CROOKED, a forbidden new bodyguard/mafia daughter romance from New York Times Bestselling Authors, Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward, is coming March 29th!

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Getting involved with him was reckless…

A new, sexy standalone novel from New York Times Bestsellers, Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward…

The last thing I needed was a live-in bodyguard. And I definitely didn’t want him. Six foot two, with broad shoulders that were impossible to ignore and a talent for getting in my way, Wes Callahan was a walking bad decision.

But when you’re the daughter of a notorious mob boss, apparently your opinions stop mattering the moment your father ignites another war. I’d spent my entire life trying to escape that crooked world—new name, new city, newfound freedom. At least until I was suddenly shacked up with my new bodyguard.

Wes knew exactly how to push my buttons. He was also infuriatingly protective. And smart. And funny. And thoughtful when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.  Little by little, the walls I’d built started to crack, and falling for the bodyguard became the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done. Because if my father found out, Wes wouldn’t just lose his job. He’d lose his life.

Getting involved with him was reckless, yet I couldn’t find a way to stop it, no matter how hard I tried.  But while I was busy losing my heart, the man who took it was hiding a secret.

And it turned out, the most dangerous man in my life wasn’t my father after all—it was the one who threatened to break my heart.

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EXCERPT:

Copyright © 2025 by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

“Sorry for making up that story,” he said. “But I didn’t know what else to tell him. Wasn’t like I could admit the real reason I’m here looking out for you.”

I crossed my arms. “Maybe you should’ve, and he could’ve carted you away, so I don’t have to deal with any of this.”

“Now, now. Is that how you talk to your loving boyfriend?” He winked.

“Please don’t repeat that.” Especially in that annoyingly seductive voice.

“Well, you don’t think at some point we’re gonna have to pretend to be something to each other? People are going to wonder who the hell I am. How else are you going to explain me, if I’m not your boyfriend?”

“I’m hoping not to have to explain you at all because I’m counting on this arrangement ending soon.”

“Well, if you’d let me sleep inside like you should’ve, I wouldn’t have attracted the neighbor’s attention.”

“I will admit that making you sleep outside was a mistake, in hindsight.” I rubbed my pounding temples. “Do you want some coffee? I need to get a cup before my head explodes.”

He smiled wide. “I would love some.”

God, those dimples.

Had they been there yesterday?

Of course they had.

Again, I needed coffee.

After I filled two mugs, I handed him one. “As you just saw, my neighbor is very nosy. You need to keep a low profile. That means no hanging around outside my house unless absolutely necessary. She’ll try to talk to you.”

“I’ll be fine if she does. I’m a pretty good liar.”

“How commendable.”

He shrugged. “I don’t make a habit of it. But in this business, you have to be able to stretch the truth with a straight face.”

Putting my coffee down, I crossed my arms. “We have to set some ground rules.”

Wes grinned from behind his mug. “Okay…”

He’d better be taking this seriously. I took another long sip of coffee. “One, you have to sleep on the couch. I only have one bedroom. So…”

“All right. I was expecting that. No big deal. I’ve slept on worse things.”

“Not even gonna ask.” I sighed. “Also, no walking around without your clothes on.”

Wes raised a brow and laughed. “Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know. You seem like the type who might be comfortable enough in your skin to want to flaunt it or something. Just letting you know I won’t appreciate that.”

“No naked ass. Got it.” He nodded. “What else?”

“No eating anything in my refrigerator that belongs to me. I just went to Erewhon to stock up. Practically spent a week’s salary.” I opened the fridge and began moving my items to the right, leaving spots on the left of the top two shelves empty. “You can keep your stuff on this side.”

“How generous of you…” He grinned.

I tilted my head. “Are you mocking me?”

“No.” He pursed his lips, probably to keep from laughing.

I sighed. Maybe I did need to calm down. This situation was making me more high-strung than usual.

After a moment, he asked, “Are you done?”

“I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.”

“Look…” he said. “I don’t wanna be here any more than you want me here. So let’s just try to make the best of it.”

“We don’t need to make the best of it. We need to stay out of each other’s way and not make each other insane.” I downed the last of my cup of joe.

Wes’s expression dampened. Had I hurt his feelings? This situation stressed me out and made me less than pleasant. My father’s antics brought out the worst in me. I felt like I needed a time out.

On that note, I took my own advice and ventured back to my room to have my second cup of coffee in peace.

