It’s Teaser Tuesday again, the tantalising series where I share snippets from my novels, old, new and in progress, and occasionally let author buddies take over.

As I checked back through my schedule to see what teasers had been featured recently, I was amazed to discover that I have yet to post any from Rocking Horse Hill. Time to remedy the situation.

Rocking Horse Hill is the first in a series of three loosely related books covering three female friends. Rocking Horse Hill tells Emily Wallace-Jones’s story while The Falls follows Teagan Bliss into her new life. News about the third book, featuring Jasmine Thomas, is just around the corner, so stayed tuned for that. Better still, subscribe to my newsletter and you’ll hear it first. There’s also a spin-off novella from the series – Summer and the Groomsman – and I have plans for more. Seems I can’t let go!

But back to Rocking Horse Hill…

I don’t know about you, but I adore a first kiss. It’s so exciting! And with a romance, a kiss usually involves a lot more than just a joining of mouths. There’s a whole of emotion behind it, and in some instances a lot of baggage. Which is definitely the case with Josh and Em.

Enjoy!

Josh ruffled Muffy’s ears before turning to Em. ‘Thanks for tonight. It was great.’

‘You’re welcome.’

They stared at one another. The CD finished. Wind threaded through the roof and brushed against the house.

‘So.’

‘So.’

The temperature rose.

He leaned forward to kiss her cheek but the kiss lingered. The tiny hairs on her skin stirred against his breath. She could feel his swallow of hesitancy, then his long exhale as he made his decision. Another kiss: soft, fluttery. Heat swept her body, scattering it with  delicious prickles.

Em closed her eyes against the pull of yearning. ‘Josh . . .’

His lips crept in a series of butterfly touches towards her mouth, leaving little puckers of ecstasy in their wake, the chasing skim of his stubble shooting thrills down her back. ‘I know.’

‘It’s too soon.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Then . . .’

And suddenly she didn’t care. It was simply him, back where she needed him.

©Cathryn Hein

Find out what happens next by reading your own copy of Rocking Horse Hill. Purchase from Booktopia, Bookdepository, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, your favourite bookstore or ebook retailer.

For more information about the book, including review quotes, The Story Behind and another excerpt, please visit the Rocking Horse Hill book page.