“So marriage never came up?”
“We attended weddings often together, and we’d make these very general comments about weddings but never anything about an actual marriage. If we were in love, truly, wouldn’t we have at least considered it?”
“It’s better though,” I rushed to say. “The person who cheated on me. We did live together. And it was a mess. It’s been—” I tilted my head, thinking. “Seven years? And he still has some of my shit. But I was in such a rush to get out of there, I just left it.” I paused. “Should have lit that house on fire, now that I’m thinking of it.”
“You do have the look of an arsonist about you,” Edward said with an appraising glance. “And is that for him?”
His hand reached forward, but didn’t touch, the skin of my wrist. The tattoo I’d gotten an hour after that piece-of-shit confirmed that he’d been fucking other women for the entirety of our one-year relationship.
“Never Again,” I said, tapping the block letters. “A reminder to myself. Never again would I let someone like that into my life. I got it…” I faltered, feeling myself start to blush and hating it.
“What, an hour after you broke up?” Edward said. When I didn’t respond, his eyes widened in mock shock. “You filthy hypocrite. You got that tattoo afterward, didn’t you?” He was shaking his head, laughing, and I was searching for a lie. A half-lie. A quarter-lie.
But instead I told the truth like an idiot.
“The difference being,” I pointed out. “I’m a professional tattoo artist. I knew the risks. I knew the right people.”
After sobbing with Fiona for an hour I’d called Mack. I’d barely gotten out the sentence ‘Jimmy’s been cheating on me’ before he was on his way to Fiona’s apartment, gear in hand.
I smirked. “And I wasn’t fucking drunk.”
“I’m not drunk, Roxy. I’m just not not-sober,” he said with a grin.
I wanted to kiss that grin right off his stupid, handsome face.
“And, in fact, I’m sobering up quickly.”
“Well, good,” I finally said. “Maybe soon you can leave me alone so I can finally get home before, I don’t know, the sun rises?”
“Mouthy,” Edward said, sipping his coffee. His eyes on mine over the rim. “So mouthy.”
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Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank the following people for shaping and supporting Max and Fiona’s love story:
A huge thank you goes to Carla Peterson, who provided valuable insight and feedback on Mateo Rivera’s Puerto Rican heritage and culture. Any mistakes within this story are my own.
Thanks also to my friend LJ Evans and her father – a true motorcycle lover who provided some of the best detail about bikes, riding and the culture of bike shops.
For Faith, my best friend and editor, thank you, as always, for emotionally supporting me through every draft, every freak-out, and every time I’m convinced that this is the worst book I’ve ever written. Thank you for always having my back. You are the sister of my heart.
For Jessica Snyder, who’s developmental and line edits are, as always, exquisite! Your knack for good storytelling amazes me.
My beta readers – Jodi, Jules and Bronwyn – continue to be bad-ass, highly skilled, detailed-oriented and awesome in every way. Working with you three is such a privilege, and I’m always certain afterwards that together we’ve made the book the best that it can be.
Thank you to The Hippie Chicks and every single reader who sent me a note asking if Fiona was going to get her own happily ever after. Your love for her inspired this story and I hope I did her justice.
As always, massive, gigantic thanks go to Joyce, Tammy, Lucy, Rick and Tim for their incredible work getting this book from messy draft to polished product to out in the world and in your hands. You are the best!
For my mom, dad and brother – I know we’ll be back at summer concerts and Free at Noon Fridays some day soon.
For my dog Walter, who continued to interrupt my writing constantly for, like, literally hundreds of walks. But I always get story ideas while we’re strolling through South Philly, so it works out in the end.
Always for my husband Rob – we made a pretty scary decision in 2015 to choose joy over plans and haven’t looked back since. Thank you for always being up for spontaneous fun, long road trips and good music. I couldn’t imagine chasing joy through this life with anyone other than you.
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About Kathryn
I'm an adventurous hippie chick that loves to write steamy romance. My specialty is slow-burn sexual tension with plenty of witty dialogue and tons of heart.
I started my writing career in elementary school, writing about Star Wars and Harry Potter and inventing love stories in my journals. And I blame my obsession with slow-burn on my similar obsession for The X-Files.
I'm a born-and-raised Philly girl, but left for Northern California right after college, where I met my adorably-bearded husband. After living there for eight years, we decided to embark on an epic, six-month road trip, traveling across the country with our little van, Van Morrison. Eighteen states and 17,000 miles later, we're back in my hometown of Philadelphia for a bit... but I know the next adventure is just around the corner.
When I'm not spending the (early) mornings writing steamy love scenes with a strong cup of coffee, you can find me outdoors -- hiking, camping, traveling, yoga-ing.
Books By Kathryn
STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL
Edward Cavendish III and Roxy Quinn couldn’t be more different. He’s a polite, wealthy hotelier from England. She’s a scowling, bad-ass tattoo artist. But when a night of heartbreak brings them together, their chemistry – and connection – is electrifying. Seeing each other romantically is not an option – until they meet again under strictly professional circumstances.
NOT THE MARRYING KIND
Fiona plans to be married to her soul mate by the time she turns 30. Unfortunately, she agrees to plan a benefit concert with Max, a cocky bad boy who swears he will never settle down. But when romantic sparks fly between these two friends, will they let their rules get in the way of true love?
BOHEMIAN
Shy, nerdy Calvin inherits his grandfather’s bookstore in funky Big Sur, but has no idea whether to sell the bookstore – or take on the challenge of keeping the store’s literary legacy alive. When a bohemian-style photo shoot brings famous super model Lucia Bell to Big Sur, sparks fly between these two total opposites.
LANDSLIDE
Gabe Shaw has the perfect life in Big Sur. He’s the third-generation-owner (and bartender) at The Bar, the only place in this funky small town where the quirky locals can drink in peace. A hopeless romantic, Gabe’s only lacking one thing: his soul mate. And when a sudden storm traps a sexy, funny make-up artist named Josie in Big Sur, one night of searing passion turns into much more. Too bad Josie doesn’t believe in falling in love.
RIPTIDE
Avery Dacosta is an ambitious property developer, intent on building a luxury hotel on Playa Vieja’s last untouched beach. And she has no time for Finn Travis, the laid-back, hippie surfer who decides to protest this hotel – and her workplace – every day. Unfortunately, Finn’s not only the most aggravating man she’s ever met – but sexy as hell. Can these two enemies-turned-lovers ever find a middle ground?
SEXY SHORTS (VOLUME 1)
A sweet,
dirty collection of fourteen sexy short stories.
BEHIND THE VEIL
Private detective Delilah Barrett is entirely unprepared for her new assignment: hunt down a stolen rare manuscript that's hidden within Philadelphia's glamorous high society. The only catch? Delilah must go undercover as a fake married couple with her new partner Henry Finch -- a devastatingly handsome librarian. But as the danger intensifies...so does the temptation to let their fake desire become real.
UNDER THE ROSE
To infiltrate a secret society, private detective Freya Evandale and FBI agent Sam Byrne must go undercover as a pair of thieves in a dangerous world of shifting alliances. But can these lifelong rivals close the case…without falling in love?
IN THE CLEAR
While chasing a famous book thief in London, two private detectives work together while dodging danger at every turn. But can aloof, serious Abe and charming, mysterious Sloane resist their instant attraction to one another? Or will passionate temptation risk this case – and their careers?
WILD OPEN HEARTS
Luna’s cheerful, hippie reputation is ruined when her billion-dollar company is caught in a scandal. And only a burly, dog-rescuing biker can help her. As these opposites give in to their electrifying attraction – will their differences keep them apart? Or will they learn to trust their wild hearts?
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