When I walked back out into the living room about fifteen minutes later, my jaw dropped. It was like I’d walked onto the set of Love Island. Wes was sitting on the couch with his feet up on the ottoman—shirtless, with every beautiful contour of his bronzed chest on full display.

What. The. Heck. I gulped. “What are you doing?”

He stood, looking confused. “What do you mean? I’m just sitting here.”

“You’ve only been here a matter of minutes, and you’ve already broken a rule.” I scoffed. “The most important one, I might add.”

He drew in his brows. “What rule?”

I glared. “Naked?”

He looked down at his chest. “I’m not naked.”

“You took your shirt off.”

“That’s shirtless. Not naked. You say naked, and I think…junk hanging out. This is not naked.”

I shook my head. “You need to wear a shirt in this house.”

He stalked toward me. “It’s hot as Hades in here. Does your air conditioner even work?”

“I don’t like it too cold. I freeze easily.”

“I guess that’s what happens to people who are already cold enough.”

As he stood there with his hands on his hips, I did feel oddly warm, actually. And it had nothing to do with the air-conditioner setting.

He smirked. A chill ran down my spine.

F*ck. Those dimples.

I’m going to kill my father for hiring this guy.

THE HOCKEY PROBLEM, a new forbidden, single dad, hockey romance from New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author, Kendall Ryan, is available now!

He’s the NHL’s most guarded single dad.
She’s the one woman who can’t afford to fall for him.

He’s the NHL’s most guarded single dad.
She’s the one woman who can’t afford to fall for him.

Tori Wells didn’t fight her way into the NHL just to become another cautionary tale. As a team physical therapist, she lives by strict rules: heal the players, protect her career, and never—ever—cross the line with a hockey player.

Then she’s assigned to Zayden Bishop.

On the ice, he’s untouchable—a French-Canadian superstar with a reputation for being cold, private, and impossible to read. Off the ice, he’s a devoted single father running on discipline, stubbornness, and too little sleep. Until a serious shoulder injury threatens his season—and the stability he’s built for his six-year-old daughter.

Tori is in charge of his rehab. Full oversight. Daily sessions.
No room for mistakes.
No room for attraction.

Except Zayden isn’t what she expected.

The more time they spend together—early mornings, quiet road trips, late-night conversations—the harder it becomes to pretend this is just professional. Because Zayden doesn’t just need his shoulder fixed. He needs someone who sees the man behind the jersey.

And Tori is dangerously close to becoming that someone.

Crossing the line could cost her everything she’s worked for. And Zayden can’t risk bringing anyone into his daughter’s life unless he’s certain they’ll stay.

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“A heart-melting forbidden romance…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 4.5 SMOOCHES review!

About Kendall Ryan:

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than three dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold millions of books and they have been translated into several languages in countries around the world.

Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than 100 times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.

Connect with Kendall:

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Visit Kendall’s website for all of her latest book news and fun extras!

NOT A SIDE CHICK, an all-new small town romantic suspense novel from Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author, Lani Lynn Vale, is available now!

Will he have a reason to stay since she no longer needs saving?

Edith “Eddy” Wheeler was having a bad day.

A no good, very bad day.

It’s understandable, really. I mean, there didn’t seem to be anything worse than walking in on your elderly parents doing things no child should ever see. Add into that their proclivities, and Eddy is disgusted and disturbed.

So of course, after seeing the atrocious things her parents—the pastor and pastor’s wife that are supposed to be holy and a teacher of faith—are into, she makes it her life goal to expose them to their masses. The cult-like following her father has will see him for the man he is—an abuser who gets a sick thrill at seeing his girls suffer.

She will no longer allow the people of Sawtooth, Montana, to think that they’re safe when they’re anything but.

That’s where Weaver Grant comes in.

A sexy lineman who climbs poles for a living, has forearms that can break a woman in mind, body, and soul, and a smile that does things deep inside of her that she refuses to acknowledge just yet.

She has a plan.

A really good one, too.

But that plan dies a thousand deaths when she’s attacked by a bear on a hike that she was using to cleanse her soul. She thought she was supposed to be afraid of men, but that rabid bear showed her a new side of herself.

She spends weeks in the hospital, and a certain hot lineman takes it upon himself to see her healthy again. He never leaves her side. He solves all her problems. And he shows her how a real man treats a woman.

But once she’s healed and her world is once again righted, will he have a reason to stay since she no longer needs saving?

