Wrapped In You

Book 1: Monroes

by Jules Bennett

Genres: Family Life; Siblings; Small Town & Rural; Women's Fiction; Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

USA Today -Bestselling Author: A reunion may heal a painful past—and renew a passionate love—in this “small town romance with great big heart” (Roxanne St. Claire, New York Times- bestselling author of Hush, Puppy). "Another page turner—I couldn't put it down!" —Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author The Monroe brothers found a home in Haven, Georgia, thanks to the big-hearted couple who adopted them all. Now, grieving their late sister, these three very different men will come together to honor her memory. And with the help of some unforgettable women, each will find the chance to build a whole new future. . . Zach Monroe has made mistakes—big ones. The worst left the girl he loved injured, and his own brother barely speaking to him. It was a night Zach won't let himself forget, even when the girl in question—perfect, polished Sophie Allen—walks back into his life. A realtor, Sophie's brought an offer for their sister's dilapidated Civil War era property. But Zach's determined to renovate the rambling old place himself—though he longs to rebuild Sophie's trust in him. . . A business deal isn't how Sophie wanted to approach Zach after all this time, but he won't let anyone get personal. She can't deny that the accident changed her life in irreparable ways. But watching gruff, quiet Zach beat himself up year after year hurts too. The wounded boy she once adored needed love, and the man is no different. Now Sophie will need every bit of her resolve to convince Zach to let love heal them both. . . "Captivating. . .sexy. . .emotional! Jules Bennett delivers another delicious read!" —Catherine Mann, USA Today bestselling author “Jules Bennett writes a tender and h

Release date: March 29, 2016

Publisher: Zebra Books

Print pages: 352

Sample

On any other day, Zach Monroe would avoid the very tempting, sexy Sophie Allen for several very valid reasons. First, she looked too damn good in her little skirts hugging those round hips. Second, she was dating some prick who didn’t deserve her, so Zach had no business lusting.

Most of all, though, he’d ruined her life years ago. He’d been cocky when he should’ve been responsible.

In a move that shocked him, Sophie had called earlier in the day and asked him to come by her office. Actually she’d called his work line, which rang to his cell. Apparently she wanted to keep this impromptu meeting professional. Whatever. The sooner he figured out what she wanted, the sooner he could leave and get back to his work. A career in construction meant limited time talking to people and plenty of time hammering out frustrations.

Zach tugged on the old oak door of the little town house where Sophie’s real estate office was located in Haven, Georgia. A single bell chimed, indicating his arrival.

The second he stepped over the threshold the scent of something floral hit him in the gut.

Sophie. Anytime he’d been around her she’d always smelled like flowers, like freshness and summertime.

Great, now he was sounding like a damn woman describing Sophie’s signature scent. He totally lost all control of his thoughts when he was anywhere near her.

A penance for his crime much worse than the year he’d spent in jail.

The small office space with the pale yellow walls, various green plants in colorful pots adorning the waiting area, looked inviting the way he imagined Sophie would want. Sunlight flooded through the wide front window, casting a beam directly into her little space in this world.

The woman he’d once considered a good friend, and possibly something more, rounded the end of the hallway, a document in one hand, pen in the other. She had one of those damn body-hugging skirts that stopped at her knees, this one in dark purple, paired with a simple gray sleeveless sweater and little flats in some animal print. Her golden hair spiraled down around her shoulders in soft curls he’d give anything to feel over his body. She never failed to steal his breath. That instant punch to the gut happened every single time she came near.

Sophie probably just saw him as a scruffy construction worker who drove a beat-up old truck that sounded worse than it looked.

Whereas he saw her as everything his life wasn’t: polished, beautiful, and pure. His childhood demons alone were enough to prove how different they truly were.

But it was her limp that got him in a stranglehold and tightened a vise around his chest. Some days her gait was more pronounced than others, but her handicap was always there, always twisting that knife a little deeper into his gut. Visual reminders of his screwups gutted him quicker than anything.

Sophie’s bright green eyes came up to meet his. “Zach.” Her shoulders stiffened, the grip on her papers tightened. “I’m still waiting on the others, if you want to have a seat in my office.”

Attention on her physical beauty and all he’d thrown away held him speechless. Then her words penetrated through the haze. “What others?”

“Liam and Braxton.” She turned and disappeared back into what he assumed was her office.

What the hell was this about?

Like the proverbial moth to a flame, Zach followed her. His mood plummeted from intrigued over the meeting to irritation with the impending get-together with his brothers.

