One month. One fake boyfriend. One shot at forever.
Iโve got four weeks to cross one thing off my bucket listโand it isnโt exactly PG.
Iโm not the type to take risks, but when a friend battling cancer dares you to go big, you donโt say no. My mission? Lose my V-card before my baby sisterโs wedding.
Did I mention sheโs marrying my high school crush? Yeah. Thereโs no way Iโm walking into that ceremony as the awkward, untouched older sister.
Enter single dad Ian Barloweโmy sinfully hot, NFL legend neighbor, who owes me big time after his daughter breaks into my house. He offers to make amends by playing my fake boyfriend. How can I say no?
It should be easy enoughโexcept nothing about Ian feels fake. The chemistry? Explosive. His unexpected sweetness? Heart-melting. And the way he seems to like me just as I am? Ruh, roh.
Hereโs the thingโI donโt do vulnerability, and neither does he. But as the line between pretend and real starts to blurโespecially in the bedroomโI wonder if happily-ever-after is a game we can win.
I set out to score one for the bucket list, but now Iโm playing for keeps. And if weโre not careful, I might lose my heart in the final play.
There were moments of humor, some of feels, and a little frustration. Ian and Sadie together are enjoyable, with his support of her and working to improve her confidence. Ian recognizes that she’s giving and loving, sacrificing for others, but that it’s not recognized or returned. I do wish that by the end she’d have been more appreciated by the people around her. She’s getting there and maybe we’ll see more thru the rest of the series.
Ian is working hard at being a good dad, settling into retirement and a new town. He’s trying and it’s obvious, as is his struggle with being loved. This is another one of those moments where I wish we’d gotten a bit more. He has reason for struggling with relationships – his childhood as well as past relationships – but it needed just a little more … explanation? Examples? Just a bit more show not tell, I guess?
It was obvious that we were going to get a third act breakup due to some misunderstanding or miscommunication. These two are struggling so much with their feelings, past hurts, and insecurities. And neither is confident enough to put themselves out there or get advice from someone else.
Overall, though, I liked what Major does here. The characters are interesting and the plot has a good mix of angst, humor, and steam. Looking forward to seeing what happens next for the citizens of Skylark.
(There was a moment that I really had an issue with – Ian and his brother talk about people with an Only Fans account and suggest that they are bad people. I was hoping we’d be past looking down on sex workers. Surely they could have found another way to do this.)
*****
Author Info:
USA Today bestselling author Michelle Major loves stories of new beginnings, second chances and always a happily ever after. An avid hiker and avoider of housework, she lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two teenagers, and a menagerie of spoiled furbabies. Connect with her at http://www.michellemajor.com.
Spend the holidays in Magnolia, North Carolina, where two lonely hearts find exactly what they need for Christmas.
Anji Fieri needs a man for Christmasโat least, according to her mother. What she really needs is to grow her fledgling catering business. Partnering with Magnoliaโs Firefly Inn holds promise, but when her mother falls ill, Anjiโs drawn back to the family restaurant. Balancing work and her eight-year-old son, thereโs no time for romance… until Anji runs into Gabriel Carlyle.
Temporarily helping at his grandmotherโs flower shop, Gabriel’s plan isn’t to stick around, especially after he runs into Anji, one of his childhood bullies. Sure, sheโs all grown up and gorgeous now, and when they find themselves under the mistletoe, their chemistry is undeniable. But itโll take more than a Christmas miracle for Anji to break through the defenses of Gabrielโs well-guarded heart and find a love built to last.
ANGI GUILARDI LET herself out of Il Rigatone, the restaurant her family had owned in Magnolia, North Carolina, for the past thirty years, and locked the door behind her. It was nearly eleven at night, and a brisk December wind whipped down Main Street. Although she should be wearing more than a white button-down, now stained with smatterings of red sauce, Angi welcomed the gust of air. At least it blew away the smell of sausage and tomato paste that clung to her like a barnacle.
Scents that seemed to be infused into her at this point, bringing back memories of years of a childhood spent in and out of the restaurant. It had been a long day, so she needed a shower and a glass of wine in equal measure.
She started toward her car, parked around the corner, but the sound of a door slamming nearby caught her attention. Downtown Magnolia rolled up the sidewalks early on a weeknight, so she didnโt expect anyone else to be out and about. She arched a brow at the woman approaching.
โAre you stalking me?โ
Emma Cantrell gave an impatient snort as she moved closer. โThatโs what it feels like, but it wouldnโt be necessary if youโd return my calls or answer messages.โ
Angi turned to fully face her business partnerโnow former partner. โIโve been busy,โ she said, trying to make her tone dismissive. Instead, the words reeked of desperation.
โHowโs your mom?โ Emma asked gently, her annoyance with Angi temporarily put aside because, clearly, Emma was a good person. Too good for Angi to be ignoring her the way she had.
โEqually weak and ornery.โ Angi dropped the oversize set of keys into her purse with a jangle. โThe doctor says two more weeks, and then she can slowly begin to resume her normal activities.โ
โLike running Il Rigatone?โ
โWe donโt know yet if sheโll ever return at the same capacity.โ Angi bit down on the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. โIt doesnโt matter because Iโm running it now.โ
โBut only temporarily,โ Emma insisted. Or suggested, like saying the words out loud would make them true.
Oh, how Angi wanted them to be true.
She gave a small shake of her head. No more time for fanciful thoughts or big dreams about making her life her own. Unable to meet Emmaโs sympathetic gaze, she looked across the street to the storefronts decorated in festive holiday cheer.
Colorful twinkle lights danced in the darkened window of the hardware store, and she could make out the shadow of garland wound through the sign for the dance studio. Boughs of greenery with bright red bows hung from every light post on either side of the street. Magnolia had gone all out on the holiday cheer this year.
Too bad Angi didnโt feel much of the holiday spirit. Sure, sheโd gone through the motions of assembling the fake Christmas tree that had graced the corner of the restaurantโs small waiting area each December for as long as she could remember.
During a lull in customers yesterday, she and one of the waitresses had pulled out the totes of decorations from the storeroom, but nothing managed to conjure up the magic of the season. Not for her.
โIโm sorry I let you down,โ she told Emma, thankful her voice remained steady. โIโve got calls in to a couple caterers in the area to see if they canโโ
โI donโt want another caterer.โ Emma stepped forward. โYouโre it, Ang.โ
โI canโt…โ She swallowed when a lump of sorrow lodged in her throat. โI should never have deserted my mom in the first place. If she hadnโt been working so much and upset about me as well, maybe the heart attack wouldnโt have happened.โ
โSweetie, you arenโt to blame for that.โ
โShe almost died,โ Angi insisted, needing to make it clear. โLess than a year after my father. She collapsed in the restaurantโs storeroom, and I wasnโt here.โ
โYou were at the inn.โ
โHaving a grand old time, not a care in the world. My mom was fighting for her life, surrounded by employees until the EMTs got there, and I wasnโt with her. When she needed me the mostโโ
โStop.โ Emma held up a hand. โI remember that day, Angi. It was the McAlvey wedding, complete with the brideโs niece and her tiny Irish dancer friends pounding away on the parquet floor we assembled in the backyard. You made food for over a hundred guests. Plus lunch baskets for the Thompson reunion and their picnic at the beach. Five of the six online reviews that came from those two events mention the food being a highlight. You care a lot, so donโt pretend otherwise. Not with me.โ
Emma still didnโt get it.
