Thanks to her bangin' curves, Valerie Carmichael has always turned heads – with the exception of seriously sexy Logan Mathis. Just Valerie's luck that the object of her lust-filled affection is also best friends with her overprotective brother. But Valerie's determined to get Logan's attention...even if it means telling a teeny little lie to get a job at his new bar.
Logan can't remember a time when Valerie didn't secretly fuel all his hottest fantasies. Now the curvaceous she-devil is working behind his bar, tempting him every damn night. It's only when he finds Valerie's naughty things-to-do list that Logan decides to break every rule in the book – by making each red-hot deed a reality.
No one warned them that they were going to fall this hard. And no one warned them that sometimes the smallest secrets can have the biggest consequences.
A Hachette Audio production.
Release date:
June 27, 2017
Publisher:
Grand Central Publishing
Print pages:
368
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Valerie Carmichael needed a drink. A strong one. Because it was the only way she envisioned herself getting through the night.
Then again, maybe if she drank enough, the alcohol would sour her stomach and give her a good excuse to bail out and take the first cab home. Sadly, that option sounded the most appealing.
An elbow nudged into her side, bringing her thoughts back to the crowded bar. “I can’t see anything through all of these people,” Brett said, scanning the room with his eyes. “Come on, let’s go to the other side so I can get a better view.”
Sighing, Valerie trudged behind him without a word.
When Brett had asked her to attend the grand opening of Bottoms Up, a new bar in their hometown of Granite, Texas, she’d hesitated to say yes. Sure, she was curious what the inside of the recently remodeled bar looked like and had no doubt the place would be jam-packed with handsome, available men. But it was still the last place on earth she wanted to be.
She knew better than to hang out in bars with her older and only—thank God—brother. Every time she’d done so in the past, the nights had always ended the same way. Brett would spend the entire evening hovering over her like a rabid pit bull, daring any single guy with a glint in his eye to look her way. And eventually, one of them would.
At least one brave soul, brimming with liquid courage, would be dumb enough—or drunk enough—to risk approaching her while Brett stood guard. Then the potentially suicidal man would quickly find out what a hot-tempered asshole her brother could be. It was inevitable.
Because Valerie turned heads. She always had.
Oh, she wasn’t silly enough to believe she looked like some gorgeous supermodel with a lean, trim figure or anything. She definitely didn’t. But she had a pretty face, banging plus-size curves, and a lively personality. And that was good enough for her. Valerie was just…Valerie. And damn proud of it.
Unfortunately, that noteworthy self-confidence of hers was akin to a powerful magnet, drawing unassuming male moths to her female flame. Which meant, as with any heat source, there was always a chance someone would get burned. And with Brett around, odds were in her favor that it wasn’t going to be her.
As they made their way across the room, Brett’s muscular frame easily parted the sea of people, giving her plenty of space to walk behind him without bumping into anyone. But even then, she only made it ten feet before a masculine arm circled her waist and pulled her back against a hard body. “Hey, baby. Wanna dance?”
Valerie winced. Another guy with a death wish. Lovely.
No, wait. She recognized that voice, didn’t she?
Glancing over her right shoulder, she stared directly into Max’s playful eyes just as Brett whipped around and shoved Max away from her. “Get your hands off my sister, jackass.”
Max released her and held his hands up in surrender. “Whoa! I was just playing around with her. No need to get pissy about it, buddy.”
“I’m not your goddamn buddy,” Brett sneered, fire flashing in his eyes as he stepped toward Max.
Valerie scrambled into her brother’s path to keep him at bay. “Stop it! He’s just a friend of mine, Brett. You don’t have to go all caveman on him.”
“Then tell your friend to keep his damn hands off you.” Her brother shot Max one of his blue-eyed Taser glares, which usually sent most men retreating.
But Max wasn’t like most men and continued to stand there, as if he was throwing down a challenge of his own. One Brett was clearly willing to accept, since he started for Max.
Jesus. Here we go again. Valerie readjusted her position and placed her hands on Brett’s chest to stop him. “Knock it off right now. Damn it, you promised to behave yourself tonight. If you can’t control yourself, then I’m going home.” She almost hoped Brett would throw a punch just so she had a reason to leave. Sorry, Max.
“Me?” Brett asked innocently, his eyes widening. “I didn’t do anything…yet.” He zapped another threatening look in Max’s direction for good measure.
Valerie shook her head, annoyed with the whole situation. “Why don’t you just go ahead without me, and I’ll catch up to you in a little bit?”
Her brother didn’t move.
God, why did I come out tonight? Me and my bright ideas. “Damn it, Brett. Just go already. I’ll be fine. I want to talk to Max.” Her brother planted his feet, as if he planned to wait for her, so she added, “Without my bodyguard present, if you don’t mind.”
