Two worlds will collide when an older tattoo artist meets his innocent future.

Asher
Kennedy Thorne is an obsession I can't shake.
One look into those big green eyes, and I'm hooked.
But the two of us are from different worlds.
I'm rough, dirty, and rude, with a past I can't hide.
She's an innocent little angel with big dreams and a bright future ahead of her.
But an angel this sweet was made to be corrupted.
I'd follow her to hell if she asked it of me. I'll give her heaven if she lets me.
Because I don't care what anyone says…she belongs to me.

Kennedy
Asher Reynolds is the perfect storm…big, fierce, and unexpected.
He's also the most beautiful man I've ever seen.
His tattoos tell a story I'm dying to know. So do his eyes.
Everyone treats me like I'm helpless.
Not him. He sees me. He knows me.
And he treats me like I'm his.
But his life is in Nashville, and my future isn't.
Can I really have him and my dreams, or are we destined for heartbreak? 
​
Warning
Two worlds collide when this bossy older man meets his talented younger woman. If instalove, an obsessed tattoo artist, a good girl with big dreams, and a wedding hookup sound like a match made in heaven, you'll adore Asher and Kennedy in this sweet, steamy romance. As always, a sticky sweet, and guaranteed HEA is coming your way.

"Wow," I whisper the next morning, staring shamelessly at Asher as I pull into the parking lot of the church and park. He's pacing outside the front doors like he's the nervous groom. He looks amazing and amazingly uncomfortable in his tux. The black fabric hugs his body to perfection, but he keeps running his fingers beneath the bowtie and scowling at the ground. When his mouth moves, I laugh quietly. He's cursing it out, I think.

"Elliot must be here already," Sophie says from the passenger seat when she spots him. She rode with me since she and Trick will be leaving together from here. "He's probably going to try to see me."

She doesn't sound very annoyed by the prospect even though she's the one who wanted to keep to tradition and not see him before the ceremony. I think she's regretting her decision. She misses him, which is adorable because they've been texting all day.

Asher spots her in my car and then his eyes drift to me. He stops pacing and goes incredibly still. For a long moment, we stare at each other through the windshield, neither moving, neither blinking. My heart flutters and races at the intense look on his face. Breathlessness creeps over me.

When it storms on the coast, wind rips through the water, sending waves to crash into and batter the stalwart shoreline. The marriage of fierce strength and stark surrender at the point of impact is breathtaking. Asher reminds me of that moment of impact. Finding beauty in something so fierce is unexpected, but he is so damn beautiful.

The doors of the church swing open behind Asher, shaking him out of immobility. My entire soul quivers with anticipation when he heads in our direction, his feet hitting the sidewalk with determination.

Sophie hops out to meet him. "Is Elliot here already?"

"Yeah, he's inside talking to the preacher," Asher says.

I close my eyes, reveling in the way his voice washes over my senses. It's rough and gritty, like the gravel strewn throughout the parking lot. But it strokes something deep inside me, stoking to life a little fire in my womb.

I take a deep breath, grab my bag, and climb from the car, circling around the hood toward them. Asher's eyes immediately come to me, raking like fire down my body.

"Asher, this is my friend, Kennedy Thorne," Sophie says, introducing us. "Kennedy, this is Elliot's brother, Asher."

My brain screams hello, but I can't seem to make my mouth work to respond. I take a step forward to shake his hand, but like a total dork, I stumble in my heels as if I've never worn them before.

"What the fuck?" Asher growls when my leg peeks out of the slit in my dress. His gaze snaps back to mine, searing me. His piercings are missing today, replaced with clear retainers. "Your dress is torn."

"What?" Sophie spins toward me, giving me a once over. "Where?"

"Her fucking leg is sticking out."

My cheeks heat, my heart slamming against my ribcage. Having him focused on me so completely is doing crazy things to my insides. Why can't I say anything?

"Oh. It's made that way," Sophie says, relaxing again.

"They made her dress with a tear in it?"

"It's not a tear, Asher. It's a slit," Sophie says, biting her lip like she's trying not to laugh.

"It's indecent. I don't like it." He glares at me like it's my fault or something.

