Release Date: June 9, 2015
Julia Caldwell has long since mastered the art of seduction in order to catch the only thing on her radar; one night stands. Having two failed marriages under her belt, she’s learned to keep her feelings in check and remain aloof, not wanting to get caught up in another pesky relationship only for it to end eventually in heartache. As the manager of a prestigious Hair Salon in Nashville, she succeeds in keeping the opposite sex at arms-length except when it suits her and her needs. That is until she lands on Cottage Grove soil.
Dean Parker has just as many failed marriages against him, and with being a divorce lawyer it eventually has him thinking that’s why his conquests always fall through, due to his occupation. After seeing his two childhood friends rekindle their flame and earning the happily ever after he so desperately craves, he decides to give up. That it’s not worth the heartache he’s been put through. Until he meets the snarky spitfire who gets under his skin.
Throwing the two of them together in the same town for the wedding of their best friends, Julia isn’t against having another fling, even if it is with Dean, but he definitely has other plans of making it more than that. Amongst their non-defined affair, lurking somewhere in the darkness is a shadow from one of their pasts who will stop at nothing to make sure that happily ever after’s stay where they belong, in the fairy tales.
I dashed into the airport, barely escaping the torrential downpour, and went straight for the airline itinerary board to make sure Julia’s plane was still on time. I was willing to start completely over and let the past stay in the past, as long as she was. Which was why I was a gentleman enough to come into the airport and offer to help her out with her luggage.
I hung out near the baggage claim, where soon enough Julia would make her appearance.
I didn’t have to wait long before I caught a glimpse of her waiting by the baggage carousel and heaving her big-ass luggage to the floor. Once she stood upright again and glanced my way she literally took my breath away. Something about her made me want her with every fiber of my being. Even after being on a plane for several hours she looked as if she had walked right off a page of a magazine; that was until she came closer towards me and opened her mouth.
“Why in the hell are you here?” She sneered in my direction, with venom and annoyance.
So much for turning over a new leaf and being gentlemanly.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and rolled back on my heels, “Do you think I actually volunteered for this?”
She took just a brief second to peruse my body, so quick that she probably didn’t think I noticed. But I noticed, oh yeah I did.
“Yes,” she turned up a side of her freshly painted lips, “more than likely,” she said flatly.
“Yeah, because chauffeuring your ass around was high on my bucket list.” I made a motion to check off that next item on my imaginary list.
“Oh please,” she huffed. “This is probably the most excitement you’ve seen in a month.”
“No, that award definitely goes to Eden. She’s teetering on the verge of a breakdown.”
Her eyes softened at the mention of her friend and all the stress she was enduring. Perhaps there was a heart placed in the cold cavity in her chest. “Well, then what are we standing around here gabbing for then? I have a best friend to help!” She pivoted on her heel and began walking towards the exit doors of the airport, giving me an unabashed view of her fine ass as she sashayed away from me.
Right before she reached the exit doors, I came up and stopped in front of her, ready to burst her bubble. Looking down at her immaculate outfit, including what I would guess to be four-inch heels, I said, “I see you made sure to bring your winter coat, but I hope you packed rain boots. It’ll suck trying to walk to my car in the pouring rain in those heels,” I pointed down to her stunning footwear that I just couldn’t help picturing wrapped around my waist. Even though she drove me crazy with her smart ass remarks, I was a man after all and I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I found her extremely attractive.
Her eyes went wide and I had to try my hardest to hold back my laughter that was undoubtedly threatening to erupt. “No…I didn’t even think about it. Are you parked far?”
“At the end of the loading/unloading zone.” Her face immediately fell following my words, this was just too much fun.
“Well, can you pull my luggage?” That was what I had initially come in for, but since she wanted to start off by being a bitch, those weren’t my intentions any longer.
“Ah, sorry,” I replied, acting a bit sympathetic. “An independent woman such as yourself doesn’t need any help from a man.”
“Ugh,” she stomped one of her heels against the concrete floor, making the sound echo throughout the lobby. “I really hate you,” she bit out between her clenched teeth.
“Oh, the feeling is definitely mutual,” I smiled smugly to myself, pulled up the hood to my coat, readjusted, and patted the umbrella that was resting in the inside pocket of my jacket. I chuckled under my breath, if she knew that I had an umbrella in my possession, she would no doubt change her tune. But where would be the fun in that? I'd just keep that nugget of information to myself.
Amber is a stay at home mom currently residing in Southern Indiana with her husband and two beautiful daughters. If she’s not shopping, going to concerts or roadtrips, or having her nose stuck in a book you’ll often find her at the ball field watching one of the numerous sports that her girls are involved in.
She is the author of the contemporary romance Brown County Series, titles include Not Alone, Runaway Love, How To Save A Life, and Unconditionally (M/M). And Cottage Grove series, More Than A Memory.
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