Red Hot Lovers: 18 Contemporary Romance Books of Love, Passion, and Sexy Heroes by Your Favorite Top-Selling Authors

by Milly Taiden

  The burger is going to go down like eating dirt, but I’ll survive.

  CHAPTER 24

  I smear cream cheese on my everything bagel, and my mouth salivates in anticipation. I’m at the Baked Bean with Nika, Casey, Lori, and Megan.

  Nika covers her mouth as pieces of carrot cake crumble out. I say, “Was that bite big enough? I swear nobody will steal it, you can slow down.”

  I guess she likes dessert as much as Casey does. This tree-hugger coffee shop makes hearty food and serves hefty helpings, which makes it a favorite in our town.

  Nika waves her hand in front of her mouth with a big smile on her face. I wait for her to swallow. “It’s just so good, and now that I’m no longer a model, I seem to be trying to fatten up.”

  Casey scoots back in the big wooden chair and lifts her feet up into a cross-legged position. “If you eat here every day, that’ll do it.” She sips her latte cautiously.

  Lori asks, “So are you going to get a job this winter, Nika? I saw the Bootlegger is looking for help. You could get a discount on cowboy boots.”

  “Oh, I love that store.” Megan sighs. “That would be a fun place to work.”

  Nika scans all of us quickly, and she licks her lips. “I thought I might try to be an instructor.”

  Casey squeals. “You should!”

  I say, “I agree. People will love you. You’re so personable.”

  “You think so? What if I’m not a good enough skier?” Nika bites her lip.

  Lori snorts, “If I can do it, anyone can. Teach kids with me, and they hire you without even seeing you on skis.” She puts her fork down, and her plate scrapes against the wood table as she pushes her half-eaten cake away.

  “So how do I apply for the job?” Nika takes another bite of her cake, which I notice is almost gone.

  Casey answers, “Let me call Matt for you and arrange an interview.” She pulls out her phone. “What’s your number? I’ll text you when I know something.”

  I flash to the last text from Derrick I read and replay his words. I clench my fists to keep me from biting my nails. Gretchen, I’m not sure what love feels like but I’ve never wanted to be with anyone the way I want to be with you.

  Megan is on my right and reaches her hand over to my arm as she leans in to whisper. “Is this hard for you? Need a break?”

  I shake my head and take a bite of my bagel. The slight garlic taste is bitter, and I focus on the cream cheese instead.

  Nika is eyeing Lori’s cake, and I reach for it. “Lori, are you done with this?”

  “Yeah, want it?” She frowns because she knows I’m not a dessert person.

  “No, but I think Nika does.” I chuckle and slide it over.

  Nika grins. “I shouldn’t, but if you insist.” She digs her fork into chocolaty goodness.

  Casey says, “I’m so excited you’ll be working with us. Teaching is such—”

  My phone buzzes with a call, and because it’s against my plate the glass rattles. Everyone looks at me as I pick it up.

  It’s my mother, who usually texts me to call her, and my body tenses when I pick it up. “Mom?”

  “Gretchen.” Her voice cracks. “It’s your father. He’s had a stroke, and you need to come home.”

  The bagel I ate feels like a rock in my stomach. “Oh, Mom. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Is Christian with you?” I hope my brother’s home so she isn’t alone.

  “He is. Honey, it’s pretty bad. Dad’s in ICU. I’ll text you when I know more.”

  My hands shake, and I squeeze my phone tighter. “I’ll call when I arrive. Mom?”

  “I know, I love you, Gretchen. Just get home.”

  I don’t bother to keep tears from falling and say, “I love you too, Mom.”

  The phone clunks as I set it down, and I glance at my friends’ scared faces. “My dad had a stroke, and I have to get home.” I know I should be thinking about how I’m going to get there and pay for it, but I’m paralyzed.

  Casey shoots forward and reaches for my hand across the table. “We’ll figure this out for you.”

  Nika asks, “Where do you want to fly to? Manchester or Boston?”

  “I, um. It doesn’t matter. Someone can pick me up at either.”

  Nika is typing on her phone and says, “I’ll book the first available.” I start to speak and she holds up her hand. “Don’t even think about paying. I have millions of points from flying all over the world. I won’t take no for an answer.”