โI should have cared more about my mom. The way she did when I needed her. She looked so pale, Em.โ Angi crossed her arms over her middle, squeezing tight. โI kept waiting for her eyes to pop open so she could start ordering me around or give me some kind of guilt trip, but she was still in the hospital bed with the monitors beeping and the smell of antiseptic permeating everything. She needs me now, and I canโt let her down.โ
โWhat about letting yourself down? What about your happiness?โ
Angi sniffed. โDoesnโt matter.โ
โIt should.โ
โIโm sorry,โ Angi said again.
Sheโd met Emma in the spring when the other woman bought an old mansion in town with a plan to turn it into a boutique inn. Emma had had her share of setbacks, but Angi admired her dedication to her dream. She also knew that leaving behind her old life had cost Emma her relationship with her mother.
Angiโs mom had been outspoken in the way only Italian mothers can manage when Angi walked away from the restaurant to partner with Emma on the inn. But Angi assumed that her mom would get over her disappointment. That theyโd find a way to bridge the emotional distance between them. She loved her mom, even if Bianca Guilardi could be overbearing and autocratic. The willful matriarch had good intentions.
But they never got the chance to mend their fences because, a month earlier, Bianca had suffered a massive heart attack that led to double bypass surgery. In an instant, all of Angiโs plans changed.
Sheโd moved from her cozy apartment back to her childhood home, along with her ten-year-old son, Andrew, in order to care for her mom. Sheโd also stepped in at the restaurant, and in doing so, sheโd left Emma in a pinch.
For that, she felt sick to her stomach with regret.
โIf you canโt find someone to take care of the holiday events, Iโll still manage it,โ she offered now, absently thinking about ways to clone herself.
โYou canโt do both.โ
โI will.โ
Emma sighed. โMy intention for tonight wasnโt to guilt you into more work.โ
โCome on, Iโm a master of guilt.โ
โI know.โ Emma gave her a pointed look. โThatโs why I donโt want to add to it. I thought we were friendsโbusiness partners, as well. But you cutting me off as a friend is what hurts.โ
Cue the remorse, Angi thought. She didnโt need anyone to lay it on her. She could do that very well for herself.
โIt seems like all Iโm doing lately is disappointing people. You and my mom.โ She hitched a finger at the restaurant. โThe staff who can tell I donโt want to be there. Andrew.โ
โWait. Whatโs going on with Andrew? I know youโre an amazing mother. That kid thinks the sun rises and sets on his mommy.โ
Angiโs throat tightened again at the thought of her sweet, awkward, lanky string bean of a boy. He was everything to her, and now he was struggling and she didnโt know how to make it stop.
โHeโs being bullied at school,โ she confided. As difficult as it was to talk about, she appreciated the flash of supportive fury in Emmaโs dark eyes.
โGive me the kidโs name.โ Her buttoned-up friend spoke as if she were some kind of avenging angel.
โI donโt have it. Andrew wonโt say anything, and his classmates are keeping quiet, as well. But he came home with a split lip and scrapes on his hands. I talked to the teacher and met with her and the principal. They said all the right things, but kids can be such jerks. Maybe if we lived in a bigger town or someplace where differences were more accepted, it would be easier for him to find his way. I hated growing up in Magnolia, and now Iโm doing the same thing to him.โ
Her nails dug into the fleshy part of her palms, and she welcomed the pain. At least it distracted her from the telltale scratchy eyes that foretold a bout of tears. She wasnโt going to break down in the middle of the sidewalk, even if it was deserted.
โHow is it possible to hate it here?โ Emma shook her head. โItโs idyllic.โ
โNot for the Italian cannoli princess,โ Angi muttered.
โIs that like a Midwestern Corn Queen at the state fair?โ
โNot exactly. Never mind. My point is that Iโm screwing up in every aspect of life. Iโm sorry I ghosted you, Em. We are friends, but I didnโt want to admit that I was ditching the inn. You gave me the new start I wanted, and I canโt keep up my end of the bargain.โ She let out a humorless laugh. โHere comes the guilt again.โ
โI didnโt give you anything. You earned your place in our partnership, which I refuse to believe is over. At least until your mom fully recovers and we see what happens next. Iโll find someone to help with the nitty-gritty food prep and serving, but Iโm going to take you up on your offer to manage things for the holidays. As long as itโs not too much. We can reassess in the new year.โ She enveloped Angi in a gentle hug and couldnโt have known how much it helped. โEither way, the friendship stands.โ
โOkay.โ Angi couldnโt help but agree. She wasnโt ready to let go of her dream, even though she knew she had to. She dashed a hand over her cheeks. โDo you believe in Christmas miracles?โ
โNot really.โ
โMe neither,โ Angi agreed with a wry smile. โBut I sure could use one.โ
Excerpted from Mistletoe Season by Michelle Major. Copyright ยฉ 2021 by Michelle Major. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
USA Today bestselling authorMichelleMajorloves stories of new beginnings, second chances and always a happily ever after. An avid hiker and avoider of housework, she lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two teenagers and a menagerie of spoiled furbabies.
Becoming a father wasnโt part of his game plan in USA TODAY bestselling author Michelle Majorโs latest book in her Welcome to Starlight miniseries!
*****
His Secret Starlight Baby
A Welcome to Starlight book
by Michelle Major
Price: $5.99
On sale date: February 23, 2021
ISBN: 9781335232700
Blurb:ย
Coparenting this baby is going to take teamwork
Former professional football player Jordan Schaefferโs game plan was simple: retire from football and set up a quiet life in Starlight. But when Cory Hall arrives with their infant son, Jordan not only gets a surprise but has to devise a new life strategy. And Cory finds herself agreeing to be his fake fiancรฉe until they work out a coparenting plan. Jordan may have rewritten the dating playbookโฆbut will it be enough to bring this team together?
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Cory needed a fresh start like she needed her next breath.
Jordan went back to locking the door, and if it werenโt for that initial rigidity and the tension currently radiating from him, Cory might have thought he hadnโt heard her greeting.
When he turned, she realized what a fool sheโd beenโnothing new there. Jordanโs pale green eyes blazed with an emotion she couldnโt name, although it definitely wasnโt friendly. Not that she expected a warm welcome back into his life, although she had to admit, in the two and a half days it had taken to drive halfway across the country, her mind had wandered down the path of silly fantasy more than once.