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About Lani Lynn Vale:

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown, in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

Connect with Lani:

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IF YOU KEEP ME, a new age-gap, forbidden hockey romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Helena Hunting, is available now!

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I did the unthinkable. I propositioned Flip Madden…

Things I should never, under any circumstances ever do: ask my secret crush, aka. the most notorious (reformed) playboy in pro hockey, to take my virginity.

Too bad, I did.

After a string of terrible dates, I did the unthinkable. I propositioned Flip Madden.

Of course, he said no.
It isn’t that he’s almost a decade older than me and I’m still in university.

But because I’m his coach’s oldest daughter.

Not to mention my dad would bludgeon him with his hockey stick if he found out.

Which he won’t because it will never happen.

And now things are awkward because there’s no going back.

Except Flip is more protective than ever before and his eyes follow me in every room we’re in together. He brings flowers to my recitals and reads all the books I recommend.

Things I should never, under any circumstances ever do: hope Flip Madden might actually want me too.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

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*Audiobook releases on March 10th

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“…a sizzling and emotionally charged forbidden age-gap romance…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 4.5 SMOOCHES review!

EXCERPT:

CHAPTER ONE

TALLY

“I just want to have s*x.”

The table goes silent for a moment, and all eyes shift to me.

I’m out for brunch with my Babe Brigade. These women are my friends, though they’re all a little older than me, and also almost all affiliated with the Terror, Toronto’s pro hockey team, of which my dad is the head coach.

Hemi’s eyes flare. “Uh-oh, what happened last night?” She’s the head of Terror PR and married to Dallas Bright, a forward on the team.

“The same old same old.” I’m the last virgin standing in my university friend group, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. “It’s so stupid. All these idiot boys just want to f*ck the coach’s virgin daughter.”

A table of dad-aged guys close by looks our way. Hemi stares them down, and their breakfasts are suddenly super interesting.

“It must be frustrating.” Essie’s expression is all empathy.

Somehow a rumor proclaiming my unsullied status—to counteract the previous one where my ex called me a bad lay—has made its way through the douchebag population of my university. It’s become a fun game to play: Who can deflower the precious Terror virgin? Or at least that’s how it seems.

“Why can’t I find a nice boyfriend who wants to know me?”

Maybe my expectations are too high. Maybe I need to read less LoTR fanfic and omegaverse romance where the heroes are head-over-ass in love with their partner and exceptionally focused on providing unparalleled pleasure. Is that too much to ask?

Dred tents her fingers under her chin in contemplation. “Maybe hockey parties aren’t the ideal location to source such a man?” She’s married to Connor Grace, the Terror enforcer, who lives to make her happy.

I sigh. “You’re right. I know this. But my friends are all connected to the hockey world. There’s no escape. Last night some guy waited in line with me for the bathroom, and we got to chatting. He seemed so nice and legitimately interested, but when it was my turn, he asked if I was down to f*ck. It’s horrifying how predictably horny university boys are.”

Rix and Essie make matching icked-out faces. “That’s awful.”

“Right?” I point my fork at my friends. “There are guys out there capable of a meaningful connection and know where to locate a f*cking clitoris.”

“Women know where the clitoris is,” notes Rainbow, our server, as she tops up my coffee.

“I wish I was attracted to vaginas and not peens.” I sigh.

“Peens are fun.” Rix bounces a little in her seat.

I keep my cucumber comment to myself.

WANT MORE? Read the first three chapters HERE!

About Helena Hunting: 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

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AVENGING ANGELS: A LICK AND A PROMISE, a swoon-worthy new action-packed and suspenseful romantic comedy from New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristen Ashley, is coming June 19th!

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They both knew this was it. Together forever…

Luna Nelson and Knox Chambers fell together fast, and they did it hard. It was so big, so special, they wanted it just for themselves and kept it a secret from their found family: the Avenging Angels and the Hottie Squad.

They both knew this was it. Together forever.

What Luna didn’t know was that Knox had secrets.

Secrets that tore them apart.

But when Knox asked for them to continue being friends—for the sake of their crew, and so he wouldn’t lose her—Luna loved him enough to say yes. Yes to the torture of being in the life of a man who was the love of hers, but he let her go.

Then, Knox gets shot. He gets shot not because he’s got a dangerous job (which he does), but because his family is an absolute mess.

With the man who means everything to her recuperating, Luna can’t keep away.

