by Layla Hagen
“She’s lovely, isn’t it?” Maddie said as I cuddled Willow.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Can’t believe she’s finally here. Though my belly still looks as if Willow’s in there.”
"You are beautiful." Landon kissed her cheek, and Maddie affectionately rumpled his hair. I loved seeing my brother so happy. Every time I saw them, they seemed even more in love.
I dashed to the door to greet Will, Jace, and Milo, who'd just arrived.
"Hey, big boy! How was the sleepover?" I asked.
"He barely wanted to come with me," Will supplied.
"We watched all the Harry Potter movies." He wrapped his little arms around my waist in a hug. "We didn't sleep."
"At all?" I shook my head in mock disapproval. "I'll have a word with Lionel's mom and dad at soccer day next week.” We had soccer days even in the summer vacation.
"They want to meet Graham. I told them he's coming with us. He is, right?"
"Yes, he is," I confirmed.
Milo grinned, letting go of me as Val called his name, and dashed toward her.
"So, my presence at soccer day is no longer required," Will said.
Jace pointed his thumb at Will. "If you ask me, he's sad about it."
I knew Jace was teasing him, but in truth, Will did look a little dejected. I slapped his arm playfully.
"Hey, you're always welcome to come. Or, you could always find yourself a girl and get the ball rolling."
Will smiled devilishly.
"Hey, how about moving this party to the beach?" Hailey called out. "Let's get the grill started. I'm starving."
After grabbing plates and supplies, we all descended to the beach. The sun cast a warm glow, but the breeze was almost chilly. This was officially my favorite place in town: hearing the waves lap against the shore, feeling the soft sand under my feet.
While part of the group was in charge of the grill, others were setting the table. Graham and I were on bonfire duty. We wanted one for effect and roasting marshmallows.
Once everyone was taking a break, waiting for our dinner to be ready, I cleared my throat and held my hand out for everyone to admire my ring. I'd kept my hand in my pocket and out of view until now so they wouldn't notice the ring accidentally.
"We got engaged this morning." Graham kissed my temple as everyone came forward to congratulate us. Milo was the first one, followed by my brothers and Maddie. Val and Hailey hugged me at the same time. But as the girls pulled back, I studied their expressions carefully. They didn't seem surprised. I realized neither seemed the others.
"You already knew, didn't you?" I asked.
"He asked my permission," Milo piped up.
"And he talked to all of us at Friday night dinner about a month ago when you were out of the room," Landon added.
"We helped with the ring," Hailey said on a grin. "That was fun."
Will and Jace each gave me bear hugs, and I briefly wondered when these two would settle down. Our soccer star wasn’t quite ready for that. Our hotshot detective on the other hand... I’d seen the mopey look on his face at Landon’s wedding, like he was secretly hoping his turn would come soon. When Will’s turn came, he was going to fall hard.
I sized my man up and down, and then I pulled him away from the group.
"You planned this thoroughly," I whispered.
"I did."
"You've been full of surprises lately."
"I have a lot more up my sleeve."
Lacing my arms around his neck, I pulled him a little closer, smiling against his lips. "Then it's a good thing I agreed to spend a lifetime with you.”
<<<<>>>>
Dear Reader,
This is the end of Lori and Graham’s story. The next book will be Will’s story, and it will be released in October. Please sign up HERE to my newsletter to receive news about upcoming releases and giveaways (you will also receive a FREE copy of my romance Found in Us).
If you haven’t read Landon and Maddie’s story yet, you can find the link to it HERE.
***
If you want to meet the Bennett family, you can find a link to the series HERE.
They are a fun family, the romances are HOT and SWOONWORTHY. That series is complete, and each book can be read as a standalone.
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Links to THE ENTIRE BENNETT FAMILY SERIES:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
All other retailers & countries
Links to individual books in the Bennett Family Series:
Book 1: Your Irresistible Love (Sebastian & Ava)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 2: Your Captivating Love (Logan & Nadine)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 3: Your Forever Love (Pippa & Eric)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 4: Your Inescapable Love (Max & Emilia)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 5: Your Tempting Love (Christopher & Victoria)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 6: Your Alluring Love (Alice & Nate)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 7: Your Fierce Love (Blake & Clara)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 8: Your One True Love (Daniel & Caroline)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
Book 9: Your Endless Love (Summer & Alex)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audio
All other retailers & countries
***
Book 1 in the Series: Your Irresistible Love
Sebastian Bennett is a determined man. It’s the secret behind the business empire he built from scratch. Under his rule, Bennett Enterprises dominates the jewelry industry. Despite being ruthless in his work, family comes first for him, and he’d do anything for his parents and eight siblings—even if they drive him crazy sometimes. . . like when they keep nagging him to get married already.
