Flirting With Disaster Read online

  He closed his eyes and saw the truth. All she wanted was reassurance. He opened his eyes and held her gaze. “I don't want you docile. I want you prickly. Jesus, help me. If I ever come home with you sitting there with candles, in pearls and high heels, I'll take you to the emergency room to make sure you didn't bump your head. I promise, Brooke.”

  She laughed. “I think we're doing this wrong.”

  “You're here,” he murmured. “Nothing has ever been more right. Now, say it.”

  She put her hands on his chest, right above his heart. “I don't want to change you.”

  He sighed. “I'm sorry, Brooke. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner how much I love you.”

  “Dane,” she said, her voice thick from the unshed tears. “I love you.”

  He brushed his lips over hers. “I know.” He kissed her harder this time. “I know.”

  “What happens the next time we fight?”

  He kissed her again in place of a verbal answer. She sighed, melding into him. He sighed too, completely content. “Seven days since I've touched you,” he said.

  “Too long,” she finished for him.

  “I'm not going anywhere. Neither are you. We stick. We stay. Won't be easy but anything worth having isn't.”

  “Yes. We stay. We stick.” A tear fell, but she smiled at him. “Now say it.”

  He grinned. “Since we're not fighting anymore, not really, we should probably call off the bet...”

  “Fine. Say it.”

  “Are you sure? You don't want to know who is going to win?”

  “Say. It.”

  Dane kissed her forehead and then said what he always did when he looked at her, and his throat just felt tight and no other words mattered. “Brooke.”

  She kissed him, finally understanding and hearing what he'd been telling her this whole time.

  Epilogue

  Six Weeks Later

  Brooke stepped out of the coffee shop and froze. The town square was packed with people. She dropped her chin to her chest and sighed. Goddamn small towns.

  Naomi stepped next to her and laughed. “You're going to kill me later, aren’t you?”

  “You and Peyton. Where is she, anyway? She's part of the problem.”

  “She's setting up her makeshift bar for the event. Come on. You might as well get this over with.”

  “If I had known this many people would be here for the preliminary numbers for the calendars I would have stayed at home.” She gestured to her chest. “I wouldn't have worn this shirt. Everybody is going to give me shit.”

  Naomi hooked her arm around Brooke's. “You should have known better, and I personally think the shirt is cute and sweet. And awwww.”

  Brooke intensified her glare. A few weeks ago she'd informed her friends the bet was off, and that she and Dane were a couple. They weren't surprised at the latter. They had naturally assumed that was the case eons ago, but the bet couldn't be off. The whole town had chipped in on a money wager.

  That wasn't entirely shocking for Brooke since Peyton turned everything into a town event, and Naomi was a shark when it came to potential town revenue. What floored her was that the bet had steamrolled into chaos. Shirts were made, a barbeque in the town square was planned, and from the looks of it, the entire town had showed up to find out which calendar was currently the bestseller. It wasn't even the final numbers.

  This was Tanner Creek. So, yeah, Brooke should have known better to think only a few people would show up. She sighed, her stomach getting that weightless feeling because Dane would like her shirt too. “Just so you know I'm only wearing this for hot sex later.”

  “Liar.”

  Brooke laughed because it was true. “Come on. Let me face the firing squad so I can get the ribbing over with.”

  For the next thirty minutes she took ribbing all with a smile, rubbernecking every now and again to see if Dane had showed up for the event yet. He hadn't. Eventually she went to help Peyton as she promised.

  “I need liquor, fast,” she told her friend.

  And because Peyton was smart, she already had one ready. She handed it over and laughed. “I like your shirt.”

  “Where's Tate?” she asked to distract her friend.

  “I forgot to grab the mixer and a few other things from The Grog. He went with Tate.” Peyton paused. “No Dane wasn't with them.”

  Her face reddened. “Am I that obvious?”

  “To me, because I know that expression you're wearing. I have it when Tate has work out of town.”

