Romance Reads Reviewed by K – “It is the perfect book to relax, forget about reality and disappear into another world.”
Goodreads Review – “This is a steamy workplace romance with a sexy boss and lots of sizzle to go with it!”
Katslovesbooks – “OMG!!! This book is fantastic and an amazing start for this brand new series by E.H. Lyon.”
One business trip is all it takes for the unexpected…
As co-owner of Ives & Wells, Josh is ready to nail the most important business trip of his career. But does it have to include his business partner’s feisty younger sister Layla escorting him to New Orleans?
As much as they hate each other, it isn’t completely crazy. Technically, she’s an employee and Josh is her boss. But one fight after another leads to an explosion in the bedroom… more than once.
Josh definitely wasn’t planning on nailing more than a good business deal on this trip.
Unfortunately, their plan to leave the antics in the bedroom and out of the office falls apart as soon as they return home. First, because some of their mutual talents can’t be forgotten. Two, because there is a business partner that may kill Josh as soon as he figures out what happened. And three, because some secrets can only be kept for so long, give or take nine months.
The Unexpected Card is a standalone novel from the new Mr. Boss series. This workplace romance is filled with banter, a swoony boss, and surprises along the way.
E.H. Lyon hates folding laundry and decided one day to avoid it by writing witty and a little steamy stories. Her stories take you on a light and bantering ride until the very end, when your couple finds their happily ever after. Along the way, there may be the occasional emotional twist thrown in and the essential appearance of a bottle of whiskey. E.H. has a thing for witty women, determined well-dressed men who fall in love, and the steamy scenes that bring them together.
An American from the Midwest, she now lives in Northern Europe with her small pack of humans. She believes the essence of balance is sitting on a yoga mat listening to music whilst eating a donut. And she absolutely loves finding a new book boyfriend to swoon-over, hearing from other authors, and connecting with people who read her books.
★ A sexy, small town sports romance from USA Today bestselling author Lex Martin! ★
What’s worse than having Rider Kingston, the star quarterback, give you the big brushoff because he doesn’t want to get serious? You’d probably think living across the street from him where you get a first-hand view of his hookups, right?
That’s what I thought. Until someone drops off a baby with a note pinned to her blanket that says one of those jocks—either Rider or one of his roommates—is the father. The problem? Baby mama doesn’t mention which of these numbskulls is the sperm donor.
I wouldn’t care about their paternity problems—not the slightest bit—except my brother lives there too. Which means that adorable squawking bundle might be my niece, and there’s no way I’m leaving her unattended with those bumbling football players.
They need my help, even if they don’t know it yet. Once we solve this dilemma and figure out who’s the daddy, I’m out.
I’ll just ignore Rider and those soul-searing looks he gives me every time I reach for the baby. He broke my heart three years ago. He doesn’t get a second chance.
As I walk Sienna to her car, she squeals. “Holy crap, is that Rider Kingston?”
Without my permission, my gaze slides across the street to the oversized man-child, who has the gall to be moving furniture shirtless while flexing his stupid abs. Judging by the other sweaty minions pouring out of the two story, Rider’s getting new roommates too.
My eye twitches again, and my focus snaps back to Sienna. “I thought you said you weren’t a fan of football.”
“Oh, I’m not. I can’t sit through an entire game. But I am a fan of football players.” Her gaze turns ravenous as she scans my neighbor’s front lawn. Or, likely, the glistening eight-pack Rider’s put on display. “All that testosterone. Those bulging muscles. That deep, masculine grunting. Oh yeah. Get me one of those!”
She cackles, and Rider hears it.
Of course he does.
Shockingly, he deigns to speak to me.
“Hey, Gabby,” he shouts. “How was your summer?”
I’m not sure when he decided to stop ignoring me, but that’s better than pretending we’re friends, which we’ll never be.
I close my eyes because I don’t need any reminders of his masculine beauty. And I definitely don’t need to see that sexy smirk, the one more powerful than his cannon that took the team to the playoffs last year.
No, I’m not interested in the star quarterback. Not anymore.
Turning on my heel, I wave my middle finger and march back to my house.
