Enjoy!
ISBN-13: 9781335504944
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 3-12-2019
Length: 384pp
Road to Love #2
Buy It: Amazon/B&N/Kobo/IndieBound/Audible
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 3-12-2019
Length: 384pp
Road to Love #2
Buy It: Amazon/B&N/Kobo/IndieBound/Audible
Overview:
You can’t put the brakes on love…
Ronnie Ashford needs a distraction. In the morning, she has to offer arrogant, conventional Jack Crews a job and convince him not to take it. She doesn’t need anyone’s help, thank you very much. But tonight is all about the tall, sexy stranger who just walked in the bar—and all the delicious trouble they could get into together. Too bad just as things are heating up between them, he whispers the three little words that destroy everything: “I’m Jack Crews.”
Jack is determined to connect with fiery Ronnie—in bed and out of it—but her terms are clear. If he takes the job, helping her acquire prized artifacts for her mysterious bosses, anything between them is strictly off-limits. Somehow he has to convince a woman who’s never felt like she belonged that she’s found her place—with him. And with the danger sparking hotter than the fire between them, it’s going to be one unforgettable trip…
Ronnie Ashford needs a distraction. In the morning, she has to offer arrogant, conventional Jack Crews a job and convince him not to take it. She doesn’t need anyone’s help, thank you very much. But tonight is all about the tall, sexy stranger who just walked in the bar—and all the delicious trouble they could get into together. Too bad just as things are heating up between them, he whispers the three little words that destroy everything: “I’m Jack Crews.”
Jack is determined to connect with fiery Ronnie—in bed and out of it—but her terms are clear. If he takes the job, helping her acquire prized artifacts for her mysterious bosses, anything between them is strictly off-limits. Somehow he has to convince a woman who’s never felt like she belonged that she’s found her place—with him. And with the danger sparking hotter than the fire between them, it’s going to be one unforgettable trip…
Read an excerpt:
CHAPTER ONE
RONNIE WOULDN’T HAVE walked
into Freddie’s, a dinky little honky-tonk bar in Red Oaks, Ohio, if she’d known
a local’s birthday party was underway. But hey, she needed a distraction and
this seemed to be the only one available.
Seated on a stool, she lifted her beer to the loud toast made by a
fellow in dusty overalls. Something about the birthday boy supplying corn to an
upcoming festival. Ronnie wasn’t sure. Small-town vibes usually eluded her.
And this town was smaller than most.
The main street began with farms that melded into small tidy
houses lining each side, along with a few establishments, and abruptly ended
with Freddie’s.
God willing, she wouldn’t have to be here long. Her employers had
recently decided that she needed a professional courier to help acquire their
purchases. Even though Ronnie was more than capable on her own.
Worse, the man they wanted to hire was, by all accounts, a
super-slick, suit-wearing choirboy—and she wanted nothing to do with
him. Tomorrow she
would present the offer as directed, but with any luck he’d turn it down—and
then she could get back to work.
Alone.
Until then, she
needed to shake off the tension, or at the very least find a diversion from her
thoughts. Thus her visit to this dive.
“Come on in,” someone
shouted. “There’s still plenty of room.”
Ronnie glanced up to
see the newcomer—and was instantly hooked. Well, well, well.
This customer stood
better than six feet tall. Messy light brown hair contrasted with heavily
lashed, dark eyes. Two different paint colors splattered his T-shirt, and his
faded jeans hung loose and low.
Hello, distraction.
She’d hoped a beer
would take the edge off, but perhaps there was a better way to help her sleep
tonight.
Swiveling to face
him, Ronnie smiled. This was what she needed. He was what she
needed. Her heart beat faster just thinking of the possibilities.
Allowing her gaze to
skim down his body, she lingered in key, tantalizing places.
Straight shoulders.
Trim waist.
Delicious biceps.
Down to a flat stomach,
narrow hips, and...a nice bulge in his softly worn jeans. Whoa.
A curl of heat teased
through her system. Yes, she had a definite type, favoring rugged, rough
men. Real men.
This one fit the bill
to perfection.
Her gaze shifted to
his hand. She noted the lack of a wedding band, but then a lot of guys didn’t
wear them. She never, ever got involved—even for one night—with men already in
relationships.
