“Oh, they’re getting used to it,” Reid said easily. “This is my third, and they do the oil changes for me. One of them always takes it for a spin.” He tossed his keys and caught them. “Want a ride somewhere?”
Cassie glanced toward Tori and the minivan, then at Reid. His eyes lit and she took a chance, telling him what she really wanted. “No. I want to drive it.”
After all, her cousins had driven it already.
“But you aren’t going to change the oil, are you?” Reid murmured. There was mischief in his expression, mischief that tempted Cassie to have him name his price.
“You want something in exchange?” she asked, having a very good idea what she might suggest. She was feeling the need to be a bit wild and it looked like Reid might meet her halfway.
He was, by far, the most interesting thing about returning to Montrose River so far.
And she wanted very badly to surprise him.
“One kiss,” he said and tossed the keys into the air, catching them again. “You can drive it wherever you want for one kiss.”
Cassie shook her head. “That’s it? I expected a tougher bargain from you, Reid.”
“Like what?” His voice was low and soft, his gaze unswerving.
“I thought you’d want to find out where my boots end.”
He laughed out loud, obviously surprised by her comment. His eyes glowed with interest. “I didn’t think you’d go for that. My mistake.”
“But a kiss it is. You sold yourself short, Reid.”
“Maybe I’ll have a chance to make another offer,” he murmured.
“I should help Tori,” she said, remembering why she was in town.
“Go!” Tori called, obviously having overheard their conversation. Her eyes were sparkling. “Dinner in one hour.” She pointed at Cassie. “I expect you to be on time and then do the dishes for this.”
“Looks like you’re free, after all,” Reid said.
Cassie dropped her voice low. “Don’t be fooled. I’m very expensive.”
Reid laughed. “But worth every penny, I’m sure.”
His gaze was so hot that Cassie had to avert her gaze. She checked her watch. “We can’t go far.”
He nodded. “Lover’s Leap, maybe,” he said, his gaze returning to hers. There was a dare in his expression. “The road has some nice curves on the way there. It’s good for getting a feel for the gearbox.”
Their gazes met and locked, the gleam in his eyes making Cassie’s heart pound. She’d never made out at Lover’s Leap. She’d never liked a guy enough to do it—or the ones she’d liked hadn’t liked her enough to offer.
The curves in the road weren’t the real reason Reid wanted to go there and she knew it.
“Uh huh,” Cassie said. “You just want to get more than we agreed upon.”
“And I’m prepared to give more for it.” His grin widened as he leaned closer, giving Cassie the sense that she’d made a deal with the devil himself. His voice dropped low. “You can collect anything you want from me, anytime, Cassie Wilson.”
Cassie’s heart stopped, then raced. She plucked the keys from Reid’s hand, their skin brushing one more time in that electric way. “Lover’s Leap it is.”
Just One Hometown Hero
Flatiron Five Fitness #4
Available Now!
Just One Snowbound Night
Flatiron Five Tattoo #1
Flatiron Five has a new tattoo shop—run by the enigmatic and legendary tattoo artist Chynna. When the moon is full, Chynna creates one tattoo to set two hearts afire and gives it away, with the goal of making romantic dreams come true. Who will be next?
Olivia trusts here-and-now…
Olivia doesn’t believe in magic or everlasting love—she’s a scientist, after all—but winning a tattoo from Chynna convinces her to take a chance. She’s always admired her best friend Lexi’s big brother Spencer, maybe because opposites attract. What would it be like to seduce him? Would it end her fascination with him? With a little help from her friends and a blindfold, Liv decides to find out. The bonus is that Spencer will never know his secret lover was her…
Spencer believes in forever…
But Spencer guesses the truth almost right away. He’s good with having Olivia want him—having her alone in his cabin is the perfect chance to teach her to trust sensation and him. A blizzard interferes with Olivia’s plan, giving Spencer more time to work his own persuasive magic. He knows a night or two will only be the beginning of what he wants to last forever. Can he convince Olivia to give love a try, or will she leave him forever as soon as the snow melts?
Just One Snowbound Night
Flatiron Five Tattoo #1
Available Now!
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About the Author
Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called Romance of the Rose published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, she has published over fifty novels in a wide variety of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, time-travel romance, women’s fiction, paranormal young adult and fantasy with romantic elements. She has published under the names Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. The Beauty, part of her successful Bride Quest series of historical romances, was her first title to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Her books routinely appear on other bestseller lists and have won numerous awards. In 2009, she was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America’s Mentor of the Year Award.
Currently, she writes contemporary romances and paranormal romances under the name Deborah Cooke. She also writes medieval romances as Claire Delacroix. Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and family, as well as far too many unfinished knitting projects.
Visit Deborah’s Website and Blog
Visit Claire’s Website and Blog
More Contemporary Romance by Deborah Cooke
Flatiron Five Fitness
1. Just One Fake Date
Tyler and Shannyn
2. Just One More Time
Kyle and Lauren
3. Just One Night Together
Damon and Haley