Exclusive Excerpt: Adore (#4, Spiral of Bliss) by Nina Lane

One of the series I have cherished the last few years is Spiral of Bliss by Nina Lane. Yes, it’s a smoking-hot professor/student romance, but it’s so much more too. I’ve been able to experience Liv and Dean’s relationship over time, through their ups and downs, through relatable challenges as they work to first claim, then keep their happy ever after. Their passion burns up the pages and their determination to hold onto each other has kept me reading book after book. Now, we’re back in Liv and Dean’s lives as new struggles threaten their happy-but-chaotic home life.  I’m thrilled to be able to share a never-before-seen excerpt from Adore—the newest installment in the Spiral of Bliss series—out February 9th!

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Synopsis

Liv and Dean West have always fallen together, but this time they might fall apart…

Liv and Dean have everything…almost. With a rambunctious toddler, crazy work schedules, and too many responsibilities, they’ve lost sight of their passionate, intimate marriage. And Professor West is none too happy about that.

Determined to lure his wife into hot new adventures, Dean struggles with his need to have Liv all to himself and the reality of sharing her with the world.

Then he gets an opportunity that could change their lives…and Liv is faced with the prospect of her white knight going places where she can’t follow.

Excerpt

“If we were living back on Avalon Street,” I say slowly. “In our little apartment, just you and me, no child yet…would you want the job?”

“Not if you didn’t want to consider moving.”

“That’s not an answer.”

He pushes to his feet and goes to the window, looking out at the expansive view of the lights. His profile is like that of an ideal king or emperor—strong and beautiful with a straight nose and angular jaw. His hair is getting longer, in need of a cut, the thick strands brushing the back of his collar.

“You spent enough time supporting me when we were first married,” he says. “I wouldn’t ask you to uproot your life again, especially on this scale.”

The unease inside me intensifies, like a wave building slowly beneath the surface of the ocean.

“That’s still not an answer, Dean.”

He drags a hand through his hair with a sigh. “I don’t know, Liv. If it were just the two of us living in the apartment, then I’d be a lot more inclined to want it.”

“Regardless of what I wanted?”

“Liv, for eight years, I’ve never done a damn thing regardless of what you wanted.” A note of irritation edges his voice. “I’ve done everything with you in mind. Everything. So you’re asking a pointless question because it’s not just you and me anymore, and we don’t live in the apartment, and we do have a child to think about.”

“I’m trying to get at whether or not you’d even want the job,” I tell him. “

And I told you it doesn’t matter.”

I hold up my hands in a placating gesture. “Okay. I just don’t want you to make a decision you’ll later regret.”

“I’m beginning to regret having told you about this,” he mutters. I blink.

“Wow.”

Dean sighs, turning to cross the room to me. He brings his hands up to the sides of my neck.

“Liv, I just don’t see the point of this conversation,” he says. “Why are you even asking these questions? I need to do some political maneuvering, but do you want me to seriously consider pursuing the job?”

I stare at the warm, vulnerable hollow of his throat that is one of my favorite places to kiss. Of course I don’t want him to consider the job. I want him to stay happy right where he is. I don’t want him to notice another door on the other side of the room, away from us, and wonder what would happen if he walked through it.

“No,” I finally say. “I don’t want you to take a new job, certainly not one in Europe. But I also don’t want to be the reason you turn down an amazing opportunity.”

“Liv, you’re the reason I do things, not the reason I don’t.” He brushes his thumb across my lower lip.

“Why are you so upset?”

“I’m not upset. I’m proud of you.” The instant I say the words, I realize just how true they are. I put my hand against his jaw. “The United Nations, for heaven’s sake. I mean, I knew you were good, but I didn’t know you were that good.”

“Yes, you did.” I smile.

“Yes, I did.” He pulls me against him, his strong arms encircling me in a warm, protective embrace. A rush of selfishness fills me so fast my throat aches. I can’t stand the thought of sharing my husband with anyone.

Since the day we met, this man has never looked beyond me, beyond us, beyond the fortress of our marriage that we’ve fought so hard to build and defend.

But what would happen if he did? What if my white knight decides to lower the drawbridge and let the rest of the world in?

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