BLOG TOUR, REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Crazy for You (Risking it All #2) by Rachel Lacey

She's taking a walk on HIS wild side!

CRAZY FOR YOU

A Risking It All Novel

Rachel Lacey

Releasing March 28, 2017

Forever

“Rachel Lacey is a sure-fire star." --- Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author

SHE'S TAKING A WALK ON HIS WILD SIDE

Emma Rush can't remember a time when she didn't have a thing for Ryan Blake. Haven's resident bad boy is just so freakin' hot-with tattoos, a motorcycle, and enough rough-around-the-edges sexiness to melt all her self-control. Now that Emma's over being a "good girl," she needs a little help being naughty . . . and she knows just where to start.

Before Emma's brother enlisted in the military, he made Ryan promise that he would protect her from everything--including himself. When her brother doesn't come home, Ryan needs to turn his screwed-up life around to honor his pledge. But he knows he's still not the right kind of guy for someone as sweet as Emma. Only he can't stop wanting to be with her. Wanting her. Falling in love with a good girl may be the craziest risk this bad boy can take . . . 

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

This book is the perfect storm of storylines. To start, you have the best friend's little sister. Then throw in the fact that the best friend died in the line of duty and the H feels that it's his duty to protect said little sister, despite the fact that he has developed feelings for her. BUT then you have the little sister who has decided to take a walk on the wild side and wants the H to help her. Uhhh...YES PLEASE.  

Emma has lived her life as the ultimate good girl. She had to grow up and be an adult at a very early age and that has been her life since. When she makes the decision to break free of her good girl persona, Emma and her friends realize that Ryan is the man to help her. It takes a bit of convincing and despite his early reservations, Ryan eventually agrees to help her out. 

I enjoyed this book so much. Ryan was such an awesome guy. He overcame a lot in life to get to where he is today. He runs a successful business and a missing piece from his past has finally reappeared, making him extremely happy. Then there is Emma. She is the one thing he never thought would happen and now that it looks like it might, he has to decide if he deserves the happiness that is right in front of his face. I loved how the rest of the crew saw the writing on the wall way before he did and they had no problem giving him lots of flack for it. 

This book is sweet, sexy and a whole lot of fun. As a couple, Emma and Ryan worked so well. They have known each other forever so they are not only comfortable around one another, but once they get involved it's like they are starting off on the 20th date. They don't need to wade through all the necessary "getting to know you" crap. Ryan becomes her partner in crime and they get up to some fun (and super sexy) stuff. We also get a little insight into the next book and I can't wait to read Jessica & Mark's story!

Whoa. Emma closed her eyes and let out a shriek as Ryan guided the motorcycle onto Main Street and picked up speed. The cold wind whipped her face, taking her breath away. Beneath her, the engine rumbled and roared like a wild thing. Holy sh*t. She was on the back of Ryan Blake’s bike, and it was amazing.

The wind bit through her thin, knit gloves, hitting her fingers with an icy blast. Actually, every part of her was freezing, but she didn’t care. She wrapped her arms more firmly around Ryan’s waist, anchoring herself to him so she didn’t tumble off the back of the bike, and somehow her hands slipped beneath his jacket. Ahh. That was better. Toasty warm, and also…her hands were on his T-shirt. Even through her gloves, she felt the hard contour of his abs, and nope, she wasn’t cold now.

And this was absolutely freaking amazing.

She hung on tight as he guided them over Haven’s twisting mountain roads, deserted at this hour. Overhead the moon shone like a beacon, illuminating the night in its soft, silvery glow. The roar of the engine and the slap of the wind against her face shocked her senses. It was thrilling, invigorating, so completely different from riding inside a car.

She’d never have done this if Mandy hadn’t dared her, and now she felt like her eyes were open for the first time in years. This was what she needed. Somewhere along the way, as she sat at the bar talking to Ryan, she’d realized she was having fun, really having fun. And she wanted more. She wanted it all, every last wild and crazy fantasy.

All too soon, her building came into view. Ryan cut the engine and guided them quietly into the driveway, coming to a stop behind her silver Toyota RAV4. He turned his head to look at her, so sexy in his helmet and riding glasses. “So how was it?”