She fisted her hands, the sharp pain of nails stabbing into the flesh of her palm a much-needed reminder to stay grounded in reality. Cory was in Starlight to take care of business, not to indulge in ridiculous daydreams. Single moms didnโt have time for that sort of nonsense.
โHow are you?โ she asked, clearing her throat when the words came out on a croak. She tried for a smile. โItโs been a minute.โ
โWhat are you doing here?โ He pocketed the set of keys and rocked back on his heels. His eyes raked over her in a way that left her wishing she hadnโt forgotten her flat iron back in Michigan. Or had she deserted that particular styling tool when sheโd taken off from Atlanta? She hadnโt given much thought to making herself look pretty in what felt like ages.
โI wasโฆumโฆin the area, and I thought Iโd stop in and say hi.โ She gave a limp wave. โHi.โ
Jordan stared at her like sheโd lost her mind.
โI didnโt know if youโd remember me.โ She pushed away a stray lock of hair that blew into her face. โIโm sure you want toโโ
โI remember, Cory.โ His voice was a deep, angry rumble. โI remember everything.โ
She swallowed. โOh. Okay, well, thatโs good. I think.โ She gestured to the bar heโd exited minutes earlier. โYou own this place, right? It looks nice.โ She inwardly cringed at her inability to stem the tide of inane babble pouring from her mouth. She wasnโt here for pleasantries but couldnโt quite bring herself to get to the point.
โItโs after midnight.โ He ran a hand through his thick hair. She still couldnโt see its true color, but it was longer than heโd worn it when heโd played football in Georgia. Untamed and a bit wild, much like the man himself.
โRight.โ She took a slow, steadying breath. โI need to talk to you, Jordan.โ
โI got that.โ
โItโs about what happened when you left.โ
โFrom what I saw on ESPN, Kade got one hell of a contract offer. Forty million for four years. He got it all. You both got exactly what you wanted.โ
She winced at the accusation in his voice, even though she deserved every bit of judgment and condemnation Jordan Schaeffer could dish out. โKade and I arenโt together,โ she said, as if that explained everything when it was only the tip of the iceberg.
โNot my concern, Cory. In fact, right now my only concern is getting home and into bed for a decent nightโs sleep. I wish you well in whatever you choose for life after Kade Barrington, if youโre telling the truth about that.โ
โI never lied,โ she said, trying and mostly failing to keep the pain out of her voice. Trying and completely failing to stop an image of Jordan asleep in bed from filling her mind.
โYou went back to him.โ
Cory sucked in a shaky gulp of air, because she could have sworn she heard an answering pain in Jordanโs tone. That couldnโt be possible, becauseโฆ
โAfter you took off.โ She bit down on the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. โYou left without even saying goodbye.โ
He laughed, a harsh scrape across her fraught nerves. โSweetheart, we barely said hello.โ
Oh no. He wasnโt going to do that. Not now. Not after everything Cory had dealt with in the past year. She might have had only one night with Jordan, but it had meantโฆsomething. To her, it had turned out to mean everything.
Her gaze darted to the gas guzzler her grandmother had given her before she died last month, and Cory was tempted to walk away. She could climb back in the car, spend one night in the local inn where sheโd rented a room and be on the highway by first light.
Then she looked at him again, at those unique eyes she saw staring back at her every day, and realized she had to see this through. If not for herself, then for her baby.
โWe said plenty,โ she told him, straightening her shoulders. โWe did plenty. Enough that I have a six-month-old son in that car.โ She hitched a finger at the Buick. โYou have a son, Jordan.โ
*****
Author Info:
USA Today bestselling author Michelle Major loves stories of new beginnings, second chances and always a happily ever after. An avid hiker and avoider of housework, she lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two teenagers and a menagerie of spoiled furbabies. Connect with her at http://www.michellemajor.com.
Need an old fashion romance to kick off the new year? Harlequin always has you covered.
*****
Her Texas New Year’s Wish
The Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune
by Michelle Major
Price: $5.99
ON-sale date: 01/01/2020
ISBN: 9781335404589
Blurb:
Can you fall head over heels And land on your feet?
When Grace Williams topples from the balcony at the soon-to-open Hotel Fortune, the last thing she expects is to find love with her new bossesโ brother. Wiley Fortune is visiting from Chicago, and the polished attorney has looks, money and charm to spare. But Graceโs past makes her wary of investing her heartโand risking her job. Do a small-town Texan and a city sophisticate really have a chance?
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Wiley Fortune plucked the glass from his sisterโs hand and placed it back on the polished mahogany bar.
Nicole gave him a funny look. โItโs water, Wi. Roja is providing the food for this party. I may be a guest, but Iโm also still on the clock.โ
โI know itโs water.โ Wiley tugged on the end of Nicoleโs long blond hair, the way he used to do when they were kids. โThatโs my point.โ
Nicole, Ashley and Megan Fortuneโthe tripletsโhad been born seven years after Wiley, miracle babies in every sense of the word. Their parents, David and Marci, had married after a whirlwind courtship, marriages in a way that would have made Carol Bradyโs head spin back in the day.
The boys had gotten off to a bit of a rocky start as they attempted to figure out their roles in the new family. Everything had changed when his mom gave birth to Stephanie five years later. One thing all four boys could agree on was how much they adored their baby sister. Mom had hoped to add another sibling to the mix right away, but sheโd had trouble conceiving. Although sheโd tried to hide her emotional pain and physical exhaustion, Wiley knew that season of loss had taken a toll on her.ย
Wiley loved every member of his family, but heโd been a quiet, introverted kid and it was a lot to grow up in such a big, boisterous family. Maybe that fact had something to do with the distance that had seemed to grow between him and the rest of his siblings.
He was the only one who hadnโt migrated to the quaint town of Rambling Rose, Texas, although theyโd convinced him to visit over Christmas and return for his cousin Adam Fortuneโs sonโs first birthday party.
โWhatโs wrong with the water in Rambling Rose?โ Nicole asked, scrunching her perfect nose.
โItโs obviously tainted,โ Wiley said, keeping his features neutral and using the same tone with her that he did for contract negotiations in his law firm back in Chicago. โLook around at all the nauseatingly happy couples here tonight. Something happens with the sweet nurse and her adorable twin toddlers, Sasha and Luna.
โItโs the water,โ he repeated. โOr theyโve all been stricken by the Texas heat. Even Steven is all googly-eyed for his lady. I barely recognize my own brothers.โ
A second sister, Megan, let out a mild laugh as she approached from the other side of him and helped herself to a sip of his drink. โIf you donโt recognize your brothers, itโs because you spend too much time on your own.โ
โIโm here now,โ Wiley muttered.
