Excerpt & Giveaway: Secrets In Our Scars by Rebecca Trogner

Secrets In Our Scars
Rebecca Trogner
Publication date: February 7th 2018
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

A sexy romance. A twisted mystery. One mistake can change everything.
On a sweltering summer day, Daisy Aldridge knocks on the wrong door. Yanked inside. Trapped and pressed against her only means of escape she spirals into a panic. Years ago she suffered an assault. Alone and afraid, she kept it hidden and dealt with the emotional aftermath in her own way.
But this time she’s not alone. She’s helped by a man who seems vaguely familiar. Roy Blackwood is massive, muscled, powerful, and controlled. She tells herself she wants nothing to do with him.
Roy sees through her resistance. He wants her. Needs her. He promises to find the identity of her birth parents and unveil the person who leaves her anonymous gifts. And most important of all, earn the love and trust of Daisy Aldridge..
A standalone, full-length romance.

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EXCERPT

When I pull into the parking lot behind Mangler, Vincent has managed to hog two spots with his minuscule sports car. I’m half tempted to shift into first gear and nudge him out of the way. I don’t. Instead, I park partially in the grass and hustle up the steps and through the back door. I scope out the front, see no sign of Mr. Lethal, and walk toward the bathroom, fully intending to freshen up a bit before he arrives.
“Oh God.” I slap my hand over my eyes when I rush by the sorting room.
Vincent is wearing the male version of Daisy Duke shorts except, instead of denim, the fabric is a white, clingy material. Satin, I think. Along with a long tail jacket made out of the same material, and a top hat. He’s shimmying around like a go-go dancer until Aunt Stella smacks his thigh as she tries to fit the coat.
“What do you think?”
I peek through my fingers, wishing I could turn around and go back outside. “Why?”
“For the party.” He dutifully turns for Stella so she can pin a seam. “You know, the one I told you about.”
I’d forgotten about his invite from Jason.
“Why are you dressed…” I wave my hand around his ensemble. “Like that?”
Stella takes the pins out of her mouth and stabs them into the cushion. “It’s his homage to Studio 54. He’s pretending to be a busboy.”
“Is this why you insisted we watch Roller Boogie?” His shorts are an exact copy of what Linda Blair wore in the movie, elastic waistband and all.
Vincent wiggles out of the jacket. Now all he’s wearing are the shorts and hat as he twirls around the room, stopping when he hears the front door open.
I’m too late in blocking him, and he’s already skirted by me and is welcoming Roy, who looks like a sex god in an expensive suit.
Vincent lifts his top hat. “Mr. Blackwood, so nice to see you again.”
Roy’s only reaction is an amused grin. Does he ever get frazzled? I have a flashback from last night; I’m part horrified and part proud at how I cracked the controlled demeanor of Mr. Lethal.
Stella comes in with her handbag on her arm. “Welcome to the asylum.” She smiles at Roy and sashays out the front door, leaving us to close up.
“Mmm, I do love a man who works out.” Vincent dramatically ogles Roy.
I love Vincent, but he can be a bit much.
“You're welcome,” Roy replies and gives Vincent’s outfit the once-over. “Grocery shopping?”
“Safeway would be so lucky.”
“Go on, busboy.” I point to the back room. “Get changed. I need to close up.”
Vincent pretends to pout, but obliges.
“Halloween costume?”
I shake my head. “Some party.” I don’t mention Jason will be there, but maybe I don’t need to because I see a flash of recognition. Or maybe I’m projecting my guilt at not telling him. What’s wrong with me? I don’t have to tell him everything.
“Bye, bitches,” Vincent yells, closing the back door.
“Hang on a minute.” I run to the back, grab my purse, and meet Roy at the front door.
“Ready?” He holds the door for me.
It’s the first time I’ve locked up with the new security system. “Do I need to do anything different?”
His eyes narrow for a moment, and he nods and takes me to the back, where a small panel is attached to the back door wall. “I’ll install the app on your phone, but for now, press the green button to arm it.” He does so, and the light flashes. “You have a minute or so to leave.” He takes my hand and walks so fast I have to jog behind him. “Close and lock the door. That’s it.” He points to the new floodlights above where the box was found. “Cameras in the lights. They're all around the perimeter.”
“And the code?”
He opens the car door and waits. “The techs said there was quite a debate about the security password. Eventually, your aunts settled on Twinkie.”
Twinkies put in the freezer for about twenty minutes were our favorite snack when I was a kid. I giggle and slide into the seat.
He closes the door, and I can make out mumbling as he walks around the vehicle. Probably about how even our security codes have to do with sugar.
“You’re bad for me.” Roy slips into the car and takes my chin in his hand. “I haven’t been able to focus on work today.”
His lips are gentle when they meet mine, but after dancing around in front of him and spending the whole day thinking about last night and him naked in my bathroom and the way his eyes blaze when he looks at me with lust—me!—I almost squeal and grab his tie and wrap it around my hand and pull him hard against my lips. His hand cups my face as he kisses me with passion and longing until I’m not sure I remember my own name.
He leans back in his seat. Calm and in control, with his eyebrow cocked. “Eager, Miss Aldridge?”
I blow out a breath. “You have no idea.”

Author Bio:
Rebecca Trogner started writing her first novel after watching True Blood. Of course it was about vampires and thus The Last Keepers Daughter was born. The next, The Last Guardian Rises, continued the series. Her latest book, Secrets In Our Scars, is a contemporary romance and a lot spicier. She's working on her fourth book with the help of her rescued animal pets.

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