by JM Stewart
She was touched he’d go through so much trouble for her but reached up to touch the scar running from her temple to the corner of her chin. The night she’d gotten it came to mind. The darkened car, the twisted metal. Her parents died that night and her life changed. She’d gotten teased so much growing up that she’d come to expect it. Kids could be shallow and cruel, even in college. It didn’t help that she’d gotten good grades and preferred her own company. She was a geek, a loner. She enjoyed reading. Her love for it had been what made her decide to use the meager inheritance her parents had left to open her bookstore.
Over the years, she’d been laughed at and discussed like she didn’t exist, didn’t have feelings. She’d overheard one too many dates in college, before she’d met Dane, talking to friends about the hideousness of her scar. Some had even laughed at her. Granted, they were drunken college boys too full of themselves, but the hurt had stuck. Since her breakup with Dane, she’d given up dating altogether. No, trying to find someone real, who’d accept her, scars and short, “voluptuous” stature and all, wasn’t worth the headache.
She still had needs, though, and desires. She was twenty-five, single, and sexually frustrated. She had yet to have a wild fling for the hell of it. She lived like an old spinster, because she was afraid to live. She wanted and craved hot, heavy sex, the kind where you couldn’t keep your hands off each other. Where you made out in elevators, like in the novel that brought her and Cade together in the first place. With a man, not the boys she managed to find. One who wouldn’t be horrible behind her back or even to her face, who’d make her feel sexy while he fucked her into next week.
She wasn’t, however, naïve. She knew better than to meet a complete stranger without knowing anything about him. “What’s your last name?”
“So you can look me up? Smart girl. McKenzie. My full name is Caden Declan McKenzie, but most people call me Cade. I work for my father. Do a search on my name. I guarantee you’ll find me. Now, you have to promise you aren’t going to stalk me.”
The playful tease in his tone had her imagining his smile, and the knot in her chest unraveled. She couldn’t help a soft laugh. “I can guarantee I won’t. It’s not my style, but I guess you’re going to have to trust me. Providing you are who you say you are, when would you like to meet?”
He was silent a moment. “You have a fantastic laugh, you know that? My flight lands Sunday night. Monday and Tuesday I’m booked solid. By the time I get back to my hotel at night, I won’t be worth anything. Wednesday afternoon is free, though.”
“I can do Wednesday. About three-ish?” She could pull J.J. in a couple hours early.
She and Maddie had hired J.J. a few months ago, needing someone to close the shop at night. Her little bookshop wasn’t very big, little more than a small bedroom. When she’d opened it, though, she and Maddie had a dream, to do what they loved doing. Maddie was good with people. The shop had done better than either of them expected. It had grown steadily over the last three years.
Just recently, they’d lengthened their days at the request of more than a few customers, who couldn’t make it in before the store closed at six. So, they kept it open until ten now. Last week, Hannah had covered her shift so J.J. could celebrate her first anniversary. Technically, that meant J.J. owed her one, though she knew the middle-aged woman wouldn’t have a problem with returning the favor. It was why they’d hired her. She shared the same passion for books, and she had a sweet, need-to-please disposition. The customers loved her. This way, Hannah would have time to go home and decide what to wear before meeting Cade at the Space Needle.
“Three it is. See you Wednesday, Hannah.”
The anticipation in his voice sent a shiver of the same trickling down her spine. “I look forward to it, Cade.”
And did she. More than she probably ought to.
About the Author
JM Stewart is a coffee and chocolate addict who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons, and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession.
Learn more at:
AuthorJMStewart.com
Facebook.com/AuthorJMStewart
Twitter: @JMStewartWriter
Also by JM Stewart
Bidding on the Billionaire
Winning the Billionaire
Bargaining for the Billionaire
You Might Also Like…
Looking for more great romances?
Now available from Forever Yours
Online, any fantasy is possible. But when virtual lovers decide to meet in real life, the temperature rises—and so do the stakes.
Safety. Anonymity. Invisibility. Those are just a few advantages of Internet “dating.” Even better, as far as Hannah Miller is concerned, is that she can shed all inhibitions without worrying about what he thinks of her figure or her face. “He” is bikerboy357, the man who knows what Hannah likes and wants her—every night—as much as she wants him. When he asks to meet, Hannah hesitates. But the temptation is too strong. And after one look into his sultry green eyes, there’s no turning back.
Cade McKenzie’s never met a woman who wasn’t blinded by his billion-dollar net worth, but “JustAGurl456” knows neither his face nor his name. Her words are so smart, sweet, and scorchingly sexy that Cade’s willing to gamble she’ll be just as amazing in person. And she is. But even as every delicious encounter makes Cade want Hannah more, what he wants most is her trust. It’s something all his money can’t buy. And now Cade will do anything to earn it…
When it comes to love, this billionaire is all business…
Software mogul Christina McKenzie has loved billionaire Sebastian Blake since they were kids. So when Seattle’s most famous bachelor—and perennial playboy—finally asks Christina out, her fantasies kick into overdrive. Things become hot and heavy…but what’s she supposed to do when she starts to fall for him? Sebastian’s never been one to settle down, and Christina knows she’s just another notch in his bedpost.
Sebastian knows that smart, kind Christina deserves better than him. But after the mind-blowing night they just shared, he’s ready to turn a sexy fling into the real deal. Keeping his freedom is one thing, yet keeping Christina in his bed—and in his life—is all Sebastian can think about…
You know what they say: billionaires do it better…
Grayson Lockwood is every girl’s fantasy. Fabulously wealthy? Check. Dangerous good looks, complete with a titillating tattoo on his rock-hard chest? Check. High-powered CEO? Check. Too bad none of that impressed the only woman he ever loved. Since she walked away from him three years ago, Grayson can’t get her out of his mind. To win her back, he’ll have to finally open up about the secrets he’s been keeping. But first, he may have to use a little deception.
Tired of her comatose love life, Madison O’Reilly spices things up by chatting online with a sexy stranger. All she’s really looking for is a hot fling—and BookNerd seems flirtatious and surprisingly attuned to her needs. As their chats become steamier, she begins to wonder just how long she can hold out before she has the real thing. But when he steps out from behind his avatar, Grayson can only hope that Maddie will finally see his true heart…
Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Hachette Digital.
To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.
Sign Up
Or visit us at hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters
ilter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