“Even better than I thought it would be.” She gulped for air. His lips were way too close to hers, and she was still a little bit drunk on beer and a whole lot drunk on her first motorcycle ride. Mandy’s words echoed in her ears. Bonus points if you kiss him. Just stand up a bit, lean over his shoulder, and…

Emma leaned forward, her chest sliding up his back as she tipped her face to his. Holy hell, she had completely lost her mind, but she was going for it. Every nerve in her body went haywire.



Clunk. Her helmet smacked into his, drawing her up an inch short of his lips.

Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in warm and sunny North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of rescue pets.

Don't miss any of the Risking It All Romances!

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RELEASE BLITZ, 4 1/2 STAR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Crazy For You (Risking It All #2) by Rachel Lacey

Title: CRAZY FOR YOU

Author: Rachel Lacey

Series: Risking It All, #2

On Sale: March 28, 2017

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $7.99 USD

eBook: $6.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

The second book in Rachel Lacey's irresistible contemporary romance series about three foster brothers who return to their hometown to open an extreme sports business, perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins, Rachel Gibson, and Jill Shalvis!

SHE'S TAKING A WALK ON HIS WILD SIDE

Emma Rush can't remember a time when she didn't have a thing for Ryan Blake. Haven's resident bad boy is just so freakin' hot-with tattoos, a motorcycle, and enough rough-around-the-edges sexiness to melt all her self-control. Now that Emma's over being a "good girl," she needs a little help being naughty . . . and she knows just where to start.

Before Emma's brother enlisted in the military, he made Ryan promise that he would protect her from everything--including himself. When her brother doesn't come home, Ryan needs to turn his screwed-up life around to honor his pledge. But he knows he's still not the right kind of guy for someone as sweet as Emma. Only he can't stop wanting to be with her. Wanting her. Falling in love with a good girl may be the craziest risk this bad boy can take . . .

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My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

This book is the perfect storm of storylines. To start, you have the best friend's little sister. Then throw in the fact that the best friend died in the line of duty and the H feels that it's his duty to protect said little sister, despite the fact that he has developed feelings for her. BUT then you have the little sister who has decided to take a walk on the wild side and wants the H to help her. Uhhh...YES PLEASE.  

Emma has lived her life as the ultimate good girl. She had to grow up and be an adult at a very early age and that has been her life since. When she makes the decision to break free of her good girl persona, Emma and her friends realize that Ryan is the man to help her. It takes a bit of convincing and despite his early reservations, Ryan eventually agrees to help her out. 

I enjoyed this book so much. Ryan was such an awesome guy. He overcame a lot in life to get to where he is today. He runs a successful business and a missing piece from his past has finally reappeared, making him extremely happy. Then there is Emma. She is the one thing he never thought would happen and now that it looks like it might, he has to decide if he deserves the happiness that is right in front of his face. I loved how the rest of the crew saw the writing on the wall way before he did and they had no problem giving him lots of flack for it. 

This book is sweet, sexy and a whole lot of fun. As a couple, Emma and Ryan worked so well. They have known each other forever so they are not only comfortable around one another, but once they get involved it's like they are starting off on the 20th date. They don't need to wade through all the necessary "getting to know you" crap. Ryan becomes her partner in crime and they get up to some fun (and super sexy) stuff. We also get a little insight into the next book and I can't wait to read Jessica & Mark's story!

EXCERPT

Ryan Blake held a bottle of Maker’s 46 in his right hand, a tumbler in his left. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the bottle. It flipped once before landing back in his grip, top down, ready to pour. He filled the tumbler, set a napkin on the bar, and placed it in front of the brunette on the other side. “Bourbon, neat.”

“You’re good.” She picked up the glass and tipped it in his direction. “Not what I was expecting in this little bar in the middle of nowhere.”

“I try,” he said with the friendly, semi-flirtatious smile he always used on single ladies seated at his bar. She wasn’t wrong. The usual clientele at The Drunken Bear had little use for fancy liquor or bartending tricks, but the trio in front of him were tourists looking for a good time, and he’d see that they had one.

“You were just about to tell me about this tattoo.” She placed her hand on his biceps, fingering the eagle he’d had inked there after he flew this coop ten years ago.