Brett gritted his teeth and set his jaw but eventually stalked away. Once Valerie was sure he wasn’t coming back, she turned her attention to Max and sighed. “Sorry about that. My brother’s a little…intense.”
“Who, that guy? Nah.” Max’s sardonic tone wasn’t lost on her, but then he shrugged. “No big deal, Val. You warned me that your brother was an asshole. If I had known he was with you tonight, I wouldn’t have grabbed you like that.”
She grinned. “You’re such a liar.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a tiny smirk. “I know.”
Though they’d met only six months before at Rusty’s Bucket—a seedy local dive bar that made this place look like some kind of upscale cocktail lounge—she’d had Max’s number from the beginning. And she wasn’t referring to his telephone digits…though she had those too.
Upon meeting Max, Valerie had quickly figured out two things about him. One, he was a decent guy, even though he was a bit of a troublemaker at times. Two, he hadn’t been remotely attracted to her. Which was fine with her, since she hadn’t been interested in him either.
She hadn’t lied when she told Brett that Max was just a friend. Nothing romantic had ever evolved between them and never would. At the time, they had each unknowingly used the opportunity to set up their best friends, Leah and Sam, by feigning interest in each other.
And it had worked! The lucky couple were now engaged and living together in Sam’s apartment while his construction crew built their new house not far from Leah’s bakery, Sweets n’ Treats. Within three weeks, Leah would have her intimate beach wedding and be moving into her glorious new home with the man of her dreams.
And Valerie couldn’t be happier for them.
Especially since the one-bedroom apartment over the bakery was now available for Valerie to rent, thus making Leah not only her best friend and employer but also her landlord.
“I’m surprised to see you here tonight,” Max said, steering Valerie toward a surprisingly vacant seat at the small side bar in the corner. “Leah said you weren’t coming.”
“I didn’t plan to,” she said, noting how strange it was that there were plenty of seats in the area around them while the rest of the bar harbored wall-to-wall people. She slid onto the black, vinyl-covered stool as Max stationed himself next to her. “I know it’s hard to believe I’d miss it though.”
“No kidding. Since when do you not enjoy the bar scene, party girl?”
Okay, so maybe I’m not the only one who’s got someone’s number.
Grinning, she ignored his question and glanced around the room. “So where are Leah and Sam? I thought they’d be here by now.”
“They’re here,” he confirmed. “They headed over to the main bar to get a drink. The bartenders over there are much faster than this one is,” Max said, gesturing to the young man fumbling a glass behind the bar. “If you want something to drink, you better tell me quick. If he has to make more than one drink at a time, you’ll die of thirst before I can save you.”
Normally, Valerie would have ordered a beer, but the shiny metallic bandage dress she wore showed off her feminine side and wasn’t really the kind of outfit a lady would drink a beer in. Hmm. Something colorful and fruity perhaps? Besides, the hard liquor would probably help ease some of the tension she’d felt creeping up her spine since she’d entered the building. “Um, how about an appletini?”
“A what?”
She grinned. “An apple martini.”
Max nodded. “You got it. Coming right…er, scratch that. You might get it soon, if you’re lucky.” He grinned and then leaned over the bar and repeated the order to the young bartender.
The barkeep nodded in acknowledgment but seemed a bit unsure of what to do. When he finally made the decision to reach for a glass, it took him three tries before he found the one used for martinis. Even as he chilled the glass with ice, he moved so slowly and deliberately that Valerie wondered if he was pacing himself so he didn’t pull a muscle in his hand. If he didn’t learn to speed up, the thirsty bar-goers would eat him for breakfast. Because, chances were, it would take him until morning to finish making one drink. Jeez.
While they waited for her drink, Max and Valerie lingered at the bar counter chatting about their friends’ pending nuptials. Since they were the best man and maid-of-honor, Max and Valerie would soon be walking down the aisle together. Of course, she wouldn’t dare word it that way to her brother or he’d jump to conclusions and blow a gasket.
After a few minutes, Sam and Leah emerged from the dense crowd, with a beer bottle for him and a glass of water for her. Apparently, Leah was still on that damn diet and counting calories so she would fit into her wedding dress. Though why she didn’t just buy the dress in a larger size was beyond Valerie.
Leah blinked at the sight of her sitting with Max. “Val? What are you doing here? You said you weren’t coming.”
Valerie shrugged. “I changed my mind.”
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, sure. Why?”
“When you said you didn’t want to go out, I assumed you were sick. You never turn down a night out. Actually, you’re the one who’s always asking me to go.” Leah placed her palm lightly against Valerie’s forehead. “You sure you don’t have the flu or something?”
Valerie laughed and pushed her friend’s hand away. “Oh, stop it. I just didn’t feel like getting dressed up. I’m getting tired of the whole bar scene.”
Leah squinted with disbelief. “Since when?”
