Ethan leans down and whispers a promise against the shell of my ear: “Later.”
And then he’s stepping back, walking over to the cabinet to get one of Andrew’s cups for water.
I walk over to find our little boy standing in the door of his room, looking guilty for being out of bed. His brown hair is in disarray and he has his scruffy teddy bear tucked under one arm. I scoop him up, secretly happy to have another moment to squeeze him close today.
“Is Dad coming too?”
“I’m right here, bud,” Ethan says, passing him the water cup over my shoulder.
“Will you guys tell me a story?”
“Didn’t Nana read to you already?” I ask, smiling.
He nuzzles his head against my neck. “Just a little,” he says, shattering my heart into a million pieces.
There’s no way we’re walking out of this room without telling him a story first. The boy has us wrapped around his finger.
“Okay, come lie down.”
Once we’re all settled on his bed with him tucked under the covers between us, Ethan starts us off.
“One time, there was a beautiful princess—”
Andrew cuts him off. “You’re supposed to say ‘Once upon a time’!”
“Ah.” Ethan nods reverently. “Of course. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Taylor.”
“That’s Mommy’s name!” Andrew says, eyes wide with wonder.
I smile and shake my head, resting my head beside Andrew’s on his pillow and closing my eyes as I listen to Ethan’s deep voice when he continues.
“She was smart and clever, but her kingdom had fallen on hard times and she was the only one who could save it.”
“What did she do?”
“She got a job so she could make money to help save the kingdom and all its people.”
Andrew cracks up. “Princesses can’t work, Dad!”
“Of course they can,” he insists.
“What was her job?”
“She helped build castles—at least she wanted to help, but there was an evil coldhearted dragon standing in her way.”
I chuckle, aware of where he’s going with this.
“Oh no,” Andrew gasps, fully invested.
“The evil dragon was mean to her and tried to stop her from saving her kingdom, but the princess didn’t let that deter her—”
“Deter?” Andrew asks.
“She didn’t let that stop her. She kept working hard, even when the dragon snarled and stomped and growled. And you know what happened?”
“What?!”
“Her bravery saved her kingdom after all, and on top of that, she managed to soften the heart of the dragon so much he fell in love with her.”
“But he’s a dragon!” Andrew protests. “Dragons can’t love princesses!”
Ethan’s hand gently strokes my hair as he replies, “This one did.”
I hope you enjoyed sharing a cabin with Taylor and Ethan ;)! If you love enemies-to-lovers, handsome jerks, and witty banter, keep reading for an excerpt from my bestselling romantic comedy
ARROGANT DEVIL.
SYNOPSIS
Everyone in Cedar Creek, Texas, knows Jack McNight is an arrogant devil. Physically, I get it: he’s tan and fit, with coal-black hair that’s clearly been scorched by hellfire. Oh, and his personality? It burns just as hot.
When I show up on the doorstep of Blue Stone Ranch, I’m run-down and rockin’ my last pair of underwear. I’m hoping for a savior, but instead, I find him.
My opinion of Jack is marred by a dismal first impression, but his opinion of me is tainted even before I arrive. He’s heard I’m a spoiled princess there to take advantage of his goodwill. To him, I’m more trouble than I’m worth.
Our button-pushing banter should get under my skin. His arrogance should be a major turn-off. Problem is, devils are known to offer their own form of temptation.
Every one of his steely glares sends a shiver down my spine.
Every steamy encounter leaves me reeling.
Sure, it could be the Texas heat messing with my head, but there’s no way I’ll survive the summer without silencing him with a kiss and wrestling him out of those Wranglers.
Who knows…going to bed with the devil might just be the salvation I’ve been looking for all along.
Chapter 1
Meredith
I left my husband last night. There’s something so nice about the past tense—left. He’s still in California. Meanwhile, I’m standing in a gas station in Middle-of-Nowhere, Texas. I have no money, no car. I pawned a gaudy diamond tennis bracelet to purchase a plane ticket to San Antonio, and to its credit, the bracelet also paid for the taxi currently fueling up at the pump outside. However, my cash has run out and my stomach is growling.
I eyeball the shelves lined with an array of sugary