Yours at Midnight

By Robin Bielman

One night. One love. One secret that could rip them apart…

Lyric Whetsone only had eyes for Quinn Sobel's brother Oliver, until a car crash took Oliver's life on New Year's Eve. Then, a moment of shared grief between Quinn and Lyric became something more impassioned, something that frightened Quinn so much he ran from Lyric's bed and her life, disappearing for four long years.

Now Quinn's back for another New Year's Eve, struggling for closure, desperate to leave his grief in the past and make amends with the girl of his dreams.

But Lyric has a secret—one that could drive Quinn from her life forever. Will Quinn run away from the love and acceptance he's always wanted...or will he claim his New Year's kiss and make her his at midnight?

Previously released on Entangled’s Bliss imprint - December 17, 2012.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Dec 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781622668625

Robin Bielman

Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops (and by frequent she means daily but she's trying to break the habit), and spend time with her family and friends. Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby (see above) and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers.

Book preview

One night. One love. One secret that could rip them apart…

Lyric Whetsone only had eyes for Quinn Sobel’s brother Oliver, until a car crash took Oliver’s life on New Year’s Eve. Then, a moment of shared grief between Quinn and Lyric became something more impassioned, something that frightened Quinn so much he ran from Lyric’s bed and her life, disappearing for four long years.

Now Quinn’s back for another New Year’s Eve, struggling for closure, desperate to leave his grief in the past and make amends with the girl of his dreams.

But Lyric has a secret—one that could drive Quinn from her life forever. Will Quinn run away from the love and acceptance he’s always wanted…or will he claim his New Year’s kiss and make her his at midnight?

Previously released on Entangled’s Bliss imprint — January 2015

Table of Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by Robin Bielman…

Kissing the Maid of Honor

Her Accidental Boyfriend

Wild About her Wingman

Keeping Mr. Right Now

Blame it on the Kiss

Worth the Risk

Risky Surrender

His Million Dollar Risk

Find love in unexpected places with these satisfying Lovestruck reads…

One Night in Vegas

Seducing Seven

Melting the Millionaire’s Heart

Little White Lie

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by December 2012. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Lovestruck is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Adrien-Luc Sanders

Cover design by Heather Howland

Cover art from iStock

ISBN 978-1-62266-862-5

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition December 2012

To my hubby and two sons, you make every New Year more wonderful and exciting than the last.

Love you lots!

Chapter One

New Year’s might have been a few days away, but Lyric Whetstone had already decided on her resolution: find a man. That night’s dinner with her happily married siblings and still crazy-in-love parents finally convinced her she’d been celibate long enough. She was ready to move on.

The cool night air washed over her as she took the short walk from her parents’ home to the guesthouse they had insisted she make her own. She appreciated that they wanted to keep her close, but their generosity made her feel awful about her secret. Their honesty and openness knew no bounds. Hers, on the other hand, definitely had its limits.

She blinked away those wayward thoughts when an eighty pound hurtling ball of fur raced toward her, tail wagging.

Teddy. She braced for his hello. He was at her side every chance he got. Her unofficial guard dog whenever he escaped his house—which was often. She scratched the spot behind his ear that turned him to mush, then led him down the tree-lined sidewalk back to William and Vivian Sobel’s place. White holiday lights strung around the rooftop and windows of their home sparkled as Lyric drew closer.

She shivered as she rang the front doorbell. Leave it to Mother Nature to unleash evening raindrops the size of dimes right as she did her good deed. Even though she’d only come from next door, a more than respectable distance separated the houses, and she was drenched. She put a hand on Teddy’s head and ruffled his wet golden retriever fur. You really need to time your break outs better, she said.

The holiday wreath on the front door glittered, bringing back twenty years of memories—starting with her seven-year-old self’s curiosity with the new neighbors. She smiled and touched one of the tiny silver balls just before the door swung open.

And her heart stopped.

Everything inside her froze.

Her worst enemy stood in the doorway in jeans, a light blue T-shirt, and bare feet. Quinn?

Lyric? What are you doing here?

Not Hey, Lyric, how are you? Not Wow, Lyric, it’s good to see you. Which really should come as no surprise, and should make her happy.

But all it did was twist her stomach and make it difficult to breathe.

"What are you doing here?" And why did his wavy light brown hair, straight nose, and square jaw have to look so good?

His gaze settled on hers with unwelcome familiarity. Did she look different? Could he tell? I’m here for a visit.

For the first time in almost four years. For the first time since their one-night stand. She shook her head. She couldn’t even slightly think about that while standing in front of him when he’d always had this troublesome knack for reading her thoughts and using them to his cruel advantage.

He’d left without the courtesy of a goodbye, a week after his twin brother Oliver died in a New Year’s Eve car crash.

