All Tyed Up

by Julia Harlow

  Isabel had held her hand tightly over her mouth, trying to stifle the sounds of her weeping. The reticence she’d once felt toward Ellen had gradually dissipated into a cloud of dust. Her heart now held nothing but love and understanding for her best friend and sister.

  “You and Clarissa have been more of a family to me than any of my blood relatives. I’ve felt closer to both of you than anyone else in my life. Until Andrew, that is. You and your mom have helped me realize there just might be hope for me yet. The hope that I might be loved someday.”

  Isabel choked back a sob. “Oh, Ellen, you are loveable! Clarissa, Andrew, and I love you to pieces! You have to know that.”

  The sound of Ty’s deep voice drifting outside brought her back from her musings. He’d been manning the phones with Jacob, his new assistant, a twenty-something with a lanky frame and shoulder-length brown hair. Ty missed Kevin from Grandin Financial, but Jacob was coming along nicely. The two had been busy confirming caterers, florists, musicians, and flight information of their guests’ arrivals.

  Nursing Tommy—he had a voracious appetite—and caring for him, even though Ty shared all baby duties, including changing diapers, and the increased activity preparing for the two celebrations had her almost back to her pre-pregnancy weight. Ty worried that she’d lost too much weight and had, no doubt, planned a delectable lunch for them.

  At the sound of brisk footsteps, Isabel turned to see Ty striding toward her and the baby, Pilot at his side. He knelt beside the chaise lounge, cupped the baby’s head in his big hand and placed a soft kiss on his chubby cheek. Turning his attention to his wife, he covered her mouth with his in a long, deep, wet kiss that left them both panting for air.

  He cleared his throat, a twinkle in his eye. “Look. Lunch is almost ready, but I want to show you something first. Here, let me take Tommy and help you up, sweet thing.”

  He took her hand and pulled her up off the chaise even though she could have easily gotten up by herself. Ty was still treating her like she was made of delicate crystal . . . except when they were in bed.

  He held Tommy against his broad chest, the baby’s head tucked into the curve of his neck. His other arm was wrapped around Isabel’s waist, urging her body against his. Once inside, he led her toward the small dining space off the kitchen that had been sitting empty. Life had been such a whirlwind for them with the wedding and the birth of Tommy. Isabel figured at some point they’d decorate the dining area together to create an intimate space for them to have dinner when they didn’t want to eat in the larger dining room or on the terrace.

  Ty opened the wood-paneled door and flipped on the light switch. Brass wall sconces with silk shades spread a soft glow over the room. In the very center of the room, in all its considerable glory, sat her Carmel by the Sea table.

  She had never seen anything so perfectly situated in all her life and beamed up at her husband with consummate affection, every fiber of her being filled with love. As Pilot’s soft fur skimmed her leg, Isabel wrapped her arm around Ty’s waist and snuggled into him with a sigh of utter and complete happiness.

  Also by Julia Harlow

  Cassandra Carlson is working on her five-year plan. A professional dancer, she moved to Los Angeles to work at her best friend's Hollywood dance studio. She decides she can put up with the glitterati for the time being until she saves enough to open her own studio back home.

  When soon-to-be A-list British actor Christopher Edwards comes to her for dance lessons for his new film, the attraction is instantaneous and intense. Both are young, available and strikingly beautiful, but while she finds Hollywood garish and superficial, he's on the brink of realizing his life's ambition with no inclination for a serious relationship.

  Just when their white-hot desire can no longer be denied, a jealous actress targets Cassandra in an insidious scheme and a powerful studio head poses a formidable threat to them both. Cassandra puts herself in jeopardy in order to protect Christopher but will she lose him in the process?

  Dorrie Applegate just stumbled into a career-launching opportunity. The small-town Kentucky girl landed a gem of a position at Omni Publishing in New York City. Her first major assignment—writing a biography of one of the most sought-after male models in the world.

  Grant Maxwell is at the apex of his career. Unfortunately, the end of his run looms before him. At thirty-four, scores of younger, hungrier models nip at his heels, vying for his spot at the pinnacle of the fashion realm. And he has no earthly idea what to do next.

  In the midst of an unlikely and tumultuous love affair with Grant, Dorrie is suddenly forced into making an agonizing decision. It’s a decision that shatters Grant’s heart.

  Step onto the volatile runway of fashion modeling packed to the hilt with clashing egos, impossibly gorgeous men, backstabbing, and biting jealousy. And caught in the snare of the dramatic intrigue? Dorrie Applegate and Grant Maxwell.

  Acknowledgments

  Huge thanks to Theresa Wegand, editor extraordinaire. You’re always there to help me in all the minutia. I appreciate your time, talent, and patience immensely!

  Thanks to the brilliant and extremely generous Amanda Simpson of Pixel Mischief Design. It is pure joy to work with you.

  And finally to my beta readers, including Jen Johnson, who helped me sort out so many details in the early stages: and J. Fleetwood who was gracious enough to give his time and feedback when I needed it. Thank you!

  About the Author

  Julia Harlow is the author of contemporary erotic romances including Closed Set, published in 2014, and The Talented Mr. Maxwell published in 2015.

  She lives and works in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  Julia can be reached at her Facebook page:

  https://www.facebook.com/juliaharlowbooks/?fref=ts