Hotter Than The Caribbean (Building Love Book 2)

by Stacy Hoff

  Luis was no longer the only one who appreciated Mel’s artistic expression. She had two galleries in SoHo showcasing her work. The gallery in San Juan owned by Raul showed her pieces, too. The amount of artwork selling meant that Mel was going to keep blissfully busy while Luis continued to build his business. Since his projects were in several locations all over the world, including a new one with Ty Orland in San Francisco, there were many options where they could live. For now, Puerto Rico was home. Family had a deeper meaning than ever before, and it was necessary to keep an eye on Luis’s mother.

  Denny flew to San Juan to visit whenever she had a break from the assignments their parents gave her. When Denny was on the mainland, the sisters would Skype. This included one conversation where Mel learned Luis’s father had asked the Merritts to join him for dinner. Jorge would be spending a significant amount of time in New York City for medical treatment. Mel and Luis were happy to hear that the in-laws wanted to get to know each other. Perhaps everyone’s concept of family would continue to expand.

  Luis tugged on Mel’s hand as they drifted along the darkening beach after the wedding attendees had gone back to the hotel. “Come,” he said. “Just a little further.”

  Mel gazed up at him and smiled. “I’ll follow you anywhere.”

  They held hands in silence, the only noise coming from the waves lapping against the shoreline.

  “Here we go,” he said, pointing in the direction of San Juan.

  Mel narrowed her myopic eyes to focus. “Here? Where do you mean? I don’t see anything.” She pushed her oversized red eyeglasses harder against the bridge of her nose.

  He led her toward two palm trees. Dug into the sand between them was a giant heart made of rocks and shells. A quartet of musicians carrying guitars and steel drums stepped forward. Instantly they started playing Caribbean music.

  Mel’s eyes went soft and round. “This is wonderful. You are wonderful. Thank you.”

  “I’m the lucky one, Mel. You are everything I’ve been searching for. Because of you, I feel valued. I am proud of who I am. And even prouder to be your husband.”

  “I’m proud to be your wife. You taught me to be true to myself. I don’t have to role-play to fit my family’s mold, or anyone’s mold. Because you love me for who I am, I can finally love myself.”

  He stroked her cheek with his finger. “I know our marriage will last forever. You are creative and kind, funny and warm. Passionate, and full of love. I will always cherish you and support you.”

  “I promise to love you unconditionally. You are strong and sincere. Best of all, the size of your great big heart makes Puerto Rico look small in comparison.

  He kissed her eager lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, intensifying their embrace.

  The musicians stop playing to applaud.

  Laughing, Luis whispered in her ear. “Maybe that was too much for an audience. Shall we head back to the honeymoon suite?”

  She winked at him. “Already?”

  “Yup.” He kissed her again. “My passion for you will always be hotter than the Caribbean.”

  About Stacy Hoff

  Stacy Hoff is a contemporary romance author, as well as an attorney. She has practiced law for over two decades, primarily handling contracts. Romance novels have always been her secret passion. She writes her romantic stories until the wee hours of the night. Stacy lives in New England with her husband and two boys.

  Look for her other full-length romance novels (published by Soul Mate Publishing, LLC.) on www.Amazon.com, including more books in the BUILDING LOVE series! Book blurbs for each of these great stories included below.

  You can find Stacy on-line:

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

  Author website: http://www.stacyhoff.com

  Publisher website: http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/stacy-hoff/

  Stacy also blogs about writing, publishing, and romance novels every Friday on https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com

  Feel free to e-mail Stacy at Stacy@StacyHoff.com. She loves to hear from readers!

  Also from Stacy Hoff’s and Soul Mate Publishing:

  BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (Building Love #1)

  Catherine “Cat” Warner has problems. The profits from her inns are down. The pressure from her parents is up. Her love life is non-existent. But Cat did manage to get the attention of tough, powerful, gorgeous hotel magnate Ty Orland. Unfortunately, his interest in her is for all the wrong reasons. Instead of wanting Cat, this debonair CEO only wants her land—a parcel he desperately needs for his next big development deal. Too bad, it’s not for sale. A people pleaser by nature, Cat knows to stand strong. If she caves in to the demands of this sexy, alluring man, it will be her own neck on the line.

  Ty Orland has a lot of things going for him. Success. Power. Respect. Unfortunately, he’s also got an old chip on his shoulder and a new financial nightmare. His development deal is going down in flames—and fast. His only way out is if Cat sells him her strategically located parcel. But romancing the land from her is not easy when love gets in the way. The woman is as beautiful as she is beguiling. And Ty no longer knows which prize is more valuable.

