Sometimes you’ve got to fake it ‘til you make it...
Stephanie Fitzpatrick wanted out of the spotlight after her pro-golfer husband was caught on camera cheating. But when she returns to Michigan for a job interview and some much-needed R&R, a fib told by her well-meaning sister has her looking for a temporary fiancé, or she can kiss her new start good-bye.
Desperate to hide the truth, she goes to the one man who can help—her former best friend.
Miles Masterson is relieved to see the Checkerberry Inn beginning to thrive once more. Not only does it ease his mind about his grandmother’s financial future, but also about his decision to finally escape town. But then one all grown up and sexy as hell friend from the past shows up needing rescue. Now the temptation to change the “temporary” arrangement into something more is making it harder to think about leaving.
EXCERPT:
"What was that for?” she hissed as Evanston stepped out of earshot.
“Oh, come on, Steph. That slimeball was totally coming on to you."
“First of all, he is not a slimeball. He’s a very good friend of Livvy’s. And he was not coming on to me—he was excited to hear how I thought Michigan could put together a program like the one Liam”—her lips screwed in a moment of silent fury—“I helped found in Florida. And third—since when the heck is whether a man’s flirting with me or not any of your business?” She jabbed a finger not-so-subtly into Miles’s sternum.
And damn it if that fire in her eyes didn’t turn him on.
Wait. Turn him on?
Oh, no. It had to be the stress. Yes, that was it. After fretting half the day about his upcoming phone interview, and then the interview itself, Miles’s brain was fried…which left other parts of his body to do the thinking. Judging by the silent fury burning in her eyes, he was about 99.9 percent sure the feelings were not mutual. Not that he wanted them to be.
At least, that’s what he told himself for the hundredth time this week.
And it was only Monday.
Miles pried her hand from his chest and took a step back but kept his voice low. “I was just looking out for you."
“Maybe I don’t need to be looked after."
“Why do you always have to be so darned stubborn?"
“Why do you always have to be so darned—” Stephanie clamped her mouth shut.
“So what?"
“Nothing.” She pushed her chair in and started for the lobby. “Absolutely nothing."
Miles watched her go, mentally kicking himself. He hated to see her pissed off at him. Hated even more the thought of spending the evening at home alone. He followed after her, lowering his voice as she started down the hall toward her suite…and ignoring the pleased-as-punch look on Ruby’s face as they passed.
“Don’t you think we should talk about this?"
“No."
There it was again, that winded sound in her voice. Miles frowned, worry nagging at him. “But what about the job offer? And this charity event on Thursday?"
Stephanie stopped before the door to the Chippewa Suite and rubbed a fist to center of her chest. “I’m going to turn down both."
“What? Why?"
“Because I c-c… I c-c…” She tried once more, but this time nothing came out. It was as if she couldn’t talk, couldn’t breath.
“Shoot, you’re hyperventilating.” He looked to her hands, but they were empty. “Where’s your key?"
“P-pocket."
He looked from her face, past her chest—which was perfect, by the way, but rising and falling much too fast, the breaths coming much too shallow—and down to her capris. Countless times in his younger years he’d envisioned what it would be like to get into then-Stephanie Johnson’s pants, and this wasn’t at all how it had gone down. She raised a shaky hand to her forehead, breaking his reverie. He had to get her inside before she fainted on him.
Then again, if she fainted, wouldn’t that require some mouth to mouth?
Good Christ, man, get it together.
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HER UNEXPECTED DETOUR
Sometimes it's not the destination, but the detour...
Kayla has the perfect strategy for a broken heart: work, work, and more work. Then a storm sends her car skidding off the road, stranding her in Mount Pleasant. Fortunately, rescue comes in the form of the incredibly handsome but gruff Brent Masterson. And he's hot enough to tempt Kayla into doing something she never thought she could do...
Brent Masterson swore he would never give into the fierce attraction that's been sizzling between him and Kayla since they first met. He has his own demons, and he won't risk his heart again. Not even for someone as gorgeous and amazing as Kayla. So...how exactly did he end up in Kayla's bed last night?
But sometimes all it takes is an ice storm to show two broken hearts the way home…
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
BUY LINKS: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (PRINT) | AMAZON (CA) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | BN | KOBO | iBOOKS
AUTHOR INFO:
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. When this Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.
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Thanks so much for featuring my second Checkerberry novel today!!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to be hosting you as the theme of your new release is a favorite of mine. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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