WELCOME TO PARADISE
BOX SET SUMMARY:
I thought I was strong… But I wasn’t when it came to Evan Ashford.
The rich, cocky playboy I met within minutes of landing in Hawaii
didn’t give me arrogance. He gave me his heart and his hard truths. In return,
I gave him everything, including my trust. The man made me weak in the knees,
but I soon learned the bad boy surfer had a reputation that preceded him and an
image to uphold.
The sexual chemistry was unquestionable, our emotions irrational,
but our love was undeniable. Together our pasts didn’t matter. Our different
backgrounds were irrelevant. He made me feel his life wasn’t worth living
without me in it. He took my breath away and saved each one of them, owning me
wholly.
Evan became my life, but with all the obstacles that stood in our
way, could he become my future?
HAPPY ENDINGS NOVELLA
(# 3.5 in series)
SUMMARY:
Life was perfect. Paradise was found in the arms of a redeemed bad boy. Evan Ashford’s cocky side didn’t stand a chance against true love. He pursued me with an unbridled determination, a passion that couldn’t be denied, winning me over. Our lives are now set… or should have been. But nothing stays perfect forever and happiness comes with a price.
We’ve paid that price.
Sometimes we may not get the answers we seek, but we’ve learned to
cherish the gifts we’ve been given. It doesn’t matter what life throws at us or
takes away, we’ve found love and we will fight for what matters
most—family.
EXCERPT:
A lighter appears in front of me. Without bothering to look up, I move forward into the fire. I try to ignore the ridiculously handsome guy as he tries to pick me up after sending his girlfriend away.
He's unsettling and… confusing, and apparently doesn't take a hint, so I make myself crystal clear. "Just so you know, your bullshit lines won't work on me. Anyway, I'm sure there's a fresh batch of girls about to land who are looking for that fling they will always remember and reflect upon fondly for the rest of their lives."
The Hawaiian God's heat emanates from beside me.
He's too good looking.
He's too close.
"Speaking of bullshit, a thank you would be nice," he says, moving to stand in front of me.
"For what?" I ask.
“It sucks being the bad guy."
"Then don't be." It's hard to stay mad at him for some unknown reason. I'm thinking it's because even though what Evan says should anger me, he's authentic in his words. There are no pretenses.
"Easier said than done, my dear. Years of hard work went into cultivating this bad boy image. It's not going to come crumbling down over a girl anytime soon. So, I spare the chicks some tears and grief and try to play as truthful as possible."
The man sitting next to me is a paradigm, confusing in the most interesting ways. His words don't match his mannerisms or the sensibility he so strongly projects, and yet his words are his truth. He's being honest—at least more honest than he should be with someone he apparently is trying to pick up. Then another thought occurs to me, inspiring me to speak before I lose my nerve. "You're telling me this so I know not to expect anything from you, aren't you?"
There's the smirk, but watching him this time, it wavers before he speaks. He doesn't rush to answer. His quick tongue waits for the thoughts to back him up. "I'm giving you a ride, Mallory, that's all. Did you expect more?"
"You're good at turning the tables on people."
"And you're very clever. More clever than most, I suspect. So I'm not going to fool you into anything. That's not my style. Contrary to what you might believe, I don't usually encounter much resistance."
"Oh, I believe it all right!" Wait! I might have just admitted something to him that I'm definitely not ready to admit to myself.
He doesn't say anything, but the knowing, self-satisfied grin beaming across his face says he understood perfectly.
No comments:
Post a Comment