She studied his copper eyes. Her skin tingled as emotions flooded her. They were the exact same color as… Oh, well, tell your mom and dad I’ve brought Teddy back again.

Quinn moved his gaze down just in time for Teddy to jump on him. Whoa. Down, boy.

Teddy’s wet paws left marks on Quinn’s thin shirt. Lyric stared at his broad chest and wide shoulders. He’d filled out since the last time she saw him.

What am I supposed to do with him? Quinn asked, his voice tight.

Teddy sat at Quinn’s feet and looked up at Lyric with wide, pleading eyes.

Lyric remembered the time Quinn had gotten a puppy for his tenth birthday. The dog had taken to Oliver instead, leaving Quinn sad and angry. For weeks after that, Quinn hadn’t given an ounce of affection to the dog—or anyone, for that matter.

Dry him off with a towel. She didn’t mean to sound patronizing, but she couldn’t help it.

You’re soaked, too. He took in her boots, black pencil skirt, and cream-colored silk blouse, lingering on her chest.

Her cheeks burned. The last time they’d seen each other, he’d seen everything. She’d put aside all the crappy things he’d done to her growing up—the teasing, the mean words, the slights—and fallen into his arms after Oliver’s funeral. It had been the best sex of her life. The best mistake she’d ever made.

She’d thought maybe they could finally be friends. Then he’d left without a word—reaffirming her belief that once an ass, always an ass.

She crossed her arms. That’s usually what happens when one gets rained on.

It’s raining? He stretched his neck for a better look behind her.

Lyric peeked over her shoulder. It was hard to see in the pitch blackness, but she’d already had enough of Quinn Sobel. Not anymore. So I’d better hurry and get back home.

You’re still living in your parents’ guest house?

Teddy dropped and stretched out on the Oriental rug covering the marble entryway. Viv would not be happy to find a wet Teddy on her rug. You’d better grab a towel or get Teddy back to the laundry room before your mom sees him.

Hang on a sec, would you?

Quinn didn’t wait for an answer. Typical. He disappeared down the side hall and returned a few seconds later with two towels from the guest bathroom. Lyric pressed her lips together to stop from smiling. The brown and gold designer towels were the perfect thing to dry a wet, stinky dog.

He handed her a towel. Mind helping?

Yes, she minded, but she stepped into the foyer because it was Teddy…and because Quinn had never asked for her help before. Ever. What had gotten into him?

They knelt to dry him off. She looked at Quinn as she worked. He had an odd look on his face, a cross between pain and appreciation.

Your parents aren’t here, are they? she asked.

No.

Did they know you were coming? Viv had told Lyric’s mom that she wished she knew how to help Quinn. That since his brother’s death he’d completely shut himself off, choosing to leave Northern California and live in New York.

They did, but Dad got a call that my uncle’s cancer took a turn for the worse. My aunt thought my parents ought to fly out to Michigan right away. I think our paths crossed mid-air.

I’m so sorry. When was that?

Yesterday.

So he’d been alone on Christmas. Was alone now. She couldn’t imagine the holidays without family. Lyric took a deep breath. The house smelled cold, empty, sterile. Her heart squeezed. When they were kids, she and Oliver used to tease each other all the time about wanting to switch families. Lyric’s big family came with lots of drama. Oliver’s came with a quiet brother. But as much as she hated all the hoopla, she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Especially during this time of year.

Don’t look so sad, Quinn said. I’m perfectly happy by myself.

Still don’t need anyone, huh?

He flinched. He opened his mouth, paused, then sealed his lips with a frown. So now he was censoring himself? Huh.

She stood and handed him the towel. A clap of thunder roared through the airy entryway; a gust of wind swept past the open door. She jumped and practically slammed herself against him, palms pressed to his chest.

His arms went around her, the towel slipping through his fingers. He was warm, and his shirt smelled like fabric softener. The tension in her shoulders relaxed. His

Reviews for Yours at Midnight

[bette_hansen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this novella! After having the girl he had loved for years for one night, Quinn Sobel left town and didn't return for 4 years. Now he's back for a visit and surprised to see that Lyric is still next door, and still as in control of his heart as always. Lyric is glad to see Quinn but also fears he will discover her secret.

This is a great story that you don't want to miss! I highly recommend it.

[suepk-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yours At Midnight.
Yours At Midnight is a romantic novel about Lyric Whetstone and Quinn Sobel. It is a lovely, gentle tale of love and regret and finding love again. It follows the usual format of this genre. It is written by Robin Bielman and published by Entangled Publishing LLC.

My view on the book:

The first thing that struck me when I began reading this book was the very odd name of the heroine - Lyric. Putting that aside I delved into the book and enjoyed reading it. The story was set in the period of time between Christmas and New Year - I could picture the family during this time in my mind's eye as I read the book. Some books that are set during the festive period can get too caught up in the whole Christmas thing, and there isn't enough story, but this book was not guilty of that.

