New Release ~ Rafe ~ by ~ Sawyer Bennett

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Sawyer Bennett with you today! RAFE is part of her Arizona Vengeance series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

 

Purchase your copy of RAFE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

About RAFE:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett comes a new story in her Arizona Vengeance series…

I was living my dream until one phone call changed everything.

As the second line center for the Arizona Vengeance, my mind has been on one thing—helping my team bring home a championship. But that all changed when I found out my dad had cancer and only months to live. In that moment, nothing mattered more than getting home to North Carolina to be by his side. That meant asking for the unthinkable—a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury.

Now I’m home and when I’m not on the ice with my new team, I’m helping care for my dad. And in the midst of my grief, I find comfort from the one person I never expected.

Calliope Ramirez stole my heart at a very young age. The beautiful, smart, headstrong girl next door, she was my first… everything. She has never forgiven me for leaving her, believing that I chose hockey over a future together. What she doesn’t understand is that every decision I made was for her, and I’ve never given up hope that one day we’d be together again.

Watching my dad slip away is a harsh reminder of how short life can be, and having Calliope by my side makes me realize I was a damn fool before. That changes starting right now. Calliope Ramirez is mine and I’m not going to waste the second chance that I’ve been given.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

Add RAFE to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of RAFE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

“You look like a fairy sea princess,” I tell her truthfully.

She blinks, waterdrops fall.

I can’t help it… I start laughing.

Immediately, I snap my mouth shut and bite down hard on my tongue. “I’m sorry.”

Calliope blinks again and then her lips part.

I snicker.

Then snort.

Her beautiful eyes narrow on me, and the next thing I know, she’s sending a wave of nasty pond water right at me. It catches me full in the face, hits the back of my throat, and I choke on it. I deserve it.

When I clear my eyes, Calliope is bent over, laughing hysterically, her shoulder dipping down into the water. The sound of her lilting voice is music to my ears, and I don’t want it to stop.

So what’s a guy to do?

I splash a wall of water back at her. She sputters and looks stunned for only a moment before her palms slap at the pond’s surface, and I’m caught full in the face again.

Then it’s on.

We both go at each other, laughing and splashing. Calliope comes up to her knees. She wobbles in the sucking mud but gets better leverage on me. I’m entirely doused by wave after wave. I hold up my arms, trying to protect myself, and suddenly realize I need to go more on the offensive.

I lurch up, lunge at her, and grab her wrists to stop the inundation. She’s laughing so hard she barely has any strength left to fight against me. Her face is flushed despite the chill, and I can’t fucking help myself.

I crash my mouth down on hers, feel her freeze in shock for a moment, and then gobble down the sultry groan that warbles out of her. It heats me to my bones, and then we’re clawing at each other.

Grabbing, fisting clothing, attacking each other with our mouths. My hands make their way back to her face, intent on holding her still so I can consume everything she has to offer.

The kiss is atomic, off-the-charts hot, and filled with so much emotion I don’t know whether she’s coming at me with hate or something else.

Doesn’t matter.

I’m not stopping.

Then something comes over me…a calm that feels like a steadying hand. I slow myself, make an exploring and leisurely swipe of my tongue against hers, and she melts into my body. An arm around her waist, I pull both of us to a standing position, the water lapping at my lower legs. I haul her into me and kiss her with all the regret I’ve been carrying around in my soul for years—a sincere apology.

