Hold You Deleted Scene One

Happy Holidays! For today's treat, I have a deleted scene from Hold You!

"Where did Miranda go?" Holly asks, leaning toward me and raising her voice so I can hear her over the music pumping through the bar. It's loud and crowded inside, and I'm ready to leave…but it's still early. If I go home now, I'll have to deal with my mom.

"She didn't feel well."

"Aww, poor Miranda." Holly's lips pull down into a frown. "That sucks. It's her birthday! You're not supposed to get sick on your birthday."

"I'm sure she'll be okay," I murmur, though I'm a little worried about her myself.

She looked really pale when she and Joey left an hour ago. I'm not sure what happened, but she was having a lot of fun. She and Jason seemed to be hitting it off really well. They even rode White Lightning, the mechanical bull together. When they got thrown off, he stalked off through the crowd, looking like a man on a mission. She left a few minutes later.

I hope she's all right.

"We'll just have to bring her back out another night," Holly decides, smiling brightly.

I nod my agreement and take another sip of my drink. The liquor burns its way down my throat, warming me. I'm not sure what exactly is in it, but it takes like fruit punch. I like it. Holly turns to say something to Tori. I glance around the bar, taking it all in.

The dance floor is packed with people trying to line dance. Half of them are killing it. The other half stumble and laugh their way through the steps, having the time of their lives even though they're terrible at it. There's a small group clustered around White Lightning on the far side of the bar. They're cheering on a brunette, who is holding on for dear life as the bull tries to throw her off.

She's doing a pretty good job of staying upright.

I choke on my drink when I catch sight of Knox stalking across the crowded bar in my direction. He looks angry, but I'm beginning to think that's just his normal expression.

Every time I turned around today, he was watching me and scowling. He tried to come and talk to me a couple of times. I freaked out both times and grabbed the phone as if it were ringing off the hook. I'm pretty sure he didn't believe me…mostly because the stupid thing decided to ring while I was rambling into it about financial projections. And also because I'm a terrible liar.

He didn't call me out for it. He just got this suspicious look on his face and then Jason swooped in like a freaking superhero and distracted him. I slipped away while he was busy.

What? He's wicked hot and I'm insanely attracted to him. It's freaking me out a little because men like him don't date girls like me. They date women like my mom. I do not need to experience that type of heartbreak, thank you very much. It's way better if I just avoid him altogether.

"Whoa," Holly says, her eyes widening when she catches sight of him. "Who is he?"

"He-Man," I mumble.

She giggles.

"I mean Knox," I correct myself and then set my drink to the side. I feel a little like giddy myself. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol or if it's the man making me feel that way. Either way, it's definitely time to cut myself off.

"He's a giant."

"Uh huh."

Holly laughs again.

Knox stops right beside the table, blocking out the rest of the bar with his wide body. "Lauren," he says, his brows pulled together in another scowl. "You are drinking alone?"

"No." I blink at him. "I'm drinking with Holly."

His dark eyes shift from me to her and then back.

"It is not safe for pretty women to drink alone in bars."

"Whoa," Holly whispers. "You have an accent."

"He's Russian."

"You are?" she says.

"Yes."

"He's also growly," I whisper.

Holly giggles again.

​Knox's lips twitch.

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​This giant Russian will fall like a ton of bricks when he meets his curvy angel.

Knox
Lauren York is the cutest little angel I've ever met.
Her sweetness is like nothing I've ever known.
And her innocence drives me crazy.
I know nothing of caring for such a girl.
I probably shouldn't have kissed her five minutes after I met her.
I definitely should not be chasing her all over the office.
But that won't stop me.
This little angel is mine. And I'm not giving up until she agrees.

Lauren
Knox Mikhail is a giant Russian bully.
He's also hotter than Hades, bossy, and growly.
I didn't mean to kiss him five minutes after I met him.
Or kick him in the shin right after that.
Now he says I belong to him.
Why does that sound so good?!
Oh, man. I'm in so much trouble here.

Warning
When this older Russian meets his curvy younger woman, he falls head over heels. If office romance, over-the-top Russians, and sassy heroines make you happy, get ready to fall for Knox and Lauren in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy. This sweet, steamy romance from Nichole Rose is chock full of all three…plus a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA.

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