While Luna tries to keep the Angels safe from interfering in Knox’s family’s criminal enterprises, she and Knox circle each other, drawing a different kind of blood.

Will Knox continue to keep his secrets?

And will both of them be safe in the Chambers Family Feud?

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About Kristen Ashley:

Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over eighty romance novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold millions of books.

Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana and was a fourth-generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and she now resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She now writes full-time.

Although romance is her genre, the prevailing themes running through all of Kristen’s novels are friendship, family and a strong sisterhood. To this end, and as a way to thank her readers for their support, Kristen has created the Rock Chick Nation, a series of programs that are designed to give back to her readers and promote a strong female community. You can learn more about Kristen and the Rock Chick Nation on her website.

Connect with Kristen:

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IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA, an all new mistaken identity, one-night-stand who got away, forced proximity, forbidden small town romantic comedy from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Lauren Blakely, is available now!

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There’s no way we can be more than a summer romance…

I really don’t need a bodyguard―I run a small-town lavender farm, for bee’s sake! But I’m getting one anyway since my identical twin sister just booked the movie role of a lifetime and it’s being shot in my hometown. And guess who my new broody, tattooed protector is? None other than the guy I had a one-night stand with last month.

Correction: he’s the guy with the wicked mouth and heated eyes who ran out on me before the bang without so much as goodbye. And of course he arrives in my tiny hometown where the film is shooting right in the nick of time to save me from the paparazzi at the market. The coffee shop. The dress shop too. I’m trying hard to stay mad after the third time the sexy jerk rescues me.

To top it all off, he’s staying in the cottage at my farm. With me. And there’s only one bed.

Maybe just one night would relieve all this tension? But one night turns into another, and then into sharing hearts and secrets that are best locked up. Especially since he’s leaving and I’m staying, and there’s no way we can be more than a summer romance that ends far too soon.

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Narrated in duet by Erin Mallon & JF Harding

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“…an utterly charming, flirty and hilarious small-town romantic comedy…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 5 SMOOCHES review!

EXCERPT:

“What about your dreams?”

She blinks, surprised. “What do you mean?”

“Well, what are yours? Is it this farm?”

She smiles. “It’s home. I love it. I want it to be the best it can be. I want families to come here and have picnics, to play in the lavender maze, or couples to go on dates here since I finally set up fairy lights at night.”

“That sounds very romantic.”

“It is. I just want others to enjoy it too. To fill their homes with flowers, to open a bottle of lotion, or oil, or soap, and inhale it and feel…calm and happy.”

“You’re doing that, Ripley,” I say.

“Some more attention from the film would be nice. More tourists, more business—you know what I mean?”

I nod. “I do.”

“That’s why I said it—we should keep this on the down-low.”

I reach for her, press a kiss to her nose. “I like secrets. You’re the best kind of secret there is.”

She sighs happily, flips to her side, then closes her eyes.

I don’t fall asleep as fast as she does.

My mind is racing forward, thinking about tomorrow, and the next day, and the next week.

When this ends.

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

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TAYLOR’S FATHER, a new single dad, forbidden, age-gap romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, is out now!

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My dream man Tate? Was Taylor’s father.

When my best friend Taylor gifted me a vacation at a resort owned by his grandparents, the last thing I expected was to bond with a man seventeen years older.

Tate was also vacationing alone.

He’d come to Midnight Key to clear his head and reevaluate his life.

I’d come to get over my high school sweetheart who’d dumped me.

I’d spotted the brawny, tattooed Adonis in the lobby on the first day and thought he had to be someone’s hot dad.

But then we matched on an app that paired single men and women by proximity.

The problem was? At nineteen—almost twenty—I’d lied and said I was twenty-nine.

Tate outed me on our first date, and I fessed up to my real age.

But we continued to run into each other.

And eventually we found our connection was too magnetic to deny.

While we agreed to only use first names and to part ways at the end of the trip, I’d really fallen for Tate.

I never forgot him and knew he was the one who got away.

Remember that guy friend who gifted me the trip?

Well, four years later, Taylor got married.

He’d been estranged from his dad for years, though recently they’d reconnected.

What I didn’t know was that the man I’d had that torrid affair with at the resort would be standing next to Taylor in the receiving line.

My dream man Tate? Was Taylor’s father.

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“An unforgettable journey about love that defied expectations, timing being everything and fate…” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 5 SMOOCHES review!

