It's ALMOST time...

​We're SOOOOOO close to the release date for Semi-Broken (now available for pre-order here) that I just couldn't help but post another little sneak peek.  Hope you enjoy it! 

"Don’t apologize for being a badass.”

She certainly didn’t feel very badass at the moment. She hadn’t had much cause to feel embarrassed over the years and she couldn’t say she particularly enjoyed the feeling now.

“I’m not used to having people touch me,” she whispered. “When Harper hugged me? It just felt all wrong. I didn’t even know where to put my hands.”

Half expecting him to laugh at her pathetic admission, she avoided eye contact. But after a moment of loaded silence, he surprised her by opening his arms to her.

“I can help with that,” he said.

The low, growly tone of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. “You’re not afraid of what I might do?”

His smile was warm. The look in his eyes? Infinitely warmer. “No,” he said without hesitation.

Truth.

Well, it wasn’t like the thought of being in his arms was abhorrent in any way. And if she was to fit into this family, she couldn’t very well go around breaking wrists every time someone laid a hand on her.

Time to move on from the Sentry way of life.

Drawing in and releasing a deep breath in an effort to stanch her restless energy, she took a step toward him. He just waited patiently, arms open.

One more step had her close enough that she could once again feel his body heat. That, in combination with his scent—laundry detergent, soap, and warm male skin—was the last bit of reassurance she needed. Leaning forward, she rested her forehead on his chest, but left her arms hanging at her sides.

No need to rush it, right?

She closed her eyes as his hands brushed over her shoulders, then slowly slid down her arms before finally pulling her in closer. When she was pressed tightly against him, his arms banded around her lower back.

Seven breathed deeper and for the first time in, well, maybe ever, she felt all the tension drain from her body. With one gesture, Lucas was able to do something none of the people in the other room were able to do, even though they’d obviously tried their best.

He made her feel like she belonged somewhere.

Here, in Lucas’s arms, she wasn’t a mistake, a weapon, a freak. She was just…Seven.

And right now? Being Seven didn’t feel like such a terrible thing to be.