She shakes her head, laughing. She knows I don’t have a sister.
Becca
The ball was a lot of fun once the music changed to a waltz. Of course neither of us knew how to waltz, so we just did a slow sway to beautiful music in a grand ballroom. Then we made a getaway for some alone time in our room. I would normally not miss a moment of any of this—I mean, how often do I attend a ball in a royal palace?—but Con said he wanted to give me my Christmas gift early. He wants it to be just the two of us, not a crowd on Christmas morning. I’m excited. I’m pretty sure it’s legit, and he’s not just trying to seduce me. Though, if he did try, I know I’d melt. The sexual tension’s been building over the past two days since we’ve hardly been alone or awake enough to do anything about it.
The moment we’re alone in our room, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me. Suddenly we’re crazed for each other. It’s wild and hot and I love it. Next thing I know, we’re naked in the giant four-poster bed, joined as close as two people can be, and he’s taking me higher and higher. I go off like a firecracker, only dimly aware of his own groan as he lets go.
He gives me his weight, and I wrap my arms around him in a tight hug. My prince, my fantastic lover, my hot builder guy. He’s everything I ever wanted and never thought to look for in my dating app. I didn’t think a man like him existed. I’m the luckiest woman on Earth.
Long moments later, he lifts his head. “Be right back.”
He disappears into the bathroom, and I lounge on the bed, completely relaxed. I hope the Regency costumes aren’t too wrinkled lying on the floor somewhere.
He returns, pulls on his boxer briefs, and goes to his suitcase, taking out a shiny red wrapped gift with a bow on top. He gets in bed with me, lying on his side, and hands it to me.
I clap and sit up. “I almost forgot. I’ll get yours too.”
He holds me in place with a hand on my shoulder. “Open yours first.”
“Same time?”
His voice is tender, his gaze soft. “No, love, it has to be you.”
My breath hitches, my heart thumping hard. “Why?”
His blue eyes twinkle. He definitely got me something good. “Because.”
I carefully remove the paper with shaking hands. Oh, wow. It’s a beautiful maple wood jewelry box. “Con, it’s gorgeous.”
“I made it for you.”
I stare at him in awe. My hot builder guy made this with his own two capable hands. Swoon! “I love it so much! Oh, Con, the craftsmanship is just divine.” I stare at it and then lift my gaze to his. “I think I have to get you another present.”
He smiles. “I’m sure I’ll love whatever you picked out. Open your jewelry box. There’s a key.” He points to where he taped a small metal key on the bottom.
I unlock it and a secret compartment drawer on the side pops open. I gasp. “A secret drawer!” I slide it open to find a blue velvet pouch. I open it and pull out a diamond ring. “Oh my God.” I can’t believe this. A beautifully made jewelry box with a secret drawer and a diamond ring. All I got him was one little thing I didn’t even make.
“Con…” I trail off. He’s on one knee by the side of the bed.
I clap a hand over my mouth. I was so enthralled with the secret drawer I didn’t put it together at first.
“Becca, I fell in love with you the very first time we met, and I’ve only been falling deeper and deeper with each passing day. Will you spend the rest of your life with me and be my wife?”
“Yes!”
He rises smoothly to his feet, pulls me out of bed, and hugs me tight. Tears spill out as the shock wears off. I’m just so happy.
He cradles my face with both hands. “Your plan worked, Bec. Settled by thirty.”
“I’m not thirty until April,” I manage over the lump in my throat.
He smiles and kisses me. “So we’re a little ahead of schedule. You like that.”
“I do.” I wipe tears away with a laugh. “Look at me already saying ‘I do.’ I can’t top your gift, but let me get it anyway.” I grab the sheet, wrapping it around me for warmth, and fetch the small box from my suitcase.
I bite my lower lip and hand it to him. “It’s no ring, but…”
He rips the paper off and opens it. “My own key. Thank you.”
“I was going to ask you to move in with me. My place is bigger and you seemed comfortable there. Would you like that?”
“I’d love that. I should’ve opened your gift first like you said. Then mine would’ve been the icing on top.”
I throw my arms around him, and my sheet drops to the floor. “Yours is the cake, the icing, and all the decorations.”
He laughs.
I stare at my new ring. “Only, if anyone asks, I’m not going to say you proposed to me when we were naked in bed. It sounds like it was in the heat of the moment instead of, you know, devastatingly romantic.”
He draws me back into bed and pulls the covers over us, lying side by side. “It wasn’t the heat of the moment. I’ve been wanting this for a while now. Besides, who would ask?”
I rub his chest and admire my sparkly diamond ring at the same time. “Everyone always wants to know how the guy proposed.”
“They do?”
“Yes, women talk.”
“You want me to ask you again?”
I tear my gaze away from my sparkly ring and meet his eyes. “Would you?”
“Sure, honey. Guess how I’m going to do it?”
I think for a moment. “Oh! You’re going to wait until Christmas Eve, draw me over to the mistletoe, kiss me, and then go down on one knee.”
“That’s exactly what I planned to do.”
