Billionaire's Matchmaker, an Anthology
by Shirley
Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun and Barbara Wallace
When a handsome man from Gabby’s past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.Marney’s 9-1-1 emergency help arrives in the form of a rugged, blue-eyed cop. Now she has the perfect bodyguard to keep her safe during those dark, steamy nights…The last thing Mia wants is a relationship…yet the headstrong florist can’t keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend. Will she open her heart before he leaves town for good?Jenny is a woman on a mission – she’ll even resort to dognapping to make her point! But can she teach a reclusive, emotionally-wounded tycoon that love heals all things?
EXCERPTS
Driving Mr. Wrong Home” in THE
BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER by Shirley Jump
Damn, he
looked good, with the dark hair she remembered, now a little longer and with a
wave that swung across his forehead. She had the strangest urge to brush that
hair back, to let her hands tangle in the locks, to draw him closer to her, to—
Kiss him.
Instead, she
talked, keeping her mouth busy with something other than T.J. “What’s with you
and this adventure thing? You used to be the one I had to convince.”
He mouth
quirked. “Do I detect a little surprise? At not being in control?”
“I can turn
the tables on you so fast, your head will spin.”
He leaned
back on the bench, crossed his arms over his chest, and smiled. “Oh yeah? I’d
like to see you try.”
The challenge
roared inside her, awakening the old Gabby. It spurred her to stand up slowly
while T.J. watched the movement. Even in jeans, boots, and a thick winter coat,
she knew how to shift her hips to draw his attention. His smile grew wider as
she closed the distance between them, propped a hand on either side of him,
then leaned in close, a breath away. She waited until his brows arched in
surprise and his smile faltered, like in the old days, when he stuttered,
unnerved by her in a miniskirt or a racy suggestion. Oh, she’d show him who was
in control and maybe he’d stop trying to prove otherwise.
She brought
her lips to his and whispered against his mouth. “The tables are turned, Mr.
Shepherd. What are you going to do about it?”
“Turn them
back in my favor.” He cupped her head and drew her closer.
The Sheriff’s Secret in THE
BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER by Susan Meier
Dell stood
too. “You cooked. I’ll clean up.”
Handing
Charlie a treat, she shook her head. “I can’t let you do that. That wouldn’t be
very hospitable.”
“What do you
say we do it together?”
They stacked
the dishes in the dishwasher, chatting a bit more. He made her laugh a time or
two and Marney’s stomach clenched. He was smart, funny and very good looking.
Not only that, but they shared a lot of similar experiences. Families who
suffocated them. Exes who’d dumped them. And he really wasn’t bossy as much as
he incredibly sure of himself, confident in a way that was more sexy than
manipulative. He really wasn’t like Doug at all.
But he didn’t
want to get involved again. She’d invited him to dinner to rectify their former
misconceptions. Wouldn’t it be counterproductive to try to start something that
might make her look crazy again? Especially since he’d made it perfectly clear
he didn’t want a relationship?
Of course it
would.
Still, when
they stood at her front door, close enough to touch, but not touching, her
hormones sat on the edges of her skin, breathlessly awaiting a kiss that she
knew wasn’t going to happen.
“Thank you
for dinner.”
His soft,
sensual voice sent goose bumps down her spine. “You’re welcome.”
He turned to
open the door, but stopped and faced her again. His gray-blue eyes sparked with
confusion. “I meant what I said about not wanting a relationship.”
“I know.”
“Neither of
us should want a relationship anyway after our first failures.”
“I think my
ex cured me of that.” But suddenly she didn’t feel like that. Her divorce had
been nasty, but she was surprised to realize she was ready for another
relationship. Plus, she and Dell had fun together when their attraction didn’t
make them both nervous. She wouldn’t mind exploring where this would go.
He stepped
close to her, slid his hand down her hair. “The hell of it is I like you.”
The breath
that lodged in her throat prevented her from replying. He liked her? She’d
guessed that but she never thought he’d admit it.
“We’d
probably be perfect lovers.” He laughed. “God knows I’m attracted to you.”
