Slow Ride

by Lori Foster

  “And live together,” she confirmed, again smiling. “Jack, this is Nicholas Ashford.”

  That she had to introduce her father so formally spoke volumes. Jack didn’t offer his hand...but Nicholas did.

  When Ronnie’s elbow gouged him, Jack reluctantly accepted the handshake. Damned if he’d lie and tell the man he was pleased to meet him.

  “Nick and I have come to an agreement,” Ronnie continued. “You know the history.”

  Yes, he did. As Jack stared at him, Nick had the grace to look away.

  “Well, we’ve discussed it and agreed to get reacquainted.”

  Jack’s gaze shot down to hers. Ronnie wore her most determined, obstinate expression, one that dared him to question her decision.

  Knowing he had to tread carefully, Jack asked, “How so?”

  She shrugged. “Lunch first.” After sliding her hand into Jack’s, she added, “I thought maybe I’d fix your mom’s famous chicken salad.”

  Ronnie was fixing lunch? They wouldn’t meet at a restaurant? “So you two will visit...”

  Unblinking, she hugged closer and ventured, “At home?”

  Home. Jack’s heart started kicking, and a weight lifted from his chest. Ronnie still had her apartment, but they’d already removed the remainder of her meager belongings. He couldn’t imagine she meant to go there, but to be sure he didn’t misunderstand, Jack asked, “He knows where we live?”

  Tension eased from her expression and she gave him a blinding smile. “I told him.”

  “Sounds good.” Sounded fucking great, in fact.

  When Jack turned back to Nick, he saw the man’s shoulders relax. This little meeting had caused tension all the way around. He didn’t give a shit how Nick felt, as long as Ronnie was comfortable.

  “I should get going,” Nick said. He glanced at Jack—who wasn’t about to budge—and then back to Ronnie. Coming to some silent decision, he stood taller. “You’ve been more than fair. Kinder than I deserve.” His voice thickened. “Thank you for that.”

  “I can afford to be fair. Now.” Ronnie released Jack to give the man a brief hug. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

  He nodded, keeping his head down, and made his way out.

  Jack waited until the entry door closed, then he turned to Ronnie—and caught her as she launched against him.

  “Hey.” Smoothing a hand over her hair, thinking he might go after old Nick to teach him a thing or two, Jack asked, “What is it, honey? Are you okay?”

  Keeping her face tucked to his chest, she nodded. “I love you, Jack.”

  He stilled, his heartbeat, his breath, his very existence...and then it all kicked back in with a wild rush. He clasped her shoulders to lever her back. “You love me?”

  Her mouth twitched. “You already knew I did.”

  Yes, he’d known. But it mattered that she knew it, too. “You’re sure?”

  “I thought seeing Nick again would be different. Harder, you know? He wants me to call him Dad, but I won’t do that.”

  “I don’t blame you.” Nick didn’t have the right to ask. He didn’t deserve the title. Not anymore.

  “He asked me to forgive him, too, and I did, but I told him I can’t just forget.” She exhaled heavily. “Right now, he’s miserable. Mom is moving on and Skylar just doesn’t care enough.”

  Jack reined in the surge of emotion to say, “You’ve always cared.” About the wrong people.

  “I did. But it’s different now.”

  Damn right it was. Now she had the right people—family who would love her back with all their hearts.

  “I looked at him,” Ronnie continued, “and I didn’t feel hurt or mad or...anything like that. I just felt sorry for him.” Her mouth twisted, as if she recognized the irony in that. “We have a history together, good and bad. I’d rather focus on the good.”

  God, she was such a generous person. Smiling, he said aloud, “An ass-kicker with a big heart.” In every way, Ronnie was the most unique person he’d ever met. How could he not love her?

  She laughed at that description. “When Nick gets his life together, he’ll forget about me again, and that’s okay.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  “It is,” she stressed. “I’d like a relationship with him, sure. I wish I could reunite with my mom and Skylar, too, but Jack.” She put a hand to his face. “My life is so full with you and your wonderful family—”

  “Now your family, as well.”