Lyric has a secret and she also has feelings for Quinn. Quinn also has feelings for her and we get his point of view throughout the book, which I loved. I felt it was a nice touch, it helped move the story along for the reader to have Quinn's point of view and not just Lyric's.

There is a love triangle throughout the storyline and it creates a really good conflict throughout. The reader obviously knows the guy is going to get the girl, but it's all about the journey they take to get there and some books are pretty flat, this one created just the right amount of conflict for a couple who were so obviously besotted with one another.

One thing that did surprise me was how late in the book it was before Lyric's secret was out. Usually with this sort of thing the secret is out pretty early on and the story moves along quite nicely on the back of this. That said, this story manages just fine without having the secret revealed early on. It does give the story a different feel, which is good.

Overall, this book was a good read. Not the sort of book one would read unless they were interested in romance novels, but for fans of the genre a pretty satisfying read. On a scale out of ten, I am giving this book 8/10. A nice modern feel to it makes it a pleasing read. The love triangle keeps the conflict going right until the end, and Lyric's secret remaining intact helps too. Having Quinn's point of view also keeps the reader engaged.
The only disappointment I have, is that once Lyric's secret is out there just wasn't enough conflict over it for my liking. I felt that with a little more conflict over what is revealed the book would have gone from a pleasing read, to a rivoting read.

Recommended for all lovers of this genre.

[katrinah_31 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A perfect weekend romance, a fun little escape into the world of lifelong frienemies unfolds as your plunged into a world of secrets, heart ache, and missed opportunities. It makes you wonder how many of your childhood ‘I can’t stand the sight of hims’ really could have grown up to be someone you’d really like to be with. Yeah, not one would have turned out as well as Robin’s Quinn. I know, I’ve checked them out on Facebook.Lyric and Quinn’s story intertwines through the years. Unfortunately, his grief and guilt when he lost his brother set in motion a series of events that he’s totally unaware of. He wants to make things right with his family and his old neighbor, Lyric. The question becomes, how is he going to take it all in, and will he cope with it all. This is a short romance, perfect for an evening of blissful reading.

[mybookaddiction_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yours at Midnight by Robin Bielman was a deliciously angsty story that hit all my sweet spots. It all started with a crush, a childhood love – of the wrong brother. Lyric and Quinn met as children, but unfortunately for Quinn, it was his brother Oliver, who Lyric wanted. When Oliver died, their grief and guilt lead them to one night together – a night that left them both reeling. Now, a number of years out, Quinn was back.Quinn and Lyric were both multi-dimensional characters, though Lyric was the more finely drawn of the two. Both had strong, emotional arcs and had very real issues to confront. Quinn was angsty and broody and painfully unhappy enough to create a deep sympathy for him. Lyric held on to the past a bit too much for her own good and needed a sharp shock to open her eyes. The supporting cast (mostly Lyric’s family) all had roles to play and their roles were definitely a surprise. Unfortunately, none of them were hidden gems.What really kept this story moving along are the deep and difficult issues between Lyric and Quinn and the strong push-pull that both experienced. So while the story moved at an even pace throughout and never felt rushed, the tension continued to mount until the explosion. In the darkest hour, a kiss can make it all better.RATING: 4Heat Rating: MildREVIEWED BY: Monique Neaves,My Book Addiction Reviews

[alwaysyaatheart · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was such a great novella and I adored it, devouring in a couple of hours. I love romance, and this is just the type of story I really enjoy. Lyric, Quinn, and his brother Oliver grew up together. Quinn was always mean to Lyric growing up, but he really loved her, and Lyric was in love with Oliver, or so she thought. When Oliver died in a car crash on New Year's Eve, everything changed. Quinn and Lyric shared and night of passion after the funeral and then he disappeared from her life. It is now 4 years later, Christmas Day, and when Lyric delivers her neighbor's escaped dog home, who does she find answering the door but Quinn. What she doesn't know is that Quinn is there to apologize and make amends for what he has done.Old habits die hard, and these two fall back into the pattern of arguing, though the love and sexual tension lies just beneath the surface. Over the ensuing few days, as much as Lyric tries to prevent it, these two end up spending a lot of time together. There is one problem. Lyric has a huge secret, a secret which she hasn't told anyone about, and just as these two seem to be reconciling their differences and discovering something new, this secret threatens to tear them apart.Your's at Midnight is a heart warming, romantic, and fun read. The story line is great, as are the characters, and Quinn is such a hottie. I loved the relationship between these two, and there are a couple of great steamy scenes also. If you love romance and are looking for an quick, enjoyable, and entertaining read that leaves you feeling happy and warm all over (I know I sound cheesy, but I am such a sucker for a good romance), then Your's at Midnight is one book you should check out.