Kyle did have to say he was pleasantly surprised, when he pulled off the interstate at the exit for Bayview, to actually find a Starbucks. He loaded up with a grande Americano with two extra shots, enough caffeine to keep him awake while he made polite conversation with a dowdy innkeeper. While avoiding his true purpose for the visit.Sipping his high-octane drink, he piloted his rental car down the highway to Bayview, taking note of the tropical landscaping on both sides of the road. He didn't know what he'd expected, but it wasn't the attractive homes and buildings, all with a distinct Florida appeal. Whatever that was, he thought.When he saw the sign that said Entering Bayview, Population 3512, he cringed. What in hell could someone find to do in a town that small? He saw a convenience store a few yards past the sign and decided to pull in and feel out the situation. He noticed with idle interest the number of bikes parked outside the store and wondered if there was a special eve
Pepper hugged herself tighter to the stranger and whispered in his ear, "Please play along with me. If you do, there's no charge for your stay here."There was a fifty-fifty chance he'd do it, and she held her breath, waiting for his response. What she didn't expect was for him to cup her head with one of his large hands and pull her in for another kiss. His lips were warm and firm and tasted slightly of coffee. She was so shocked when he traced the seam of her mouth with his tongue that she opened for him without even thinking.Lordy! He tasted like seven kinds of sin. As his tongue probed her mouth and danced over the surface, her nipples tightened in response and moisture flooded her panties. Her blood heated, and her pulse thundered so hard she was sure everyone could hear it.Pepper's entire body vibrated as the kiss went on and on and on. Whatever soap he'd showered with still clung to him, tantalizing her senses, something with a clean, outdoorsy scent to it that reminded her
Curiosity flashed in Kyle Montgmery's eyes. "I assume you don't do that with all your guests?""Of course not." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I was caught in a very bad situation.""Let me guess. Your parents are trying to meddle in your life and get you married off."Her eyes widened. "How did you guess?""My folks keep trying to do the same with me. I guess neither set has figured out yet we're old enough to handle that ourselves."She blew out a puff of air. "Of course, now I have to figure out how to explain this was all a big hoax." Then she brightened. "Or we could tell them that, after the first few minutes, we decided we really didn't like each other.""But that wouldn't take care of the problem. Especially if that jerk that was here is the boyfriend-in-waiting.""Not in my life," she snapped. "But you're right.""So, how about this? I'm really here so I can hang out for a few days and get away from the rat race. Maybe we could pretend this is re
Pepper felt herself blush and bit her lip. She was good at what she did, and she knew it. Praise from others rolled off her shoulders. So, why did the same words from this man turn her into a quivering mass of jelly?What on earth have I gotten myself into? What do I say?"I'll be sure to tell that to my mama," was what she finally said."So tell me..." Kyle licked a few chocolate crumbs from his fingers, swiping with his tongue. The act was so insanely erotic that the walls of her sex quivered and her breasts ached with unfamiliar heaviness. "What's the story behind our so-called engagement?"Pepper was so hypnotized watching him lick his fingers and swallow his muffin his words barely registered."Uh, what?"His laugh was husky and rolled over her like warm molasses. "Our engagement? I mean, I should at least have some background, right?""Oh. Yes." She sighed. "It's all because I don't want my folks to sell Hibiscus House."His eyes widened. "This is all about a B&B?"Peppe
Kyle leaned back in his seat in the sporty little roadster and studied the woman driving the car. The more he was with her, the more he wanted her. The last thing he'd expected when he'd been forced into what he thought of as social purgatory was to be met so enthusiastically by a woman so desirable, so hot he was instantly aroused. When she'd jumped into his arms, plastered herself against his body, and kissed him like she meant serious business, he'd responded without his brain even being engaged. He'd almost forgotten his first assumption that his parents, especially his mother, had set the whole thing up.She was, in fact, delightful. If he could forget his irritation at being set up, playing along with her little game was going to be fun, unexpected spice for a trip he'd been dreading and a business situation he wanted nothing to do with. He anticipated long days and longer nights with Pepper, until he had to leave. Despite the fact that they were supposed to be engaged, she unde
Kyle still had the unreal feeling he'd walked onto a movie set, all of it so stereotypical. He'd have to pay close attention to every detail while he was here because he couldn't for the life of him imagine why his parents thought this would be a lucrative deal for them. Starting a new division with B&Bs.... Well, there had to be a hundred other spots to choose from. Smaller cities, for example.Then a thought struck him. Maybe his parents were thinking about retiring here. No, not possible. He couldn't imagine them outside the busy world of Dallas. Of course, stranger things had happened. At least one good thing had come from this trip. He could spend his time here as the fiancé of the very sexy, very smart Pepper Thornton. An unexpected bonus.Their little walking tour was certainly an exercise in...something. Everyone in Bayview seemed to know Pepper, which was good for business. On the other hand, they all seemed to be all up in her business, giving him the third degree that he s
Pepper gave a sigh of relief that at last she was in the sanctuary of Hibiscus House. To her, the evening had been interminable, the steady barrage of questions from both of her parents like swords falling on her head. And Kyle? Lordy, he had been beyond wonderful. Where did someone get that kind of discipline and charm? Too bad their engagement was only a fake.She wondered what on earth he did when he wasn't pretending to be in love with her. No doubt he had women falling all over him. She'd certainly been ready to fight them off today as they did their walking tour of Bayview. No matter the age, they shamelessly let their tongues hang out wherever she took him. So much so that she eagerly let him hold her hand in his as they walked along.Tonight at dinner had been next to unbelievable. Mama had spent half the time waving people over to introduce "Pepper's fiancé" and tell them to watch for the Save the Date postcard. The other half, she joined her husband in giving poor Kyle the
Every part of Pepper's body came alive. Her breasts ached for his touch, the thick fabric of her bra abrading her painfully tight nipples. She was seized with an uncontrollable desire to rip off her clothes and climb up his body, and all he'd done was kiss her. But, damn, that kiss was potent. His tongue was an electric flame in her mouth, generating enough heat to scorch every one of her erogenous zones. She thrust her fingers into the thick chocolate velvet of his hair, holding his head in place, drinking from his mouth as he was feasting from hers.He slid one hand down her spine, fingertips tracing the line before he reached down to cup one cheek of her bottom. Her body tightened, her inner muscles clenching with a sudden desperate need. Breaking the kiss, he slid his lips across her cheek and dropped a light string of kisses along her jawline.Oh god. She wanted him with a sudden, unexpected desperation. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she wanted a man more