BOOK TRAILER

 

“Each time I read a new book in this series, I have a new favourite, they just keep getting better and better. This was an entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.” ~ Erin, MI Bookshelf

“Is it weird that I want to give this book a standing ovation?
It was just…so perfectly done. So beautifully written and so emotionally fulfilling. It was absolutely everything I was hoping for and my heart is overflowing with feels.” ~ Shelly, Bookgasms Book Blog

“This series is by far eclipsing any other I have read by this author. This is the story of Dax and Regan. Brother’s best friend, friends to lovers, hockey romance, and just a great read about two people who deserve to be happy together. ” ~ Suzi, Obsessive Reading Disorder

“The writing was observantly insightful and sneakily emotive. . . . The storylines were briskly paced, well plotted, written with my favorite dual POV, and kept me continually entertained with a pleasantly engaging romance while also tickling my curiosity as I waited for the looming threat to arise.”—Books and Bindings

“Add together an incredibly sexy story and a swoon-worthy hero with the intensity of a hockey player and you have an absolute winner. Sawyer Bennett has long been an instant one-click author for me, and Erik’s story is a fantastic addition to the Arizona Vengeance series.”—Stacey Lynn, author of Knocked Up

“Forbidden fruit always tastes better! With the kick off of a new hockey series, Sawyer Bennett introduces us to the Arizona Vengeance team and brings us Bishop’s story. The characters are quick to grab attention, and keep us entertained throughout.”—Thoughts of a Blonde

 


About SAWYER BENNETT:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

 

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub

New Release ~ While She Sleeps ~ by ~ Dani Rene

Title: While She Sleeps
Series: Dirty Heroes Collection
Author: Dani René
Genre: Dark Taboo Romance
Release Date: April 27, 2020
Dangerous. Unstable. Obsessive. 
 
She believes in fairytales and awaits her prince. 
But I arrive at her doorstep and I’m far from royalty. 
 
The shiver down my back tells me he’s there. As if he were touching me. 
Cold, angry, aloof—he’s everything I don’t need. But I can’t turn off my attraction when he’s near.
 
My sleeping beauty doesn’t realize just how dangerous I am. 
She trusts so easily, smiles so beautifully. And while she sleeps, I watch. 
With each passing night, I become more addicted. 
Until I’m a man obsessed. 
 
I feel his gaze on me, watching while I sleep. 
He pushes me away in the light, but in the dark, he comes to me like a moth to a flame. 
I crave it. He doesn’t know just how broken I am.
 
I believed she was the light to my darkness. 
But it turns out my sleeping beauty likes to dive into the shadows alongside me. 
She’s mine, but that decision could kill us both.


Dani is a USA Today Bestselling Author of a variety of genres, from romantic suspense to dark erotic romance and even BDSM romance. She loves to delve into the raw, emotional journeys her characters venture on, and enjoys the dark, edgy, and sensual scenes that fill the pages of her books. Dani’s stories are seductive with a deviant edge with feisty heroines and dominant alphas.

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New Release ~ Easy Risk ~ by ~ Bethany Lopez

Today we are celebrating the release of EASY RISK by Bethany Lopez. This title is part of the Boudreaux Universe. These titles are releasing from Lady Boss Press and EASY RISK is available as part of Kindle Unlimited. Follow them on facebook for details and make sure to add the book to Goodreads.

Easy Risk: A Boudreaux Universe Novel by Bethany Lopez

Purchase Now

Amazon (Kindle Unlimited)

Book Blurb:

They say you can’t go home again…

Tyler “Doobie” Dubois is excited about moving back home to New Orleans after being away for five years. He left with a broken heart, determined to make it through the police academy and become a great cop, while finding his place in the world. Now, he’s ready to come home and regain his place in the family. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to welcome him back with open arms.

Time heals all wounds…

Alicia loves her life. Ever since she moved to New Orleans from Michigan, she’s been accepted for who she is and is thriving in The Big Easy. She’s open to love, although not actively looking for it, so when her best friend and roommate asks her to steer clear of Doobie romantically, she readily agrees. After all, she’s never even met him.

A chemistry that can’t be denied…

What begins as a friendship quickly turns to something more and they’ll both discover that loving each other is an Easy Risk.

Add the book to Goodreads

 

————————-

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She’s a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn’t reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!

 

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

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New Release ~ My Favorite Souvenir ~ by ~ Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

MY FAVOURITE SOUVENIR IS LIVE!