  My voice sounds far away. “Thank you.”

  Lori is on her phone, and I hear her ask for the Breckenridge Grill’s manager as she gets up to walk away from the table.

  Dishes clatter as Megan clears our snack, and I want to help, but can’t seem to move. My heart feels as if someone is squeezing it.

  Casey sits in Megan’s chair next to me. “Gretchen. I’ll take you home and help you pack once the flight is arranged.”

  I nod as tears drip off my chin. She dabs at my face with a napkin and hands me more. The paper is rough in my hands, and I grip them tight.

  Nika’s blue eyes are big as she speaks softly. “It’s all set. You’re arriving in Boston, and I’ll text you the boarding pass. Give me your phone.”

  I hand it to her and she says, “I’m going to e-mail you the flight info. When I get it, I’ll e-mail you the confirmation for a town car. They can take you home so nobody has to leave your dad.” The warning tilt of her head tells me not to even mention the cost.

  Nika hugs me tight. “It’ll be okay. I just know it.”

  “Thank you so much, Nika.”

  We stand to leave, and she kisses me on the cheek. “You call or text me for anything you need. I’ll be mad if you don’t. Got it?”

  “I do. Thanks.”

  Casey and Megan hook their arms into mine and walk me out of the cafe. Lori meets us on the sidewalk and says, “You’re all set at the Grill and the rec center. Both managers say to take all the time you need.”

  When Lori hugs me, I break down and start to sob. I can’t speak, and tears are in her eyes too. She put her hand on my cheek. “You and your family will be in my thoughts.”

  I give her a weak smile. “Thanks.”

  Six hours later, I’m wearing a high ponytail and big sunglasses, pretending to be someone famous instead of an average girl hiding her puffy eyes. Nika booked me first class on a direct flight, and I’ll be home before the morning. Settling back with a vodka on the rocks and an empty seat next to me, I hope for one last chance to tell my father how much I love him.

  CHAPTER 25

  Dead leaves rustle as I run through them, and my ears are cold. I’ve been home almost a month, and my dad is doing really well. The two of us have been taking short walks and enjoying the beautiful color of fall in Vermont. While I do most of the talking, it’s been good to reconnect as adults instead of father and child.

  I’ve spent the last two years feeling as if I failed him, and the reality is, while he wasn’t happy with me taking a break from school, he’s proud of me chasing a dream. I’m sure knowing I plan to go to graduate school next fall helps with his acceptance of my current life.

  I turn the corner and head to the path for Mount Tom. It’s more like a hill, the trail is well-worn, and it’s not as challenging as the run behind Derrick’s house. Derrick. His dark eyes haunt my memory, and my core twitches a little, craving his touch.

  The odor of burning leaves blows toward me, and I flash back to a safer topic, like picking apples as a child. Maybe I’ll take Dad to an orchard this afternoon, and we can make apple pie for Mom and Christian.

  My brother is coming for the weekend like he has since Dad’s stroke. I splash through a puddle, and cold water soaks into my shoe. I make him mountain bike with me, and kick his weekend-warrior ass. Our bikes are old and battered, but we relive our childhood and thrash though anything together.

  Guilt tugs at me when I think about how I Googled Derrick and Nika yesterday. Curious about their money
, I found out more than I bargained for. The Hamilton twins lost their parents in a small plane accident. A wealthy family, I suspect Derrick and Nika are trust-funders that recently came into the lump of their inheritance. That would explain Derrick’s discomfort about having money he didn’t earn.

  The underbrush near me rustles with a small animal, and my heart clenches thinking about how I almost lost Dad. I can’t imagine if both my parents died when I was thirteen. It certainly explains why Derrick and Nika are so close. I’m sure they would trade all that money to have their parents back, and the thought sobers me.

  Truth is though, while family is great, I miss my friends. I’m a little jealous that Nika and Casey have been doing things without me. And I miss Derrick. I wish I didn’t because I need to move on.

  But not yet. My mom appreciates me being here for Dad so she can teach her college literature classes. They need me for a little longer.

