Have you ever been kissed so hard that your brain short-circuited?
Yeah… me too.
That’s probably how I ended up at my friend’s wedding with a fake husband.
Here’s the story: I ducked into a cute little town for some liquid courage—and ran straight into my college frenemies. After listening to them drone on about my ex bringing his perfect fiancée, I downed a shot of tequila and made a beeline for the door.
That’s when I found myself corralled into the arms of Nix Fuller—former Chicago hockey star, all sharp jawlines and dangerous confidence—who practically inhaled me with a kiss before announcing he was my plus one. My husband, apparently…
One night. One game. One bad idea in the form of top-shelf tequila.
When my college besties and I made a pact to play Truth or Tequila at each of our bachelorette parties, I knew I’d regret it eventually—and it seems like tonight’s that night.
I should be at home studying media reports and memorizing baseball jargon for my early morning meeting, not in a bar making questionable decisions.
But then he walks in.
Tall. Lean. Muscles packed into a tight white tee like it was stitched directly onto his body. Hair long enough to curl behind his ears. The kind you want to tug on while doing something reckless.
He watches me all night. Ocean-blue eyes tracking every laugh, every step, every flip of my hair like he already knows how I taste. So when my friends’ dare lands me in his lap with one simple goal—get him to kiss me—I expect it to be easy.
Instead, I get heat. Chemistry. A low, rough voice that says he wants to kiss me… but won’t. Not when I’m this drunk.
So I leave with tequila on my lips and an almost-kiss lingering in the air between us. Fine. I’ll survive the rejection. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again.
Or so I thought…
A runaway bride. A reluctant getaway driver. A Christmas escape that changes everything.
Noelle has spent her entire life being who everyone else needs her to be.
Perfect daughter. Perfect fiancée. Perfect bride.
So when her mother plans the idyllic Christmas wedding, Noelle smiles and nods… and tries to ignore the quiet voice in her heart telling her something’s wrong.
Then thirty minutes before she’s due to walk down the aisle, Noelle realizes she doesn’t love the man who’s waiting for her at the altar.
Running would humiliate her mother. Devastate her fiancé.
But staying might mean losing herself completely.
Nash retired from the military hoping for a little peace and a fresh start. Instead, he finds himself restless and unsure where he belongs. The last place he wants to be is at a wedding for a former high school teammate.
And yet, something keeps nagging at him until he finds himself sitting in the church parking lot just minutes before the ceremony begins.
Then he sees her.
White dress. Shaky hands. Eyes full of panic.
Not exactly the glowing bride everyone inside is expecting.
And she has a question…
ATTENTION! I’m in the process of changing to the pen name, Millie Banks. Through the next few months, you will see both names, Donna Schwartze and Millie Banks, on my books, website, and social pages. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I make the changes.
For seventeen years, Millie’s life was perfect, then her beloved dad died, and she discovered the secret he never wanted her to know. Now a CIA agent, Millie’s using her position to uncover clues that will lead her to the truth. She’s almost there, but the final step on her journey will take her right through a terrorist organization.
Enter Mason, the Navy SEAL whose team is tasked with protecting her. From the moment they meet, his target is Millie. He knows pursuing her is strictly forbidden, but he’s drawn to her sweet sensuality like a heat-seeking missile.
Millie does everything she can to resist him, but Mason’s gentle confidence keeps drawing her closer. She knows she should run from him before he figures out her dark secrets, but something keeps pulling her closer . . .
What’s Next?
He’s my brother’s best friend. The most popular hockey player in the world. And the reason for my lifelong trust issues.
Ash Carlson was everything to me growing up—my honorary big brother, my most trusted confidant… my secret crush. He swore he’d always be there, then ghosted me the second he hit it big. Poof. The guy I lived for my entire childhood was gone, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.
Whatever. It’s been almost nine years. I’m over it. I promised I’d never say his name again—and I haven’t. I’d pretty much erased him from my memory until I found myself in a tricky situation in a city where I don’t know anyone.
Correction.
In a city where I don’t know anyone except…
HIM.
I’d do anything to avoid talking to him again. Well… almost anything. Did I mention the tricky situation involves the police? Apparently, punching your boss—EVEN IF HE GRABS YOUR BUTT FIRST—is technically assault. So my choices are simple: spend the night in jail or call the man I swore never to speak to again.
Fine. I’ll ask for his help. But once he bails me out, I’m going straight back to pretending he doesn’t exist. I am not giving Ash Carlson another chance to break my heart.
Or at least that was the plan….
Reader Reviews
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