  “He's made me soft.”

  “I have to disagree. You've always been that way with me. So, you've just learned how to be soft with him.”

  Brooke couldn't argue with that. “You—” She started to say but caught a glimpse of Dane.

  Her heart went fluttery at the sight of him. For the past six weeks they'd done their fair share of pouncing on each other. She doubted that would ever change, not when she loved the look of him rumpled by her hands, her mouth...They had also had their fair share of disagreements, still learning how to navigate their relationship, but there was no one else she'd ever want to fight with, fight for.

  He sidled up to the makeshift bar and leaned on it. His hazel eyes darkened as they fixated on her chest, but she knew it wasn't to see her physical reaction to him. “I love your shirt,” he murmured.

  She felt heat rush to her cheeks and her heart started to thump. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  The shirts Naomi had ordered in great supply either had Team Brooke on it or Team Dane. She wore his shirt and he'd worn hers.

  She couldn't fight the smile anymore. “Yours isn't half bad either. When did you get it?”

  “Miss Christopher came into the bookstore earlier. Apparently Naomi wrangled her into selling them today.”

  Miss Christopher could talk someone's ear off. They'd likely buy a shirt just to get her to leave them alone. She snorted. “Oh, my friend is so smart.”

  He shook his head. “How much shit did you have to take for wearing your shirt?”

  “You're going to kiss me for having it on. I have my priorities straight.”

  “I'm going to do more than kiss you for wearing it, but first give me that mouth.”

  Her knees went weak but before she could lean across the counter to kiss him, feedback from a microphone filled the square. The mayor, Peyton's father, stood on the steps leading up to the town hall. He held up a hand to quiet down the rambunctious crowd.

  Dane turned back to her, grabbed the collar of her shirt and pulled her to him. “Whoever wins doesn't matter.”

  She brushed her lips across his. “I know who won.”

  He frowned. “How?”

  Fear wanted to curl in her stomach, but Brooke ignored it like she should have a long time ago. They were unfounded doubts and worries. Dane would never hurt her. “I got you.”

  He grunted in approval and kissed her hard. More would come later, she knew. She sighed and fell into the kiss as they announced Dane as the winner. No. It was her who had won and no one could tell her anything else. She was stubborn, very prickly, a bit unconventional...just Brooke. And Dane loved her just as she was. Yeah, she'd won. Hands down.

  BIO

  In 2004, Sofia Harper began her writing career as a romantic suspense author. A bit problematic because she couldn't write anything mystery-like to save her life or even her characters. On a whim, she penned a contemporary where there was no dead body or explosions to save her from the dreadful middle slumps of a book. It was only the characters and what they had to deal with. She hasn't looked back since. She continues to write contemporary romances, mainly under a different pen, filled with sassy heroines and unlikely heroes. These stories are filled with one-liners, but heartfelt and sexy.

  Outside of writing, Harper works as a mail clerk for the federal government, has a paralegal certificate (that she has more use for as a dust pan) and is a mother of two rambunctious children. She lives in California where
the wine is good and, despite popular belief, is not always sunny. Harper plans to spend the rest of her days writing, raising her children and drinking good wine. Occasionally she'll brush her hair and get dressed, but that's optional.

  Where to find me online:

  Website: http://sofiaharper.com

  Blog: http://sofiaharper.blogspot.com/‎

  Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sofiaharper.author‎

  If you want updates about a new release you can always sign up for my newsletter.

  Other Titles By Sofia Harper

  Flirting With Trouble

  All was right in Peyton Tanner's world until trouble walked into her bar, the Grog Monster, and his name was Tate Briggs.

  For the past ten years Peyton's managed to live her life scandal-free. A feat considering her father's the mayor, in a very small town. Staying under the radar is a priority when her every action is reported like the hottest news. And Peyton knows how fast that grapevine can turn on her. So no matter how delicious and forbidden Tate can be, she's not willing to turn her world into gossip central again for lust.

