Awakened By A Kiss (Book 5 - Once Upon A Romance Series)

By Laurie LeClair

A new romantic comedy novella in the Once Upon A Romance Series from bestselling author Laurie LeClair.

Can a kiss change your life?

Evelyn White wants a baby. On her own. It’s ironic that the King’s Department Store wedding assistant doesn’t plan on having a wedding for herself. She’d rather tackle parenthood on her terms. Less fuss. Less mess. And there’s no one to have to deal with when making decisions. Will being a single mom be everything it’s cracked up to be? Evelyn questions herself when her heart goes pitter-patter after clumsily dropping her tote bag and its contents, and then staring up into the breathtaking baby blues of the man she practically maims.

Shane Weston fears divorce. He’s been put through the wringer ever since his parents’ messy break up years ago. To this day, he’s still refereeing their ongoing squabbles. So, when he hears who his cousin is marrying, he rushes to stop the certain disastrous union and save his cousin from the worst mistake of his life. But he needs allies to achieve his goal. He’s doing everything in his power to enlist the help of King’s wedding assistant. Only he’s not so sure his reasons are pure anymore when Evelyn and he pretend to be a couple and he starts falling for her, hard and fast.

Attraction leads to a kiss. The kiss awakens Evelyn to things she never knew she wanted. The same kiss puts Shane’s heart at risk.

Neither Evelyn nor Shane want a romance. They have better things to do with their lives. But will one spectacularly amazing kiss change both their views on marriage and their dreams forever? And can Evelyn and Shane put aside what they long for in order to make way for a love of a lifetime?

Books in the Once Upon A Romance Series::
If The Shoe Fits – Book 1
Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2
Taming McGruff – Book 3
The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4
Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5

Start reading this laugh out loud contemporary romance now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurie LeClair
• Release date: May 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311718358

Laurie LeClair

Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes about love, laughter, and happily ever after in her contemporary western romances, romantic comedies, sweet romances, contemporary romances, and contemporary women’s fiction books. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim, who thankfully appreciates her sense of fun and love of travel. (Not so much the endless picture taking while hanging out the passenger window!) She loves to hear from readers!You can connect with me online:www.laurieleclair.comhttps://twitter.com/LeClairbookshttps://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75Books by Laurie LeClair:Once Upon A Romance Series (Romantic Comedy; Fairy tale retelling)If The Shoe Fits – Book 1Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2Taming McGruff – Book 3The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5Tangled At First Sight – Book 6Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7Making A Splash – Book 8Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9Baking From The Hart – Book 10Melting Her Heart - Book 11Princess In Hiding - Book 12Her Frog Prince - Book 13Forget Me Not - Book 14Three Wishes - Book 15Her Brave Heart - Book 16His Tiny Dancer - Book 17***A Very Charming Wedding Series (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)The Bachelor And The Bride – Book 1The Boss And The Bride – Book 2The Bodyguard And The Bride – Book 3***Once Upon A Royal Wedding Series boxed set (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)His Beloved Princess - Book 1Her Forever Prince - Book 2***The Cormac Family: Billionaire Sweet Romance (clean and wholesome, sweet romance)CEO Billionaire - Book 1Boss Billionaire - Book 2Best Friend Billionaire - Book 3Bride Billionaire - Book 4Bachelor Billionaire - Book 5***The McCall Brothers Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Cowboy’s Rebellious Bride - Book 1The Cowboy’s Renegade Bride - Book 2The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride - Book 3The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride - Book 4***Cupid’s Corner Series (romantic comedy, clean and wholesome, sweet romance)Dear Cupid - Book 1Picture Perfect Bride - Book 2Falling For Her - Book 3***Wanted: Fairy Godmother (Romantic Comedy)***The Sweet Spot Series (Romantic Comedy)The Dating Dilemma – Book 1***Tempted By A Texan Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Callahans – PrequelTravis – Book 1Cassie – Book 2***The Heart Series (Contemporary Romance)Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2Lies Of The Heart – Book 3***The Bounty Hunter Series (Romantic Suspense)Murphy’s Law – Book 1Riley’s Rules – Book 2***The Long Journey Home (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Runaway Wife (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Sweet Summertime (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***An Angel Mountain Novel (Holiday Romance; Contemporary Romance)The Heart RemembersThe Gift Of HopeIf you enjoy my books, please leave a review.

