Strawberry

The first time I met Charles Cavendish, I accidentally locked myself in a closet with him. The second time, he became my new boss. My very grumpy new boss. No matter how I much I try, I can’t forget what his lips feel like. The way his arms wrap around me. I need to keep my distance. But when the company lands a new account, I’m forced to work side by side with this man. The handsome devil who makes me forget all rational thought. But the thing about the devil is...he can lure even the greatest of saints.

I woke up in a nightmare. I woke up alone. There was a reason I never let myself have feelings before. Emotions make you stupid. They make you miscalculate. If someone gave me the choice, I’d do it all over again.

It was always Sarah. And she was always mine. I woke up in a nightmare. I woke up alone. There was a reason I never let myself have feelings before. Emotions make you stupid. They make you miscalculate. If someone gave me the choice, I’d do it all over again. Only this time, I’d stop everyone who ever looked at the woman I love before they had the chance to hurt her. But since that’s not an option, I’ll just have to stay alive long enough to find her. And together, we’ll break the whole world for what they’ve done.

Of two things I'm certain: When something sounds too good to be true, it is; and when Alexius Del Rossa makes you a deal, you run far away and never look back. Me? I didn't run. I stayed. I opened that envelope, and I accepted his offer. Why? Because my life was a mess and on a downward spiral to a big, fat nothing. And he just offered me everything in exchange for six months of my life. It was supposed to be a simple arrangement, but I learned the hard way that nothing is simple when it comes to Alexius.

Jack Cooper’s a devoted single dad, just trying to make it through the morning without burning breakfast. His life is all about lists and rules and boundaries. (Raising three kids on his own, who can blame him?) Meanwhile, I’m a shameless free spirit looking for signs from the universe. And Jack? He's a sign. No doubt. The way his gaze skates across my face, gentle and questioning. The tired circles under his eyes and the hopeful smile quirking his lips. I can’t stop fantasizing about the guy and completely adore his kids. It's not like that should stop me from trying to help.

I was born with noble blood in my veins. Heir to a powerful dynasty. Wealth. Power. Aristocracy. Temptations too dangerous to resist. Until someone tried to steal it all. Scarred and broken, I emerged from the flames. Now I’ve returned to take what’s mine.

Justice Lonesome has enjoyed a life of bounty. Even so, she's inherited the curse of the Lonesome. A poet's soul. Which means she's still searching for something. Searching for peace. Searching for the less...that's more. And when the foundation of her life is pulled out from under her, grieving, she goes to the mountains to find her oasis. She hits Carnal, Colorado, and decides to stay.

She was the girl. The only girl. The only girl I ever wanted. The only girl I ever loved. The only girl I could ever love. And I killed it .I destroyed it. I threw her love away. For nine years, I've kept the memory of her locked in the deepest corner of my heart...all the while hating myself for what I did to her. To us. Now, without warning, she's walked back into my life.