Leigh stepped up to help me, placing the bread in the basket and plating my meal while I served up hers. “I love you, too,” she said, glancing at me from the corners of her eyes.
All the food put out, I carried the empty containers into the kitchen. “Sit down,” I yelled. “I’ll be there in a minute.” I slid my hand into the pocket of my dress pants, palming the velvet ring box I’d been carrying around with me since picking it up at the jewelers that afternoon.
Tonight had been set in motion three months ago, when Leigh had finally contacted the biological father of her baby. At her request, I’d accompanied them to dinner. The moment that stupid man happily, and with equal parts relief and appreciation, agreed to waive all paternal rights, Leigh’s baby had become our baby. And I’d decided, right then and there, that I didn’t want to wait any longer than absolutely necessary to make them both mine…officially.
With Leigh’s many thoughtful gestures, she made me feel happy and loved. With her little touches, she’d turned my functional apartment into a warm, inviting home I looked forward to returning to each night, especially when I knew she’d be joining me there. I loved her with all of my heart, and while I knew she loved me, too, I had no idea how she’d respond to my proposal.
I inhaled a fortifying breath, wishing I hadn’t agreed to give up alcohol for the duration of her pregnancy.
In the dining room I found Leigh seated at the table with her napkin in her lap, waiting for me. Without wasting anymore time, I went right over to her and got down on one knee. She started to say something, but I wouldn’t let her finish. “I know we agreed to hold off on discussing marriage until after the baby is born.” I took her left hand in mine as I removed the ring from my pocket with my free hand. “But I’ve changed my mind.”
I looked up into her eyes. The love I saw there gave me the courage to go on. “I love you, Leigh. And I don’t want to wait.”
“But—”
“Do you love me?”
“You know I do.”
“Enough to marry me?”
Tears pooled in her eyes. She nodded. “But—”
“I promise to be a loving husband and father.”
She sniffled.
“I promise to do my absolute best to be a good provider and take care of you and our daughter and any other children we’re blessed with.”
“I know you will,” she said.
“So will you marry me? Sooner rather than later?”
She hesitated, and I prepared to start my speech to convince her.
But then she nodded, and my heart almost exploded with happiness as I slid the ring onto her finger.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, holding up her hand to look at it.
“Storme helped me pick out the setting. The diamond came from your mother’s engagement ring, not because I couldn’t afford one, but because your father offered, and we both thought it’d make the ring extra special.”
Leigh started to cry.
“Ah, honey.” I helped her to stand and took her into my arms. “Don’t cry.”
“They’re happy tears. I love you so much.” She kissed my cheek. “Thank you for finding me at the bonfire and for inviting me to Murphy’s house for a barbecue. And thank you for not running away when I told you about my…situation.”
“I will never run away from you,” I assured her, leaning back so I could look her directly in the eyes as I placed a hand on her belly. “We’re in this together. Forever.”
Thank you for taking the time to read Summer Temptation. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Hot in the Hamptons series with Summer Dreaming (Kelsey’s story) by Liz Matis and Summer Sins (Storme’s story) by Jennifer Probst!
Keep the burn going with the next 2 books in the Hot in the Hamptons series…
Summer Dreaming
By: Liz Matis
I’m looking for a hero. Not.
You’d think as a new college grad I’d be looking for the perfect job and the perfect man. Well, I’m not. Summer is here and instead of plotting my future, I’m playing in the Hamptons with my two best friends. Sun and sex is all I’m looking for. Then I meet Sean Dempsey, my fantasy lifeguard in the flesh. But he is more than just a hot bod with a whistle. And after he makes a daring save, I’m thinking a hero is exactly what I’ve been looking for all along.
To the rescue…
By day I guard the beaches in the Hamptons, by night I’ve had my fair share of summer flings. Then I meet Kelsey Mitchell, a girl with eyes like the setting sun and I burn for more. Something I have no right to ask of her…forever.
Summer Sins
By: Jennifer Probst
Summer fun before my wedding...
I have one goal this summer. Hang with my besties for some much needed sun, sand, and relaxation while I put the final touches on my idyllic wedding. I didn’t count on meeting a smart-mouthed, bad boy biker whose gaze burns hotter than a beach bonfire. I never planned to lose myself, body and soul, and question my entire future. Now, I have to make a choice that’s tearing me apart, and could shatter the lives of the two men I love...
