Just Desserts (46 page)
Authors: Marquita Valentine
Tags: #alpha male, #fake engagement, #love, #Contemporary Romance
Maybe being separated by an ocean helped when things got too tense between the brothers.
Living in England hadn’t been the easiest decision to make, no matter how much she loved Sebastian. He would have lived in Holland Springs, if she’d asked him, but she hadn’t. She wanted to be free to travel and enjoy life without the responsibilities of running a business. So he’d taken her everywhere while she could travel, and when the time had come, they’d returned to Hawkfell Hall to live in the newly renovated groundskeeper cottage situated on the opposite side of the lake, away from the hustle and bustle of The Hall, and set to making it the home of their dreams.
She was as happy and content as the baby in her arms. Kissing his sweet little head, she murmured nonsense words at him.
“
Lucky,” Sebastian murmured, stroking the baby’s cheek, and then he turned his attention to her. “Are you happy here?”
He asked her that at least once a day, always worried she’d given up too much to be with him, but she hadn’t given up anything. In her mind, she’d gained the world.
“
Very.” She leaned against him as he settled down beside her in the bed. “You?”
“
Sitting in this very bed, in this very house, with you and our child, was number three on my new and improved Bucket List.”
New and improved Bucket List? “What was number one and two?”
Placing a knee on the side of the bed, he cupped her face and gazed into to her eyes. “Win back the woman I love and convince her to marry me.”
If she hadn’t been sitting in bed, she would have swooned. “And number four?”
Kissing the tip of her nose, he grinned. “Who needs a number four?”
“
You’re really happy, then?”
“
I’m beyond happy.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m ecstatic.”
She giggled.
“
Gobsmacked.” He kissed her cheek.
She rolled her eyes playfully.
He kissed her lips. “Blessed.”
Her heart turned over in her chest. “We both are,” she said, and then she kissed him back with all the love and hope she felt for their future in it.
Keep reading to find out whose book is next in Marquita’s Holland Springs Series!
Coming December 9
th
!
There’s only been one woman for Gabriel Edwards—Summer Holland. But unless she needs cash, food or a place to stay, she wants nothing to do with him. Now he’s done playing Summer’s knight in shining armor. He’s finally found the woman to settle down with—the town’s newest librarian. She’s smart and sweet, and wholly in love with him. And nothing and no one will get in the way of his plans.
Until Summer comes home to Holland Springs, and needs his help once more.
Summer Holland is set on one thing: convincing Gabriel Edwards to help her get back the daughter she gave up for adoption. She’s always counted on him to rescue her when she needed it most, and this time is no different…until she learns of the new woman in Gabriel’s life.
Now she realizes she’s never gotten over him, and after they share one sweet kiss, Gabriel starts to believe that he might not be over her either...
Not Over You (coming December 9
th
)
Boys of the South ( New Adult Series)
Acknowledgements
I have so many people to thank while writing this book.
Actually, I have my readers to thank for asking me to write this book, first. I’d never planned on writing Sebastian Romanov’s story. Ever. But he jumped off the page, from the start, inserting himself in scenes and demanding to be heard. And don’t even get me started on his heroine, Daisy Barnes…
A big shout out to the Twitter Sprinters: Carly Phillips, Andris Bear (the most fab crit partner evah!), Lissa Matthews, Olivia Kelly and Lisa Lin. Thank you for kicking my butt!
Also, I have to thank The Book Queen and Melody with What I’m Reading for doing some sneaky, undercover beta reading.
Last, but never least, I have to thank my family for putting up with me and supporting me. I love you guys! xo
New York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes and sassy heroines that make you swoon and laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.
Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.
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