"Then I guess it's a good thing it's not up to you, isn't it?" I mutter, scowling at him. He may be hot, but he's rude. The dress is beautiful. It's an A-line off-the-shoulder dress with a ruffle split front and a ribbon-like belt. The light fabric flows to the floor in a sweep train with a slit all the way up to my thigh. It's elegant and daring, but not even close to indecent. I feel feminine and confident in it.

"I'm burning it when I get it off you," he growls, glowering at me.

I gape at him for a moment, too shocked to respond. Who does he think he is, threatening to burn my dress? And he has another think coming if he thinks he'll be involved in getting it off of me after the wedding. He'll be lucky if he survives the wedding at the rate he's going.

"Everyone will be staring at you," he complains. "It's bullshit."

​I slam my hands down on my hips, scowling daggers at him.

"Wow," I whisper the next morning, staring shamelessly at Asher as I pull into the parking lot of the church. He's pacing outside the front doors like he's the nervous groom. He looks amazing and amazingly uncomfortable in his tux. The black fabric hugs his body to perfection, but he keeps running his fingers beneath the bowtie and scowling at the ground. When his mouth moves, I laugh quietly. He's cursing it out, I think.

"Elliot must be here already," Sophie says from the passenger seat when she spots him. She rode with me since she and Trick will be leaving together from here for their honeymoon. "He's probably going to try to see me."

She doesn't sound very annoyed by the prospect even though she's the one who wanted to keep to the tradition and not see him before the ceremony. I think she's regretting her decision. She misses him, which is adorable because they've been texting all day.

Asher spots her in my car and then his eyes drift to me. He stops pacing and goes incredibly still. For a long moment, we stare at each other through the windshield, neither moving, neither blinking. My heart flutters and races at the intense look on his face. Breathlessness creeps over me.

When it storms on the coast, wind rips through the water, sending once gentle waves to crash and batter the stalwart, resolute shoreline. The marriage of fierce strength and stark surrender at the point of impact is breathtaking. Asher reminds me of that moment of impact. Finding beauty in something so fierce is unexpected, but he is so damn beautiful.

The doors of the church swing open behind Asher, shaking him out of immobility. My entire soul quivers with anticipation when he heads in our direction, his feet hitting the sidewalk with measured determination.

Sophie hops out to meet him. "Is Elliot here already?"

"Yeah, he's inside talking to the preacher," Asher says.

I close my eyes, reveling in the way his voice washes over my senses. It's rough and gritty, like the gravel strewn throughout the parking lot. But it strokes something deep inside me, stoking to life a little fire in my womb.

I take a deep breath, grab my bag, and climb from the car, circling around the hood toward them. Asher's eyes immediately come to me, raking like fire down my body.

"Asher, this is my friend, Kennedy Thorne," Sophie says, introducing us. "Kennedy, this is Elliot's brother, Asher."

My brain screams hello, but I can't seem to make my mouth work to respond. I take a step forward to shake his hand, but like a total dork, I stumble in my heels as if I've never worn them before.

"What the fuck?" Asher growls when my leg peeks out of the slit on my dress. His gaze snaps back to mine, searing me. "Your dress is torn."

"What?" Sophie spins toward me, giving me a once over. "Where?"

"Her fucking leg is sticking out."

My cheeks heat, my heart slamming against my ribcage. Having him focused on me so completely is doing crazy things to my insides. Why can't I say anything?

"Oh. It's made that way," Sophie says, relaxing again.

"They made her dress with a tear in it?"

"It's not a tear, Asher. It's a slit," Sophie says, biting her lip like she's trying not to laugh.

"It's indecent. I don't like it." He glares at me like it's my fault or something.

"Then I guess it's a good thing it's not up to you, isn't it?" I mutter, scowling at him. He may be hot, but he's rude. The dress is beautiful. It's an A-line off-the-shoulder dress with a ruffle split front and a ribbon-like belt. The light fabric flows to the floor in a sweep train with a slit all the way up to my thigh. It's elegant and daring, but not even close to indecent. I feel feminine and confident in it.

"I'm burning it when I get it off you," he growls, glowering at me.