  She nodded. “I know. I adore each and every one of them.”

  Turning his head, he kissed her palm.

  “I love your house, too. It feels like a home.”

  He agreed. “With us there together.”

  “And Mustang Transport is such a great business.”

  “Consider yourself an official employee—with time off to moonlight for the twins, of course.”

  Ronnie laughed. “I just need you to know. While I love all those things, they’re not what’s most important. I could get by without them.”

  “I already know that.” She’d gotten by with nothing and no one for far too long. “But you love me?”

  “Afraid so. You know what that means?” She didn’t give him a chance to answer before warning, “You’re stuck with me.”

  Jack went still, except for the smile he couldn’t hold back.

  “I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’ve decided to get rid of my apartment.”

  “Yeah?”

  Her tongue slipped over her lips, not in nervousness, but with building courage. “I’m staying with you. Permanently.”

  The way she said that, not as a question but a statement, proved she understood just how much he loved her. Jack hugged her off her feet. “That’s good, but you might have to share me just a little—because I got us a dog.”

  “You...what?” It was her turn to lever away.

  “Consider it an early Christmas present.”

  Her lips parted and her eyes stayed wide.

  Jack kissed her nose. “I thought about an engagement ring—”

  “Jack!”

  “But I decided we should pick that out together.”

  Swallowing heavily, she nodded. “I’d like that.”

  Feeling like he’d just been handed the world, Jack put her back on her feet and caught her hand. “Come meet Buster.”

  They found Ros and Charlotte on the floor in the breakroom. Ros held the timid dog in her lap and Charlotte cautiously stroked his floppy ears.

  Both of the women looked up with questions in their eyes. Jack winked, a silent signal to say that Ronnie was fine, better than fine.

  As if to prove it, Ronnie crooned, “You got us a dog,” in a soft, happy voice. Jack watched as she sank to her knees. Amazingly, Buster poked his head out of the blankets. He had unique coloring with a white freckled snout, tan jaws, eyebrows, and belly, and a darker brown coat everywhere else.

  “Oh, Jack. He’s beautiful.”

  As if he understood, Buster crept over to her.

  Quietly, Jack explained, “He’s a young, very shy Lab mix who desperately needs a forever home.”

  Bringing the dog gently up to her chest, Ronnie nodded. “And that’s us. Forever.” The dog swung his long tail and tucked his snout into Ronnie’s neck.

  It was a tender moment.

  Ronnie and Buster immediately bonded.

  His mom and Charlotte were thrilled to realize they’d finally cemented a future.

  And then Brodie showed up. Mary carried Peanut, but Howler, who immediately smelled the other animal, went on alert before excitedly rushing in.

  Instead of shying away, Buster emerged, thrilled to find a fellow dog.

  Chaos reigned—but in a good way.

  Still looking overwhelmed, Ronnie stepped up against Jack, watching as B
uster and Howler sniffed each other most thoroughly. Peanut, fearless of dogs, wanted in on the action.

  Charlotte and his mom got into a discussion about last-minute Christmas shopping. Brodie brought Mary down to his lap to steal a kiss.

  Jack knew Ronnie was smiling—he felt it in his heart. Bending to her ear, he warned, “It’s this crazy most of the time. You already know that, right?”

  “I know I’m no longer alone.” She turned her face up to his. “Thank you for bringing Buster home. I love him. I love Howler and Peanut, too. I love all your family. And most of all, I love you.”

  From the moment Jack had met her, he’d known Ronnie was worth the effort. He hadn’t realized at the time that they’d be fighting a murderous madman, or the awful neglect of her family.

  But in the end, he was right—because Ronnie’s love made any effort worthwhile, and now they had the rest of their lives together as a payoff.

  * * *

  Don’t miss the final book in the sizzling

  Road to Love series by New York Times bestselling

  author Lori Foster!