Sophie’s office was just as inviting as the lobby area. The cheery yellow curtains, the fresh, vibrant floral arrangement in a small vase on her desk, and the picture in a silver frame. Zach’s eyes immediately went to the photo of Sophie standing with Zach’s late sister, Chelsea.

Chelsea, who was taken from them all too soon. She’d been vibrant, full of energy and life, and always seeking the next adventure. The fact that she’d died in a freak skiing accident was enough to give him some warped sense of peace. She hadn’t suffered and she’d been doing what she loved. Still . . .

“Seems unreal, doesn’t it?” she asked, her eyes traveling to the photo as she stood behind her desk. “I don’t know how many times I’ve started to text her or I’ve turned down her street and caught myself. I miss talking to her, miss her laugh.”

Zach swallowed hard. Yeah, he’d done the same. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to not having his full-of-life sister around. She was the only one out of all four adopted siblings that ever “got” him.

Pausing at the two chairs in front of Sophie’s desk, Zach opted to stand against the wall. No need to get cozy here when he was damn near a panic attack at being so close to Sophie in such a small space.

Zach hadn’t seen Sophie since the funeral four months ago, when she’d cried in his arms, clinging to his shirt at the graveside. Zach doubted she’d specifically sought him out for comfort. He just happened to be the one in line behind her when she’d broken. He’d been hesitant to embrace her, but once he had, he’d entered into another level of hell because now he knew how perfect she felt in his arms. He realized what all he’d thrown away.

When she’d pulled herself together, though, she’d released him like she’d been burned and turned on her heels for her car. He hadn’t seen her since.

He’d been so caught up in his own grief, he hadn’t considered how she was coping. Zach figured her hoity-toity boyfriend with his polished cuff links had probably patted her on the back. While Zach had mascara on his dress shirt, he couldn’t imagine Sophie’s man letting his suits get ruined.

Seeing her walk away from that graveside had shifted something in him. Something he couldn’t define and something he’d had no choice but to ignore.

The bell on the front door chimed again. Zach raked his palm over his face, his whiskers bristling against his palm. Which brother would step through the door next? The one Zach actually still talked to, or the one Zach avoided at all costs?

“We’re in here,” Sophie called as she crossed her office to greet the new guest.

Folding his arms over his chest, Zach kept his eyes on the floor. Focusing on his scuffed work boots against the pristine white carpeting was far better than seeing Sophie’s limp as she left the room.

“Wow. This must be something major for you to show up.”

Zach glanced toward the door at his younger brother, Braxton. “I have no idea what we were called in for.”

Braxton sank into the chair across from Sophie’s desk. “You gonna have a seat?”

“I’m fine.”

On his feet, he was one step closer to the exit, right where he preferred.

Looking closer at Sophie’s office area gave him an insight into her life, her personality, whether he wanted to learn more or not. She obviously loved the color yellow. She also had an eye for art, if the pencil sketches randomly displayed were any indicator. The sketches of landscapes and old homes and buildings were so detailed.

Before he could study the artwork much more, the bell chimed for a third time. Perfect. The final piece to this missing, awkward puzzle had arrived. Let the party of anger and shouting begin.

Sophie led Liam in. Liam froze as his eyes landed on Zach. “What’s going on?”

Zach forced himself not to look away from the scar running down the side of Liam’s face. So much pain in this room, pain that none of them would discuss.

“I need to talk to you guys about the property Chelsea left you.” Sophie skirted around her desk and took a seat. Lacing her fingers over the rich wood top, she eyed all three men. “I apologize for not telling you all on the phone what was going on. I figured if I told Liam that Zach was coming, or vice versa, you all would find an excuse not to be here, and I needed all three of you in the same room.”

“What’s so important with the property?” Liam asked, taking the seat by Braxton.

They’d still not decided what to do with that monstrosity of a home on the edge of town. Their sister had bought it at a good price because it needed so much work, but Zach never did know what her true intentions were for the Civil War–era mansion.

Just a month ago he, Braxton, and Liam had been informed they were not only the new owners, per Chelsea’s will, they also owed the back taxes Chelsea had failed to pay. Perhaps it was a good thing Sophie called this little meeting, considering the brothers needed to figure out the tax issue and decide what to do with the property.

“The city council is interested in buying the estate,” Sophie went on. “They want to turn the main house and the two smaller cottages on the property into a museum and tourist attraction. With being so close to Savannah, and all the historical value of the home, they’re positive it will pull in more tourists.”