​I gape at him for a moment, too shocked to respond. Who does he think he is, threatening to burn my dress? And he has another thing coming if he thinks he'll be involved in getting it off of me after the wedding. He'll be lucky if he survives the wedding at the rate he's going.

​Two worlds will collide when an older tattoo artist meets his innocent future.

Asher
Kennedy Thorne is an obsession I can't shake.
One look into those big green eyes, and I'm hooked.
But the two of us are from different worlds.
I'm rough, dirty, and rude, with a past I can't hide.
She's an innocent little angel with big dreams and a bright future ahead of her.
But an angel this sweet was made to be corrupted.
I'd follow her to hell if she asked it of me. I'll give her heaven if she lets me.
Because I don't care what anyone says…she belongs to me.

Kennedy
Asher Reynolds is the perfect storm…big, fierce, and unexpected.
He's also the most beautiful man I've ever seen.
His tattoos tell a story I'm dying to know. So do his eyes.
Everyone treats me like I'm helpless.
Not him. He sees me. He knows me.
And he treats me like I'm his.
But his life is in Nashville, and my future isn't.
Can I really have him and my dreams, or are we destined for heartbreak? 

Warning
Two worlds collide when this bossy older man meets his talented younger woman. If instalove, an obsessed tattoo artist, a good girl with big dreams, and a wedding hookup sound like a match made in heaven, you'll adore Asher and Kennedy in this sweet, steamy romance. As always, a sticky sweet, and guaranteed HEA is coming your way.

COMING IN LATE DECEMBER!

"You are going to this morning meeting?"

"Yes."

He hums as if he's satisfied with my answer. "I will go with you," he says.

I open my mouth to object, but he's already turned away from me, repeating his comment to Bryant and Jason. Jason shrugs like he doesn't care one way or another. Bryant narrows his eyes on Knox, eyeing him in suspicion. Knox holds his gaze, not even fidgeting.

Whatever Bryant sees on his face seems to satisfy him because he chuckles and then looks at me. "Have fun," he says, his lips twitching.

I glare at him, but he just laughs again and then walks off, leaving me with He-Man. My gaze drifts to the giant, who gives me the same smile I'm convinced the Big Bad Wolf gave to Little Red Riding Hood right before he ate her.

"Let's go, He-Man," I mutter, and then gasp, mortified that I said that out loud.

Thankfully, he doesn't seem offended. He laughs, the rich timbre rolling over me like waves. "He-Man," he says. "I know this cartoon."

"You're Russian?" I ask, stepping out from behind the desk.

Knox moves closer to me. Without my consent, my feet move, putting me even closer to him. He's like a magnet, pulling me in. His scent rolls over me like his laugh did, sending another little frisson of heat twisting through me. He smells like cinnamon and myrrh, with some note I can't place. It's spicy, sexy.

I stumble a little bit before I manage to catch myself.

Holy moly. I need to stay far, far away from this man.

"Yes," he says. "I grew up in Moscow."

"When did you move here?"

"Long time ago," he says, his entire demeanor changing. He's almost…grim.

Maybe I shouldn't have asked?

"Oh." I head toward the elevator.

This giant Russian will fall like a ton of bricks when he meets his curvy angel.

Knox
Lauren York is the cutest little angel I've ever met.
Her sweetness is like nothing I've ever known.
And her innocence drives me crazy.
I know nothing of caring for such a girl.
I probably shouldn't have kissed her five minutes after I met her.
I definitely should not be chasing her all over the office.
But that won't stop me.
This little angel is mine. And I'm not giving up until she agrees.

Lauren
Knox Mikhail is a giant Russian bully.
He's also hotter than Hades, bossy, and growly.
I didn't mean to kiss him five minutes after I met him.
Or kick him in the shin right after that.
Now he says I belong to him.
Why does that sound so good?!
Oh, man. I'm in so much trouble here.

​Warning
When this older Russian meets his curvy younger woman, he falls head over heels. If office romance, over-the-top Russians, and sassy heroines make you happy, get ready to fall for Knox and Lauren in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy. This sweet, steamy romance from Nichole Rose is chock full of all three…plus a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA.

