Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway: Rank & File by L.A. Witt

Welcome to author L.A. Witt and the Rank & File blog tour, the latest release in the Anchor Point series from Riptide Publishing. We’ve got an exclusive excerpt from the book to share with you today, and don’t forget to check out the Giveaway details below!

About the Book

Senior Chief Will Curtis is as straitlaced as they come. While his fellow Sailors have partied their way through their enlistments, he’s had his eye on the prize—making master chief and retiring after thirty years of service.

Lieutenant Brent Jameson is a Navy brat turned Annapolis grad. He’s lived and breathed the military his whole life, and he knows he’s destined for great things—once he’s done paying his dues at the bottom of the ladder.

When their paths cross, both men know better than to give in to temptation, but that doesn’t stop them. It also doesn’t keep them from coming back for more, even though being discovered would sink their careers. Something has to give—Will can retire, Brent can resign, or they’ll both face court-martial.

But there’s also the option neither wants to acknowledge: jump ship and walk away from each other instead of ending their careers over a fledgling relationship. And they should probably decide before they fall in love.

Except—too late.

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The Excerpt

Finally, it was five o’clock.

And finally again, around seven thirty, Will’s shift was over.

But when I walked into his apartment, something in his expression made my gut clench.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as he shut the door.

“I . . .” He sighed. “I was thinking today. About what we’re doing. And, my God, it’s hot, but . . .”

“But it’s a risk.”

Will nodded. “Yeah. It is.”

“We knew that going into it.”

“Right, and it hasn’t changed. One minute, I’m turned on just thinking about it. The next, I start really thinking about it, and . . .” He met my gaze. “Are you sure you’re still on board with this?”

“Are you?”

His expression didn’t change. “I asked you first.”

I gnawed the inside of my lip. I’d been climbing the walls all afternoon, waiting for us to finally be behind closed doors so we could fuck. It’d been all I could think about.

Now that he’d put that thought out there . . .

It was still all I could think about.

I stepped closer and put my hands on his waist. He didn’t back away, thank God.

“Yes, I’m still on board.”

He looked in my eyes, and the Are you sure? in his expression must’ve been visible from space.

“If you don’t want to do this,” I said, “say so.”

Will shook his head. “It’s not about wanting, believe me. Just . . . second thoughts, I guess. Or fourth or fifth. Whatever.”

“I get it. Don’t worry.” I sighed. “And, listen, I’m not taking it lightly. I promise I’m not. But the thing is, from the time I was ten and started Sea Cadets, my entire life has revolved around the Navy. Setting myself up for a shot at the Academy. Then graduating the Academy as close to the top of my class as I could get. Now, moving up the ranks and checking all the boxes so I can get to the top.” I ran my palms down Will’s sides. “This is the one thing I’ve done for myself in all that time. And I can’t get enough.”

“Even if it jeopardizes everything you’ve worked for?”

“It only jeopardizes my career if people know. As long as we keep our mouths shut and do this all behind closed doors . . .” I curved my hands over his hips. “There’s no reason to worry, is there?”

Will’s lips pulled tight, but he couldn’t hide the way he shivered when I let my thumb brush just shy of his cock.

“I live and breathe the Navy.” I stroked him through his pants. “This thing we’re doing? I want it for myself.”

“So you get off on bending the rules, do you?” The growl in his voice was subtle, but it was there, and it reverberated straight to my balls.

“Not usually. But everything I do with you?” I moved my hands around to his ass and squeezed the firm muscles. “It’s hot, and the more we do it, the more I want.” I regretted the words as soon as I’d said them. Just what I needed—Will catching the scent of desperation and thinking I was going to be clingy.

He grinned, though, so he must’ve understood what I’d actually meant. He backed me up a step. Then another. When my shoulders hit the wall, he pressed against me, pinning me there and sending a tremor through my entire body.

“I’m not usually one for breaking the rules.” His lips grazed mine. “But I’m willing to make an exception.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” God, don’t question it. Just go with it.

“Why?” He kissed me harder. “Because being in bed with you is worth it. Every time.”

“Fuck . . .”

“And now that I have you here, you know what I want to do?”

“T-tell me.”

“I want to take you into my bedroom.” He breathed between kisses. “I’m going to tear you out of those clothes, put you on your knees, and”—he pressed my hand against his dick—“fuck your mouth until I come. That sound good . . . sir?”

I whimpered against his lips and squeezed his cock, which made him give a throaty little groan. Somehow, I managed to murmur, “Please.”

About the Anchor Point Series

Welcome to Anchor Point!

Nestled on the northern coast of Oregon, this small town is home to Naval Air Station Adams. On base, you’ll find freshly minted Sailors who’ve just graduated boot camp, salty officers counting down till retirement, grounded pilots who’ve landed behind desks, and everyone in between—and they’re all looking for love. Well, not all of them, but that won’t stop love from finding them.

So pull up a barstool, grab a beer, and get ready for some sea stories as these men in uniform—or not—navigate the waters of love and life in the military.

Anchor Point stories can be enjoyed in any order. Hop in wherever you’d like!

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About the Author

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…

L. A.’s backlist is available on her website, and updates (as well as random thoughts and the odd snarky comment) can be found on her blog or on Twitter (@GallagherWitt).

The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Rank & File, one lucky winner will receive their choice of two eBooks off L. A. Witt’s backlist (excluding Rank & File) and a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 30, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!