Turns into summer sins....
I have one goal this summer. CHILL. Do nothing. Nada. I need simple before I have to head into Manhattan to take on a high powered position on Wall Street. I didn’t count on a dark haired, inky- eyed spitfire who’d spin my world upside down, or make me burn for things I never thought I wanted. I vowed to make her my summer fling, but had no idea she was claimed by another. And now that she possessed not only my body but my soul, the stakes are too high for me to lose her...
Wendy S. Marcus is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. A nurse by trade, Wendy holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, a degree that does her absolutely no good as she now spends her days, nights, and weekends mucking around in her characters’ lives creating conflict, emotion, and, of course, a happily ever after. Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. To learn more visit her website.
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Random House Loveswept Contemporary Romances
Loving You Is Easy (Loving You #1)
She’s a survivor of the front lines of politics. He’s a wounded soldier returning home from the battlefield. Can they place their trust in the power of love?
Nobody plays the role of perfect politician’s daughter better than quiet, respectable math teacher Brooke Ellstein. But she won’t be caught swimming with the sharks again, not after the son of a wealthy donor sinks his teeth into her and gets away with it. Still, political connections have their perks, such as heading up the governor’s “Support Our Troops” pen-pal initiative--and getting first dibs on the smoking-hot sergeant whose picture shakes her right down to her goody-two-shoes.
When corresponding with sweet, classy Brooke, Shane Develen instinctively hides his commando tattoos and blue-collar roots--and he can tell that she’s hiding something, too. But Shane knows he’s gained her trust when Brooke gives him a blisteringly sexy photo. Then he’s injured in an ambush and a fellow soldier posts the snapshot online. Overnight, Brooke’s reputation turns to ashes. Even though he’s totally wrong for her, Shane shows up on Brooke’s doorstep, determined to set things right--and discovers that right or wrong has nothing on the chemistry they share.
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All I Need Is You (Loving You #2) Coming October 6, 2015
Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Robyn Carr, this sexy yet sweet military romance reunites a headstrong dancer and a rugged army soldier after one steamy encounter tears them apart.
As a dancer who creates mesmerizing visions onstage, Neve
James is looking for the same kind of stability in her love life. Her pen pal, Rory McRoy, is on leave from deployment in Afghanistan, so she heads to Boston to surprise him. After corresponding for months as part of a “Support Our Troops” initiative—and exchanging dozens of “Read When You’re Alone” letters—Neve knows what Rory likes, and she intends to fulfill his every fantasy. But all they get are a few blissful moments together before they’re interrupted by a woman claiming to be Rory’s fiancée.
Rory has fallen hard for Neve’s letters. When he finally meets her in person, he has to have her, right then and there—until Neve takes off in a fit of anger. Forced to return to Afghanistan before he can fix things between them, Rory waits four agonizing months to prove that he’s not the man Neve thinks he is. But by the time he arrives in New York, she’s already made up her mind. Luckily, Rory never backs down from a challenge, and he’s prepared to put everything on the line for love.
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The V-Spot (a novella)
How hot is your night going to get? Take the quiz and find out!
1. You’re a curvy, cute and practical nurse, ready to unleash your inner naughty nymphette for your 25th birthday. You start with...
a. Chocolate cake.
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And check out my Harlequin Mills and Boon Medical Romances:
Tempting Nurse Scarlet
Secrets of a Shy Socialite
Craving Her Soldier’s Touch
A Nurse’s Not So Secret Scandal
Once a Good Girl
When One Night Isn’t Enough
Learn more at website
Summer Temptation – The Hot in the Hamptons Series
Copyright © 2015 Wendy S. Marcus
Cover Design by: Billington Media
Editor: Gena Lopata
Interior designed and formatted by:
www.emtippettsbookdesigns.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, scanning, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without permission in writing from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Also by Wendy S. Marcus
Summer Temptation
Dear Reader
Acknowledgement
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Thank you
About the Author
Also by Wendy S. Marcus
Copyright Notice
Summer Temptation (Hot in the Hamptons Book 2) Page 10