Zach snorted. Whatever his sister had wanted to do with the home was a mystery, but he sure as hell knew she wouldn’t want a museum. An old, stuffy museum was the total opposite of his free-spirited, fun sister.

Beyond that, there was no way in hell Zach would sell to anyone associated with the mayor.

He glanced at Braxton, trying to gauge his brother’s reaction to this news. Anytime the mayor’s name was brought up, Zach cringed for Braxton. Betrayal ran deep in this family.

“We haven’t discussed what we’re doing with it yet,” Braxton said through gritted teeth.

Sophie offered one of her signature sweet smiles. “I understand this is a difficult position. I really am just trying to help you guys get out from under such a burden.”

Zach waited for Braxton to say something more, or even for Liam to jump to his defense. When both remained quiet, Zach chimed in. “We need to pay the taxes first.”

“Actually, if you sell the home, the taxes would come out of the amount of the sale.” Sophie opened a folder and slid a paper out. “This is what the city is willing to pay for the place. It’s a good price. The taxes and mortgage would be paid off.”

Zach didn’t move from his spot against the wall. Hell, he was still grieving. How could he think about facts and figures right now? Facts and figures proposed by a man who had stabbed Braxton in the back only a few short years ago.

“Looks good to me,” Liam said after looking at the paper. He settled back into his chair and crossed an ankle over his knee. “I’m fine with selling, but Braxton needs to okay this.”

Silent, Braxton still studied the numbers. Whatever emotional turmoil Braxton struggled with, the man was always business first. More than likely Braxton was pushing back that slice of pain and crunching numbers in his head. Zach, on the other hand, didn’t need to see the paper.

“I’m not okay with this.” The words were out of Zach’s mouth before he thought to keep them in. Someone needed to stand up for Braxton and for what Chelsea would’ve wanted. “We can’t decide this second to sell. There’s too much to think about and we need to sit down and discuss this privately.”

Without turning, Liam snorted. “When the hell have you ever thought about a decision? You rush into everything.”

The barb hit home, but Zach wasn’t about to dredge up their past here. Or ever, if he could help it.

“Martin has convinced the mayor to offer a very generous amount.” Sophie stared at him across the room. Apparently thinking he was crazy. “You don’t want to sit on this.”

Zach didn’t give a shit what her boyfriend, Martin, had done or how generous the mayor’s offer was. Both were assholes as far as Zach was concerned.

Even though Zach was currently working on a project for the city, the project he was near completing was all business. This deal that Sophie was proposing on their behalf was crossing into the personal territory.

Beyond Braxton’s hatred for Mayor Stevens, Chelsea loved that property and it had been her dream to own it someday. How could they just sell?

The pre–Civil War home had housed slaves in the underground tunnels that led from the main house to two other homes on the estate that overlooked a lake. No boring museum would be going in there. He’d find a way to . . . hell, he didn’t know, but he knew he wasn’t selling to the assholes in suits.

“You have to pay the taxes somehow,” Sophie argued. “This is the best way to pay off the debt and not have to worry about what to do with such a large, empty estate.”

Still sitting forward in his seat to look at the paper, Braxton glanced over his shoulder at Zach. He merely stared back, waiting for Braxton’s thoughts. Hurt settled in Braxton’s eyes, but there was an overlying mask of anger.

Braxton shifted back around and faced Sophie. “We need to discuss this. We can’t decide right here.”

“And we’ll get the damn taxes paid,” Zach muttered just as Sophie opened her mouth. “Let us worry about Chelsea’s property. You can tell your boyfriend and the mayor we don’t want the offer.”

Sophie’s shoulders stiffened, her eyes narrowing in his direction. “I’m only trying to help everyone here. You don’t have to be a jerk.”

Yeah, well, he felt like a jerk, so how else was he supposed to act?

“What do you want to do with the property?” Liam asked, turning in his seat just enough to see Zach.

“Pay the taxes and figure it out from there.”

“I don’t have time to invest in that place,” Liam countered. “I understand why Braxton would hesitate, but you have to think about what a liability that property is going to be. I don’t want to sink money into something that will have no benefit to me.”

Zach uncrossed his arms and stood straight up. “Well, I’m not ready to get rid of that land. Chelsea loved that old house and she had a vision. She used every bit of her savings and her portion of the inheritance from Mom and Dad to buy the place, and you’re ready to just give it away for some museum? Or if that’s not enough, perhaps you’ve forgotten about—”

“Enough.” Braxton glared from one brother to another. “We’ll discuss this once we’ve all had a chance to think. Bringing up Anna won’t solve the problems.”

