by Marie Harte
He looked puzzled that she’d compliment him, but as he started to smile, she added, “Too bad you ruin it the moment you open your mouth.”
He had the gall to laugh. “And the guys think you’re shy.”
Now she flushed. Dear Lord, did Mike and the others talk about her? Her neighbor, Mike McCauley, was the oldest of the four McCauley brothers, of which Brody had been unofficially adopted at a young age. She’d been dying to get the scoop on the whys and hows of his life, but asking would make it seem as if she wanted to know. And heaven help her if her roommates started on the sparks flaring between her and Brody again. Her head hurt just thinking about it.
Realizing he continued to stare in a way that made her all too aware of her now tingly girlie parts, she blurted, “I am shy.”
“Not with me you’re not.” And that pleased him for some stupid reason, because his grin grew wider.
Abby planted her hands on her hips and counted to ten in her head. In a calmer voice, she explained, “I don’t have time for this. I have to make my deadline by Halloween—in five more days. Get that mongrel out of our yard or else.”
“You won’t call the pound.” He didn’t seem to be taking her threat seriously.
Abby turned and stared out the back door of her kitchen, not surprised to see dog slobber and a furry face against the door pane. The smashed nose and tongue occasionally gave way to a gaping mouth of sharp teeth as Cujo tried to get more oxygen into his freakishly large body. “Pound? I was thinking National Guard. That thing is nearly as tall as I am.”
“But you’re short.”
“Petite.”
“Not with that rack,” he muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He swallowed hard but to his credit kept his gaze above her neckline this time. “Look, I’m sorry. He likes you, Abby. Mutt just wanted to give you a token of his affection.”
“You mean the bone he buried in our backyard last week? That token?” She fumed, remembering the broken flower pots and her mauled garden beds. “I don’t know why I bother. This isn’t even my house. You want to piss off Beth and James, feel free. But when we move out, I’m getting my rent deposit back. If not from them, from you.”
He frowned. “You’re leaving? You guys just moved in eight months ago.”
She hadn’t realized he knew that. But considering their many connections, it shouldn’t have surprised her. “You’re spending too much time with Flynn and Maddie.” Maddie, her roommate and best friend, had found a real treasure in Flynn McCauley. Great for Maddie, not so great for Abby.
Flynn and Brody were best friends and business partners. Mike was her neighbor. And Abby, Maddie, and Vanessa—her other roommate—had been pseudo-adopted by the entire McCauley clan. Which meant seeing Brody on a regular basis. She could handle his aggravating attempts at charm, but her libido was making it really hard to remember all the reasons why she should give this man a wide berth.
Like now, when he wouldn’t stop staring at her.
“Cut it out.”
“What?”
Did he just step closer? She backed up and found herself against the door. Behind her, that mammoth of a dog whined.
“See? We like you, Abby.” Brody smiled, his amber eyes bright, like his golden hair, shining through the gloom of yet another bleak Seattle day.
She held up a hand and met his chest, doing her utmost to ignore the firm muscle under her palm. “Stay.” To her bemusement, he did. She did her best not to laugh hysterically at the comparison of man to dog. “I think I made myself clear. Your dog needs to stay at your place. He keeps getting out of Mike’s yard, and he’s already torn up my garden.”
“Garden?” Brody looked over her head through the door window. “You mean that dirt in a box? Anything out there was already dead, honey.”
“It was dormant and would have been perfect for springtime next year, honey, but Fenris out there already dug up my bulbs.”
“Hmm. Fenris.”
“Yeah, Fenris. Loki’s son? A demon dog who ends the world?”
He seemed to consider the name. “Catchy, but no. Doesn’t fit him. Guess we’ll stick with Mutt for now.”
She gritted her teeth. “I don’t care what you name your dog. Just get him out. Of. My. Yard!”
She stormed past him in a whirl of anger, frustrated lust, and hopelessness that she’d be able to concentrate on writing her story now that Mr. Wrong had shown his pretty face to distract her again. Bad enough she saw him in her dreams or when he tagged along with Flynn. But now he invaded her working hours.
“Oh. You stupid muse.” The damn thing needed to get laid. Then maybe it would stop painting her hero with Brody’s face and smile. Riiight. It’s your muse that’s been celibate for a year. Not you, oh she of the wide ass, freakish desires, and air of desperation… Kevin’s words were never far from her mind, and at that moment, she hated him and Brody equally. Kevin had been a jerk, but Brody made her wish for things she’d never have. She paused in the hallway at the doorway to her office.
The front door opened, and Maddie entered with Flynn on her heels. “Hey, Abby, what—”
Abby pointed at Flynn. “This is your fault. Take care of that…” she thumbed at the noise behind her “…or I will.” She seethed as she closed herself in her study—what she used to think of as her sanctuary—and did her best to ignore Brody’s low voice and the happy barking no doubt forecasting a mess in the kitchen.
At the thought that Vanessa would soon be returning, Abby smiled with evil glee. The blond dictator would take care of it. She’d take care of everything. “Now if only she could type…”
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Leah for giving me a shot. Sorry to see you go. And to my editor, Cat C., for consistently helping me make this a better story. You rock!
About the Author
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. With more than ninety books under her belt, she’s well on her way to making that happen. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
How to Handle a Heartbreaker
The McCauley Brothers
by Marie Harte
USA Today Bestselling Author
He can’t get her out of his head
It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier, and, despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.
She can’t get him out of her books
Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.
Brody is more than happy to serve as her muse and eager to help make sure her “research” is authentic. But when their research turns into something real…will she choose her own happily ever after?
Praise for Marie Harte:
“Harte has a gift for writing hot sex scenes that are emotional and specific to her characters.” —RT Book Reviews
For more Marie Harte, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Ruining Mr. Perfect
The McCauley Brothers
by Marie Harte
USA Today Bestselling Author
It’s tough always being right
Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She’s fit, smart, healthy…and decidedly lonely. She can’t stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He’s just like her: smart, beautiful, and usuall
y right—except when dealing with her.
…But someone’s got to do it
Cameron McCauley likes the look of Vanessa a little too well. She’s a blond goddess and she knows it. She hates to be wrong, just like him. They tend to rub each other the wrong way, which is unfortunate considering how well they could fit. He’s dying to shake Vanessa up—get her to let loose. But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?
Praise for Marie Harte:
“Off the charts scorching hot. Ms. Harte wows with sex scenes that will make your heart pump.” —Long and Short Reviews
For more Marie Harte, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
What to Do with a Bad Boy
The McCauley Brothers
by Marie Harte
USA Today Bestselling Author
She can fix anything…
It’s great that all his brothers are finding love, but Mike has been there, done that. He had his soul mate for a precious time before she died giving birth to their son. She left him with the best boy a guy could want, so why is everyone playing matchmaker? He’s sick of it… until he meets Delilah Webster. For some reason, the foul-mouthed, tattooed mechanic sets his motor running.
But can she fix his heart?
When Del first met Colin, Mike’s young son, she fell in love with the little scam artist. But his father’s like an overprotective pit bull. Too bad they rub each other the wrong way, because Mike is seriously sexy. But when a simple kiss turns hot and heavy, she can’t get him out of her head.
Mike can’t forget that kiss either. He sees the loving woman buried under the rough exterior. But the closer they get, the more the pain of past wounds throws a monkey wrench into a future he’s not sure he can handle…
Praise for Marie Harte:
“Charismatic characters and sexual tension that is hot enough to scorch your fingers.” —Romance Junkies
For more Marie Harte, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Day He Kissed Her
by Juliana Stone
Coming home is the only way to heal his heart.
Mackenzie Draper thought he had everything he ever wanted when hired by a hotshot Manhattan architectural firm. But he still needed one last visit back home to Crystal Lake to face the demons of his past. For Lily St. Clare, the charming small town she just moved to was a haven. Big cities only wanted to eat you up and spit you out.
Neither was expecting to stay very long…until the day they found each other, and one amazingly red-hot night followed. But old wounds almost always leave a mark, and Mac’s scars run deeper than most. With her flirty charm, Lily could be exactly what he needs—if he’s willing to give love one more chance.
Praise for Juliana Stone:
“Stone wastes no time establishing her ability to tell an enthralling story.” —RT Book Reviews
For more Juliana Stone, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Find My Way Home
Harmony Homecomings
by Michele Summers
She’s just the kind of drama
Interior designer Bertie Anderson has big dreams for her career, and they don’t include being stuck in her hometown of Harmony, North Carolina. After one last client, Bertie is packing up her high heels and heading for her dream job in Atlanta. But her plans are derailed by the gorgeous new owner of that big old Victorian she’s always wanted to renovate…
He’s vowed to avoid
For retired tennis pro Keith Morgan, Harmony is a far cry from fast-paced Miami—which is exactly the point. Keith is starting a new life for himself and his daughter Maddie, and he’s left the bright lights and hot women far behind. Bertie’s exactly the kind of curvaceous temptation he doesn’t need, and Keith refuses to let their sizzling attraction distract him from his goals. Keith and Bertie both have to learn that there’s more than one kind of escape, and it takes more than wallpaper to turn a house into a home.
For more Michele Summers, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Longest Night
by Kara Braden
Two fiery personalities living together in a remote cabin…
When a car accident leaves gorgeous but prickly genius Ian Fairchild with a debilitating injury and an addiction to painkillers, this city boy has to find a safe place to recover. He escapes to the remote Canadian wilderness, as far from the lights of Manhattan as he can get—and in the company of a woman he has no reason to trust.
Will they make it through the winter?
Former Marine Captain Cecily Knight prides herself on being self-sufficient. Her nearest neighbor is miles away, she has to fly to town for basic necessities, and she can go weeks without seeing another soul…and that’s the way she likes it. But when she’s called on to repay a debt, she agrees to allow Ian to stay with her in her isolated cabin, on one condition: just because he’s invading her privacy doesn’t mean she’s willing to open herself up to him, even if he is as tempting as sin.
But as they spend day after day in in the wilderness together, Cecily and Ian’s wary friendship turns into a love these two lost souls needed more than they ever knew.
For more Kara Braden, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
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
Epilogue
A Sneak Peek at How to Handle a Heartbreaker
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Cover