Laughter is all I hear as I slam the front door shut behind me.
AUTHOR BIO
Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of the Texas Nights series (Reckless/Shameless) and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romances, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. A former high school English teacher and freelance journalist, she’s lived all over the country but currently resides in her hometown of San Antonio with her husband and twin daughters.
Some never find love…some others do, and set it free. But will it ever come back? An endearing story of sweethearts since high school, college breakup and a casual encounter many years later. Sometimes, it takes a second chance to get it right.
Luke
On the verge of losing his mega art commission, wanderlust-stricken artist Luke accepts an indecent proposal from his ex to help complete his paintings, but when old emotions are rekindled, he discovers that his feelings for her never died, now he must confront the demons in his past before it’s too late and he loses her forever. There is never a second chance, to a second chance.
Sandra
Just as she decides to start dating again, after a long hiatus, lonely bar owner Sandra is presented with an opportunity to serve her ex the coldest dish of revenge ever, but when old feeling come roaring back, she quickly discovers that moving on is easier said than done, now she must take matters into her own hands to ensure she is never a fool for love again.
“All right then,” said Laura. “In that case, you’re free. There’s a customer that needs a ride.”
Sandra thought for a moment. “Okay, I’ll do it, but only this one time. I’ll be leaving in ten minutes.” Sandra paused and cocked her head. “So, who’s the guy that snagged you? How come you’ve never mentioned him?”
“You already know, the father of my child,” said Laura, brushing her black hair to the side.
Sandra knew that move. A nervous tic her friend had. Her husband, ex-husband, had been gone for three years now, and she still missed him. “I thought it was someone new.” Well, she wasn’t the only one thinking of lost loves. Maybe there was something in the air today.
Sandra wondered where this customer was going. There were no hotels on her way, and she knew everyone that lived in that direction. It could only be the Airbnb. “Is that another of Stone’s renters?”
Lauren chuckled. “You got it.”
“Okay. If I don’t show up tomorrow, ask Stone about the guy that rented his house, okay?”
Laura winked. “You won’t go missing, trust me.” She leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Maybe if you…emmm…let your guard down a little, you might even get your garden plowed tonight.”
Sandra drew back and made a face. “What? What’s with the fishing and farming euphemisms you’ve been spewing all night?” Sandra pointed at Laura and smiled. “I think you need to be hosed down.”
Laura clapped her hands and laughed. “Touché. Now who’s the queen of euphemisms?
Brie Wilds writes steamy, romance stories about men, women and their amazing and unique journey to happily ever after.
She’s the author of My Big Fat Fake Matrimonial Ad- Book 3 of her Beaver Run books. Her latest book, Unbreak Her Heart, is an endearing story of sweethearts since high school that got a second chance at love many years later after a breakup.
When Brie is not writing, she’s hanging out with her family. You can visit her at www.briewilds.com
As if it couldn’t get any better, I’m about to graduate from Brown University, all with my flawless, hot as hell girlfriend by my side.
I’d say I’m lucky to have Lena, but really, she’s lucky to have me. I would do anything to keep her by my side.
Anything.
Because as everyone knows, Julian Price hates to lose.
Brittany Taylor grew up all over the world including places such as California, England and Texas. Her love of reading started at a young age. Finally deciding to fulfill her lifelong dream, she took the plunge into the writing world and published her first book when she was twenty-eight. Today she resides in Connecticut with her husband, two sons, two cats and one dog.
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BLURB:
The things I’ve lost could shatter any man.
Send him on a downward spiral.
I would’ve punched my own ticket if it weren’t for the Satan’s Knights.
Instead, I became the VP of the Knightdale Charter.
A man can’t drown in his misery when he’s got responsibilities.
So I look for things to dull the pain.
Sex. Drugs. Whatever.
When you’ve been to hell and back, the only time worth having is a good one.
My little Birdie knows this self-destructive path, too.
That’s why I can’t stay away from her.
The highs are higher when you don’t fly alone.
But I’m not the only ghost in her life, and her past isn’t letting her go.
I thought my club was the only thing left for me to love.
It turns out I was wrong.