Book preview

Chapter 1

W hat do you mean, you can’t make it, Rico? Evelyn White grasped her cell phone as she rushed across the marble floor of King’s Department Store. Hold the door! she called out as she grew closer to the executive elevator.

The muted gold doors jerked to a halt a foot apart and then slowly opened again.

Thank you, she whispered to her unknown rescuer.

Moi? Rico’s voice faded in and out.

She pressed the cell phone to her ear. In her other hand, she clutched the bulky black portfolio and barely held onto the straps of her bulging black tote bag. Not you. Look, you can’t stand me up.

I’m not ditching you. I’ll be late. L-A-T-E. That’s all.

Evelyn slid the last few inches and lunged across the elevator threshold. Several objects in her overstuffed tote flew out. She cursed under her breath. Her hair covered her eyes, but she became aware of a man in the small enclosure.

Here, let me, he said. His voice held a deep, rich quality that tugged at her.

He eased the portfolio and tote out of her grasp, relieving her of her bulky burdens. With his other hand, he clasped her elbow and helped her straighten to her feet. Heat seared her where he touched.

Blowing the strands of hair out of her face, she gulped hard at the man staring at her. His baby blues did strange things to her insides. The slight grin caused her knees to wobble.

Thanks, she mumbled. Her heart pounded. From the mad dash or this guy’s extra special brand of sexy?

For being late? Rico’s high-pitched voice blared in her ear.

The doors bumped shut.

What floor? baby blue eyes asked.

Fifth, she mouthed.

He leaned around her, and then punched the button. The car moved upward. She teetered on her heels. Bending down, he retrieved the scattered items. She knelt beside him, gathering up her things. Awareness, with a huge dose of attraction, shot through her.

Hello, Ev, are you there? It’s me, Rico, or have you forgotten?

No. Evelyn tried to concentrate, but had a difficult time when this man wouldn’t stop smiling and his eyes, light blue and warm, held hers. Added to that, his sandy brown hair was tousled, his jaw unshaven, and his biceps stretched his denim shirt.

Holding up a stuffed, multi-colored floppy bunny, he asked softly, For your dog?

Grabbing it quickly, she shoved it back where it had hopped from. Kids.

He frowned as he plucked up her open wallet. A sheath of plastic pictures unfurled like an accordion right before him. One smiling face after another revealed itself. He counted under his breath. Seven?! Your kids?

She shook her head. I babysit. A lot. Was it her or did he seem relieved at that answer? As she pointed to each picture, she named them, Giggly, Wiggly, and Smiley are siblings. Munchkin, Sweet Cheeks, Baby Cakes, and Little Bit are cousins.

He chuckled.

The husky sound rippled through her.

Evelyn, oh, Evelyn… Rico called out.

Baby blues shifted and she heard the crinkle. Reaching down, he picked up the wrinkled envelope with the now crushed cellophane window.

Ah… She grabbed for it. He held on tight. She tugged on it. Her face burned. No, not that. My results. In black and white, it spelled out her dismal future.

He relinquished his hold. Evelyn sighed, and then jammed the offending missive into the deep recesses of her bag.

The car jolted. She pitched forward.

Reaching out, he righted her. There was an alarming flash of heat that whooshed through her. Hot flash? But I’m only twenty-five.

Once all her things were back in her tote, he helped her stand again. It didn’t help her legs, though; they were still shaking from being so close to him.

"Ev, just who are you talking to?" Rico sounded like he was pouting.

H1, Rico. Their code came in handy sometimes.

Like the flu? Rico asked. Apparently, he’d forgotten the all-important code.

H1 at twelve o’clock, she muttered into the phone, trying not to let the guy hear.

Hot guy—like, number 1 hot—in front of you? Oh, honey. Why do I have to be running late today of all days?

Hot guy chuckled.

You heard? Her voice squeaked.

His nod made her groan. Her cheeks warmed.

What’s he doing to you?’ Rico asked. Dang, I wish I could see."

Just hurry up. It took Evelyn everything she had to smile weakly at the hot guy and gingerly step to the side. Half turning away, she whispered into the phone. You know she doesn’t like me.

