The Heartbreak Contract (Castle Ridge Small Town Romance Book 6)
Page 11
Her relaxed, answering grin showed she wasn’t concerned with how much of her body was displayed. As a dancer, she was probably used to people staring at her. “I’m Quinn Petrov.”
His brother’s charm was already working. Annoyance pulsed at Reed’s temples.
Besides their green eyes, it was hard to tell Dax was his brother. Dax had longer, blond hair while Reed’s was dark and curly. Dax’s lanky and able body was the opposite of Reed’s thick trunk exterior and his limp. Dax’s fun attitude toward life contrasted with Reed’s darker views.
“Bro, why didn’t you tell me about your new woman?” His brother gave an exaggerated wink, trying to embarrass Reed.
If Dax stayed in town longer than his ski patrol shift, he’d know who Quinn was. “She’s not my woman.” He sounded grouchy and short, and he hated himself for it. This woman didn’t matter to him. Not what skimpy clothes she wore, or who she dated. “She’s my tenant.”
“Interesting.” His brother’s eyebrows rose and lowered in a more-than-interested action.
“I should get changed.” Quinn’s soft smile had his insides twisting. “Nice meeting you, Dax.”
“I’ll be seeing you around.” The suggestiveness said more than his words.
The twisting inside Reed’s gut pulled tighter, watching Quinn’s wet backside sway out of the bathroom. He couldn’t pull his gaze away from the mesmerizing move.
“Getting out of bed was worth it for the view.” His brother’s face took on a wolfish expression. “I want to be a landlord, if I can have hot tenants like her.”
“Stick to blowing avalanches up.” He wanted to blow up. At his brother, at Quinn, at the situation. He never should’ve called Dax. “Help me finish fixing the leak.”
Dax crouched down by the sink and picked up the flashlight. “So what’s going on between you two?”
“Nothing.” Reed climbed back under the sink, with a caulk gun in hand.
Why would his brother think he’d have anything going on with a woman as beautiful as Quinn? He hadn’t dated anyone since his fiancée. He only socialized with his family, rarely talked to anyone else except his construction clients.
“It’s the middle of the night.” Using a suggestive tone, his brother pointed the light at the pipe connection. “You’re dressed in only shorts. She’s in a sexy nightie.”
He strangled the caulk gun like he wanted to strangle his brother. “Shut up, Dax. Nothing is going on between Quinn and I.”
Dax wiggled his eyebrows. “Then, you won’t mind if I ask her out.”
The Romance Dance — Free at Amazon!
Reading on a Kindle App or PaperWhite? Click Here
Excerpt from
The Christmas Match
A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance
Book 2
by Allie Burton
The season for second chances.
After heartache at a young age, single mother Danielle Marstrand has finally found her place in her hometown. A good job, a good home, a great daughter—nothing can sway her from her course until Luke Logan returns to their small Colorado mountain ski town.
Champion skier Luke Logan is ready to return home to Castle Ridge, even if he’s not quite sure the town’s ready to welcome him. Especially his high school sweetheart Danielle. Nursing an injury that nearly ended his career, Luke’s struggling to get back more than his range of motion…he’s hoping returning to where his career began might help reignite the passion he’s lost. But instead of discovering his passion for skiing he discovered the daughter he never knew he had.
Hurt that Danielle never told him about Brianna, Luke is determined to know his child. Danielle’s reluctant to allow Luke in, fearing he’ll just leave again, but she’s willing to compromise when Luke suggests fake dating with Brianna tagging along. Why then, does a kiss for show feel oh so real?
In this classic reunion story, love finds a second chance.
Excerpt:
“You’re single. I’m single. You’ve changed. I’ve changed. You asked to meet me.” Luke’s voice rose in accusation. “Nothing smarmy about that.”
Dani’s eyebrows rose. “Every time a woman asks you to meet does it mean having sex?”
“Pretty much.” His cockiness caused the wine to burn in her chest.
Disgust made it travel the wrong direction. “Not with me.”
His eyes blinked. For a second she thought she’d seen hurt on his expression, but then the suave-macho guy she’d seen in interviews on TV made his reappearance. “Then what do I owe this…pleasure?”
His hesitation told her he meant the opposite of pleasure, but again the imagined images of the two of them together burned. Her entire body felt as if she sat in the fire, not next to the fireplace. She blew out a breath and focused on what she came to do.
Tell Luke. Tell Luke. Tell Luke.
The room seemed to close in on them. The few people in the dining area were normal people having normal conversations. They weren’t about to change someone’s life. They weren’t about to alter their own reality. And their daughter’s.
The fire roared louder. The flames spurted higher, taunting. Other people’s laughter spiked through her head. The clanging dishes echoed and burst in her brain.
She blew out a slow breath, knowing she just needed to spit it out. “I need to tell you something and I want a promise you won’t yell or make a scene.”
“I promise.” His snippiness set the wrong tone.