Now, how to proceed?
When she looked back
up to his face, she found him standing still, arms loose at his sides, feet
slightly braced apart...staring at her with a very slight smile on his sexy
mouth.
Terrific. They had a
mutual attraction going on.
Playing coy, Ronnie
slid her gaze away and faced the bar again, forearms folded on the counter.
Awareness sizzled as she sensed his casual approach.
“Drinking alone?”
Mmm, that deep voice. So far, everything about him stirred
her.
He kept a slight
distance, not invading her space but still making his interest apparent.
Rubbing her thumb
along the neck of the bottle, she glanced up at him. “Not if you join me.”
Her
invitation warmed those dark brown eyes. He settled on the stool beside her,
turning slightly so that his thigh touched hers.
And
just that, such a light touch, sent excitement coiling through her. As he
ordered a cola and pulled-pork sandwich, she studied his profile: the masculine
nose, sensual mouth, strong jaw, and high cheekbones. Oh, those darker-than-sin
eyes and lush lashes...
His gaze cut her way. “Have you eaten?”
She lifted the beer. “Moved on to dessert.” No, she wasn’t a heavy
drinker, but he wouldn’t know that. Let him think what he wanted. She didn’t
care.
“New to the area?” he asked.
“Just passing through.” Somehow she’d make that true. But what if
he was a local? In the off chance Slick took the job tomorrow, she’d be in and
around the area a lot—meaning she shouldn’t complicate things with neighbors.
She sipped her beer again, gauging how she’d ask, then settled on, “You work
here as a painter?”
His mouth curled a little more. “No.”
“Ah, somewhere else, then.” Relieved, she let out a tense breath.
“That’s good.”
He started to say something but asked instead, “Good because...?”
Ronnie waved a hand. “I don’t want to start anything with the
locals.”
One brow cocked up.
Eyes direct, he asked, “But you want to start something with me?”
She liked his
confidence, the bold way he asked that, and she liked how he held her gaze. Why
hedge? It was already getting late and the beer wasn’t doing it for her. She
dreaded the idea of sleeping alone. That was true for most nights, but as it
sometimes happened, tonight was worse.
Tonight, memories
plagued her. Horrid memories. She always fought them off the best she could,
but some nights—like tonight—they wormed their way in. Company, along with
extracurricular activity, would make them easier to deal with.
So she turned,
sliding her knee along the inside of his and saying with suggestion, “I do.
Something that could last the night?” Then she clarified, “Only through
the night. What do you think?”
His attention roved
over her, from her short pale hair in styled disarray, to the front of her
sweater where her less than stellar boobs wouldn’t impress a single soul, down
her waist to her legs to her ankle boots. Those sinful eyes slowly rose back to
her face. “There’s a hotel a few miles down the road.”
She knew that,
because she’d rented a room there. “Perfect.” Tipping up the beer, she finished
it off and started to stand.
He grinned. “Mind if
I eat first? It’s been a long day.”
Well. Well, hell.
Here she was ready to rush out the door and he wanted to eat first?
Plopping her behind
back on the plastic-covered stool and resting her elbows behind her on the bar,
she waited as the steaming sandwich with a side of chips was set before him.
“You could get it to
go,” she suggested. “Eat it on the way, maybe?”
For an answer, he
picked it up and took a big bite.
What. A. Jerk. Did
she need a diversion this badly?
Her heart ached as
she accepted the truth that, sadly, yes, she did.
She crossed her legs
and swung a foot. “If I have to wait, you damn well better be worth it.”
Nonchalance
personified, he nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
Ronnie sighed out her
frustration. She had the feeling his best would be pretty damn good.
JACK COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time he’d been this attracted to a
woman...or when he’d had so much fun teasing her. The little beauty next to him
was all but steaming, and still she wanted him.
A real boost to the
ego.
And he wasn’t at his
best. He’d gotten a day off at the office, but he’d worked all morning on the
yard, done a few roof repairs, and then painted two rooms. Hunger had driven
him to Freddie’s without showering, shaving, or changing into clean clothes first.
Not his usual style.
