“It wasn’t,” Mackenzie began, “planned really. I had a couple of extra days and we got together.”
Raine set the puppy down. “That’s a hell of a lot more than I ever got.” She didn’t bother to hide the bitterness in her words.
Jake ignored the taunt and remained silent, his eyes locked onto Mackenzie’s. His friend was dressed in an expensive suit, tailored to fit his tall frame, the charcoal gray a nice choice against the plum shirt. Though his collar was loose and a thin black tie lay on the table in front of him, Mac always looked GQ ready. With his thick, dirty blond hair and vibrant green eyes, he’d been labeled a pretty boy his entire life.
It was good to see him. “You home for the holidays too?” Jake asked.
Mackenzie shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think Ben would appreciate it if I crashed his long weekend. I had business in Detroit and thought I’d squeeze in a visit with my mother.”
He glanced at his watch. “I gotta hit the road.” He arched a brow. “It’s a good ten hours until I hit New York.”
Mackenzie paused a few inches from Jake, his eyes intense as he studied Jake in silence. “You look like shit, soldier.”
“I’m not a soldier anymore.”
“No, I suppose you’re not.” The two men stared at each other for several moments and then Mackenzie lowered his voice. “I miss him too.”
The band of pain that sat around Jake’s chest tightened and he nodded, a lump in his throat. “Yeah,” he muttered.
They shook hands, but when Jake would have pulled away Mackenzie held on for a quick hug. “Don’t be such a douche bag and stay in touch.” Mackenzie stepped back and cocked his head to the side. “Give your Dad my best. He’s a tough son of a bitch, so I wouldn’t worry too much.”
Jake nodded. “Will do.”
“It’s good you’re back.”
Jake nodded but remained silent.
Mackenzie smiled a million watts at Raine, green eyes crinkled with warmth. “Take care gorgeous and I’ll think about Christmas.”
The door closed behind Mackenzie, leaving silence in his wake and the oppressive weight of two, ice-blue eyes, shooting daggers at Jake. Now that Mac was gone she didn’t make any effort to hide her anger.
Jake turned to her, set his leather bag onto the coffee table, and waited for the hammer to fall.
“I should kick your ass all over Crystal Lake, you know that right?”
***
Raine didn’t know if she wanted to strangle the man in front of her, slap him across the face, order him out of her house or hug him. And by the looks of it, Jake Edwards needed more than just a hug. Judging from the bleak, haunted look in his eyes he hadn’t fared well over the last year and a half. But then again, had any of them?
She tore her gaze from his, her heart pounding, her cheeks heated. God, she was so angry with him.
He stood in front of her, hurting so badly it fell off him in waves and yet all she could think about was the fact that he’d been in touch with every single person they shared a bond with, except her.
She’d received exactly six emails from him since he’d left Crystal Lake over a year ago. Six. And one drunken message on her voice mail, which, she’d never erased, and sadly, would listen to from time to time when she was feeling more down in the dumps than she usually did. How sad was that?
Raine exhaled sharply, gave herself a mental shake and took a step back, eyes critical as she took him in once more. He was dressed in faded jeans and black leather, a deep blue turtleneck offering some bit of warmth against the late November chill. His hair, so much longer than when she’d seen him last, was wavy, the thick espresso curls now touching his collar. The coffee colored eyes that stared back at her glittered with a hardness in their depths she didn’t like. His strong jaw, slightly crooked nose—broke when they he’d been twelve and his brother had dared him to jump off the bridge near the dam—and full wide mouth hadn’t changed.
He was still as handsome as ever and she supposed some women would find the hard edge he’d picked up even more attractive. He looked dangerous, very much a bad boy—as if Jake Edwards needed any more weapons in his arsenal. Women had always flocked to his side like bees to honey. Heck, he’d been as much a horn-dog as Cain Black back in the day.
He’s so different from Jesse.
They were fraternal twins, so while physically they looked different—her husband had been lighter in coloring, with blue eyes instead of brown and dark blond hair—there’d still been enough of a resemblance between them to know they were brothers. The Edwards twins. The bad boys.
