“But I was,” she protested. “Maybe not in quite the same way, and it was for a charitable cause. But even after I saw what you go through, I still wanted to persuade you to do the calendar.”
“You were actually shielding me. Giving me privacy so we could get to know each other, like regular people do.”
“I dragged you into a bathroom so we could make out!”
“See what I mean? You’re resourceful too. Only I was so used to being defensive, I didn’t see it at first.”
“Probably because I was lying about dating you. That couldn’t have helped much.”
He laughed and pulled her closer. Her breath hitched, though she tried to hide her attraction.
That was one lie she couldn’t tell, though. Not anymore. Her body wouldn’t let her.
“I didn’t know what to do when you wouldn’t return any calls.” Matt’s voice was definitely regretful. “I was stuck in Triple A until my arm was completely rehabbed. The trainer expected me to be there at least a couple of months, but he didn’t know how motivated I was to get back here.”
“Matt—”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I just want to say one thing.”
“Fine.” Allie put her fingers against his lips. “But not until I’m finished. I have three things to tell you.” She inhaled, gathering her courage once more.
“I don’t want this to be over,” Matt blurted. “I want to see you again. Tonight. And tomorrow. And the next day after that.”
“That’s the third thing I was going to say.”
“What’s the second thing?”
She tilted her head back so she could see into his eyes, and Matt took the opportunity to kiss her, a succession of sweet, hot kisses the entire length of her throat. She couldn’t hope to stop the shivers, or the lustful response of her body. “Stop,” she whispered, “or I won’t be able to finish what I have to say. It’s important.”
“Okay,” he said, not even trying to halt the kisses. “I can do that.”
“Liar.”
She felt his grin against her throat. “Takes one to know one.”
“I have another idea for raising money to rescue the greyhounds,” she breathed in between his kisses. “Something that might appeal to you, I hope. What would you think about a celebrity auction?”
Matt lifted his head, incredulous. “You’d rather sell me in the flesh than have women ogling my picture?”
“No! Not that kind of auction. Which is actually the second thing I want to tell you. I understand now how tricky it is to have a life separate from your baseball existence, and baring your pecs doesn’t help with that.”
“So if it’s not a bachelor thing, what is it?”
“I was thinking of an event where your fans could bid to spend an afternoon with you. On the wine train.”
“Hmm.”
She wasn’t sure if that was an “I’ll consider it” or “I hate it” kind of sound. She had to erase any doubts he had about her motives. “It’s okay if you don’t like it. I understand. Honestly, I do. I have no intention of making things worse for you—”
“Us,” he amended, giving her nose a kiss. “I really like that idea. It would give fans a chance to talk baseball, up close and personal. And I could enjoy it too. It could be a lot of fun.”
Allie sighed her relief. “And we could have you pose for some pictures—with your shirt on, of course.”
Matt winked. “Of course.”
“I’d much rather you be the face—not the chest—of the charity’s fund-raising efforts.”
He laughed and gave her a squeeze. “Go ahead and say it. You want to keep me all to yourself.”
“I cannot tell a lie.” She sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Which is the final, most important thing I want to say. I’m completely crazy about you.”
Matt leaned down for another kiss. “That may be the best thing I’ve ever heard from you.”
She tangled her fingers in his hair, glad he wasn’t wearing a baseball cap. If she had her way, neither of them would be wearing much of anything soon. “I can’t believe how this all worked out.”
“I know. Everyone should start out with three lies.”
Allie giggled. “I’m glad I messed up that part.”
“Me, too.”
He dotted some tender kisses along her temple. “Tell me another lie. And make it a really good one this time.”
She didn’t have to think about it.
“Did I tell you what a great kisser Matt Kearns is?”
He growled, right before giving her a kiss to drive that man from her mind forever.
About the Author
Donna Cummings has been an attorney, a tasting-room manager at a winery, and the owner of a retail business, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorously-ever-after romances.
She resides in New England, although she fantasizes about spending the rest of her days in a tropical locale, wearing flip-flops year-round, or in Regency London, scandalizing the ton.
She can be found on Twitter (@BookEmDonna) talking incessantly about her true loves—coffee and writing. You can also find her at her website (www.AllAboutTheWriting.com), blogging at Heroes and Heartbreakers (www.heroesandheartbreakers.com), or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Donna.Cummings.Author).
Two hearts converge…until fear runs love off the rails.
Tight Quarters
© 2013 Samantha Hunter
A Strangers on a Train Story
In the years since a horrific car accident left her with a long list of phobias, Brenna Burke has overcome them all except one. Crippling claustrophobia—not a good trait for an aspiring travel writer.
With an interview for her dream job looming, Brenna forces herself to board a train for a weekend tour through New York State…only to find her berth has been double booked.
Retired NYPD detective Reid Cooper isn’t happy about the mix-up, or his attraction to his petite, sexy roommate. But as their up-close-and-personal weekend progresses, something remarkable happens. Being with Reid makes Brenna feel normal, unafraid of anything.
After one passionate night, both are thinking beyond a mere weekend fling. But when Brenna’s last phobia pounces at the worst possible time, she could miss the last boarding call for happily ever after.
Warning: This book contains a hot-to-the-touch hero and sizzling sex at high speeds.
Is that a cell phone in his pocket…or is he just happy to see her?
Ticket Home
© 2013 Serena Bell
A Strangers on a Train Story
When Amy Moreland left Seattle, she never expected to see her workaholic ex-boyfriend again. Encountering him on her Connecticut-to-New-York-City commute is the surprise of her life. He seems hell-bent on winning her back, but every time his cell phone rings, it’s a painful reminder of how he failed to put her first.
Jeff Havers can’t help that his phone keeps interrupting his carefully composed apology speech, but having Amy sic the Metro North security team on him is a bit much. Once he talks his way out of handcuffs, he focuses on coaxing Amy to talk about the fears that drove her away.
As the train ride takes them through the landscape of their lost life together, sparks fly and remembered heat reignites. But if they’re not brave enough to overcome the still-fresh pain of old wounds, it could be too late to pursue what really matters—their ticket home.
Warning: This book contains steamy train-car action, sex on the stairs, and a hero determined to give his velvet-and-heels-clad woman exactly what she’s looking for.
Back on Track
Donna Cummings
What’s a little lie between strangers?
A Strangers on a Train Story
Allie Whittaker is in a dating slump, too busy getting her fledgling marketing company off the ground to have a personal life. All that could change, though, if she can get baseball superstar Matt Kearns on the cover of a charity calendar. Except Matt won’t even talk to her
.
Matt is in a slump, worried his career might be over. A Napa Valley wine tour isn’t enough to take his mind off his troubles—until sexy, funny Allie plops into the adjacent seat and tells him three things about herself. One of them, she says, is a lie.
Matt can’t resist playing along, and soon the afternoon getaway becomes an interlude with lies, truths, and desire flowing as fast as the wine. Then Allie lets slip one truth too many…and they both realize they’re playing for keeps.
Warning: A handsome hunk, a determined lady and a few glasses of wine. Throw in a little on-the-run action, and what more do you need to while away an afternoon?
eBooks are not transferable.
They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Back on Track
Copyright © 2013 by Donna Cummings
ISBN: 978-1-61921-376-0
Edited by Anne Scott
Cover by Angela Waters
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: April 2013
www.samhainpublishing.com
Back on Track: Strangers on a Train Page 6