“That’s right.” He shifted backward so that her hand slipped to the countertop. He encouraged flirting—it led to better tips and made the night more interesting—but this chick was getting a bit too friendly, considering the diamond band on her left ring finger. “This one was for spreading my wings. Thought I’d fly far away, and yet, here I am back in Haven.”

“You’re from here then?” one of the other women asked, shamelessly ogling the tattoos on his arms while giving him an eyeful of cleavage.

“Born and raised. Moved around a lot, but I can’t seem to shake this place. It’s in my blood.” Once upon a time, he’d been hell bent on getting as far away from this sleepy North Carolina mountain town as possible. Spent the better part of a decade drifting from place to place, taking with him only what he could carry on his bike. Funny how things came full circle. He picked up an empty pilsner glass another patron had left behind.

“Ryan?”

He turned at the familiar voice to find Emma Rush standing there, one hip propped against the bar, and he damn near dropped the glass. Emma’s trademark ponytail and jogging pants were nowhere in sight. Tonight, her blond hair cascaded over her shoulders in shiny waves, her blue eyes sparkled at him from behind a tasteful—yet sexy—amount of makeup, and her red top was tucked into a pair of jeans that fit her like a glove. He swallowed past the sudden dryness in his throat. “Hey, Em. What brings you out tonight?” “Girls’ night,” she said with a smile, gesturing to her friend Mandy, who stood by the door talking on her cell phone. Emma slid onto an empty barstool. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“I’m still here a few nights a week.” His new business venture—Off-the-Grid Adventures, an extreme outdoor sporting facility he’d opened with his good buddies Ethan Hunter and Mark Dalton six months ago—was finally bring- ing in enough income that he soon wouldn’t need to bartend to pay his rent. “What can I get you?”

“Untapped amber ale, please.” She watched while he filled a frosted mug. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

She lifted the mug to her lips and took a long drink. “Damn, that’s good,” she said with a happy sigh, setting it on the bar.

“Always been more of a pilsner guy myself.” He tried not to stare as she licked froth from her upper lip.

“Hi, Ryan.” Mandy stepped up to the bar beside Emma. He leaned back, tearing his gaze from Emma’s lips. “Hi.”

Emma turned to her friend with a smile. “Ready to get a table?”

“Yep,” Mandy said. “Have fun, ladies.”

“We will.” With a wave, Emma walked off after her friend, and damn, those jeans cupped her ass like perfection. No doubt about it, Emma looked hot tonight. And his thoughts were way out of line. He’d promised Derek he’d look out for his little sister, not drool all over her.

“Your girlfriend?” the brunette at the bar asked, eyebrows raised as she sipped her bourbon.

Ryan cleared his throat and dragged his eyes away from Emma. “Just a friend.”

“Mm-hmm.” The brunette gave him a look that said she didn’t believe him.

He turned to check on his patrons at the other end of the bar, but his attention was once again diverted by Emma— or rather, the preppy-looking businessman she was talking to now. Ryan couldn’t make out their conversation, but the guy wore an irritatingly smug smile, and Emma didn’t look at all happy to have bumped into him.

Ryan moved down the bar, chatting and pouring drinks as he went, all the while keeping an eye on Emma. She was deep in conversation with the businessman, although the guy seemed to be doing most of the talking. Emma smiled and nodded. She glanced up and met Ryan’s gaze, rolling her eyes at him with a smile while her companion kept on talking.

Next thing Ryan knew, the guy had slung an arm around her shoulders, gesturing wildly with his free hand while Emma subtly edged away from him.

Ryan was around the bar and across the room before he’d even realized what he was doing. “Everything okay over here?”

Emma shrugged out from under the guy’s arm, but her smile wasn’t nearly as warm or genuine as the one she’d given Ryan a few moments ago. “Yep.”

“We’re fine,” Obnoxious Dude answered. “Who are you?”

“Ryan Blake. And you are?” “Tristan Farrell.”

“Tristan and I are . . . old friends,” Emma said.