The feeling is mutual, honey. Bridezilla strikes again.

Evelyn could picture her friend shudder. Huh! That’s too tame for Candace Hightower. She’s unreasonable. And demanding.

Is this supposed to make me hurry up?

Rico, please. Don’t make me go into that meeting without you. I…I may not be able to control myself. She looked over her shoulder.

Hot guy was leaning near the buttons with his arms crossed over his chest—very, broad chest—watching her intently, and raising an eyebrow. His sexy smile did strange, tingly things to her.

She turned her back on him, trying to shut him out. But his overpowering presence filled the space. She peeked at him again.

Rico’s laughter brought her back to the conversation. Oh, girl, I want to see that.

Yeah, and see me get fired, too. Now, hot guy’s gaze traveled over her. That’s it; her knees officially went weak. She pressed into the wall, hoping she’d stay on her feet long enough to reach the executive offices.

Catfight on aisle nine, Rico teased.

Some friend you are, she muttered, jerking away from looking into those incredible eyes. Look, everyone knows she’s full of herself. Nothing but the best. Why else would she want King’s Department Store handling her wedding? The Charmings Wedding Boutique is known all over the world.

Dealing with difficult women is the price we have to pay to be wonderful, he agreed.

So you deal. I’m just your assistant—

Tsk. Tsk. Ev, honey. You’ll be fine. Have Peg add some liquor to her tea. Stuff her with petit fours and I’ll be there in, his voice faded, twenty.

Twenty, as in minutes? But she asked air, because the phone clicked in her ear. He hung up on me, can you believe that?

For shame, the hot guy said.

Evelyn whipped around. Gulping hard, she forced another smile.

The compartment stopped. The doors dinged open. She rushed out, and then stopped, going back for the portfolio just as he was handing it to her. It slipped. Evelyn grasped it and turned. The pointy end jabbed him in his gut.

He sucked in a breath. Are you always so…dangerous?

Sorry. She mumbled her apologies as heat swept across her cheeks. Could she just make this all go away? Backing up, she bowed slightly.

Wait, he called out.

Too late, she banged into the glass doors, hitting her head. She dropped the cell phone and reached to rub the sore spot. Fudge!

He laughed, holding up his hands. Don’t move.

She didn’t dare.

Bending down, he retrieved her phone from the carpet and then gingerly tugged the portfolio from her grip. He nodded for her to shift. When she moved a few steps, he opened the door for her. After you. His lips twitched.

Evelyn shrugged and then walked in ahead of him.

Once in the reception area, he handed over the phone and portfolio. Your weapons.

Her giggle bubbled up and escaped. I’m usually not this clumsy.

I doubt that.

Ev, you got the stuff? Peg rushed down the hall toward her. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law grabbed her by the upper arm. Tell me, you got it, ’cause Miss High and Mighty’s been having a full on temper tantrum.

Gulping hard, Evelyn would rather face a room full of five year olds than the bridezilla at the moment. Got it. You show her.

Me? Holy mother of God, you couldn’t pay me enough to deal with that one.

Evelyn was afraid of that. We’re family…

Peg snorted. Don’t try that on me, sis-to-be.

Groaning, she knew it was up to her. What kind of booze does Griff have?

You know he doesn’t drink. Peg snagged her arm and turned her toward the right and the owner’s office.

Charlie then?

She hasn’t had a drink since before the babies were born. Quit stalling.

Looking over her shoulder, Evelyn caught the hot guy’s stare one last time. She didn’t even know his name. Didn’t even know why he was there.

Her heart sank. Now she’d never know. Too bad; he might have been interested in her proposition.

Shane Weston shook his head as the super sexy petite brunette half walked and was half dragged down the hall by the lady clutching the clipboard. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the gentle sway of Miss Sexy’s hips in the pencil-thin black skirt with the slit in the back. Lavender silk blouse, gold belt cinched her waist, and those purple heels she wore were at least three inches and hotter than hell.

He swallowed hard. What just happened? His body hummed. His mind fogged over.

Tornado, that’s what it was, he muttered, feeling like some force of nature had blasted over him.

Something dropped from her tote. "The