Praise for Catherine Bybee
Wife by Wednesday
“A fun and sizzling romance, great characters that trade verbal spars like fist punches, and the dream of your own royal wedding!”
—Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, 5 Stars
“A good holiday, fireside or bedtime story.”
—Manic Reviews, 4½ Stars
“A great story that I hope is the start of a new series.”
—The Romance Studio, 4½ Hearts
Married by Monday
“If I hadn’t already added Ms. Catherine Bybee to my list of favorite authors, after reading this book I would have been compelled to. This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome.”
—Booked Up Reviews, 5 Stars
“Ms. Bybee writes authentic situations and expresses the good and the bad in such an equal way . . . Keeps the reader on the edge of her seat.”
—Reading Between the Wines, 5 Stars
“Married by Monday was a refreshing read and one I couldn’t possibly put down.”
—The Romance Studio, 4½ Hearts
Fiancé by Friday
“Bybee knows exactly how to keep readers happy . . . A thrilling pursuit and enough passion to stuff in your back pocket to last for the next few lifetimes . . . The hero and heroine come to life with each flip of the page and will linger long after readers cross the finish line.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick (Hot)
“A tale full of danger and sexual tension . . . the intriguing characters add emotional depth, ensuring readers will race to the perfectly fitting finish.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read.”
—Booklist
“Hot romance, a mystery assassin, British royalty, and an alpha Marine . . . this story has it all!”
—Harlequin Junkie
Single by Saturday
“Captures readers’ hearts and keeps them glued to the pages until the fascinating finish . . . romance lovers will feel the sparks fly . . . almost instantaneously.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
“[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!”
—Harlequin Junkie
Taken by Tuesday
“[Bybee] knows exactly how to get bookworms sucked into the perfect storyline; then she casts her spell upon them so they don’t escape until they reach the ‘Holy Cow!’ ending.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
Seduced by Sunday
“You simply can’t miss [this novel]. It contains everything a romance reader loves—clever dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and just the right amount of steam to go with that heartwarming love story.”
—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
“Bybee hits the mark . . . providing readers with a smart, sophisticated romance between a spirited heroine and a prim hero . . . Passionate and intelligent characters [are] at the heart of this entertaining read.”
—Publishers Weekly
Treasured by Thursday
“The Weekday Brides never disappoint and this final installment is by far Bybee’s best work to date.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
“An exquisitely written and complex story brimming with pride, passion, and pulse-pounding danger . . . Readers will gladly make time to savor this winning finale to a wonderful series.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Bybee concludes her popular Weekday Brides series in a gratifying way with a passionate, troubled couple who may find a happy future if they can just survive and then learn to trust each other. A compelling and entertaining mix of sexy, complicated romance and menacing suspense.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Not Quite Dating
“It’s refreshing to read about a man who isn’t afraid to fall in love . . . [Jack and Jessie] fit together as a couple and as a family.”
—RT Book Reviews, 3 Stars (Hot)
“Not Quite Dating offers a sweet and satisfying Cinderella fantasy that will keep you smiling long after you’ve finished reading.”
—Kathy Altman, USA Today, “Happy Ever After”
“The perfect rags to riches romance . . . The dialogue is inventive and witty, the characters are well drawn out. The storyline is superb and really shines . . . I highly recommend this stand out romance! Catherine Bybee is an automatic buy for me.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Hearts
Not Quite Enough
“Bybee’s gift for creating unforgettable romances cannot be ignored. The third book in the Not Quite series will sweep readers away to a paradise, and they will be intrigued by the thrilling story that accompanies their literary vacation.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
Not Quite Forever
“Full of classic Bybee humor, steamy romance, and enough plot twists and turns to keep readers entertained all the way to the very last page.”
—Tracy Brogan, bestselling author of the Bell Harbor series
“Magnetic . . . The love scenes are sizzling and the multi-dimensional characters make this a page-turner. Readers will look for earlier installments and eagerly anticipate new ones.”
—Publishers Weekly
Not Quite Perfect
“This novel flows extremely well and readers will find themselves consuming the witty dialogue and strong imagery in one sitting.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Don’t let the title fool you. Not Quite Perfect was actually the perfect story to sweep you away and take you on a pleasant adventure. So sit back, relax, maybe pour a glass of wine, and let Catherine Bybee entertain you with Glen and Mary’s playful East Coast–West Coast romance. You won’t regret it for a moment.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Stars
Not Quite Crazy
“This fast-paced story features credible characters whose appealing relationship is built upon friendship, mutual respect, and sizzling chemistry.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The plot is filled with twists and turns, but instead of feeling like a never-ending roller coaster, the story maintains a quiet flow. The slow buildup of a romance allows readers to get to know the main characters as individuals and makes the romantic element more organic.”
—RT Book Reviews
Doing It Over
“The romance between fiercely independent Melanie and charming Wyatt heats up even as outsiders threaten to derail their newfound happiness. This novel will hook readers with its warm, inviting characters and the promise for similar future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This brand-new trilogy, Most Likely To, based on yearbook superlatives, kicks off with a novel that will encourage you to root for the incredibly likable Melanie. Her friends are hilarious and readers will swoon over Wyatt, who is charming and strong. Even Melanie’s daughter, Hope, is a hoot! This romance is jam-packed with animated characters, and Bybee displays her creative writing talent wonderfully.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“With a dialogue full of energy and depth, and a twisting storyline that captured my attention, I would say that Doing It Over was a great way to start off a new series. (And look at that gorgeous book cover!) I can’t wait to visit River Bend again and see who else gets to find their HEA.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Stars
Staying For Good
“Bybee’s skillfully crafted second Most Likely To contemporary (after Doing It Over) brings together former sweethearts who have not forgotten each other in the 11
years since high school. A cast of multidimensional characters brings the story to life and promises enticing future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Romance fans will be sure to cheer on former high school sweethearts Zoe and Luke right away in Staying For Good. Just wait until you see what passion, laughter, reconciliations, and mischief (can you say Vegas?) awaits readers this time around. Highly recommended.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Stars
Making It Right
“Intense suspense heightens the scorching romance at the heart of Bybee’s outstanding third Most Likely To contemporary (after Staying For Good). Sizzling sensual scenes are coupled with scary suspense in this winning novel.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Fool Me Once
“A marvelous portrait of friendship among women who have been bonded by fire.”
—Library Journal, Best of the Year 2017
“Bybee still delivers a story that her die-hard readers will enjoy.”
—Publishers Weekly
Half Empty
“Wade and Trina here in Half Empty just might be one of my favorite couples Catherine Bybee has gifted us fans with so far. Captivating, engaging, lively and dreamy, I simply could not get enough of this book.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 5 stars
“Part rock star romance, part romantic thriller, I really enjoyed this book.”
—Romance Reader
Faking Forever
“A charming contemporary with surprising depth . . . Bybee perfectly portrays a woman trying to hold out for Mr. Right despite the pressures of time. A pitch-perfect plot and a cast of sympathetic and lovable supporting characters make this book one to add to the keeper shelf.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Catherine Bybee can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned . . . Passionate, sultry, and filled with genuine emotions that ran the gamut, Faking Forever was a journey of self-discovery and of a love that was truly meant to be. Highly recommended.”
—Harlequin Junkie
Also by Catherine Bybee
Contemporary Romance
Weekday Brides Series
Wife by Wednesday
Married by Monday
Fiancé by Friday
Single by Saturday
Taken by Tuesday
Seduced by Sunday
Treasured by Thursday
Not Quite Series
Not Quite Dating
Not Quite Mine
Not Quite Enough
Not Quite Forever
Not Quite Perfect
Not Quite Crazy
Most Likely To Series
Doing It Over
Staying For Good
Making It Right
First Wives Series
Fool Me Once
Half Empty
Chasing Shadows
Faking Forever
Paranormal Romance
MacCoinnich Time Travels
Binding Vows
Silent Vows
Redeeming Vows
Highland Shifter
Highland Protector
The Ritter Werewolves Series
Before the Moon Rises
Embracing the Wolf
Novellas
Soul Mate
Possessive
Erotica
Kilt Worthy
Kilt-A-Licious
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Text copyright © 2019 by Catherine Bybee
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Montlake Romance, Seattle
www.apub.com
Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
ISBN-13: 9781503905351
ISBN-10: 1503905357
Cover design by Letitia Hasser
Cover photography by Regina Wamba of MaeIDesign.com
This one is for Jocey.