Sebastian doesn’t believe in love, until he brings in external marketing consultant Ava to oversee the next collection launch. She’s beautiful, funny, and just as stubborn as he is. Not only is he obsessed with her delicious curves, but he also finds himself willing to do anything to make her smile.
He’s determined to have Ava, even if she’s completely off limits.
Ava Lindt has one job to do at Bennett Enterprises: make the next collection launch unforgettable. Daydreaming about the hot CEO is definitely not on her to-do list. Neither is doing said CEO. The consultancy she works for has a strict policy—no fraternizing with clients. She won’t risk her job. Besides, Ava knows better than to trust men with her heart.
But their sizzling chemistry spirals into a deep connection that takes both of them by surprise. Sebastian blows through her defenses one sweet kiss and sinful touch at a time. When Ava’s time as a consultant in his company comes to an end, will Sebastian fight for the woman he loves or will he end up losing her?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 2 in the Series: Your Captivating Love
Logan Bennett knows his priorities. He is loyal to his family and his company. He has no time for love, and no desire for it. Not after a disastrous engagement left him brokenhearted. When Nadine enters his life, she turns everything upside down.
She’s sexy, funny, and utterly captivating. She’s also
more stubborn than anyone he’s met...including himself.
Nadine Hawthorne is finally pursuing her dream: opening her own clothing shop. After working so hard to get here, she needs to concentrate on her new business, and can’t afford distractions. Not even if they come in the form of Logan Bennett.
He’s handsome, charming, and doesn’t take no for an answer. After bitter disappointments, Nadine doesn’t believe in love. But being around Logan is addicting. It doesn’t help that Logan’s family is scheming to bring them together at every turn.
Their attraction is sizzling, their connection undeniable. Slowly, Logan wins her over. What starts out as a fling, soon spirals into much more than they are prepared for.
When a mistake threatens to tear them apart, will they have the strength to hold on to each other?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 3 in the Series: Your Forever Love
Eric Callahan is a powerful man, and his sharp business sense has earned him the nickname ‘the shark.’ Yet under the strict façade is a man who loves his daughter and would do anything for her. When he and his daughter move to San Francisco for three months, he has one thing in mind: expanding his business on the West Coast. As a widower, Eric is not looking for love. He focuses on his company, and his daughter.
Until he meets Pippa Bennett. She captivates him from the moment he sets eyes on her, and what starts as unintentional flirting soon spirals into something neither of them can control.
Pippa Bennett knows she should stay away from Eric Callahan. After going through a rough divorce, she doesn’t trust men anymore. But something about Eric just draws her in. He has a body made for sin and a sense of humor that matches hers. Not to mention that seeing how adorable he is with his daughter melts Pippa’s walls one by one.
The chemistry between them is undeniable, but the connection that grows deeper every day that has both of them wondering if love might be within their reach.
When it’s time for Eric and his daughter to head back home, will he give up on the woman who has captured his heart, or will he do everything in his power to remain by her side?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 4 in the series: Your Inescapable Love
Max Bennett is a successful man. His analytical mind has taken his family’s company to the next level. Outside the office, Max transforms from the serious business man into someone who is carefree and fun. Max is happy with his life and doesn’t intend to change it, even though his mother keeps asking for more grandchildren. Max loves being an uncle, and plans to spoil his nieces rotten.
But when a chance encounter reunites him with Emilia, his childhood best friend, he starts questioning everything. The girl he last saw years ago has grown into a sensual woman with a smile he can’t get out of his mind.
Emilia Campbell has a lot on her plate, taking care of her sick grandmother. Still, she faces everything with a positive attitude. When the childhood friend she hero-worshipped steps into her physical therapy clinic, she is over the moon. Max is every bit the troublemaker she remembers, only now he has a body to drool over and a smile to melt her panties. Not that she intends to do the former, or let the latter happen.
They are both determined not to cross the boundaries of friendship...at first. But as they spend more time together, they form an undeniable bond and their flirty banter spirals out of control.
Max knows Emilia is off-limits, but that only makes her all the more tempting. Besides, Max was never one to back away from a challenge.
When their chemistry becomes too much to resist and they inevitably give in to temptation, will they risk losing their friendship or will Max and Emilia find true love?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 5 in the series: Your Tempting Love
Christopher Bennett is a persuasive man. With his magnetic charm and undeniable wit, he plays a key role in the international success of his family’s company.
Christopher adores his family, even if they can be too meddling sometimes... like when they attempt to set him up with Victoria, by recommending him to employ her decorating services. Christopher isn’t looking to settle down, but meeting Victoria turns his world upside down. Her laughter is contagious, and her beautiful lips and curves are too tempting.