By old friends, Ryan assumed she meant former flames. And since she clearly wasn’t enjoying his company, it was time for Tristan to leave. Ryan crossed his arms over his chest and stared him down, waiting for the loser to get the message. It didn’t take long.

Tristan backed up, his eyes darting toward the front door. “Well, it was great seeing you, Emma. Take care.”

“You, too.” She watched as Tristan left the bar then turned to Ryan. “Forgot how much I dislike that guy.”

“He hassling you?”

Her eyes rounded. “No! Just talking my ear off, really.

Sorry to distract you from your duties at the bar.”

“No problem.” Keeping an eye on his patrons was part of the job, although he was probably feeling more protective of Emma right now than the situation called for.

“Right, well . . . looks like my table is ready.” She waved over her shoulder as she walked away.

Ryan headed back behind the bar, turning his attention to the trio of tourists and their mostly empty cocktails. “Any of you ladies ready for a fresh drink?”

As it turned out, they all were. While he mixed their cock- tails, he allowed his gaze to roam over to Emma’s table. She was deep in conversation with her friends Gabby, Carly, and Mandy, all of whom he knew, none of whom made his gut tighten the way it did every time he looked at Emma tonight.

He had no idea where this had come from, but he had to get over it, pronto. Emma wasn’t interested in a player like him, and even if she were, she was off limits. He’d made a promise to her brother when Derek went off to war, and Ryan had no intention of breaking it.

THE RISKING IT ALL SERIES

ROCK WITH YOU, #.5

RUN TO YOU, #1

CRAZY FOR YOU, #2

CAN’T FORGET YOU, #3

Series Page on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2mYB5gI

Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in warm and sunny North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of rescue pets.

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GIVEAWAY

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BLOG TOUR, 4 1/2 STAR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Run to You (Risking It All #1) by Rachel Lacey

ONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

RUN TO YOU

Risking it All #1

Rachel Lacey

Releasing Aug 30th, 2016

Forever

ONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellow jackets and falls-not gracefully-into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital "hot," and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there's nowhere to hide from Ethan's sexy, infectious grin . . . and all the residents are conspiring against her.

At the center of the town's matchmaking is Ethan's grandmother, who's convinced their relationship is a done deal. Rather than break her heart, Gabby and Ethan find themselves cornered into pretending to be falling in love. The problem: there's serious sizzling attraction between them. And if this charade continues, they won't fool just the entire town - they might fool themselves too . . .

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I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Okay...the way these two meet is both hilarious and adorable. I mean I wouldn't want to be attacked by yellow jackets, but if a guy like Ethan was around I'd probably be okay with it. Haha. 

Gabby has moved to Haven to get away from her life. Luckily she has a job that she can do anywhere and when she rents a small cottage away from everything, the last thing she expects is to come across the handsome Ethan while she is taking a walk. But it is her lucky day because when the yellow jackets attack, he is there to take care of her. Ethan has returned home to open up a zip line/rock climbing/all around adventure experience with some childhood friends. He isn't looking for a relationship (he's not a relationship kind of guy), but Gabby has definitely grabbed his interest. 

When Ethan learns that his grandmother (who I absolutely adored!) doesn't have much time left, he tries to give her one of the things she has been wanting to see...Ethan start to settle down. Ethan truly likes Gabby and does want to get to know her, but that is it. So he suggests that they start "dating". Gabby agrees and while they both start off on the same page, the more they get to know each other, the more they realize that there is way more to their fake relationship. 

I really enjoyed this book. Ethan and Gabby genuinely enjoyed each other's company which made everything they did that much more enjoyable. Their relationship was sweet, loving and playful. And Ethan helped Gabby get over some of her fears while she helped him, in more ways than he ever thought possible. 

I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. In this book we meet Ethan's longtime friends and business partners, Mark and Ryan, and I loved them! And if you are paying attention we get a few clues as to who they will be paired with and I can't wait to read their stories!

“I’m glad you brought me out here.” Gabby stepped over a tree root, lifting her skirt with her free hand so that she didn’t trip.

Ethan squeezed her left hand. “Me, too. The rock face is right up this way.”

They came around a corner and the path opened up to a big rock looming at least thirty feet into the air. There were some creases and cracks in it, but how anyone could scale it with only their bare hands—or why they would want to—was completely beyond her. “You can seriously climb that?”

