MINE FOR THE WEEK

by Kelly, Erika

  And Jake? He’d given up his family business to help run hers. For a hundred years, Crazy Hearts had remained the same—a stagnant, though charming, business. But Ryan had created a webpage filled with interactive games and social media. People from around the world sent photos of the cookies posed in unusual places for a game Ryan called Where in the World is My Crazy Heart?

  Working together, the three of them had brought a whole new dimension to her family legacy.

  “Oh, dude, great news.” Jake gave Ryan a chin nod before pushing his chair back and grabbing a magazine out of the pile of mail on the coffee table. He tossed it on Ryan’s empty plate. “Page twelve.”

  Sophie leaned over to look, but Ryan shoved it aside. “Later. Right now eat up. Quickly.”

  “Read it,” Jake said in his commanding voice. “It’s good shit.”

  “Can I see?” Sophie flipped the pages, stopping at page twelve. Just as she started to scan the article, his hand came up to her chin, turning her toward his mouth. He kissed her. Soft, sweet. Like he adored her.

  “Can you keep your hands off her for five seconds and read the damn article?”

  But Ryan didn’t look away. “No. I haven’t had my hands on her in a week. And tonight, as you know, I want to be alone with her.”

  “Not my fault, dude. Talk to the man upstairs.” Jake pointed to the heavens. When Ryan still hadn’t opened the magazine, his friend blew out a frustrated breath. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He pushed his chair back, stood up halfway, and lunged across the table. Snatching the magazine, he held it up so everyone could see the cover. “Dude’s app won for most revolutionary idea in HotWired magazine’s annual Best Of list.”

  Sophie leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Look at you.” She kissed him full on the mouth. “All revolutionary and shit.” She pulled away and cupped his face. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Oh, my God. The way he looked at her? Like she was the only person in the room. In the house. On the planet.

  “Are you okay?” she asked softly. He’d set up such a romantic meal, and it seemed like everyone was just getting in his way.

  “That’s my man,” Jake said. “Fuckin’ revolutionized the way sales are made. Cut out the middleman.”

  “Congratulations,” Laura said. “I’m proud of you. Well, I’m jealous, but I can see through that and just be proud of you.”

  Sophie rubbed his thigh. “Ryan?”

  “Aren’t you going to eat?” Kat asked him.

  “Later.” Ryan leaned forward to pour some ice water in their glasses.

  “Damn, dude.” Dixon scanned the article. “I don’t know how you come up with this stuff.”

  “Wasn’t that big a deal.” When he spoke, he covered her hand on his thigh. “I just copied the way the big box stores do it.”

  “Why you gotta be so modest?” Jake drank his beer. “It’s not like Walmart handed their system over to you. You created your own.”

  “And sold it. You’ve got to be a billionaire by now.” Kat looked at him hopefully.

  Jake gave her a dull look, and then turned his attention back to Ryan. “Point is, no one else had created it for smaller businesses, which meant we had to go through distributors. Makes way more sense to do it this way.”

  He turned to Sophie, leaning in. “Come upstairs with me.”

  Dixon forked salad into his mouth. “This is good.”

  “It really is. I can’t believe you had this delivered all the way from Arizona.” She gave him a soft kiss. “Thank you.”

  “I love you,” he whispered in her ear. And then a chunk of bread hit Ryan’s forehead. He glared at Jake.

  Jake shrugged. “I was talking to you.”

  “I don’t want to talk to you. Not tonight.” His eyebrows lifted, as if trying to reinforce a point. “Now can you eat your fucking dinner and go?”

  “Go where? Even if we made it to town, we couldn’t get back tonight. Gallatin Road’ll be impassable.”

  “We’re in a chalet, Jake. Seven bedrooms, a gym, a basement game room. Lots of places for you to go.”

  “I don’t get why you’re being so…” Kat’s eyes went wide. “Oh. Oh. It’s tonight?” She covered her mouth with a napkin and then pushed her chair back. “I can’t believe I…You guys, come on.”