โBecause Mom guilted you into it,โ Megan reminded him. She, Nicole and Ashley looked almost identical with their shiny hair and delicate features. Theyโd followed their brothers to Rambling Rose and opened a farm-to-table restaurant, Provisions, to a great deal of success. Megan was the most serious of the trio and handled the finances for both Provisions and Roja, located inside the Hotel Fortune, which was due to open in just over a month. Nicole was the more flamboyantly creative and was using her culinary skills to create an innovative menu for Roja as the restaurantโs executive chef. Ashley took on the role of bossy micromanager in the best way possible, and as the general manager for Provisions.
โWiley thinks Rambling Rose is a bad influence on all of us because the Fortunes are falling in love here.โ
โYou could use some more love in your life.โย
Megan poked a finger into his biceps. โYou work too much.โ
โHow would you know? I live in Chicago. Donโt tell me youโre keeping tabs on my life from halfway across the country.โ Wiley felt heat prick the back of his neck as his sisters exchanged a knowing glance. He didnโt think heโd sounded defensive, but this was the reason he skipped so many family gatherings. There was no privacy to be had once his brothers and sisters got involved.
โAll you talk about is work,โ Megan answered, smoothing a hand over her cream-colored sweater.
โI like my job.โ Wiley took a long drink of whiskey, welcoming the burn of the liquor in his throat. โItโs fascinating.โ
โContract law isnโt fascinating.โ Nicole laughed. โThe restaurant business is fascinating. Itโs always evolving.โ
โNot to mention thereโs no shortage of yummy food to taste,โ Megan added.
โBeing an attorney is fascinating to me,โ Wiley grumbled.
โBecause you need more excitement in your life.โ Nicole turned to him. โDonโt you long for a change, Wi? For years, youโve been at the same firm in the same positionโโ
โAnd living in the same condo.โ Megan fist-bumped her sister.
โIโm stable and consistent,โ Wiley told them.
*****
Author Info:
USA Today bestselling author Michelle Major loves stories of new beginnings, second chances and always a happily ever after. An avid hiker and avoider of housework, she lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two teenagers and a menagerie of spoiled furbabies. Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com.
How could being so wrong suddenly feel so right?Falling for her arch nemesisIsnโt going to happen. Moving to Starlight was Mara Reedโs first step forward after her devastating divorce. But had she known sheโd find Parker Johnson, her ex-husbandโs ruthless divorce attorney, there, she might have gone in a different direction. Away from the big city, Mara is seeing Parker in a new lightโbut is it enough for her to set aside her anger?
โCome to finish me off?โ he asked as Mara Reed walked into the room.
She sniffed. โHowโs your head?โ
He removed the bag of peas, tossing them to the top of the dryer. โIโve taken harder hits.โ
โNot that I meant for you to fall, but I canโt say you didnโt deserve it,โ she told him, crossing her arms over her chest.
He raised a brow. โThatโs an interesting way to apologize.โ
She gave a humorless laugh. โIโm not here to say sorry.โ
Parker felt his mouth drop open. โYou practically pushed me out of the bounce house.โ
โNot quite. You grabbed for me and I evaded you with my catlike reflexes. Is it my problem that youโre clumsy?โ
He had to admire her moxie. The moment had happened so fast, but he was pretty sure sheโd given him a tiny shove when he stumbled. Not that heโd throw her under the bus by telling anyone. โIf you didnโt seek me out to apologize, why are you here?โ
โYou took everything from me,โ she said instead of answering, her husky voice laced with bitterness.
โYour anger is misdirected,โ Parker said, shifting under the weight of her stony glare. โIโm not your ex-husband.โ Heโd represented hundreds of clients over the years, but this was the first time heโd actually been confronted outside the courtroom. He didnโt like the way Mara Reed made him feel, as if heโd been the one to cause the destruction of her marriage.
โNo,โ she agreed, her hazel eyes giving him a slow once-over. Despite her obvious dislike of him and the obstinate set of her heart-shaped jaw, there was no denying Maraโs beauty. She had dark hair with a few hints of burnished gold highlighting it and pale, luminous skin that would have inspired the finest Renaissance painter.
She was taller than average, something heโd al-ways appreciated in a woman given that he stood well over six feet. Sheโd fit perfectly with him, a thought that almost made him laugh for its absurdity. He couldnโt imagine any scenario which would make Mara want to be close to him.
โYou made it possible for him to destroy me,โ she said, her voice oddly devoid of emotion.He wanted to deny it, but the truth was he couldnโt remember the details of her case, especially since sheโd been Paul Reedโs much younger third wife. Heโd already been twice down that road with his client. It was a mental trick he employed, not allowing himself to see the opponent as a person. Mara Reed had been aname to him, an entity heโd set out to take down like he was a remote-control drone zeroing in on a target.
โIt wasnโt personal.โ
She flinched, and he wanted to take back the words. They were simple enough as part of his job, but he imagined they felt like salt dumped into an open wound to Mara. Despite his now pounding headache, he didnโt mean to hurt her. He understood what he did for a living and had come to terms with the man heโd become as a result, even if he didnโt always like himself because of it.
โIt was to me,โ she whispered and walked away.
*****
Author Info:
Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. Sheโs grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at http://www.michellemajor.com.
In a Colorado mountain town, a good girl kindergarten teacher propositions a sexy bad boy uncle of one of her studentsโฆItโs all part of ROMANCING THE WALLFLOWER by Michelle Major
*****
Romancing the Wallflower
Crimson, Colorado series
by Michelle Major
Blurb:
Dedicated kindergarten teacher Erin MacDonald isn’t the type to make the first move on a manโespecially gorgeous David McCay, her secret crush. But when a crisis involving one of her pupils offers a chance to help the pro baseballer turned local brewery owner, Erin goes way out of her comfort zone.ย So way out she makes a shocking suggestion!
David moved to the Colorado mountain town to look after his sister and her son. Now he’s a stand-in parent to his nephew, trying to fight his attraction to Erinโฆwho just propositioned him. David is nobody’s hero. So why can’t he convince the sweet, kindhearted beauty that she deserves better than him? Is it because they’re the perfectย imperfect match?
Add ROMANCING THE WALLFLOWER to your TBR pile on Goodreads!
โStop staring at the hottie brewmasterโs butt.โ
Erin MacDonald choked on the gulp of strawberry daiquiri sheโd just swallowed. โIโm not staring at anyoneโs butt,โ she said as she grabbed a wad of napkins and dabbed at her chin and shirtfront. โAnd donโt talk so loud.โ
Melody Cross, one of the second-grade teachers at Crimson Elementary, snorted. โItโs a crowded bar on a busy Thursday night. No one can hear me.โ
But Melody had the kind of booming voice that could quiet a room full of squirming eight-year-olds the afternoon before summer break. The tall table they stood at was a good five feet from the bar, but Erin swore she saw the manโs broad shoulders stiffen.