“I can climb it. Ryan can kick its ass, though.”

“Okay then. Show me.”

With a cocky grin, he reached up and hooked his hand into a crack in the rock. He pulled himself up, his biceps flexing most impressively as he climbed. Holy shit, that was sexy. Soon she was left with nothing but a view of his very fine ass. And by the time he’d reached the top, she was so turned on, she could hardly stand it.

“So?” he called from the top. “You going to join me or what?”

“Not a chance. But I will enjoy watching you climb back down.”

“Gotta give the lady what she wants.” His fine ass reappeared over the edge as he started back down. He took his time on the descent, and if she wasn’t mistaken, he might have reached for a few hand and footholds that made him flex his muscles a little more than was strictly necessary.

“You’re a show-off,” she said when his feet were back on solid ground.

He was a bit out of breath, his bronzed skin glistening with sweat, trademark smile still in place. “No clue what you’re talking about.”

“No? You really needed to reach all the way to that notch?” She gestured above them. “Instead of the one closer to your shoulder that maybe wouldn’t have shown off your lovely biceps quite as well?”

He flexed for her. “What, these old things? And for the record, I totally needed the leverage.”

“Mm-hmm.” For some reason, she put her hand on his biceps, and oh crap, that was a mistake. His skin was hot beneath her fingers, and his blue eyes blazed into hers.

“Killing me, Gabby,” he murmured. “Killing me.”

His words sent a bolt of red-hot desire right through her, and she must have made a sound because Ethan sucked in a breath, his gaze locked on her lips. His hands settled on her hips, burning into her skin through the thin fabric of her skirt.

Don't miss ROCK WITH YOU, 

a Risking it All Novella

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Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in warm and sunny North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of rescue pets.

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RELEASE BLITZ & 4 1/2 STAR REVIEW: Rock With You (Risking It All #0.5) by Rachel Lacey

SWEET AS SUGAR. SEXY AS SIN . . .

Carly Taylor is pretty sure she's dreaming. It's not possible that Sam Weiss - rock star god and sexy hotness personified - is actually in her bakery. This sort of thing never happens in the too-small town of Haven. Or to her. And being stranded in a secluded mountain cabin with the deliciously decadent Sam during an ice storm? This is definitely not Carly's real life . . .

Now there's just the two of them, a roaring fire, lots of food and drink, and a sizzling attraction - one that just might make Carly do the unexpected. For one night, she'll live the fantasy. For one night, nothing else matters. . . not her struggling business, not her lonely life, not Sam's bad-boy reputation. But sometimes one night can turn one crazy, beautiful dream into something real.

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My Review

I receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I read, I want to be transported to another world. One where anything is possible. Where a pretty baker can get stranded with a sexy rock star. Where they spend the weekend keeping each other warm and fall in love. Oh wait...that is what happens in this book!

Sam is town trying to write his next album and when he wanders into Carly's bakery, he is immediately taken by her. Later that day he calls and requests a very large order for a home delivery and she doesn't hesitate. (Un)fortunately for her she gets stranded at his house thanks to an ice storm and that is when things get interesting. 

This story is short, but it has plenty of sweet and sexy moments. Over the course of a few days Sam and Carly get to know each other pretty well and not just in the physical sense. They even spend a good part of the day playing board games! Sam is not your typical rock star and he repeatedly surprised Carly with his actions and his words. She even becomes his muse and he writes a song about her. I mean.....**SWOON**

As usual, Rachel's writing leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and hopefully maybe getting a little glimpse into Carly and Sam's HEA!

EXCERPT

Carly Taylor crouched behind the display case, peeking out between the blueberry muffins and the orange-cranberry scones. A man stood just inside the door, baseball cap pulled low, talking on his phone. He’d never come into A Piece of Cake Bakery before. And it was probably just her imagination playing tricks on her, but she could swear it was Sam Weiss. As in, one of the hottest rock stars in America.

Carly peeked at him again from behind the scones, then leaned over to pick up the napkin she’d pretended to drop to give herself an excuse to snoop. Sam Weiss probably lived in Hollywood. There was no way he’d be standing here—sans entourage—in the doorway of her little bakery in Haven, North Carolina, a town in the Smoky Mountains so small that it barely registered as a blip on the map.

