Just One Chance by Carly Phillips
He thought she was the one…until she walked away. Now she’s back and he wants her more than ever.
As a former Marine, Xander Kingston’s writing keeps him sane. Bonus? His thrillers made him one of Hollywood’s most desired screenwriters—and also introduced him to a fledgling starlet who broke his heart. With his close-knit family in New York, Xander returned home and found peace. Until Sasha Keaton shows up at his Hamptons retreat. Now an A-Lister, she’s as beautiful as he remembers. And just as dangerous to his heart.
Sasha learned from watching her mother to never sacrifice her dreams for anyone—only to discover how empty life could be without the man she loved. Now cast in Xander’s latest movie, she needs his insight to play the part, but secretly hopes for a second chance.
Xander has built emotional walls to keep Sasha at a distance, but their physical attraction can’t be denied. When a stalker’s threats intensify, Xander moves Sasha into his house to keep her safe. Before long she’s back in his bed and making inroads in his life.
But when the danger passes and the movie wraps, Sasha and Xander face a familiar choice—put career first or give love a fighting chance.
“I figured we’d go back to the city tonight,” he said.
“I thought so.” She sighed. “I’ll make sure there’s a room available for me at the hotel where Cassidy is staying.”
He shook his head. “Nothing’s changed since you moved out of the last hotel. You should stay at my apartment. With me. I’ve got a concierge downstairs, an alarm on the apartment, and your security can stay outside the door, watching the hallway. You can’t get safer than that.” Not to mention, he wasn’t ready for her to leave him yet.
She pushed them apart and climbed out of bed, reaching for one of his tee shirts she’d used to go to the kitchen for a snack last night. It hung to her mid-thighs, and he wanted to keep her wrapped up in him forever, but she was already creating distance.
“Xander, we’re playing with fire with this. Us.” She gestured back and forth between them. “The longer we stay together, the harder it’s going to be when it ends.”
“Because we’re not going to hurt now?” Because he fucking did.
She wrapped her arms around herself, looking as pained as he felt. “I think I should stay at a hotel and let my security stand in the hall there. I’ll never be unprotected.” Her eyes were wet with tears.
He’d finally made the decision to let his anger go and allow himself to fully be with her and enjoy her and she wanted to walk away this soon? Oh, hell no.
