"Did you know that you just pull me in? I can't stop thinking about you." Kieran's eyes are shut, his head against the back of the couch, while making his confession. I guess he had moved in the few moments I'd been in my own thoughts. "Is that a bad thing? I feel it too." He opens one eye and grins. "No, I don't think so. I just don't know if I'm ready." "Ready?" It's silent for a few moments before I feel his warm, rough palm on my bare thigh. It's like all my senses are ignited when he touches me. All I can feel is his hand, all I can smell is his beautiful manly scent, and all I can see is him in front of me, the rest of the world invisible. "Is it okay that I'm touching you?" I let out a deep breath and lean closer, whispering near his ear. "Is it okay that I want you to touch me more?" Kieran's eyes open, his blazing blues stare into my dark brown ones, a slight growl coming from his throat. That growl will be the death of me. -- Gemma is a junior in college who is focused on work and school. There's no time for anything else according to her father and it begins to weigh on her heavily. Another thing that's heavy is Gemma's weight. Her body image has improved since going to therapy but just like anyone else, her insecurities are still there. Gemma is confident, yet shy; organized yet anxious. She's the epitome of an overweight college student with daddy issues. And mommy issues. Just issues in general. - Kieran is a junior in college who is focused on surviving. There's alcohol, sex, and anything else that can keep him out of his own head. Kieran is from a small town that holds a dark part of his past and he's doing anything he can to forget. He is moody, goofy, and mysterious. He's also so much more than anyone thinks. When Gemma and Kieran cross paths, it's a twist of fate that will change their lives forever. Join them on their journey to self-discovery and finding love for themselves, and for one another.

~ 2021 WATTY'S SHORTLIST ~ "I-well, I..." I hesitated with my response. I wanted to let go. To not worry about what would happen in the future. I'd always loved staring into fires. It hypnotized me with its beauty and danger. It was so tantalizing to look at, but one little touch could destroy. I knew the heat between Tyler and I was similar. It started off small but it had only grown in the weeks he'd been here. We'd fed it unintentionally, and it had gone from an ember to a crackling flame. Every nerve in my body wanted to reach out and touch it, even though I knew I'd get burned. *************************************************** Pia Callahan always lived a carefree life with no worries. Her only responsibilities were to attend her college classes (sometimes) and keep herself fed (on ramen). When tragedy strikes, Pia is all of the sudden thrown into a whirlwind of change. She has to grow up and take on more responsibility than she could ever imagine: the custody of her best friend's son. Pia may not believe she is the best person for the job, but she is determined to do it. She'll trade in frat parties for PTA meetings and beer-bongs for apple juice. But what happens when the ruggedly hot motocross athlete Tyler Westwood shows up in her small town? Tyler lives on the fast track, never caring too much about consequences. You can't when your job is to do backflips through the air. Sometimes, you just have to send it and hope for the best. From the second Tyler meets Pia, he knows he wants her. But she is determined to ignore their bubbling chemistry. She has priorities now and a summer fling isn't one of them. Will Pia be able to stay away from Tyler? Or will she decide to hit the throttle? ***************************************************