  The last thing Charlotte Parrish needs in her life is a bad boy. She wants someone responsible and settled...until she meets Mitch Crews. Mitch is everything she knows she should avoid but everything she can’t seem to resist.

  Mitch is starting over. Now that his mother is gone, he’s determined to finally meet the half brothers he’s heard about his entire life. Finding family was his hope, but finding love didn’t cross his mind...until beautiful, bighearted Charlotte walks into his life.

  Coming soon from HQN Books!

  Read on for a sneak peek at New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster’s next novel,

  Sisters of Summer’s End, about two very different women who learn that the best families are made—not given—and love is just around the corner.

  Sisters of Summer’s End

  by Lori Foster

  IT WAS COWARDLY, Joy knew, but she didn’t trust this new version of herself, so instead of heading directly back to the park, she took her son, Jack, to a restaurant for fried chicken and biscuits.

  Even though he was thin, Jack was a bottomless pit and he finished off two legs and a biscuit while Joy nibbled on a wing.

  Her thoughts refused to veer long from Royce Nakirk.

  Now that he knew she was a mother, what would he think?

  It didn’t matter, but still...

  “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  Joy gazed at her son’s big brown eyes and smiled. “Nothing. I just have a busy day yet ahead.”

  Warily, he eyed her around a third piece of chicken. “Will I get to play?”

  Unable to resist, Joy stroked his fair hair. “We play every night, don’t we?”

  “Could I play longer?”

  Oh, that wheedling tone. Jack was at the age where he negotiated everything. She loved each new facet of his growth, watching him expand his horizons. He was still shy, but preschool had helped him to make friends. And thank God for that because while the summer had provided constant entertainment, the park would now be incredibly quiet until spring. If it weren’t for school, he’d spend all his days without peers.

  For the thousandth time, Joy questioned her decision in moving to the Cooper’s Charm resort. At the time, she’d been desperate for work that would accommodate a baby and allow her to be both caregiver and breadwinner.

  Because there was no one else.

  Cooper Cochran hadn’t owned the park long when she’d shown up largely pregnant with a nonexistent résumé and promises that she’d be perfect for the job, vowing that she’d work harder than anyone else possibly could. At that time, promises and determination were all she had to offer. She’d felt so fragile, so utterly alone that when he hired her, she’d broken down into tears.

  Badly needing a positive focus, and grateful for his confidence, she’d thrown herself into the job, going above and beyond the requirements, and in that process, she’d found a new love: organizing recreational activities for kids and adults alike. Jack had grown up with the other employees as family—more so than her real family would ever be. She, however, still kept others at a distance.

  Trust, once broken, instilled a very real fear.

  “Tell you what,” Joy said, leaning an elbow on the table and smiling at him. “We’ll grab an ice cream with Maris first, then play for an hour if you promise to help me with some of my work afterward.” She needed to see Maris anyway...but Jack didn’t know that. And she’d found he was really great at sorting craft items, as long as she gave very clear instructions. He liked helping out, plus it kept him busy—and close.

  “Deal!”

  The way Jack’s face lit up had Joy grinning, too. It wasn’t often he got to eat out and have ice cream at the camp store, too. She’d grown up the opposite, indulged to a ridiculous degree. Rarely were there meals at home, and if she’d chosen a diet of jelly beans and milkshakes, no one would have denied her.

  Only in hindsight had Joy realized it was lack of interest, not an excess of love, that had motivated her parents. The hard truth was forced on her at twenty-four, and in some ways, it felt like her life truly began after that moment.

  Now, without her family’s influence, she lived on a shoestring budget—and it didn’t matter. Her life couldn’t be happier. She had Jack, so she had everything she really needed. She’d give her son the more important things in life, like her attention, guidance, protection and supervision. And yes, unconditional love.

  And if occasionally, when in her bed alone, she felt an undefined yearning...well, that didn’t matter, either. She wouldn’t let it.

  Cupping her son’s face, Joy put a smooch on his forehead. “You are the most perfect little boy I could ever imagine.”

