Love. Jealousy. Passion. Death. A platinum blond sprite in hate with Valentine’s day. Chloe Kelly thought it was just another Thursday at work when a big red pickup pulled up in front of the Whisper Cove Veterinary Clinic and giant puppy Wrecker barreled into her life. Her connection with the goofy, lovable pup was instant, but her feelings for his handsome owner weren’t. When the ghosts of his father’s life follow him to Whisper Cove, the Gabe and Chloe must join forces to fight for the life of the companion neither one can live without. Love for Wrecker may bring them together, but will money, power, pain, and possession tear them apart? Step into seemingly sleepy Whisper Cove with its unforgettable characters, steaming hot sex, and heart-wrenching romance, and you’ll never leave. Get it now!

Moonlight spilled in through the wavy window panes and sheer curtains, casting soft blue over the bedroom. Sleepless, I studied my surroundings—the aged family photos, the antique dresser, the stenciled ladder-back rocking chair—and found the sense of permanence they offered somewhat comforting. Knowing one of the matriarch’s of his family had sewn each green and blue patch by hand made the quilt feel like an embrace, and I held it tight like a security blanket. I didn’t know Josh. We’d barely spoken since I’d opened my eyes. He didn’t know me either. I didn’t even know me. Still, the faint sound of his breathing in the next room reminded me I wasn’t alone, that my protector was nearby. I guess when you desperately need a hero, you’ll attach that title to anyone who’ll wear it. He hadn’t turned me away or betrayed me when I begged him not to call the sheriff even though I couldn’t give him a reason why. In my desperate state, that made him my champion. Even so, I was panicked and fighting to remain still while every part of me wanted to run. It’s okay. You’re okay. He’s right in the next room. He’ll hear you if you scream. He won’t let anyone hurt you. I repeated those words in my head over and over, but while they kept me from bolting out the door, they did nothing to bring me peace. The night seemed endless. If not for the sound of his breathing and the tick-tick-tick of the clock, I would have thought time itself stood still... Grab your copy and read \FREE\ in Kindle Unlimited today!

My breath caught in my throat as his musk washed over me. Caleb. My Caleb, here. In my bedroom. I froze as he pushed off the doorway and stalked towards me. The tingling inside me suddenly blossomed into something more. I pushed that thought down deep. He moved like a panther, coming closer and closer until he stood inches away. His dark eyes focused on me. As always, he hid the scarred side of his face in the shadows. “Those for me?” He reached out and took the pillow and blanket from my trembling hands, ducking his head to hide his scars, and turned toward the living room, Kessler at his heels. Dumbstruck, I stood by the bed until he called out from the living room. “Where do you want me to set up my computer?” I shook off my unexpected lust, tamping it down and putting it back in the box I had kept it in since coming to Whisper Cove. The day Polly quit and I convinced Harry to let sixteen year old me wait tables was the day I locked the old me away and became the Avery Gray I now was. The old me—she didn’t exist anymore. Her important papers, birth certificate, ID, and everything else was stuffed in a slit in the bottom of my mattress or shoved in a box in the back of a closet, and hadn’t seen the light of day in years. The new me—well, she knew something as foolish as a fling with a handsome local boy was a risk she couldn’t take. My fingers tingled when I touched Caleb, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what he said. He’d called my pajamas sexy. Does he think I’m sexy? I didn’t care about the racoon or whatever it had really been. I didn’t think for a minute Caleb pulled out his KA BAR for a racoon, but the butterflies in my stomach wouldn’t let me be upset. My steps slowed as I put one foot in front of the other, each one taking me closer and closer to my living room. Caleb’s boots clunked behind me as the rubber soles hit each tread, mimicking the beat of my heart. I could hear it pounding in my ears, and my hand grew warm as I held his calloused fingers in mine. I took a deep breath, my breasts rising under my black silk camisole as I crossed the threshold into my small apartment. For the first time since I met him, I found myself wondering what this soldier thought of me.

\\Trigger Warning: for themes of violence, PTSD, sexual assault and child abuse\\ “Abby!” Fin slid down from her stool at the counter and threw herself at my legs. “You’re home!” “I sure am, sweetie!” I dropped my bags and keys on the floor and scooped that little girl up in my arms, giving her the biggest hug ever. “And I am soooo glad to see you!” Fin put up with my hug for only a second before squirming to get back down. “Guess what we did at school today?” “What did you do?” “We studied worms!” Her face wrinkled up like it was the grossest subject in the world. How could I have ever thought my life was complete without this little girl? Or this house, or this town, or Daniel? “Welcome home,” he said, slipping his hands into a red oven mitt. “Thank you.” I looked around. Every surface in the kitchen was covered with trays of cooling cookies, brownies, and muffins. “What’s all this?” He pulled a pan of blondies out of the oven and set them on the stove to cool. “Bake sale at school tomorrow. Apparently, Fin volunteered us.” “Oh!” I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to hide my smile. Chocolate batter had dried on Fin’s cheeks and in her hair. The kitchen floor and Nana were also covered. In the middle of the mess, big strong Daniel stood in a flour-caked apron, baking with his little girl. Even if I could have told Daniel about seeing Missy, I wouldn't have. Nothing could have made me ruin the joy that filled the house. I had everything I ever wanted. Daniel and Fin had everything they wanted. We’d all waited so long to be happy. How could I rock the boat? Later that night, we tucked Fin into bed. I read Goodnight Moon three times while Daniel rubbed her back until she fell asleep. Then we slowly eased out of bed and walked to the door. Standing there in the glow of her princess night light, Daniel took my hand, and we watched her sleep in silence. “We make a good team,” Daniel whispered, letting go of my hand to wind his arm around my back. I started to pull away and then reminded myself what the therapist had said that morning—I didn’t want one horrible moment to destroy all the beautiful ones that lay ahead of me. I wanted Daniel by my side when I went to bed at night and when I got up in the morning. I was determined not to let my attacker take that away from me. So instead of pulling away, I leaned in. I heard his faint huff of surprise, but he went along with it. Wrapping a second arm around my waist, he rocked me from behind, holding my body tight against his. We stood there watching the slow rise and fall of Fin’s chest, listening to Nana’s quiet growls as she chased rabbits in her sleep. When we were sure they were both deep in their dreams, we linked hands and Daniel slowly led me out of Fin’s room and into his. Get it NOW! or read FREE in KU!