by V. K. Sykes
“What? Now you want to stick me with Bram’s beer too?” Lily said, struggling to find a light note.
Aiden shook his head. “No, and you don’t need to buy mine either. I just like spending time with you. I always did.” His voice was deep and sincere, a quiet undertone cutting through the raucous bar.
Lily was afraid she might melt on the spot, just when she most needed to focus.
“If you really want to give me a chance to get even, I just got another idea,” she replied, trying not to sound breathless. She told herself the tight feeling in her chest was only about the crazy plan she was about to drop on him. “Are you up for a real challenge?”
He gave her a lazy grin that curled its way right down between her thighs.
Lord, the man could smile.
“Lily, have you ever known me to back down from any kind of challenge?” he asked.
She’d been counting on that, but not on the predatory heat in his gorgeous, dark eyes. He looked as if he was hoping she would suggest a wild night of strip poker as her next challenge. Now that would be a disaster. Getting a look at Aiden Flynn’s naked body would be as dangerous as going out on the Miss Annie in a winter gale.
Bram was practically standing on his tiptoes behind his brother as he strained to eavesdrop. Micah started to move forward and Morgan scrambled after him, ready to run a little interference.
“You always loved watching the lobster boat races, right, Aiden?” Lily asked.
Every summer, up and down the Maine coast, various harbors hosted the races. Aiden’s father had often raced his boat, though never once had the bastard allowed either of his boys to go with him. He’d been determined, she suspected, to keep any glory to himself.
“Sure,” Aiden said, suddenly wary. “Who doesn’t?”
Lily gave him an easy smile. “Well, the Seashell Bay races are this weekend, and I’ll be racing my boat.”
When Aiden’s jaw tightened, she knew he’d caught her drift. “So?” he said.
“So, even though it hasn’t raced in a while, I figure your dad’s boat might still be one of the fastest out there. Right, Bram?”
Bram looked as stunned as a deer caught in headlights. “Uh, you know Dad can’t race anymore, and neither can I.”
“No, but this big, strong professional athlete surely can,” Lily said, pouring on the sugar. “Do you think you could beat me, Aiden? Could you outrace a girl?”
Aiden let his thoughtful gaze roam over her. As always, he wouldn’t rush to answer. “Let’s just say for a moment that I agree to this little idea of yours,” he finally said. “What kind of bet are we talking about? What would I win when I whip your butt?”
Oh, I think you’d like to spank my butt, wouldn’t you?
Lily forced that too-enticing image from her mind. “Well, I was thinking the loser could grant the winner a wish. Say, something that involved a personal service.” She tried for as much sexual innuendo as she could without going completely hot with embarrassment, hoping he would take the bait.
“Come on, Flynn. You’re going to take that bet, right?” Micah needled, taking an aggressive, wide-legged stance. “Or has the Boy Wonder just come home to sign away his heritage and hustle back to the big city again?”
Crap. Lily had to repress the urge to smack Micah upside the head. If the well-intentioned loyalist of the Doyle clan managed to mess up her plans, she’d kill him. “Micah, come on. You know that’s not the way we do things in Seashell Bay,” she said in a firm voice. “Aiden will always be one of us.”
Her friend grimaced but remained silent as he glared at Aiden.
Aiden’s balled fists slowly opened, and he turned his gaze from Micah to Lily. He let the silence between them drag on for too long but then nodded. “I appreciate that, Lily. And if you want me to take a shot at the races, fine. As long as Irish Lady is up to it.” He glanced back at his brother. “Can we get the old girl in shape by the weekend?”
If there was one thing the Flynns had in quantity it was pride, so it was no surprise when Bram started to look enthusiastic. “It’ll take some work, but damn right we can, bro. And it’ll be great to kick some Doyle ass again, even one as sweet as Lil’s.”
Though Aiden was still looking wary and skeptical, Lily had been right in thinking he couldn’t refuse the challenge. Especially from a girl, and worse yet, a Doyle.
But Mr. Aiden Flynn had no idea what he was getting himself into. After all, she’d won her class in the Seashell Bay boat races for the past two years.
And he’d be in for an even bigger surprise when she finally laid out the penalty for losing.
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
KISS ME IN CHRISTMAS
by Debbie Mason
Back in little Christmas, Colorado, Hollywood star Chloe O’Connor is still remembered as a shy, awkward schoolgirl. And there’s no one she dreads (and secretly wants) to see more than her high school crush. While Easton McBride enjoys the flirtation with this new bold and beautiful Chloe, he can’t help but wonder whether a kiss could have the power to bring back the small-town girl he first fell in love with.
PLAY TO WIN
by Tiffany Snow
In the third book of bestselling author Tiffany Snow’s Risky Business series, it’s finally time for Sage to decide between two brothers-in-arms: Parker, the clean-cut, filthy-rich business magnate… or Ryker, the toughas-nails undercover detective.
ALONG CAME A ROGUE
by Anna Harrington
Major Nathaniel Grey is free to bed any woman he wants… except his best friend’s beautiful sister, Emily. But what if she’s the only woman he wants? Fans of Elizabeth Hoyt, Grace Burrowes, and Madeline Hunter will love this Regency romance.
NECESSARY RISK
by Tara Wyatt
The first book in a hot new action-packed series from debut author Tara Wyatt, which will appeal to fans of Suzanne Brockmann, Pamela Clare, and Julie Ann Walker.
SEE YOU AT SUNSET
by V.K. Sykes
The newest novel from USA Today bestselling author V.K. Sykes! Deputy Sheriff Micah Lancaster has wanted Holly Tyler for as long as he can remember. Now she’s back in Seashell Bay, and the attraction still flickers between them, a promise of something more. Their desire is stronger than any undertow… and once it pulls them under, it won’t let go.
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Welcome
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
Also by V. K. Sykes
Acclaim for the Seashell Bay Series
A Preview of Meet Me at the Beach
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
Newsletters
Copyright
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual e
vents, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Vanessa Kelly and Randall Sykes
Excerpt from Meet Me at the Beach copyright © 2015 by Vanessa Kelly and Randall Sykes
Cover image from ImageBrief
Cover design by Diane Luger
Cover copyright © 2016 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
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First ebook edition: February 2016
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ISBN 978-1-4555-5259-7
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