I head toward the elevators with a chorus of congratulations ringing in my ears.

"Where's she at?" I ask Jason when I make it upstairs and don't see her at her desk.

"Bathroom, sir." Jason nods toward the door, his lips pursed. "Ms. Dawes is in there with her. I'm going to make some changes to security protocols so shit like this never happens again. I want someone posted at the doors at all times. I want someone in the parking deck too."

"Send me what you need," I say without hesitation. "I'll make it happen."

"I think we need to install a panic button at Lauren's desk too," he suggests. "We can set it to alarm in our offices and in yours."

I jerk my chin in a nod, striding toward the bathroom. It might be overkill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Especially with people like Lily's uncle wandering around. He's probably not the only one with an axe to grind, not with the amount of money we deal with every day. I should have recognized that earlier, but I thought this place was safe as houses. I won't make that mistake again.

"Make it happen. Hire whoever you need and spend whatever you need to spend to make sure that fucker doesn't come near this property again." I hesitate just outside the door, looking at Jason. "You and Miranda?"

"Yes, sir. She's mine."

"Take care of her. She means a lot to my Lily."

"Lily means a lot to her too."

"You know who she is?"

"I know."

I nod again, relieved she told him. Miranda doesn't tell many people about her family. She never mentioned them to me, but I knew. Her father and I occupy the same circles. "Wasn't sure if you did or not. She hasn't told anyone, as far as I know. Figured she'd come out with it when she was ready."

"She wants to be accepted for who she is."

"Being that kind of rich is lonely," I say. Lord knows, I've been there. "People treat you differently, see you differently. It's fucked up. I'm guessing she knows how that feels. Her secret is safe with me, and she has a place here as long as she wants it."

​"Thank you," he murmurs. "This place means a lot to her. I appreciate you watching out for her."

"It's what you do for family."

He'll do whatever it takes to claim this little angel…even if it means turning his entire life upside down.

Grant
Lily Tremaine is the prettiest little angel I've ever seen.
Her innocence calls to me like nothing else ever has.
She's supposed to be my assistant.
I want her to be my world.
I probably shouldn't have threatened to fire her five minutes after I met her.
And I definitely shouldn't be thinking about planting my kid in her.
Except I did. I am. And not a thing in this world is going to stop me.

Lily
Grant Davis has fired more assistants in the last month than I have fingers…including his sister.
But that's not going to stop me from doing what I was hired to do. Or so I tell myself.
I didn't plan on him being so hot and bossy.
I also didn't plan on calling him a rude jerk five minutes after I met him.
And I definitely didn't mean to fall in love with him.
Oh, boy. This is not at all what I expected.
​
Warning
When this older alpha male meets his innocent younger woman, he falls like a ton of bricks. Now he just has to convince her to fall too. If office romance, mouthy heroines, and over-the-top CEOs make your heart pitter-patter, get ready to fall for Grant and Lily! All Nichole Rose books come complete with a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA.

"Are you sure about this, princess?" I ask, watching Caroline pace around my office early the next morning. She's been anxious ever since she arrived half an hour ago, unable to sit still or settle for long. I hate seeing her in such a state.

"Yes." She doesn't stop pacing.

I sigh and cross to her, pulling her into my arms. She is, without a doubt, the best thing that has ever happened to me. Last night with her was…nirvana. I've never felt closer to anyone, never loved anyone like I do this amazing woman. Until she called me daddy, I never would have imagined that was something I wanted. As soon as she said it, I knew I'd kill to hear it from her lips every day for the rest of my life.

In public, she's a fierce goddess. In private, she's my dirty little princess. I worship both facets of her, adore both sides of her. And it kills me that she's so anxious now and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm the cause of her stress, the source of her pain. And I can do nothing but hold her through it and pray to God that her sister understands.

"You don't have to do this," I murmur, feathering kisses across her crown.

"I do," she whispers, tipping her head back to look up at me. Her eyes are wide and worried, her expression stricken. "I can't hide us from her, Jared. Hiding from the rest of the world is going to be hard enough. I can't hide us from her too."
I sigh, unable to argue with that. Already, I loathe that we're not free to shout it from the rooftops. It's intolerable. Soon, I'll fix it. I can't hide her, and I won't. We're consenting adults, capable of making our own choices. She's mine. If my job is forfeit because of it, so be it.

