A New Adult/College Contemporary Romance

Addiction  (Distraction, #2) By

Angela McPherson

Published

Despite denying their love for years, in the end no distraction could keep best friends Tristan and Elle apart. Passion and heat explode as the two finally discover what they’ve been missing, needing, wanting for so long. When Tristan and Elle return home for Christmas break, the two are gifted with a few unexpected surprises. Heather, Elle’s sister, has come home and even better, she's now clean and sober. During this time, Tristan and his dad manage to work through their strained relationship, finding compromise and understanding. For the couple, everything is coming together—until circumstances change, threatening their newfound happiness.

Love is an addiction both craved, but when devastating secrets are revealed, Elle pushes Tristan away. He won't let go. She can't hold on. Is their love strong enough to keep them together? Falling in love was never an issue, but for Tristan and Elle, falling apart may be. Addiction is a new adult/college romance short novel.

Don't miss book 1, Distraction!

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Angela McPherson Born and currently residing in Midland, Texas, Angela shuffles three busy children (not including her husband) all over the place. She works in a busy pediatric doctor's office as a nurse during the day, and writes at night. She is addicted to coffee–who isn’t? And firmly believes chocolate can fix all–especially chocolate ice cream. She laughs a lot, often at herself and is willing to try anything once (she thinks). When Angela isn’t rushing kids around, working or writing, she’s reading. Other than life experience, Angela turns to a wide variety of music to help spark her creative juices. She loves to dance and sing, though her kids often beg her not to.

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Tristan Quotes/Teasers

“I’d like to say I love you and mean it. Only, that isn’t enough to describe what I feel for you… how much you mean to me, Elle.” “Water’s boring.” Elle traced a finger along my jaw, her passion-filled eyes trained on my lips. “I’m not looking for boring tonight.” The anticipation of wanting her jumped to fucking needing her as she rolled her hips into the pressure against my zipper. “What is it you’re looking for?” Elle bent forward, lips teasing mine, and whispered, “You.”

Elle Quotes/Teasers

"I didn't think I could fall more in love with you, but you've proven me wrong, Tristan Wade Daniels. I love you.” His lips curved into a wide smile. "Say it again.” I stepped on my tiptoes and leaned in, my lips a breath away from touching his. I whispered, "I love the way my body craves more of you. I love the way your hands feel while touching me. I love the way your lips taste…” My eyes darted to his lips, and then back to his eyes. "I love how much you care. I don't just love you, but everything about you. I always have, Tristan. I always will.” He looked up and our gazes met. He was a beautiful mess, and I loved him so much, but the pain he created… well, I didn't think I'd recover.

We didn't talk much during the drive back to our hometown, but words weren't necessary. The soft smile on Tristan's face as he drove with his left hand while holding mine in his right screamed louder than any words ever could. He was mine.

Turning to watch the scenery pass by, I let my thoughts drift back to the start of this year. At the beginning of the semester when Tristan told me about his engagement to Kellie, the psycho, I couldn't breathe from the disappointment crushing my chest. Topping that, he also divulged he'd transferred to Tech, making sure my life remained as miserable as possible. Even though I loved him, seeing Tristan with another woman tore me to pieces.

Before their relationship ended, thinking we'd ever find our way to one another seemed impossible. So, what did I do to get over my hot, football star, best friend? I dated someone completely opposite of Tristan… Eric Green, a handsome baseball player. Eric was super sweet, but at the end of the day he was never who I wanted.

I didn't intentionally set out to hurt anyone. The way I strung Eric along, knowing I was in love with someone else, left me feeling like a self-centered jerk. Ironically, when Tristan was injured, our relationship started to come together for us while Eric and I fell apart.

Who'd have thought a broken collarbone and a concussion would've made us get our heads removed from our asses. But God, the brunt trauma Tristan suffered was bad. Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes. I shifted in my seat, removing myself from the past, looking forward to our future.

Peeking over at Tristan's profile, my chest tightened. The fact that he was able to pull off looking so incredibly sexy that early in the morning awed me. The gritty stubble shadowing his strong jawline and the way strands of hair framed his warm eyes quickened my pulse.

Tristan glanced my way and grinned. Lifting our hands, he brushed a feathery kiss across my skin. "What's got you so quiet, Spud?"

My knuckles tingled where his lips touched. "Oh, you."

His smile deepened. "Well, then carry on."

I fought to keep my eyes open during the rest of our drive. Tristan ran his finger along my cheek, the enamored glint in his eyes made my insides jump.

"You look tired. Get some sleep." Those perfect, full, kissable lips formed into a sexy, hell-bent grin. "You're going to need plenty of rest."

He tore his eyes away from me and back to the road. Sliding the back of his hand down my arm, he then laced our fingers together. "We're leaving after dinner tomorrow. We haven't finished making up for," he turned back to me and winked, "lost time yet." Tristan squeezed our hands, sending the normal thumping inside my chest into hyper-drive.

I stretched out the soreness from my arms and legs. After the early morning surprise in bed, we woke up and finished another round of lovemaking in the shower. Years of listening to Alyssa prattle on and on about her sexual escapades, I finally understood her, um, enthusiasm. Speaking of which, she was going to flip the next time I talked to her. Man, I missed our late night, or morning talks, although being with Tristan felt right. Perfect.

Tension pulled at the corners of his eyes.

I squeezed his hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" I balled my other hand, worry settling in my shoulders.

He brought our joined hands to his lips and kissed the inside of my wrist. "Nothing you need to worry about."

Um, I don't think so. I attempted to free my hand from his, but his hold remained strong. I gave up. "I can take it, whatever it is. Just spit it out." My stomached knotted, betraying the lie.

"I'm telling my parents about us." He glanced down, and the tension cornering his eyes moments ago fell. The side of his mouth pulled up in a cocky grin. "I'm almost hoping my dad kicks me out." He winked. "Then I'd have an excuse to stay with you."

I frowned and pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. Shit. His dad hated me. As much as I loved Tristan, I didn't want to be an added cause to their problems, especially since Tristan and his dad never got along in the first place.

I shook my head. "No, I don't want to ruin this. We're together so there's no use in creating a potential problem between you and your family. I love you, Tristan. I'm not going anywhere. Spend time with your parents and we can tell them about us once we're back at school."

Tristan gazed ahead, concentrating on the road in front of us. He remained silent for quite a few minutes, making me worry my bottom lip even more. Finally, he glanced over at me.

"No, I've waited to tell them you were mine for years now. No way am I going to pass up the first chance I get in order to make my dad happy."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off.

"I'm not playin', Spud." His eyes darkened and wrinkles crested his forehead.

Stubborn ass. "All right, fine. I'll leave my window unlocked," I grinned, raising a brow, "but only if you're lucky."

Tristan chuckled softly, resting our hands in his lap. With his attention back to the road, I closed my eyes and prayed nothing terrible would happen between him and his dad. I used to think Mrs. Daniels didn't approve of me, but after Tristan's stay in the hospital, her behavior had changed. She'd been nice. Maybe his dad would do the same.

My throat dried–this time from not knowing if I'd be able to see my sister, Heather, this year. Hopefully this Christmas would be different for both our families. Tristan and I were due for a little peace.

Losing the battle with my eyes, I ended up falling asleep the rest of our way home. Tristan reluctantly dropped me off at my mom's house. Once my bags were unloaded in my room, he kissed me. His kiss lingered, making my legs weak and my heart ache when the sweet embrace ended. Intensity and heat blazed in his eyes when he backed away.

Clearing his throat, he said, "I'm having a hard time leaving you."