Could Hutton French and I actually be right for each other, or is it all just one big tease?
TEASE, an all new sizzling friends to lovers, fake engagement small town romantic comedy from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow, is now available!
I didn’t mean to say I was engaged to a hot billionaire–it just slipped out.
In my defense, I’d had a really bad haircut, a really strong drink, and I was trying to save face in front of the Mean Girl at my high school reunion.
Lucky for me, I happen to know a hot billionaire. Hutton French and I have been friends forever, and even though big social gatherings are not his thing, I called him from the coat closet and begged him for a favor–show up and play my fake fiancé for the night.
Except that word of our engagement spreads like wildfire. Our families are ecstatic. We’re front page news. My little food blog is launched into the stratosphere.
Of course, I offer to set the record straight right away, but Hutton wants to give it a little time–the phony engagement will keep his matrimony-mad mother and every matchmaking granny in town off his back.
He even suggests I move in with him to make the ruse more real.
And we don’t stop there.
We practice kissing. Undressing each other. Saying things–and doing things–we’d never dare if we weren’t pretending. Because it’s all for show, right? We’re just role-playing. Hutton doesn’t want a real relationship, and I don’t want to get hurt. But the more time we spend faking it, the more I start to wonder.
Could Hutton French and I actually be right for each other, or is it all just one big tease?
“Want something to drink? Whiskey or scotch?” “No, thanks. Mostly I just want to take these heels off.” “Leave them on.” I was already bending down to unbuckle one ankle strap. I looked up and saw him standing there with his glass in his hand. “What?” “Leave them on. And come over here.” I straightened up and took one tiny step. “On your hands and knees.” My breath caught. I could feel his eyes on me. Instantly I understood what this was, and even though I was a little nervous, I wanted to play along. I wanted to please him this way. The only problem was, I wasn’t entirely sure I could get to my knees in this tight dress. But I said a quick prayer and dropped to my knees on the carpet in one smooth motion. Thankfully, the dress material had some stretch, and the seams didn’t pop. “Good girl,” he said quietly, igniting a firestorm in my blood that surprised me. “Now come here.” My heart thrummed fast and loud as I lowered my palms to the floor and slowly closed the distance between us. I’d never done anything like this in my life—who am I right now?—but I liked the way it made me feel. Tempting. Seductive. Alluring. I’d never thought of myself that way before, but here and now, in this tight little black dress with the red satin heels, crawling toward a gorgeous, powerful man in a suit in our Manhattan hotel suite? My billionaire fake fiancé? It was easy to imagine I wasn’t myself at all. When I reached his feet, I sat back on my heels and looked up. Our eyes met. His lean, muscular silhouette looked imposing above me. Even that rebel lock of hair had been tamed into submission tonight. He took another sip of his drink and set the glass on the table. Pulled the chair at the head of the table aside. Loosened the knot in his tie. “Are you okay?” “Yes.” “If there’s a point tonight where you are not, you should tell me.” He slipped the tie from his collar. I swallowed hard. “Like a safe word?” His mouth hooked up on one side. His hand freed the top button of his shirt. “You already have a safe word?” “No,” I said quickly. “I’ve never needed one before.” “You do now.” He undid a second button. “So what will it be?” Of course, I couldn’t fucking think of anything, and I panicked. “Roy Kent,” I blurted. He cocked his head, his hand still on his shirt. “Who’s Roy Kent?” “Never mind. I’ll think of another one.” Do not say Oklahoma. Do not say bumblebee. I racked my brain for something else. “Romeo,” I said breathlessly. “That’s what I’ll say. Romeo.” He set his tie on the table and offered me a hand. Placing my palm in his, I rose to my feet. “Is anything going to hurt?” I asked, picturing whips, chains, ball gags, metal cuffs and clamps, shiny rubber gloves. “I don’t need to inflict pain to feel in control, if that’s what you’re asking.” “Okay. Should I—” But that was all I got out because he spun me around and clamped a hand over my mouth, pressing his body tight against my back.
I love this series so much. Melanie Harlow does the best leading men who have some kind of issue who you just want to hug and who have you rooting for them to find their happy ever after!!
Hutton French was one of these leading males. Social anxiety is a helluva thing and Ms Harlow wrote Hutton so well. Anxiety doesn’t have boundaries, affect certain people or care about your successes…. and it had a stronghold on Hutton. That he stepped out of his box for Felicity said a lot about his character and what she meant to him and I loved that making her happy made him happy. He was awesome!!
Felicity MacAllister is a sweetheart. Middle sister of three girls she feels like the odd one out, stresses about just about everything and can’t see herself in a relationship. There’s a lot these two have in common….. l adored Lissy. The gods, she blurted out things at the worst time and it wasn’t just little word vomits she had, no Felicity came up with some doozies!!! She liked Horton as he was, knew and accepted his limitations and was always supportive, she was exactly who and what he needed.
