"I left Baker Oaks ten years ago and swore I'd never return. So, why on earth am I sitting in the front seat of Jake Clarke's truck? The guy whose heart I broke all those years ago, the man I considered the love of my life.
After a decade of successfully avoiding everything Jake, running into him at the airport was never part of the plan. And staying at his place? Definitely not in the cards. But when my job sent me—Allie Zabana—on a six-month assignment near Baker Oaks, I had no choice but to go.
It wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't left without a word ten years ago. All the old memories are coming back, along with a love I've tried to forget for so long—one that's threatening to claw its way to the surface, dragging with it all the secrets I've locked away.
After a moment of weakness and his hands on me again, there's no question about the chemistry we still share—it's the kind of passion that could reignite like wildfire if we aren't careful. But . . . he has no idea what really happened all those years ago, and I'm not sure he'd ever forgive me if he did.
Just when I think maybe the past will stay buried in the past, life hits me with a blitz I never saw coming."
"Fall in love with my rival? Absolutely not.
Have a one night stand with the hot, 6'4, tattooed new guy in town? Yes.
Except . . . they're one and the same.
When I was flirting with Santiago Cruz, trying to figure out the quickest way to get his strong hands on my waist and his full lips on my mouth, I never imagined he would be my newest rival. Showing up at the Motocross track and seeing him confirmed suspicions I didn't know I had. He acts all tough and even asks if I'm here to continue what we started last night—did I mention we got interrupted? Because I—Roe Sorelle, local bar owner and the town's black cat—had to break up a fight. Classic. I thought the one thing I needed to worry about was making it to nationals, not how to stay away from the tall, dark, and handsome Santiago.
I'm used to twists and turns, life has always sent them my way, but the undeniable spark between us is something new and distracting. Especially when we're stuck with only one motorcycle on trails often crossed. Him being a genuinely nice guy doesn't help. A good son and big brother . . . but also a dirty talker who cooks for me every morning. How am I supposed to stay away from him and keep him at arm's length? Everything I touch dies, and I don't want it to be his fate, too. Not when all he's ever wanted in life is to find someone to share it with.
I may not be able to stay away from him but giving him my heart? Never."
"Christmas has never been this hot . . . or eventful.
Falling asleep on a bench in the marina's parking lot on Amelia Island was not in my plans for last night. Neither is being woken up by Alex Haddock, former QB for the Jacksonville Rhinos, and a grumpy media nightmare.
I don't even know who he is. But one thing leads to another, and we end up in the back of his truck for a steamy night. It's supposed to be just that one time, but now he's here asking me, Livie Sanz, curvy hot mess express and everyone's best friend, to be his fake girlfriend so the media thinks he's settling down.
I agree, because—bonus!—it also gets my mom off my back about dying alone.
We have twelve days before Christmas to prove to the world he's reformed, and to prove to my mom that I am capable of picking my own partner. Even if he looks like he could murder someone with his stare.
The problem is that what started as all fun and games quickly changes into blurred lines and what-ifs. And now, I'm left wondering if there's any way we can both let our guard down enough to admit there might be more here than our arrangement."
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