Anna. The woman Braxton had been engaged to until she’d shown her true colors and left Braxton days before the wedding. She’d run straight into Rand Stevens’s waiting arms. The two were both shallow, and Zach hoped they were miserable together for many, many years.

“I’ve thought of Braxton, but we can’t let that situation stop us from using common sense here.” Liam came to his feet, hands on his hips and blue eyes blazing. “I’m getting that headache off our hands. We’ve already paid the mortgage on it this month and still have the taxes due. I’m done.”

“Fine. Then be done with it. I’ll cover your part.” Good thing he had a chunk in savings, but even that would run out if he didn’t come up with a plan. “Consider yourself dismissed.”

Braxton rose, holding up his hands. “This is a record. You two went five whole minutes without griping at each other. We’ll give Sophie a definite answer in a week. Can we all stop and think about what Chelsea would want us to do? Leave my past out of the decision making.”

“Chelsea wouldn’t want you guys fighting,” Sophie muttered.

Zach’s eyes cut to her. Her face had paled, showcasing the dark circles beneath her eyes. Damn it. Why did her silent vulnerability always make him feel like a bastard?

“I’ll take a week.” Zach agreed with Braxton. “But I’m not changing my mind. Selling is a bad idea right now.”

He turned to go, when Sophie called his name. Glancing over his shoulder, two sets of eyes were on him. Liam kept his back turned.

Zach raised a brow, waiting for Sophie to say something. Was that moisture in her eyes? She blinked twice, as if willing unshed tears away. Pushing away from her desk, she came to her feet and straightened her shoulders.

“Don’t be stubborn about this,” she told him, her voice calm and controlled. “I know Chelsea wanted this house, and I know Braxton has issues with the mayor. The past can’t be changed, and Chelsea would understand that you guys have no use for the property.”

Zach said nothing as he turned and walked out of her office. He’d barely cleared the door before he heard Braxton say, “That went well.”

Exiting the building, Zach actually agreed. He and Liam hadn’t thrown punches, as they’d been known to do on the rare occasions they’d been together. And Zach had managed to avoid the giant elephant in the room.

Sliding behind the wheel of his work truck, Zach brought the engine to life. Gripping the steering wheel, he looked down at his hands. The scars crisscrossing his knuckles always reminded him how he’d fought to save those he loved and how he’d severed any bond they’d once shared.

Yeah, that went well in there, considering they were all broken people with very different views of absolutely everything.

Zach was not looking forward to more chitchats with his brothers over this, and he sure as hell wasn’t wanting another encounter with Sophie. He couldn’t handle being that close, not when he still wanted her despite their past.

Sophie let herself into her cottage, all while juggling four grocery bags full of total crap food that had an insane amount of calories. This day called for ice cream of epic proportions as well as salty chips to follow, for the perfect balanced diet.

Kicking her front door shut, she headed toward the back of the house and into her kitchen, where she dumped her purse and the bags on the center island. Digging through her purchases, she was torn between the chunky chocolate chip and the strawberry with the cheesecake bites.

“Decisions, decisions,” she muttered as her cat, Flynn, slithered against the back of her legs.

Choosing the chocolate for now—because chocolate was a staple for emergencies—Sophie put the other ice cream away for later. She didn’t have to settle for just one pint tonight, right?

Toeing off her ballet flats, she padded to the living room, where she sank onto her bright red sofa. Having all three Monroe brothers in her office had been quite an experience. They were all so different, but the stubborn trait was one common thread. She’d known calling them all in at the same time would be risky, given the ever-present tension between Zach and Liam, not to mention her own issues with Zach. She’d also known she was taking a big chance with upsetting Braxton, but she knew that of all the brothers, he was the most levelheaded and wouldn’t blame her for being the messenger. She really was trying to help, not stir the proverbial pot.

Selling the estate on Sunset Lake was a perfect opportunity for them to get out from under the burden of Chelsea’s property.

Sophie and Chelsea had been best friends since grade school when the Monroes adopted Chelsea. When Zach was twelve, the Monroes had taken him in as well, rounding the number of kids to four.

Mr. and Mrs. Monroe were saints. They’d adopted three boys and a girl, none of them biologically related, and had raised them as a united family.

From the beginning Zach had sparked her attention with his quiet, mysterious mannerisms. Since she’d known him he’d been a man of few words. Like today in her office, when he’d propped himself up on one shoulder against the wall and simply stared at her beneath heavy lids. Zach was the type who observed, and it was anyone’s guess what went on in that head of his.

Sophie had grown up perfectly proper, with church on Sundays, her parents belonging to the right social groups, and straight A’s through school. Yet everything about her life felt boring and stuffy. The moment she’d met Zach, she couldn’t help but be drawn to him.

Sophie and Chelsea had instantly clicked when they’d met on the playground. They’d bonded over their schoolgirl crush on Beau Skeens. He’d had a Mohawk. A kid with a Mohawk was beyond cool, and Sophie and Chelsea had both giggled behind the swing set while they watched Beau play basketball. From then on the girls were inseparable.

And when she’d gone home with Chelsea after school one day a couple years later and saw Zach, that infatuation with the bad boy continued. He sat, scowling, at the Monroes’ kitchen table until Chelsea punched him in the arm and told him to smile because this house would be the best place he’d ever want to live. Then she’d invited him to walk to the Dairy Dream for a milk shake.

Yeah. Sophie had fallen for the boy who seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, but could be talked into a double chocolate shake by his new perky sister.

While Sophie had been raised to worry what others thought, Zach didn’t give a damn. As a teen, she’d wondered how well that would go over with her proper parents, if she just threw caution to the wind and worried about what made her happy and not the rest of the world. Chelsea had hinted more than once that Zach would be good for Sophie, and vice versa.

Nearly a decade had passed since she and Zach had finally stopped dancing around each other. They were heading toward something that could’ve been remarkable, when all of their lives changed in an instant. Since then, Zach Monroe treated her as if she had the plague, as if he couldn’t stand to be in the same room with her. He’d pushed most people away and nearly worked himself to death . . . and all of that was after he’d gotten out of jail.

Swearing off bad boys, silent seducers, and that pull toward the mysterious, no matter how heavy the temptation, Sophie had opted to move on. For a while she’d been afraid to date, afraid for a man to see the scars she had hidden beneath her clothes. Eventually she realized the scars weren’t going away and she needed a social life. She’d been dating Martin for six months, and they were quite compatible when they could squeeze in dates between their busy schedules. Well, they weren’t so much compatible as they shared similar backgrounds and Sophie’s parents loved him.

But lately she’d been wondering if there should be more to a relationship. Shouldn’t there be sparks or . . . something?

Flynn jumped onto the sofa and curled up next to Sophie.

“Great, I’m the cat lady,” she muttered against the next bite of ice cream. “I’ll die old and alone. You’ll probably outlive me.”

She sighed as she dug in for another spoonful. She needed to call Martin and let him know the guys were going to think about the offer. With the way Zach had left abruptly, and Liam still dead set on selling, she truly had no idea which way this decision would go.

Sophie’s cell chimed from her purse she’d left in the kitchen. Normally she’d ignore it, but she had several new listings and she was known for being prompt and professional.

Eyeing the carton of ice cream, she silently promised to return soon. Running as quick as she could allow herself, she pulled the phone from her purse and smiled at the name lighting up her screen.

“Hey, Braxton,” she answered.

“Hey, Sophie. Are you busy?”

His rich tone flooded the line. Of all the Monroe boys, Braxton was the peacemaker, the comforter, the “brainy” one. Braxton and Liam had always been like brothers to Sophie. They’d always treated her as family, and their friendship ran deeper than any bond she’d ever had with her own family.

Then there was Zach. Regardless of the anger she held toward him, there was always some nugget of attraction. After all this time, she figured it was just something she’d have to live with.

And her anger didn’t stem from the accident. Her years of rage stemmed from him blocking out those who cared for him, those who needed to get through the emotional mess with him. Did he even wonder how she was doing, after all that happened? Did he even care that she’d cried and cursed and broken things when he wouldn’t see her?

Gripping the phone, she focused on Braxton and pushed his frustrating brother to the back of her mind.

“Just digging into a dinner of chocolate-chunk ice cream.” She made her way back to the couch. “I’m good at multitasking, though.”

“I cannot figure out how you live on junk and don’t weigh—”

“I’d watch what I said about a woman’s weight,” she warned with a laugh. “I assume you didn’t call to discuss my pounds or my warped version of dinner.”

“Yeah.” Braxton’s sigh came through loud and . . .