Free Read Novels Online Home

His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras (13)

Chapter Thirteen
Yaz tugged open the oven door in Tomás’s kitchen late Monday afternoon, ducking her head at the wave of heated, sweet-smelling air that hit her in the face.
“Careful,” Maria cautioned from her perch on a stool at the island.
Yaz chuckled at Maria’s serious tone and the reminder she’d given each time Yaz opened the door. Apparently Tomás hadn’t been careful the night before and had burned himself when cooking a frozen pizza.
That probably explained the large Band-Aid she’d noticed on the back of his left hand this morning. She’d wanted to ask him about it, but that was kind of hard when she was busy trying to keep communication to a minimum.
It was day two P2K—Post 2nd Kiss—and she was still figuring out how to cram her attraction and growing attachment to him back into a dark corner in her heart where they belonged. So far, not so good.
“No worries,” she told Maria. “I’m using oven mitts. Here, don’t they look and smell delicious?” Yaz set the last tray of Christmas cut-out cookies on the stovetop to cool.
“Good job! Can I eat one yet?” Maria wiggled excitedly in her seat, making Yaz rush to put a steadying hand on her shoulder before the stool toppled over.
“I’m sure the first batch is ready for a taste test. Let’s see, you want a stocking, a Christmas tree, or a snowman?”
Maria oohed and aahed over the rows of cookies spread out on the cooling racks, while Yaz glanced around at the mess they’d made. Flour dusted the counters and the island. Bowls, stirring spoons, a rolling pin, and cookie cutters filled the sink. Salt, sugar, and other ingredients were piled off to the side, waiting to be put away.
She wasn’t necessarily the neatest baker in town. Something Rosa had often complained about when they were growing up. What mattered most, though, was how the cookies tasted. Based on Maria’s “mmmmm-ing,” the afternoon’s baking session was a success.
“Tasty?” Yaz snagged a snowman of her own. “Mmmm.” Definitely a success, and doubly so for her.
The baking had entertained Maria while also keeping Yaz’s thoughts on something other than Papi’s health or how she was going to forget Tomás’s kiss. Or the desire that sparked every time she was with him.
Since their steamy interlude—when she’d gone all animal instinct on him—Saturday evening she hadn’t been able to get him off her mind. Or out of her dreams.
His touch, his taste, the scent of his musky cologne. The sensual feel of his tongue along the rise of her breast. The sense of security she felt in his strong arms. All of it took her breath away, blasting coherent, rational thought to smithereens.
That could not continue. Their mind-numbing kisses had done nothing to change their situation. He was still intent on staying in Oakton and going through with his Perfect Partner Plan. She was still obligated—no, scratch that—destined to fly off to New York in search of success for her and Papi.
They were simply on two completely divergent paths that happened to merge for this short period of time. That’s all. She’d do well to remember that.
The door to the garage swung open and Yaz jumped in surprise.
“Papá!” Maria yelled, hopping off her stool to run to her dad.
“Hey, chiquita!” Tomás grinned, bending down to scoop Maria up in his arms.
The bottom half of Yaz’s snowman cookie slipped from her grasp onto the counter, contributing more crumbs to the mess already there.
She threw a harried glance at the digital display on the stove, where 4:15 glowed in green numbers. “You’re home early.”
“Apparently you weren’t expecting me.” Tomás’s gaze scanned his usually tidy kitchen. “You girls have been busy.”
“We’re making cookies for my class. We have a party tomorrow,” Maria said.
“And this flour?” Tomás brushed at the dusting on Maria’s cheek. “Are you saving it for later?”
Maria giggled. “No, silly. Ms. Yazmine says the bigger the mess, the better the cookies.”
“Then yours must be delicious.” He winked at Maria, then turned his attention to Yaz, including her in his teasing compliment with his lazy grin.
Ay, but he was irresistible. Watching him tease Maria, ignoring the floury handprints she’d left all over his suit jacket, made him even more endearing.
His grin suggested there might be hope for him and Yaz. They’d been painfully, if politely, distant this morning—she getting a feel for where they stood after Saturday night, he seeming to wait and take his cue from her. Thankfully the morning rush had left little time for chitchat.
Now that he was home, the true test would come.
Picking up the spatula, she started transferring the last batch from the cookie sheet to the cooling racks on the island. Tomás set Maria down and stepped closer, checking out the fruits of their labor.
Suddenly the kitchen shrank in size. Yaz felt boxed in between the counter, the stove, the island, and his hulking frame. The mix of sweet cookie batter and his woodsy scent blended together, creating an unusual mix. One she found oddly stimulating.
If they were a normal family, he’d drop an affectionate welcome-home kiss on her lips. She’d lean in for a hug, a brief tease of what would come when they headed off to bed together later that night. If only . . .
