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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 by Alexandria Bishop & Megan Green

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief passages for review purposes only.

  Cover Design by Uplifting Designs

  Edited & Proofread by My Brother’s Editor

  Formatted by AB Formatting

  Thanks to HGTV for providing hours of entertainment and inspiration while we should have been writing this book.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  About the Authors

  Also by Alexandria Bishop

  Also by Megan Green

  Chapter One

  Monroe

  Winchester, Colorado is not a place I ever thought I would return to. It was a quick blip in my life, and it was mostly forgotten when I left. Everything except for Benton Brooks.

  He was my best friend when I moved to Winchester the first time with my mother. Of course, things didn’t start out that way with us. Mr. Charmer tried to woo me and when he finally got the courage to kiss me at a bonfire the first week I was in school, I punched him in the face, and we basically were inseparable after that.

  Who knew that an unfounded sudden urge to log onto social media, after who knows how long, would flip my world around and give me something else to do with my life other than wasting away in my grungy studio apartment above the Chinese restaurant? Trust me when I say the smell of burned sesame oil is not something I ever want to smell again in my life.

  When he reached out to me, I didn’t realize how much I had truly missed him all of these years and it gave us an opportunity to reconnect. When he asked me to move back and come work for him, I didn’t think twice, and here I am.

  The drive into town yesterday was like being sucked into a time warp. Everything was exactly as I remembered it, from the single stop light to the diner on Main Street. Winchester is small town USA through and through.

  I couldn’t fight the feeling like I had finally come home when I pulled into the grocery store parking lot. For the brief amount of time I lived here in high school, both Benton and I worked at Winchester Grocery. He was a cart boy and I bagged up groceries. More often than not we were hiding in the refrigerator sneaking bites of ice cream.

  Mmm. That sounds good right about now.

  Now as I stand outside of the only bar in town, I get butterflies in my stomach at finally getting a chance to see my friend again after all these years. Sure, we still have the same banter when we talk online, but I’m worried that things will be different now. Maybe he’ll realize he made a mistake in asking me to come here and our friendship won’t be the same. I felt like such a girl when I was getting dressed.

  He’s my oldest friend and I just need to relax. Good thing we suggested meeting for drinks, I’ll just need to start those drinks with something strong tonight.

  I cross the gravel parking lot toward the front of the building and when I step foot inside, I’m surrounded in darkness. Taking my sunglasses off my face, it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the darkened room. Not that it’s anything special in here. Dingy floors that stick to my shoes as I walk across them, walls covered in neon beer signs, and an old jukebox in the corner currently playing some old country song.

  Nobody looks up as I cross the room and that’s just fine with me. I’ve been the new kid once in this town, I’d rather not have a repeat of that.

  I spot empty seats at the far end of the bar and I make it my mission to grab two of them. There aren’t many people here, but then again, it’s not quite seven yet and it’s only Tuesday. I wouldn’t imagine too many people go out drinking during the week.

  Pulling one of the bar stools out, I take a seat, and flag down the bartender at the other end. She waves at me in acknowledgment and continues pouring the drink she’s working on. She’s wearing a pair of leggings and a cut-off jersey and I’m suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of nostalgia.

  Benton was on the football team when we were in high school and since I refused to be a cheerleader, he forced me to be a stat girl for our school’s team. So, every Friday night, I was sitting on the sidelines keeping score and cheering on my favorite guy. Even now, when the leaves start to change and fall, I’m always sucked back in time to Friday nights on the football field.

  As she bounces her way down the bar and stands in front of me, I’m pulled from my memories that feel like another life completely. She offers me a big grin and places a cardboard coaster on the counter in front of me. As she moves from side to side her gorgeous red high ponytail whips around like a flame dancing through the air.

  “Hey, I’m Scarlett. What are you drinking tonight?”

  Scarlett.

  So fitting with the bright crimson hair sitting on top of her head. I contemplate for a moment what I want. I’m not in the mood to get shit faced especially since I have to get up early tomorrow for the new job. But it’s been so long since I’ve seen Benton that I need something to help with my nerves.

  “I’ll have a rum and Coke with a lime,” I say with a smile as she instantly gets to work on my drink.

  It tends to be my go-to when I’m not feeling very adventurous and I think stepping foot back in this town is adventure enough for me for one day. As she quickly makes my drink, I pull my debit card out of my wallet and place it in front of me.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I reach for it as she asks, “Just the one? Or do you want to start a tab?”

  “Just the one for now.”

  She nods her head and flits down to another customer as I look down at the message waiting for me. I release a small sigh and I’m glad I made the decision for only one drink.

