Single mother Brioney Mayburn has learned about responsibility the hard way, working as a maid in the motel in the small beach town of Avalon Island, Texas and looking after her younger brother. Local jack-of-all-trades Blue Maddox was her sister's high school boyfriend, but stayed behind when she went off to college. He's now drawn to Brioney, admiring her drive, her determination to give her daughter the best life she can. But will Brioney look past his beach-bum facade to see who he really is?

Fitz Dawson has come home to Avalon Island after a stint in the army. After raising his brother and sisters when their dad died, his responsibilities are done. It's time to follow his own dreams, which include remodeling an old motel on the north, less touristy, end of the island. It will take a lot of money and effort, but it will mean he can stay on the island he's loved and missed. Rachel Hamilton isn't surprised when Fitz turns up at her front door when he comes back to town. They've always been friends and since high school, have added "with benefits" to the description. She often wonders what might have happened between them if his dad hadn't died, if he hadn't been left with the responsibility of raising his siblings, if he hadn't thought his best option for providing for them was the army. She has dreams of a happily ever after, but he wants to live life on his own terms. She has to show him that she can take care of herself, and him, if he needs it. Can she turn their friendship into benefits for her?

Mercedes Fonseca has kissed a lot of frogs looking for her prince. The party girl of Avalon Island is looking for Mr. Right to take her away from her job as a maid in the hotel. She would make an excellent Real Housewife. Unfortunately, not many filthy rich men came to the island, so she’s just out for fun. Efraim Tavitas is on leave from the Army and has come to Avalon to help his buddy open his new motel on the beach. He’d rather be on the Texas coast than home in Las Vegas. He’s attracted to the playful, sexy Mercedes, but he’s not ready for anything more than a fling. So when he wakes up in bed with her with a ring on his finger...he has to decide if the fun-loving girl is wife material. And she has to figure out if she really wants to be a soldier’s wife.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS I'LL KISS YOU LONGER Jessamy Dawson couldn't wait to get away from Avalon Island and start living her life. Nine years later, a political scandal chases her from that life, and the only place she can find sanctuary is the home she couldn't wait to escape. Logan Marlowe is a hardworking single dad, working two jobs to pay child support. His son is the most important person in the world to him, and he hasn't dated since his divorce. But when Jessamy walks into his life, her own a disaster, he knows she's the one. She doesn't want to get involved after her affair with a senator exploded so publicly, and she certainly doesn't want Logan to know of her failure. He's sexy and sweet and makes her feel good—and she can't stay away. Until his ex recognizes Jessamy, and her secrets, and her sanctuary, are exposed once again