Carlos Ramirez has always prided himself on two things: being damn good at his job on the Houston police force and being able to land any woman he wants. When a devastating car accident leaves him crippled and in excruciating pain, he begins to rely too heavily on his prescription painkillers. The only person who can help him heal is the only woman who has ever rejected him—and on more than one occasion. Living with Kelsey while he works through physical therapy wasn’t anything he ever expected to happen, but it might just be what he needs.

After a divorce that left her doubting her ability to love, Kelsey Byrne wants nothing to do with relationships. Unfortunately for her, the only man she could see herself loving needs a place to live and help while he recovers. She had a hard time pushing him away after a one-night stand, so how can she possibly keep him at arm’s length when he’s in her house every day, playing with her son, cooking her meals, and leaving her cute notes every morning? Carlos may be working his way into her heart one sweet gesture at a time, but can she give him everything knowing that she’s more than a little broken inside?

 

“Mommy, we should really be vegetarians too if we want to be like giraffes.”

“But little boys need meat to grow, honey.”

“Not little giraffe boys.”

“To be fair, a little giraffe boy wouldn’t be able to talk either.”

Her son huffed. “Can we be vegetarians for a month?”

“One day.”

“One week?”

Carlos, who had been watching the two of them go back and forth, burst out laughing. “It’s like negotiating with a freaking lawyer.”

“I really wish we could be something that eats meat for a week instead,” she replied. “Like humans. Can we just keep being humans?”

“Nope! We get to be giraffes for a week, Mommy! Can we eat purple Jolly Ranchers all week to keep our tongues purple?”

“No sir, giraffes don’t eat Jolly Ranchers.”

James thought about it carefully for a few moments, likely deciding whether or not he could negotiate this point. “Okay, not Jolly Ranchers. But we have to wear the giraffe pajamas all week.”

Carlos jumped in on this one. “No can do, buddy. I have work this week and you have school. We can be giraffes for bed every night, but that’s it.”

She wanted to laugh at the stern expression on her little guy’s face. “You’ll wear the pajamas every night?”

“I promise.”

“Okay. No meat all week and giraffe pajamas every night.” He stuck his hand out so that he and Carlos could shake on it.

So that they weren’t just wandering around the house pretending to be giraffes in silence, Kelsey had insisted on putting on her favorite Pandora channel in the background—90s Radio. Carlos stood suddenly when the song changed over, the slow chords of Tracy Chapman’s “Stand by Me” flowing through the room. He held his hand out in front of Kelsey and when she took it, he pulled her into his arms.

She wound her own arms around his neck, and he laid his hands on the small of her back. As they swayed gently to the music, he put his forehead against hers. “I know it’s been a big weekend for us, but I think this should be our song. I know you’re scared, I know that getting into another serious relationship is something you don’t think you’re ready for, but we can take it slow. All I need you to do is stand by me—communicate with me when you’re feeling unsure or unhappy. Promise me you’ll always give us a chance to work things out. Don’t run, okay? You spent a year running from me and pushing me away, no more.”

She felt tears pooling in her eyes, and she answered his request with a nod and a kiss. He kissed her back in sweet, gentle pecks, not once pushing the kiss further. She realized it was the first time they’d been so openly affectionate in front of James, and pulled away suddenly to see her son’s reaction. She’d meant to explain their situation to James slowly, to allow him to adjust to the new relationship.

All of the books she’d read said to have the conversation in an informal environment to ease any tension. They also said to keep the meetings with the new partner short, and to not rush anything. Given their unique situation, none of the above really applied, leaving her unsure how to handle things. When she looked at her son, however, he wasn’t even paying an ounce of attention. He was crawling around the living room on all fours, his little giraffe hood up over his head. She watched in amusement as he crawled over to the two of them and head-butted Carlos’s healthy leg before looking up.

“Are you trying to start a fight with me, little one?”

In response, James head-butted Carlos again. Her boyfriend laughed and picked him up, bringing James into their little dancing bubble. He kept one hand wrapped around Kelsey’s waist and pushed his head gently against James’s. The giggle her son let out filled her with warmth—she was lucky to have such a sweet child.

“How about instead of fighting again, we watch Madagascar?”

James nodded enthusiastically and pushed against Carlos, indicating he wanted to be let down. The minute his feet hit the carpet, he grabbed Carlos’s hand and pulled him to the couch, grabbing the remote along the way. Once Carlos was seated comfortably on the couch, James grabbed Kelsey’s hand and had her sit about two feet away from where he’d placed her boyfriend. That settled, James got up on the couch, sat between the two of them, and handed Kelsey the remote.

As the movie played, James curled up into Carlos’s side, falling asleep within the first thirty minutes of Madagascar. Carlos laid an arm against the back of the couch and gently played with strands of Kelsey’s hair while the movie continued to run, and Kelsey couldn’t help but think that this should be how she ended every night—curled up on the couch with her son and the man who was slowly taking her heart, piece by piece.

Rafe Pierce just wants to keep his head down and earn his next promotion. Becoming Houston’s “Hot Cop” is his worst nightmare, and things only get worse when the sexiest reporter he’s ever met starts digging through his past. Sophie Klein has the power to expose a childhood he’d rather keep hidden, so why can’t he stay away from her?

He’s everything Sophie Klein hates: brash, arrogant, and hot as hell. When a chance encounter with a bachelorette party makes Rafe a social-media sensation, Sophie is the lucky reporter chosen to tell his story. She can’t deny the chemistry between them, but is determined to keep her distance. Unfortunately for her, a drunken hookup in a bar supply closet ensures she will be spending at least the next nine months with him…

WANTING TO LOVE YOU Coming This Summer

I'm a Montana born, Texas raised New Jersey transplant with a degree in hospitality. At 29 years old, I decided it was finally time for me to pursue my real passion in life - writing. I've been writing princess stories and LOTR fan-fiction since I was in middle school, so the transition into romance has been fun! When I'm not writing, I'm reading (fantasy, sci-fi and romance are my genres) or working. I'm currently obsessed with Brooklyn Nine Nine which should tell you all you need to know about my sense of humor. Finally, I am 100% an old cat lady. My cats Socks and Kaz are little weirdos and I love them more than most people.