If you’re planning on falling in love…

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s yoga pants, he’s a suit. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

you’d better be sure…

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

… someone is there to catch you.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

Series:

Heartbreaker Bay

Book 7

Can be read as a standalone

Book Type:

Romance

Series Reading Order:

Excerpt: Playing For Keeps

The muffins were bite sized, meaning they were perfect. She pulled out what looked like a blueberry one and handed it to him.

Keeping his eyes on the road, he shook his head. “I don’t like blueberry. You eat that one.”

Happily, she thought, and popped it into her mouth, letting out a low moan of pleasure before she could stop herself. She reached into the bag and pulled out a poppy seed muffin next and held it out, ignoring the fact that his eyes had something new in them now.

Heat.

“I don’t like poppy seed either,” he said softly and watched her as she shrugged and popped that one in her mouth as well. When she tried to hand him a lemon muffin and he again shook his head, she finally caught on.

He was feeding her.

On purpose.

Dammit.

Before she could blast him for that high-handed manipulation, Lollipop began to whine. She craned her neck to see the dog, who was ears and tail down, looking sad. “Think she’s jealous of the muffins?”

“No. She’s scared.” Caleb pulled over and turned to face the back, reaching in to unhinge the crate. Lollipop immediately leapt at him. Once in his lap, she set her front paws on his chest and licked his face from chin to forehead.

He stroked her and a bunch of fur rose off the dog’s body to float around in the air, inevitably landing on the spotless leather upholstery. With an easy laugh, Caleb plopped her into Sadie’s lap. “For the way home, we’ll figure out how to use the harness we bought, but for now do your best to hold onto her good.”

“Not we. You bought everything.” But Sadie wrapped her arms around Lollipop and tried to cuddle her in, but the dog’s eyes were on Caleb, as if maybe the sun rose and set on his broad shoulders.

Reaching over, he patted her on the head – the dog, not Sadie – and started driving again.

Soon as he did, Lollipop once again began whining and trying to get back into Caleb’s lap.

Without taking his eyes off the road, he reached out to pet her again. This helped until he stopped touching her. Soon as he did, Lollipop held up a paw in his direction, like keep petting me!

Caleb took her paw in his big hand and kept driving.

While holding the dog’s paw.

Lollipop relaxed, even smiled as she turned to the windshield in Sadie’s lap, now appearing to enjoy the ride.

“Are you serious?” Sadie asked.

“I think she is.”

“I meant you,” Sadie said.

“Hey, she stopped crying, didn’t she? Do me a favor and shift into third gear when I ease into the clutch so I don’t have to let go of her hand.

Huh. Over the past year or so since he’d first come into her orbit, she’d been amused by telling herself all sorts of stories about him. Things like he probably only dated supermodels, maybe even two at a time, and she bet he didn’t leave tips when he ate out, things like that.

But the stories were starting to crumble beneath the weight of the truth.

He was actually kind of a really good guy, one who fed people he thought needed feeding and risked an allergic reaction to rescue a scared, lonely, abandoned dog. She looked over at him, still holding Lollipop’s hand.

“What?” he asked, catching her staring. “Want me to hold your hand next?”

“Funny, but I’m not whining, so…” she quipped with a teasing tone that was in complete contrast to the way her heart kicked hard at the thought of a physical connection to him.

What the hell was happening to her?

“You nervous about something?” he asked.

“No. Why would I be nervous?” And how was he reading her at all? She had a world class poker face that she’d worked her entire life to perfect.

“I don’t know, but I smell something burning,” Caleb said as he pulled into the underground parking for the vet center. “What’s got you thinking so hard?”

“Maybe I’m just a quiet person.”

He laughed softly and she had to smile. “Okay,” she admitted. “So I’m not quiet. I’m opinionated and stubborn and I like to think I know what I’m doing at all times.”

“All excellent qualities.”

You Might Also Like:

SWEET LITTLE LIES

TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE

ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE

HOT WINTER NIGHTS