Judging by her style,
his present state of “worked all day on a rehab house” suited her. He cast
another glance over at her and forced himself not to gulp his food. Petite
women didn’t usually turn him on, but God love her, she did.
She had this edgy
style with platinum hair cut short in the back but long in the front. The wispy
bangs nearly hung in her eyes—soft gray eyes lined with kohl—until she ran her
slender fingers through it, pushing it to the side. When she turned her head,
it fell forward. No matter how it lay, she looked sexy as hell.
The pale blue sweater
hugged her upper body, but not as tightly as those jeans hugged her trim little
ass and crazy long legs. For a woman so small, she was put together really
fine.
And she wanted him.
For tonight.
She wasn’t local and
probably wouldn’t be around here again. Even knowing it was better that way, he
couldn’t deny the twinge of disappointment. He had a feeling he was going to
enjoy her. A lot.
Suddenly she asked,
“You’re not involved, are you?”
“Romantically?” He
took another massive bite. Freddie’s had amazing sandwiches.
“Romantically,
sexually, whatever. I don’t want to step on any toes.”
He swallowed.
“Uninvolved on all counts.” But he thought to ask, “You?” because he didn’t
trespass either.
“Free and clear.” She
fidgeted, toying with a dangling silver earring in her right ear. In her left
she had a stud. Three fingers on her left hand sported silver rings, along with
her thumb on her right.
Fascinating.
He watched her survey
the bar, not with any real interest but just to track the movement of the
party.
She had amazing skin.
Peachy. Smooth. Natural skin, he thought, despite the loud eye makeup. Her
brows were a medium brown, not that he needed to notice that to know she’d
bleached her hair. Altogether, she gave off a confident, distinctive, sexy
vibe.
He liked it. “What’s
your name?”
She immediately shook
her head. “No names.” Bringing her attention back to him, she scowled. “Hurry
up already.”
“What’s the rush?”
Tucking in her chin,
she gave him a killing glare. “Look, if you’re not interested—”
“I’m interested.”
Jack shrugged. “I’m also hungry after working all day. Will five more minutes
hurt?”
She seemed to be
debating it, then with a deliberately flippant attitude, she said, “Whatever,”
and slipped off the barstool.
For a second, Jack
thought she was leaving and he had to fight the urge to catch her arm, to
dissuade her, to...convince her to stay.
Since when did he
have to convince women? Not for years.
When she merely dug
some change from her pocket, he relaxed. Sort of. But he did eat a little
faster.
“The jukebox work?”
Jack nodded,
swallowed. “But it’s all country music.”
“Of course it is.”
Wending her way around the crowds until she finally reached the old-fashioned
jukebox, she studied the songs, slipped in the change, and smiled as music
joined the din of conversation.
Jack studied her body
as she started back toward him, the graceful way she moved while still being
very aware of the press of bodies around her. She touched no one as she slipped
this way and that, not even a brush of arms. Her sweater barely met the
waistband of her jeans, and twice he got a glimpse of her smooth, pale stomach.
Fuck the food. He’d
had enough.
Standing, he put some
money on the bar and waited for her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d get half hard
just imagining what was to come.
Right before she
reached him, someone said, “Hey, Jack. The house is looking good.”
He gave an offhand
“thanks,” not even sure who’d said it. Everyone around here knew him, his
brother, and his mother, and they were all friendly.
She stopped, her
made-up eyes flaring. “Jack?”
He didn’t have a
problem with names, so he held out a hand. “Jack Crews. Feel like sharing now?”
Instead she slapped
his hand away and surged forward in one big step, going on her tiptoes to glare
up into his face. “You’re supposed to be slick.”
“I am?” This close,
he could see her individual lashes and he detected the faint perfume of
flowers—an odd contrast to her sharp appeal.
“Yes!” Dropping back,
she gestured at him. “You are not supposed to be messy or rugged.”
With no idea what was
going on, Jack folded his arms and leaned back on the bar. “Is it against the
rules if I’m all of the above?”
She appeared to be
sawing her teeth together. “Thanks for nothing.” Turning on her heel, she
started out the door.
What the hell? Jack
bolted after her, following her through the door and out to the walkway. “Where
are you going?”
To the tune of
furious stomping, she said, “The hotel.”