Nerves scraped in her stomach making the wine go sour. Nausea rumbled and burned up her chest. She felt as if she was going to heave on the table. She pinched her lips together and then forced her mouth to open. To speak.
Nothing came out.
“I haven’t seen you in thirteen years. There’s nothing you could say that would make me angry.” He grabbed his mug and took a long pull.
She froze at his statement and his casual action. He didn’t believe anything she said mattered? Her iced body cracked and heated. Fissures formed with her fury. He didn’t think she mattered? Her brain popped and her veins burst in a torrent. He probably wouldn’t think their daughter mattered either. Her hands curled into cold claws. She wanted to scrape the annoying expression off his handsome face.
Instead, she scooped up her coat and lunged out of the booth. “Oh!”
To hell with him.
“Well?” His impatient tone yanked her to a stop, goaded her.
Her heart thumped once. Deviousness had her swirling back around. So, he didn’t think anything she said would affect him, did he? She was going to give him the shock of his life.
She took a step forward, leaned toward him, and whispered, “Brianna is your daughter.”
Purchase The Christmas Match on Amazon!
Reading on a Kindle App or PaperWhite? Click Here
Excerpt from
The Flirtation Game
A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance
Book 3
by Allie Burton
Love isn’t all that’s cooking.
After a scandal in Hollywood, celebrity chef Michael Marstrand accepts a position to be head chef at Castle Ridge Lodge and star in a television program about re-opening a five-star restaurant. He believes returning to his hometown to help the struggling restaurant will earn him public relations points and help an old friend. What he doesn’t know is the sous chef expected to be named head chef and the television series is a reality show called Kitchen Catastrophe.
Sous Chef Isabel O’Donnell returned from vacation to discover the restaurant kitchen remodeled and a new head chef. With contracts already signed, she has no choice but to work for Chef Michael, a man she’d had a crush on since middle school. A man who’d stolen her job.
With the hidden cameras rolling, Michael tries to make the day-to-day routine boring, so Kitchen Catastrophe will never be shown, but an interfering producer introduces a bridezilla and an employee who causes trouble. Add the simmering attraction between Michael and Isabel and
the reality show has everything: drama, fights, and sex.
In this best friend’s brother conflict, will a fake flirtation produce the perfect recipe or enflame desire?
Excerpt:
Michael stepped away from Isabel and straightened his shirt. A shirt she hadn’t even realized she’d messed.
She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to pull herself together. She was going to be head chef; she couldn’t be caught making out in the kitchen. Not only was it unsanitary, it was unprofessional.
Parker, the lodge owner, observed the two of them, a glint of confusion on his face. His perfectly-coiffed hair appeared tame compared to the man she just kissed.
“What do you need?” Michael’s voice sounded normal. He obviously had more control over his libido.
Her skin cooled. Maybe he wasn’t as attracted to her.
“Good. You two are getting reacquainted.” Parker wrung his hands together. He seemed more together than on New Year’s Eve, but still jumpy.
Why would he be nervous of either one of them? In high school, Michael and Parker had been best friends. Now, they acted like strangers.
Michael’s face was a complete mask. What was he hiding?
“I’m glad you’re going to be okay with this decision, Isabel.” Parker’s shoulders relaxed.
She tilted her head, trying to figure his puzzling words out. “What decision?”
“Now that Chef Françoise has retired, I’ll be announcing the new head chef.”
Her chest pounded. She stood straighter, and pulled back her shoulders. This was it. Parker was going to tell her the head chef position belonged to her.
He waved his hand in a vague fashion. “The press release with head shots will go out today.”
Air caught in her lungs. “I didn’t take new photos.”
Michael jerked beside her. He gaped at her with raised eyebrows and tightened facial muscles. “What?”
“No need for the sous chef to take head shots.” Parker avoided her gaze like a guilty man.
“But…but.” The catch in her chest morphed into a fissure, a fissure cracking and widening with each of her panicked thoughts. “I’m the new head chef.”
Michael’s shoulders hunched, and he took a step back, as if he’d taken a punch to his midsection. Except she was the one who’d taken the punch, because something was wrong. Parker acted nervous. Michael shocked.
She sucked in a sharp, jagged breath, ignoring the pain. “Chef Françoise promised me the position.”
Michael’s skin had gone white as a chef’s coat. His round eyes had dimmed of color. “What?”
Parker’s expression softened, except for his pinched mouth. “I’m sorry, Isabel. I thought Michael told you. I thought that’s why you two were talking in the kitchen together.”
Her breath spasmed, sending alarms throughout her body. Her gaze switched back and forth, between Michael and Parker. “Told me? Told me what?”
Parker touched her arm. “The new head chef at the Castle Ridge Lodge is celebrity chef Michael Marstrand.”
Purchase The Flirtation Game on Amazon!
Reading on a Kindle App or PaperWhite? Click Here
Excerpt from
The Playboy Switch
A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance
Book 4
by Allie Burton
Instructed in fun. Schooled in love.