A Contemporary Romance Novel

New York Times Bestselling Authors Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

 

 

BLURB

My planned trip for two unexpectedly turned into a trip for one. Rather than let

my breakup get me down, I packed my bags and decided a week at a luxury

resort was just what I needed.

But one calamity after the next, and suddenly I was stuck without a hotel room,

along with a few hundred other people.

It looked like my fancy vacation was about to turn into me sleeping on the hotel

lobby floor.

Until I overheard a gorgeous man pretending to be someone he wasn’t in order

to steal a reservation from a guest who hadn’t shown up yet.

When I realized there were two rooms, instead of calling him out, I pretended to

be his sister. That’s how the story of “Milo and Maddie Hooker” began.

We were the Hookers.

My depressing trip quickly made a U-turn into an adventure.

My fake brother spent the next few days showing me around his hometown.

When it was time to leave, neither of us really wanted to go yet.

So, instead of flying back to our respective homes, we ventured on a road trip.

At every stop, we’d pick up souvenirs.

But as hot as our chemistry was, we never crossed the line.

Milo knew I’d just come out of a tough relationship and didn’t want to mess with

a vulnerable woman.

So instead, at the end of our trip, we made a pact to meet again in three

months.

It was always my intention to meet him.

But when I got back home, reality hit in a big way.

And I worried I may have lost my handsome stranger forever.

Was there a place for him in my future?

Or had the memory of him just become my favorite souvenir?

 

 

the day he came back

  PURCHASE LINKS:

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Audio è https://smarturl.it/zh98t8

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Sign up for Penelope & Vi’s mailing list now and be the first one notified when it goes live! è https://www.subscribepage.com/2FreeBooks

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

 

the day he came back

PENELOPE WARD::

 

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal

bestselling author of contemporary romance.

 

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as

a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,

and beautiful daughter with autism.

 

With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and

the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a

dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/penelopewardauthor

Facebook Private Fan Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenelopesPeeps/

Instagram

@penelopewardauthor

http://instagram.com/PenelopeWardAuthor/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/PenelopeAuthor

 

the day he came back

VI KEELAND::

 

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA

Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in

over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-five

languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children

where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

 

Facebook Fan Group

hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKeelandFanGroup/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/vi.keeland

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Vi-Keeland/435952616513958

Website

http://www.vikeeland.com

Twitter

@vikeeland

https://twitter.com/ViKeeland

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6887119.Vi_Keeland

 
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD AND VI KEELAND::  

OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD::

Park Avenue Player:

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Dirty Letters:

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the day he came backThe Day He Came Back:

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When August Ends:

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inappropriate

Inappropriate:Amazon: https://fave.co/2uW5ZyWApple: https://apple.co/32Yd3GJAudio: http://hyperurl.co/o2wokpB&N: https://fave.co/2MYCXozKobo: https://fave.co/39JzjJ4Google Play: https://fave.co/2tuihOmPaperback: https://fave.co/32ZdzEv

 

All Grown Up:

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OTHER BOOKS BY VI KEELAND::

 

Pre-Order Blitz ~ Blocked ~ by ~ Jami Davenport

Blocked by Jami Davenport
A Seattle Sockeyes Novel
Release Date — April 30, 2020

Amazon — https://amzn.to/33NMJ44
Universal — getbook.at/BlockedJD
Apple — https://apple.co/37euCoR
Nook — http://bit.ly/36eTpI2
Kobo — http://bit.ly/30EjkYr

Axel:

Playing for the Seattle Sockeyes is a dream come true. Yet in less than twenty-four hours, my life is a hot mess, and my dream has turned into a nightmare.

It all starts when I have a one-night stand with my teammate’s estranged wife, only I’m not aware she’s married, let alone his wife. Now she’s stalking me, my teammate hates me, and I’m madly attracted to his sister.

Not a situation I’d wish on anyone, especially me.