  Everyone kept eating.

  “Guys, seriously,” Kat said. “Help me in the kitchen. Now.”

  Heads popped up; everyone eyed each other inquisitively. Kat shot Ryan an apologetic look.

  “Well, I’m not going to do it now.” Ryan tossed his napkin on the table.

  Sophie turned to him. “Do what now?” She looked at her friends. “What is going on?”

  “Oh, Christ.” Ryan jerked his chair back hard. Scraping a hand through his chin-length hair, he stalked over to the kitchen and opened a drawer. “This is not how I wanted to do it.”

  “Do what?” Sophie said.

  “What’s he talking about?” Jake said.

  “I don’t know.”

  “You guys,” Kat said. “All of you come with me right now.”

  “I’m in the middle of eating. Let me finish.” But Kat yanked the back of Dixon’s shirt. He rose out the chair, shoving a forkful of food into his mouth. Kat whispered in his ear. His eyes went wide. “Oh. Shit. Sorry, dude. I didn’t know you were doing it tonight.”

  Ryan came back to the table…and then knelt beside her. “Soph.”

  Was he…Oh, my God. He was proposing? She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think. Heat spread through her, joy tripping along her nerves. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

  Her man—her life—looked at her with pure adoration in his eyes. “I know we’re young. We just turned twenty-four.”

  “Oh, shit,” Jake said.

  “I told you,” Kat said.

  Her friends hurried off, their voices fading.

  “But I’m in love with you. And I know you’re it for me. There’s never going to be another woman that makes me feel the way you do. You make me feel alive. You make happy.”

  “Ryan, are you…is this…?” She shifted forward on the chair.

  “I want to be with you forever. I want…” Love softened his gorgeous features. And then he pulled something out of his back pocket.

  Electricity buzzed along her nerves. Her hands started shaking.

  Ryan held a red velvet box in his big hand. “Will you marry me?” He cracked it open, revealing an antique rose-gold ring. A ruby bracketed by sparkling diamonds stood prominently in the center.

  “Oh, my God,” Kat cried from another room.

  “Shut up,” Jake said.

  “They can’t hear me.”

  “Russia can hear you.”

  “Excuse me, but my best friend just got engaged.”

  Sophie dropped to her knees, the chair skidding back, and threw herself against him. She climbed onto him, toppling him onto his ass. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

  Joy flooded her, as she found his mouth and kissed him, her heart so full she thought she might burst. His hands cupped her bottom as he hitched her higher onto his lap. “Thank God.”

  He said it like he couldn’t believe it. “Did you think I wouldn’t say yes?”

  “You’re gorgeous. And kind and generous and smart. You’re perfect.”

  “I’m not perfect.”

  “You actually are.”

  “You know I’m yours. I can’t believe you’d wonder for a single second whether or not I’d marry you.”

  “I didn’t know if you’d want to be tied down so young.”

  “Tied down? Ryan, you make me fly. I’ve never been happier in my life. I love you.”

  She started to kiss him again, but he set her back on the floor as he got on his hands and knees.

  “What’re you doing?”

  “You knocked the ring out of my hand, and I want it on your finger right now.” Reaching under the table, he pulled out the ring. Then, he turned to her and slid it
on. It fit perfectly. The rest of their crew came running back into the room. Kat screamed and threw herself at Sophie. “I’m so happy for you. Let me see that ring.”

  Her friends surrounded them in hugs, kisses, and lots of squeals.

  In the center of all that love and attention, an overwhelming feeling of happiness gripped her. She’d grown up in a house just this size, but it had felt cold, empty, and painfully lonely. Now, three years after Isla de los Amantes, her life was filled with so much joy. She had the greatest job in the world, the best friends, and laughter. Lots and lots of laughter.

  And she had the greatest gift of all. She had the love of her life.

  She wanted to freeze this moment in time.

  But, then again, in about two minutes she was going to be alone in bed with the sexiest, most passionate man she’d ever known. So, yeah, no need to freeze anything.