Were they still on,
then? Unsure, he offered, “I have a truck.”
“Alone.”
Yeah, that was plain
enough.
He easily caught up
to walk beside her. “So...that’s it? You changed your mind and I won’t see you
again?”
She muttered something
low and mean.
Jack leaned closer.
“What?”
Halting, she stared
down at her feet a moment, and when she raised her face, she looked almost calm
again. “I’ll see you tomorrow as a matter of fact.” Her smile could wound. “At
your office.”
Jack still didn’t get
it.
“We have an
appointment first thing.”
“I have an
appointment with Ron Ashford.”
She held out her
arms. “That would be me. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to forget about this.
Tonight, I mean. That we might have...” Lips compressing, she shook her head.
“Just forget it.” And with that she continued on her way, her behind swishing,
her legs eating up the pavement.
Very slowly, Jack
smiled. Forget about it? Like hell.
And damn it, now
he was getting hard.
OF COURSE SHE hadn’t
slept. It had turned into one of those nights, the nights
where demons visited and her skin itched while her thoughts traveled back in
time to moments better forgotten. As if. Some things burned into the brain,
branded there forever.
Sex
usually helped and had the added benefit of giving her a warm body to snuggle
against. Not being alone meant she wasn’t as vulnerable, even if the person
with her was a stranger.
But after the mix-up with Jack Crews, she didn’t feel like
searching out new game.
She probably could have found an agreeable man. After all, when it
came to sex, most men were absurdly easy.
The problem was that after her high expectations for Jack, no one
else would have measured up. A man like him would be a hard act to follow.
Now she was bleary-eyed, grouchy—and running twenty minutes late.
Ronnie locked her jaw as she stared up the stone steps to the business. No one
had told her she’d have to climb. She shook her fist at the imposing steps, put
one foot forward—and someone beeped.
She swiveled around to see a superhunk in a red Mustang smiling at
her. Oh, wow. Now if only she’d met him last night—
Through the driver’s side window, he asked, “You going up to
Mustang Transport?”
Ronnie
nodded. “Who had the bright idea to build it up there? And why
isn’t there a sign warning people? What if I was old, or physically challenged
in some way?”
His
grin widened. A lethal grin that made her tingle almost as much as Jack had.
“If you drive on around the bend, you’ll see a road that leads you right up to
the door.”
She propped her hands on her hips. “Well, a sign saying so would
be nice.”
“Yeah, that’s what my wife said, too.”
His wife? Ugh. She dropped her hands. “She’d be right. Thanks for
the tip.”
Ronnie turned away, heading for her Chevy hatchback. Next to the
Mustang, it looked pretty drab.
“I could drive you up,” he offered. “I’m headed there myself.”
She stalled with her back still to him. Her shoulders might’ve
cringed a little. He’s in a Mustang. Heading to Mustang Transport.
Well, hell.
With a huff she faced him. “You’re the brother, aren’t you?”
With a grin that’d do wicked things to a woman’s imagination, he
confessed, “Guilty.”
I just bet you are. She looked at her
car, then his. “If I rode with you—”
“I’ll show you where
to go, then bring you back when you’re ready. No biggie.” He surprised her by
getting out and circling around to the passenger side, where he opened the door
and then waited for her.
Presuming she’d do as
he asked.
Why not? Ronnie
strode forward with a purpose—then paused again when she saw a gigantic dog
sitting in the small back seat, eyeing her. “Uh...”
“Howler’s friendly.”
Since the dog’s
tongue was already out, lapping toward her in anticipation of giving her a wet
lick, she believed him. “I love animals.” She got into the seat, turning
sideways to coo at the big dog.
His tail wagged so
hard that it hit the seat with a loud thumping drumbeat.
Ronnie laughed.
“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart.” She stroked his head, around his long ears and
neck. “Is he smiling at me?”
The brother got back
behind the wheel. “Probably. He digs the chicks.”
“Chicks?” she
repeated, her tone soft with warning.
Not that he took
heed. He put the car back in gear and drove forward. “I’m Brodie, by the way.”
Honest to God, she
just didn’t have the energy this morning to spar with a guy like him. “Jack’s
brother.”
“You know Jack?”