I still find it hard to believe you picked the
PTA over the CIA.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter One
The ceiling fan slowly moving air around the room did a piss-poor job of cooling her warm, damp skin. She needed a shower . . . and sleep.
Neither of which was going to happen in her current location.
Sasha stretched one long leg down the muscled length of the man lying beside her. Her eyes traveled up his thigh to the round globe of his chiseled ass. A tattoo covered his chocolate skin at his hip and expanded the length of his back and shoulders.
Firm.
That was the best way to define him.
His teeth grazed her shoulder, pulling her back to reality.
“You’re leaving,” he said as if he were accusing her.
Her resigned sigh told him what he already knew.
Sasha swiveled her feet to meet the floor and stood.
He watched.
His eyes burned into her back when she bent down to retrieve her dress. She slipped it over her head and picked up the small clutch she claimed to be a purse. It wasn’t. Not really. All it held was a single key and a tube of lipstick.
And a condom . . . but that was gone now.
“I’m not going to see you again, am I?”
She slipped into her four-inch-heeled boots and walked back to the bed.
His eyes watched the sway of her hips as she approached.
“Thanks for the workout,” she said, her voice husky.
With a brief touch of lips, she stood, turned on her heels . . . and walked out of the man’s life.
Graffiti covered the staircase taking her down to the ground floor, the smell of something she didn’t want to name lofted from the corner of the final landing leading her outside.
Outside, the air moved.
Hot, unwelcoming air . . . but it moved.
The sun had set hours before, but the humidity of Rome was thicker than normal for late summer.
Sasha rolled her head from side to side and welcomed the feel of her lax muscles.
She was tired, she thought to herself.
And bored.
“Bella!” Someone called from a group of five men . . . boys, gathered under the streetlight next to a bar still in full swing.
Sasha kept walking.
Four blocks and she found her ride.
She slid the key from her bag and turned over the engine. After pushing her head into the helmet, she did a quick check around her and sped off down the street.
<
br /> Heads turned as she drove by.
A woman in a short black dress, wearing come-screw-me boots, and driving a motorcycle had a way of making people look. If she were being honest with herself, she’d say she liked the attention.
Maybe that was why she did it. It wasn’t like she couldn’t have rented a car when in Italy. Or anywhere she traveled. Instead, she drove a bike. Only in winter did she switch up her transportation.
Bikes had more versatility. Much easier to follow or lose anyone who might be on her tail.
Only no one was.
Hence the part where she reminded herself that she was bored.
She split lanes in traffic, skirted through a yellow light, and dashed over a bridge leading to a much nicer area of Roma.
You would think a city as ancient as Rome would have a better grip on the blithe that filled every block.
But no.
Outside the ancient city, and the parts heavily monitored to keep vandals from tagging stones built thousands of years before, Rome was tattered with graffiti and evidence of misspent youth.
She skidded to a halt outside her hotel, parked her bike just past the valet, swung her leg off to one side, and removed her helmet.
The attendant eyed her as she walked to the glass doors.
“Excusa.”
She caught the kid’s eye, and he switched to English. “You can’t leave your bike there.” His eyes traveled her frame as he spoke.
Sasha tossed the single key in the air.
He caught it.
“Room 610,” she told him.
He looked at the key, then back at her, and shook his head.
Inside, the hotel’s air-conditioning did what the night air couldn’t. It dried and cooled her skin.
Once in the elevator, she reached for a hidden pocket in her boot and removed the key card to her room.
Locking the door behind her, Sasha dropped her key on the foyer table, unzipped one boot at a time, and stepped out of them, leaving a path through the living room of her suite and into the bedroom. She discarded her dress on the bed and moved straight to the shower.
The water started out cold, blasting her with sensation up and down her spine to the very tips of her fingernails. Slowly it warmed, and she turned around and washed the memory of her temporary lover from her skin.
Once out of the shower, she toweled her hair dry and then spread out, naked, on her bed.
The blinds to her hotel room were open and the view of Rome, lit up in the night sky, was a feast for the eyes.
Say It Again (First Wives) Page 1