She closed her eyes as a familiar wave of pain rolled through her. It stuck in her chest, tightening like iron claws and she took a step back, hating the sensation more than ever.
She much preferred the numb cocoon she usually existed in. It was just easier to deal when everything was coated in ice and frozen over, smooth as the lake in mid-December.
“Why are you here, Jake?”
Acknowledgments
This book has a special place in my heart, and I never would have written it without a lot of hands in the pot, some stirring, some tasting, and some just inspiring. I need to thank a few of you individually. First off, much thanks to Jon Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx for inspiring me with your music, your attitude, and—let’s be honest—your looks. My hero, Cain Black is very much a blend of the both of you, and I love him to pieces.
Leah Hultenschmidt, you took a chance on a book with a hero who is a rocker. I had a lot of people tell me musicians were a hard sell; thanks for helping me prove them wrong. Elyssa Papa and Tracy Stefureak, thanks for reading my words; your insights and thoughts were much appreciated.
My writer buddies—The Sirens and Scribes, Elisabeth Naughton, Amanda Vyne, TRW—you guys all rock. A heartfelt thanks also to my girlfriends, and Shelli, well, you’re sorta famous now, eh? The Mudslides, my family, my kids, and I can’t forget my lovely Shelby and Gibson.
To all my readers, thanks so much for loving my books and taking the time out of your day to let me know. I hope you all enjoy Crystal Lake and my bad boys.
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The Christmas He Loved Her
by Juliana Stone
His best gift this Christmas is her.
In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire. For Jake Edwards, it shouldn’t be a time to give in to the feelings he’s always had for Raine—especially since she’s his brother’s widow.
No one annoys Raine quite like her brother-in-law does. But when Jake brings home a tall blond thing from the city who’s bad news, Raine needs to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. Does Raine want this woman to leave Crystal Lake because she’s all wrong for Jake? Or is it because she wants him for herself…?
Praise for The Summer He Came Home:
“Everything I love in a book: a hot and tender romance and a bad-boy hero to die for!”—Molly O’Keefe, author of Can’t Buy Me Love
For more Juliana Stone, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Day He Kissed Her
by Juliana Stone
Coming home is the only way to heal his heart.
Mackenzie Draper thought he had everything he ever wanted when hired by a hotshot Manhattan architectural firm. But he still needed one last visit back home to Crystal Lake to face the demons of his past. For Lily St. Clare, the charming small town she just moved to was a haven. Big cities only wanted to eat you up and spit you out.
Ne
ither was expecting to stay very long…until the day they found each other, and one amazingly red-hot night followed. But old wounds almost always leave a mark, and Mac’s scars run deeper than most. With her flirty charm, Lily could be exactly what he needs—if he’s willing give love one more chance.
Praise for Juliana Stone:
“Stone wastes no time establishing her ability to tell an enthralling story.”—RT Book Reviews
For more Juliana Stone, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
A Shot of Sultry
by Macy Beckett
Welcome to Sultry Springs, Texas: where home can be the perfect place for a fresh start.
For West Coast filmmaker Bobbi Gallagher, going back to Sultry Springs is a last resort. But with her career in tatters, a documentary set in her hometown might be just what she needs to salvage her reputation. She just can’t let anything distract her again. Not even the gorgeous contractor her brother asked to watch over her. As if she can’t handle filming a few rowdy Texans.
Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He’s strong and confident and—much to her delight—usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend’s baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for him…
“A heartwarming, humorous story of second chances…sweet at its core. A strong continuation of this promising series.”—Publishers Weekly
“Brimming with rapier wit and heartwarming moments…Packed with humor and heart.”—Fresh Fiction
For more Macy Beckett, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
About the Author
Juliana Stone’s love of the written word and ’80s rock have inspired her in more ways than one. She writes dark paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance and spends her days navigating a busy life that includes a husband, kids, and rock ‘n’ roll! You can find more info at www.julianastone.com.
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