Brady Davis is as happy as he is charming. Usually. Unless he’s in the same room with the frustratingly gorgeous antidote to his cheer. Mia Kendrick is headstrong and determined. She’s done with men who stand in her way—even if he has arms like Thor and a smile that makes her dizzy. Whenever they’re together, sparks fly—both the bad and good kind.

When Mia returns home to take over management of Kendrick Place, Brady is worried her focus on big business could be the end of his tight-knit home and the family he’s created there. Mia may have the power to change everything, but Brady could have the power to change her mind…if he can get inside her heart.

Excerpt

The doors slid open and as she stepped forward, she saw the one man she didn’t want to share a small space with: Brady Davis. His full lips tilted up on one side in what he probably considered a sexy smile. His blue eyes danced and those damn butterflies joined in.

“Going up, princess?”

Mia clenched her teeth and stepped forward at the same time Brady took a step out. Because she was looking at him, which always threw her off, especially when he used that ridiculous nickname, she miscalculated and her heel caught in the track of the elevator. Heat flooded her cheeks as the thin heel of her shoe wedged into the groove and she jolted forward. Without meaning to, because she worked very hard to give this irritating man his space, her arms flung out and grabbed at the only solid thing within reach. Unfortunately, that was his chest. His very solid, wide, notably defined chest. Brady bent

his knees, caught her elbows, and grinned. Mia bit down on her tongue to avoid groaning out loud. Of course he would smile over her mishap.

The scent of his cologne invaded her space, and she just knew she’d carry it with her for the day. Great. An all-day reminder of another man who doesn’t see you for who you are. The white cotton T-shirt he wore under his plaid, flannel jacket bunched under her fingers. She’d only curled them into the material for balance. She shifted, dislodging one of her elbows abruptly. Mia figured that now, at age twenty-six, she’d already achieved a lifetime full of mortification when he went to steady her again. Because she’d pulled her arm away, when his hand touched her again, his palm pressed against her side, his thumb brushing near her breast.

Let this be a bad dream. This is not happening.

With his face—particularly his mouth—way too close to hers, Mia closed her eyes and tried to imagine she was somewhere else. Anywhere else. With anyone else. She opened them and saw he was grinning. “Still here, princess,” he said. The hushed timbre of his voice sent goose bumps up her arms. It’s chilly. That’s all. She gritted her teeth as he extended a foot to block the door. Ignoring the heat of his palm pressed so intimately against her, and the embarrassment engulfing the rest of her body, she slipped her foot out of her heel and pulled her arm from his grasp. This was not a man she wanted to show weakness in front of. He already considered her spoiled, despite not knowing her at all.

“I believe I’ve asked you not to call me that,” she said.

Mia looked down at her blouse, checking to see that she was unwrinkled and still presentable and professional. Maybe she shouldn’t be using her clothing as armor, but it would be her first eviction, so she’d take whatever backup she could get.

When she looked up, Brady was frowning. “Worried I sullied your fancy clothes?”

“What? No. I was just making sure I’m still all tucked in,” she said. She kneeled as delicately as she could to remove her heel from the track. Her purse slipped into her path and she pushed it behind her. At least she’d chosen one that went across her chest, or it would be on the floor.

“Wouldn’t want to be seen untucked,” he said, his voice now stiff.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Jody Holford is a multi-published author who has a soft spot for happily ever after. So much so, she tattooed the words on her arm. She’s a mom and a wife, a friend, sister, daughter, teacher, and book-lover. Her stories have a little heat and a lot of heart. And maybe, some swoon-worthy moments that will make you smile.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads