“I saw that,” he grumbled. “I also noticed the freezing cold water. Does it ever get warm, or do I have to bathe in a glacier every morning?”
“You have to let it run for a few minutes first.” She started down the stairs, fighting the urge to steal one more glance at his body. “And you probably won’t have much hot water when it warms up, so I suggest you bathe quickly.”
“Thanks for the tip. And, hey, sorry about scaring you. The side door to the den was open and I was filthy. I didn’t think you’d mind if I showered.”
Filthy. Oh yeah, he was probably dirty to the core.
Something deep in her belly squirmed excitedly at the thought.
“No problem,” she said. “Don’t worry about it.”
She’d completely forgotten to ask him about how he’d gotten in.
When she reached the first floor, the air whooshed out of her lungs and her legs wobbled. She nearly collapsed against the wall, laughing from her body’s reaction to this man. He oozed raw sex appeal. Not only from his body—though good gracious, she’d never seen a man with so many muscles—but from his caramel-colored eyes, the subtle pout of his bottom lip, the way he stood in front of her buck naked with more confidence than she had fully dressed.
Don’t get involved.
He’s staying less than a week.
She had steadfast rules about these things: no sleeping with guests. It never panned out well. Single men who stayed at the inn had propositioned her more times than she could count. They wanted flings over their vacations, something to go home and tell their buddies about. They promised to call, swore to come back and visit.
They never did. Not one of them.
Cole Turner may’ve flustered her, but she was over it…she had to be.
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One Sweet Day, a Blue Lake short story—now available
Candy shop owner Laney Owens has a penchant for falling for Mr. Wrong. After her boyfriend broke up with her in front of the entire town, all she wants to do is bury her head in a carton of Chunky Choco Monkey.
She needs a different perspective, and a new shot at life.
Ski instructor Charlie Vonn has had his eye on Laney since she opened up a tasty candy shop beneath his studio apartment. But Charlie is stuck in the dreaded Friend Zone, and Laney is ready to leave town.
With one day left until Laney closes Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe and moves back to the city, can Charlie convince her that life in Blue Lake could be sweeter if they were together?
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Let Me Love You, a Blue Lake novel—now available
All he needs is a good woman…
Blazingly handsome firefighter Joey Brackett seems to have it all: a heroic career, a cabin in the small mountain town of Blue Lake, and the freedom to fly the skies in his fixed-wing plane. Beneath the surface though, he hides a painful secret. His eldest sibling died in a house fire on a night when Joey called in sick to go flying. For the last ten years, he’s struggled to recapture the sense of family he lost.
All she wants is a good time…
Winery owner Lucy Stone is spunky, stubborn, and fiercely passionate. Determined to keep balance in her life, Lucy works to the bone during the day—giving the winery her heart and soul—and parties all night with lovers who demand little more than her casual company. When a mutual friend buys Lucy a date with Joey at a charity auction, ten years of friendship combusts into something much hotter. Soon, they’re deep in a relationship neither expected.
All they have is now…
Lucy doesn’t share Joey’s idealized dreams of settling down, but he can’t seem to get over them. Now, Lucy must choose between what she thought she wanted and what her heart tells her she needs.
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Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the brilliant ladies in the San Francisco Chapter of RWA who in some way, shape or form, helped inspire this book and series: Tina Folsom and Grace Callaway (our talk over Dairy Queen Blizzards at RWA13 kick-started this series!), Virna DePaul and Susan Hatler (let’s pray our karaoke videos never see the light of day) and Sophie Littlefield, Rachael Herron, and Stacey Jay. (Keep it in the bear cone!)
Colossal hugs to my beta readers and critique partners, Aggie Smith, A.J. Larrieu, and Lisa Sanchez, for being brave enough to say the harsh words and kind enough to cringe with me while I take them in.
Thank you to my stalwart agent, Nalini Akolekar, for keeping the faith.
Hugs and love to my family and friends for not completely freaking out when I said I wanted to write two books in two months, back to back. In fact, Justin, I think you said, “Eh, you can do it if you put your mind to it.” That’s my love.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in northern California, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures. After graduating from Humboldt State University, Kristin taught high school and middle school English, married her college sweetheart, and had two beautiful munchkins. In 2008, she took time off from teaching to raise her children, and started writing while they napped.
She is the author of dark and gritty paranormal romances for Avon, light and snarky paranormal romances for Entangled, and is venturing into the sassy world of contemporary romance. Most of books include take-charge alpha males and independent women; all of them contain love that moves mountains.
Find more information about Kristin and upcoming titles on her website: www.kristinmiller.net
Like her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristinMiller
Follow her on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KM_Miller
When I Fall in Love (Contemporary Romance) Book 1 (Blue Lake Series) Page 4