I loved the history these two had. The fact that they both knew they had someone in their corner – outwith family – who accepted them for who they were and would be there for them was really sweet. What started as a fake relationship became much more and I genuinely felt they were meant to be, even if it took them both a bit to get out of their own heads!
Seeing Hutton & Felicity realise what they wanted and going along for the journey that took them there was a great read. Catching up with the assorted family members from previous books in the series is always fun.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment of this series and cannot wait to find out more about Millie!!!!
About Melanie Harlow
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Sometimes doing things wrong is the only way to make it right.
Rebel, an all-new steamy mercenary standalone romance in the Alpha Mountain Series from USA Today bestselling authors Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale, is available now!
She’s the law in town. Holds the handcuffs. The beauty can put them on me. Anytime.
One look and I’ll do anything for the woman. Even help her break every rule she’s vowed to uphold. Because sometimes doing things wrong is the only way to make it right.
I arched a brow. “Are you daring me to disarm you, baby doll? Because I had a different kind of tussling in mind tonight, but I am totally down with whatever gets you hot.” Her eyes narrowed, but I saw a gleam of interest in them. She hit the release button to drop the magazine cartridge from the Glock then pulled back the slide to spit the live round out onto the floor. She loosened her shoulders. “Show me what you’ve got, big guy.” As much as I loved throwing my weight around in bed with Megan, in this scenario, I was loath to manhandle her. This was a losing proposition. As in, I’d better let her win because me winning would definitely be the wrong move. How did I know this? The gun to the head was a pretty solid giveaway. I eyed her for a solid ten seconds before my hand shot out to knock her wrist up. She landed an impressive karate-style kick in the center of my chest that knocked me back and out of range. This was how she wanted to play? “You’re toying with me,” she accused. “Nah.” I held my hand out for the weapon, and this time she handed it over. When she did, I caught her wrist and spun her around until her back hit my front, and I could restrain her from behind. Our arms were banded about her torso, and my hard dick was nestled against her perfect ass. “I just wait for the right opportunities,” I murmured against her ear.
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
The second book in the Alpha Mountain series, Rebel wasn’t just as action packed as Indie & Ford’s story but it was still a really great read!
Hayes fell hard for deputy Megan the first time he laid eyes on her and in typical SEAL fashion, nothing she did or said stopped his pursuit of her. This man was loyal, honourable had a good heart and was determined to the max – oh yeah, can’t forget that dirty mouth of his, his sexiness or his dominance!! 😉
Megan had secrets, secrets that she thought would change everyone’s opinion if her if they ever found out about them, especially Hayes. Man, she frustrated the bloody life out of me a lot of the read…… she either couldn’t see or just couldn’t accept – probably option two… – what was right in front of her. Regardless of how much Hayes showed her he was there through thick and thin she just couldn’t believe she was entitled to that kind of love and support.
The bad guys were really dislikable and I was hoping that Hayes might get to get rid of them at some point…. a girl can dream, eh?
This pair were hot and heavy and perfect for each other.
Loved that the Team was involved throughout the story and that we got to catch up with Mrs. L – I adore Ford’s grandma!!!
I’m really looking forward to both Taft and Kennedy’s stories – and hoping that I’m right about the gal for Kennedy!!!!
A definite 4.5* recommended read…
Start the Series
She’s my best friend’s sister. Off-limits. Before he died, I promised I’d never touch her. After years in the military, I’m back in Montana determined to clear his name. No one’s hero. Just a mountain man. A mercenary set on revenge. Now, I owe it to my friend to protect his sister. Except being near her shreds my resolve. She tempts me at every turn. Each day is a brutal torment, and my honor and willpower …are about to snap.
Welcome to Alpha Mountain, the powerful new series by USA Today bestselling authors Vanessa Vale and Renee Rose. Where strong, alpha men will move mountains to protect and claim their women.
USA Today Bestselling Author Renee Rose loves a dominant, dirty-talking alpha hero! She’s sold over a million copies of steamy romance with varying levels of kink. Her books have been featured in USA Today’s Happily Ever After and Popsugar. Named Eroticon USA’s Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, she has also won Spunky and Sassy’s Favorite Sci-Fi and Anthology author, and Romance Reviews Best Historical Romance. She’s hit the USA Today list ten times with her Chicago Bratva, Bad Boy Alpha, Wolf Ranch books, and various anthologies.
Vanessa Vale is the USA Today bestselling author of sexy romance novels, including her popular Bridgewater historical romance series and hot contemporary romances. With over one million books sold, Vanessa writes about unapologetic bad boys who don’t just fall in love, they fall hard. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, audio and even as an online game. When she’s not writing, Vanessa savors the insanity of raising two boys and figuring out how many meals she can make with a pressure cooker. While she’s not as skilled at social media as her kids, she loves to interact with readers.
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