The spatula wobbled in Yazmine’s hand, clanging against the metal baking tray. The sound snapped her out of her daydream.
“My class is having two parties together!” Maria held up two fingers to emphasize her news.
“How did you get so lucky?” Tomás asked.
“’Cuz it’s Christmas aaaand we have a new teacher! Ms. Yazmine’s friend. And she ate lunch with us!”
Tomás’s “ooh” hit the right note of awe and Maria bobbed her head in agreement. His deep baritone intermingled with her high-pitched voice, the sweet sound a melody and harmony in sync. A welcome tune to Yaz’s ears.
Watching them interact, Maria’s little hands waving through the air as she spoke and Tomás’s devoted interest in her story, both surrounded by the mess of the day’s baking extravaganza, brought memories of Yaz’s own childhood. Papi leading them in a Christmas carol from the kitchen table. Mami stirring a pot on the stove. Lilí and Rosa squabbling about something silly. Ay, what bittersweet times.
Tomás and Maria would create other memories like this, too. Though she wouldn’t be a part of them. Another woman would be here with Maria, excited for Tomás to walk through the door. Welcoming him home with a kiss.
The thought dragged her spirits down, bringing her to a low point she hadn’t felt since the last time she hadn’t made an audition cut. That realization scared her.
He shouldn’t be this important to her.
This life he was creating with his daughter shouldn’t mean so much to her.
Rattled, Yaz picked up the empty baking tray with trembling hands. She turned to the sink, her back to Tomás and Maria and the scene she didn’t belong in.
Maybe she wouldn’t be here with them, playing a part in their special family moments, but she’d be doing something else even more important—honoring Papi’s legacy. Especially after he was gone.
That responsibility weighed heavily on her, but she’d continue carrying the load, proving she was strong enough to handle it.
“So, Yaz, your baking strategy is a bit unique,” Tomás said, drawing her into his conversation with Maria.
“Hmm?” She gave him a questioning look over her shoulder.
“The bigger the mess? Somehow that piece of advice didn’t get handed down in my house growing up.” The corners of his mouth quirked up in a teasing smirk.
His grin eased her worries about how they’d move past their awkwardness. The teasing, flirty Tomás she could deal with. The sensual, passionate one she had a hard time resisting.
“Hey, you’re home earlier than normal. I thought I had several hours left for frosting and cleanup.” She nudged the faucet lever on with the back of her hand to start washing the dishes. “What happened, they get tired of you at the office and send you home?”
“Cute. I knew there was something I liked about you—your twisted sense of humor.”
“I’m here every day all week. You should have seen the earlier show.”
His chuckle sent shivers across her shoulders, scurrying off to places in her body that had no business keying on his sexiness.
“Maria, will you please put my suit coat on my bed? I’m going to help Ms. Yazmine clean up a little.”
“I’ve got it, you two go—” Yaz broke off when she turned to see Maria already skipping into the dining room, Tomás’s flour-dusted coat draped over her arm.
Tomás stepped around the island, the muscles in his forearms flexing as he rolled up his light blue shirtsleeves. Her heart stutter-stepped, her imagination jumping ahead to him slipping off his shirt completely. His hands untying the frilly apron she’d found in a drawer and—
“Hand me that rag and I’ll get started on the counters.”
Yaz spun back around to the sink, mortified at her mind’s meandering. Focus, focus. She squeezed her eyes closed, desperate to get her thoughts on a more appropriate track. This seesaw of emotions was going to make her a nervous wreck.
He seemed to have moved past their post-kiss awkwardness. Obviously it hadn’t affected him as powerfully as it had her.
Pues, she’d been able to move on from more earth-shattering experiences, too.
“Go for it. I’m all for pawning off chores on someone else. Here.” She tossed him a wet dishrag, her throw a touch more forceful than she intended.
The rag hit him square in the chest, leaving a dark blue wet mark on his shirt. Tomás blinked in surprise, grabbing the rag before it fell to the floor.
“Oops, sorry.”
He arched a brow. “Everything okay?”
“Yep.”
“Anything you want to talk about?”
“Nope.” Inside her stomach quaked with nervous energy. “You?”
Tomás eyed her like a specimen under a microscope. “The other night . . . ?”
“Water under the bridge. Already forgotten.” Ay, qué mentirosa.
Well, not a liar, more like a self-preservationist.
“The thing is, you were right. I’ve got my plan here. And you’ve got yours . . .” He gestured toward the doorway. “Out there.”
She nodded. Her throat clogged with tears she had no business crying.
“So, we’re good?” He dragged out the words, the first note of hesitation she’d heard in his voice since he’d gotten home today.
She nodded again. In reality, though, she really wanted to ask him if he was sure. Only, she was too chicken.
