Last chance for this ⏰ time sensitive $ale
Jan 13, 2023 9:10 pm
Hello! I didn't want you to miss your chance to get Bee Stings for $0.99. This deal ends today! Saturday, the price increases to $1.99, and then it goes back to the regular price of $2.99. Psst...Bee Stings has an extra hot bonus scene linked in the back of the book.
Still not sure? Scroll to read the first chapter.
Countdown deals are only available in US and UK markets per Amazon's terms of service. Bee Stings is available to read everywhere with your KU subscription.
Chapter 1
Ali
“Oh, hell no.”
Anger lights in my belly as the motorcycle flips up rocks and dirt across the walking path. It takes every ounce of restraint I have to hold back the barrage of swear words I want to hurl in the biker’s direction. But it’s U-Cut Day at Purple Haze, and customers are milling about enjoying their fresh-cut lavender bouquets.
“Where does he think he’s going? This isn’t some thoroughfare.”
I carefully lay the string lights aside and climb down the ladder. We’ve had enough chaos here the last couple of days. Wednesday evening’s wedding was almost a disaster due to a freak swarm of bees. Anais, the owner of Purple Haze, temporarily shut down the hiking trails as a precaution. The last thing Purple Haze needs is disgruntled bee-stung customers.
We’re able to keep most of the pest population at bay naturally with specific plants, scented candles, and lanterns. They blend in perfectly with event décor. But bees are crucial for pollinating lavender. There's not much to do about them besides cross our fingers. I make a beeline for the walking path and march stiffly in the direction of the biker.
He’s going to get an earful for trespassing like this.
The motorcycle comes to a stop just shy of the tree line. Precisely the spot with the closed sign on the hiking trail. My gut roils with contempt for the jerk's complete disregard for the signs. Anyone with common sense would know this isn't the place for motorized transportation.
By the time I reach the sleek black bike, I'm fuming mad. My fingers wad into fists, and I clench my jaw, gnashing my teeth together. Not only is the biker tearing up the trail, but he’s also costing me precious time. As event coordinator for the lavender farm, it's my job to ensure everything's perfect for tonight’s private event.
He drags the kickstand in place with his boot and throws his far leg over the back of the bike. I stop short a few inches from where he stands. When he turns, we're mere inches apart. His black T-shirt clings to his broad chest, amplifying every bulge and ripple of his taut body. He radiates heat and masculinity. My mouth goes dry, and I swallow hard as my pulse falters.
The dark shield spanning the front of his helmet conceals his identity. But I don’t need to see his face to know he’s sexy as heck and not from around here. I know all the locals. He’s got to be a tourist. Here today, gone tomorrow.
He tilts his head back to unbuckle the chin strap. A scruff of neatly clipped dark hair skitters across his jawline. He pulls the helmet off, and I watch his muscled arms tighten and flex. When our eyes meet, I know him instantly. My lips go numb, and my fingers and toes begin to tingle. Every word that flashed across my brain seconds ago vanishes as I scramble to make sense of what he’s doing here.
Hot damn.
His lips widen into a grin. My tongue darts out across my bottom lip as I watch his Adam's apple bob up and down as he chuckles. I realize I'm gawking like a schoolgirl with a bad crush.
Good grief. What’s gotten into me? It’s not like I haven’t seen an attractive man before. But Mason Carter isn’t an ordinary man.
What’s Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor and confirmed bad boy doing in Honey Ridge?
Gage
I’m used to women staring. Hell, sometimes they cross the line and grab at me. But the strawberry-blonde woman with Cupid’s bow lips standing in front of me isn’t an ordinary fan. She elicits an unfamiliar response in me. A fiery charge ripples through my gut when her pink tongue swipes across her plump lower lip. I’m not sure if it’s her or the fields of purple flowers, but I’m digging the sunshine and floral vibe wafting from her.
“Gage Harley.” I hook my helmet around the rearview and quickly introduce myself before she has a chance to blurt out my stage name. I’m here to blend in, not flaunt my star status. I offer my hand in the small space between our bodies. “My uncle sent me over from Bee Sweet to take a look at your bee problem.”
“I’m…Ali,” She falters before shaking my hand. She cocks her head and eyes me quizzically. “Ali Carmichael. Excuse my staring. I thought you were someone else. We get a lot of visitors here.”
“No harm, no foul.” Electricity surges through my spine when our fingers touch. She's magnetic, and I'm drawn to her instantly.
Honey Ridge is my home away from home. At least it used to be. I spent every summer with Uncle Jaxton growing up. He taught me everything there is to know about bees, honey, and how to take care of them properly. It was the perfect summer job for a teenage boy back in the day, but it wasn't my true calling. Nowadays, the visits are few and far between. I'm long overdue for this visit, and I need the privacy this little town provides. Honey Ridge might be a destination hot spot for vacationers. Still, the people who live here year-round take care of one another. I'm hoping they'll treat me like one of their own.
“If Jaxton sent you, where’s your gear?” She eyes the bike as if a beekeeper suit will suddenly appear. “And you can’t ride that thing on the property. This is a walking trail. There are signs posted everywhere. You made a mess of the trail.”
Ali’s a good head shorter than I am. She might lack height, but there’s no shortage of spunk, attitude, and curves. There’s no way to ignore her hourglass figure or her toned arms. She’s feminine in all the right places with the grit of a hard worker.
“Sorry about the bike. Won’t happen again.”
"Damn straight, it won't."
She’s feisty, too. I’d say I liked her better when she looked at me all loopy-like, but I’d be lying to myself. There’s something over-the-top sexy about a spirited woman.
And I have all summer to make her mine.
INSTALOVE SPOTLIGHT'S ON...
This week's Instalove Spotlight has been on Slow to Love. A confident virgin heroine who's slow to embrace relationships and love. A brother of the bride hero who's jaded from riding his sister's wedding planning roller coaster. Read the first chapter in the Monday, Jan. 9 newsletter.
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Thank you for scrolling today. I'll be back Monday with the first chapter of Power of Love. Have a happy and safe weekend!
XOX Piper