  Tate Briggs learned a long time ago to want what you want and not apologize for it, and he wants Peyton. He can understand her trepidation. Small towns are only kind to their local sweethearts when she's agreeable and perfect, but at some point Peyton's got to live for herself. But his patience is tested when she insists their affair must remain a secret. It goes against everything he believes in.

  When their relationship becomes more than a sexual affair, Peyton will have to decide between her beloved small town or the man she loves.

  Hot Knight In Paradise

  Stranded in paradise with no way to get home, Leah Smith needs a miracle, and fast. Instead, she gets Marshall Jackson, surely the sexiest man alive. Too bad he's got an emotional wall around himself--and her only hope of getting off the island ... Marshall has a strict no damsels in distress policy, but there's something about Leah that makes him want to break his own rules. He agrees to let her work in his bar until she earns enough to get home. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny the scorching attraction between them. Soon hot island nights provide balm to their wounded souls, but will these two flawed exiles make peace with the past in time to claim the future they deserve together--or will paradise be lost?

  Titles From My Pen Name Melissa Blue

  Double Dare, A Modern Fairy Tale: Book 1

  First impressions are lasting impressions...

  Pastry baker Emmaline Sharp is one business connection away from turning her bakery into something more than the dessert shop on the corner. She believes she’s found Mr. Right in café owner Tobias Merchant. His Caff-aholic brand of freshly brewed coffee makes him the perfect partner. When she accepts a dare that thrusts her naked self into Tobias’ waiting arms, she jeopardizes her entire future. Emma will have to convince him to give her another chance, and somehow she'll just have to ignore the unexpected passion he ignites within her.

  Tobias needs the connection with Emma’s bakery, Sweet Tooth, in order to liberate himself from the financial and emotional obligations of his past. Unfortunately, Emma's reckless behavior leaves him doubting she can be level-headed and business savvy. Every one of his instincts tells him to walk away, but she’s a temptation he can't seem to deny. He's inexplicably drawn to the lightness in her, especially when he knows just how dark the world can be. Against his better judgment, Tobias ignores his instincts and proceeds to form a partnership with Emma.

  When their relationship shifts from business to personal, will Emma and Tobias be able to conquer their demons and find their sweet reward before the deal turns sour?

  Twice Smitten, A Modern Fairy Tale: Book 2

  Abigail Johnson would use three words to describe Drew Carter: lush, loafer and womanizer. When he struts into Adtivity, the advertisement company she works for, her world tilts on its head. He's been hired as a consultant to help her ad account team go to the next level. She’s suddenly faced with a man who is a consummate professional, considerate and kind. It’s must be a farce, because he’s there to decide the fate of her career. When things heat up between them, she refuses to let those brief glimpses convince her to entangle herself in a relationship with him. Her career and heart is on the line.

  Drew Carter is fully aware of Abigail's trepidation. There's no denying he hasn’t always been the kind of man a woman should trust, but no one woman has ever made him want the way Abigail has. Her stubbornness, loyalty and honesty appeals to his secret wish—to be open, unguarded and challenged by a woman. Abigail fulfills this unspoken need and he refuses to let her walk out of his life without giving them a chance.

  It doesn’t take long for Abigail to suspect Drew just might be the one—the one. But can she trust him with her heart? The more she lets doubt rule her it just might be Drew’s heart that ends up broken.

  Double Trouble, A Modern Fairy Tale: Book 3

  Sasha McCormick, part-time artist and full-time art professor, has decided to mend her flighty, commitment-adverse ways. She's already taken on a mortgage that forces her to pick up as many side jobs she can. When her well of contacts dries up, she may have to resort to something desperate. Or boring. Whichever pays better.

