Ronie Kendig – Romantic Excerpt – Part 2 of 2

Shannon here: Military suspense author, Ronie Kendig shares an excerpt from her latest release, Talon plus a chance to win a copy. Comment on any post dated May 8 – 10 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: May 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ronie:

Excerpt from Talon by Ronie Kendig:
Somehow, though it shook her to think of it, Aspen stood in Dane’s arms. Warm, strong, capable arms. His words rumbled through his chest and poured like steel into her soul, strengthening her courage, infusing her with strength not her own.
She had totally lost it, listening to Talon crying for Austin. Because that’s what she’d been doing for two years, hadn’t she? Crying for her brother, the one the Marines had written off, declared dead.
Dead men tell no tales.
Well, this dead man would. Because dead men don’t live in Djibouti with a missionary.
She looked up at Dane and cringed. “Wow, your eyes are really turning black.”
He smirked. “First lover’s quarrel.”
The admonishment was on her tongue when she saw Santos peeking at them through the door window. Panic punched her onto her toes. She curled a hand around the back of Dane’s neck and tiptoed up. She pressed her lips to his.
Hands on her hips, Dane nudged her back. “What—?”
He’ll see or hear us! She kissed him again, this time leaning into it, her mind on the man staring at them. Had to make it believable, right? This was the way they covered their tracks or something.
Dane pushed her away again. “Aspen.”
“Santos,” she muttered.
Dane snorted a laugh then ate it as he looked to the side.
“He’s watching.” The heat flared through her face, clutching her in a humiliating grip. “At the door.”
“It’s okay,” he said to Santos and waved him onto the terrace. “Talon got a little excited and it proved upsetting for them both. She was overcome.”
What was he doing? Dismissing her? Confusion and anger coiled around her mind like a vise. How dare he relegate her revelation about Austin to nothing more than a hysterical outburst. Because that’s what he was saying, wasn’t he?
“I understand,” Santos said, smiling. “When my Camille died, the littlest thing would make me hysterical.”
“Hysterical.” Aspen gulped the fury. Nodded. Great. Fine. They were writing her off as an emotional woman. And Dane. . .
He turned to her. “No, not hysterical. Concerned.”
Platitudes. That she didn’t need. She pushed him aside. “Don’t patronize me. I’m not an idiot.” She snapped her fingers to call Talon and returned to the room, humiliation her only friend. Down the two steps to the upper level then into the room with the queen bed. Once inside with Talon, she clicked the lock. She shoved back her unruly curls, breathing a hard thing to do at the moment. He was making fun of her.
He pushed her away.
Her belly spasmed as she fought the tears. “He didn’t want me.”
That’s ridiculous.
But it’s true.
Arguing with herself only inflamed her shame. Made her feel even more stupid. This was insane. Absurd. This wasn’t some romance novel where they played married then fell in love. This was real life. Capitalizing on a situation to get real answers.
But he didn’t even seem to want the kiss. Or like it.
And that after they’d nearly kissed back at Lemonnier. Or was that her imagination?
On the terrace, he’d pushed her away. Like a petulant child. Like a silly girl with a crush on the high school senior.
“I don’t have a crush!”
“It’s good to hear.”
Aspen spun, pulse thundering through her veins. “How did you get in? I locked it.”
Shaking his head, Dane looked down and closed the door. He slid the bolt along the upper portion of the door then planted himself on a whicker chair in the corner. He sat, bent forward, elbows on his knees.
“What are you doing?” Now she did sound petulant. “Never mind.” Aspen slumped on the bed and covered her face with her hands. Her head throbbed. So did her feet. And her back. And her pride.
Click.
She lifted her head and found him in front of her, sliding the pen back into his pocket. At this angle, his shoulders seemed broader. His chest bulkier. And his stubble just a shade darker. He had the ruffian thing going on real well.
Curse the man. Why did he have to be so gorgeous?
About Ronie: Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married a veteran, and together their lives are never dull with four children and two dogs–a Golden Retriever and a Maltese Menace. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.
Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, named to 2012 Bestselling Fiction by Christianbook.com, finaled in numerous contests and reader awards, including ACFW Carol Awards, RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Awards, Christian Retailing’s Readers’ Choice Awards, INSPY Award, The Christian Manifesto Lime Awards, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads
About the book – Talon: This Time, Even the War Dog Is Scared
Her brother is missing. And her only chance of finding him lies with a combat dog that has lost his edge. All Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland wants is her brother back. The US Marine Corps says he’s dead, but Aspen won’t believe it till she sees his body. Her only hope is her brother’s tracking dog, Talon, but a brutal attack has left the dog afraid of his own shadow.
The truth is something Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markoski has never faced. But now it’s the only thing that can save him—along with Talon’s help. But working with Talon means teaming up with Aspen as well, and Dane swore he’d never work with a woman.
Eventually they join forces to battle the elements and extremists. But if Talon can’t rise up to his former glory for one last mission, the only outcome for all three will be game over.
“Talon is Kendig at her best!” –Tosca Lee, New York Times Best-selling author of Mortal (with Ted Dekker
Come back May 13th for Delia Latham!