“It is?”
He laughs. “No, you just told me what you really want.”
“It’s a good plan. Make sure we’re alone though. It’s private.”
“That might be harder to arrange. Let’s do it now.”
My brow furrows, trying to imagine it. “You want me to get dressed and wander through the drafty palace in search of mistletoe?”
“No, I want you to stay naked in bed.” He pulls me close, nuzzling into my neck, his hands roaming everywhere. No way I’m leaving this bed. He kisses along my jaw to the sensitive spot behind my ear. “Let’s just say we did all that Christmas Eve stuff and enjoy our sexier engagement right here.” He kisses me deeply, and I’m lost. This man. This wonderful man.
When he finally lets me up for air, I say, “You’re impossible to resist!”
He rolls on top of me and grins. “I know.”
Don’t miss the next book in the series Rogue Devil, featuring Brendan in a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance!
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Rogue Devil
Chloe
Friends with benefits isn’t a real thing. Nope. Once you cross the line, that friendship is over. Ask me how I know. So I’m keeping my head down, focused on getting into medical school and ultimately working to find the cure for cancer. I want my life to mean something, to give back something significant to the world. Guys are a distraction I can’t afford.
Brendan
From the moment I met Chloe Travers, a protective streak I never knew I had took over. Despite my raging lust, I kept her at arm’s length. We have a family connection, which means casually hooking up is out. Too much potential fallout and awkward future encounters.
And then she moves in next door for the summer. Awkward? More like the ultimate test of my willpower. We’re spending every spare moment together as friends, and it’s driving me insane. I want to cross that line, but what if I make a move and lose her?
Excerpt
Chloe
I meet Brendan’s gaze. His brows lift over bright blue eyes—such a startling blue it’s hard to look away—his expression expectant. I tear my gaze away from those hypnotizing eyes, but I can’t quite look away from him completely. His dark brown hair is longish on top and tousled, probably soft to the touch. His hair combined with
his neatly trimmed beard and devilish smile gives him a rakish look. I got that rakish thing from my sister-in-law’s historical romance books. I read one just to see what the fuss was about with all her awards and bestseller status. And I bet Brendan’s a rake, always on the look out for his next conquest.
Before this goes any further, I inform him, “I’m not looking for a hookup. Just so we’re clear.”
His lips twitch. “That would be like kissing my cousin. So wrong.”
I stiffen. I could’ve sworn he was checking me out earlier at dinner. I look away, my cheeks heating. I feel like a total wiener, assuming he was into me. He must’ve been looking at me at dinner because I kept checking him out. I didn’t want to. He’s just, well, any woman with a pulse would notice how sexy and gorgeous he is, even more so than all the other Rourke men because his eyes sparkle and he always looks ready to smile. He actually looks like a good time waiting to happen. My blush spreads to my neck at the thought. I’m not going there.
He leans down to my ear, his breath fanning hot over my skin, making a shiver rush down my spine as he whispers, “Let’s be friends.” Only it sounds like, let’s hook up.
But that’s just my mind playing tricks on me. The words are so at odds with my body’s reaction to him I’m thrown off-kilter.
He draws back, a small smirk on his face and a knowing look in his eyes. “Or you could always hang with your big sister. She seems pretty concerned about you.”
That does it. I don’t need my sister hovering over me, making sure I’m okay. And just to prove it, I’m not going directly back to my room to study. I’m going to do exactly what I said I would. Hang with this guy, who sees me as a platonic friend. Or cousin. Great. Fine. It. Will. Be. Fun.
“Come on.” I jerk my head for him to follow. I step past the dining room, heading for the tower room down the hall. I can hear people still talking in the dining room, slow to leave. Eventually they’ll all be in the parlor, but I’m not in the mood for a crowd.
Halfway to the tower room, I slow my step. Michael is walking toward us, his short blond hair and gray T-shirt damp with sweat. He was probably working out in the gym downstairs.
“Where are you taking me?” Brendan asks, oblivious to the upcoming confrontation.
I can’t seem to find my voice. Michael’s gaze bounces from me to Brendan and back, his brows drawing down.
“Earth to...” Brendan trails off as Michael stops in front of me.
A muscle works in Michael’s jaw. “Thank you for the cookies.”
“You’re welcome.”
He gets in Brendan’s face. They’re about the same height and build—six feet of broad shouldered muscle—but Michael is trained to disarm, disable, and destroy if necessary. He’s captain of the palace guards. My heart’s in my throat. Brendan holds his ground.
Michael grinds out between his teeth, “Touch her and die.” He straightens and salutes Brendan. “Joking. It’s my duty and an honor to protect the Rourkes.” He drops his hand and marches off like a soldier. It’s funny but not.
I resume walking toward the tower room, not sure what to say after that.
“So that wasn’t disturbing at all,” Brendan says under his breath.
I give him a sideways look. “He’s a palace guard.”
“So you brought a trained assassin cookies?”
“You’d want to stay on his good side too, wouldn’t you?”
He stops, suddenly serious. “Has he threatened you? Would he hurt you?”
