I hope you enjoy this excerpt!

I'm so happy that Alice has a family and is part of the Westbrooks. She deserved a home and a place to belong.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Russ stowed the posters in the trunk and climbed behind the wheel.


“I did my sixth-grade book diorama on The Three Musketeers. It was the first big book I ever read,” said Alice as they clicked their seat belts. “Did you know D’Artagnan was made a musketeer twice? Talk about plot holes.”


Russ reached into the back seat. “I didn’t know that, but I did know you did your diorama on the book. That’s why I bought it for you.” He placed a tired, well-loved book tied with a blue bow in her lap. “Happy birthday.”


Shocked beyond belief that he’d not only remembered it was her birthday but had bought the one thing that could make her heart beat faster than running a 5k, Alice squealed and threw her arms around Russ.


He hugged her close, and Alice breathed in the subtle scent of his cologne. Brisk, it reminded her of the awe-inspiring view from the top of White Top Mountains and the whipping winds of desire that pulsed through her veins when Russ was near.


Air was suddenly a hot commodity, as she had a difficult time getting enough of it into her body. Wanting to run her hands up his back and through his pirate-length hair, she became self-conscious and moved back, only to be stopped by his formidable arms still holding her close.

Meeting his intense gaze, she searched his soulful eyes for a spark of the heat burning inside of her. She became acutely aware that this was the first time she’d hugged Russ.

Though they’d spent a lot of time together over the last year, they’d never had any type of physical connection—and here she was, her skin humming and feeling hot and cold and everything in between.
“You’re the best,” she said.


Russ glanced at her lips, and Alice dropped her eyes, the intensity of the moment overwhelming her control.

😁
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