About Janine
Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she’s made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.
Authors: Aleisha Maree | Amy Cecil | Delaney Foster | Elias Raven | Gabriella Messina | Jade Royal | JA Lafrance | Katherine LE White | Leah Negron | Lilly Black | Lucas Black | Michelle Heron | Riley Bryant | Roux Cantrell | Thia Finn
Genre: Short Story Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Publisher: Royalty Writes Enterprises
Voyages of the Heart:
Passion, adventure, secrets… the cities of the world are each filled with their own unique charm and allure. This season’s authors have taken up their pens to bring you another series of sensational stories destined to capture your heart and bring forth your emotions, one page at a time. So, pack your bags and join us once more on this Voyage of the Heart…
Our destination: Bienvenue à Paris!
With Love From Paris:
Fashion… Food… Fantastique! Escape to the City of Lights, the City of Love as these talented authors lead you on a romantic journey. Stroll the boulevards and arrondissements… Soak up the magic and mystery of this ancient and historic city.
Broken dreams… Changed lives… Your hearts deepest desires await!
Grab your passport, your flight is at the gate! Voyages of the Heart: Paris is about to begin!
Amazon Review – “With Love from Paris is filled with some amazing short stories. Each journey was truly inspiring.”
Amazon Review – “This anthology is filled with some amazing quick reads.”
Easton Westbrook entered my life like an arrogant, grumpy, wrecking ball, and refused to leave.
One Little Mistake, an all-new enemies-to-lovers romance from Avery Maxwell, is coming July 1st!
Our banter is addicting, and nothing I do or say will make him change his mind. But when his mind becomes focused solely on me, I run.
I can’t afford to give my heart away again. Not when I’m barely surviving with the broken one I have.
I have walls up for a reason. Reasons that are none of his business, but Easton is used to getting what he wants. And when he decides he wants me, I’m not sure I’ll survive it.
Lexi Heart entered my life like an arrogant, bossy, she-devil in heels, and I can’t get her out of my head.
She’s always ten steps ahead, and I have to admit, I’m intrigued. With every lash of her sharp tongue, she puts me in my place. But when I peel back the layers of her tough girl exterior, I see the broken shell she’s hiding, and my own walls come crashing down.
We quickly learn that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay there, and I know I’m done for. I want this girl in every sense of the word, but can I convince her to take a chance on us? Or will the damage from her past be too much, even for true love?
Join Easton and Lexi in their highly emotional journey to a happily ever after. One Little Mistake is an enemy to lovers, accidental marriage romance that will draw you in and refuse to let you go.
About Avery
Avery Maxwell is an American Romance Author who loves wine, sexy stories, pizza, and her family.
Avery is a hot mess of a mom to four wildly sweet mini-humans and two fur babies. She spends far too much time in her pj’s and trips over herself multiple times a day. Accident-prone is probably a fair assessment.
Having grown up in small-town Vermont, Avery often jokes about being the most naïve person in the room. Luckily, she’s used that small-town charm to write character-driven contemporary romances that have you laughing one minute, and crying the next.
When she isn’t refereeing (three little boys require a lot of whistle blowing), or cuddled up with her real-life Prince Charming, you can find her tucked away with a bottle of wine (because those steamy scenes don’t write themselves!), or coaching her daughter’s basketball team.
Avery now lives in North Carolina where she brings life, love, and a happily ever after to every character she writes.
If Emmie Valencia can get her brother’s band to the next level, her career will be set. So, if she has to live with five hard-partying guys, it’s worth the sacrifice. And the sizzling connection between her and the cocky, smoking hot, lead singer? Not a problem. She’s been there before and has the broken heart to show for it. She won’t make that mistake again.
Slater Vaughn’s not what he seems. Sure, he’s hot, he’s sexy, and no one can captivate a crowd the way he does. But there’s another side he doesn’t show anyone…except Emmie. She sees right through him, past the wounds, down to his soul. And once he falls, there’s no turning back.
So, it’s a cruel twist of fate that right when Emmie lets down her guard and falls in love, she scores a national tour for the band. They’re opening for the sexy, wildly talented, It girl of the moment. A woman so similar to Slater…it’s like they were meant for each other.
