Collection Title: The Happy Endings Collection
Titles: My Temptation ~ Bring The Heat ~ His Promise
Author: L. Wilder
Genre: RomCom
Release Date: February 20, 2018
Grace-
After one too many disappointments in and out of the bedroom, I’d all but given up on men. While I was doubtful that therapy would change anything, I had to try something.
As soon as I walked into Dr. Seth Michaels’ office, temptation set in. With his piercing green eyes and devilish smile, the handsome doctor was every woman’s fantasy, including mine.
He tempted me in ways that I never dreamed possible, but some lines just can’t be crossed. With a newfound libido, I left his office thinking I would never see him again, but fate and a meddling mother had other plans.
Kaci-
Tucker Michaels could bring the heat, striking out anyone who stepped up to the plate, and he was burning up the big leagues.
At least, that’s what I was told.
I had no idea who Tucker Michaels was, and I honestly didn’t care. From the moment I met him, I thought he was an arrogant, smart-mouthed jerk.
I’ll admit he was hot—if you’re into those gorgeous, athletic types, but there was no mistaking the way he looked at me, like I was about to be his next grand slam.
Unfortunately for him, he was about to be the one to strike out. I had no interest in playing games, especially when he was helping my little brother’s baseball team.
… But after a week from hell and one too many drinks, I was starting to see another side of the sexy, charismatic player.
After the devastating loss of my wife and daughter, I did everything in my power to guard my heart, making everyone, including myself, believe I no longer had one. I focused on my work and kept everyone at a distance. It was the only way I could face the day.
I had no time for distractions, but the day Langley, my legal assistant, asked for help with her custody battle there was no way I could refuse. When I was at my worst, she was there to pick up the pieces, making sure I didn’t lose the only thing I had left—my career.
Now, it was my turn to ensure she didn’t lose the one thing she cared about most—her children.
I promised to help, but I had no way of knowing that one promise would turn my entire world upside down. With the help of her two kids, she chiseled away at the walls I’d worked so hard to build, and I found myself wanting the one thing I thought was out of my reach—another chance at love.
EXCERPT FROM HIS PROMISE
I sat in my car and took several deep breaths, trying to collect myself before I headed inside. When I finally walked into the house, I found Beatrice sitting at the kitchen counter. She was still in her little, red flannel pajamas, and her curly hair was down around her face. She had a crayon in one hand and an oatmeal cookie in the other, and as soon as she saw me heading in her direction, she sat up in her chair and smiled. "Hi, Mr. Colton. I'm making you a picture for your refrigerator."
And just like that, my bad mood started to falter. I walked over to the counter, and when I looked over her shoulder, I saw that she was drawing a picture of man wearing a suit. When I noticed the dark hair, I realized it was a picture of me.
"Looking good, kid." "It's you."
"I see that, but you're missing my beard."
"That's because I don't like your beard," she replied innocently.
"You don't?"
She shook her head as she bit her bottom lip. "It makes you look a little scary. I like you better without it."
"Scary?" I ran my hand over my chin, tugging at the bristles of my beard. "You really think so?"
"Umm-hmmm. And it makes you look kind of old."
"Old? Really?" I asked with surprise.
"Yes, sir, but just a little. Not like Santa Claus kind of old."
Damn. The kid knew how to hit a guy where it hurts. She looked up at me with those dark eyes of hers, and I couldn't help but smile. "Gee … thanks, kid."
She studied me for a moment before she asked, "I'm sorry. Did I hurt your feelings?"
"No, Beatrice," I told her as I opened the refrigerator. "You can't hurt my feelings, because I don't have any feelings to hurt."
Just as I reached for the jug of tea, she laughed. "That's funny."
"Why's that?"
"Everybody has feelings, Mr. Colton." She stood up and handed me the picture she'd been working on. "Even you."
I glanced down at the picture and was surprised to see that she'd added my beard. When I looked back over to her, she was walking towards the stairs. "Thanks for the picture, Beatrice."
She turned back just long enough to say, "Don't forget to put it on the fridge, so everyone can see it."
"You got it."
I walked over to the refrigerator door and as I reached for a magnet, I took a moment to look at my portrait. There was something familiar about the man in the drawing, something that gave me a strange feeling when I looked at it. As I stood there staring at it, I suddenly felt overcome with emotion. After several moments, I realized that the man with big, dark eyes, a thick, bushy beard, and a goofy grin used to be me. It had been so long since I'd seen that side of me that I'd almost forgotten he even existed. I missed it. I missed having a reason to smile, a reason to be truly happy, and I wondered if I would ever have it again. I was lost in my thoughts, when Langley walked up behind me. "It turned out pretty good, don't you think?"
Trying to collect myself, I cleared my throat before I replied, "The kid's got talent. She made me look good, and that's saying something."
"I think she did a great job with your beard." She snickered.
"What is it with you two and my beard?"
"I like your beard. It makes you look … distinguished."
"Um-hmm," I scoffed.
"Seriously. I like the beard." As I watched the corners of her mouth curl into a smile, I found myself thinking of the kiss we'd shared the night before. There was this moment, just before our lips touched, where I felt the world stop spinning, and for an ever-so-brief moment, anticipation hung in the air. It was just a moment, a mere blink, but it was so intense I could feel it pulling me towards her. When our lips finally touched, that feeling didn't dissipate. Instead, it grew stronger as I felt her warm, soft mouth pressed against mine, and when I finally released her from our embrace, I had to fight the urge to reach for her and kiss her all over again. I felt an unexpected connection between us, and I couldn't help but wonder if she'd felt it, too.
Leslie Wilder grew up in a small town in West Tennessee. A country girl at heart, she’s always thought that life is too short, but she had no idea how short it really was until her brother passed away in 2014. She’s always been an avid reader, loving the escape only a great book can give, and wondered if she had what it took to write one of the wild romances she’d come to adore. With the support of her family and friends, she published Inferno: A Devil Chaser’s MC, one year after her brother’s death. With him in mind, she fulfilled her lifetime dream of writing. Since then, she’s completed the Devil Chaser’s Series and continued on with the Satan’s Fury MC Series. She has so many stories in her head, and can’t wait to share each and every one.
Leslie has been blown away by the support of her readers, appreciating every message, review, and encouraging word she’s received over the past year. She looks forward to continuing this journey with them for years to come.
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