  “Mom,” he complained, wiggling away as his dark eyes quickly scanned the room, ensuring no one had witnessed her affection. He didn’t mind hugs, cuddles and kisses, but only when they were alone.

  Hiding her smile, Joy cleared away their mess, and within minutes they were headed back to the park. Of course, with Jack buckled up in the back seat with a picture book, her thoughts returned to Royce.

  Why had she let him chase her away?

  Or more accurately, why had she let her attraction for him get in the way of her responsibilities?

  Since she’d be seeing him more all through October, she had to figure out how to keep her physical reactions to him in check.

  Or you could just grab one more indulgence?

  Oh, no. Definitely no. Royce hadn’t shown any particular interest, and when would it be possible anyway? Ruthlessly, Joy snuffed that idea.

  But after she parked and she and Jack headed for the camp store, she spotted Cooper Cochran standing near the scuba shack, at the edge of the boat ramp. Two others stood to his left on the shore, their wet suits rolled down to their waists.

  One of them was Baxter, the scuba instructor. Joy had seen him and his very fine physique a great many times. She took in the sight of him the same way she admired art—with an eye of appreciation, but nothing more.

  However, the other man was...Royce.

  Seeing him like that, chest bare, dark hair slicked back, sun glinting off his wide shoulders, caused a very different sort of appreciation. Her heart raced, her stomach seemed to take flight and she couldn’t breathe.

  She forgot her resolve. She forgot everything.

  Good God, she felt...alive.

  Don’t miss Sisters of Summer’s End by

  New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster!

  Copyright © 2019 by Lori Foster

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Down & Dirty by Rhenna Morgan.

  The Men of Haven: fierce passion, unyielding loyalty. Especially when it comes to their women.

  Meet Axel McKee, a powerful man who’ll do anythin
g for the woman he loves, in this sneak peek at Down & Dirty by Rhenna Morgan.

  Down & Dirty

  by Rhenna Morgan

  Chapter One

  Ringing ears, a raw throat and throbbing feet. Every pleasure had its price. A consequence to be paid after the indulgence was over. But for Lizzy, that cost was not only worth it, but necessary. Especially since the bulk of paying her bills came from abandoning herself to the thing she loved most.

  Nothing beat sharing her music with a live crowd. Absolutely nothing. There was a connection behind it. A raw energy fueled by the emotions of those around her that flooded her insides and smothered all the day-to-day minutia. All that was left in its wake was pure bliss. An indescribable aliveness akin to fantastic sex—only without the vulnerability and risk of heartbreak.

  Hopped up and fresh off the stage from her last set, she strode into the dingy ten-by-twenty storage room that doubled as the bar’s staging area, her bandmates hard on her heels.

  “Lizzy, baby! That was fucking awesome!” Tony’s praise ricocheted off the once-white walls now stained with too many years of nicotine. At six-two with long-ish dirty blond hair, dreamy blue eyes and a wicked smile, he attracted female music lovers with little more than a crook of his finger. How the guy could pound the massive drum kit he set up for every show and still have this much energy five hours later, she’d never know, but it’d take him a good two more hours to come down.

  She snagged her guitar case off the crude wooden shelf, laid it out along the third- or fourth-hand leather couch and flipped open the lid. “The place might be a dive, but they draw a hell of a crowd.”

  “Ain’t the bar that draws the crowd,” Skeet said, following suit with Lizzy and stowing his Telecaster. His vibe was the polar opposite of Tony’s. More of a biker meets cowboy combination with the Marlboro raspy voice to go with it. He paused just before sliding the black-and-white beauty into its plush-lined case and eyeballed her over one shoulder. “It’s you.”

  “Man, you keep that shit up, she’s gonna clam up on us again.” Ever the pragmatist, Dewayne—or Phat D as a recent reviewer had dubbed him—propped his Rickenbacker bass on the stand he’d left in the corner and dropped into the oversized black chair in the corner with a sigh. “She knows what she’s capable of. When she’s ready to make a move, she’ll make a move.”