  Benton: Sorry, I can’t make it tonight. Huge issue at work that I have to take care of, but I’ll make it up to you.

  I know he wouldn’t ditch out on me if there wasn’t something serious going on. That doesn’t mean I won’t give him shit for it.

  Me: You’re damn right you’re making it up to me. I think we’ll start with dinner tomorrow night after work. I hear my new boss is quite the dick. *winking emoji*

  I don’t wait for a response from him as I lock my phone and place it in front of me. I smile as I take a large drink from my cocktail and the harshness of the rum hits me almost instantly. It’s been awhile since I’ve had anything stronger than a beer and I know it’s not going to take long for my buzz to kick in.

  “I hope that smile on your face is contagious. I could use a little bit of happiness right about now.”

  Seriously?

  Do lines like that really work? My phone buzzes in front of me and I ignore Benton’s response, ins
tead turning to the guy sitting next to me who is no doubt going to make my day even worse. I open my mouth to respond and my words get caught in my throat. Maybe my night is looking up after all?

  He’s dressed to the nines looking like he just came from the office in a crisp white button-up with the sleeves rolled up and form-fitting slacks that leave little to the imagination of what he’s hiding underneath. His dark brown curly hair is perfectly styled in that messy just-had-sex look and there’s just enough scruff on his face to look manly, but not disheveled.

  So hot.

  Reaching for my glass, I take a small drink but don’t take my eyes off of him as I look over the top. Without breaking eye contact, I put it back down and slowly slide my tongue along my top lip and his focus zeroes right in. He leans forward slightly on his stool and raises his hand to wave Scarlett back over without breaking contact from me. I don’t know whether or not she acknowledges him as I’m completely transfixed.

  He outstretches his hand toward me and asks, “So, what’s your name?”

  I open my mouth to answer him when Scarlett stops in front of us placing a tumbler full of amber liquid in front of him. He must come in here a lot if she knows what he drinks.

  “Really? You’re going after my new friend here before I even have the chance to bring her to the dark side?”

  Waving her off, he takes a heavy drink from his glass and with a panty melting smirk says, “Don’t worry, Scarlett, I was just being friendly. No need to bring out the big guns.”

  “I’ve got my eye on you. Just as long as your brother doesn’t start sniffing around. Lord knows that guy doesn’t know how to keep it in his pants which never ends well.”

  My ears perk up a little at that. If it doesn’t work out with this guy, I wonder if his brother is available. A no-strings-attached one-night stand is just what the doctor ordered and I’m ready to let loose a little. After spending so much time trying to nurse my uncle back to health, I can’t remember the last time I got laid, which means it’s been way too long. In fact, I really should start a bucket list and start truly living my life.

  Yeah, that sounds like the best idea I’ve ever had.

  “Would you like another?”

  I don’t register at first that she’s talking to me when I realize that Scarlett is still standing there. I glance down at the glass in my hand and sure enough, it’s completely empty. Huh. I wonder when that happened? I slowly nod my head and say, “Sure, I’ll take another. But that will be my last one. I can’t drive home if I drink too much and I have to be up early tomorrow for work.”

  I don’t even know why I said all of that. My lips tend to loosen up when I’ve been drinking and maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have another. I start to think otherwise when Mystery Man to my left pulls a card out of his wallet and hands it over saying, “Don’t let her pay for anything, just put it on my tab.”

  Well okay then, Mr. Big Spender. I want to laugh because an eight-dollar cocktail really isn’t going to break the bank. But whatever, if the dude wants to buy my drinks, I’m not going to argue one bit. Since we’re sitting at the bar, I can watch as every single one is made, and I don’t have to worry about any sort of date rape drug being plopped in.

  Scarlett slides my new drink in front of me and quickly moves down the bar to help out another customer. I take a large sip and I can definitely feel the effects of the liquor running through my body.

  The guy sitting next to me opens his mouth and says, “My name is—”

  “No!” I stop him before he has a chance to finish. He sits back a little taken aback and I continue, “Sorry, that came out louder than I intended. Let’s not trade names.” He looks at me quizzically and I don’t know if he’s starting to think I’m crazy, but I clarify anyway. “I just think it’ll be more fun if we don’t really get to know each other. You know, it has a bit of mystery to it.”

  He polishes off the last bit of liquid from his drink and says, “Whatever you say. Now since we aren’t talking names here, what am I allowed to ask you?”

  I didn’t really think this through at all. I’ve never done the bar thing or dating really for that matter. I spent a lot of time working over the past ten years and I was typically so tired when I got home, I didn’t feel like doing anything. Most of my nights were spent curled up in bed with a good book. Since I’m making this all up as I go along, I guess it’s all really up to me.

