Desires Uncovered

Book 3: Ardor Creek

by Ayla Asher

Genres: Contemporary Romance; Later in Life Romance; Small-town Romance; Later in life romance; steamy romance; tearjerker; audiobook; duet narration; Ardor Creek; older heroine; infertility storyline with HEA

Synopsis

Ardor Creek, Book 3

It was supposed to be a casual affair…

Dr. Teresa Roe moved from the bustling city to small-town Pennsylvania, hoping the slower pace would help her focus on finding a partner and building a family. Unfortunately, life had other plans, and Teresa finds herself single in her mid-forties, unable to have the children she craves. Determined to focus on the positives, she builds her thriving therapy practice and joins a hook-up app looking for a fun, no-strings-attached affair.

Mark Lancaster has no time to date or cultivate a relationship, so meeting women on hook-up apps is perfect for his busy schedule. When he meets Teresa, he can’t believe his fortune at finding someone so smart, sexy, and funny. In fact, his casual affair with her quickly becomes the highlight of his hectic life.

When Mark decides to run for County District Attorney, his opponent quickly reveals their relationship, spinning their affair as nefarious and creating a scandal that almost derails the campaign. Thankfully, Teresa agrees to enter into a fake engagement, saving him from ruin. But the road to victory isn’t easy, and as they grow closer, the relationship they both swear is casual begins to grow into something real…

Can two fiercely independent souls find true love amidst scandal?

Welcome back to Ardor Creek! If you love fake relationship shenanigans that lead to true love, this audiobook is for you! There are discussions of infertility and domestic abuse so please consider that before you listen. Enjoy!

Release date: November 24, 2020

Print pages: 211

Sample

They shared a nice moment, quiet surrounding them as they settled into what would happen once their drinks were finished.

Clearing her throat, she said, “Well, I’m glad you didn’t send me a, um, picture of your…well, you know.  I thought that was standard practice nowadays.”

“Yeah, maybe I’m just old—I turned forty two weeks ago—but sending a dick pic isn’t high on my list.  Plus, I don’t want any pictures of my goods out there.  It wouldn’t bode well for my professional persona.”

“I get that.  I feel the same way.  I’m in my forties too so I guess we missed the generation that shares that stuff freely.”

His eyes shifted over her, and Teresa could tell he was trying to discern her age.

“You listed your age as forty-five on Pure,” he said, eyes narrowing.  “Is that fake too?”

“Depends,” she said, shrugging.  “Do I look forty-five?”

He squinted one eye.  “You look around my age, I guess.  I’m pretty bad with guessing ages.  Regardless, you’re very attractive, Teresa.”

A flush rushed over her cheeks at the compliment.  In truth, she was forty-six but felt that listing herself as one year younger wouldn’t hurt anyone.  Desire simmered in Mark’s eyes as he continued to give her that lazy smile.

“Well, I’m in my mid-forties, but thank you.  My parents are both from Barcelona and I inherited their olive skin.  Neither of them has noticeable wrinkles and they’re in their eighties so I hope I inherited their anti-aging genes.”

“Barcelona is beautiful,” he said, leaning back in the seat and sipping his beer.  “I went there for a law conference—,” he abruptly stopped speaking and flattened his lips.  After a moment, he continued.  “I went there for a work conference a few years ago and loved it.”

“Not a lawyer,” she teased, holding up her finger.  “Got it.”

“Man, I’m bad at this.”  He rubbed his forehead, giving a sheepish grin.  “I’m kind of an open book so it’s hard not to divulge things about myself.  I need to learn to be more discerning.”

“It’s tough, especially knowing what we came here to do.”

His gaze raked over her.  “Are you nervous?”

Biting her lip, she shook her head.  “No.  Well, maybe a little bit.  I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.  I think I’m excited more than anything.”

Sliding his hand over hers as it rested on her thigh, he laced their fingers.  “I’m excited too.  It’s always a bit weird, I guess, to be with a stranger but this is intimacy in the modern age, right?”