BACK COVER COPY:The Last Thing She Wanted… Certainly her former foster brother, Rudolfo Panuzzi doesn’t know about them. The man she’d dubbed “Rude” could sniff around all he wanted, but it wasn’t going to get him anywhere. He’d never get inside—her pants, or her heart.
…Was The One Thing She Needed
A dozen years and several combat tours in the Marines has a way of maturing a man, and Rude is no exception. His last mission killed his closest friends and almost killed him, leaving him with wounds on both body and soul. When he looks in the mirror, the haunted eyes staring back remind him far too much of his sexy little foster sister, Sass. That’s when he knows there’s more to her than he ever imagined… and he’s imagined one hell of a lot.
When Want And Need Collide
One by one, Rude destroys the defenses that have kept Sass locked inside herself. But even as she reluctantly allows him to coax her out of her shell, a dark cloud casts its shadow on their world. Is it something from his past… or hers?
109,000 words
This is the fourth book in the House Of Payne series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to adult language and sexual content
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I always know when going to read a book in this series, make sure I can stay up really late, because inevitably, that is what ends up happening. This was no exception, after polishing off two shorter books this came up next in the line up. It was New Years Eve, and not yet midnight, so I decided to start, just start, to cover the couple hours until the new year. That happened, and then, well, I was well into the next day before setting the book down. So I started 2016 sleeping the morning away, but totally happy that I got to read this story
Yes, the authour acknowledges that while this is in House of Payne, the characters are adjacent to the House. But holy crapoly, thank goodness they needed their story told because it was amazing!!!!!
Sassy hasn’t had an easy life, but she has made something for herself instead of wallowing. She has heavy baggage, but keeps moving and handles it in her own way. Strong, she is ever so strong while being completely oblivious to the support all around her, and everyone who sees through her shields.
Rude had a pretty good life growing up, but had some issues while in service that him with his own issues. He worked through them and has an appreciation for his foster sister he never had before. He is back in her life, and while she dismisses whenever she can, he finally hits the point where she has to let him in and he isn’t letting go
This begins a most wonderful, sexy and emotional romance. From start to end, these two learn about each other, their pasts, their futures and they find they place in the world. They sort through things together, apart and with their friends and family. It is so sweet in some moments and so emotionally charged in others, and laugh, you will laugh in the most unexpected moments. You will need to have tissues handy as well, there is some bad things in the world, and they have touched both of these people enough to leave scars inside and out
This is a romance, and the chemistry between these two is off the charts. So subtle at times and up to inferno stages at others, it is right there, always simmering ready to come to the surface and drop below, depending on the needs of the situation
Needless to say, I loved the story, love the characters and can’t wait for more as promised from the authour in the ending notes, ummmm, Scorpio
4.5 Must Read Stars
I actually passed on this when it was released, it’s not actually about the House, since I just did a reread before Tag came out I figured I needed to read it.
This was sooooo good I could kick myself for missing this.
I didn’t think I was going to like Rude, previous mentions didn’t impress, I am happy to say I LOVE him. Sass had me going back and forth at first; but when things got really hairy and she wanted to run she stayed. “I’m going to fight for you.”
Interesting storyline with the touch of mystery, steamy, great secondary characters and a H/h you will root for.