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary and sports romances, including her two new indie endeavors: the Game On in Seattle Series and the Madrona Island Series. Jami’s new releases consistently rank in the top fifty on the sports romance and sports genre lists on Amazon, and she has hit the Amazon top hundred authors list in both contemporary romance and genre fiction multiple times. Jami ranked Number Seven on Kobo’s Top Ten Most Completed Authors, an honor bestowed on the year’s “most engaging” authors based on an average page completion rate by their readers.
Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Green Beret-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland cross with a tennis ball fetish, a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat, and an opinionated Hanoverian mare.
Jami works in IT for her day job and is a former high school business teacher. She’s a lifetime Seahawks and Mariners fan and is waiting for the day professional hockey comes to Seattle. An avid boater, Jami has spent countless hours in the San Juan Islands, a common setting in her books. In her opinion, it’s the most beautiful place on earth.

Connect with Jami!
Subscribe to my newsletter to receive a free novel and be notified of new releases, special sales, and contests: http://eepurl.com/LpfaL
Website Address: http://www.jamidavenport.com
Twitter Address: @jamidavenport
Facebook Address: http://www.facebook.com/jamidavenport
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jamidavenport/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1637218.Jami_Davenport

New Audio Release ~ Bound By Duty & Bound By Hatred ~ by ~ Cora Reilly

BBD _ BBH Audio

BD_BH AN-4

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BBD & BBH Audio-6

87777999_3549916795080825_2265575122423250944_oDante Cavallaro’s wife died four years ago but her memory still haunts him. On the verge of becoming the youngest head in the history of the Chicago Outfit, Dante needs to remarry or risk appearing weak.
Valentina is chosen for the role.
She, too, lost her husband, but her first marriage has always been for show. Even after her husband’s death, Valentina carries the weight of his secrets with her— to protect the honor of a dead man and herself.
With her wedding to Dante, her castle of lies threatens to crash.
Valentina fears the wedding night might reveal her secret, but her worries prove unfounded when Dante ignores her. Soon, her fear turns to confusion and anger.
Valentina is tired of being ignored. She’s determined to get Dante’s attention and desire, even if she can’t get his heart that still belongs to his dead wife.

She wants to capture his cold heart but she may have to settle for his desire.

BBD _ BBH Audio-5
audible-282249 google play 357-3578013_available-from-these-retailers-logo-kobo.png apple-xxl nook png

IMG_4762When Gianna watches her older sister being forced into an arranged marriage, she promises herself to escape a similar fate.

The moment Matteo – The Blade – Vitiello sees Gianna on his brother’s wedding, he wants to possess her. Her father agrees to the bond, but Gianna has no intention of marrying for any other reason than love. A few months before the wedding, Gianna runs away and begins a new life in Europe away from the mafia. But one of their best hunters and assassins is after her: Matteo.

When Matteo and a couple of her father’s soldiers catch her, not only her freedom is at risk, but also the life of the people with her.

Gianna is taken home and forced to marry Matteo.
Ridden by guilt over having dragged innocent people into her world and overcome with hatred toward Matteo, Gianna is determined to make life hell for her husband. But Matteo is a master at mind games and their struggle for power soon turns into hate-fueled nights of passion.

BBD _ BBH Audio-5

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BBD _ BBH Audio-3

Author Image Cora Reilly 2

Cora Reilly is the author of the Born in Blood Mafia Series, The Camorra Chronicles and many other books, most of them featuring dangerously sexy bad boys. Before she found her passion in romance books, she was a traditionally published author of young adult literature.

Cora lives in Germany with a cute but crazy Bearded Collie, as well as the cute but crazy man at her side. When she doesn’t spend her days dreaming up sexy books, she plans her next travel adventure or cooks too spicy dishes from all over the world.

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BBD _ BBH Audio-4

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New Release ~ Bad For Me ~ by ~ Lee Piper

Title: Bad For Me
Series: Rock Me Series
Author: Lee Piper
Genre: Rockstar Romance
Release Date: April 22, 2020
Cover Design: CT Cover Creations

I’m not supposed to crave the drummer of the hottest new rock act or notice his tortured green eyes. I shouldn’t care that he shies away from everyone. I’m a journalist and I have one job to do.