  She still had so much to look forward to.

  Thank you for reading MINE FOR THE WEEK! It’s the second book in the Wild Love series:

  MINE FOR NOW

  MINE FOR THE WEEK

  MINE FOREVER

  Have you read the Rock Star Romance series? Come meet the sexy rockers of Blue Fire:

  YOU REALLY GOT ME

  I WANT YOU TO WANT ME

  TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT

  MORE THAN A FEELING

  I’m so excited about my next series, which debuts April 2018! The first book in The Bad Boyfriend series is THE WORLD’S WORST BOYFRIEND. You can learn more about it on Goodreads and, if you sign up for my newsletter, you can find out when it goes up for preorder.

  I’d love to get to know you better, so please come find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

  MINE FOR NOW

  (Book 1 in the Wild Love series)

  CHAPTER ONE

  Bass pounded in the air, red plastic cups littered the table, and a half dozen students played beer pong in the dining room. Party time in the Scholar House.

  Dylan McCaffrey strode right past them, heading for his room.

  “Dude.” A guy lifted his cup, waving him in. “Play with me.”

  He didn’t recognize him, but it was only the second day of school. Breezing by, Dylan gave him a chin nod. “Later.” And then it struck him.

  No one knew him here.

  For the first time in his life he wasn’t That damn McCaffrey kid. He wasn’t Lorraine’s son. No one would glare as he passed by or watch his hands when he walked through a store.

  He had a fresh slate.

  Well, hell. That tiny glint of freedom sent a pulse of energy through him. But just as he turned back around to join them, his phone vibrated.

  Anxiety tripped down his spine. He thumbed the button to take the call. “Hey.”

  “We’re here.” His uncle sounded calm. Good sign.

  “You just land?” Okay, forget beer pong. He had to deal with his family first. He had plenty of time to get to know these guys.

  “A few minutes ago. We’ve only got carry-on, so this should be quick.”

  Dylan raced up the stairs, only to find the girl across the hall from him pounding on her door.

  “Let me in, Caroline. This is my room, too.” In her bright yellow dress and red high tops, the girl swiped bangs out of her eyes.

  “What’s going on?” his uncle asked. “Everything all right over there?”

  “Yeah. Someone’s locked out of her room.”

  “Lost her keys already?” He chuckled. “I remember those days. Listen, we’re heading for the rental car place. Should we swing by on our way to the hotel?”

  “No.” He lowered his voice so the girl wouldn’t hear. “I have to go into town anyway, so I’ll just meet you there.”

  “You’re worried.”

  He really needed to work on his knee-jerk reactions. His mom had done great the past several months, going to her job and AA meetings. She’d mostly stayed clean this summer. Just one relapse at the beginning, but she’d pulled it together. Gotten back on track.

  Besides, his uncle believed in her. He wouldn’t be back in her life if she’d been messing up. So, she could come to the house. Since she didn’t need cash for drugs and booze, he didn’t have to worry about her stealing from his housemates.

  Relief carved a path right through him, giving him breathing room for the first time in…well, ever. “Yeah. A little, I guess.” Eighteen years of living with an addict had made him cautious.

  “I understand, but she’s been terrific. Best I’ve seen her in years.”

  Dylan hadn’t realized how wound up he was until the tension in his neck and shoulders suddenly eased. His uncle was right. Even her sponsor had encouraged this visit.

  “Caroline.” The girl pummeled the door with both fists.

  When he got off the phone, he’d ask the residential advisor to come up and let her in. “I have to fill out some job applications in town anyway. By the time I finish, you guys should be at the hotel. We can eat there.”

  Of course he’d bring her by the house—that was the reason for her visit, to see his new life in college—but maybe he’d wait until everyone was in class. He’d only been away from home three days. And it was the first time they’d been apart in eighteen years. Exposing her to all these new people—kids who mostly came from boarding and prep schools—might be too stressful. Better to ease her into it.