After almost dying in an avalanche, Dax O’Donnell makes a promise to himself: get serious about life and his career. His playboy ways might be fun, but he needs to plan for his future. Applying to paramedic school has always been a dream, but is he smart enough to succeed?
Lexi Henderson has loved Dax since joining the ski patrol team at Castle Ridge Resort. Knowing he’s a playboy, she’s kept her distance, but when he’s rescued from an avalanche she kisses him and sparks both of their desires. But he thinks she has a boyfriend—another playboy, and she keeps a major secret. Or two.
Dax suggests fun lessons to turn Lexi’s quiet and rigid attitude around. But when fun turns to passion, he must ask, is she willing to make the playboy switch?
In this secret identity tale, love overcomes secrets and lies.
Excerpt:
“That guy will break your heart.” Dax eased up next to her with a drink, but no woman in hand. His carefree expression was gone and the light had dimmed from his green gaze.
“Will he?” Lexi was curious to see where this was going. He must not realize Ryder was her brother and would never hurt her. Not like others in her past.
“Ryder Croft is a playboy with no serious career or goals.”
She glared. Her brother loved coaching the kids on his ski team. Sure, he was a little lost when it came to a career. Dax had no right to judge. “Really?”
“Croft is a gazillionaire.” Dax sounded as if his beer went sour. “If I had as much money, I’d quit my job and ski around the world.”
“Sounds as if you want to be just like him.” His sour tone filled her mouth with a bitterness that burned down her throat. He was jealous of Ryder’s wealth, not because he’d been dancing with her. Dax reminded her of her ex-fiancé Andrew who had only been interested in her money and her family’s connections. Pursing her lips, she tried to control her annoyance. “You don’t care about your job?”
She had a passion for saving people which is why she’d joined the ski patrol and become a paramedic. She didn’t want anyone else to unnecessarily lose their life on the mountain. The invention she’d been working on and trying to get developed would help her mission.
“I care about my job. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” He took her hand and patted it like she was a cowering puppy. “Croft’s a playboy.”
“And you can say this because you have the greatest dating record?” Overplaying her sarcasm, she let her pessimism come out in her voice. She’d always been attracted to Dax, yet kept her distance knowing his true personality. “You’re a playboy.”
His eyes morphed into chipped emeralds. He gripped her hand tighter and pulled her against him. “Then go out with me instead.”
The whispered words sent a tingle down her spine.
She’d longed to hear a declaration from Dax. A sexual tease or an invitation. Except this was a declaration of competition because he was jealous of her brother. The moment he learned about her background, she wouldn’t know if he liked her or her money. Plus, what exactly was he asking for? A date or a night in bed?
Stopping the tingles before they reached her heart, she forced a sappily sweet smirk. “So I should dump Ryder and start dating you, doing a playboy switch?”
Purchase The Playboy Switch on Amazon!
Reading on a Kindle App or PaperWhite? Click Here
Excerpt from
The Billionaire’s Ploy
A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance
Book 5
by Allie Burton
All’s fair in love and business.
Billionaire Jackson Croft refuses to let anything interfere with his merger and marriage plans. His merger. His brother’s marriage. When Emory Barrington returns to Castle Ridge and catches his younger brother’s attention, Jackson needs to take drastic steps to stop the flirtation. Even if it means using himself as bait.
As a child Emory was infatuated with the younger Croft brother, so when he invites her to a party she can’t resist. Until Jackson interrupts their dance, tries to bribe her, and then steals a kiss. A kiss that vibrates to her soul.
To make up for the attempted bribe, Jackson offers her a job decorating his Denver penthouse. She’s just starting her interior design firm and can’t turn the business away even if it means working closely with the billionaire. The project turnaround is fast and the attraction between Emory and Jackson grows faster. She believes she sees the real man beneath the façade, but when she learns of his double-dealing her heart can’t take the betrayal.
In this take on the Sabrina story, can deception lead to love?
Excer
pt:
“My brother couldn’t make it.” Guilt slithered across Jackson’s skin, making him feel slimy. He was the reason his brother couldn’t make the rendezvous.
“Why? Is something wrong?” Emory worried about his brother, when they’d only been together for a few minutes.
A ray of green envy sliced him inside. Ryder had the life. A beautiful woman caring about him. Shey in love with him. The opportunity to choose what he wanted to do with his career.
Stepping forward, Emory made to go around.
Jackson stopped her with his hand, grazing the bare skin on her arm. Soft skin. Silky skin. He should remove his hand from her. He didn’t.
“Ryder’s sick. The doctor took him to his bedroom.”
“A doctor?” Her gaze widened, and he saw specks of black, hinting at a depth he could only imagine. “That’s serious.”
“An allergic reaction.” He tried to shake off the sliminess, wanting to grow a second skin. “He’ll be fine. He sent me instead.”