Nope.

She was daydreaming, as usual. She’d listened to Sam’s latest album, Renegade, this morning while she baked, and now she was imagining him here in her shop.

“What are you doing down there, Carly?”

Carly looked up to see her grandma, Marlene, peering at her over the glass countertop. “I, ah, dropped something.”

“Lost in your thoughts again?” her grandmother asked with a wide smile.

“Something like that.” Carly climbed to her feet, clutching the dropped napkin.

Her grandmother’s friend Dixie stood beside her, her blue eyes twinkling mischievously. “Daydreaming about that handsome young man over by the door, I bet.”

Carly resisted the urge to glance in his direction but felt herself grinning anyway. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Well, we’re on our way out,” her grandmother said. “Aqua aerobics to work off those muffins.”

“Worth every calorie,” Dixie added.

The two women waved as they headed for the door, walking past the mystery hottie as they left. Carly’s grandma had created this bakery and ran it happily for over twenty years. She’d retired six months ago, handing over the reins to Carly.

But owning A Piece of Cake had been anything but a piece of cake for Carly so far. Profits were down, way down. She needed to get her head out of the clouds—and her mind off certain rock star look-a-likes—before she ran her grandmother’s pride and joy straight into the ground.

With a heavy sigh, she tossed the napkin she still held into the trash.

“What do you recommend?”

She looked up and into the blue eyes of Sam Weiss—or his non-celebrity twin. Lookalike or not, he was ridiculously hot, and she was a dork because her cheeks were burning. He wore a leather jacket over a black T-shirt and dark-washed jeans. But his eyes…wow. He still wore the baseball cap pulled low, with a sinful amount of stubble on his cheeks that all screamed Rock God.

“If you have a sweet tooth, you should, um, try a cinnamon bun. They’re my specialty.”

He leaned in, resting his elbows on the counter. “I do have a sweet tooth, especially for a pretty woman who bakes. This your place?”

That voice. Sweet Jesus. It was smooth as caramel with just a hint of a southern twang, and she’d know it anywhere. Sam Weiss is in my shop! And did he just hit on me?

“Yes.” She cleared her throat because why did she suddenly sound like Minnie Mouse? “Yes, this is my shop.”

A slow smile curved his lips. “A pretty woman who bakes and owns her own business. I like you already.”

“Thanks.” She really shouldn’t keep staring, but whoa, her brain was short-circuiting because…Sam Weiss. In her shop. Looking like sex on a stick, and he smelled pretty awesome too, like some kind of expensive cologne. Yum.

“I’ll try one of your cinnamon buns…” He paused, glancing down for the nametag she never wore since everyone in town already knew her name.

“Carly,” she said, still sounding a bit like she’d inhaled helium.

“Carly.” He met her gaze again, and the sound of her name on his lips made her knees wobble. “And a coffee, black.”

“You got it,” she said with a smile that felt weird on her face, and God, why was she being such an idiot? “For here?”

He nodded, watching her intently as if he’d figured out by all her bumbling dorkiness that she’d recognized him because, really, how could he not? At least he looked amused instead of annoyed.

She dished up a cinnamon bun and a cup of coffee without dropping anything or making a further fool of herself, and he paid in cash—denying her the thrill of seeing what name might be on his credit card. He probably went by some cool alter ego when he traveled anyway.

“Thanks, Carly,” he said in that butter-soft voice that made her feel all hot and fluttery inside. Then he leaned in, winked, and pressed a finger to his lips, making a silent, “sh.”

And oh my God, he knew she knew. Which meant it was definitely him. And she grinned like an idiot while he walked to a table in the back and sat, long legs stretched in front of him. A muffled beep from the direction of the kitchen told her she’d forgotten to take the last batch of butterscotch pecan sandies out of the oven.

So much for keeping her mind on business this morning. But at this exact moment—her eyes still on Sam Weiss—she didn’t care. Not even a little bit.

Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in warm and sunny North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of rescue pets.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.rachellacey.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelLaceyAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelslacey