Heartbreakers and Heroes

by Box Set

  “What do you mean? What’s wrong with you, you act like I’m leaving forever.” He cupped her face in his hands and brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “I’ll be back.”

  “For how long?” she asked.

  He shrugged so airily that it set her teeth on edge. “I don’t know, until the next project, I suppose.”

  “And until then I’m just supposed to wait? To hope that you remember to call?” She reached up and pulled his hands away from her face.

  “I’m going to call, Ash, and we’ll figure it out.”

  Ashlynn shook her head, needing to get everything out before she lost control and believed him. “No, you told me that acting was the only thing you loved. Well, I need more than that. I need a man who loves and needs me more than anything. Even his career.”

  Bash lost his confused smile and he stiffened. “Are you asking me to give up my career?”

  “No, of course not. But I’m also not going to play second fiddle to it, either.”

  Before he did something that might weaken her resolve, like kiss her, Ashlynn ran toward where her car was parked, kicking off her heels as she went. Even when she heard him calling her name she didn’t stop.

  There just wasn’t anything left to say.

  ***

  After a week being back in L.A., Bash had come to a decision about his future and about Ashlynn. He’d tried to call her every day since he left Promise, but she wouldn’t return his calls. The first few days, he’d been furious with her for thinking the worst of him again, and was about to say to hell with her.

  But then he’d started thinking about John, who’d convinced him that if something wasn’t hard, then it wasn’t worth having.

  So, he’d started shifting his priorities, beginning with his home in L.A. He didn’t need a million-dollar home in California when he planned to spend most of the year in Idaho.

  Next, he sat down with his agent, letting him know he’d be slowing down his project load for a while. When he’d started to protest, Bash had reminded him that he worked for him and that he still promised to take on the high budget films his agent loved. That had certainly smoothed some of the rustled feathers.

  Now, he just had to make it through the next month and get back to Ashlynn before she did something stupid, like give up on him.

  Chapter 13

  Ashlynn wiped at her eyes again, trying to hide the fact that she had been crying for the thousandth time. In the last month, she’d made all kinds of excuses for why she had red, puffy eyes, or a runny nose, but everyone had just given her pitying looks.

  God, she was so tired of the pitying looks.

  Picking up the chart on the outside of the door, she knocked once before stepping inside. “Hello, Mr.…Valentine.” Her head jerked up and sure enough, Bash was sitting on the edge of the patient table, looking way too handsome.

  “Hey.”

  “What are you doing here?” she asked.

  “I’ve got this terrible pain in my chest that I just can’t seem to get rid of.”

  “No, not at the clinic. What are you doing in Promise? I thought you got this huge part and you just couldn’t turn it down.”

  “I do, but I have a couple days and this couldn’t wait, so I took the first flight I could get to Sun Valley. Of course, you’d know that if you bothered to answer any of my phone calls.”

  Ashlynn blushed hard at his chiding and had a hard time deciding whether she was happy or frustrated he was back. “But you told me that when you left you wouldn’t give up acting.”

  “I’m not and I won’t. This is my passion, and it’s what I want to do.” He hopped off the table and took the chart from her, setting it down on the table. “But it’s not what I love. Not anymore.”

  Ashlynn sucked in her breath as he cupped her hands in his. “I love you, Ash. If you can accept me, all of me, I want to give what we have a shot. I want to spend my days and nights with you, and when I’m working, I want your voice be the first and last I hear when I’m sick with loneliness for you.”

  She tried to pull her hands back, fighting tears, but he wouldn’t let her go.

  “How would we make that work when you’d be gone half the year doing movies, and I’m here?” Ashlynn cried. “It’s not like I could follow you around the world, I can’t leave my practice or my patients—”

  “I’m not asking you too. And it wouldn’t be half the year. I’m going to slow down and be very choosy with the parts I take. One or two roles a year, and the rest of the time, I’ll be right here in Promise, following around the prettiest girl next door I’ve ever seen.”

  The tears won and spilled over, trailing down her cheeks. “It sounds so easy when you say it like that.”

  “It is, I swear.” His hand cupped the side of her face and when he dipped his head to kiss her, she let him. When he pulled away again, he was smiling down at her. “Now, I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that the reason you’ve been avoiding me and acting crazy is because you love me too, and thought I was going to ditch you again.”

  “Maybe.”

  Laying his forehead against hers, he whispered, “If I promise that I will never leave town without telling you, the woman I love, will you please let me take you to dinner?”

  Ashlynn wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “I’d like that.”

  “Good. Now, about the pain in my chest…”

  Ashlynn smiled as she pulled away to gaze up into his beautiful blue eyes. “Can you show me where it hurts?”

  He moved his hand between them and laid it right over his heart. She lifted his hand and pressed her lips there.

  “All better?” she whispered.

  “Getting there.”

  She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his neck. “How about now?”

  “You know, I’ve got several places that could use your attention, doc,” he said, a devilish glint in his eyes.

  Ashlynn slowly lifted her arms up, releasing her hair from its clip. Shaking her wavy length around her shoulders, she grinned as his hands gripped her hips hard.

  “You know, I’ll have to examine you quite thoroughly,” she said. “You should probably take off your clothes.”

  Bash released her and stepped back, lifting his shirt over his head, and her mouth ran dry as he revealed every delicious inch of his torso. His hands went to the button of his pants and he raised his eyebrow.

  “Aren’t you going to lock the door, Doc?”

  Blushing, Ashlynn went to do just that, turning in time to watch Bash slip his boxers down to his ankles and step out of them.

  “So, I’ve got ouchies here,” he touched his shoulder, “here,” the right side of his six pack, “and here.” His hand gripped the base of his cock and he slid his hand all the way down to the head.

  “Well—” Ashlynn slid out of her lab coat and kicked off her shoes, “I guess we’d better get started.”

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my very patient editor, Rebecca, for working with me on this. My agent, Sarah, who supports me in all I do. My husband and children, for understanding when I’m on deadline and loving me anyway. The rest of my large, crazy family for supporting me in this journey. To my friends, both in the business and out, who don’t mind listening to me when I need to talk and being there when I need a break. For my Rockers, who kick some serious buttowski. And to my amazing readers, who keep sticking with me. I love your guts.

  About the Author

  An obsessive bookworm, Codi Gary likes to write sexy contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she's not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family. Codi loves hearing from her readers.

  Be sure to visit her at

  @codigary

  CodiGarysBooks

  codigarysbooks.com

  Also by Codi Gary

 
I Need a Hero

  Bad for Me

  Return of the Bad Girl

  Reforming the Heartbreaker

  By Christine Glover

  Edited by Jayne Wolfe

  Reforming the Heartbreaker

  When a scandal threatens mountain bike champion Ryder Bennett’s career he’s forced to rely on a public relations makeover by a woman who doesn’t want anything to do with the man who broke her heart. But Addison Carrington’s willing to salvage his career if the payoff proves that she’s ready to takeover her family’s agency.

  There’s only one problem—he’s not the jerk she believed he was all those years ago. Nor can she deny the heat flaring between them. Can they keep things strictly professional, or will they risk causing another, super sexy scandal?

  Thanks to all my readers, especially my fabulous street team—the Passionettes! You make my world a happier place. XX

  Rule #6: A real man never breaks a woman’s heart.

  Chapter 1

  Addison Carrington pulled into Malibu General Hospital’s parking lot. She noted the barrage of news crews, tabloid reporters, and photographers crowding around the entrance and groaned. Ryder Bennett's ass wouldn't be easy to save from the publicity of a car crash that killed his Olympic teammate’s wife, Tiffany. But then nothing about taking over Ryder’s portfolio for her father’s PR agency would be simple.

  She checked her face in the mirror. The last time she’d seen Ryder, Addison had been an awkward nerd with a weight problem. But today the woman reflected in the small mirror no longer carried extra pounds or bore the imperfections of blemishes.

  Ryder could never hurt her again. Though her heart still fluttered uncontrollably at the thought of seeing him. Something she’d successfully avoided for eight years. Stop it Addison. He’s a way to prove to Father you’re ready to take over the agency after you fix Ryder’s major league screw up. She’d already arranged for someone to head to his Los Angeles penthouse to pack a suitcase of clothes and other essentials. No way would she let the press get a chance to catch him alone.

  Carrington Agency’s lawyers had already started negotiations with the District Attorney in charge of the case. Hopefully, they’d avoid a long, drawn out court battle. Deep down, in a place she’d kept closely guarded, Addison didn’t believe Ryder would endanger another person’s life. Maybe a person’s heart, like hers. But not a person’s life. Grabbing her designer black briefcase, she opened her car’s door and stepped with all the confidence she’d worked to attain toward the crowd milling on either side of the front doors.

  Ahead, the sliding glass doors opened to reveal an orderly standing behind a wheelchair with Ryder in it. Her throat tightened. The crash had spared the mountain bike champion major injury, but a small row of stitches crossed the bottom left side of his strong jawline. Still, nothing could detract from his sexy athletic build, which his crisp white dress shirt and torn jeans emphasized to perfection.

  Ignoring the flashes of cameras, the questions shouted by the reporters, she squared her shoulders and pushed through the throng toward the one man who held the key to her professional future.

  He moved to stand. “Where’s your dad?”

  “Recuperating from a mild heart attack at our estate in Palm Springs.” She placed her hand on his shoulder, stopping him. “Don’t move, and keep your mouth shut until we leave.” She squeezed his muscles, and forced him to remain seated.

  A tic jumped in his temple, and his electric blue eyes locked onto hers. “You sure you can change reality?” Ryder asked. “Tiffany’s dead. Eric’s quit the cycling team. My coach is threatening to drop me, and the negative publicity is bringing every chick I’ve dated to the tabloid talk show circuit to grab their fifteen seconds of fame. I don’t want to lose my career, but this shit isn’t going to be easy to fix.”

  Though the midday California sun white washed the hospital’s facade and heated the concrete she stood on, a sudden rush of cold filled her to the core. The hairs on the back of her neck raised. She didn’t like the starkness in his voice.