  The trees thin, and the top of Mount Tom opens up to a clearing. Wind swirls around me when I stop for a moment to gaze down on the town of Woodstock where gray and white patches appear nestled in sun-kissed fall color. No longer cold, I peel off my damp sweatshirt and welcome the breeze on my sweaty skin. Tying the thick cotton around my waist, I turn back to run home.

  Christian’s Lexus is parked in the driveway. My financial whiz of a brother has no trouble spending his excess on things he wants. But he does have a good head on his shoulders and isn’t above wearing worn clothes that give him a shabby, carefree appearance or slumming it with me to play pool in the local dive bar.

  I stop at the steps to our wraparound porch to stretch. Feeling the pull of my hamstrings as I’m bent down, touching my toes I hear the creak and slam of the screen door.

  “Hey, Gretchen girl.”

  “Boy Wonder, good to see you.” I rise up and notice he has two frosty, green beer bottles in his hand. “Moosehead?”

  “Yup. Come chew the fat with me.” Christian sits on our porch swing and pats the wooden seat.

  Slipping my sweatshirt on for warmth, my feet thud on the aged wood. I curl my nylon-clad legs under me as I sit on the bench and take a beer from him. Christian pushes us into a rhythmic sway with his feet.

  “So how’s your friend, Casey?” He picks at the label on his bottle.

  “You still have a crush on her?” I smack him. “You know she is so taken.”

  “I do, but that girl’s hot. I’m just asking.” He winks and I realize he’s teasing me. “Remember how you almost got kicked out of camp for her?”

  I chuckle at the memory of how Casey and I met. We were nine years old and cabin mates at overnight camp. I was a tomboy that didn’t want to be a girl, and Casey was a prissy girl that didn’t like boys. Ned Evans pulled her hair so hard it made her cry, and I put a stop to it.

  “My brother taught me to stand up for what’s right. And how to fight.” I punched Ned right in the nose knowing it would bleed. I’ve always had a thing for putting some jerk in his place. From that day on, Casey and I have been best friends.

  I take a long drink from my beer and savor the taste a moment before swallowing. It’s a familiar, earthy flavor that seems to go with fall in Vermont.

  Christian lifts my braid and inspects the end of it. “So, why are you still here and not living the snow-bunny life with your bestie?”

  “Mom and Dad still need me.” I stretch my legs out straight and flex my feet toward my shins to stretch my calves.

  “Not buying it, Gretch. You’re good at taking care of people. But, I think you’re hiding from something.”

  I sigh because he knows me too well. “I do have a little car issue I need to sort out. Right now I don’t have one, and not working this last month hasn’t helped. I’m not sure I can swing another winter in Colorado.”

  A flush rises to my cheeks, and I feel my brow furrow. I don’t know if it’s because of money or Derrick. Either way, I can’t look at Christian, my perfect brother, with the profitable career and perceptive eyes.

  “Ah, now we’re talking. You’re afraid to ask for help, right?”

  My muscles tense. “I don’t need help!” The words snap out of my mouth, and I take a moment to tamp down my anger. “I’m just not sure what I’m going to do.”

  Christian pulls me into a hug I don’t want. “Little sister, you just spent the last month taking care of Dad and helping Mom in so many ways I feel like a slacker. Did it ever occur to you that the people in your life might want to help you, too?”

  I sigh. “Nobody should help me. I’m goofing off snowboarding instead of being in school. If I can’t keep myself afloat, then it’s time to move on.”

  But that’s not really the problem. I could buy a useable car with what I have, and keep enough to pay my bills working only part time over the winter. Christian moves his arm to the back of the swing, and I notice the late afternoon sun has crept across the porch. A streak of sun highlights his hair, and I see red tinting the light brown.

  No, it’s time to admit to myself the problem is Derrick. I can’t stop replaying his last words to me. “I’m so sorry. I would like to explain everything. Please, when you’re ready, let me. This hurts so damn much.”

  I’m afraid to open my heart to the hurt all over again, but I know I must. I have obligations to my equipment sponsors and to myself. One more year. It’s time to go back to Colorado. I fill my mouth with the cold beer and gulp it down in two swallows.

  Christian pulls me from my thoughts. “How much do you have to put toward a car?”

  “Five thousand, but I would really like to not have a monthly payment.” I drink the last of my beer and want another.