But Slater’s not giving up. He’s all-in. Which means, if Emmie wants her happy ever after, she’ll just have to take a leap of faith.
Even more than wanting to be a rock star, Derek Valencia wants respect in the music industry. But right when his band hits the big-time, the guys spiral out of control, and the record label threatens to pull its support. So, when their manager hires a minder to keep them in line, Derek’s pride takes a hit. Still, he can’t refuse the help, not when he’s this close to getting everything he’s worked so hard for. And he can’t help the blazing attraction for the babysitter he’s so intent on disliking.
What does Violet Davis know about love and trust? She grew up in the foster care system, shuffled from one home to another. But when she falls for the bass player in the band she’s been hired to look after, something changes in her. She wants him more than she’s wanted anything in her life. For the first time, she’s in love.
Derek’s finally found something that matters more than music—and he’s not letting her go. Not for anything.
But can a woman who craves stability really make it work with a man whose life is spent on the road with his band?
Calix Bourbon might seem like a free spirit, but that’s all a front. In reality he’s just trying to keep his fractured family together while working as a session musician. When Blue Fire hires him to replace their keyboardist, Calix is determined to make the most of the opportunity—but he can’t help being distracted by the band’s sexy personal chef.
Mimi’s temporary gig is great, but she has her heart set on auditioning for a televised cooking show. There’s just one problem: she only has a week to acquire the skills necessary to survive the competition. Luckily, the band’s new keyboard player can teach her exactly what she needs, in the kitchen and in the bedroom…
When Cooper Hood left Snowberry, Montana ten years ago, he swore he’d never go back to the town that painted him with the same brush as his addict mother. But right in the middle of his band’s national tour he gets a call to come home: his mom’s got a whopper of a secret to reveal.
Daisy Charbonneau’s in trouble. The talent she hired for her resort’s annual Huckleberry Festival’s just bailed on her, and she’s desperate to find a replacement act. Luck turns her way when she discovers her high school crush is back in town — and he happens to be a rock star.
As they work together, a crush deepens into so much more — but who falls in love in two weeks?
Especially when Cooper’s never coming back to town, and Daisy’s never going to leave it.
You Really Got Me is a slow burn, friends-to-lovers, rock star romance with explosive sexual chemistry and a soulful rocker who falls for his bandmate’s sister. “Slater Vaughn might just be the best book boyfriend I’ve ever come across.” – Obsessed with Romance
I Want You To Want Me is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, rock star romance about two people who’re bad at love but want to be good for each other. “This is one hell of a book. I just couldn’t put it down. This is definitely a MUST READ!!”
Take Me Home Tonight is a slow burn, friends to lovers, rock star romance about a vibrant, passionate woman who brings a wounded musician back to life. “The book is emotional and tremendously sexy— Kelly’s rendering of Calix’s grieving parents is particularly well-done — but it is Mimi’s strength that will linger long after the finish.” – Washington Post Best Romance Novel 2016
More Than A Feeling is a second chance, rock star romance bursting with off-the-charts chemistry and heat. “Absolutely loved it! I finished this book last night, but I’m still smiling this morning. It’s that good!”
Award-winning author Erika Kelly writes sexy and emotional small town romance. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she lives in the southwest, drinks a lot of tea, and is always waiting for her cats to get off her keyboard. Please note that 10% of the net income of all Erika Kelly books goes to the Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org)
Layla Westerman can’t stop looking over her shoulder. After leaving an abusive relationship, she just wants to start over, but the peaceful life she had in mind will have to wait for the renovations next door to wrap up. She doesn’t trust the new neighbors, but trust isn’t exactly her strong suit anymore. Presley Westerman has her own trust issues. Between her own shady ex and helping her sister get free of hers, the last thing she’s up for is a flirtation with the birth partner of one of her patients. They just want to move on, but what if the past doesn’t want to let them go? Waiting for the Girl Next Door is the stunning conclusion to the Heart of Madison series.
Crystal Jackson is a former therapist turned author. She is the author of the Heart of Madison series. Her work has been featured on Medium, Elephant Journal, Elite Daily, Your Tango, The Urban Howl, Positively Positive, Sivana Spirit, Mamamia, and The Good Men Project. When she’s not writing for Medium and working on her next book, you can find Crystal traveling, paddle boarding, running, throwing axes badly but with terrifying enthusiasm, hiking, doing yoga, or curled up with her nose in a book in Madison, Georgia where she lives with her two wild and wonderful children. My Words are Whiskey is her first book of poetry.
Four years ago, I walked away from the man who owns my heart.
When he stalks into my rescue clinic with his beloved cat, I’m more than a bit shocked. Elias Galanis is everything a woman could possibly desire in a man. A successful doctor, scorching hot, and oh-so-good between the sheets. He’s also my ex-fiancé.
When he proposes trying us again, I’m hesitant. Second chances aren’t my thing. We didn’t work for a reason. He swears I’m still the one, and the more time we spend together the more I’m convinced I haven’t gotten over him.
Can I let go of the past? Or will old fears and insecurities drive him away forever?
You’re Still the One is a sexy standalone romance featuring a shoe-obsessed veterinarian, an irritably attractive ex-fiancé, and a meddling cat.
Some say superheroes wore capes. For me, I didn’t get to quick change in a phone booth. Oh no. Instead, I was trotting through a torrential downpour from my car to The Fancy Paws Society & Rescue in nude Molono Blahniks. Sure, I informed my two co-founders that I would be at Texas A&M giving a lecture on small animal anesthesia all day, but apparently, this emergency just couldn’t wait.
The water sloshing inside of my new babies made me whimper, but I didn’t stop. Our on-call vet tech, Stacie Greene, opened the back door for me with a mixed expression on her normally cheerful face. My concern immediately turned off from my annoyance at my potentially ruined heels to focus on the possible furry life in danger.
“I thought I told Ivy I wasn’t available and to send any emergencies to the clinic?” I asked, bustling past her toward my office. Inside, I would find my lab coat along with a secondary pair of low heels made for being on my feet all day. They would also be dry.
“She’s aware of that but told me you’d want to take this case.” Stacie followed me, holding the iPad we used for client charts to her chest. “It’s a possible obstruction from how the owner describes his symptoms over the past two days.”
My heart dropped, and my stomach clenched. Obstruction of anything coupled with a time-lapse of more than twenty-four hours didn’t sit well with me. I kicked off my heels, slipping into the more veterinarian-appropriate ones waiting inside of my office door. After quickly gathering my stethoscope from the top drawer and grabbing the white lab coat with my name embroidered across the left breast pocket, I nodded to Stacie.
“Let’s go see what we are dealing with.”
“Oh, one more thing.” Her freckled cheeks flushed a bright scarlet. “The owner is super-hot.”
I rolled my eyes. It now made perfect sense why Ivy allowed him to come here instead of the clinic, but now wasn’t the time to send her a scolding text. I had a cat with a possible obstruction to save.
“So sorry for the wait,” I announced after giving three quick knocks on the door to the examination room. “I was giving a lecture at A&M and had to fight the traffic to get over here. What seems to be the …?” My voice trailed off while my gaze took him in from head to toe.
Stacie hadn’t been lying. The man before me was drop-dead gorgeous. He was tall, broad, well-muscled underneath his black V-neck T-shirt with slightly disheveled blond hair. His sea-blue gaze widened on mine, making me feel exposed.
Houston, we have a problem.
Not only is Mr. Hot and Sexy eyeing me up the way I’d just ogled him, but we both knew what the other looked like. Naked. Because we’d been together before. And not just together-together, but engaged.
“Elias.” I broke the awkward barrier first, swallowing hard. With one glance at the gorgeous Ragdoll sitting patiently on the steel examination table that looked suspiciously like my own cat at home, I knew I wasn’t dreaming.
“Hey.” He cleared his throat, wiping his palms on his jean-clad thighs. “Ivy told me this would be okay since it’s an emergency.”
Well, Ivy and I would be having a long discussion later about why she should’ve sent my ex-fiancé to the clinic.
Seeing his cat, though, one I’d lived with and loved on, melted my heart. “What seems to be the issue with Obi?” I walked over and let the male cat sniff my hand. He rewarded me with a gentle rub, giving me the okay to scratch his neck.
“His favorite toy has gone missing.” His low baritone sent goose bumps over my flesh. I had to force my body to behave. “And he hasn’t eaten or really drank anything in two days.”
“What about the litter box?” Instinct moved my hands to Obi’s—short for Obi Meown Kenobi—stomach area, where I felt around gently.
“He’s used it but only to pee.” Elias rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. This side of the usual cool, confident human doctor wasn’t one I’d been privy to much. “I haven’t seen any number twos in twenty-four hours.”
My gut tightened, but I nodded, keeping my face neutral. “What kind of toy is missing?” Stacie moved to Obi’s opposite side to hold him in place while I adjusted the stethoscope in my ears to try to search for any gut sounds.
“It’s a Nerf ball.”
Both Stacie and I exchange a look across the stainless steel table. Nerf guns—and more specifically, their bullets—were notorious for creating bowel or stomach obstructions in cats. Sometimes, they threw them up. Other times, the family would make a sad and startling discovery a few days later. If an owner made it to the vet on time, we could perform surgery to hopefully remove and repair any damage.
“How big?” I ask.
He made a ping-pong-sized shape with his thumb and forefinger. “He’s had it forever, and never once has he tried to eat it.”
“Well, I’m going to suggest we do an ultrasound to find out exactly where this ball, or what remains of it, is located.” I gave the cat another scratch. He purred like nothing dramatic was happening around him. “Once I find whether it’s still in the stomach or has passed through to the bowel, I’ll know if we need to operate or not.”
Elias nodded. “Whatever you have to do, let’s do it.” He stepped closer to me, reaching out to take his cat’s head in his large hands. The smell of sandalwood and lemon wafted over to me, bringing with it a flood of memories. “He’s my little buddy.”
“I know, and we’ll do everything we can for him.”
Instead of letting Stacie go and grab the ultrasound machine, I practically flew out of the room to get it myself. My heart raced, not just because of my attachment to the cat behind the door but also because of the man who’d stolen and subsequently stomped on my heart. Four years hadn’t been enough time to get over him, obviously. Out of sight and out of mind only worked if I couldn’t see him. And now that I had, mixed emotions I’d fought so damn hard to tuck away wanted to come spilling to the surface.
No. You have a patient who needs your entire brain, Piper, I scolded myself, grabbing the machine to wheel it over to the examination room. Focus and you can break down later over a nice glass of merlot. Too bad Elias wouldn’t be joining me for that much-needed glass.
“All right.” I re-entered the room and noticed Stacie already had the fluffy boy turned over on his back. She was laughing as she shaved some of his hair.
“He thinks this is just the greatest.” She chuckled, shutting off the clippers. “What a laid-back cat.”
“He’s the best,” Elias agreed. The pensive, worried expression he wore stabbed at my soul. My gaze moved down to his left hand, noticing the absence of a ring. But he was a doctor, so he may not wear a ring at times due to his line of work.
“Let’s see if he’ll tolerate this without sedation.” I flipped on the ultrasound, and Stacie took her position as the technician while I wielded the wand. “Okay, little Obi, let’s see what kind of mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”
Starting in the stomach, I waited for the organ to come into view on the black and white screen. Almost instantly, my fears dampened. Just to be on the extra-cautious side, I moved onto the bowels, taking my time to double and then triple check. Obi sat calmly, purring up a storm as Elias rubbed his nose.
“Best patient I’ve ever had.” I smiled, pulling the wand away with a flourish. “Bad news, his favorite toy is no longer, but the good news is it’s still in his stomach.” My gaze met his. “I can give him some medication to induce vomiting, and he should be able to bring it up. However, I will want to keep him overnight to monitor him and make sure he doesn’t have any complications. Since he hasn’t gone to the bathroom in a few days, we need to make sure his back end is working properly.”
Elias breathed out a sigh of relief, and his signature, sexy-as-hell smile lit up his face. “Fantastic.”
Stacie cleared her throat behind me, and I noticed my left hand was clutching the ultrasound cart. She arched one brow at me, pulling the only object away from me that kept my knees from buckling. I hated how he still managed to crawl under my skin. Even as I glowered at her back, she left us alone in the room.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I moved around the exam table and pulled a bottle from the medications cupboard. “You won’t want to put him back in his carrier until we’ve got the pieces up.”
“I think since the tech is now gone, you can drop the professional act, Piper.” He spoke my name like a prayer, and my hands froze. “How’ve you been?”
“Oh, you know.” With trembling fingers, I continued to fill the syringe with the right dosage of medication. “Made partner at a clinic and founded this rescue. Living the dream. How about you?”
“I’ve also made partner in my office and doing much of the same.” Without looking at him, I knew he was running his fingers through his soft hair like he always did when frustrated. “I didn’t mean to make this awkward. I just didn’t trust anyone else with Obi, and Ivy said it wouldn’t be an issue.”
Spinning on my heel, I gently ran a hand over Obi’s back to distract him. “It’s not an issue at all.” My hand carefully rested on Obi’s head, giving him a scratch before scooting closer to aim the needle at his shoulder. “Just a pinch.” Before he could think about bolting away, I rubbed over his opposite shoulder and hugged him to my chest. Glancing down, I smiled. Obi’s bright blue eyes stared up at me in betrayal.
“Sorry, buddy.” I smirked, stroking over his shoulders. “You’ll thank me in a few minutes.”
Sure of my aim, I clicked the timer on my phone to wait for the fruits of my labor. I glanced up to meet Elias’s intense gaze. “No, it’s no trouble at all. After all these years, I’m glad you still trust me with your cat at least.” I didn’t mean for the comment to come out sounding as bitter as it did. The pinching of his brows and tightening of his jaw gave me the impression he hadn’t expected it either.
“It’s been four years, Elias,” I stated with a sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. “What happened between us is done and over with. Ancient history. You’ve gotten your partnership and so have I. We’re both doing exactly what we wanted to do.”
He didn’t speak for a moment as he studied my gaze to try to find the lies buried deep beneath the surface. I silently prayed he didn’t find them because they were there, taunting me. For a moment, I believed our conversation was over. And then he did something so totally and completely him that I almost gasped.
He crossed the few feet between us, stalking me with intentions I couldn’t be sure of. Heat flooded my core, and my palms grew sweaty. Four years apart or not, I knew this man like the back of my hand.
“Elias,” I warned.
“Don’t tell me what to do, Piper,” he retorted, barely raising his voice above a graveled whisper.
One of his hands reached out toward me. My heart jumped, lodging itself in my throat and stealing my speech. If he made a move, I’d be helpless against him. No matter how high the walls I put in place, he knew the exact footholds to take in order to tear me down. He’d always been my kryptonite. Always. He was the one who got away.
The heat radiating off his body warmed me even more. He made me forget about being nearly soaked and irritated in the driveway. And I sure as shit didn’t care about my shoes right now.
Before he opened his mouth to say the words I knew would penetrate through my steel armor, the familiar hurk, hurk, hurk sound of a cat drew both of our attention. There, on the exam table, Obi threw up a strange colored pile of yellow and tan. Multiple pieces of the Nerf ball made its star appearance. The cat licked his lips, swallowing hard, and stared at both of us like he was expecting some kind of applause. Not a few seconds later, he was heaving again. Leave it to a cat to completely and totally ruin the moment.
Kylie Stewart has been writing short stories and books all her life. She was influenced by her Scottish heritage to become an independent British history buff and has a small library dedicated to Tudor history and Arthurian legend. From contemporary, to fantasy, to the historical, she loves to write dangerous, passionate, raw romance that will make you dread to see the pages dwindle.
She works as an audio book narrator and voice actor when she isn’t writing. Kylie lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and fellow voice actor Eric Rolon, her son, and their three cats Asuka, Oliver, and Haru.
One business trip is all it takes for the unexpected…
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