Layla Jackson wasn’t looking for love or marriage, especially not with notorious playboy and single dad, Seth Wakowski. But when people in Seth’s life tell him it’s time he settle down and clean up his act, there’s only one person Seth can think of for the job. Can Seth win Layla over and prove there’s more to him than meets the eye? Readers who enjoy marriage-of-convenience romances will devour Rebound by Evelyn Sola, a steamy diverse romance.
Catching feelings in a marriage of convenience is REALLY inconvenient.
Layla Jackson isn’t looking for marriage or her own happily ever after. At least not at this point in her life and especially not with notorious playboy and single dad, Seth Wakowski.
He may be a baller on the court, but off- he’s immature and the total opposite of the kind of guy she would ever want to be involved with.
Seth’s baby girl? Now that’s a totally different story. Layla and Jasmine adore each other.
But when people in Seth’s life tell him it’s time he settle down and clean up his act, there’s only one person he can think of for the job.
If only he can show her there’s more to him than meets the eye.
Despite her judgmental attitude toward Seth, she can’t deny the electrical charge each time their eyes lock. Or the desire that runs through her each time they touch.
Can Seth win Layla over and prove that their marriage won’t be just another rebound? He knows he’s playing for keeps, but will he be able to convince her of that?
Excerpt
Copyright 2024 Evelyn Sola
He follows me while I busy myself fluffing the pillows on the couch.
“Marriage is serious. It shouldn’t be treated as a transaction,” I admonish.
“Everything is a transaction, Layla. Look at me,” he orders, but I don’t move. “Come on.” He takes my shoulders and turns me to look at him again. “I have money, and you need it to help your grandma. You have something I want.” I gasp at his crassness. “Not that,” he chuckles. “We can help each other. My daughter likes you, and I want to give her the kind of family I never had.”
I break away from his touch, but I don’t move away. “That’s not how marriage is supposed to work. And I’m only twenty-two. I’m not ready to raise a child.” Then I try to shove him, only he doesn’t budge.
“A marriage works however we want it to work. Come on. Let’s sit down and figure it out.” He pulls out a chair for me at the table. Like a zombie, I sit.
“You’re a whore,” I say. “I’m not going to ever be with someone who sleeps with everybody. Community dick is not my goal. Am I supposed to sit at home caring for your child while you’re out having orgies with fangirls? And what about your away games? Who knows what you’ll get into on the road.”
He sits down across from me but pulls his chair as close to me as possible without touching me.
“The thing is, I’m not a whore.”
“You have a reputation for sleeping with anyone and anything. Women have come out and said they’ve had threesomes or orgies with you.” I look around and whisper, “Jasmine is here only because of some rando you took to your hotel room. You slept with her nanny for goodness sake.”
“All of that is true except for the nanny. She got in my bed and took that picture. I never touched her, and I never wanted to.”
I twist my mouth, not believing a word he just said.
“The other things you said are true, but I’m not a whore. I never lied to anyone. I never made promises. Everyone I was with knew it was only for a night or two and that nothing would come of it. I never mistreated or took advantage of anyone. I had sex with people who wanted to have sex with me. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“So, you’re community dick but honest about it? Are you going to tell me every time you cheat on me? That is not appealing.” I try to stand but he’s too close for me to move. “Unlike you, I’m looking for a relationship with someone who cares about me. I’m looking for love, not some quid pro quo arrangement.”
“I never cheated on anyone because I’ve never been in a relationship. I won’t cheat on you. I promise,” he says.
That takes the wind out of my sails. I look into his green eyes, and he’s not smirking. He’s not even smiling. I look away.
“You won’t cheat on me? Does that mean you expect us to—” The word gets stuck in my throat, “fuck?”
“We’ll be married. A real marriage because I get horny.”
“Eww,” I say.
“What? You don’t get horny?”
“That is none of your business,” I say with my nose in the air.
“You help me raise Jasmine. It was hard last season. Each time I left her, she had a meltdown. Sometimes I’m gone for days or a week. I have no family to help me. I’m all alone.” Part of me feels for him. Alone is one thing I’ve never been. I’ve had both parents, Donna, and my grandma. Not to mention June Bug is always in my business. I have about a dozen other cousins, friends, and extended family members. I can’t imagine being in his shoes. If I was a single mother, I’d have a village to help me.
But he’s not your problem. He’s not your friend or your family.
“You don’t even like me,” I remind him.
“Yes, I do. You’re very pretty. You’re smart and hardworking. You’re good to my daughter, and you have a nice ass. You’re the one who has always had a problem with me. And you’re nice to everyone but me.”
“None of those reasons are enough for us to get married, and stop looking at my ass before I give you a black eye.”
About Evelyn Sola
A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.
Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor.
She currently lives in Chicago, IL with her husband and two daughters.
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