Since three weeks ago when I found out this place was opening. Valerie gazed expectantly at the bartender, who was using a jigger to carefully measure out the vodka for her cocktail. Damn, she could really use that drink about now. She sighed inwardly. “I’m fine,” she told Leah. “I was tired, but the mood passed.”
“Good,” Sam said cheerfully, clasping a hand on his buddy’s shoulder. “Then maybe you can help us keep Max out of trouble for one evening. Lord knows he needs all the help he can get.”
Max just grinned.
“Already on top of it,” Valerie replied. “A few minutes ago, he met my brother.”
Leah’s eyes widened. “Oh no. Brett’s here? I can only imagine how well that went over.”
“Yep, exactly what you’re thinking. It didn’t. But I managed to send Brett away for the time being. I’m sure he’s still watching me from some dark corner though.” She leaned over to Max and loudly mock-whispered, “If you want to keep your arms attached to your body, I wouldn’t make any sudden movements in my direction.”
They all laughed, probably because a truer statement had never been spoken. As the chuckling died down, the young bartender finally slid a green-tinted apple martini on the counter in front of Valerie. Thank goodness.
Max reached for his wallet and nodded across the room in the direction Brett had wandered off in. “Think I can get away with paying for your drink, smart-ass? Or should I consult your brother first?”
She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Oh no. You don’t have to ask his permission for that.” Then her gaze followed the same trail Max’s had. “Always feel free to pay for my—”
Valerie’s heart stopped, along with her lips. Oh God.
Across the room, Brett stood there talking to a tall, dark-haired man who had one thumb hooked in the front pocket of his jeans while he leaned comfortably against the wall with his right shoulder. She couldn’t see the other guy’s face, but she didn’t need to. Valerie recognized all six feet, two inches of him.
Jesus. I don’t think I can do this.
“Can’t do what?” Leah asked, puzzlement filling her voice.
Shit. Had she said that out loud?
Valerie winced. Her friends probably thought Brett’s ridiculous brotherly behavior had been the motivation for her wanting to stay home tonight…and that was partly true. But she hadn’t told them the real reason—a bigger reason—for wanting to avoid stepping into the hottest new bar in town. And that reason not only had a name, but he was the owner. Logan Mathis.
“Val?” Leah placed her hand on Valerie’s shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts and right back into her noisy surroundings.
She immediately lifted her drink and downed the martini in one gulp then rubbed a flat hand across her queasy stomach. “I can do this,” she whispered in encouragement to herself.
Sam and Max were no longer paying attention and were busy having a heated football discussion, but Leah raised one suspicious brow. “What the hell are you talking about?” she asked before her gaze fell on the empty martini glass. “How many of those have you had?”
Valerie glanced across the room again at the man who had her insides tied up in knots and sighed heavily. “Not nearly enough.”
Leah’s gaze immediately followed the invisible trail of bread crumbs Valerie had left behind. She grinned and pointed across the bar. “Hey, isn’t that—”
“Logan Mathis,” Valerie groaned, not bothering to hide the contempt in her voice.
“Yeah, that’s the one. He was your brother’s—”
“Best friend.”
She nodded. “Yep, but didn’t he move away like—”
“Eight years ago.”
Leah pursed her mouth in annoyance. “Okay, how about you actually let me ask the question before you answer it?”
Despite the way her stomach was churning, Valerie couldn’t help but grin. “Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Isn’t he the guy you had that huge crush on back then?”
Valerie blinked rapidly. “Wait. H-how did you…”
“Oh, come on,” Leah said, rolling her eyes. “You didn’t really think you fooled me, did ya? You mooned over the Mathis boy every chance you got. And the way you always wanted to tag along with the two of them, though Brett frustrated the hell out of you most days. It was obvious.”
Great. Just great. Valerie closed her eyes and rubbed at her temples before looking back at Logan. He had shifted his position and was now leaning with his back against the brick wall, which gave her a clear view of his face. Her mouth went dry. Good Lord. Could he possibly get any hotter?
He had the same brooding brown eyes from before, but his muscled frame had filled out and taken on a more rugged appearance. A five o’clock shadow now graced his chiseled jaw but gave his face more depth and dimension.
His clothes, however, were a bit misleading from the Logan she remembered. The neutral-toned flannel shirt permitted him an almost respectable, approachable look that was probably good for his business. But then she noticed that he’d only slightly tucked in the front of the shirt, enough to showcase the noticeable bulge beneath his belt buckle. As if he were putting his manhood on display.
There’s the Logan she remembered. That damn subtle arrogance of his.
Leah eyed her warily. “So that’s why you’re acting so weird tonight? You still have a thing for Logan?”
“No, I don’t,” Valerie answered quickly.
“Oh my God. You do! You’re practically sweating right now,” Leah accused, grinning her ass off. She peeked over at him again. “Hmm. Well, he does look good.”
“Really? I haven’t noticed,” Valerie said, keeping herself from taking another peek.