Before I can tell her what I'm planning to do, a timid knock sounds at the door.

Caroline jumps and pulls herself free from my arms. Her wide eyes meet mine, full of fear and love and doubt and determination. God, she's so fucking perfect, so fierce in her love. The fact that her heart is currently split in two is breaking my heart for her.
​
I take a deep breath and move behind my desk before calling for Kennedy to come in.

Even Prince Charming has a wicked side…

Jared
I didn't believe in love until I met a princess at a ball.
And then she vanished.
Imagine my surprise when she shows up in my office a day later.
She's beautiful, fierce, and has the courage of a lion.
She's also a student at my college…and her sister is my star student.
Claiming Caroline Thorne may destroy everything I've worked for.
Letting her go will destroy me.
Some risks are worth taking.
She's one of them.

Caroline
Jared Kingston made me believe in magic.
And then the clock struck midnight.
Imagine my surprise when I find out my handsome prince is my sister's despot professor.
The one I came to confront.
He's charming, intelligent, and everything I've ever dreamed about.
Being with me could ruin his career.
Telling him no might shatter mine.
Some risks are worth taking.
But how can he be one of them when it might end in disaster?
​
Warning
When this autocratic professor meets his curvy princess at a masquerade ball, he finds his future. And then she disappears. If you think he's willing to give up that easy, you clearly haven't read an NR title before. If instalove, sassy princesses, and over-the-top professors make you happy, get ready to fall for Jared and Caroline in this sweet, steamy romance. As always, a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA is coming your way. No cheating.

"Where did Miranda go?" Holly asks, leaning toward me and raising her voice so I can hear her over the music pumping through the bar. It's loud and crowded inside, and I'm ready to leave…but it's still early. If I go home now, I'll have to deal with my mom.

"She didn't feel well."

"Aww, poor Miranda." Holly's lips pull down into a frown. "That sucks. It's her birthday! You're not supposed to get sick on your birthday."

"I'm sure she'll be okay," I murmur, though I'm a little worried about her myself.

She looked really pale when she and Joey left an hour ago. I'm not sure what happened, but she was having a lot of fun. She and Jason seemed to be hitting it off really well. They even rode White Lightning, the mechanical bull together. When they got thrown off, he stalked off through the crowd, looking like a man on a mission. She left a few minutes later.

I hope she's all right.

"We'll just have to bring her back out another night," Holly decides, smiling brightly.

I nod my agreement and take another sip of my drink. The liquor burns its way down my throat, warming me. I'm not sure what exactly is in it, but it takes like fruit punch. I like it. Holly turns to say something to Tori. I glance around the bar, taking it all in.

The dance floor is packed with people trying to line dance. Half of them are killing it. The other half stumble and laugh their way through the steps, having the time of their lives even though they're terrible at it. There's a small group clustered around White Lightning on the far side of the bar. They're cheering on a brunette, who is holding on for dear life as the bull tries to throw her off.

She's doing a pretty good job of staying upright.

I choke on my drink when I catch sight of Knox stalking across the crowded bar in my direction. He looks angry, but I'm beginning to think that's just his normal expression.

Every time I turned around today, he was watching me and scowling. He tried to come and talk to me a couple of times. I freaked out both times and grabbed the phone as if it were ringing off the hook. I'm pretty sure he didn't believe me…mostly because the stupid thing decided to ring while I was rambling into it about financial projections. And also because I'm a terrible liar.

He didn't call me out for it. He just got this suspicious look on his face and then Jason swooped in like a freaking superhero and distracted him. I slipped away while he was busy.

What? He's wicked hot and I'm insanely attracted to him. It's freaking me out a little because men like him don't date girls like me. They date women like my mom. I do not need to experience that type of heartbreak, thank you very much. It's way better if I just avoid him altogether.

"Whoa," Holly says, her eyes widening when she catches sight of him. "Who is he?"

"He-Man," I mumble.

She giggles.