“No. The royal family made him captain of the guards. If they trust him, why wouldn’t I?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t trust him further than I can throw him.” He grins, his eyes sparkling devilishly. “You, on the other hand, I could trust really, really far. You’re so tiny.” He mimes throwing me a distance like a football, letting out a long whistle as I presumably soar through the air.
I huff and continue on to the tower room. “I’m not tiny. I’m petite.”
“I so want to toss you through the air, to a soft landing place, of course, but your ex would kill me if I touched you, so that’s out.” He shakes his head like he’s annoyed, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Throwing me was never a possibility, you nut.” I don’t think Brendan is ever serious. I mean, Michael basically just threatened him and he took it in stride. I’m a little nervous about the whole thing. Not for me, for Brendan. The poor guy is just being friendly. He doesn’t even think of me like that.
I head to the back of the tower room and use both hands to pull open a wooden bookcase that doubles as a door to a secret passageway.
Brendan’s eyes go wide, and then he gives me a warm appreciative smile. “Very cool.”
I smile back. It almost feels like he thinks I’m very cool too. Something I’ve never been accused of. I slip inside and walk down a sloped stone passageway with low ceilings. The light is dim, just what’s filtering in through the open doorway.
Brendan pulls his phone out of his dark blue blazer and turns on the flashlight. I watch his expression as he takes in the hallway. Sara showed me this place. It used to be an escape route to the side exit of the palace, a form of defense, but now it’s a storage area.
“What are these?” he asks, shining a light on a stone sculpture. “Cupid?”
“They’re cherubs.” The hallway is filled with them, mostly hung on the wall, some of them leaning against it. “They were part of an older section of the palace that was removed after the great fire.”
“This is really cool.”
I follow him as he shines his light on each cherub, some of them broken but still cute, as we move further down the hall. A sense of peace comes over me. It’s fun to show off a part of the palace few know about, and I love these cherubs with their sweet chubby faces just waiting for visitors to admire them once again.
Brendan turns to me, lowering his phone so the light’s not in my eyes. “I had no idea any of this was here. Did your ex show you this?”
I deflate. “No, my sister. Can we not talk about my ex? It’s kind of a touchy situation.”
He curls his lip in a snarly face and growls, “Touch her and die.” Then in his regular voice, “Got it. Psycho ex.”
“He’s just a little peeved because I turned down his proposal.”
“Oh, shit. He proposed? That’s major. I thought it was more of a casual thing. No wonder he got in my face.”
“Well, it was three months ago.”
He cocks his head. “And how long were you accidentally in a relationship with him?”
I cringe, hearing my own words come back to me. “Okay, here’s what you have to understand. It was very off and on over the course of nine months, only when I was here on school breaks.”
“Nine months! That’s a really long time for casual.” He grins. “It’s nice to meet someone worse at relationships than I am.”
I tense, feeling defensive. “I was clear from the start I didn’t have space in my life for a relationship. I’m very focused on my studies. I’m in my second year at Columbia, one more to go, and then I’m heading to medical school. After that, there’s more training with a residency and a fellowship. I’ve got a long haul ahead of me.” I push my palm out. “I mean, long haul. After I become a cancer researcher, then I’ll look for someone to settle down with.”
He puts a hand on my arm. “Chloe, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I get it.”
I calm down. “Oh. Thanks.”
“Also, what are you, a genius? Graduating Columbia in three years instead of four? And that’s a top school. Even the valedictorian of my high school was rejected from Columbia.”
I lift one shoulder in a small shrug. “I’m just a hard worker.”
“Right. So-o-o, do you know any more secret passageways?”
“Just one more. It leads to the dungeon.”
“Seriously? Let’s go see that.”
I shake my head. “It’s really gross. There’s spiders and I
don’t even know what else crawling around down there, and it smells like creepy mold.”
He laughs. “Never heard of creepy mold.”
“You especially don’t want to go there at night. It’s cold and dark.” I cross my arms, fighting a shiver at the thought. “I think there’s bats too.”
He leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “You want to hang here for a while?”
“Yeah. Can I borrow your light? I left my phone in my room.”
“Sure, but first I want something from you.”
I still, suddenly wary.
He laughs. “You look like I’m about to ask for your firstborn.” He nudges my shoulder. “I just wanted to know how you ended up soaking wet, dirty, and shivering in my room earlier.”
I lean against the wall next to him. Something about the intimate space makes it easier to share. So I tell him the whole ridiculous story.
He turns to me. “You cared that much about keeping the friendship?”
“I felt bad that I hurt him.”
“That’s damn heroic what you did.”
“Nah.”
“Yeah,” he insists.
I exhale sharply. “Turns out friends with benefits isn’t really a thing. The friend part is fake.”
He’s quiet for a moment, seeming to consider this, before finally saying, “You’re probably right. No guy wants to go back to being friends once they cross the line.”
I straighten and hold out my palm for his phone. “Lesson learned.”
He gives it to me, his eyes intent on mine. “You have a big heart.”
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