Can an orphaned heiress find forever with her father's best friend, or will a deadly secret destroy them both?

Raven Calloway
Three months ago, my father died.
In the blink of an eye, my whole life changed.
I'm homeless, penniless, and adrift.
Until I meet my landlord for the summer and my father's best friend, Rhys Flannery.
He grounds me in ways I never expected.
Sets me on fire in ways I've only dreamed about.
But he's keeping secrets that threaten to destroy us both.
How do I trust him with my heart when he's the only one capable of shattering it?

Rhys Flannery
Three months ago, my best friend was murdered.
When his daughter shows up on my doorstep, I can't turn her away.
She's everything I never knew was missing.
But she doesn't know the secrets I'm keeping.
Telling her what I know will destroy her entire world.
Keeping the truth from her may destroy us.
I refuse to let that happen.
I will protect her, even if I have to destroy myself to do it.

Beach House Beauty is a standalone addition to the Rental Rendezvous series. If you enjoy safe instalove reads featuring growly older men, strong BBW heroines, and sizzling romance, you'll love Raven and Rhys! As always, Nichole Rose books come with a sticky-sweet and guaranteed HEA.

Something about this grumpy lawyer fits this sunshiny runaway just right...

Jude "Fifth" Despora
Someone has been sleeping in my bed…only it isn't me.
And I didn't give her permission.
But when I finally come face to face with my little intruder, she knocks my world out of orbit.
Devin Arakas is the sweetest little treat I've ever seen.
I look at her and ache to be her daddy.
But I'm a lawyer, and she's off-limits.
Until I find out why she's hiding in my bed.
No one is taking her against her will.
Not her brother. Not her uncle. No one.
Not unless they plan to go through me and my MC.

Devin Arakas
I grew up in the biggest crime family in Texas.
I love them like crazy, but I'm not ready to go back to Houston.
Silver Spoon Falls is where I belong.
So when my brother and uncle show up to take me home…I run.
I didn't mean to get caught in Jude Despora's bed.
But I don't want to leave it either.
Something about the overprotective, gruff lawyer fits me just right.
He says he can't have me, but he can't keep his hands off me either.
No one makes my heart sing the way he does.
This man was meant to be my daddy.
But will he really fight my family for me, or is my fairytale destined to end in heartbreak?

These wealthy Texans have it all—Money, looks, power, their MC, and brothers. The only thing missing is someone to share it all with. There’s a shortage of eligible ladies in town but these determined men won’t let that slow them down. These MC brothers are going to turn the town of Silver Spoon Falls, Texas, on its ear looking for their curvy soulmates.
​

"Stop thinking about what?" a deep voice rumbles in the dark.

I scream, flinging myself away from him. At least I try to fling myself away. But whoever is in the room with me must be a ninja because they're standing behind me. All I manage to do is fling myself right into his arms.

They close around me and a surge of panic fires through me. My mind short-circuits, fight or flight kicking in. I thrash like a hellcat, trying to get free, but he yanks me up against his chest, easily subduing me. I manage to bring my knee up and slam it into his upper thigh, narrowly missing his groin.

"Fuck," he growls, momentarily relaxing his hold on me.

I use that split second to my advantage, yanking one hand free to scratch him.

"Son of a bitch," he snarls, grabbing me again. The next thing I know, I'm on the bed with him on top of me, his weight pressing me into the mattress.

"Let me go!" I cry, tears welling in my eyes as panic threatens to overwhelm me.

"Easy, baby doll," Jude rasps in my ear. "Easy. I'm not going to hurt you."

"J-Jude?" I gasp, every muscle in my body relaxing all at once.

"Yeah. Fucking hell," he swears, rolling off the bed. "Who did you think it was?"

"I…I…" I don't know what I thought. I wasn't thinking. "You grabbed me."

"I won't be doing that again," he growls, flipping on the light. "Jesus Christ, Devin."

I blink up at him, my stomach clenching. His white button down is rumpled, the sleeves rolled up. His hair is a mess and he's scowling daggers at me, but he looks gorgeous. Dismay courses through me when I see the scratches across his cheek.
"You climbed through my window," he says.

"I'm sorry." Naturally, I do the least helpful thing possible in this situation. I start crying. I don't even know why! Adrenaline, nerves, shame, fear? A combination of all four? I don't know. But I just assaulted him in his room, which I broke into…and he's a lawyer.

"Are you crying?" He sounds horrified. Looks it too.

"N-n-no," I lie, squeezing my eyes closed and then covering them with my hands like that's going to help hide the fact that I'm bawling.

"Jesus. Did I hurt you?" The bed shifts as he sits beside me. A second later, I feel his hands on me, running down my body as he checks me for injuries. His hands are warm and rough, but his touch is gentle. "Did I hurt you, baby doll? I need you to answer me."

"N-no," I whisper.

He expels a breath.

"I hurt you."

"It's a scratch, Devin."

"Are you going to have me arrested?"

He pries my hands from my face. "Look at me."

I shake my head.

"Look at me," he growls.

I reluctantly crack my eyes open to peek up at him.

"You've been sleeping in my bed for the last week." It's not a question or a guess. It's a simple statement of fact. He knows I've been staying here. Oh no.

"Please don't call the police," I cry, scrambling to sit upright as more tears pour down my face. "I p-promise I'll l-leave and not come back. I didn't t-take anything except a few snacks and a toothbrush and deodorant and books to read. I'll pay for e-everything." I try to slide around him off the bed, but he grabs me again, his hands fitting easily around my waist.

"Stop," he commands. "You aren't going anywhere."

My shoulders slump, defeat coursing through me in a black cloud of doom. It's over. He's going to call the police, who will call my brother. He'll bribe my way out of jail…and I'll never be allowed to leave Houston again. My freedom will end in handcuffs and humiliation.
​
I suppose that's fitting since it began in zip-ties and intimidation.