  “Sounds good.” His uncle paused. “I know you’ve never understood why we cut her off, but we’re just damn glad she’s pulled herself together.”

  “I know you’re in there,” the girl shouted. “I can hear you moaning. Come on, Caroline, you’re not going to lock me out every time you want to get laid.” Tilting her head back, she blew out a breath. She wore something weird in her hair—a big bow of some kind.

  “Let me talk to you later. This girl’s—”

  “We’re so damn proud of you, son.” His uncle sighed. “I know how hard it was for you, choosing this school…but it was the best choice you could’ve made. We want you to do well. And now that she’s thinking clearly, your mom does, too. I think seeing you in college will give her peace of mind. And it might just give her that extra incentive to stay clean.”

  Accepting a scholarship to a school two thousand miles from home had been the hardest decision Dylan had ever made. But how could he turn down a full ride to the best liberal arts school in the nation?

  And having his family back in the picture would make it possible for him to stay. He’d done everything he could to set her up for success. Using his summer paychecks, he’d paid her bills for the next two months. He’d also marked the calendar when she needed to pay future ones. He’d even gotten her a job three towns over, where no one knew about her, just to give her a clear shot at reinventing herself.

  Unlocking his door, he glanced over to find the girl jamming a metal nail file into the doorframe and jiggling the knob. He smiled at her perseverance.

  “Is she there?” Dylan asked his uncle. “Can I talk to her?”

  “She went to get us some water, but I’ll bring the phone to her. Hang on a second.”

  He entered his room, checking for his roommate. Then, he caught himself. Shaking his head, he realized he’d done it again.

  He didn’t have to hide his conversations. He didn’t have to hide. His mom was sober now. This’ll take some getting used to.

  “Dylan?” his mom said.

  A rush of warmth spread through him at the sound of this voice. She sounded…well, like a normal mom.

  That meant everything to him.

  “Hey, Mom. How was the flight?”

  “It’s been so long since I’ve traveled anywhere, I guess I was nervous. But I’m so glad to be here. I wish…well, I wish I’d come with you. Helped you move in.”

  She’d told him she couldn’t take the time off from work, but he suspected she’d wanted to punish him for choosing Wilmington over Boulder—or any school in Colorado. AA was working, if she could apologize and see past her own
needs. “There wasn’t much to move in, but I’m glad you’re here now.”

  “I can’t wait to see you.” He heard voices in the background. “Oh, okay. We’re getting on the shuttle to the rental car place. I’ll see you soon, sweet boy.”

  Emotion flooded him so hard his fingertips tingled. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d spoken to him with such pure kindness. Christ, she really was going to be all right.

  He disconnected the call and hurled his backpack onto his bed. Glancing out the door, he saw the girl trying to unwind the wire of a coat hanger.

  “Do I seriously have to take my keys with me every time I leave my room? This is ridiculous.” The girl let out a growl. Then, fingers curling into fists, she threw her shoulder into the door.

  “Hang on.”

  She looked up at him—the first time he’d actually seen her face—and he felt a jolt in his chest. The intensity in her hazel eyes made everything inside him go quiet.

  He slipped his phone into his pocket. “You want me to get Chase up here?”

  She tightened the bow in her hair, smoothing her hands down her sundress. “I learned something. I’m not the Hulk. The door doesn’t yield to my supernatural strength.” She flexed her biceps. “These guns? Not intimidating in the least.”

  He eyed the slight rise in her slender arms. “Surprising, considering how impressive they are.”

  “Right?” And then she let out an exasperated breath, pushing the drooping bow out of her eyes. “This is the second night she’s locked me out so she can fadoodle with a total stranger.”

  Fadoodle? He bit back a smile. “Yeah, well, how long can it take?”

  “Really? Because I slept on the couch last night. And you know what? That is not gonna fly with me. This is my room. My only place on this whole freaking campus, and there’s not a chance in hell I’m going to let some entitled heiress keep me out of it.” She turned back to the door.

  “Having fun in college yet?”