"I mean Knox," I correct myself and then set my drink to the side. I feel a little like giddy myself. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol or if it's the man making me feel that way. Either way, it's definitely time to cut myself off.

"He's a giant."

"Uh huh."

Holly laughs again.

Knox stops right beside the table, blocking out the rest of the bar with his wide body. "Lauren," he says, his brows pulled together in another scowl. "You are drinking alone?"

"No." I blink at him. "I'm drinking with Holly."

His dark eyes shift from me to her and then back.

"It is not safe for pretty women to drink alone in bars."

"Whoa," Holly whispers. "You have an accent."

"He's Russian."

"You are?" she says.

"Yes."

"He's also growly," I whisper.

Holly giggles again.

​Knox's lips twitch.

​This giant Russian will fall like a ton of bricks when he meets his curvy angel.

Knox
Lauren York is the cutest little angel I've ever met.
Her sweetness is like nothing I've ever known.
And her innocence drives me crazy.
I know nothing of caring for such a girl.
I probably shouldn't have kissed her five minutes after I met her.
I definitely should not be chasing her all over the office.
But that won't stop me.
This little angel is mine. And I'm not giving up until she agrees.

Lauren
Knox Mikhail is a giant Russian bully.
He's also hotter than Hades, bossy, and growly.
I didn't mean to kiss him five minutes after I met him.
Or kick him in the shin right after that.
Now he says I belong to him.
Why does that sound so good?!
Oh, man. I'm in so much trouble here.

Warning
When this older Russian meets his curvy younger woman, he falls head over heels. If office romance, over-the-top Russians, and sassy heroines make you happy, get ready to fall for Knox and Lauren in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy. This sweet, steamy romance from Nichole Rose is chock full of all three…plus a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA.

"This is never going to work," I mumble, staring at myself in the mirror. I look like a princess instead of a twenty-one-year-old college student who lives in a tiny off-campus apartment with her sister and their pet Rottweiler. But there is no way anyone is going to believe I'm my sister, not even after I put on the lacy black half-mask that matches my dress. I have red hair and dark eyes. I'm also a size sixteen. She's all of five-one and can still fit in clothes from the kid's section. She also has brown hair and pretty green eyes. Physically, we're polar opposites, as likely to be mistaken for one another as Tinkerbell and Attila the Hun.

Even though we look nothing alike, Kennedy is my best friend. It's been the two of us against the world—and our older brothers—since we were little girls. Killian and Sebastian were teenagers when our mom married their dad and had us. They've always been overprotective and bossy—hence the Rottweiler. Our dad is overprotective too.

He messed up a lot with Killian and Sebastian. I think he tries to make up for it by smothering me and Kennedy. Maybe one day he'll realize that the only way to make things right with Killian and Sebastian is to back off of them about taking over the company and let them live their lives. They're happy where they're at, and I'm happy for them. Especially now that they've found Liberty and Rowan. For a while there, I wasn't sure either of them would ever fall in love and get married.

Now, they're both deliriously happy…which makes me deliriously happy for them. I can't wait to meet Liberty and Rowan in person. Kennedy and I are flying out to California over Christmas Break to spend the holidays with them.
If we don't get kicked out of college before then. If I ever get my hands on Kennedy's English Lit professor, I might actually strangle him. My little sister is an amazing person. She's incredibly intelligent and one of the most talented writers I've ever read. She's also really shy and quiet. She doesn't like to be the center of attention.

Her professor goes out of his way to be a jerk to her. He's constantly picking apart her assignments and making her rewrite them. He calls on her in class all the time, forcing her to speak up when she just wants to be left alone. And now, he's forcing her to rewrite yet another paper when she's supposed to be working the Halloween Masquerade Ball she helped plan for credit toward her volunteerism hours. If she doesn't show up, she loses the hours.

"Of course it will work," Kennedy says, lifting her gaze to meet mine in the mirror. She's sitting in the middle of my bed with her legs crossed, a pillow in her lap with her laptop open on top. "All you have to do is hand them my ticket at the door. No one will actually check it to make sure it's actually me."

