Publication date: December 1st, 2020
Synopsis:
Strangers to lovers, who don't know they're enemies...
Raven Donovan isn't looking for a relationship. She's married to her job and vice president of her company. So she's blindsided when a corporate takeover leaves her unceremoniously unemployed. Reeling, she retreats to her family's beach house on Heron Harbor Island and drowns her sorrows in a bottle of tequila. And then a tall, dark, and gorgeous stranger walks through the door...
Jack Baines has it all--money, a good job, and he's the heir to one of the largest private equity firms on the East Coast. With his latest conquest under his belt, he should be flying high. But as much as he enjoys the thrill of the hunt, firing people takes a toll on him. So he heads to the beach for some alone time, never expecting to find a half-naked, dark-haired beauty in his rental.
With a storm raging outside, Raven and Jack end up sharing more than just the house. A scorching night turns into a red-hot weekend that reveals how much they have in common--including Raven's ex-company. That revelation threatens everything they've found unless they fight to build something new... together.
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Excerpt
Jack had never been so grateful for central heating as when they stepped back into the house from the biting nor'ester. Even the dog had the good sense to stay out only long enough to do her business then come straight back inside.
Raven's jaw trembled. "We'd better g-g-et these w-w-et clothes off before we c-c-catch cold. L-l-laundry room." She turned and sprinted for the small room off the rear of the kitchen.
She shed her jacket, then tried to peel her soaked sweatshirt off her body but got stuck mid-way through. "Um... h-help." Her arms were tangled in the wet cloth above her head.
Jack tossed his own sweater and T-shirt into the open washer, then freed her from her sweatshirt.
"T-thanks," she said, then whipped off her freezing tank, leaving her topless.
Jack barely noticed, since he was too busy removing his drenched sweatpants which had chilled him straight to the bone. By the time they were in the washer along with the rest of the clothes, Raven was fighting to free her legs from her jeans. Jack reached down and gave her an extra hand, stripping them off her skin.
Raven's teeth rattled but she still managed a smile. "Th-thank you." Her shoulders were hunched and her arms were tight against her body, her wrists crossed at her breasts. She shook like a leaf in a hurricane.
"Come here." He pulled her to his chest and wrapped himself around her, letting his chin gently rest against the top of her head. Breathing deep, he drank her in. She was soft and smelled like rain. And though she was so much smaller than he, and her features so petite, in his arms, she felt like she was made to fit against his body. His wide palms stroked the length of her back.
Raven exhaled and relaxed into him, releasing her arms. On a sigh, she threaded her hands around his waist and nuzzled her face against his left pec. He imagined she was listening to his heartbeat, and wondered if it quickened as their skin heated against each other's.
She tilted her head to meet his gaze. "You're so warm." Her brown eyes searched his.
"As warm as you." God, she was gorgeous.
"Kiss me."
Aaand there went his plan to keep things platonic. Together-but separate was impossible with this woman. He wanted to be around her. In her. Whatever it took.
About the Author:
Lea Nolan is a USA Today bestselling author who writes smart, witty contemporary stories filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance. She also pens books for young adults featuring bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history.
Born and raised on Long Island, New York she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three brilliant children, she resides in Maryland where she cracks crabs and bakes ugly birthday cakes.
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