  Available now on Amazon: BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS

  MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3)

  Lori Cayne wishes she were a lot of things. Confident. Independent. And not going to Spain to fill in for her CEO mother. Lori knows she isn’t ready to handle a public relations project this big. She has three days to create a publicity pitch that will convince American tourists to stay at Hotel Vega Madrid. But it’s the client himself, Daniel Vega, who proves to be Lori’s real challenge. Daniel is rich, uber-sexy, and the one-night-stand that wasn’t. Lori inadvertently stood him up before things got a chance to really heat up. Now Daniel wants nothing to do with her, personally or professionally.

  Daniel Vega is none-to-pleased to learn that Lori will be handling his Madrid hotel’s publicity campaign. Her flaky ways will be hell on his business, and on him. Yet shutting her out is hard to do when the woman is full of surprises, and an even fuller heart. Her good nature makes her willing to do anything for anybody. Daniel is not surprised when Lori agrees to be his brother’s fake-fiancée at an important event. What Daniel is surprised by is the pang of jealousy. Maybe Lori isn’t the only one with personal issues to work out. After all, if Daniel is truly the success he thinks he is, how can off-beat, business greenhorn Lori Cayne emotionally bring him to his knees?

  When news of the fake engagement causes a scandal, both of their companies could be damaged beyond repair. But the damage done to their hearts may be far worse.

  Available March 2018

  JOCKEYING FOR YOU

  Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track. She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.

  Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings towards handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem. Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family?

  When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny—so hard?

  JOCKEYING FOR YOU was a 2017 Las Vegas Romance Writers “I Heart Indie” finalist, and InD’Tale magazine’s 2017 RONE nominee.

  Available now on Amazon: JOCKEYING FOR YOU

  DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES (Desire #1)

  Stephanie Lang’s successful caree
r as a television producer can’t give her everything she wants out of life. Her personal goals of writing a romance novel and finding true love languish. Emotionally scarred by her fiancé’s affair with her cousin, she doesn’t have the confidence to go after either goal again. At least she has professional confidence to fall back on—she is ready to produce the company’s next hit show. But when her boss reveals what the show is about, a survival documentary starring a sexy, modern version of Crocodile Dundee, Stephanie’s life is turned upside down.

  Colin Brandt, billed as “The Evergladiator,” will tackle Florida’s Everglades with nothing more than his bare hands and a knife. Stephanie, instantly attracted to handsome, rugged, enigmatic Colin, worries he will not survive his twelve-day odyssey. If he does, he’ll win a million dollars. If he fails, his beloved family’s farm will go into foreclosure. Can Colin conquer the Everglades? And can he conquer her heart?

  DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES was a 2015 BTS e-mag Red Carpet Award nominee, “Rising Star” category.

  Available now on Amazon: DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES

  DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC (Desire #2)

  Ana Davis has been given the promotion of the century—from secretary to television producer. But the new job is not without its problems. The network will do anything for ratings. In the executive’s scramble to come out on top, they reveal Ana’s newest show—one she’s forced to star in herself. She’ll have to survive in the Arctic Circle for twelve days. If she wins, she’ll get the prize money she desperately needs. But the stakes are high, she could lose her very life. Good thing she’s been paired with expert survivalist William “Redd” Redding, a mysterious, solitary and very sexy man. Too bad she thinks he doesn’t even want to talk to her.

  William “Redd” Redding is a former Special Ops Marine in need of cash to help a cause near and dear to his heart. What he’s not in need of, however, is Ana Davis—his clueless but captivating partner. It’s up to Redd to ensure the two of them survive in the most dangerous, hostile environment of all. But worse than snowstorms, predators, and a scarcity of food is an even greater danger—Ana. Resisting her, when he wants her more than anything, is his hardest challenge yet. How does he go about protecting her when his ultimate goal is to protect his heart?

  DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC was a finalist in the 2016 Las Vegas Romance Writers “I Heart Indie” contest.

  Available now on Amazon: DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC

  LAWFULLY YOURS

  The prestigious Connecticut law firm of Grovas & Cleval has always been rife with office drama and crazy clients. But an office affair between a young associate and a powerful partner—her boss—might be the biggest scandal of all.

  Quirky, quiet Sue Linkovitch is Jordan Grant’s newest hire. Barely out of law school and hired on a fluke, she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Unfortunately, Jordan isn’t sympathetic to her professional “growing pains.” In fact, he’s downright frosty. The only time he thaws is when he’s around his five-year-old daughter. So why is she so attracted to him?

  Jordan Grant sees Sue as bright, bookish, and a terrible temptation. Yet he knows not to get involved with a woman again—he learned this from his divorce. And if that hard knock lesson wasn’t enough, he’s been falsely accused of sexual harassment in the past. If their colleagues even think he’s interested, it will be the death of his career—and hers.

  Available now on Amazon: LAWFULLY YOURS