Her phone vibrated again, and her long lashes fluttered as she read the text.
“Well? What does Daisy say?”
“Um…” She lowered the phone and held it behind her back with a coy smile.
Dae rolled his eyes. So much for their date. The words stranger danger came to mind. “It was nice getting to know you tonight, Emily.”
Her smile was replaced with tight lips and a wrinkled brow as he took a step away. “What? That’s it? I haven’t answered you yet.”
He closed the distance between them, so their thighs touched. Their lips were a breath apart, and her eyes held a seductive challenge. It took all of his focus for him not to lean down and wipe that smug look off her face with a kiss.
“I assumed…”
“Assumed?” Her voice turned low and sexy. “What happened to Mr. Hand or Arm? Wow, you’re not quite the man I thought you were if you give up that easy.” She touched his chest, nearly doing him in.
Dae clenched his jaw at the challenge. “I’m trying to be respectful. You’re the one who gave me the big-brother lecture earlier.”
“Oh, yeah.” She wrinkled her nose, and her eyes held a hint of regret.
She was so damn cute that he wanted to take care of her as much as he wanted to kiss her. “Yeah.” He leaned down and pressed his cheek to hers, then wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her against him. “I honestly don’t give a rat’s ass what Daisy said,” he whispered.
Emily nibbled on her lower lip.
Their bedrooms were located on more of a balcony than a hallway, with wrought-iron railings overlooking the great room below. The villa was silent, save for the sound of their heavy breathing.
“It’s your answer I want, not hers.”
He leaned back and gazed into her eyes, hoping she’d take a chance on the desire he could see lingering in them.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Great, and just for the record, I’d have kept you safe even if I didn’t have sisters, but I can assure you that my feelings toward you are not brotherly.”
Emily’s eyes widened.
“And I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t act sisterly toward me, either.”
“I—”
“Good night, Emily.”
(End of Sneak Peek)
Check online retailers for full Love in Bloom series
DREAMING OF LOVE, The Bradens
Strawberry Spice Jam
1 cup water
1–1.75-ounce package Sure-Jell pectin
750 ml strawberry wine
4 whole habanero peppers
5 1/2 cups sugar
8 eight-ounce mason jars
Add water to a large sauce pan and mix in the pectin slowly, bringing it to a boil. Add the wine, then remove the stems from the peppers and add them in to soak as you bring everything back to a boil. Now add sugar and return to a boil for three minutes. Let it sit for one minute, then remove the peppers and any seeds that are left and fill the jars.
Recipe fills 7 to 8 eight-ounce mason jars
Available on Amazon.com or http://www.alsbackwoodsberrie.com
Full LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES Info
Love in Bloom books may be read as stand alones. For more enjoyment, read them in series order. Characters from each series carry forward to the next.
SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love (Book 1)
Sisters in Bloom (Book 2)
Sisters in White (Book 3)
THE BRADENS
Lovers at Heart (Book 4)
Destined for Love (Book 5)
Friendship on Fire (Book 6)
Sea of Love (Book 7)
Bursting with Love (Book 8)
Hearts at Play (Book 9)
THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love (Book 10)
Stroke of Love (Book 11)
Flames of Love (Book 12)
Slope of Love (Book 13)
Read, Write, Love (Book 14)
THE BRADENS (coming soon)
Taken by Love (Book 15)
Fated for Love (Book 16)
Romancing my Love (Book 17)
Flirting with Love (Book 18)
Dreaming of Love (Book 19)
Crashing into Love (Book 20)
SEASIDE SUMMERS (coming soon)
Seaside Dreams
Seaside Hearts
Seaside Sunsets
Seaside Secrets
THE RYDERS (coming soon)
Seized by Love
Claimed by Love
Swept into Love
Chased by Love
Rescued by Love
*Please note: The Bradens (II) and Seaside Summers are releasing in an alternating pattern (Fated for Love, then Seaside Dreams, then Romancing My Love, then Seaside Hearts, etc.)
More Books by Melissa
Chasing Amanda (mystery/suspense)
Have No Shame (historical fiction/romance)
Love, Lies & Mystery (3-book bundle)
Megan’s Way (literary fiction)
Traces of Kara (psychological thriller)
Where Petals Fall (suspense)
Acknowledgments
Writing the Love in Bloom series has expanded my world in so many wonderful ways, the best of which is how often I get to interact with readers. Thank you for reaching out and letting me know how much you enjoy the characters and stories, for sharing my books with your friends, and for pitching in and helping with names, locations, and other fun facts on my Facebook fan page. I truly appreciate each and every one of you and hope you will continue to reach out.
I’d like to thank Chelsea Monte’ Falin-Hammond for referring Cecily Smith and Janet Matthews Waring for referring Chris Perdue to help me with cello research. I owe much gratitude to Cecily and Chris, professional cellists, for answering my questions and filling me in on all things cello related. I have taken fictional liberties for the story. Any and all errors are my own and not a reflection of their knowledge. Thank you all for your generosity and kindness. I hope I’ve done your profession justice.
My brother Jon Cohen will probably cringe when he realizes he’s mentioned in the acknowledgments of a romance book and that the book is dedicated to him, but he gave me the drone in Seaside Sunsets, and for that I am very grateful. Jon, you have an amazing brain. Thanks for sharing it!
And to my editorial team, Kristen, Penina, Jenna, Juliette, Marlene, and Lynn, thank you for your meticulous attention to detail.
I wish I could reach out and hug every one of the bloggers, reviewers, readers, and members of Team Pay-It-Forward, for their support and encouragement. Thank you for inspiring me on a daily basis.
To my husband and children…you know the drill. I love you more than ice cream, but I’m on the fence with chocolate. Xox.
Melissa Foster is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café, and when she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa also hosts Aspiring Authors contests for children and has painted and donated several murals to the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.
Visit Melissa on her website or chat with her on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups and welcomes an invitation to your event.
Melissa’s books are available through most online retailers in paperback and digital formats.
www.MelissaFoster.com
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