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Release Day Launch: Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker (spotlight, excerpt, giveaway)

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Four Secondsto LoseFour Seconds to Lose
written by K.A. Tucker
published by Atria Books

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads

About the book: Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn’t need to complicate her life with romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

efcexcerpt

Charlie

The small exhale escapes my lips before I can stop it. When I came up with this plan two weeks ago, I wasn’t fully aware of the inner workings at these clubs. But you can find anything on the internet. I found out that many owners charge a high stage fee, so the girls actually earn their money working hard on the floor and in the private rooms. Rumor has it that, though illegal, many of them do “extras,” on top of the lap dances. The idea of stripping on a stage in front of people is a giant pill to swallow for me. But lap dances . . .

I’ll do it.

I have to do it, I remind myself.

When I ran out of Sin City that day, I was sure that my plan was dead in the water. I mean, how was I going to perform daily lap dances when I couldn’t even get through my interview!

But Ginger told me that Penny’s is different. That Cain is different. That no one in the private rooms will be taking their pants off, and that doing “extras” is one of the only ways that you get fired at Penny’s.

Cain sounded too good to be true.

Setting my chin with steely determination, I say, “Both, please.” Swallowing the revulsion bubbling up in my throat, I clarify with a struggle, “I want to work the private rooms as well as the stage.”

Cain blows air out of his mouth, one hand on his hip while the other pushes through perfectly styled, slightly wavy dark hair as he stares hard at me. There’s an inexplicable look in his eyes, but I know he’s trying to read me. I wonder if he’s deciding whether to ask me for a demonstration. My gaze drifts to the couch again and my stomach tightens. Somehow I think giving this guy an interview lap dance might be harder than doing one for a sleazeball.

Because if I could get past the embarrassment and nerves, I might enjoy it.

But he doesn’t ask me to demonstrate. Instead, he asks me, “Have you ever bartended before?”

I shake my head, frowning.

“I have too many girls working the private rooms right now. But working behind the bar would bring your earnings up significantly. It’s what another stage dancer of mine used to do.” He continues, more to himself, “Maybe we see how that works out first.”

I came in here expecting the worst—that I’d be grinding on guys’ laps by the weekend because I have to. And yet, now, the relief is pouring out of me.

“Why are you in this profession?” he suddenly asks, lifting his eyes to bore into me once again.

One question I did expect. I meet his stare and hold it as I explain, “Because I’m good at it, I’ve got a decent body, and have no interest in serving French fries for minimum wage while I figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.” I deliver that as I practiced it—calmly, clearly, convincingly. It’s a good answer. One that creates no doubt.And so far from the truth. I know exactly what I want to do with my life.

End it and begin a new one.

He nods slowly, his lip pressed together in a grimace. I don’t know if that means I’m hired or not, so I bite my tongue and wait for a concrete verdict. I’m still waiting for Cain’s decision when his cell phone rings. I watch with fingers laced together in front of me while he answers with a gruff, “Yup.” He listens, his free hand absently rubbing a small tattoo behind his ear. A second later he barks, “No! I’m on my way.” Hanging up, he digs into a drawer and comes out with a handful of papers. “Fill these out, please. Bring a copy of your driver’s license tomorrow night with you.” Whatever gentleness crept into his voice before has vanished. It’s all business now, as he slides the sheets across his desk with hands that look strong and muscular but incapable to soothe. “If the crowd likes you, you’ve got a job.” Turning those eyes my way once more and pausing for a moment, he adds, “Fair?”

“Absolutely. Thank you,” I say with a nod and what I hope is a courteous smile as I collect the forms.

With that, he turns and crouches down behind his desk. I hear something metal slam that reminds me of my stepdad’s safe door. When Cain stands again, it’s to fit a holster and gun on him, startling me. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a gun. I have a gun. I’ve used a gun. But seeing Cain with one right here, right now, was unexpected. Why does he even need one?

Throwing a light jacket over himself to conceal it—he’ll die wearing that in the summer heat, but concealing your weapon is a law in Florida and I guess Cain is a law-abiding citizen—he walks over and, with one hand on the small of my back, ushers me toward the door. It’s not exactly rude, but it’s also far from polite. With me in the hall, he pulls his office door shut and marches out the back exit, not turning once.

I’m left standing alone, inhaling the faint scent of beer, my ears catching someone testing the sound system. The one that will play music that I strip to tomorrow night.

I take a deep breath as a rash of butterflies swirl through my stomach, the sudden urge to let loose my bladder overwhelming.

It’s not a big deal.

Mom did this.

I can do this. 

After everything I’ve done, that I’ve been accomplice to, taking my top off in front of a bunch of drunks is nothing. I deserve to suffer a bit.

I glance down at the paperwork in my hand. He said he wants a copy of my license. That’s fine. The only accurate thing on it is my picture.

KathleenTuckerAbout the author: Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Find Ms. Tucker here: web, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

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13 Comments

  • by stacey dempsey
    Posted April 1, 2014 2:28 am 0Likes

    I don’t have a favorite as I wasn’t aware of this series but I am now and will look forward to reading it

  • by ellisdream
    Posted April 1, 2014 4:56 am 0Likes

    I have not yet read this series or the Causal Enchantment series so I’m basing my opinion on reviews and summaries I’ve read on goodreads about them.
    While the Causal Enchantment series and its main character Evangeline didn’t appeal to me much (the plot sounded great to be fair, but Evangeline seems a tad too young and clueless to fit my kind of favourite character) I found quite a few interesting-sounding characters in the Ten Tiny Breaths series. My favourite (and I remind you here I’m judging just from the plot summaries and a few – both positive and negative, I read both – comments) would be Livie from One Tiny Lie. I know a thing or two about not being able to live one’s expectations in life and I love reading about characters in book having to cope with this feeling of inadequacy and ultimately be happy with themselves.
    shantih (at) hotmail (dot) it

  • by Jeanne
    Posted April 1, 2014 5:11 am 0Likes

    I really can’t say because to be fair, I haven’t read this series yet.

  • by rluken05
    Posted April 1, 2014 8:01 am 0Likes

    How have I missed this series…gotta go check it out. Great giveaway!

  • by Gina H
    Posted April 1, 2014 8:53 am 0Likes

    I haven’t read any of K’s books. thanks for the chance to though!

  • by jessiem950
    Posted April 1, 2014 10:07 am 0Likes

    I haven’t read the series yet but I do look forward to starting it!!! Thanks for the chance!

  • by Vennie M.
    Posted April 1, 2014 12:31 pm 0Likes

    I have yet to read this series. I will check them out now that you’ve given me a heads up! Thanks!

    • by TheEveryFreeChanceReader
      Posted April 2, 2014 4:15 pm 0Likes

      You’re welcome! Good luck in the giveaway and be sure to stop back and tell us your thoughts when you get a chance to read the series.

  • by hotcha1
    Posted April 1, 2014 12:41 pm 0Likes

    I’ve not read the author’s books yet

  • by cahmmerritt
    Posted April 1, 2014 2:51 pm 0Likes

    I loved Storm and the interactions with Dr. Stayner

  • by Mary Preston
    Posted April 2, 2014 5:01 am 0Likes

    I don’t have a favorite.

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