Instead she watched him swipe at the island with his rag, sending flour cascading onto the floor. When he didn’t seem to notice, Yaz frowned, puzzled. He was Mr. Type A, cleaning up messes was his specialty, not making them.
“We both had momentary lapses in judgment. That’s all,” he said, sending another shower of flour onto the floor.
She wondered if his calm, measured tone was the same one he used in the boardroom to sway clients who were on the fence. And whether he was trying to convince himself or her now.
“You don’t have to worry about that happening again,” he continued.
“Okay.”
“Good.” He gave a brisk nod, then stopped to frown at the flour dusting the tile floor. “Hopefully we can get back to normal then.”
Whatever normal was. She didn’t know anymore.
When he continued wiping down the counter, this time scooping the debris into his palm, she got back to work on the dirty dishes. “So, um, how was your day?”
She sensed him moving around the island behind her and she pressed against the sink, giving him more room to get by.
“We heard from the Linton representative. We made the first cut and will present our final mockups in mid-January.”
“That’s great!” Yaz rinsed off a handful of cookie cutters and dropped them on the drain board. “It’s nice they’re still interested in you. Or, I guess, your firm, right?”
“We’re in the top three. Excuse me.” Tomás leaned in to rinse off the rag, his shoulder bumping against hers. Even through her sweatshirt she felt the electric shock of his touch.
Yaz sidestepped, removing herself from the pleasurable tingles. “Any lunch dates this week? Since your coffee date with Janet last week, you haven’t said much about your Perfect Partner search.”
“Because I’m not calling it that. You are.” He flicked water at her with his fingers and she swatted at his hand.
¡Oye! Be nice.”
“You asked for it,” he teased.
“By your deflection of my question, I take it you’re in a holding pattern.” Not good. While the thought of him going out with another woman rankled, it was also a reality check for her. A reminder that she didn’t fit his needs. “No new prospects?”
She caught his nervous swallow and she narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. “Are you holding out on me?”
He flashed a sheepish grin that made him look more like a mischievous little boy caught with his hand in his mamá’s cookie jar.
“Come on, spit it out,” she urged.
Sliding over near the fridge, he opened the small junk drawer where they kept pens, scissors, and other loose items. He withdrew a pink sticky note and two other small pieces of paper. Rolling his eyes, he held them out to her without a word.
“What’s this? Who—?” She stopped when she recognized the name scrawled above a phone number on the sticky note. Pamela Starnes. One of the moms at Hanson’s Academy. The other two slips held familiar names and numbers as well. “How did you . . . ? When did you . . . ? The recital.”
Hands in his pockets, Tomás flashed his sheepish grin again. His dimple winked hello. “Two of them walked right up after the show, introduced themselves, and handed me the paper. The other must have slipped it into my pocket in the crowd.”
Yaz snorted her disbelief. “No way!”
“I didn’t even notice. I got home from your house—” He paused.
Was he remembering their interlude in her kitchen? How she’d nearly come undone in his arms? She couldn’t tell. Darn his well-practiced boardroom face.
“Anyway, I got home, cleaned out my pockets, and found the third one.”
“Have you called any of them?” Her breath lodged in her chest, wanting him to say no.
“Not yet. I’m not sure what to think. The third one”—reaching out, he flicked the smallest of the three papers—“if she couldn’t bring herself to say hello, even if she was aiming for mysterious, kind of weirds me out. I’m not really into playing games.”
“Good, I know this mom.” Yaz crumpled the paper he’d indicated. “Cindy’s not right for you. She’s a barracuda. Looking for husband number four.” Yaz pursed her lips, nodding at Tomás’s raised brow. She tossed the paper in the trash can with a spurt of satisfaction.
“And the others?” he asked.
“Not too bad. I can do some digging for you if you’d like.”
“Uh, no.” Tomás tugged the papers from her grasp. He placed them back in the drawer and pushed it closed. “Let me think about it. Now, about this Christmas party for Maria’s class.” He tapped the flyer Yaz had stuck on the refrigerator door. “You know the new teacher?”
“Yes, and she’s fabulous!” Yaz laughed when he blinked at her exuberance. “You met Cheryl the other night after the Christmas show. Petite blonde, a little shorter than me.”
“Oh yeah, I remember. We chatted briefly. Seems nice.”
“She’s been my best friend since high school. Cheryl got her degree in early childhood education and has been working in southern Illinois since graduation.”
“High school, huh? I bet she has some fun stories to share about you.” He grinned when Yaz wrinkled her nose at him.
“She’s a great teacher. And an even better person.” As soon as she said the words Yaz froze, her hands deep in the soapy water.
Cheryl loved kids, wanted to settle down and get married, and enjoyed living in Oakton. She was clearly Perfect Partner material. Not only that, now that Ronnie was out of the picture, she was available.
