“THREE!”
Three seconds until forever. Cassie knew her answer, but something impish grabbed hold of her, and she decided to make him sweat a little. Lord knew the man deserved it. Her lashes fluttered open, and she met his gaze.
“TWO!”
His green-gold eyes held hers, one beloved wicked brow arching, more question than challenge.
“ONE!”
In the sliver of time between the old year and the new, Cassie leaned in closer, pressed her lips against Logan’s ear, and whispered a single, simple word. “Yes.”
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” The audience exploded in a cacophony of cheers and Logan surged to his feet. He wrapped his arms around Cassie, crushing her to him so tightly she couldn’t tell where he ended and she began. He kissed her breathless and then kissed her again.
The flashing lights of camera phones snapping from all directions blinded her. Cassie squeezed her eyes shut and kissed her Scot back, not caring if this was another moment destined to go viral. Some things were worth the risk.
When he finally stepped away long enough to slip the ring on her finger, she laughed in delight. She waved to the crowd, searching for Sadie. Her friend was clapping and cheering with the rest of the audience. Catching Cassie’s eyes on her, she gave her a thumbs-up before blowing her a kiss.
All over the theatre, champagne glasses were lifted high in the air, toasts to the happy couple and the New Year shouted in equal measure. The band launched into “Auld Lang Syne,” and the sharp, sweet notes of a tin whistle carried the age-old tune across the crowd, who soon joined in the song, voices weaving together with the music. Logan settled Cassie against his chest, hand warm and firm at the small of her back as he began to slow dance with her. “Happy Hogmanay, lass.”
“I have my first-footer,” she said, snuggling against him, “we’re dancing to Burns, and thanks to your mam, I already ate some black bun. It really is like Hogmanay. Only thing missing are the fireworks.”
“Och, just wait ’til I get you home,” Logan whispered, upping the brogue.
“Who says redheads are unlucky?” Cassie laughed, lifting her head and brushing her lips along his jaw.
The music shifted, the band picking up the beat with a faster paced number, and Logan took Cassie’s hand, waving to the cheering crowd as he led her offstage. She’d almost forgotten they’d been dancing in front of hundreds of people. Being with Logan did that to her, made her forget everything else around her. Shrunk the world down to just the two of them.
Backstage, Logan dodged crew members and sound equipment, maneuvering Cassie to a relatively quiet nook. “Come here, lass,” he purred, pulling her into is arms.
Again, the outside world contracted as inside, her heart expanded. How could she come to love someone so much so fast? But she did. She loved her sexy Scot. And now, incredibly, she was going to marry him. All the other details—when they would get married, where they would live, how she would manage her job—everything, could wait. They’d figure it out together. She refused to worry about it now.
Instead, Cassie shot Logan a mischievous grin. “Were you nervous?”
“About what?”
“You know what.” She raised her hand, wiggling her glittering ring finger. “Admit it, I got you.”
He shook his head.
“For a minute,” she insisted. “Admit it—I totally got you!”
He grabbed her wrist. “Aye,” he said, and pressed her palm to his lips. “I admit it, you got me.” He kissed each finger in turn, sending quivers of delight all through her. “But not for a minute.” His mouth left her fingers and found her lips. “You got me, lass.” He kissed her, breathing the words into her. “You got me forever.” He kissed her and kissed her and kissed her. On the tip of her nose, her cheeks, her forehead.
Cassie kissed her sexy Scot back, smiling against his mouth.
Sometimes, the happy endings in romance novels couldn’t compare to real life.
Sometimes, real life was even better.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Like the heroine of this story, I passionately believe in the power of reading. Books are the gateway to endless new worlds … a gate that should be open to everyone.
To that end, I encourage you, dear reader, to check out literacy initiatives in your area.
Thank you, and happy reading!
Melonie Johnson
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Like any good love story, the road to my happy ending as an author was a long and winding one. I owe many thanks to the many people who have walked this path with me.
My writing crew, Portland Midwest, a group of kick-ass authors and friends who have been with me every step of the way, offering love and advice and drinks in Mason jars. Clara Kensie, Erica O’ Rourke, Erin Brambilla, Lynne Hartzer, Melanie Bruce, Ricki Wovsaniker, and Ryann Murphy.
The smart and savvy Sonali Dev and Shannyn Schroeder, whose insightful critiques forced me to dig deeper, unearthing gems that led to a richer story.
My beta readers and dear friends, Amanda Kochenash and Christine Crow. The care and time you took reading my work and sharing your thoughts mean so much.
My Golden Heart© classes, the Mermaids and Rebelles. I don’t know what I’d do without all your incredible support and encouragement. Thank you for the endless supply of virtual hand-holding and belly laughs.
The many fabulous members of Windy City, WisRWA, and most especially, Chicago-North. I owe a debt of gratitude for the resources and support I’ve received and continue to receive from these invaluable romance writer chapters.
My agent, Pamela Harty. Thanks for going with your gut! I’ll never forget our first phone call and am so grateful you decided to trust your instincts. Special thanks to Ann Marie Walker—I had to get through the door on my own, but you helped open it.
The most wonderful partner in this process I could ever imagine, my editor, Jennie Conway. Thank you for loving these stories as much as I do. Your endless energy and enthusiasm are everything.
Finally, and most importantly, to my partner in life, my husband, Hugues. Thank you for making me feel beautiful and loved each and every day. For always believing in me, even when I wasn’t sure if I believed in myself.
And to my girls, Aishtyn and Gwyn, you are both heroines in your own amazing stories. How very lucky I am to be your mom, to get to be part of your adventure, to see each page as it unfolds.
Thank you all for being a part of my journey. If you are reading this, many thanks to you as well. Sharing the characters who have lived in my head for so long with the world is a dream come true—the happy ending I longed for. But, in the words of one of my favorite tales, The Last Unicorn, “There are no happy endings, because nothing ever ends.” And it’s true, there are more books to be written, many stories yet untold. I look forward to the next curve in the road.
Stay tuned for the next books in the Sometimes in Love series by Melonie Johnson
SMITTEN BY THE BRIT
&
ONCE UPON A BAD BOY
Available Summer 2019 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Praise for Getting Hot with the Scot
“A fun, sexy, and delightful read!”
—New York Times bestselling author Julie James
“Getting Hot with the Scot is a wild romp, a ton of fun, and a new addition to my favorites shelf!”
—New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren
“Unabashedly sexy and romantic, Melonie Johnson’s debut is a fabulous read!”
—USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader
“Getting Hot with the Scot is compulsively readable and entirely satisfying.”
—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After earning her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, Melonie Johnson—aka #thewritinglush—taught high school English and Theatre for several years. An award-winning author and a two-time RWA Go
lden Heart® finalist, she writes smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin. She lives happily ever after with her husband, two redheaded daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a pair of hermit crabs. Getting Hot with the Scot is her debut novel.
Visit her website at: meloniejohnson.com, or sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Praise for Getting Hot with the Scot
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
GETTING HOT WITH THE SCOT
Copyright © 2019 by Melonie Johnson.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781250193100
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / May 2019
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
Getting Hot with the Scot--A Sometimes in Love Novel Page 32
