Book Title: Flame
Author: Brooke Cumberland
Genre: Erotic Romance
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Carissa Wright doesn’t do relationships. Raised with a junkie mother and an alcoholic father, building relationships were far off her list. Rather, one night-stands were her usual.
Carissa has one constant in her life—her best friend Velaney. Completely opposite of each other, yet they balance each other out.
Although Carissa admits to only wanting sex and nothing more, will she allow in the one guy who wants to break down her walls or will she run out of fear of finally letting her guard down?
She is unfamiliar with these feelings and wants nothing more than to walk away without a shattered heart. Will she be able to find the courage in order to turn a flame into a long lasting relationship?
With walls built up and emotions locked away, can she learn to put her heart on the line?
Or will each guy just be another flame?
I’m still blown away by Drew’s sudden attack on my lips. He left without so much as a goodbye or a here’s my number. I don’t know why it bothers me so much, but it does. One moment I’m sad, wondering if I’ll ever see him again, and the next I’m pissed off that yet again, a man has staked their claim on me and then just bailed.
Ugh…what the hell is happening to me? I don’t think about guys. I dream of sex. Of multiple orgasms. But I don’t think of guys as anything more than just that—a way to get off.
But Drew…yeah, he’s different. He’s a blend of sexy meat layered with a sense of entitlement. He knows he’s hot—he has to know. His muscles are practically popping out of his tight t-shirt. And I’m pretty sure I even saw some ink under those sleeves. Had he given me more than two minutes, my hands would’ve wandered up those arms and felt those muscles.
Ugh…dammit.
Must get Drew out of my head.
“Fuck this shit,” I yell at myself. I waltz back into the bar, searching for him through the crowd that’s gotten rowdier since the next game started.
I spot him near the back, laughing with his friends as they continue watching the game. I stalk over, grab him by the arm, and drag him with me into the back hallway.
“Feisty little thing, aren’t you?” I let go of his arm once we make it down the hall where it’s quiet. “Fucking hell, you’re strong.” He rubs his arm with his hand.
“What the hell was that?” I demand.
“I should ask you the same thing, Doll.” He eyes me curiously, not giving away his thoughts.
“Do you typically go around kissing girls like that and then bailing? Or am I the exception?” I realize I’m practically yelling at him, demanding answers, but I don’t care. He’s messing with me, and I don’t like it.
He thinks for a moment before responding. “I suppose you could be the exception to many things.” He grins, roaming his eyes up and down my body again.
I’m dumbstruck and bewildered by him. Fuck it. I grab his face in my hands and force his mouth back on mine. I’m not ready to leave his lips just yet—I need more.
He happily reciprocates, wrapping his arms around my waist as he backs me up against the wall behind me. The kiss isn’t sweet and tender like before, but rather needy and aggressive. The intensity is overwhelming, but I give in and let him take control of the kiss.
His hands roam down my ass and thighs, lifting my legs up as they wrap around his waist. He pushes hard against me, making me throb in between my legs as I feel his erection against me. Shit, he’s hard. I so desperately want to submit to my knees and take him in my mouth, but I don’t just yet. I’m too mesmerized by his mouth, his taste, that nothing else seems to matter but getting more of him.
“Oh my god, Drew…I want you. I want you right now,” I whimper out. There’s no point in beating around the bush. I want him so fucking bad.
“What do you want, Doll?” he asks, not parting our lips. “What can I give you?” he asks again softly.
Jesus…the sound of his voice is so fucking captivating. Panty-dropping, heartbeat-skipping sexy.
“Come home with me. Please.”
What the hell…I’m begging now? I don’t beg men. But shit…I’m ready to beg for him. I guess there really is an exception to certain wants.
***Please note: While this is a standalone, I highly recommend reading 'Spark' and 'Burn' prior to reading this novel. Carissa first makes an appearance in Spark as Velaney's best friend.***
For as long as Carissa can remember it's been Velaney and Carissa against the world. Both from backgrounds that have left them broken and unable to love anyone other than one another, they do the only thing they can, they leave and vow never to return.
Carissa's mother is a drug addict and her father is an alcoholic. Growing up in a broken home, she studied hard to get through high school, but had to do it with herself closed off to the world every since her boyfriend freshman year in high school left her broken and unable to love. She does the one thing she can do, she has one night-stands. It's the easiest way for her to get what she wants and desires without actually having the need to have a relationship. She doesn't do relationships, she only does sex. There are countless men that walk in and out of her life in the blink of an eye. Some think they can change her, some want more, but Carissa doesn't want more, she doesn't do more. She doesn't do repeats on a regular basis, she doesn't cuddle, and usually uses Velaney to help her escort the men out of her bed the next morning.
That all changes the day Carissa meets Drew Finlay. While working at the bar, in walks in a man with a British accent and is so hott he leaves her flustered. He makes Carissa feel things she doesn't want to feel, things she promised herself she would never feel. Unable to resist, Carissa invites Drew home with her where she has the most amazing experience of her life, multiple times. When she wakes up the next morning she's in a hurry to get rid of him. He's gone, but not for an extended amount of time. Drew is drawn to Carissa, Carissa can't seem to shake the handsome exchange student who has turned her world upside-down. He leaves her wanting more, unable to resist coming back for another round of sex with Drew, he officially becomes the first man she submits to.
But while their relationship started off based on sex, it quickly becomes more. But Carissa is reluctant to let go and let him in. Why? Because Drew is in his final year as an exchange student on a football scholarship and at the end of the year he will be returning home to his home in London. Carissa thinks it's easy to ignore the growing feelings she has towards Drew, but can Drew convince her that he's more than another flame? Or will their time run out before they can truly be together?
I remember reading about Carissa in Spark. She was the complete opposite of Velaney and yet they complimented each other so much. While Velaney does make a slight appearance in Flame, she's not really so much in the story which I found kind of a disappointment since Carissa's story is told in the same time frame as Velaney's relationship with Eric. I loved the interaction between Carissa and Drew and Drew was always so patient and understanding with her but was a beast when it came to sex, I only have two words for it - SO HOT. The chemistry is electric, the relationship between them is dynamic, but (yes there is a but) it just felt kind of rushed at certain points. I would have loved to have seen a longer story or two books for Carissa the way Velaney was done. I loved having the story of Velaney and Eric told in two books, it really gave you a chance to connect with the characters, but Carissa's story just seemed so rushed and was told in chunks of time. Don't get me wrong, it was a great story, I just wish I wouldn't have felt so rushed with their story, I would've loved to see more. The writing was still great and I highly recommend picking up this story and all the books in the Spark series as they are all great reads. I give it 4 stars.
***ARC provided by author in exchange for a honest review***
Brooke is a midwestern gal, from the cheese state of Wisconsin! Go Packers! She's a stay-at-home mom to a wild three year old. Most days you can find her reading or writing, or just hanging out with her family! She loves movies, cooking, and shopping! She's addicted to Starbucks, Coach purses, and wearing yoga pants.
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