Jealousy sparked in Yaz. Just as quickly, reality and the truth doused the flame.
She glanced at Tomás under her lashes as he cleaned the island. Dios, with his chiseled jaw and aquiline nose, his profile alone made a girl feel all wobbly kneed. Those good looks were only a small part of the package that made up this amazing man. He deserved more than a woman who couldn’t figure out where her dreams lay, or how to make both herself and her family happy.
As much as it might hurt, she knew someone who fit Tomás’s ideal far better than she ever would.
“Can you get away for an hour or so tomorrow, midmorning? Maybe come to the Christmas party with us?”
The indecision in his eyes made her increase the pressure with a little guilt trip. “Maria would be thrilled, and it’ll give you an opportunity to meet Cheryl. A lot of the parents stopped by during drop-off and pick-up today to introduce themselves.”
His island cleaning paused as he stared off into space. Yaz figured he was picturing his color-coded planner in his mind. The guy could give Rosa a run for her money when it came to organization.
“Hm, I can probably do that.” He stepped toward the sink, still pensive, to drop more crumbs down the drain. This time Yaz edged away before he bumped her. Better to be safe than stupid.
“Yeah, I can swing it,” Tomás said, turning the water on. “I’ll do a few things tonight, get ahead of the game. If you have any errands you need to run, I can take Maria on my own.” He rinsed off the rag, then hung it over the faucet.
Before she realized what he meant to do, he tugged the kitchen towel off her shoulder, his knuckle brushing against her collarbone. Her breath hitched in her chest. Her eyelids fluttered, mimicking the butterflies taking flight in her belly.
“You need to take the morning off?” he asked. “Spend time with your dad or go to Hanson’s and practice?”
“N-no, I can make it.” She cleared the shakiness out of her voice. “I volunteered to help. Pablo is taking Papi to eat breakfast with some of their compadres.”
Besides, how could she orchestrate setting up Cheryl and Tomás properly if she wasn’t there? This required a delicate touch. Both of them were newbies to the dating scene again, so they were a little gun-shy. It might take a few gentle nudges to persuade them. But she would.
Finding Tomás his “perfect partner” might be the best way to convince herself that in his arms, in his life, was not where she belonged.
“Sounds good then. We’ll go together.” Tomás flicked the end of the towel back over her shoulder with an easy grin. “Let me see what Maria’s up to. She’s been awfully quiet.”
Yaz sagged against the counter and watched him stride away. “Going together” sounded good to her, too. For entirely different, completely inappropriate reasons.
She straightened her shoulders, annoyed with her schoolgirl-crush behavior. This self-sabotage wasn’t healthy.
Starting tomorrow, Operation Perfect Partner Search would kick into high gear. Identified target? Cheryl Morgan, kindergarten assistant teacher and best friend extraordinaire.
If Yaz couldn’t be Tomás’s perfect partner, she’d let someone better, someone she loved like a sister, have him.
And she’d have to find the strength to stand by and watch that happen.
* * *
Yaz shrugged out of her peacoat and hung it next to Tomás’s jacket on a wooden peg in Maria’s classroom. Maria hadn’t even bothered to take her jacket off before she started weaving through her classmates, anxious to bring Cheryl over to meet Tomás.
The little girl’s excitement over the fact that her father was cutting work to join them for her party reminded Yaz of how easily a parent could lift their child’s spirits by simply showing an interest in them. Taking the time to be there for and with them. It’s what Papi and Mami had done for her as a child.
This time caring for Maria was allowing Yaz a chance to savor a little taste of being a parent, filling a void she would never admit existed. Though he didn’t know it, she owed Tomás for giving her this opportunity.
She could repay him by finding him a suitable match. Not a “life partner” like he planned. That was a dumb idea. He deserved more, and so did Maria. With Cheryl, he’d find a woman who met all his needs, one he was safe giving his heart to.
“Man, it’s noisy in here.” Tomás bent toward her so she could hear, his breath tickling her ear. “They need some pointers from you on how to run a quiet class.”
She grinned, wrapping his compliment up to enjoy again later. “They don’t run a tight ship like I do, but the kids settle down. And they already love Cheryl. She has that effect on people. Wait a minute.” Yaz reached up to brush a few wayward flakes of snow from his hair.
“Thanks, Mom.” His dimple flashed, giving rise to thoughts that were anything but mom-like. “Do I look presentable?”
Presentable?
Yaz slid her gaze up his strong frame, taking in his brown boots, khaki corduroy slacks, navy cable-knit sweater, and model-gorgeous face. Ay bendito, presentable didn’t even begin to describe him.
“You’ll do,” she deadpanned, laughing as she sidestepped the elbow he tried to poke in her ribs.