EXCERPT:

Copyright © 2025

By Penelope Ward

The next morning, I woke up happier than I’d been in a long time.

The prospect of seeing Tate again filled me with anticipation. It was a wonder I’d gotten any sleep.

His words from last night still replayed in my head over and over.

“A responsible person wouldn’t be struggling with whether to protect you or eat you.”

God, I hoped he ultimately chose the latter.

We hadn’t even exchanged phone numbers, so I was pleased to see a message come through the dating app from him.

Tate: I’m heading down to breakfast in a few. Care to join me?

Blair: Only if you order me four different kinds of beverages to choose from. BTW, it’s never too early for an espresso martini.

Tate: You’re about two years too early.

I laughed as I typed.

Blair: Very funny.

Tate: See you in a few?

Blair: Maybe…

Tate: Brat.

Blair: You like that about me.

Tate: You’re not wrong.

My mouth hurt from smiling.

When I got downstairs, I saw Tate before he saw me. He sat at a table with a huge pile of food spread before him. How did this man look even more hot today? He wore his baseball hat backward, which was absolutely my weakness. The way pieces of his hair poked out the sides? Scrumptious. Every look he’d rocked was sexier than the last.

I walked over to where he was sitting. “Hey, you.”

He gave me a once-over, and his eyes filled with something that seemed a hell of a lot like desire as he appraised the floral sundress I wore, the top of which was held up by two skimpy strings. My current look wasn’t as dramatic as last night’s, though. Today I had gone for fresh-faced and sassy.

“Well, hello.” He smiled. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a baby…”

“No comment.”

“You’d better not.” I took the seat across from him. “How did you sleep?”

“Best sleep I’ve had in a while, actually.”

“Must have been the company you kept the night before.”

“I did have an amazing time with you last night.” Tate smiled.

He seemed genuine, and I felt myself blush. “Likewise.” I gestured to the food. “Hungry much?”

There were eggs, bacon, a huge stack of pancakes, home fries, and fruit.

“All of this is for both of us. Have you seen that buffet line? I waited for like twenty minutes. Didn’t want you to have to do the same.”

“Well, I guess I win for being fashionably late. Thank you.” I grinned. “Between the variety of drinks the first time we met and this private buffet, I’m starting to think this is your thing—hoarding food.”

He gestured to the plates. “Eat up.”

How I wish I could.

For some reason, I wasn’t all that hungry—at least for food. But it was amusing to watch this big, strong man devour his breakfast.

“What are your plans today?” I asked as he munched.

“Depends on whether a certain girl wants to hang out with me.”

“I wasn’t gonna be presumptuous. You’re the one who’s been resistant.”

“Only to certain things and for your own good,” he clarified. “I’m not resistant to your company in the least. I quite like it.”

“So what’s another safe activity we can do so you don’t have to feel like a creeper?”

Tate stopped chewing for a moment. “I was thinking maybe we could go kayaking, if you’re up for it.”

My mouth curved into a smile. “I would love that, actually.”

In truth, I could take or leave kayaking. But any activity where I’d be in close proximity to Tate today was fine by me.

“Cool. I already booked it.”

“Now you’re the one being presumptuous.”

“Maybe, yeah.” He winked before stuffing a big piece of pancake into his mouth.

Never thought I could be jealous of a pancake, but here we were.

I reached my fork across the table and began eating off his plate. As I leaned forward, I accidentally rested my foot on top of his at one point. To my surprise, he didn’t move it away. The contact sent a rush of desire through me.

I popped a piece of pineapple into my mouth. “Do anything interesting when you got back to your room last night?”

“Not particularly.” He chewed.

“After what you said about contemplating eating me, I think you might be lying.”

He stopped mid-bite and shook his head. “Even if I did do what you’re implying, I wouldn’t admit it.”

“I’m pretty sure you just did.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your face is red. You’re fidgeting. The signs are all there.”

I strategically selected a banana, holding it firmly in my hand as I slowly peeled it and took a big bite. Tate’s eyes remained fixed on me the entire time. “It was the only way I could sleep,” I added.

He nearly choked on his coffee.

“What you said riled me up,” I told him.

“Some things can remain private.” He glared. “You know?”

“So, you don’t want to know about my soothing Epsom salt foot soak?”

Tate reached across the table, grabbed my banana, and took a frustrated bite.

About Penelope Ward:

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

Find Penelope here:

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