Spotlight: Somebody To Love by Mariah Ankenman
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(Jackson Family Distillery, #2)
Publication date: September 19th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Penny Williams is a lot of things; intelligent, shy, socially awkward, but the one thing she wants to be most is a mother. Unfortunately, she’s never been very lucky in the dating world. Men rarely go for quiet nerds, but that won’t stop her. Being an independent woman of the 21st century, she decides to forgo traditional methods of baby making and try for a medical option. Only, she doesn’t want a random donation. She knows the perfect candidate. The only problem? It’s her best friend.
Bravo “BJ” Jackson would do anything for his best friend, but her latest request has him stumped. He knows Penny would make a great mom. Problem is, he never imagined himself as a dad. She says she wants nothing from him except his little swimmers. The real question is can he step away from a child who would technically be a part of him?
She promises nothing between them will change. But life gets complicated when they discover hidden feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. This deal could destroy what they have. Or it could reveal that what they really want has been in front of them the whole time.
Excerpt
“Then the entire male population are idiots. Any guy would be lucky to have you.” His temper had gone from slow flame to hot burn. “You are smart, funny, and beautiful, Penny. And if guys can’t see that, it’s their loss.”
Giving him a humorless laugh, she patted his thigh. “You have to say that because you’re my friend. But I know what I am, BJ.”
No. She didn’t. That was the problem. Penny didn’t see herself clearly. She didn’t see the bright, kind soul he knew her to be. He hated she would think she had a problem when it was every other loser who ever teased her or turned her down for a second date who really had issues. Penny was a great catch, and damn anyone who didn’t think so. Her ex was a fool. BJ wanted to kill the guy for hurting her.
No. That wasn’t true.
His feelings of anger had started long before Lance dumped her. In fact, thinking back, they’d started the moment she’d told him she was dating the douche. Because BJ didn’t like it when any guy dated his best friend. None of them were good enough for her. Hell, no one was.
“I’m not the type of woman guys lose their head over.”
“Bullshit.”
Maybe it was her vehement denial of her own worth, or the strange situation they’d found themselves in lately, or maybe because BJ was finally seeing his feelings for his best friend might not be so friendly, but in that moment, he needed to prove to Penny how much of a sexy, desirable woman she really was.
Whatever the reason he blamed it on, didn’t matter. In the next moment, he cupped the back of her neck and pulling her toward him. His lips crashing down on her mouth. She gasped, and he took full advantage, plunging his tongue into her mouth to taste the surprisingly sweet nectar of Penny.
For one moment he worried he’d gone too far, but then her delicate hands came up to fist in his hair. He’d left it down today. Her fingers tangled in the strands, pulling just enough to give his scalp a pleasant tingle, but not hard enough to cause any actual pain.
She moaned, or maybe he did. Damn, he couldn’t tell. All he knew was, holy shit, his best friend could kiss! Her lips were soft and warm. He could taste the warm burn of the vodka she’d drunk earlier on her tongue. An appendage currently trying to memorize every inch of his mouth by feel alone.
With one hand still cupping her neck, he brought the other to rest on her hip, slowly stroking his way up her rib cage until it rested against the edge of her left breast. His thumb swept out, stroking her nipple, which had hardened to a sharp peak, poking through her thin shirt. She gasped, thrusting her breast fully into his palm. Inside he roared with delight, but then she pulled away and he was holding nothing but air.
Large hazel eyes, grown impossibly larger by her wide-eyed expression, stared back at him. Her face was flush, lips full and wet from his kisses. Her breathing was harsh, matching his own.
“What the hell was that?”
At a loss to explain, all he could do was shrug. “I have no idea.”
Something passed across her face. Something he recognized. Panic.
Jumping up from the couch, she rushed to the door. “I have to go.”
“Penny, wait.”
But she didn’t. She flung open his office door and rushed out faster than he could blink. He started to run after her and explain…hell if he knew what. But he stopped when he realized he was sporting major wood. The night was already outrageous enough. No need to add running through a bar full of people—including his siblings—with a very obvious erection.
Damn it all to hell!
He turned, heading back into his office instead, slamming the door. Pacing over to his desk, he placed his palms on the top and tried to figure out what in the world had just gone on. He had no idea. The mix of emotions rolling through his body right now did nothing to help. He was worried, upset, and horny all at once. And he had no idea what to do about it or Penny.
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About the Author
Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her.
Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books visit her website www.mariahankenman.com
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