  “You’re our top sports client. This is a setback…”

  “A terrible accident that left someone dead isn’t a minor setback, Addie.”

  The use of her former nickname sent a thousand tingles through her skin and warmed her more than she dared to admit. It also resurrected other memories she’d rather not revisit. She pursed her lips and willed her mind to regain control over the current hormonal chorus of whoopees inside her. “I answer to Addison now. I’m the best in my field, and I will fix this situation to our mutual benefit,” she said, tightening her grip on his oh-so powerful shoulder. “So be quiet, and let me do all the talking. Got it?”

  ***

  “The toxicology report is negative. You didn’t have a drop of alcohol in your system.” Addison crossed her office’s plush carpet and gave Ryder the file that held the police department’s accident report. “You like speed, and you’ve got an Olympic gold record for women revolving in and out of your bedroom. But Tiffany Langston? She’s—was—married to one of your best friends. I don’t buy what the press is saying.”

  Ryder tossed the folder onto Addison’s desk, then stared through the glass windows that overlooked the Los Angeles skyline. Haze muted the atmosphere, but the endless modern buildings stood in stark relief against the bright June day. Tunneling his fingers through his hair, he took in the vista of the San Gabriel mountains rising in the distance. Pale brown earth and random tufts of yellow grass and sage created a quilt of land he seriously wished he was racing across right now.

  Instead he was in an air conditioned office trying to figure out how to save his career with the one person he’d never expected to work with again. Addie—correction Addison—his former tutor. He’d really liked her spirit and had been drawn to her empathetic nature. Hell, he’d been half in love with her, but too afraid to admit the truth. He’d screwed that up royally. The college girl who had hugged him with enthusiasm when he’d aced his economics final had changed a great deal from that sweet, uber smart, nerd.

  Pinching the bridge of his nose, and closing his eyes, Ryder tried damn hard to erase the memory of the last time he’d seen Addison. But even now he could hear the shocked gasp, the whimper of a cry after he’d bullshitted the rest of his team about why he’d been nice to Fattie Addie. He’d lied to save face, and had hurt her deeply. Regret couldn’t begin to explain the internal punch to the gut he’d absorbed while pretending he didn’t care, or that he wasn’t attracted to his tutor.

  Instead, he’d let his ego drive his mouth and had been a prick of epic proportions toward someone he’d genuinely liked. She’d been cute then, but now? Man, oh man, she was fucking hot. Her power suit accentuated the curves of her hips and slim waist and no amount of layering could hide the swell of her full breasts. Mile high stilettos added to her statuesque height and her once short-cropped hair had grown into long, gorgeous blonde waves, which she tamed into a professional, smart style.

  “You’re right.” Ryder turned away from the view to hold her gaze. “There’s more to the story.”

  She crossed her arms and the fabric of her designer cut jacket stretched tight across her cleavage. “Spit it out.” She arched a perfectly shaped brow when she caught his glance drop lower. “We don’t have time to waste.”

  Ryder swallowed hard. “Tiffany had issues. She got drunk at the Beragio after Eric went home to check on their boys. Started making plays on the other guys—I got her out before the paparazzi caught her giving lap dances and acting like a stripper.”

  “Good.” Addison dropped her arms to her sides and the tiny line between her eyebrows disappeared. “Witnesses will help corroborate the counterattack I’ve planned.”

  “No way.” Ryder closed the distance between them to stand toe-to-toe with her. “Eric doesn’t need to know about this shit. His sons lost their mother. I won’t drag his family through the mud.”

  “You have an obligation to this agency to mai
ntain your contracts with your sponsors. They’re threatening to drop you.”

  “That’s bullshit,” Ryder said. “I make one mistake and they want to drop me? I can’t lose the sponsorships, or my spot on the Olympic team.” Everything he’d worked toward remained in jeopardy, but he didn’t want to hurt Eric and his family with the truth.

  “Exactly. That’s why you have to let me use this information.”

  Her nostrils flared, and the pulse in the hollow of her throat fluttered wildly. Interesting. More than frost flowed through her veins. “The accident wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t insisted on taking her home,” Ryder said. “So maybe I am partly to blame.”

  “You were trying to protect her family from a scandal. Ironic considering you’re the one embroiled in a public relations nightmare as a result.”

  Ryder paused, took in the worry he heard in her voice. And the slight hint of understanding accompanying it. They’d been friends once and he’d discovered that she had an empathetic heart—she deserved to hear the entire truth even if he wouldn’t let her use it. He’d hoped she’d see the bigger picture even though she exuded more frost than icebergs floating in the Arctic Ocean.

  “I didn’t know Tiffany had the hots for me when I pulled her away from one of the other guys.” Ryder inhaled a deep breath, and Addison’s feminine floral perfume teased his senses. Somewhere beneath the cool professional exterior, he had to believe his Addie still existed. But then, he’d blown their friendship and he couldn’t be sure. She was here to do her job. And despite the tell-tale signs of physical attraction, nothing special existed between them anymore. Not after what he’d done. “We were rounding the corner before the turn off to their place in Malibu when she groped me.”