Perfection. One word. Three syllables. Every reason why I’ll never have the one thing I truly want. I stand dutifully on the pedestal he’s built, waiting for the day he truly sees me.

Then one amazing night, he lets down his walls, only to leave me the next day.

Years have passed, and I’ve tried to move on with my life. But I still dream of him. I still miss him everyday. The memories haunt me. How can I look to the future when my past remains a mystery? The time has come to find the boy who stole my heart and ran away without a word.

But not everyone who is lost wants to be found.

My name is Alexandra Fontaine, and this is my story of unfinished love.

Wings Over Poppies is book #2 in The Over Series and can be read as a standalone novel.

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Excerpt

I shift closer to him and wrap my arms around his waist. I lay my head on his chest and breathe him in. His shoulders relax, if only slightly. The need to comfort him is overwhelming. I want to wash it all away for him, hold the world at bay while I erase the worry permanently etched in his forehead.

“Everything is going to be okay, West. I just know it,” I lie. I don’t know that everything will be okay. I don’t know anything at all.

We sit in electrified silence, the crackling of dead leaves under us the only sound. I memorize the feel of him, the smell of him, the rhythm of his breathing. I’m lost in the moment, already anticipating the loss that’s to come.

“I leave in a month.”

The words cut through the silence like a judgment. Instead of hurt, I’m filled with resolve. I won’t let him push me away anymore. I’m done playing by his rules.

I rise up to meet the storm brewing in his eyes. His hand wraps firmly around my neck, and his eyes dart hungrily to my lips. I swallow nervously and refuse to look away.

If he turns his head or pulls my hair, I swear I’m going to tackle him to the ground.

I lean in hopefully, somewhat expectantly, and close my eyes. His warm breath dances across my lips, and my every prayer is answered. He presses his mouth firmly to mine and stills, almost memorizing the moment.

That one small touch is the beginning of the most memorable kiss of my life. It’s hello and goodbye, I love you, I’ll miss you, and everything in between.

He sucks my bottom lip, and I inhale sharply, completely overcome. His hands dive into my hair, and his tongue slides against mine just once before he pulls away. He touches my forehead to his and chuckles softly.

“What have we been waiting for all this time?”

“You,” I whisper breathlessly, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

My admission is all he needs. He devours me, a tangle of lips, teeth, tongues, and hands. I don’t know where I end and he begins. I’m exhilarated and relieved all at once.

I run my hands down his arms and grip his wrists tightly. I pull away and look into his hooded eyes.

“Tell me something, West. Tell me something I don’t know.”

He runs a thumb over my swollen lips while he studies me. I’ve never felt more loved, more worshipped.

“I can’t imagine a world without you in it. No matter where I am, I’ll always dream of you. It’ll have to be enough.” He places soft, scorching kisses up my neck until he reaches my ear. “God, I don’t think it’ll ever be enough.”

Review

What a story! Beautifully written, sexy, a little angsty and heartfelt all at once. I highly recommend this book to all fans of second-chance romance and military stories. I immediately connected with these characters and literally read this story in one sitting.

The author had my heart racing as I read Alex and West’s story. As teenagers, Alex was firmly “friend-zoned” with West, a place she most certainly did not want to be. But she couldn’t figure out how to get out of the friend zone and get him to really see her and reciprocate the feelings she had for him.

With one “ill-advised comment,” Alex’s irritation with her dad transferred to West. “His admiration and respect for my dad equals one thing for me— a one-way ticket to Friend City as far as he’s concerned.”

Then just like that, West was gone, and Alex lost touch with him for years. She went off to school, and despite their connection and deep feelings toward each other, West does not contact her after being deployed overseas. It comes as a total shock when Alex finds West again. It seems he wants absolutely nothing to do with her. He is a changed man in many ways. But Alex knows what they had is special and she refuses to give up on him. Her heart literally breaks for West and the struggles he faces after returning from deployment.

“I’m so fucking tired of running to stand still. I still have a lot of issues to work through, but I’m trying like hell. Please be patient with me, Poppy.” He squeezes my waist firmly and keeps his eyes closed.

Will West be able to live again among his family and friends? Will he let Alex love him and accept him for who and what he is? I absolutely the way the author dealt with the issues of returning servicemen and loved this story. It is sweet, emotional, tender, sexy and even a little funny, along with the drama. I love this author’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her books!

Favorite Quote:

“Don’t you know? You are not my burden. Never.” I brush my lips lightly against his. “You? You are my gift.”