She’s the town’s sweetest book store employee. He’s the grumpy mountain man sent to inspect her fire safety. But when sparks fly, she’s not just on the naughty list, she’s about to get claimed. Tessa I live for quiet mornings, alphabetized shelves, and peppermint tea. But behind the scenes, I run a secret holiday side hustle. After-hours romance readings that are very off the record. It’s all fun and fantasy… until someone reports the bookshop for violating the fire code. Now the town’s grumpiest firefighter is stomping through the store, clipboard in hand and scowl locked in place. Forty-six, built like a mountain, and clearly unimpressed by my twinkle lights and naughty book club. He’s here to shut me down. But the way he watches me, I know I’m about to get burned in the best way. Cole I came to the bookstore to do my job. Check the wiring. Flag the hazards. Leave. But Tessa is a threat I didn’t see coming. She’s curves wrapped in chaos, kind with a sprinkling of spice, and she’s running a secret after-hours event that’s got the whole town whispering. I should leave, but something pulls me to stay. Maybe it's the way she reads those scenes while biting her lip and blushing, She’s not playing pretend. She’s aching for the real thing. She wants heat. She wants control. And I’m going to give it to her. Dear Readers, Welcome back to Chestnut Lane bookstore, where every shelf hides a secret, and every story brings love. If you love spicy age gap romances with dominant older heroes, curvy heroines, and slow burns that turn very hot, this one’s for you. Think secret book clubs, forced proximity, and a possessive man who knows exactly how to handle a naughty librarian. As always, this title comes with Khloe’s Easy Escape no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.