“Yaz, I’m glad you could make it!” Cheryl opened her arms for a hug, then stepped back and held out her hand with a welcoming smile. “Hi, Tomás. It’s nice to see you again. Maria’s an absolute joy in class, and she’s already shared quite a lot about you.”
“Only good things, I hope,” he answered.
Yaz barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes at his deepened timbre. Por favor, he didn’t need to lay the schmooze on so thick.
She did, however, notice that he only gave Cheryl his “charming” smile, not the relaxed grin Yaz couldn’t resist.
“I’ll add that he’s not a bad guy to temporarily nanny for, either,” Yaz said.
“I wouldn’t doubt it, if he talked you into babysitting.” Cheryl put her hand on Yazmine’s shoulder and leaned conspiratorially toward Tomás. “This girl has been all dance, all the time, for as long as I’ve known her. It’s nice to see her branching out a bit.”
“But we won’t have her for long,” Tomás said, his lips inching more toward that comfortable grin he didn’t share with everyone. “She’s on to bigger and better, while we little people stay behind.”
Cheryl laughed, the tinkly sound mixing with Tomás’s husky chuckle. Yaz knew she should join in. She wanted to, but she suddenly felt like the outsider.
“I guess we ‘little people’ need to stick together,” Cheryl teased.
“I hope so.”
Tomás’s response brought a dull shade of pink to Cheryl’s cheeks, the color highlighting her gray eyes. “Um, sure.”
Unbelievable! Yaz blinked in surprise. Her friend was already smitten, and Yaz couldn’t blame her in the least. Nor could she be jealous. Cheryl didn’t deserve that.
“Well, as you see, we can always use an extra pair of hands around here.” Cheryl extended an arm to indicate the classroom, overrun with excited kids. Some were dressed for the occasion in Christmas sweaters, others sported the rumpled, bed-head look from what was probably a mad dash out the door.
“It’s a little like controlled chaos,” Tomás noted. “I have to admit, I’ve always thought it takes a special person to teach kindergarten.”
“That’s our Cheryl alright,” Yazmine said, finally feeling like she could trust her voice not to give away her conflicting emotions.
Cheryl shot her a secretive look, her eyes screaming “Wow!”
“Class, let’s meet at the reading corner,” the head teacher called.
Most of the kids followed the instructions. A few dragged their feet.
“Joey, Stephen.” Cheryl cautioned two boys who had stopped to play with the math manipulatives on a table near the far window. “That’s not the reading corner.”
The boys dropped the varied geometrical shapes and trudged to join their teacher on a multicolored rug near a short bookshelf and several beanbags.
“I was about to set up the cookie decorating station. Would one of you like to help?” Cheryl asked.
“Here, that sounds like a job you can tackle.” Yaz thrust the plastic container with their homemade goodies at Tomás.
“You sure?” he asked.
“Of course. That’ll give you two time to get to know each other before the craziness begins. Hey, don’t give me that look. You and I both know it’s about to get crazy in here,” Yaz said, intentionally misreading Cheryl’s puzzled expression.
The last thing she needed was either one of them thinking she was trying to set them up. Tomás had already told her he didn’t want her help and Cheryl had a tendency to clam up if she was nervous.
“You two work on that together and I’ll back up Mrs. Morris in the reading circle.”
She flashed them a bright smile, realizing she might have overdone it when Tomás and Cheryl exchanged a dubious look.
“Go on.” Yaz shooed them away.
“Well, if you’re game, Tomás, let’s get started,” Cheryl finally said.
“Sure, I don’t want to brag or anything, but Maria’s told me I’m a pro at decorating cookies.” He winked at Cheryl, eliciting another tinkly laugh from her.
Yaz watched her best friend lead Tomás to one of the round arts and crafts tables filled with cookies, plastic knives, tubs of frosting, and food coloring. They bent over the table, Tomás following Cheryl’s instructions for how to organize the supplies. His dark coloring next to her light skin and hair made a striking contrast. Cheryl said something and Tomás’s laughter rang out.
A yearning ache for what couldn’t be and a wistful pang at her friend’s good fortune swirled in her chest and Yazmine turned away, unable to watch anymore.
She tiptoed to the kids and their teacher, needing the distraction. Maria’s eyes lit up and she scooted over, patting the floor beside her. As soon as Yaz sat, Maria scrambled onto her lap. She linked their fingers together, then crisscrossed her arms in front of her so they wound up in a big hug.
Maria angled her head to shoot Yaz a sweet, chubby-cheeked grin. Yaz pressed a kiss to the little girl’s forehead and a welcome peace settled over her.
This was what mattered most. Her time with Maria and her time with Papi. Because as much as it pained her, she knew those moments were limited.
Behind her, Cheryl laughed, a familiar bubbly sound that usually made Yazmine join in the fun. She refused to turn around though and check on the potential lovebirds. If the way Tomás had charmed her friend earlier was any indication, neither one needed any more nudging from her. And she was more than willing to give them their space.
It was too painful otherwise.