Before she
could even think of a response to that, he lowered his head and kissed her. His
lips rubbed across hers, coaxing them open. Just like at the fundraiser, her
head spun. Her bones dissolved. Her heart thundered in her chest.
His hands
slid from her neck to her shoulders and down her back to her butt, sending
rivers of molten need through her. He squeezed once, twice, then his hands
drifted up her back, massaging until one drifted around front and found her
breast.
Her nipples
instantly hardened. Her breath stuttered out of her mouth, into his. Their kiss
shifted from hot to super nova. Their tongues mated frantically.
And then he
pulled away.
The world
vibrated around her for thirty seconds before she realized he stood there
staring at her.
“I want to
sleep with you.” He sucked in a breath. “But you wouldn’t like my terms. No
strings. No commitments. It’s awfully hard to have that in a small town unless
both of us are ready to be so discreet even our friends don’t know what we’re
doing.”
Then he
opened the door and left.
She combed
her fingers through her hair. What the hell was that? How was she supposed to
sleep now? Every hormone she had was on red alert. The man was potent. Like a
drug. And ninety-nine-point-nine percent of her wanted to throw caution to the
wind and spend a glorious night in bed with him.
About the Authors
About Shirley Jump
New York
Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump spends her days writing
romance and women’s fiction to feed her shoe addiction and avoid cleaning the
toilets. She cleverly finds writing time by feeding her kids junk food,
allowing them to dress in the clothes they find on the floor and encouraging
the dogs to double as vacuum cleaners. Look for her Sweet and Savory Romance
series, including the USA Today bestselling book, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, on
Amazon and Nook, and the debut of her Sweetheart Club series for Berkley,
starting with THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN in September 2013. Visit her website at
www.shirleyjump.com or read recipes and life adventures at
www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com.
BOOK TITLE: “Driving Mr. Wrong Home” in THE BILLIONAIRE’S
MATCHMAKER, Indulgence
About Jackie Braun
Jackie Braun
is the author of more than 30 contemporary romance novels. She is a three-time RITA Award finalist, a
four-time National Readers’ Choice Award finalist and was nominated for Series
Storyteller of the Year by RT Book Club in 2008. She lives in Michigan with her
husband, their two sons and a former shelter dog named Pip.
Anthology
name and my title: The Billionaire’s Matchmaker/Love Unleashed.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jackie_Braun
Website: www.jackiebraun.com
Blogging 2
Tuesdays each month on The Chocolate Box: www.chocolateboxwriters.com
About Susan Meier
In 2013 Susan Meier
lived one of her career-long dreams. Her book, THE TYCOON’S SECRET DAUGHER was
a finalist for RWA’s highest honor, the Rita! The same year NANNY FOR THE
MILLIONAIRE’S TWINS was a Book Buyer’s Best Award finalist and National
Reader’s Choice finalist.
Susan is the author
of over 50 books for Harlequin and Silhouette, Entangled Indulgence and one of
Guideposts' Grace Chapel Inn series books, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.
One of eleven kids,
Susan never lacks for entertainment or amusement from her over thirty nieces
and nephews. Her family’s Wednesday Morning Breakfasts are the highlight of her
summer. And with lots of her nieces and nephews now in their twenties, wedding
season is in full swing!
Susan lives in west
central Pennsylvania with her husband, son and two crazy cats.
THE SHERIFF’S SECRET
in the THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER anthology for Entangled Indulgence
Connect with Susan at
Website: http://www.susanmeier.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.meier.54
Twitter: @susanmeier1
About Barbara Wallace
Barbara
Wallace has been a life-long romantic and daydreamer so it’s not surprising she
decided to become a writer at age eight.
However, it wasn’t until a co-worker handed her a romance novel that she
knew where her stories belonged. Her
first Harlequin Romance debuted in November 2010.
Barbara loves
writing sweet, smart, ‘it-could-happen-to-you’ style romances. She lives in Massachusetts with her other
loves – her husband, their teenage son, and three very spoiled pets (as if
there could be any other kind). She also
loves hearing from readers.
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Giveaway
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