by Cari Quinn
Maybe thirty seconds.
“Missed you,” she mumbled between kisses.
“Missed you more.”
“I didn’t see your note, the one you left the morning after the spark party.” He would’ve laughed, had he had cooperating brain cells left. “That’s why I was so pissed. It was under my bed, and I just found it tonight. I thought you’d just bailed on me, that none of it was real—”
“It’s all real,” he breathed against her warm, glossed lips.
She nodded, eyes bright. “Can we not fight for a while?”
He cocked a brow. “How long’s a while?”
Her grin returned, though this time it was sly. She stepped away long enough to tie her balloon to the nearest chair. “Okay. Let’s renegotiate. We’ll argue only when we can make up immediately.”
“So we’ll fight only in the bedroom to ensure a horizontal space is always available?” He tugged on her ponytail. “Doable.”
“Oh yes, you are.” Laughing, she pressed her mouth to his and kissed him until he forgot they were in the airport, forgot they were in Pennsylvania, forgot even that he wasn’t weightless and floating in space. Her hungry kisses were his only tether to reality.
But he had things to say. Important, headache-producing things.
When he pulled back and stared into her whiskey-brown eyes, already glazed with pleasure, pieces he hadn’t even known had broken loose inside him simply locked into place. Suddenly he wasn’t scared anymore. He couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “I love you. For real.”
She blinked quickly, but not quickly enough to dispel the sheen of tears. “I love you, too. For real.”
The biggest grin he’d ever grinned spread across his face. “Really?”
“Yeah.” She sniffled and poked him in the chest. “Either that or I’m in it for your big—” he braced as she smirked “—telescope.”
“Jesus, Vic.” Laughing with her, he tugged her into his arms and brushed a kiss over her sweetly fragranced hair. She smelled like home. Like everything he’d ever wanted. “I shouldn’t have forced your hand in my office. Shouldn’t have been so rough, shouldn’t have demanded you choose—”
“Choose what?” she asked softly.
“Me,” he murmured, shutting his eyes.
She edged back and laid her hand on his jaw until he opened them. “I choose you every time. I always will.”
The lump in his throat threatened to block his airflow. Instead of sputtering out what was sure to be an inadequate reply, he fumbled out the black box and pulled her closer. He was supposed to do this on bended knee, but since it wasn’t technically an engagement, he could cheat. Anything so he could hold on to her a few minutes more.
At her gasp, he shook his head and popped the top. “Don’t panic. This isn’t an engagement ring.”
She stared at the star-shaped diamond surrounded by rubies, her birthstone. He’d gotten the idea from that starfish necklace she wore all the time and hoped like hell she didn’t hate it. The jeweler had worked miracles to acquire an acceptable piece in such a short amount of time. “It sure looks like one to me.”
“It’s a pre-engagement ring. I didn’t want to freak you out. I know we haven’t been, uh, seeing each other long and I wanted to give you time—”
“For what?”
That was a good question. They were both decisive people. Why pussyfoot around when they both knew what they wanted? Or at least he knew, and maybe she knew, too.
He tugged her closer and gazed into her guileless eyes. The honesty and love beaming back at him staggered him and made him want to be the man she deserved. “Will you marry me?”
She didn’t hesitate. “You bet your fine ass, Cory Santangelo.” Then she giggled. “Oops. I mean yes.”
The band around his chest released, and he let out a hiss of breath. “Okay, then. Good. One more thing.”
“You think I’m disappointed our wedding night won’t be white?” She stroked his cheek. “No worries, honey. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t save yourself for me.”
As much as he wanted to laugh, he wanted to get his next words out more. “I bought my parents’ farm, Vic. It’s ours. If you want to live there. And I promise you, I’m not going to be like I used to be—only coming home to sleep, and barely even that. I want a real life with you, away from work.” His lips quirked. “I’ll even let you put my old solar system up in our bedroom, if you insist.”
She grabbed her head. “Here it goes again.” She took a couple of unsteady breaths. “All right. Yes. I’m lucid.”
“Positive sign,” he murmured, unsure if he should grin or frown.
“Sorry for my freak-the-fuck-out dizzy spell. They keep coming and going tonight.”
“I can get you a paper bag—”
She waved him off. “I told Bryan about our mom. He doesn’t hate me. I don’t think.” She blew out another breath. “It’s like my family is coming together all at once. Like I actually have a family again.” As his chest tightened once more, she nodded. “God, yes, I want to live with you on your family’s farm. I want to make it ours. And I want glow-in-the-dark cling-ons on the ceiling over the bed.”
“You’re on.” He pried out the ring and slipped it on her finger. “It fits.”
“It’s perfect.” She sighed happily. “Guess margaritas are out on the island since I’m never taking this baby off. Salt intake causes swelling,” she said at his blank look.
“Gotcha.”
They just clung to each other, smiling like dopey fools in love. Then he grabbed both of their bags. “Let’s go to South Carolina.”
She blinked, her eyes wet and dazed. Probably just like his. “Didn’t you hear them calling the flight? They’ve boarded. It’s gone.” She inclined her chin. “Go on, yell at me. Tell me I should’ve interrupted you for a stupid plane. How often do you think I get proposed to, buster?”
He threw back his head and laughed. This woman was going to be the death of him.
Only fitting, since she’d saved his life.
