is the second book by A.J. Alexander that I’ve read – while it’s not my favourite so far, I will continue with the Odd Jobs series and see what happens with our next up couple!!
3*
About the Author
AJ Alexander is a wannabe psychologist, writer, and author of the recently completed, SEAL’ed Series. AJ’s passion is writing angst filled happily ever afters that have to be earned by her characters. Women with no backbone need not apply. AJ uses sarcasm and an unlimited supply of song lyrics to bring her romance novels to life.
AJ lives in the angst capital of the world, Seattle Washington with her own personal knight in shining armour and her two beautiful girls.
Against all odds, the dog walker gets the girl… Addison Never knowing if someone is genuinely interested in me or my family’s money keeps my guard up. So when he shows up, my instant hatred for his good looks and sexy smile is no surprise. I soon discover that Cole isn’t who I think he is, but I’m afraid to lower my walls and let him in. After his relentless pursuing, I find myself being led down a path I never thought possible. Cole I never thought I deserved to have the white picket fence life – until her. The last thing I expect to find when I knock on my client’s door is the answer to my deepest desires. One look and I know Addison is out of my league. That will not stop me from trying to make her mine… but my past might.
I continue my trek up the path and ring the doorbell, hoping Addison answers the door. She has been avoiding me the last couple of days. Heather said something about an ex popping up out of nowhere. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything for me to worry about on that front, but it still has me feeling uneasy. “If it isn’t the devil incarnate,” Addison’s voice interrupts my thoughts. My eyes instantly begin to devour her figure. I map her body from head to toe. “Hello, Addison.” “No witty comeback or snarky retort today? Are you losing your touch?” she asks with a raised eyebrow. I can only smirk in return, I’m trying desperately not to shove my way through the door. Her breathing starts to pick up as the tension thickens between us. “You can feel it, don’t you?” I growl, stepping closer to her. I drop Delilah’s leash and wrap my arm around Addison’s waist pulling her closer to my body. Luckily Delilah goes directly into the house. “Get your hands off me,” Addison whimpers. “You want me, don’t you?” I whisper into her ear, running my nose down the curve of her neck. She moans in response. Pushing my way through the door, I kick it shut with my foot. I spin both of us around, pinning Addison to the door. “I’m going to fuck you now.” There’s no mistake about it. I can’t wait any longer, my cock is rock hard and ready to take her. “I hate you,” she says, the fire in her eyes makes me want her even more. “I hate you too, but that’s beside the point. I’m still going to fuck you.” I lean down and devour her mouth, nipping at her lips until she grants me entry. We both moan in pleasure when out tongues connect, battling for dominance. I reach up with my hand and wrap it in her hair, gently pulling to give myself better access, plunging my tongue further into her mouth. We break apart, both desperate for air. “I hate you,” she repeats again, skin flushed a delicious shade of pink. “I’m going to fuck you.” “I’m going to let you.” There are no other words needed as she leans in again and captures my lips, finally putting an end to the longest game of foreplay I have ever participated in.
About AJ Alexander
AJ Alexander is a wannabe psychologist, writer, and author of the recently completed, SEAL’ed Series. AJ’s passion is writing angst filled happily ever afters that have to be earned by her characters. Women with no backbone need not apply. AJ uses sarcasm and an unlimited supply of song lyrics to bring her romance novels to life.
AJ lives in the angst capital of the world, Seattle Washington with her own personal knight in shining armour and her two beautiful girls.
Book Loving Pixies 