Leah looked more confused than ever. “But haven’t you seen him since he got back into town?”
“No. I’ve been…busy. I had all that unpacking to do, ya know? And I’m pretty sure that opening a new bar required a lot of his attention.”
“Val, you moved into my old apartment a month ago, and I helped you unpack everything the first week you were…” Leah paused. “Hold on. Did you say he opened a new bar? As in this bar?”
“Um, yeah. It’s his place.”
“I didn’t know that. I guess all this wedding planning has kept me distracted and out of the loop. I’m surprised you didn’t mention it thou…” Leah paused then threw back her head and cackled. “Oh, I get it! So that’s why you didn’t want to come out tonight. You’re avoiding him.”
When Valerie bit her lip, Leah grinned wider, apparently enjoying the role reversal they had going on. Then she eyed Logan from across the room once more. “I never thought I’d say this to you, Valerie, but payback is a real bitch.”
Before Valerie could stop her, Leah waved her hand in the air, snaring Brett’s attention. He immediately recognized his sister’s best friend and nodded to her before leaning toward Logan. Brett’s mouth moved with inaudible words that had Logan’s head spinning in the girls’ direction.
Valerie leaned back quickly so that Max’s body blocked her from view as Logan glanced over. “Leah, what the hell?” She peeked around Max’s shoulder in time to see Brett start in their direction…with Logan on his heels. “Oh God! Why the hell did you do that?”
“Because I’m your friend. There’s no point in avoiding him. It’s like ripping off a bandage. Just get it over with already.”
“Damn it, Leah…”
“Don’t be mad. Besides, Granite isn’t that big of a town, and you were bound to run into him sooner or later anyway.”
“I was good with later.”
Leah giggled and then tapped Sam on the shoulder, interrupting his conversation with Max. “Why don’t the three of us go grab another round of drinks from across the room? Brett’s coming over here, and I’m pretty sure Valerie is going to need a refill…or possibly ten.”
“What?” Valerie blinked at her. “Now you’re leaving me all by myself? Gee, thanks. Some friend you are.”
“I’m doing you a favor. You’ll thank me for it later. Besides, you wouldn’t want me standing here grinning like a fool when he walks up,” Leah said with a wink. “Let me know what happens though. I’m dying to hear how all this plays out.” Then she flitted away, taking Sam and Max with her.
Traitor. She’ll be lucky if I tell her anything at all.
Brett and Logan wove their way through the crush of people invading the bar, and with every step they took in her direction, Valerie could feel the room growing considerably smaller. Unwilling to make eye contact, she turned her body to the bar and stared straight ahead. Adrenaline raced through her veins, and her nerves surged with anxiety. Yep, definitely going to throw up.
The moment the air pressure surrounding her changed, she knew Logan—and his overbearing male presence—was standing behind her. It was as if she could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t put it off any longer. Straightening her posture, she sucked in a calming breath and crossed her legs, allowing her short skirt to ride up her thighs a little more than was polite. She planted a big smile on her face, spun around on her bar stool, and looked directly at Logan’s unsmiling face. He had always towered over her much shorter frame, but somehow she’d forgotten how impossibly small he could make her feel with just one simple look.
Logan’s eyes met hers head on, and his lips curved. “Well, well. If it isn’t Princess Valerie.”
* * *
Logan Mathis hadn’t seen Valerie Carmichael since he’d skipped out of town eight years ago, but the moment he’d come face-to-face with his best friend’s kid sister, he couldn’t help himself. He’d called her the one thing he knew would get a rise out of her.
And boy, did it ever.
Just like in the past, Valerie jutted out that perfect pointy chin and narrowed those piercing ice-blue eyes. But instead of shrieking at him like she used to, Val did something he hadn’t expected. She lifted one brow in a prominent arch, as if daring him to find out just how much of a princess she really was. Interesting.
Her cool, assessing eyes flickered over him. “Logan,” she stated calmly, though her pitch held an undeniable amount of irritation, “I heard you were back in town. What happened? Houston got tired of you and decided to kick you out?”
The young Valerie he remembered from years before had always been pretty and blooming with personality, but this girl, this woman, sitting in front of him had an air of confidence he hadn’t seen before.
He smiled at the hostile edge to her tone, but as his gaze landed on the exposed flesh of her upper thighs, he began feeling a little antagonistic himself. “Yeah, guess that’s what happens when a guy makes his way through all their women.”
Brett laughed and slapped him on the back. “Good one, bro.” Then he nodded toward the empty glass on the bar. “Looks like you’re empty, Val. Want another one of those…uh, whatever the hell that thing is?”
A smile tugged on her red-painted lips as she swept her long, wavy blond hair over her right shoulder. “It’s an apple martini. And yes, I’d love another.” She leaned toward her brother and lowered her voice to almost a whisper. “But you. . .
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