Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
He’s my older brother’s best friend.He doesn’t have any interest in me.As a matter of fact, he grunts and then goes the other direction any time I’m around.
He’s too old for me.He’s set in his ways.And he thinks he can boss me around.But he’s the one man I compare all others to and they don’t even come close.
I’m about to give up.
But one night he rescues me and he lets his stony mask slide.He wants me… even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
So I take matters into my own hands.
What better way to get through a snowstorm than with wine, a roaring fire, and some big muscular arms wrapped around you?You'll be doing a snow dance and begging for a blizzard of your own after reading about being Marooned for a Night with these hot possessive men.
Three standalone stories by best-selling steamy romance authors, Hope Ford, Olivia T. Turner, and Michele Mills. A snowstorm has never been so steamy!
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
MADDIE
Just walk out there. You’re an adult. You help run a successful ranch. You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You’re all the things.
It doesn’t matter that Rhett is here to see your brother and will most likely ignore you. This is your home.
Once I’m done with my little pep talk, I pull my shoulders back and walk out the back door and make my way over to the barn. I get half the distance when I realize I forgot my hat. Luckily, I have my sunglasses. I pull them off the top of my head and put them on my face. It’s not really bright out today, but I don’t trust myself looking at Rhett without some kind of barrier between us. I’ve been able to keep my attraction to him hidden for this long. There's no reason I need him to see lust in my eyes now. With my glasses on my nose, I keep my eyes on my brother’s friend. The man that has been a neighbor to us for the last ten years. The man that has been in my dreams most nights and the man that has a big part of my heart. Even if he doesn’t want it.
He’s in worn Wranglers, a tight black T-shirt, and a black Stetson that’s hanging low on his brow. He has the same look on his face that he always does. It’s like he’s deep in thought or thinking of something that is bad. I would give anything to see him smile, but after all these years, I know it’s a rare thing. He is the grumpiest cowboy around here, but no one calls him out on it. If anything, after everything he’s been through, he deserves to act however he wants. I do wish he was just a little less grumpy, though.
As I get closer, I wave and instantly feel stupid. “Hey, Rhett.”
He frowns and doesn’t respond. I act as if it doesn’t hurt when in fact, it eats me up. How hard would it be to just smile at me? Or heck, just a “hi” would suffice.
I turn away from him and smile at my brother. “All ready for your trip?”
He searches my eyes, and I hate the pitying look he’s giving me. My brother is twelve years older than me. We’re close, and I’m happy to have him, but because we’re so close, he knows me well, and he knows how I feel about our next-door neighbor. I force a smile to my face. “Try and relax while you’re gone.”
He reaches over and ruffles my hair, and instead of resisting him, I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him. He pats me on my head. “I’ll relax when I’m dead.”
I pull back with a gasp and smack my hand on his chest hard. “Don’t say that.” Just the thought of losing my brother makes me crazy. He’s the only family I have left. “I’m serious, don’t joke about that, Elliott.”
I try to pull away, and he stops me. “Sorry, sis. Bad joke. Okay, I will relax while I’m there, and I’ll see you when I get back.”
I can never stay mad at him for long, so I nod my head. “Okay, good. You should relax, you deserve it.” I glance at Rhett, and he’s watching my brother and me. I force my eyes back to Elliott. “Well, call if you need anything.”
Walking away, Elliott stops me. “Sis.”
I start walking backwards and wait for him to continue.
“You still going into town tonight?”
I can feel Rhett’s eyes jerk to mine, but I keep focused on Elliott. “Yeah. It’s Cammy’s bachelorette party. Of course I’m going.”
He gestures over to Rhett. “She’s going to a bachelorette party at a bar.”
I stop walking and put my hand on my hip. “I’m thirty years old, Elliott. I think it will be okay.”
He takes his hat off and wipes his arm across his brow. “I wouldn’t be worried if I was in town.”
I shake my head. “What exactly do you think is going to happen, Elliott? A bunch of girls get drunk and have some fun. I think I can handle myself.”
He’s shaking his head. “It’s not you I’m worried about. Wes is back in town, and he’s been warned to stay away from you, but he’s not the sharpest tack in the box.”
I open my mouth to interrupt him, but he holds his hand up. “Forget it. I know you’re thirty, I know you can handle yourself, but I also know that I’m going to be around a thousand miles away. I just need you to be okay.”
I blow out a breath. My face is hot, and I hate that we’re having this conversation in front of Rhett. “I’m going to be fine. I promise, everything is good. I can handle Wes.”