by Nicola Marsh
“On that note, come check out the surprise.”
He led her to the side door leading to the back car park, the same door she’d led him to at Nishi’s wedding when she’d planned her stealth attack.
She paused when he opened the door. “You’re not going to spray me with whipped cream, are you?”
“Would I do something like that?” He feigned innocence, adding, “I’m not you.”
She smiled and allowed him to lead her outside, the silence welcome when the door closed on the boisterous Bollywood festivities inside.
“It’s around the corner.”
They passed the band’s van and a few cars belonging to the service staff, before she spied her car.
With a giant i heart u on her back window, in whipped cream.
He’d actually drawn a heart, though it was wonky and tilted to the right. She liked it even more that way, signifying there was no such thing as perfect, and she was just fine with their version of an imperfect love.
“You are such a romantic,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder when they came to a stop in front of it.
“I’ve toned down the grand gestures since the kiwi fruit, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“I have, and I much prefer understated.” She reached out, snagged a dollop of cream on the tip of her finger, and plopped it on his nose. “There. It’s only fair I re-create some of that night we first met when you’ve done all this.”
He smiled, and her heart somersaulted the way it had been doing ever since he’d first looked at her.
“Just so you know, I plan on re-creating that evening later at home. Covering your naked body head to toe in whipped cream. Before I lick it off.”
“Now that sounds like a plan I can get on board with, and a much better use of cream than plastering it all over your handsome face.”
“I thought so.”
He jerked his head at the car. “We could always get in a little practice in the back seat?”
“You think we need practice?”
“Hell no, but any excuse to get my hands on you.”
To demonstrate, he rested his hands on her waist and slid them slowly upward, until he hit the bare skin beneath her choli. She inhaled sharply when his thumbs caressed her, teasing her, a promise of what was to come.
“I love you,” he murmured. “With or without whipped cream.”
“I love you too,” she said, plastering herself against him so hard his back hit her car’s window and she heard the squelch of whipped cream.
Neither of them cared as they re-created their first memorable kiss—just as sexy, just as scintillating, but this time was better.
Because this time they knew it was forever.
Author’s Note
As an author, each story I create has a little piece of me in it, whether it be a phrase or a hobby or a quirk. Something uniquely me that only I recognize.
In The Boy Toy, I particularly identified with Rory because he had a stutter, like me, and in this follow-up novel The Man Ban, it’s Harper I’m drawn to.
Like Harper, I have vitiligo.
I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease a few years ago and have undergone the same treatment she does. The white patches haven’t vanished, and I don’t wear makeup all the time to hide them, but they’re a part of me now and I accept that.
It’s so satisfying to be able to invest more into a character through personal experience, and I hope you enjoy reading the journey of my characters as much as I love creating them.
Nicola x
Acknowledgments
When I first wrote The Boy Toy, one character demanded attention more than others.
Manny.
Dr. Manish Gomes strutted out of my imagination and onto the pages of The Boy Toy and he almost stole the show, to the extent I had to tone him down during the editing process. He’s utterly charming, and I had an absolute ball telling his story in The Man Ban. Many readers asked if he’d be getting his own tale and I’m so glad he has.
Thanks to the following people for helping me bring Manny’s story alive:
My fabulous editor, Cindy Hwang, who shared in my vision for Manny and let me run with it. I love working with you.
My agent, Kim Lionetti, who’s always in my corner.
My marketing team at Berkley: Jessica Brock, my publicist; and Jessica Plummer, my marketer; thanks so much for getting my books into readers’ hands. You do a fab job, and I’m eternally grateful.
Vi-An Nguyen, for the gorgeous cover illustration, and Katy Riegel, for the lovely page design. It absolutely pops and I love it!
Angela Kim, for always being available to answer questions and sort stuff out, thank you.
And to the team at Jove, Berkley, and Penguin Random House for bringing my books to life. Being published with you is a great experience.
Jamie Humby, a food stylist and chef in Melbourne who I reached out to for research assistance. Your answers to my questions really helped develop the food styling angle of Harper’s career and brought it alive for me, so thank you.
My parents, Olly and Marina, for immersing me in Anglo-Indian culture growing up. I’ll never forget those dances at the Springvale Town Hall (or the food!), even if I never got to meet a real-life Manny.
My hubby, who thinks a boy toy (him) is better than a Manny.
My gorgeous boys, you make me want to be the best I can be. Love you always.
Photo by Jemm Photography
USA Today bestselling and multi-award-winning author Nicola Marsh loves all things romance. With seventy novels to her name, she still pinches herself that she gets to write for a living in her dream job. A physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, cheering her beloved Kangaroos footy team, and curling up on the couch to read a great book. She lives in cosmopolitan Melbourne, Australia.
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