by Whitley Cox
That’s right, little bunny, hop away now that you know I come with baggage.
He wiped his brow with his towel. “Two, a girl and a boy. Eight and ten.”
Her smile was forced, almost grim. “How sweet.”
Not into single dads there, little bunny?
She blinked her thick lashes revealing what he knew to be the smoky eye affect with her shadow. Seemed a bit over the top for the gym but whatever.
His ex had been big into the smoky eye. Once she’d figured out how to do it, that was. For the first bit Loni would come out of the bathroom looking like she’d just been punched in both eyes. Zak would laugh, Loni would pout and then head back in and try again. Eventually, she figured it out. Though he always preferred her—preferred most women with subtle eye makeup rather than dramatic.
He didn’t begrudge a woman who wore makeup, got her nails done, took care of herself. Not in the least. He liked when a woman knew how to put herself together and dress up, but also wasn’t afraid to go out in public looking like a hot mess because she’d just killed it at the gym.
Life was all about balance.
He didn’t do high maintenance.
Makeup was fine as long as there was a person of substance behind it.
Fake nails were fine as long as when the weeds needed to be pulled, she didn’t mind getting a bit of dirt on her hands.
Or didn’t mind breaking a nail as she raked them down his back when he was showing her how he liked to get his cardio workout.
He just wanted a woman who didn’t prioritize that shit over the stuff in life that really mattered—like health and family. A woman who had something going on upstairs. Past the paint she needs to be beautiful. Beauty on the inside was what mattered. If she was, he had no qualms with a bit of makeup. Besides, there wasn’t anything hotter than seeing a ring of bright red lipstick around the base of his cock after a really good BJ.
Too bad Shadley didn’t appear to have much going on upstairs.
She tilted her head in the direction of the women’s changing-room. “Oh, I think I hear my phone.”
Fsst. Yeah, okay then.
You sure it wasn’t the K-word that scared you off?
Kids! Nearly as terrifying as the word pre-nup.
And he would never ever get married again without one that was ironclad.
Shadley cleared her throat then cupped her hand to her ear. “Yes, yes, that is definitely my phone. I left it in my locker. I better go check to make sure it isn’t work calling me. I run a nail salon.” She backed up a few more steps. “Nice to meet you.”
He put his ear bud back in and reclined down to the bench again. “Yeah, you too.”
She was gone in a flash, leaving Zak chuckling to himself as he picked up the dumbbells again and resumed his pec fly reps.
Yeah, he could get any piece of tail he wanted. But he didn’t want any. Not right now. Not for a long time. Loni had burned him bad. And she continued to make his life hell with the way she used their children as pawns in her manipulation and games.
She was a liar too.
Always with a new scheme up her sleeves. Always with a new ploy.
Her boyfriend was a liar too.
Zak fucking hated liars.
If he ever found a good woman again, he’d state right off the bat that if she lied to him, they’d be done.
No second chances, no do-overs.
Liars were the scum of the Earth and no way in hell would he have them in his or his kids’ lives ever again.
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Thank you again.
Xoxo
Whitley Cox
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank who help along the way. Publishing a book is definitely not a solo mission, that’s for sure. First and foremost, my friend and editor Chris Kridler, you lady are a blessing, a gem and an all-around amazing human being. Thank you for your honesty and hard work.
Thank you, to my critique groups gals, Danielle and Jillian. I love our monthly meet-ups at Starbucks where we give honest feedback and just bitch about life. You two are my bitch-sisters and I wouldn’t give you up for anything.
Andi Babcock for her beta-read, I always appreciate your attention to detail and comments.
Author Jeanne St. James, my alpha reader and sister from another mister, what would I do without you?
Megan J. Parker-Squiers from EmCat Designs, your covers are awesome. Thank you.
My Naughty Room Readers Crew, authors Jeanne St. James, Erica Lynn and Cailin Briste, I love being part of such a tremendous set of inspiring, talented and supportive women. Thank you for letting me learn, lean on and join the team.
My street team, Whitley Cox’s Curiously Kinky Reviewers, you are all awesome and I feel so blessed to have found such wonderful fans.
The ladies in Vancouver Island Romance Authors, your support and insight have been incredibly helpful, and I’m so honored to be a part of a group of such talented writers.
Author Cora Seton for your help, tweaks and suggestions for my blurbs, as always, they come back from you so sparkly. I also love our walks, talks and heart-to-hearts, they mean so much to me.
Authors Kathleen Lawless, Nancy Warren and Jane Wallace, I love our writing meetups. Wine, good food and friendship always make the words flow.
The Small Human and the Tiny Human, you are the beats and beasts of my heart, the reason I breathe and the reason I drink. I love you both to infinity and beyond.
And lastly, of course, the husband. You are my forever. I love you.
Also by Whitley Cox
Other Available Books by Whitley Cox
Love, Passion and Power: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 1
Love, Passion and Power: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 2
Sex, Heat and Hunger: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 3
Sex, Heat and Hunger: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 4
Hot and Filthy: The Honeymoon
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 4.5
True, Deep and Forever: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 5
True, Deep and Forever: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 6
Hard, Fast and Madly: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 7
Hard, Fast and Madly: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 8
Quick & Dirty
Book 1, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Quick & Easy
Book 2, A Quick Billionaires Novella
Quick & Reckless
Book 3, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Hot Dad
Lust Abroad
Snowed In & Set Up
Quick & Dangerous
Book 4, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Hired by the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 1
Dancing with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 2
Saved by the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 3
Living with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 4
Upcoming
Christmas with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 5
New Years with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 6
Valentine’s with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 7
Neighbors with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 8
Flirting with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 9
Falling for the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 10
Lost Hart
The Harty Boys Book 2
> About the Author
A Canadian West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have two beautiful daughters and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn't end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it's not quite wine o'clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes.
A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role playing, these books have everything we need to satisfy the curious kink in all of us.
You can also find me here
Website: WhitleyCox.com
Twitter: @WhitleyCoxBooks
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Blog: https://whitleycox.blogspot.ca/
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