Cosmetic Heart
By: Kathy Bosman
Astraea Press
Released July 29th, 2013
Blurb
Lisa
works for a top South African magazine as the make-up artist, but writes
articles on the quiet. When the chief editor, Daniel, asks for her help in
posing as his ex-fiancée to save face with his family, Lisa agrees, hoping to
obtain a promotion in return. She doesn’t expect to fall for the handsome
editor nor to fit in with his family who love her unconditionally. But Lisa has
more secrets, and she doesn’t believe in love and family. After Daniel finds
out her secrets, will his forgiveness and determination be enough to cut
through all the layers Lisa has put over her heart?
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Author Info
Kathy
loved reading and writing from early childhood, but her dream to write books
was put aside until her kids were small, and she had little mental stimulation.
The writing became a passion as well as her love for romance. She hasn’t looked
back since writing her first romance novel in 2007. She homeschools her three
children so in between deciphering algebraic problems for her teenage son (with
little success), conducting science experiments, and tackling piles of laundry
and dishes, she miraculously finds time to write books and read many others for
fun.
Excerpt
It
was Thursday, the 30th December, and Dan was rounding off some edits on an
article for the February magazine. Kate, the feature editor, needed to come up
with something more unique next time. It was too late to change the piece now —
okay, maybe he was too tired to bother, and he had the next week to get through.
He would worry about her story once the reunion was over.
Lisa
still hadn’t had her hairdo. Would they have to lie about her drastically
changing her hairstyle to outdated and unsuitable?
He
sighed. She was proving to be quite interesting though. He’d rummaged through
the bag of presents she’d wrapped and left in his office this afternoon before
she knocked off. They were beautifully decorated with ribbons and cards,
written neatly in her curly handwriting style. He’d opened the one card and
read it, astounded at how she’d written the verse to a poem before a quick “happy
Christmas” wish. The woman was into detail. Maybe his family would approve for
once. They’d have to get used to the idea that the relationship would end
eventually though.
Someone
knocked on his office door. Lisa, at last.
“Come
in. I thought you were finished work hours ago.”
She
smiled at him and then propped her hands on her hips. “So?” She gave a sigh —
loud and raspy. “Typical male!”
He
gasped. “You had it done finally. Looks great!” Looks more than great. Wow, transformation.
“Thanks.”
Her smile was genuine and soft. That was the first time he caught a glimpse
into the real Lisa. Maybe she was starting to thaw. Finally.
“Come
here.”
“Why?”
“Just
listen.”
“Okay.”
“No,
don’t get that employee-boss look in your eyes. Try to relax and pretend that
we actually belong together.” He took her by her stiff shoulders and pulled her
into a hug.
“It’s
like hugging a statue,” he whispered into her ear. Her soft hair brushed
against his tongue. He pulled the strands away gently with his finger and
accidentally touched her cheek with his lip.
She
stepped out of his grasp. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
She
craned her neck around frantically at the doorway.
“Everyone’s
gone home.”
“So?”
“You
love that word.”
She
giggled.
“Okay,
if not a hug, let’s try a kiss.”
Her
eyes were wild.
“Have
you ever been kissed before?”
She
nodded numbly.
“Too
bad. You have to grin and bear it. I can’t be that bad.” He reached for her
hands, pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. Sweetness flooded his
being, spearing right into his inner core. What was inside this girl’s being
that surged into his?
Even
though her lips were unresponsive, he kissed her further. Then he pressed her
chest against his. For a moment she stiffened, and then she relaxed, obviously
realising there was no way out and she had to play along with it. But he wasn’t
playing anymore. This was for real. He wouldn’t tell her that though. That would
make her run a mile.
She
pulled away and turned around, wiping her mouth with her hands.
“Not
bad,” he teased.
“I’d
better get going now. I’ll see you in the morning.” Her voice was shivery.
“Have
you packed yet?”
She
nodded, her back to him still.
“See
you then.”
She
was out the door without showing her face once. The back of her head was
gorgeous. That hairdo did something to her whole demeanour. If only it would
warm her up to him a little.
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