“Not really, but I
have a meeting with him this morning.”
His brows climbed up.
“You’re Ron Ashford?”
“Guilty,” she said,
mocking him. “Ronnie to my friends.”
“So why does the
appointment calendar say Ron?”
Shrugging, she
explained, “I use Ron for business contracts, so bozos don’t dismiss me out of
hand just because I’m female. Mostly I go by Ronnie.”
Not in the least
insulted by her bozo comment, he asked, “Not Veronica, huh?”
Some of her warmth
iced over, but she hopefully hid it with a smile. “Well, Veronica is my given
name.”
“Used only by
family?”
She gave a stiff
nod. Family...and reporters.
That sexy grin of his
returned. “Jack is going to be surprised.”
No, he wouldn’t,
since he’d met her last night, but she saw no reason to clue in the ape.
Already he’d turned the bend and drove up a road that circled around behind the
business. Off to the side, Ronnie saw a looping track, then thick woods. The
position of the business put them atop a rise overlooking the small town and
guaranteed privacy from the rest of their neighbors.
She liked it.
n
the light of day. She imagined at night it’d only feel dark, isolated, and
creepy.
“Here
we are.” Brodie pulled right up to a door and turned off the purring engine.
“I’m running late, so that means you are, too.”
“Had a rough morning?” she asked him.
“More like a late night. Not that I’m complaining.” He grinned
with meaning. “You?”
“Late night, yes. Not so lucky with the reason why.”
“Ah, too bad.” He gave her a commiserating look. “Since it wassomething
else, is there a way I can help?”
She almost choked. If you weren’t married, then yes, you
could help. But no, actually he couldn’t. He was also Jack’s brother,
and he worked at the business.
His brows lifted. “Is your silence a yes or a no?”
“No—but thank you.”
He nodded but didn’t pry beyond that. “There should be coffee
inside,” he said, as if that’d make everything better. He started around to her
door.
To do the gentlemanly thing? Ronnie gave the dog one last stroke
and stepped out on her own. She would not start this meeting as the “little
helpless lady.”
Brodie didn’t comment, he just pulled her seat forward and
unfastened the dog. Howler unfolded himself from the car, long limbs
going
everywhere as he gained the ground and then stretched.
“How
in the world does he even fit?” she asked, eyeing the small seat in back.
From some distance away, a deep voice said, “He considers it
cozy.”
It was a voice she recognized.
Slowly, Ronnie straightened and looked toward the office. There
stood Jack, arms crossed over his chest, one shoulder propped against the glass
entry door, his dark gaze direct and oddly suspicious.
Today he’d dressed closer to what she’d expected, in black slacks
and a button-down striped shirt—but he wasn’t too buttoned up,
not with the collar open and the sleeves rolled to his elbows. Though a cool
morning breeze played with his hair, it remained neat, and she could see from
here that he was freshly shaved.
God help her, he looked even more devastating.
Resisting the urge to fuss with her hair, Ronnie rounded the car
and started toward him. “Sorry I’m late. No one told me to drive around past
the sign to enter.”
Jack’s gaze didn’t waver. “I see you met Brodie.”
Why was he almost growling? She wasn’t that late.
Moving up beside her, Brodie asked, “You two know each other?”
She
said, “Not really.”
At
the same time, Jack replied, “You could say that.”
Alarm shot through her. Narrowing her eyes in warning, Ronnie
turned to Brodie. “I ran into him last night. Very briefly.”
“Yeah?” Brodie looked more curious by the second. “Where was
that?”
“Freddie’s,” Jack explained.
“Ah.” After his gaze bounced back and forth between them a few
times, Brodie grinned. “Am I missing something?”
“As a matter of fact—”
“No,” she interrupted, “you’re not.” Then with more vinegar, she
asked, “Will we have this meeting in the yard, then?”
Without a word, Jack pressed the door open with one hand and
waited for her to enter. He didn’t leave her much room to get around him, and
because she thought he did that deliberately, she got irate.
Her being irate was never a good thing. Couple it with lack of
sleep and unrequited lust for his very fine body...
Pasting on a fake smile, Ronnie said, “Why, thank you,” as she
moved past him. Very closely. Close enough that the side of her body brushed
all the way across the front of his.