โWant me to take a picture of him?โ Suzie Vitale, her fellow kindergarten teacher, offered with a tipsy smile. โIt lasts longer.โ
Before Erin could stop her, the curvy blonde aimed her phone at the backside of the gorgeous guy who not only worked the bar but also owned Elevation Brewery. The brewpub had opened a little over a year ago and had become a popular hangout for both locals and tourists in the quaint mountain town of Crimson, Colorado.
Erin had noticed David McCay, the breweryโs owner, the first time sheโd stepped into the nouveau rusticโand very on-trend for Coloradoโspace. He was tall and lean, with dark blond hair that curled around the collars of the flannel shirts he favored. David McCay was as handsome as a movie star and built like he spent endless hours tossing huge sacks of barleyโor whatever it was beer brewers did.
Erin, who was built like she spent her days sitting cross-legged on a reading rug, had surreptitiously watched him each time she came into the bar with friends or coworkers for a random happy hour or birthday celebration. He was often tending bar or sometimes sheโd spot him coming out from the back, wearing the heavy rubber boots and backward ball cap that sheโd quickly learned were his uniform when actually brewing beer.
Colorado was known for its craft brews, and the fact that Elevation had made a name for itself so quickly was a testament to his hard work and talent at running a business.
At least thatโs what Erin wanted to believe. Her mother liked to remind Erin that she too often assumed the best about people, which allowed them to regularly take advantage of her.
But David McCay hadnโt taken advantage of her, even though it was the stuff of her fantasies. Even though his nephew, Rhett, was now in her kindergarten class and David had been with the boy and his mother for back-to-school night. Erin had barely been able to put a sentence together with David towering over the other adults in the back of her classroom, but he hadnโt bothered to acknowledge her. Heck, it was doubtful he even knew she existed.
Except when she blinked and looked up, he was staring straight at her. Sparks of awareness flamed through her body, setting every inch of her skin on fire. He lifted one thick brow as if he could read her thoughts. Which might be impossible since it felt like all of her brain cells had spontaneously combusted under the weight of his stare.
She heard Melody giggle behind her, and Suzie gave her a little shove forward. David now stood at the edge of the bar, only a short distance from her, with movement all around him. Customers in groups laughed and talked. A waitress set her tray on the rich wood bar top. A group of women at near the edge of the bar vied for his attention. But his focus remained on Erin.
Then somethingโsomeoneโsuddenly blocked her vision. Cole Bennett, Crimsonโs recently elected sheriff, was talking to David. Cole was also tall and broad, and to use one of her momโs favorite expressions, made a better door than a window.
Erin shifted to the right as she overheard Cole mention Rhett, Davidโs nephew. Davidโs gaze hardened and his jaw clenched. Unable to stop herself, she moved forward, sidestepping a couple heading toward the back of the bar and a group of twentysomething guys who looked like theyโd just come off a hiking trail, until she stood directly behind the sheriff.
She was five feet four inches tall in the clogs she favored for work, so both men towered over her and were completely unaware she was listening to their conversation. Invisibility was Erinโs unintentional superpower. She knew much more than she should about her coworkers and neighbors, simply because people didnโt notice she was there.
โRhett is safe,โ Cole told David. โBut they canโt get him to come out.โ
โWhat the hell was Jenna thinking?โ David asked, then scrubbed a hand over his jaw. โNo, donโt answer that.โ
โSheโs in trouble, David. The crowd sheโs running withโโ
โIโll handle it.โ He pulled a set of keys out of one of the pockets in his tan cargo pants. โI just need to tell Tracie Iโm leaving for the night. Iโll be over for Rhett.โ
โI have to call Social Services,โ Cole said softly, and Erin felt the tension ratchet up a notch.
โGive me some time with him first, okay?โ
โCan youโโ
โIโll handle it,โ David repeated. He moved behind the bar and spoke to the woman filling two pint glasses from the tap.
The sheriff walked out of the bar, patrons instinctively clearing a path for him although he wasnโt in uniform tonight.
When she looked up, David McCay stood toe-to-toe with her. She realized sheโd moved forward to block his path from behind the bar.
In her daydreams, sheโd compared his eyes to the brilliant summer sky above the ragged peak of Crimson Mountain or the iridescent cobalt of a tropical lagoon. But now his frosty stare was more like the ice blue of a glacier, so cold a shiver passed through her.
โI donโt have time for this, sweetheart. You and your friends are going to have to play your liquid courage bar games with someone else.โ
โItโs not a game,โ Erin said.
โDarlinโ, you ordered a froofy drink in my bar. Itโs either a game or a joke.โ
This close to David, the heat and frustration radiating off him made her feel different from the woman she knew herself to be. She was aware of her body in a way that was new and exhilarating. She wanted more. She wantedโฆsomething she couldnโt name. Still, the promise of it made her weak with longing.
Also braver than sheโd ever been. Or maybe crazy was a better word, because when he moved to step around her, she placed a hand on his arm.
โI can help with your nephew.โ
*****
Review:
I used to read Harlequin romances like I was eating M&Ms. ย I LOVED those things and couldn’t get enough of them. ย While I don’t pick them up with the same enthusiasm, I will find a tempting story here or there. ย And I really was drawn in by the idea of Erin’s crush on David and his feeling like he’s not worthy. ย Major delivered on the blurb’s promise too ๐
There’s a good amount of growth by both of them. ย Erin has spent a good portion of her life feeling … just ordinary. ย And sometimes even being told so by people she should be able to trust. ย With those kinds of long-held beliefs, her crush on the hottie brewmaster seems unattainable to her.
David had a rough childhood and like everybody everywhere he’s made some mistakes. ย Unfortunately his past has caused him to take them a little more to heart than maybe he should. ย Once he’s tuned into Erin’s attraction to him, he believes himself to be undeserving. ย But to help his nephew he’ll take whatever help she has to offer.
Time spent together is decidedly beneficial for both of them. ย Erin gets to see David for the man that he actually is (and not just a pretty face and a fine behind), but even better she actually gets to see herself for who SHE is. ย With David’s help, she starts to believe in herself a little more and become more willing to accept that she has something to give – to the town, to her students, and even to David.
David also benefits from their growing intimacy. ย Erin helps him see that he shouldn’t beat himself up so much for things that weren’t really his fault. ย That he can accept his mistakes, learn from them, and move on all the better.
It’s heartwarming to have them help support each other and grow together, closer and more assured in themselves and their relatoinship. ย A feel good read for sure!
*****
Author Info:
Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. Sheโs grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at http://www.michellemajor.com.
Let’s end the work week with something that has some teeth from @Barclay_PR and @michelle_major1
*****
Tell Me Again
by Michelle Major
Blurb:
As a teenager, Samantha Carlton used a career in modeling to break free from her painful childhoodโwalking away from her reckless twin sister, an alcoholic mother, and the boy she loved. Yet she never outran the guilt of abandoning her family. When the past shows up on her doorstep in the form of her late sisterโs daughter, Sam opens her home and her heart to the girl she never knew existed. But itโs not so easy to face the man she left behindโฆ
Sam had shattered Trevor Kincaidโs heart, and heโd sought comfort in her sisterโs arms. But heโd pledged to shield his daughter, Grace, from the drama that followed the Carlton women. Now Grace has tracked down Sam, and Trevor is forced to deal with the one woman he wanted to forget.
History has a way of repeating itself, and the sparks between Sam and Trevor reignite an old flame. But as much as Sam wants a new future, is walking away again easier than risking her heart for a second chance at love?
“I need to help you. I need to make it better so we’re even.”
“Even?”
She nodded. “I can’t owe you.”
“You don’t owe me.”
“We have a working relationship I can handle,” she said, dropping the towel to her desk and pressing the ice pack between her fingers. She welcomed the burn of the cold against her fingertips. “Then you go and play the hero.”
He laughed again. “I’m not a hero.”
“That’s not how I remember it,” she murmured, focusing her gaze on his shirt collar when it became too difficult to meet his eyes.
“What sort of working relationship do we have when you pretend I don’t exist any time I’m here without Grace?”
“The kind that doesn’t make me crazy.”
“Is that how you treat a hero?”
She laughed despite herself. “It is when I’m pretending you don’t exist because I want to rip off all your clothes and plaster myself to you every time we’re together.”
He raised one brow. “That doesn’t sound quite right to me.”
Embarrassment washed through her, but Trevor stepped into her space, crowding her, when she would have turned away.
“A better idea would be if we both had our clothes off.” He traced one finger along the skin above the collar of her baggy t-shirt. “What’s fair is fair.”
She bit down on her lip and ignored the sparks of desire that skimmed along every single one of her nerve endings. “It was actually a bad idea. Forget I said anything.”
“Fat chance,” he whispered and brushed his lips across hers.
It only took a second for the kiss to ignite into something hot and hungry. Even though it was the worst idea in the world, Sam lost herself in the feel of him. He tugged her closer, lifting her into his arms, and she wrapped her legs around his lean hips. He tasted the same as he had years ago, like mint and memories. He was the innocence she’d lost and everything she once longed for.
He kissed her like she was his whole world. It had been forever since she’d felt anything so perfect. His fingers tugged on the hair tie holding her bun in place and then his hands sifted through her hair. His mouth felt like it was everywhere at once–on her lips, her jaw, the sensitive spot just behind her ear that no other man had taken the time to discover.
*****
Review:
There are those books that you just fly through … the sassy, happy, easy to read books. ย This just isn’t one of those. ย And that’s more than OK.
Sam and Trevor have a lot of history, both together and apart. ย They are carrying a lot of baggage that needs to be handled before they can even think about moving forward. ย But they also have a lot of unresolved feelings and enough chemistry that staying apart isn’t all that easy. ย But, unaddressed, that baggage is going to cause them some serious trouble ย ๐
Poor Sam, even with all of her beauty and success, has more hangups that a half dozen women put together. ย Her childhood was awful and the only bright spots were her twin and her best friend. ย Unfortunately her sister wasn’t a very strong person and Bryce’sย negative feelings & actions have some long reaching impacts on both Sam and Trevor. ย Theyย are still dealing with the fallout, even all these years later. ย It’s heartbreaking to see just how much but it’s also so much better when they are able to figure things out.
Not an easy read but a more satisfying one for it,ย Tell Me Againย will have you hitting highs and lows and thanking Major for them every step of the way.
*****
Author Info:
Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. Sheโs grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at http://www.michellemajor.com.
Looking for the perfect romance read for Valentineโs Day? Below, weโve got excerpts from six of todayโs best contemporary authors. And watch out as the heat level goes from sweet to sultry to downright sinful. Read on and get ready for your temperature to rise!
*****
SWEET & SASSY
If you want a sweet read for the holiday, then look no further than Royal Chase by Sariah Wilson. When PR agent Lemon Beauchamp gets her client Prince Dante of Monterra booked on a reality show, she never expects to find love. But when flirting turns to something more, they share their first kiss…
โWhat is that scent?โ he asked.
โLemon sugar,โ I said, my heart beating too quickly.
โSweet and tart, like you,โ he said before he planted a soft kiss at the amazing spot where my neck met my shoulder, and the earth shifted on its axis.
I decided it had been far too long since Iโd last kissed somebody if this was how I was going to react. I also thought for a moment that I should stop him, but the only thing I said was, โMy lip gloss is lemon-flavored, too.โ
Which was such a blatant invitation, and from the fire in his eyes and the seductive smile on his face, he knew it.
โI do appreciate the commitment to your name.โ He set down his drink and used his free hand to run his fingers up and down my arm, which gave me chills and hot flashes at the same time.
โWell, not everyone gets to be named after a fruit. You have to have fun with it.โ
He pressed another kiss to my throat, and I closed my eyes as a tingling warmth spread slowly through my body.
For a savory reading treat, Recipe For Kisses by Michelle Major will hit the spot. Ben โthe Beastโ Haddox is a bad-boy chef returning to his hometown to open a new restaurant…the only problem is the sizzling Chloe Daniels. Refusing to give up her storefront–or to give into Benโs charm–the two are at a standoff that simmers with attraction.
โI want to kiss you,โ he whispered, and his soft voice and the wicked intentions it carried made her ache for more. โBut only if itโs what you want, too.โ
She swayed closer, caught in the intensity of his eyes. After her reaction to him reaching for her in the store and that first night when sheโd maced him, he must understand that she wasnโt a good bet. โI donโt think I know how to be with someone like you. I like things ordered, soft and gentle.โ
โI can be gentle.โ
She almost laughed at that. โRight.โ
โGive me a chance to show you, Chloe.โ He ran his hand along her arm, higher to her shoulder then to her neck. She knew he was giving her a chance to become accustomed to his touch and found herself melting because of the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. โTell me you want this.โ
As his rough fingers caressed her jaw, she leaned forward with her heart beating double time and whispered, โYes.โ
Kick up the heat with Jamie Beckโs Worth The Trouble. Sophisticated cover model Cat St. James could not be more different from rough-around-the-edges carpenter Hank Mitchell. But that doesnโt stop the irresistible pull these two feel for each other.
Her uncertain smile twisted him up inside as she reached one hand up and fingered the ends of his hair. โKiss me goodnight.โ
All the blood drained from his head and raced to his crotch. The relentless throbbing between his legs urged him to comply despite his better judgment. Just a kiss.
As if watching himself in a dream, he saw his fingers caress her cheek. She raised her chin and parted her lips, and he pressed his mouth against hers. He gave over to the moment, to taste her once more, to slip his tongue inside her mouth and tangle with hers. The faint taste of champagne and honey overwhelmed his senses as he grazed her lower lip with his teeth.