 

 
Get the story.
 
But selling his secrets for tomorrow’s headlines would not only ruin him, it would destroy me. Yesterday, I had a future. Today, I have a choice—career suicide or protect a drummer who hates me.

 

 
   
 
 
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New Release ~ Fast & Wild ~ by ~ Kat Ransom

Title: Fast & Wild
Series: The Fast Series
Author: Kat Ransom
Genre: Sports Romance
Release Date: April 24, 2020

A meaningless tryst with a younger man. A one night stand on the anniversary of a tragedy. 

That’s all he was supposed to be.
 
I needed him to make me forget. He asked me to give him everything.
I’m 38. He’s 26. That’s the least of our problems.
 
The ruthless personal assistant of a top team on the grid, I’m as Type-A as they come. I make the world go ‘round for my athletes. Then I blow off steam dancing my ass off at London punk shows. There was no problem a fierce attitude and big, black boots couldn’t solve, until I met Brodie.
 
Icelandic driver, Brodie Lusk, skated through life for a broke F1 team with no chance of winning. Packed with potential—but holding no interest in fame, power, or money—he needed different motivation. He should have been simple, casual. Safe.
 
Sometimes, the safest options turn out to be the most dangerous.
 
Our passion could not be ignored.
My past would not stay buried.
 
All I wanted was one hot night with a sexy younger man.
 
I didn’t sign up for what came next.


Kat Ransom writes steamy romances filled with strong, sassy men and women who bring them to their knees. She lives in Cowboy Country in the Southern US with her husband and two janky rescue cats. When she isn’t writing, she’s exploring isolated corners of the world or curled up with a wool blanket and a stiff whiskey trying to warm up her perpetually cold toes.

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New Release ~ Periculum: Unus ~ by ~ Natalie Bennett

Title: Periculum: Unus
Series: Devil’s Playground #1
Author: Natalie Bennett
Genre: Dark New Adult Romance
Release Date: April 23, 2020
Tragic and twisted fell in love…
 
Ave Satanas, something wicked this way comes.
It’s time for the reckoning to begin.
 
Enter the Devil’s Playground wary where you tread, for demons are lurking with trickery up their sleeves.
Here good and bad cease to exist, and not all will make it to the end.
The price of freedom will be revealed only after bloodshed and rapture. A claiming of one and purging of others.
 
That audio recording played exactly three minutes before the crash.
 
It was a riddle, a warning, and a promise. But they didn’t know that until it was too late.
 
Now stranded with two friends and a group of apprehensive strangers, Liliana Serpine must decide who and who not to trust as they navigate their way through hell in the form of an opulent city.
 
There’s one person who stands out among the others. He’s got a gorgeous face and darkly enigmatic aura. Being drawn to him is inevitable but staying by his side becomes necessary to survive.
 
When secrets start being revealed in blood, everything changes. From dabbling in the taboo, being tempted by the forbidden, and falling in lust with the carnage.
 
For those that make it out of this alive, they’ll never be the same people they once were.

 
With a penchant for (writing) villainous immoral men, and a tendency to deviate away from traditional happily ever afters, Natalie Bennett is an international bestselling author of twisted and unconventional love stories.
 
When she’s not slaying words she’s somewhere in the sunshine state, happily taking life one curve-ball at a time.

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New Release ~ Known & Wanted ~ by ~ Wendy Burke

Title: Known & Wanted
Series: A 1Night Stand Story
Author: Wendy Burke
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: April 20, 2020
Publisher: Decadent Publishing


Zoe Zimmerman wants to stay out of the spotlight, but years in media and her iffy choices in men has made that a difficult task. Jilted, heartbroken and left in the dust by those she thought loved her, she’s excited and terrified with a gift from her best friend, a 1Night Stand encounter. She hopes to find a connection and a weekend of no-strings-attached adult fun with a man who admires her for who she is and not her past.

