There’s only one reason Lucy’s been engaged – and walked away – three times and now he’s standing right in front of her. Cameron Taylor is the man she’s never stopped loving, even when he left her “for her own good” all those years ago. There was nothing good about it, that’s for sure. Just like there’d be nothing good about trying to break down Cameron’s walls now. But that doesn’t mean she’s not tempted to try…
***Monterey King is the third book in award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Claire Marti’s spin off contemporary romance series, California Suits. The series will follow the adventures of five best friends who are opening a string of luxury boutique hotels from La Jolla to Monterey to Beverly Hills as each one finds true love…usually where he least expects it. Each book is a standalone.
“Oh Cam.” Before he knew what was happening, she stepped into him and wound her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. He stiffened, his arms useless by his side, his mind blank.
Lucy snuggled in closer. “I’m so sorry. Please hug me back.”
Unable to resist, he banded his arms around her and pulled her against him, accepting the comfort she offered. He dropped his cheek to rest on top of her head, the tickle of fluffy pom-pom soft against his skin. She held on tight, every ounce of her committed to sharing comfort in the way only she knew how.
Slowly, awareness of every inch of her compact little body plastered against him filtered through his senses. Through Herculean self-control, he managed to keep his hands in place and not stroke down her spine to clasp her ass and rock her into his burgeoning hard-on. Danger. He clasped her waist and started to set her away from him. No way could he be this close to her.
She glanced up at him, her chocolate brown eyes soft, her tempting lips parted.
Panic tickled his throat. “Lucy.” His heart slammed against his ribs.
“Cam.” Her pupils flared.
Fuck it. Slowly, he lowered his mouth and brushed his lips against her impossibly soft ones. She melted against him, deepening the kiss, stroking and swirling her tongue with his. He groaned at her delicious taste and skimmed his hands up to her jaw to hold her in place. His mind emptied and everything else faded into the background.
She pressed her hands against his chest. “It’s freezing out here. Do you want to come over and have some coffee? I want to hear more about what happened. More about your time overseas.” Her eyelids were heavy, her voice breathy.
He jolted back to reality. What were they doing? Where was his self-control? Time to retreat. “I’ve got to get over to the hotel. And I’d rather not talk about that period of time.”
She didn’t blink but she stepped back. “Okay. Thanks for discussing our break-up with me and thanks for the kiss. And for the record, you were wrong. I was certain we would have made it.”
With that pronouncement, she turned and sauntered away, leaving him alone with the icy breeze penetrating his bones. Was she right?
Damn it, she’d only grown more beautiful, more appealing, more everything.
Now what was he going to do about it?
Entrepreneur Ryan Michaels never loses. Well, except that time, a few years ago when he lost a promotion to spoiled rich girl, Charlotte “Charlie” Ray. Now he’s forced to hire his nemesis to secure funding to develop a string of luxury boutique hotels. Not only does she not fit his corporate vision, but she’s too damn attractive for her own good. And his.
Working as VP of Sales and Marketing for a luxury hotel is Charlie’s dream job. Too bad her boss is Ryan Michaels, the same pompous stick-in-the-mud that she remembers. If he tells her that this project is his legacy one more time, she might scream. Or maybe kissing him will get him to shut up?
Because that’s the other thing. The sizzling attraction between Ryan and Charlie is impossible to ignore. But everyone knows not to mix business and pleasure. Don’t they?
***Hotel King is the first book in award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Claire Marti's new spin off contemporary romance series, California Suits. The series will follow the adventures of five best friends who are opening a string of luxury boutique hotels from La Jolla to Monterey to Beverly Hills as each one finds true love…usually where he least expects it. Each book is a standalone.
A brilliant, gorgeous sommelier.
Neither has time for romance.
One mind-blowing kiss changes everything.
Jack Cassidy heads the team opening the next in an exclusive line of boutique hotels, this one in wine country. Working with his best friend’s sister should make it easier, tapping into her expertise about the area and its wines. The pair have been friends for years, so sharing an apartment shouldn’t pose any issues… except for the simmering heat building between them.
Campbell Taylor’s one of only a handful of women to battle the all-boys club and go for the title of master sommelier. She didn’t rise to her position by being a pushover, but living and working with her brother’s best friend – the man she’s secretly crushed on for years – might prove to be her greatest challenge. How can she get him to see her as more than Cameron’s little sister? And will their undeniable attraction derail her dreams?
This is Austin’s story. Coming in February 2023!
(Google gives me a small commission if you click on ads)
Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and look forward to reading more.
ReplyDeletedifferent
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Love the cover!
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun one
ReplyDelete