Time slowed. Every part of his body came alive. She bulldozed her fingers through his hair while moaning, engulfing him in desire.
โLike I remember,โ she whispered against his skin. Heโd been teetering on the verge of making a gigantic mistake, until her words summoned bitter reminders of the last time he fell for her games. Abruptly, he grabbed her wrists and pushed back.
โHank!โ She fell back into her pillow. โStay.โ
The bright lights of New York City have nothing on the dazzling attraction between set designer Simone Oliver and director Zach Hammond in Abigail Stromโs Nothing Like Love. This sexy British hero with a penchant for quoting Shakespeare and a romantic heart will have you as hot and bothered as the cynic heroine.
He spun them around so Simoneโs back was against the wall. He put his hands under her arms and lifted her up, and when her legs went around his waist, he leaned in close.
His erection was cradled against her center now, and they were face-to-face. His heart was pounding hard enough to shake him and he couldnโt seem to find his breath.
But the only thing he wanted to breathe in was Simone.
When he brought his mouth to hers it was like tasting sweetness and fire at the same time. Her arms were around him, her legs were around him, and her scent engulfed him in an erotic wave.
His lips urged hers apart and his tongue slid inside.
The hot silk of her mouth was like a drug. Her tongue found his and they stroked and tangled, a thousand strands of need and desire binding them together.
His body throbbed against hers. If his lust drove them right through the brick wall and left the two of them lying in the rubble, he still wouldnโt be able to tear his mouth away.
If out-of-control desire is your reading #goal, then J.S. Scott is going to be your new BFF. The author has won readers over with her H-O-T Sinclair brothers, but the stakes are raised with oldest sibling Evan. He is arrogant, Alpha, and amazing, and schoolteacher Miranda Tyler finds herself saying yes…to everything he asks in The Billionaireโs Touch.
โKiss me,โ Evan demanded as he moved his hands down her back and cupped her jean-clad ass with both of his large, strong hands. His fingers gripped the flesh and pulled her molten core into his hard form. โYou asked me not to kiss you, so you have to kiss me.โ
Randiโs willpower broke as she looked up and saw the longing in Evanโs eyes. It was an echo of exactly what she was feeling, and she could no more resist him than she could stop breathing. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she speared her hands into his coarse hair and yanked his mouth down to hers. She needed his touch more than she wanted to resist him, and as his lips collided with hers, Randi completely forgot why she was even trying to fight the urge to devour him.
He sprang into action the moment she kissed him, taking control as he demanded her complete surrender. Tasting. Teasing. Commanding. Evanโs tongue swept into her mouth, wiping away every doubt she had as he conquered her mouth with his own, leaving her breathless and mindless as he finally surfaced, his teeth catching her bottom lip and nipping at the flesh as though he wanted to mark it.
His lips were suddenly everywhere, and Randiโs hand left his hair and wrapped around his neck as she felt herself being lifted off her feet. She landed on something softโ she assumed it was the couchโbut she wasnโt about to turn her head away from his mouth to look. She was too obsessed with the feel of his body against hers to give a crap what sheโd landed on.
For some unknown reason, she felt safe letting Evan take control of her body while it burned for his possession. She knew he was feeling the same insane desires that she was experiencing right now.
Forget about a love triangle, letโs talk love โsquareโ! Author Melissa Brownโs newest romance If You Canโt Take The Heat has three sexy men after the same woman. And while casting director Whitney Bartolina is usually decisive, the choice between THREE men proves to be too hot to handle. Read on to find out how this take-no-prisoners heroine deals with a hunky cowboy from Montana.
Still holding on to his collar, she threw her head back in frustration. โYouโre trying to torture me, arenโt you?โ
Suddenly serious, Wes smoothed her hair down and rested his hands on her shoulders. โNot at all.โ
โThen what is it?โ Didnโt he want her as badly as she wanted him?
โMaybe I like keeping you in suspense.โ
She rolled her eyes. โYeah, I noticed.โ
โAnd it gives us something to look forward toโโhe trapped his lower lip beneath his teethโโnext month in Los Angeles.โ
Whitneyโs stomach did a gigantic flip-flop. โYouโre gonna do it?โ
Wes nodded slowly. โI have to see you again. Itโs not a choice. It has to happen.โ
He pressed his lips to the exposed skin of her neck, sucking gently as his fingers weaved through her hair.
Pure. Torture.
โMy hotel isnโt far away. Pleee-eease reconsider.โ
Wes said nothing but continued to lick, kiss, and suck at her sensitive skin. She wanted nothing more than to pull him into his car and straddle him right that second, but maybe he was on to something in delaying their gratification. The anticipation of seeing him again, of waiting until the next time they could be intimate, was intoxicating in and of itself.
I’m so thrilled this morning to welcome the oh-so-wonderful Michelle Major as she shares with us her newest book,ย A Kiss on Crimson Ranch. ย Make sure you enter her giveaway to win your own copy!
*****
Thanks so much for having me here at Romantic Reads and Such. Iโm very excited to share a little more about me and my new release from Harlequin Special Edition, A Kiss On Crimson Ranch.
*What do you like best about writing romances?
I love immersing myself in a story โ the characters, plot, conflict and how they all come together is like a puzzle to solve in some ways. I like romance in particular because you can really examine so many aspects of life through a love story and what it takes for two people to reach their happy ever after. The research on who the hero is going to look like is an added bonus! ๐
*What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book, fact/fiction)?
Oh, gosh. This is difficult because I have so many. Although I write contemporary, my favorite to read is historical romance. Itโs how I first discovered the genre and when I have time to read (Iโm quite a binge reader), I often choose historical. My go-to movies are most anything Jane Austen (Persuasion and Pride & Prejudice are my two favorites), The Princess Bride and Hope Floats. Iโm really a sucker for any romantic comedy.
*If you could be any romantic character, who would it be and why?
Great question. Iโve never actually thought about this because Iโm pretty practical in my every day life. When you have little kids, your husband taking the trash out without being asked feels like a romantic gesture. Iโd probably pick Elizabeth Bennet so I could have a chance with Mr. Darcy. But when I was a girl, I really, really wanted to be Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables.
*Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?
In A Kiss on Crimson Ranch, I loved writing the character of Sara Wellens. She was feisty, funny and had such a smart mouth. One of Saraโs habits is that she relates real-life situations to movies and can spout off random movie facts. Itโs a defense mechanism for her โ something she does when sheโs nervous or feeling out of her element. I have an embarrassingly good memory for Hollywood trivia and names of actors โ I mean, really, why canโt it be history or great literature or something that makes me sound super smart? But itโs the first time my useless well of movie knowledge has been put to good use.
*If you werenโt a writer and could be doing anything else you want, what would it be?