She felt him go still, heard his inhalation—and then the dog
nearly plowed her over as he shoved in past her. Ronnie tripped forward
but righted herself
quickly.
“Sorry,” Brodie said,
still sounding amused. “Howler isn’t the patient sort.”
Jack still stood at
the door, staring at her.
She stared back,
trying to look smug so he wouldn’t know how he affected her.
“Coffee?”
They both answered
Brodie with an affirmative, and finally Jack stepped forward. “Through here.”
Pressing open an inner door, he waited as if in expectation.
“Thanks.” This time
she passed with plenty of space between them. Her heart could only take so much.
He closed the door
and went behind a desk. “Have a seat, Ms. Ashford.”
If he wanted a
belated business tone, fine, she could handle that. It would probably make
things easier for her. She crossed her legs and sat back in her seat. “Thank
you, Mr. Crews.”
Then he blew it by
saying, “Your hair is different today.”
Yeah, it was. Without
any sleep to motivate her she’d only finger-combed it after her shower and let
it dry naturally, meaning it hung in chunky layers to the side. “My hair is
always different, depending on my mood.”
Sitting forward, he
folded his arms on the desk. “You look tired.”
“Not
at all,” she lied with credible conviction. “I slept like a baby.”
That
dark, sensual gaze flicked over her, taking in her loose black sweater, then
her jeans, and finally her boots.
His eyes met hers and he growled softly, “I didn’t.”
Damn, those two gruff words nearly melted her. Had he lain awake
thinking of her, of what they might have done?
She knew she had.
Brodie shouldered open the door, three cups of coffee balanced in
his hands. “Howler already a-t-e and now he’s sleeping, so we should have a few
minutes.”
Jack took two cups from him and handed one to Ronnie. “Cream or
sugar?”
“Black is fine.” She glanced at Brodie. “You spelled that...why?”
“Because the dog is alert to anything that has to do with
e-a-t-i-n-g. And his hearing is damn good.” He drew a long sip and sighed. “At
least he doesn’t like coffee.”
“Hmm.” Ronnie wasn’t sure if he was teasing or not. “So if I
mentioned, say, a snack—”
“Don’t.”
The sound of claws scrambling on the floor came ahead of the big
dog and a second later he skidded in, ears up, alert, his gaze darting to each
of them expectantly.
Jack
blew out a breath, opened a drawer, and pulled out a dog treat. He tossed it
over Ronnie’s head and into the hallway, but the dog moved so fast that he
caught it.
Brodie
said to Jack, “She’s the type that has to test it, huh?”
And Jack, as if he knew her type, replied, “Apparently so.”
Dazed by how fast that had all happened, Ronnie glared at both
men. “Don’t you—?”
“Shh,” Brodie said, lowering his voice. “Of course we f-e-e-d him.
You can see he’s healthy. But to his mind, it’s never enough.”
“That’s ridiculous—”
“It’s a long story,” Jack explained. “I’ll tell you all about it
another time.”
She didn’t intend to be with him long enough to hear a story.
Though, damn it, now she was curious.
“The short version is that the dog was mistreated before Brodie
got him, and now he’s a little spoiled.”
“Just a little,” Brodie agreed.
This wasn’t going at all as Ronnie had planned. She’d wanted to
come in, state the parameters of the job, convince Jack he didn’t want it, and
then be on her way, confident of the fact that she’d spared herself.
She hadn’t counted on meeting Jack in a different setting first,
but she had.
She
hadn’t counted on wanting him, but boy, she did.
She
definitely hadn’t counted on liking them both, but as each second passed,
that’s what happened.
“Well, hell.”
“Well, hell.”
Book 1 available now
About the author:
I really will get to this author one day Debbie, I promise!
ReplyDeleteyou must Ali :)
DeleteI had a blast with Jack and Ronnie :)
ReplyDeleteI saw that Kim and it went a little higher on the pile because of your review
DeleteI have this one to read soon :D
ReplyDeletehope you love it too
DeleteShe's such a fun one :) I need to get caught up soon!
ReplyDeleteone of my faves too Anna
DeleteSounds like its going to be sparking quite a bit!
ReplyDeleteyup
Delete