Growing up in Florida, Beth Hansen feels smothered by her
parents and moves from one place to another each time she
feels someone getting too close to her. Currently in New
Hampshire, Beth loses her job because of Kevin Kowalski.
Kevin was only trying to shield Beth from her drunken
employer. Both are surprised at meeting again at Kevin's
brother's wedding where she now has a job working for the
caterer.
After their one-night stand, Beth finds herself pregnant.
Telling Kevin about the pregnancy has Beth in fear of him
taking control of her life, so she places obstacles in his
path at every turn. Even though both have stronger feelings
than they admit to, they agree to a "friendship" for the
baby's sake only. Kevin desires more but can't convince
Beth he has feelings for her and not just because of the
pregnancy. Kevin's huge, loud and close-knit family
terrifies Beth. As the pregnancy nears the end, Beth's
vehicle accident forces them both to face the inevitable.
I found this to be a super cute story of two people thrown
together by unfortunate circumstances only to find they are
destined for each other. Kevin's family is extremely close
and clingy; presenting an obstacle for Beth to overcome in
realizing she can love Kevin without losing her
independence. The constant bickering between the two is
amusing throughout the story. This is one of those well-
written stories that is difficult to put down once you have
started it.
Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their
phone numbers at him, but lately he's more interested in
finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth
Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn't gone so badly...
Beth's tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face
with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she'd see again.
She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call,
she can't say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back
to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without
leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.
Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing
where things go with Beth. After all, he's not the player
she thinks he is. But she's not ready for a relationship
and, given his reputation, it's going to take a lot to
convince her to go on a second date with the father of her
child...
Excerpt
October
Every time the New England Patriots chalked
one up in the win column, Kevin Kowalski got laid.
A score
for them was a score for him. Not that he was always looking
for a companion on a Sunday night, but the offers weren't
scarce. As he slid a foaming mug of Sam Adams down the
polished surface of the best damn sports bar in New
Hampshire's capital city—which just happened to list
his name as proprietor—he caught a blonde watching
him. The Pats were lining up at first and goal on the
big-screen, but her eyes were on him, letting him know the
New England quarterback wasn't the only guy in scoring
position.
But tonight he was having a hard time
concentrating on the blonde with the chemically enhanced
lips, surgically enhanced boobs and alcohol-enhanced sex
drive giving him the you could go all the way
look.
He was too busy keeping his eye on the brunette at
the other end of the bar. It wasn't just the fact she was
pretty, with a mess of dark brown hair falling to her
shoulders and eyes to match. Or that her fisherman's sweater
and jeans hugged her body in all the right places, though
that certainly didn't hurt.
Mostly he was keeping an eye
on her because her date was going downhill in a hurry.
Either the guy in the uptight, button-down shirt and khakis
had had a couple before he walked into the bar or he had the
alcohol tolerance of a high-school freshman, because it had
only taken a couple shots of scotch for drunken-asshole
syndrome to kick in.
Now there was some body language
going on between the couple and her body wanted away from
his body. His fingers would start looking for a soft place
to land. She'd deflect. Rinse and repeat.
Jasper's Bar &
Grille had three rules. No smoking. No throwing beer mugs,
even at the Jets fans. And when a lady said no, it meant
no.
The Patriots scored and the glasses shook on the
shelves as a triumphant roar filled Jasper's. The blonde
hopped up and down on her barstool, her boobs testing the
bungee ability of her bra straps. And the jerk with the
wandering hands raised his empty glass to wave it in Kevin's
general direction.
He made his way down to the couple, but
ignored the glass. "We won't be serving you any more
alcohol, but you're welcome to a coffee or a soda, on the
house."
Uptight Guy's face turned as red as a Budweiser
label and Kevin sighed. He was going to be one of
those guys. Jasper's had a zero-tolerance policy, so
as the guy's ass lifted off the stool, Kevin gave Paulie the
signal and watched her roll her eyes as she reached for the
phone.
"I'm not drunk and I want another goddamn
scotch!"
The woman put her hand on the guy's arm, as if to
push him back onto his seat. "Derek, let's—"
"Who
the hell are you to tell me I can't have another goddamn
scotch?"
Uptight Guy's bad-ass act was diluted a bit by
the weaving. "I'm the guy who reserves the right to refuse
you service."
"Beth, tell this asshole to gimme another
drink."
Kevin shook his head. "You're cut off."
It
happened fast. Kevin wasn't sure if the guy was throwing a
punch or reaching in to grab him by the shirt, but his elbow
hit his date and knocked her backward. She didn't fall,
thanks to the guy sitting next to her, who was pleasantly
surprised to find himself with an armful of brunette, but it
distracted Kevin enough to allow the guy to land a weak,
glancing blow to his jaw.