Find out where it all began…
No Dress Required
the first book in the Love Required series
by USA TODAY bestselling author Cari Quinn
He’ll make her forget about the dress…
After years of ho-hum dating, Noelle Gregory is tired of fooling around. There’s only ever been one guy for her—Jake Conroy, her best friend’s older brother. Now that Jake’s back in town, she’s headed to his sister’s New Year’s Eve party to make her move. Purse full of condoms? Check. Sparkly dress guaranteed to show Jake the sexy woman she’s become? Check.
Carjacker that makes off with both two hours before the party? Check.
When Jake finds Noelle stranded on the side of the road—looking sexier than ever in her striped socks and silly holiday shirt, damn it—he’s glad for the snowstorm that cancels his sister’s party. His and Noelle’s friendship has tormented him for years, and now, Jake wonders if he should dare to sample what he’s always wanted…and if he’ll be able to walk away when it’s over.
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If you loved Cory and Vicky, we recommend Dillon and Alexa’s story…
No Flowers Required
the second book in the
Love Required series by Cari Quinn
He’ll give her everything she desires…except his identity.
Flower shop owner Alexa Conroy had it all before the recession hit and her customers fled to cheaper shopping grounds. Desperate to make ends meet, she sells her dream home and moves into the rundown apartments above her shop. When she spots six feet of sexy distraction—complete with muscles, piercings, and tattoos—ripping up flooring, Alexa knows the karmic windfall she’s due just landed on her doorstep.
And the attraction’s definitely not one-sided.
Dillon James, reluctant heir to the corporation about to foreclose on Alexa’s shop, is not about to jeopardize their scorching chemistry by a
dmitting he’s not the building’s handyman. But with only weeks until her business goes under and his identity is revealed, Dillon must find a way to convince Alexa cooperation isn’t a dirty word, help her save the shop from his brother’s greed, and persuade her that he’s not the enemy…or risk losing the only woman who’s seen the real him.
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Can’t get enough of Cari’s couples?
Lovers Unmasked
a Halloween anthology featuring five of Brazen’s bestselling authors!
One night. Five cases of mistaken identity.
Mystery and intrigue surround Halloween night as friends unwittingly become lovers, enemies surrender to long-hidden desires, and the heat of passion threatens to consume them all…
Enjoy your tricks and treats in this sexy anthology featuring bestselling authors Katee Robert, Lauren Blakely, Cari Quinn, Samanthe Beck, and Tessa Bailey.
Coming September 2013!
Acknowledgments
To the amazing Heather Howland and Shannon Godwin, who both went above and beyond to help me with this book. I can’t thank you enough. You’re the best!
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Cari Quinn saves the world one Photoshop file at a time in her job as a graphic designer. At night, she writes sexy romance, drinks a lot of coffee, and plays her music way too loud. When she’s not scribbling furiously, she’s watching men’s college basketball, reading excellent books, and causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.
www.cariquinn.com
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Get ready for the book everyone’s waiting for…
Two Wrongs, One Right
the third book in the Come Undone series
by NYT bestselling author Katee Robert
Revenge is a dish best served with him on top…
Eight years ago, former Army sergeant Nathan Schultz let the love of his life disappear without a fight. After watching everyone around him find happiness while his slipped further away, he’s finally ready to fight for Chelsea Callaghan—and he’s not afraid to play dirty.
Chelsea has always followed her conservative family’s rules—with one heartbreaking exception. When she receives an invitation to an old high school friend’s wedding, she knows who’s to blame. Though she goes solely to give Nathan a piece of her mind, he blackmails her into staying the entire week. With him.
There’s no way she’ll bow to Nathan’s will without making him pay. Unfortunately, revenge is a dish best served fully clothed, and they can’t be in the same room without losing theirs. As insatiable, anger-fueled lust shifts into something more, they begin to lose sight of why they can’t be together. But with so many unforgivable wrongs between them, can Nathan and Chelsea ever make things right?
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If you love Cari Quinn, you might enjoy Samanthe Beck’s quirky and sexy romances.
Lover Undercover
the first book in her McCabe Brothers series
He’s undercover. She’s in over her head.
Yoga instructor Kylie Roberts is the good twin. Or she was—until an accident prevents her sister from dancing at a posh Hollywood “men’s club,” and Kylie has to step into her twin’s sexy stilettos to make rent. But nothing could’ve prepared Kylie for the dead body in the club’s parking lot, a killer who only targets her clients, or the ridiculously hot detective assigned to the case. Too bad he thinks she’s her sister, because Kylie’s willing to volunteer for an intimate, full-body strip search.
Detective Trevor McCade needs Kylie’s help. His plan is to pose as a regular customer and draw out the killer. It means long nights undercover, and long dances where Kylie’s body tempts him with sensual promises. Dances that leave them both wanting more. But despite Kylie’s hidden identity and the danger lurking in the shadows, it’s only a matter of time before Kylie and Trevor take this undercover operation under the covers…
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If you love your steamy romance with
a side of hilarity, check out #1 NYT bestselling author J. Lynn’s…
Tempting the Best Man
the first book in the Gamble Brothers series
She’ll make him lose control…
Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother’s best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic: 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can’t stop bickering.
Forced together for her brother’s wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they’re forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of “accidents” as the family tries to prove their “spark” can be used for more than fighting. That is, if they don’t strangle each other first…
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