  “You can still ask me questions, but nothing too personal. This is supposed to be fun, not a first date.”

  He quirks an eyebrow as he asks me, “Yeah and what do you think this is?”

  Shit. Am I assuming too much here? I finish off my second cocktail and run my sweaty palms along the front of my jeggings. Who knew that being casual could be so stressful?

  Clearing my throat, I bring my eyes up to the gorgeous man sitting next to me. I turn up my smile and focus on his Arctic eyes. So crystal clear and inviting. Getting a little bolder, I hook my finger toward him, and he leans a little closer to me.

  My voice comes out husky and sexy as I say, “I couldn’t tell you what it is, but I’m hoping it’ll end satisfactorily for the both of us.”

  His eyes gleam, and a sideways smirk spreads across his lips as he peruses me. “I’m pretty sure that can be arranged. Since we’re not using our names and not discussing personal information can I at least ask you if you live here? I don’t remember seeing you around town.”

  I think about his question for a minute. Technically I could say I’m new in town. Even if he did go to high school here, he looks like he’s a few years older than me, so we definitely weren’t in school together. I would have remembered him, that’s for sure.

  Deciding to give him a bit of a bone, I nod my head and say, “Just moved to town. I’m starting a new job tomorrow.”

  He tilts his head to the side, and I know he’s dying to ask me where I’m working. But I already laid my cards out there. We won’t be seeing each other after tonight.

  Instead he nods to my newly placed cocktail and he raises his own, clinking it against mine. “Congratulations on your new job.”

  “Thanks.” I offer him my biggest smile and take a heavy drink from my cocktail.

  I just hope that tomorrow is going to go well. I’m not a burn my bra kind of feminist, but I am confident in my own skin and capabilities. It’s no secret that construction is a man’s world and I just might be shaking up this small town when they find out I’m joining Benton’s crew and not as a secretary, but one of his site managers.

  If this small town is anything like it was when I was in high school, it’s going to cause a ripple, that’s for sure. I push that thought out of my mind to worry about tomorrow rather than tonight.

  Maybe it’s the rum talking or maybe it’s the fact that it has been way too long since I’ve had any fun, but I down the rest of my drink and stand up from my seat. Slightly teetering on my heeled boots, I push through that liquid courage and take a closer step toward him.

  Geez, how many drinks did I have?

  Leaning down, I breathily whisper into his ear, “I’m heading back to the bathroom. Give me five minutes and then meet me back there.”

  I don’t wait to see what kind of response he gives me as I quickly make my way back toward the dark hallway leading to the bathrooms. This is so completely unlike me and sober me would totally slap myself right now.

  But I’m not thinking. I’m feeling.

  Dirty one-night stand bar bathroom sex sounds exciting and just what I need. Fortunately, there’s a lock on the door or else I might lose a little of that confidence I have. Drunk or not, I’m not that bold.

  Glancing in the mirror, I barely even recognize the woman looking back at me. She’s fierce with a fire so intense burning in her eyes. I’m shocked at what I see, but I like it. I like it a lot.

  It hasn’t even been two minutes when the door opens and quickly slams shut. I look over my shoulder as the lock is turned in place and my breathing
comes out labored as he starts stalking toward me.

  He slowly unbuttons his shirt and with one swoop, he pulls it completely off and tosses it on the counter. He reaches for me and slides the straps of my tank down my arms and bites down hard on my shoulder.

  Holy fuck that’s hot.

  I throw my head back and moan as he kisses the same spot and works his way up my neck.

  When he reaches my ears, he nibbles my lobe and growls out, “Turn around.”

  My feet slip slightly as he starts whipping my body around and his arms grip me tight to him, not doing a damn thing to hide how into this he is. As if he knows I discovered his arousal, the length of him hardens even more against my backside and I can’t help the moan that I release. I’m too revved up and I want to know what he feels like moving inside of me. I push myself back against him and rub myself against his length which in turn makes him groan against my neck. My legs turn to jelly and I use the counter to hold my body up as he nibbles his way up to my ear.

  He growls into my ear with a husky voice that screams sex. “This is going to be fast and hard. You sure you’re ready for that, little vixen?”

  I slowly nod my head with a whimper, unable to form words at this point as his hand snakes around to my front and he slips it down the front of my top. I watch in the mirror as he discovers I went out sans bra for the evening. He works roughly using his thumb and forefinger to pluck, twist, and pull at one nipple then switching to the other. I’m writhing against his body with each assault to my sensitive flesh.

  I don’t even recognize the woman I watch in the mirror as I thrash, feeling more alive than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. I almost let out a maniacal laugh as that thought crosses my mind at how sad that a complete stranger is bringing this out of me.