Wow. Aiden was definitely a winner.
“Have you been to one of these before, Aiden?” I asked, praying he said no. I’d hate to learn he was a regular on the dating app scene.
“No, this is my first time. You?” he asked.
“Same,” I replied, then leaned in close and admitted, “Actually, I don’t even belong to the app, I’m here doing a favor for a friend.”
“Ah,” Aiden said, that deep voice seeming to rumble through me. “You are single though, right? Or are you simply here for fun?”
“Single. But also, here for fun,” I teased, leaning in a smidge closer.
I could smell his cologne, which was dark and woodsy, and feel the heat coming off of his body.
“I see,” he said, smoothly.
“Do you? Because I’d love to get your number,” I said, going out on a limb and not caring in the slightest.
He was the most interesting man I’d met recently. And not just tonight, but in the last few months. Hell, he may have been the first guy to get this kind of instant reaction out of me in years.
“How about you talk to me after?” Aiden suggested.
The deal was we would have five minutes with each guy and then after there’d be a kind of social hour, where you could talk more in depth with the people who caught your eye.
“I’ll do that,” I promised, just as the announcer said to move.
I watched Aiden get up, enjoying the way he seemed to unfold himself from the chair. He was really tall, which appealed to me, since I was five feet ten inches myself.
When a new guy sat down, I sighed with regret and turned my attention to him.
Great. He looks like he could be my nephew.
The night went on, painstakingly slow, until finally, the last guy left my table, and I was free to move about the room.
After going to the bar to get a drink, I turned slowly and surveyed the room.
There…
Aiden was talking to a petite blonde by the snack bar, but I paid no attention to her. I stood to my full height, brushed my long black hair off my shoulders and sauntered over to where he was standing.
My movement caught his attention and his gaze looked me over as I sidled up beside him.
He gave me that lopsided grin, turned his attention back to the blonde, and said, “It was great meeting you, too, Jess.”
She gave him a big smile, which dimmed a little when she looked at me, and then turned her hair whipping around, and flounced to the bar.
“Hey there,” I said, once she was gone.
“Hey. Did you enjoy your first time speed dating?”
I gave a half shrug and said, “I consider my favor complete. How about you?”
“I met some nice people.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Anyone of note?”
“I’m not sure there was anyone I really had anything in common with.”
“How about chemistry?”
“There may have been one person I felt a hint of a spark with,” he teased.
I lengthened my spine and pushed back my shoulders to showcase my bosom. My breasts were small, but I knew how to work ‘em.
Aiden’s gaze was knowing, but rather than take the bait, he simply smiled. When his tongue darted out to wet his lips, I felt a little lightheaded.
“What do you say we get out of here?” I said, never one to shy away from what I wanted.
“That’s quite an offer,” Aiden said. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to take a rain check. I’ve got a busy morning tomorrow.”
Disappointment filled me at his words, but I wasn’t one to beg, so I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Your loss,” and walked out the front door.
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Work Wife - Preorder Now
Acknowledgments
To my kids, always! I’m so proud of you and grateful for your support.
To my mom, Ann, and to Raine, for Alpha reading and loving Noah as much as I do.
To Allie, my cover designer. I really love the cover concept for this series. You’re amazing!
To Kristina, my editor, thanks for all you’ve done over the years and for your constant support.
To Ali, Jennifer, Lyn, and Jeanne, for Beta reading. I appreciate your support and willingness to read my words!
To Jessica and Inkslinger PR, thanks for all your hard work and dedication to helping get the word out!
To my ARC Team, I always appreciate your feedback and the way you feel for the characters.
About the Author
Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!
To learn more about upcoming events and releases, sign up for my newsletter.
www.bethanylopezauthor.com
bethanylopezauthor@gmail.com
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Follow her at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bethany-lopez to get an alert whenever she has a new release, preorder, or discount!
Also by Bethany Lopez
Contemporary Romance:
The Jilted Wives Club Trilogy
Starter Wife
Trophy Wife - Preorder Now
Work Wife - Preorder Now
Backup Wife - Preorder Now
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Mason Creek Series
Perfect Summer
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A Time for Love Series
Prequel - 1 Night - FREE
8 Weeks - FREE
21 Days
42 Hours
15 Minutes
10 Years
3 Seconds
7 Months
For Eternity - Novella
Night & Day - Novella
Time for Love Series Box Set
Time to Risk
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The Lewis Cousins Series
Too Complicated
Too Distracting
Too Enchanting
Too Dangerous
The Lewis Cousins Box Set
Summer Love Anthology featuring Too Enticing
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Three Sisters Catering Trilogy
A Pinch of Salt
A Touch of Cinnamon
A Splash of Vanilla
Three Sisters Catering Trilogy Box Set
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Frat House Confessions
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
Frat House Confessions: Wes
Frat House Confessions: Brody
Frat House Confessions 1 - 3 Box Set
Frat House Confessions: Crush - Coming Soon
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Romantic Comedy/Suspense:
Delilah Horton Series
Always Room for Cupcakes - FREE
Cupcake Overload
Lei’d with Cupcakes
Cupcake Explosion
Cupcakes & Macaroons - Honeymoon Short - FREE
Lei’d in Paradise - Novella (Carmen & Bran)
Crazy for Cupcakes - Coming Soon
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Women’s Fiction:
More than Exist
Unwoven Ties
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Short Stories/Novellas:
Contemporary:
Christmas Come Early
Harem Night
Reunion Fling
An Inconvenient Dare
Snowflakes & Country Songs
Fool for You - FREE
Desert Alpha (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella)
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Fantasy:
Leap of Faith
Beau and the Beastess
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Cookbook:
Love & Recipes
Love & Cupcakes
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Children’s:
Katie and the North Star
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Young Adult:
Stories about Melissa – series
Ta Ta for Now!
xoxoxo
Ciao
TTYL
Stories About Melissa Books 1 - 4
With Love
Adios
* * *
Young Adult Fantasy:
Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale
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New Adult:
Friends & Lovers Trilogy
Make it Last
I Choose You
Trust in Me
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Indelible