Wicked Book Blog: Blog Tour: The Storm Inside by Alexis Anne

“The only thing holding me back was my heart. You know, the broken one.

It knew if Jake and I got back together we’d make our past relationship look like child’s play. It would be a sweet footnote to this new, torrid love affair. ‘Jake and Eve 2.0’ would be an uncontrolled explosion of sex and adoration.

Uncontrolled explosions were dangerous. Everyone knew that.

And yet, I couldn’t seem to stop myself from playing with the matches…” ~Eve

Loving someone and being in love aren’t always the same thing.

That’s what Eve Daniels is trying to come to terms with when Jake Spencer suddenly returns to her life after ten years of silence. Haunted by a past he had no power to control, Jake left everyone and everything behind in hopes of saving Eve from his demons. His one regret was breaking her heart.

From the moment they reconnect, it is clear to Eve the passion, brilliance, and determination that first attracted her to Jake are stronger than ever. So strong that fighting their pull seems useless. But falling back in love isn’t as easy as letting the walls down. Eve soon realizes the choices they’ve both made come with consequences. Ones that will test how deep her love runs for a man living with a storm inside.

**Recommended for ages 17+ due to explicit language and sexual situations**

Jake continued his uninvited tour of my room, and I let him. For some reason seeing him in my intimate space had me paralyzed. It was like the past and the present were colliding in front of my eyes. The new Jake in my new room. It was so different: the suit, the swagger, the confidence… and it wasn’t like I had cheap posters decorating my ratty walls anymore. He paused in front of a picture of all of us, the whole gang.

“I’m kind of impressed you didn’t cut me out of this picture.”

I smirked, “That’s the replacement. You should have seen what I did to the original.”

He turned to look back at me, his hands back in his pockets, his eyes unmistakably seductive. “We’re all grown up now. What are your plans for your life?”

His question confused me. I was living my life. But then again, it hadn’t taken me until this year to figure myself out. “What I’m doing right now. I work, hang out with the gang, visit my family… what else is there?”

He was burning a hole right through me. “That’s not what I meant. No boyfriends? You planning on settling down with Mr. Right and having kids?” He was so different. He was demanding, almost angry. His questions seemed more like an accusation than anything else.

Something flipped inside me. An anger erupted out of nowhere. “Jake that is none of your damn business.”

He grimaced, “I think it is. Why aren’t you married, Eve? You are beautiful and smart. There are a million men lined up at your door… but you’re here alone. So, I’ll ask you again. What are your plans, Eve?”

I stood up very slowly, attempting to control the eruption taking place inside me, walked out into the hallway, and growled, “Get. Out.”

“No.” he replied just as firmly, not leaving my room. In fact, I was pretty sure I heard him sit on my bed.

“Get. Out.” I repeated through my clenched teeth.

“Get. Back. In. Here.” he growled back.

I rolled my eyes. Jake had definitely changed. He never, ever would have stood up to me, let alone ordered me to do anything.

Suddenly he was in front of me and glaring down from above, “Please, just talk to me for few minutes. I promise I won’t bite.”

“I’m more worried about a kiss,” I said before I could stop myself.

Jake’s eyebrows shot up, “I’m not going to kiss you, darlin’.”

A part of me was pretty disappointed by that piece of information. “Fine.” I replied, stomping back into my room.

Jake strolled in behind me, sighing, “I just want to make sure I haven’t completely fucked up the rest of your life, Eve. Why aren’t you married?”

Because I’ve never met anyone as good as you? There hasn’t been a man since you who has made me weak in the knees or throbbing for his touch.

“I haven’t met anyone worth marrying, Jake. You don’t just put your name in a bowl and hope to be picked.”

He eyed me, gauging my reaction, looking for the lie. “Alright. As long as it isn’t because of me.”

It is absolutely because of you.

“You think you ruined men for me, Jake?”

He grinned his cocky half-smile I used to love so much. I loved it because it was one of the few times his dimple showed. My dimple. I couldn’t help it, my eyes were drawn right to it, and he saw. I’m pretty sure he stopped breathing, his eyes burning into me.

“Eve…” he murmured.

My heart stopped; there was an explosive combination of lust, passion, and longing circulating around my bedroom. Anything would set us off.

Alexis Anne lives in Central Florida with her very own real-life tall, dark, and handsome husband and their two adorable superheroes. Their crazy lives have taken them from archaeology digs to breaking news as they traversed the worlds of anthropology and television news. When she's not reading or writing, Alexis can be found at the beach or on the water with her family. Her first series FILTERS is a Contemporary Romance with a splash of science fiction. The Storm Inside is her first full-length novel.