 

Eli Martin is well-known and well-liked. He’s accustomed to taking care of people—his three children, the residents of Birch County as elected Sheriff, and anyone else who may need a helping hand. Regardless of his good looks and stunning personality, his high-profile position means the widower can’t go trolling for a night of sex. When a 50th birthday present from Madame Eve arrives, Eli is greeted with the perfect opportunity to salve his lonely heart.
 
What neither Eli or Zoe expect is to meet one another—although their jobs provided opportunities for corresponding and phone-flirting for nearly a decade, they’ve never met in person. Will Madame Eve’s magic do its trick or will Zoe’s insecurities and a bullet end it all before they realize they’re known and wanted…and in love
When not playing with the people in her head, Wendy has a full time job behind the scenes in television. She lives with her cute chef husband and two fuzzy feline children in the Great Lakes region of the Mid-West. 
 
Unaccustomed to sitting at bar, Eli filled his time waiting for his date by contemplating is bizarre adventure gifted to him and, as the norm in his profession, making a study of those around him.

 

A woman in a corner booth caught his eye. She chatted on the phone, laughing with someone. Probably the man she came here to meet. He kept a covert eye on her, if only for his own curiosity and entertainment.

 

Her pixie-ish, hair style seemed to ooze melted dark chocolate, swirled with caramel and cherry. Even in the somewhat dim light of the bar, he could tell she wore little makeup. She doesn’t need it.
His training and experience taught him to observe everything, including little nuances which told him, despite her outward happiness, uncertainty and nerves had her on edge.
He looked into his beer, the mental self-flagellation he thought he’d tamped down and dismissed, winked at him from the remaining yeasty foam.
This arrangement seemed perfect for his circumstance, private, consensual, anonymous. He couldn’t go out on a Saturday night for a ‘hook up’ for a myriad of reasons. Due to the nature of his position, on-call meant 24/7/365 and his constituents frowned on drunken, carousing county leadership. And being an elected and sworn officer of the State, he honored the trust Birch County residents had given him and his oath to them and the State of Ohio. And, like his kids said, ‘Everyone knows you, Dad.’
“Excuse me.”
You’re slacking, Martin. You never saw her coming. The woman from the corner booth stood next to him at the bar.
“Sheriff Martin? What a surprise.”
“I’m sorry….” Don’t know who you are, but wouldn’t mind getting to know you.
“No, really, I’m sorry,” she chuckled.
What an adorable laugh.
“We talk on the on the phone all the time, but have never really met.” She put out her hand, “Zoe—Zoe Zimmerman from Channel 8.”
Wow, I had no idea you’d be quite this cute. He rose from his seat. “Zoe, well, what a pleasure.” He shook her hand, taking in her impish smile and bright green eyes. “Have a seat. After all these years, let me buy you the beer we always talked about.”
He’d been phone pals with this local television station—What the hell does she do there, anyway? —producer, reporter, assignment manager, jack-of-all-media-trades for more years than he could remember. Always pleasant, with a constant exuberance in her voice, he welcomed calls from her. Although information she needed, or he needed disseminated eventually got traded, more often than not their playful banter many times was laced with friendly, subtle sexual undertone.
“I’m sorry,” Zoe said. “I’m actually waiting for someone.” A chime sounded from the pocket of her fitted, navy blue blazer. “Oh, excuse me.” She turned a bit away from him, checking her cell.
At the same time, Eli’s phone rumbled on the bar top. He took a sip of beer and touched the screen. Your date, the text read. Eli glanced about the bar, curious if someone spied on him, or if this ethereal Madame Eve had covert operatives stationed in the bar.
But when a second text came with an attached photo of the woman standing next to him, a grin lit his face and he mentally high-fived his great fortune.
When he turned to take a peek at his now-date, Zoe’s big green eyes were wide with shock.
She fumbled for words. “There must be some mistake.”

 

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