Victoria Hensley is determined not to fall under Christopher’s spell, even though the man is hotter than sin, and his flirty banter makes her toes curl. But as her client, Christopher is off limits. After her parents’ death, Victoria is focusing on raising her much younger siblings, and she can’t afford any mistakes. . .
But Victoria and Christopher’s chemistry is not just the sparks-flying kind. . .It’s the downright explosive kind. Before she knows it, Christopher is training her brother Lucas for soccer tryouts and reading bedtime stories to her sister Chloe.
Victoria wants to resist him, but Christopher is determined, stubborn, and oh-so-persuasive.
When their attraction and connection both spiral out of control, will they be able to risk it all for a love that is far too tempting?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 6 in the series: Your Alluring Love
Alice Bennett has been holding a torch for her older brother’s best friend, Nate, for more than a decade. He’s a hotshot TV producer who travels the world, never staying in San Francisco for too long. But now he’s in town and just as tempting as ever... with a bossy streak that makes her weak in the knees and a smile that melts her defenses.
As a successful restaurant owner, Alice is happy with her life. She loves her business and her family, yet after watching her siblings find their happy ever after, she can’t help feeling lonely sometimes—but that’s only for her to know.
Nate has always had a soft spot for Alice. Despite considering the Bennetts his family, he never could look at her as just his friend’s little sister. She’s a spitfire, and Nate just can’t stay away. He loves making her laugh... and blush.
Their attraction is irresistible, and between stolen kisses and wicked-hot nights, they form a deep bond that has them both yearning for more.
But when the chance of a lifetime comes knocking at his door, will Nate chase success even if it means losing Alice, or will he choose her?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 7: Your Fierce Love (Blake & Clara)
The strong and sexy Blake Bennett is downright irresistible. And Clara Abernathy is doing everything she can to resist his charm.
After spending her life in group homes, Clara yearns for the love and warmth of a true family. With the Bennetts treating her like their own, she can’t possibly fall for Blake. That would be crossing a line...
But when Clara needs a temporary place to live, and she accepts Blake’s offer to move next door to him, things escalate. Suddenly, she’s not only supposed to resist the man who’s hell-bent on having her, but the TV station she works for is determined to dig up some dirt on the Bennett family.
Blake knows family friends are off-limits, and Clara is more off-limits than anyone. But Clara’s sweetness and sass fill a hole in him he wasn’t even aware of. Soon, he finds himself gravitating toward her, willing to do anything to make her happy.
Blake enjoys bending the rules—much more than following them, but will bending this one be taking it too far?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
***
Book 8: Your One True Love
She’s the one who got away. This time, he refuses to let her slip through his fingers.
Daniel Bennett has no regrets, except one: letting go of the woman he loved years ago. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he’s been pining for Caroline ever since. But his meddling family can read him like an open book. So when his
sisters kick up their matchmaking shenanigans, Daniel decides to play right along. After all, he built his booming adventure business by making the most out of every opportunity. And he doesn’t intend to miss an opportunity to be near Caroline.
Caroline Dunne knows better than to fall for Daniel again. But his seductive charm melts her determination to keep her heart in check. Even with their lives going in separate directions, neither can ignore the magnetic pull between them.
But will they find the second chance they’ve both wanted all along?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
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Book 9: Your Endless Love
An incurable romantic with a chronic case of bad luck with men...
Museum curator Summer Bennett knows that happily-ever-afters are not make-believe. After all, her siblings all found their soulmates, so she’s optimistic her prince charming will come along too...eventually. In the meantime, she focuses on her job and her volunteering—which brings her face to face with one of Hollywood’s hottest A-listers.
When Alexander Westbrook flashes America’s favorite panty-melting smile, Summer's entire body responds. When she asks him to get involved in the community where she volunteers, Summer is shocked that the Hollywood heartthrob agrees right away. Two weeks working side by side with the world’s sexiest guy, and the game is on.
Far from the public eye, Summer discovers she likes the real Alex even more than his on-screen persona. Secret kisses and whispered conversations spark a fire in her that nothing can extinguish. If only his life wasn’t splashed all over the tabloids...
Alex can’t keep his eyes–or his hands–off of Summer. But she’s too sweet, and too damn lovely to be swept up in his Hollywood drama. His career is at risk, and an iron-clad clause in his contract with the studio makes a relationship impossible. But staying away from her is out of the question.
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
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STANDALONE USA TODAY BESTSELLER
WITHERING HOPE
Aimee’s wedding is supposed to turn out perfect. Her dress, her fiancé and the location—the idyllic holiday ranch in Brazil—are perfect.
