Synopsis
Mia Bradshaw realized long ago that falling in love is a harbinger of pain. As a single mom working for one of the most prestigious venture capital firms in the country, she doesn’t have time for serious emotional entanglements. Her sort-of–friend boy is dependable, respectful and…okay, fine, maybe a little lukewarm but whatever! Who ever said there was anything wrong with being…vanilla? It’s safe, low-risk and not fraught with conflict and heart wrenching disappointment.
Chris Camden is one of the most eligible bachelors in northern California. A successful entrepreneur with a hot car and a panty-dropping grin doesn’t need to do much to keep his bed warm at night. His smoldering hazel-eyed gaze makes women melt at his feet. No strings, no conditions, no questions - just the way he likes it. Why should he settle for just one when there are so many sizzling alternatives begging for a spin?
A coveted opportunity to partner with Chris’s company stirs up emotions that threaten everything Mia’s been so careful to protect and control. The guy with more lines than a crowded supermarket before a snowstorm can singe her insides with the slightest accidental touch, proof that she needs to steer clear.
But reality hurls a very unexpected curve ball that can change Mia’s life in a heartbeat. And sometimes…the perception of safety is relative.
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Excerpt
“So you guys are dating.”
“Oh… um, yes.”
“And you’re his plus one.”
“Can I get you another drink?”
“That’s very responsible.”
“Yeah…”
“It’s fine, really. He died before Chloe was born. We were engaged, and the night before we were going to fly out here to tell our parents, he died in a car accident. Chloe never got to meet him.”
Chris’s eyes widened. “Jesus, I’m so sorry. Now I feel like a complete ass for asking.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you. How do you manage everything?”
Instinctively, she laid a comforting hand on his arm, feeling his muscles ripple under the fabric. He slowly raised his head, unmistakable longing reflected in his gaze. “Chris, I—“
“There you are!”
Charming. Was she going to pee on him next?
Mia shifted her
weight, noticing that, even in her highest heels, Chris was still a few inches
taller. Her fingertips itched to trace his chiseled jaw. What would it feel
like to kiss those lips? If she tilted her chin the slightest bit— No! Thinking
like that would only lead to trouble. The objective was to keep her distance.
Yes, that was exactly what she had to do. Forget kissing him. Ignore that
hypnotic stare and what it was doing to the hidden parts of her body. “Um, I
guess I should probably find Alex.”
“So you guys are dating.”
“Oh… um, yes.”
“And you’re his plus one.”
Mia swallowed
hard. “Yes.” What more could she say? That she’d purposely left out that tiny
detail because she’d been desperate to see him again? Was he angry? Would he—
“Can I get you another drink?”
He wanted her to
stay! It was impossible to stop the smile from spreading across her lips.
“Thanks, but I’m good. I usually limit it to one when I drive. I’m way too
paranoid.”
“That’s very responsible.”
“Well, I have
more to consider now, you know?” Her voice grew soft, the words hanging between
them. It was something he couldn’t possibly understand, no matter how much she
wanted to make it so.
“Yeah…”
The intensity of
his stare was mesmerizing, his nearness making her stomach flip around as if
she was sixteen again.
“Chloe seems
like a great kid. She’s lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, I feel
the same way about her.”
“Come on, let me
get you something… water, soda?”
“Diet Coke would
be great.” Mia glanced over to where she’d left Alex. An empty glass sat on the
bar, but he was gone. She bit her lip. If he came back and saw her standing
this close to Chris… It looked bad, so incredibly bad but she was willing to
take the risk if she could spend even just one more moment under his hypnotic spell.
“I hope you
don’t mind me asking, but were you married to Chloe’s dad?”
Mia shook her
head, a sad smile on her face. “No, I wasn’t.”
“What happened?
Wait, is it okay to ask? If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand. You
can just tell me how you’re going to transform LazerShark into an international
conglomerate instead.”
“It’s fine, really. He died before Chloe was born. We were engaged, and the night before we were going to fly out here to tell our parents, he died in a car accident. Chloe never got to meet him.”
Chris’s eyes widened. “Jesus, I’m so sorry. Now I feel like a complete ass for asking.”
“I guess now
we’re even.” She sipped her soda and smiled. “It was horrible, but it was a
long time ago. After he died, I left New York and moved back here. I was so
young, barely out of college, trying to start a career. My parents live close
by, and they’ve been fantastic all these years. I think it’s the only reason I
still have my sanity.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you. How do you manage everything?”
“I try not to
think about it. I adore Chloe, but it is ridiculous trying to balance everything. Thank God
I have so much help.”
“How does Chloe
handle it?”
“She’s got a
grandfather and an uncle who are crazy about her. They’ve taken on the male
role in her life. But it’s not the same as having your own dad, you know?”
Chris leaned
against the bar. “Yeah. My brother-in-law died about a year ago, and my sister
is on her own with my nieces. I’m really close with them, and I hang out there
as much as possible. I could never fill the void, but I hope at least being
there helps.”
Mia’s heart
ached as Chris spoke about his family. His words were laced with so much pain.
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Your poor family…”
He stared into
his glass and swirled the ice around. “It was really bad. My sister was a mess
and the girls…they’re too young to be going through this. It’s been a crappy
year for all of us.”
Instinctively, she laid a comforting hand on his arm, feeling his muscles ripple under the fabric. He slowly raised his head, unmistakable longing reflected in his gaze. “Chris, I—“
“There you are!”
Mia jumped,
guiltily yanking back her hand. Oh sweet Jesus, what just happened? She fiddled
with her necklace, eyes darting around the room, anything to keep from staring.
It was an act of sympathy, nothing else.
Blondie
sauntered over to Chris, her blue eyes slightly narrowed as she regarded Mia.
With an artificial smile plastered on her heavily made-up face, she snaked an
arm through his. “I’m Lexi.”
Charming. Was she going to pee on him next?
Kristen Luciani Bio
Kristen Luciani is a self-proclaimed momtrepreneur with a penchant for Christian Louboutins, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis.As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…
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