  “Write me a check. Your birthday’s coming, and I’ll kick in a little something to get you a decent ride.”

  “Christian, no.”

  “Gretchen, yes. When I lose my shirt on Wall Street, you can take me in. But for now, let me do this for you. Please?”

  I cuddle against him and let him hold me tight. His shirt smells like smoke and bacon, and it comforts me. “Thank you.”

  “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  Nope, but seeing Derrick again will be.

  CHAPTER 26

  “Hey Ted, it’s great to hear from you.” Last night I got a message from Burton Snowboard’s marketing guy, Ted Swan. I’m returning his call to schedule a photo shoot for a new poster.

  “Gretchen, I’m sorry to hear about your dad, how’s it going?”

  While Ted has the polished appearance of an aging movie star, he’s sincere. “He’s doing really well, thanks for asking.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I’m also happy you’re in Vermont. We need to get you into the studio for a shoot.”

  I brace myself for the latest marketing idea. I have to admit the last one was effective. Dressed in a skimpy bikini and snowboard boots, I held a board and stood in fake snow. The backdrop was an out-of-focus picture of little boys dressed to ride, standing on a log cabin porch. The caption on the final poster read, “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.”

  Ted says, “Wait until you hear our idea. It’s transforming.” He chuckles and I wait for the bad pun sure to come. “The tag line is Defy Gravity. You start a jump completely dressed, and as you climb higher clothing melts off your body, morphing you into a goddess-like creature, reaching for the moon. With the board still attached.” He takes a deep breath. “You transform, get it?”

  I chuckle and he asks, “What do you think?”

  “I think you guys always find a way to get me naked.”

  “You won’t be the only one, we’re doing a male version too.” Ted’s voice holds a hint of excitement and it makes me wonder what he’s up to. My friend Kaleb would be fun, and his naked body would certainly entice female boarders.

  “Who’s the guy?”

  “Cooper.” I can practically see the gleam of Ted’s perfect teeth as he says this. My stomach clenches. Cooper and I had a thing when we filmed a snowboard movie
last winter. Ted probably thinks we still do.

  “Okay, when do you need me?” Fudge, this could be awkward. My finger goes in my mouth, but I pull it out and clench my fist instead. I’ve really got to stop biting my nails, it’s ugly.

  “Tuesday, the fourth of November.”

  Two weeks. My mind starts planning my workouts, thinking I’m going to be baring all, and I’d better look good. “All right, Burton corporate again?”

  “You got it. Cooper’s flying in the night before, and we’ll put you both up for two nights.”

  I take a deep breath. “Okay, sounds good. See you then.”

  “Looking forward to it, Gretchen. You’re a pro, and we appreciate it.”

  “Thanks, bye.”

  I gaze longingly at my bagel. The garbage disposal grinds and clunks as I shove my breakfast down. None of my beloved carbs for the next two weeks. I need to get cut, and fast.

  While I try to maintain good physical condition, this past month has given me plenty of time to get in top shape. A crash diet to lose a little body fat, and I’ll be lean enough that the Photoshop guys can work their magic and make me a dream girl.

  I rev up a blender full of white powdered protein shake, and my thoughts turn to Cooper. Tall and muscular, he’s a good choice for the poster. He’s not as pumped up as Kaleb, but he’s got sexy tattoos, and an edgy, rock star look. A look that used to be my type. Until Derrick.

  I swallow a mouthful of cold chalkiness. A vision of Derrick in his tight tee and loose jeans floods my mind. Oh, yeah, my taste has definitely changed. His broad shoulders taper to slim hips, and his tight, round ass makes me lick my lips.

  The bitter taste of my shake reminds me Derrick isn’t mine to lust over. But the thought of Cooper doesn’t do it for me, especially since we left on my usual terms. He wanted a serious relationship, and it made me run. Funny, but the idea of a serious relationship doesn’t scare me anymore.

  Ugh. I hope he’s moved on because two days with him won’t be fun if he hasn’t. Especially if he’s going to hang around for my semi-nude shots. I gulp down the rest of my shake, and push my thoughts aside. I don’t have time for them right now, because it’s time to walk with the first man I ever loved, my dad. I head toward his study to find out if he’s ready.