My career prior to writing was in Human Resources, and I loved parts of itโespecially training and bringing on new hires. I definitely did not enjoy when the company downsized and it came time for layoffsโthat was terrible. Iโve always thought it would be fun (although a lot of work) to own a guest lodge. My husband is an avid fly fisherman. Iโd take care of the bed and breakfast and heโd be the official tour guide.
Question for giveaway: Iโd love to know your favorite romantic movie? Comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of A Kiss on Crimson Ranch.
Former child star Sara Wellens has hit a dead end in Hollywood. When she inherits half of a crumbling guest ranch in Crimson, Colorado, Sara figures she’ll sell her portion to get back on her own two feet and be back in the black in no time at all. No harm, no foulโฆright?
The one thing she didn’t count on was her partner-in-property, hunky former bull rider and single dad Josh Travers. Sara is surprised at how quickly she bonds with the charming cowboy and his daughter. But she insists that she’s definitely not looking for a forever family. Can the rancher and the starlet let down their guards to find their own Hollywood happy ending?
*****
Author Info:
Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. Sheโs grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.
Sara didnโt make it back to her cabin until close to eleven, way past her bedtime with the early-morning hours on the ranch. Sheโd helped April clean up in the kitchen after Brandy and Claire had gone to bed, leaving the guys to relive old stories around the fire pit on the side patio.
To her surprise, Ryan had seemed to find his place in the over-testosteroned group, happily sharing stories of which Hollywood starlets had what body parts surgically enhanced.
She smiled to herself at the stories she could tell if she wanted then jumped at a noise from the trees next to her front door.
โHeart attack central over here,โ she squeaked as Josh stepped out of the darkness.
โSorry.โ He didnโt look sorry. He looked big and gorgeous in his soft flannel shirt, faded jeans and boots. A light was on in her cabin, its glow illuminating the front step enough for her to see him clearly.
Late-night stubble shadowed his jaw, defining it even more and making her wonder how that roughness would feel across her skin. She quickly pulled her mind away from that train of thought. No good could come from there.
โExpecting someone else?โ he asked.
โYogi Bear?โ she answered, still trying to catch her breath. โOr Grizzly Adams, maybe?โ
One corner of his mouth hitched up, matching the catch in her throat. โNoah likes you.โ
โI got the impression Noah likes anyone with breasts and a pulse.โ
That drew a laugh from him. โProbably. The question is, do you like him?โ
Something in his tone of voice put her on edge. โI donโt think thatโs any of your business.โ She took a step toward her door but he blocked the path.
โIt is if youโre going to mix business with pleasure.โ
She eyed him for a moment then swallowed, too tired to play games or even put up a fight. โIโm not interested in Noah.โ
He watched her.
โOr Manny. Or Bryson.โ
He continued to stare.
She huffed out a breath. โIโm not after your friends. Why do I feel like thereโs still a problem?โ
He blinked several times then mumbled, โThank you.โ
โIโm having trouble following you.โ
โFor tonight. You made Claire feel comfortable, and I have a feeling you suggested the stupid game to do the same for me.โ
โEveryone had fun playing the game,โ she said, letting a little temper seep into her voice. โI was just keeping the guests entertained. Iโm sure you can handle your own feelings.โ
โYouโre rightโit wasnโt stupid. We did have fun. Because of you.โ
The cool night air licked across her bare arms and goose bumps tickled her skin in its wake. She took another deep breath, hoping the scent of the surrounding mountains would calm her. Joshโs gaze fell to her chest, which had the exact opposite effect on her jumbled emotions.
His eyes squeezed shut. โI donโt know how to do this.โ
โDo what?โ
โWant you so badly and not act on it.โ
She knew that feeling. โThere are a lot of reasons we shouldnโt be together.โ
He nodded but said, โTell me why I shouldnโt kiss you right now.โ
Every shred of rational thought dissolved from her brain. Without meaning to, she swayed a tiny bit closer to him. โI donโt want to.โ
โYou donโt want to kiss me?โ
โI donโt want to give you a reason not to,โ she said on a shaky laugh.
He laced his fingers with hers and tugged her closer. With his other hand he cupped the back of her head, bringing her mouth against his. Like before, his kiss mesmerized her. Her defenses, her protective wallsโeverything inside her loosened and traveled south to parts of her body that hadnโt been lit up for years. Those bits were glowing now as he claimed her, pulling her against him and deepening the kiss.
A shiver ran across her back and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. She snuggled into the heat that radiated from his body, losing herself in his spicy scent.
Tugging at the hem of her T-shirt, his warm hands pressed against her skin for several minutes before his fingers worked at her bra strap. Yes, yes, yes, her reawakened senses shouted in her head. At the same time, a trickle of unease danced across her conscience.
Darned conscience.
She didnโt do casual flings. That was one of the few standards sheโd held true to, both in and out of the spotlight. L.A. was filled with relationships built on nothing more than mutual attraction and soul-crushing loneliness. Sara hadnโt given her body or her heart in a moment of weakness in the past. She wasnโt going to let her hormones take over now. She knew how badly that could play out in the morning, and she wouldnโt risk her pride, no matter how good it felt.
The silent snap of her bra opening brought her fully to her right mind.
โStop.โ She wasnโt sure if sheโd said the word out loud until Joshโs hands stilled on her waist.
He buried his face in the side of her neck. โIs this what you call a dramatic pause?โ he asked, his voice ragged.
โWe shouldnโt do this.โ
โI hope you mean we should take it inside your cabin instead.โ
Sara gave him a small push and he immediately moved back. โI mean the two of us is a bad idea for a lot of reasons.โ
โIf Iโd known youโd actually muster an argument, Iโm not sure I would have asked the question.โ
โWhat do you want out of this summer, Josh?โ
He tilted his head, massaged his thumb and index finger above his eyes. โMoney,โ he answered simply.
โIs that all?โ
โGive me a break on the twenty questions, Sara. My brain isnโt firing on all cylinders right now.โ He sighed. โI want a future for Claire and me. I want this ranch to feel like home for her.โ
She nodded and tried not to admit that the truth in his words stung. She was used to not being a priority to anyone, even herself. But it still hurt to hear it out loud. โItโs about Claire for you. For me itโs about a second chance of a different kind.โ
In a way, things had been easier in California. The day-to-day struggle to make ends meet had left her little time to ponder the sad state of the rest of her life. Now that she had that time, it was up to her to protect herself. No one else was going to.
She liked to believe that her grandma would have fought for Sara if her mother hadnโt made sure they never returned to Crimson. Maybe her grandmother would have been the positive role model Sara had so desperately needed.
She wanted to think thatโs why Gran had left her the house. An olive branch of sorts. Sara had no intention of letting it go to waste.
โI want the money and the fresh start it will give me. Iโm going to get it one way or another. Even if that meansโฆโ
The lingering heat in his eyes went instantly frosty. โEven if that means crushing my future to guarantee your own.โ
Romantic Reads and Such 