Teaser Time!! Excerpt from Needing Her. This is from Rachel’s POV. Rachel is in graduate school and also works at a history museum giving tours. This scene shows her giving a tour to Pearce during their first week of dating. (And for Jade Series fans, this scene explains why Garret’s so good at hugging.)

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I pop up from my chair and go around the desk. “Welcome to the museum.”

He smiles. “Thank you. You weren’t kidding. It’s very small.”

“It’s good to see you again.” I hug him but he just stands there, rigid, his arms at his side. Oh, God, this is awkward. Why did I hug him? Shelby’s right. I need to get control of the hugging thing.

I release him and step back, my cheeks heating up. “Sorry. I kind of have a hugging problem.”

He’s still smiling. “It’s not a problem. It’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting it. I’m not used to people hugging me.”

“You’re not?”

“No. I honestly can’t remember the last time someone hugged me. Childhood, maybe?”

“Are you serious?” He doesn’t answer so I say, “Well, that’s just wrong. Of course, this is coming from someone who hugs everyone. Even the mailman. Even people I don’t know. Anyway, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t make me uncomfortable.” He motions me toward him. “Come here. Let’s do it right this time.”

I step forward and hug him again. This time, he hugs me back. For someone who doesn’t hug much, he’s pretty good.

When he lets go, I say, “Next time, maybe do it a little tighter.”

He laughs. “Did you just critique my hug?”

“No, I’m just making a suggestion. It’s strictly personal preference. I tend to like a tight hug.”

“The few hugs I’ve had have been very distant hugs, limited to the upper body only. So to me, that was a tight hug.”

“Okay, well, ready to start the tour?” I walk over to the first display.

“Get back over here.”

I look at him confused. “Why?”

“Because I don’t like not being good at things. I need to do the hug again.”

I’m trying not to laugh because this is really funny. He’s taking this so seriously. But it’s fine with me. I’ll take another hug. I like being in his arms.

I hug him again and this time he hugs me tighter. It’s almost perfect, but then he lets go.

“How was that?” he asks.

“It was good.” I take his hand and lead him over to the display case. “But next time, don’t let go so soon. Let me, or whatever girl you’re hugging, let go first, and then you can let go.”

“I wasn’t aware there were so many rules to hugging.” He leans down and talks in my ear. “And just so we’re clear, the only woman I’ll be hugging is you.”

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Excerpted from Needing Her, releasing June 5, 2015