The fact that my little sister wants me to lie on her behalf is not a good sign. Usually, I'm the one talking her into all sorts of bad ideas. She's the voice of reason when something gets me riled up. I can be…troublesome. I don't mean to be. It just sort of happens sometimes. When I feel strongly about something, I dive in and ask questions later. Kennedy is the complete opposite.

I don't like that our roles have suddenly reversed.

"I'm killing Professor King," I declare, which makes her smile at me.

"I'm not helping you bury his body," she says, "but I will bail you out of jail if you get caught."

"Deal."

Her smile grows, flashing the dimple in her right cheek. Her eyes scan me from head to toe again. "You really look beautiful, Caroline. Like a fairy princess."

Even Prince Charming has a wicked side…
Jared
I didn't believe in love until I met a princess at a ball.
And then she vanished.
Imagine my surprise when she shows up in my office a day later.
She's beautiful, fierce, and has the courage of a lion.
She's also a student at my college…and her sister is my star student.
Claiming Caroline Thorne may destroy everything I've worked for.
Letting her go will destroy me.
Some risks are worth taking.
She's one of them.
Caroline
Jared Kingston made me believe in magic.
And then the clock struck midnight.
Imagine my surprise when I find out my handsome prince is my sister's despot professor.
The one I came to confront.
He's charming, intelligent, and everything I've ever dreamed about.
Being with me could ruin his career.
Telling him no might shatter mine.
Some risks are worth taking.
But how can he be one of them when it might end in disaster?
Warning
When this autocratic professor meets his curvy princess at a masquerade ball, he finds his future. And then she disappears. If you think he's willing to give up that easy, you clearly haven't read an NR title before. If instalove, sassy princesses, and over-the-top professors make you happy, get ready to fall for Jared and Caroline in this sweet, steamy romance. As always, a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA is coming your way. No cheating.

"Letting you get dressed again goes against everything I believe in," I mutter to Cadence, watching as she shimmies her way into a strapless black dress. After dropping off food for Lisa and Jon, we spent most of the day in bed, talking, laughing, and making love. But it's almost seven, and I need to feed her.

"You promised me food," she says, fluffing her hair once she's got the dress adjusted. She looks absolutely edible. Her hair is in loose curls and her makeup is smoky. The dress skims her curves, showing off her sexy body. The strappy heels on her feet are not helping matters. She looks like pure sex.

"I can feed you my cock again," I offer, not sure if taking her out is a good idea or not. She looks ravishing. Maybe too much.

She pretends to think about it. "Steak," she demands, strutting across the room to loop her arms around my neck. With her heels on her feet, she's at the perfect height for me to bend her over the side of the bed and take her from behind again.

"You promised me the best steak known to mankind."

"Fine, but it's your fault if I end up in jail for punching some motherfucker in the face."

"You'll survive without an orgasm for a few hours, Colton," she says, shaking her head. Her lips twitch with amusement. "It's not the end of the world."

"No but letting anyone see you in that dress might be." I cock a brow at her. "You look hot as fuck. They're all going to be staring at you, which is going to piss me off."

"Whatever." She rolls her eyes. "They will not."

I stare at her like she's crazy, because she is if she believes that shit. "Trust me, gorgeous, every goddamn man in the restaurant is going to wish he were me when they see you in that dress. You look edible."

Her cheeks turn pink and her expression softens. "You're being awful charming again."

"Just telling you the truth," I say with a shrug before dropping a kiss on her lips. I've been all over her since last night, but it's not nearly enough to sate me. Every time she breathes, my dick comes roaring back to life, ready to go another round.

She says she isn't sore, but I doubt that. She needs a break…hence why I'm taking her out to dinner. If we don't leave the house, I'll be inside her again within an hour, thus ruining all my good intentions.

​"Come on," I murmur, grabbing her hand to pull her out of the bedroom.

I stare in dismay at my ridiculously hot new boss. Sawyer Greenway is nothing like our former principal, Richard Johnson. He was a short, balding dictator on a personal crusade to suck all the joy out of this place. Sawyer Greenway is a six foot five—at least—monster of a man, with the most beautiful, saddest hazel eyes I've ever seen. Although he's clearly American, his flawless olive skin and wicked sharp jawline give him a distinctly Mediterranean appearance. His blue Henley stretches over his broad shoulders and clings to the muscles in his chest. His jeans hug his thighs and firm ass.