Search

Search

Friend:

Popular Free Online Books

Read books online free novels

Hot Authors

Sam Crescent, Zoe Chant, Flora Ferrari, Mia Madison, Alexa Riley, Lexy Timms, Claire Adams, Elizabeth Lennox, Leslie North, Sophie Stern, Amy Brent, Frankie Love, Jordan Silver, Bella Forrest, C.M. Steele, Dale Mayer, Jenika Snow, Madison Faye, Kathi S. Barton, Michelle Love, Mia Ford, Delilah Devlin, Sloane Meyers, Piper Davenport, Amelia Jade,

Random Novels

Adored by the Alien Assassin (Warriors of the Lathar Book 5) by Mina Carter

VISIONARY X STARLIGHT (Earthala Series Book 1) by Yumoyori Wilson

The Highland Hero (Lairds of Dunkeld Series) (A Medieval Scottish Romance Story) by Emilia Ferguson

Eye Candy by Tijan, J. Daniels, Helena Hunting, Bella Jewel, Tara Sivec

Indulge (Sins of Seven Book 3) by Dani René

Kragen (Alien Hunger Book 1) by Chloe Cox

Beyond Paradise by Barbara Nolan

Prince of Midnight (Dracula's Bloodline Book 1) by Ana Calin

Jinxed: The Rock Series book 2 by Sandrine Gasq-DIon

First Time Lucky by Chance Carter

Own Me Bad Boy (Montorini Family Mafia, #3) by Rose, Claire St.

Come As You Are by Blakely, Lauren

The Royals of Monterra: Royal Rivals (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Rebecca Connolly

Dirty Laundry by Lauren Landish

How to Bewilder a Lord (How To) by Ally Broadfield

The Harder They Fall (Bishop Family Book 7) by Brooke St. James

Few Hearts Survive (A Pink Bean Series Novella) by Harper Bliss

His Prize (British Billionaires Book 2) by Emma York

Wild for You by Daisy Prescott

Monster Love by Jeana E. Mann