I sit. And I breathe.

I’ve moved on to checking my email when Brandon comes up and sits beside me.

“You’re not dressed,” I say.

“I’m dressed from the waist down.”

I look. He’s wearing the polar bears. His chest is bare. Not that I’m complaining.

“Monday.” I hold up my phone. “That’s just tomorrow. Can you believe they’re breaking ground on Hayes Park already?”

Brandon takes my phone. He pockets it. But because he’s wearing pajama pants, the pockets are loose, and the phone just drops to the deck. Brandon lets it go. Either it’s broken or it’s not.

I turn to look at his profile. It’s hard to believe that this jawline isn’t what sold me. When I met Brandon, he had it under wraps. The man’s version of a burka. I guess I got lucky that he turned out to be such great eye candy from the neck up.

I reach out and brush his cheek. It’s covered with dark stubble.

“Growing your beard back?”

“Like I’m going to shave on a weekend.” He turns. “Do you want me to?”

“No.”

“It’ll cover the scar.”

Brandon’s scar is long and aggressive. It’s not the kind of thing he could hide without growing a beard. But to me, it’s a badge of honor. It’s as much a part of who he is as his often-subtle sense of humor. Most people look at Brandon from his left and see a handsome young executive. I look at him from the right and see a hero. I’ve heard the story a few times now, from both Brandon and Bridget. Their versions differ slightly, mostly over the stupidity of Bridget’s choice of mate and/or Brandon’s refusal to step in earlier, but the essentials are the same. He’d seen the knife going in. He’d known what he was facing. But it was either Bridget or him, and on the whole he said he’d rather it be him.

“I like your scar.” I trace it with my finger.

Because to me, it’s proof that he’s paid life’s dues. That he isn’t soft. That he steps in when it matters. And that, contrary to what my father thought about us at first, Brandon doesn’t do anything halfway. Dad’s fears that I was a meaningless fling to Brandon may have felt real to my father, and looking back, I even understand them, given our start. But I knew the truth. I knew it that first night. The first time he smiled at me. The first time I felt something inside me drop like an elevator. The first time, much later, that he said he loved me. And then every time afterward.

“You don’t have a choice,” he says.

“I could divorce you.”

“We’re not married.”

“Not yet. I could marry you then divorce you.”

“Mmm.”

“Then take half your money.”

“Because that’s what you need. My money. It’s just your father’s money, recycled through my paycheck.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. Most people earn their money through hard work. Brandon earned his through hard work and a tough gamble. But he’d been right, and I suspect he’d always known he would be. My father is a smart man. And smart men don’t throw away valuable assets just because they let their hearts get the best of them. We angered Dad plenty, yes. But only fools hold grudges, and slice off their noses to spite their faces.

“What do you want to do today?” Brandon asks.

“Nothing.”

“We have to do something.” 

I look over at him — at my strong, loyal, honorable man. Then I look out across the valley, back at the sun rising over the hill, at our rooftop deck with its comfortable chairs, at the cup of warm liquid in my hands.

I set the coffee down. I reach over and take Brandon’s hand in mine.

He’s wrong. We don’t have to do anything.

We can do whatever we want, here and now, living the life of Riley.

Inferno Falls Continues in Book Two ... 

WANTMOREINFERNO? CLICK HERE … the story continues in book 2!

Gavin might just be the music that Abigail yearns for … if only his painful past will allow him to love again.

Just a few months after arriving at Inferno Falls, Abigail can’t see the light at the end of her tunnel. No one can complain about being overworked and broke when the rest of the country’s the same way, but that doesn’t make it any easier when Abigail has to live the story every day. It’s not the work or the meager lifestyle she minds. Abigail wants something more...something inspired...something raw.

Gavin is a grieving musician trying to re-find his inspiration. He’s mourning a crushing loss, and life has become too mundane, too typical, to give him the material for songs that used to come so easy. What could he expect to find in Inferno Falls that would truly stir his heart? After all, he’s been shattered by love too many times to find any comfort in a woman’s arms.

The song begins in THE FORBIDDEN MUSE. Go here to get your copy:

http://aubreyparker.net/book/the-forbidden-muse-inferno-falls-book-two/

Stuff You Should Know

HEYTHERE. THANKSFORREADINGThe Boss’s Daughter, first in the Inferno Falls series! And an extra big thanks for taking a chance on me, as a new romance author. (I’ve actually written other books under a pen name. But that remains a mystery for now. :) )

If you liked this book, you’re going to love the next book in the series: The Forbidden Muse. You’ve already met the players. Remember Gavin, the musician from the Overlook? And remember Abigail, from the Nosh Pit? Turns out they might just need each other, but Gavin has had one hell of a painful past. He’s not good at letting people get close, in case he gets hurt again. But that’s what the story is for, right?

I’ve got a lot in mind for Inferno Falls. The series is currently just three books deep, but more are coming. And for those of you who like things a little spicier, I’m also working on a sideways novella series that’s hot-hot-hot … think of them as Inferno Falls books 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 to go between 3 and 4. That one is chock full of drama. And kinda dirty. :)

You can actually get the first in that series, The Burning Offer (Trevor’s Harem book 1), for free if you join my mailing list. You can get your free copy here: http://aubreyparker.net/join.

What else? Oh, yeah, Facebook. My Facebook page is here. I’m not very active on Facebook, but I run contests and stuff, so please be sure to “like” my page. That way you can stay up to date on my giveaways.

Anyway, if you liked this book, you’ll definitely want to read its sequel, The Forbidden Muse. You can get it right now at this link: http://aubreyparker.net/book/the-forbidden-muse-inferno-falls-book-two/

… and please be sure to stay tuned. I’ve got a LOT more in store for you, and it’s going to be a fun ride. :)

WANT TO GET THE FIRST BOOK IN MY UPCOMING SERIES FREE?