His deep laugh rolls over me like thunder in the distance. It's oddly inviting, making me want to laugh with him. Except his laugh is rusty, as if he doesn't use it often. And I'm pretty sure I swallowed my tongue when he said his name.

I threatened to mace my new boss. Awesome.

"What's your name, little elf?" he asks, still laughing at me. Unlike with Mr. Johnson, however, there's no malice in his voice and no judgement in his gaze. He isn't scowling at me either. His full lips are lifted into a half-smile that does strange things to my insides.

I briefly consider giving him a fake name and them moving to somewhere like Bolivia. But my adopted aunt, Leslie Holland, is on the school board here, so disappearing into the great beyond probably wouldn't work out. Besides, I like California. And I love Commodore.

"Lana Winters," I mumble, giving in to the inevitable. "I teach music here."

"So I gathered," he says, flashing that smile at me. Good lord! He has to be close to forty, but when he smiles, he looks like a little boy who is up to no good. It's wickedly hot. "I would shake your hand, but…" He hefts the box in his arms, silently pointing out that his hands are full.

"Jack Frost!" I curse. I forgot all about the ruined box and borrowed equipment all over the floor. He probably thinks I'm a total loon. "I'm so sorry. Um, the music room is this way." I bend to scoop up an armload of equipment and then hurry down the hall.

I think I hear him groan a curse—the box isn't that heavy—and then his footsteps sound behind me.

I suck in a deep breath, silently telling myself to get it together. Crushing on the new principal is a bad idea, and I've embarrassed myself enough already. Which is mostly his fault because I didn't expect anyone to be here.

Why is he here right now?

"Why are you working so late, Mr. Greenway?" I ask, too curious to keep the question to myself. It's two days until Christmas. No one works this late on Christmas break unless they don't have a choice. Heck, I'm only here to drop off the equipment the nursing home borrowed for the Christmas pageant.

They can't afford to buy musical equipment. Since I volunteer there and work here, I borrowed some of ours for them to use. Superintendent Thorne said it was okay. Maybe I should tell Mr. Greenway that before he thinks I'm sneaking around?

"I'm not your boss until January. Call me Sawyer. And I'm unpacking my office," he says when we reach the music room.

"On Christmas break?" I spin around to face him, surprised. "Why aren't you with your family?"

He flinches and his half smile falls into a frown. Pain flashes in his eyes, sending a bolt of regret spiraling through me.

"I'm sorry," I quickly whisper. "That's none of my business. Ignore me."

"It's fine," he lies. His reassuring smile doesn't meet his eyes, but it makes my heart jump like it's attached to marionette strings. "My parents and siblings are in San Bernardino."

"Oh. That's not too far."

"It's far enough," he murmurs.

Interesting. He wants to be there; I can hear it in his voice. Instead, he's here.

"Do you have any family here?"

He shakes his head.

​I gasp. "You're spending Christmas alone?"

To mend her boss's heart, this teacher will risk her own.

Sawyer
A football game and a cold one was my Christmas plan.
Until Lana Winters swept in and took over.
Spending the holiday with this cheery little elf is all too appealing.
She's the only person alive who makes the guilt lie quietly.
I swore I would never forgive myself for what I caused.
But when she turns those bright eyes on me…all I feel is peace.
She's my miracle, and I'm not letting her go.

Lana
Sawyer Greenway's family is broken. I think he might be too.
Letting him spend Christmas alone would be cruel.
Falling for him would be insane.
But my heart never listens to my head.
When he smiles at me, all I feel is love.
I can't heal his family, but I will heal his heart.
Even if doing so means risking my own.

Warning
When this older man meets his curvy younger woman, he has no idea what sort of healing magic is in store for him. If holiday romance, determined heroines, and over-the-top men make your heart happy, you will love Lana and Sawyer's story. This sweet, steamy romance from Nichole Rose comes complete with a sticky sweet and guaranteed HEA.