  Warren Tennison isn't fond of anything that's not nailed down with logic. Raised by a troupe rather than a family, he comes by his bias honestly. He does his best to avoid Sasha's type—unreliable, emotionally unstable, selfish—because they're nothing but ten pounds of drama in a five pound bag. Unfortunately, he needs help with some art research for the book he's writing. He's over deadline and out of time, so hiring Sasha to be his on-call muse is his best bet.

  Sasha knows Warren should be Mr. Perfect: steady and smart, but unfortunately also sexy as sin. Being around him makes her forget that she's determined to be a staid, responsible woman from now on. The passion is insanely explosive, and makes them both do reckless things that only proves they're doomed to keep falling for the Wrong One.

  He can't find a logical way to justify his behavior, and she can't see beyond her wild past that keeps getting in her way. They both know this can only end in angst-riddled tragedy. All they want is a nice, normal romance, but lust keeps waylaying their road to reform.

  Flirting With Danger Excerpt

  Madison motioned to her flat tires. The angry hand-jerks said it all, but she never missed an opportunity to belabor a point. “I knew something like this would happen.”

  Naomi pursed her lips, looking thoughtful and calm. The outside lights threw a soft glow on her brown skin and that dim light was nothing compared to the spark in her amber eyes. So Madison braced herself for pragmatism laced with sarcasm.

  “You said Peyton would turn you out on your ear. She didn't. Consider that a small win.”

  Just when that touch of humor started to lift her black mood, Madison glanced at her tires again. All four were so low the rims had sunk into the dirt. The sharp wind shifted, kicking up dust from the “parking lot.” So now she'd be cold and pissed off.

  “This is karma.” Madison's jaw tightened.

  Naomi tilted her head. “What did you ever do to Peyton?”

  She glared toward the main building. From the back, the structure looked nondescript. She could spot the highway from here, and in the other direction all of Tanner Creek was silhouetted in the dark. Madison had chosen the tree-lined area of the parking lot because it was well-lit, but not right at the front. She'd parked where folks always say you should park to keep criminals away. And to be frank her car hadn't been the biggest worry. It hadn't helped one bit.

  So she ignored her new friend's probing question because that led to emotional landmines. “I should have never let you talk me into this.”

  “I work over forty hours a week for the mayor. I'm a single mother. My friends, who include Peyton, always tell me I should get out more. And you get out less than I do. You deserved a night at The Grog Monster. I ran it by Peyton and she
wanted to know why you hadn't come by before.”

  “She hates gossip.”

  “Turning you away would have caused way more. I know you guys aren't at odds.”

  “You weren't sure at first.”

  Naomi smiled. “Well, unlike Peyton I'm not actively nosy so I would have never pried.”

  Madison laughed because she remembered when Peyton as a teen. The girl had a mouth on her, and she was never scared to use it. She'd liked her, but Peyton had been four years younger and that mattered in high school and definitely college. And then...Madison shook her head. “Stop trying to placate me. I'm angry.”

  “As you should be. I'd be pissed too if I found I had four flats.”

  “Not four flats, four slashed tires.”

  Karma. That's exactly what this was. She'd only came out to her car to put her purse up. Peyton had waved away her money at the bar. The offer of free drinks had warmed Madison and for the first time in a very long time she thought her pessimism had been unfounded and a bit paranoid.

  Ha.

  Four slashed tires meant the local PD and the local PD meant Reid. Cramps gripped her stomach. Knowing her luck, he'd be on duty tonight. Any call coming in from The Grog Monster would go straight to Reid. He wouldn't be able to stay away because that was the kind of man he was. Protective to a fault, stubborn as hell and the man could hold a grudge. His best friend in college had broken his sister's heart, and Reid hadn't talked to the man in ten years because of it.

  And Madison, well, she believed in the forgive and never forget school of thought.

  “Reid,” Naomi said suddenly.

  Madison glanced around the parking lot. It was only them. She exhaled, relieved. “What about him?”

  Naomi shook her head. “Thinking out loud. Reid is a cop and you've been agitated since Peyton said she'd call them. You must really hate him.”