Homegrown Heroes: Ryan

By Kara Swynn

Cassandra Cross has loved Ryan Sears since the minute she met him, too bad he’s been her number one enemy from about that same time. Ryan is off limits and it would help if Cassie could remember that. Besides there’s no way the sexy, self-disciplined ex-Marine could be attracted to a curvy, smart-mouthed woman like Cassie.
Ryan’s not only attracted to Cassie; he’s in love with her. For years he’s tried to forget her and the pain she caused him. He still wants her, but he’s tired of being ignored.
Now Ryan has two weeks to prove to Cassie that he’s a real man and a Marine in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, great sex isn’t enough to put old insecurities to rest and when push-comes-to-shove one of them will walk away and the other will have to find the courage to either fight for their love or risk losing it forever.
This complete short read has the added bonus of two gorgeous, outspoken Marine buddies who don’t pull their punches. As well as, Cassie’s dirty-minded best friend – Alyssa, who doesn’t hesitate to tell her like it is.
Due to explicit language and sexual content, this story is intended for mature readers only.

Read an Excerpt -
“Did you purposely do that?” he accused, adding to her confusion.
“Do what?!”
“Show up naked!” he growled.
Now Cassie was sure he’d lost all common sense. “I’m not naked,” she said, tugging at the collar of her night shirt as proof.
Ryan raised a disbelieving eyebrow and his gaze zeroed in on her chest. Cassie followed his appraisal only to realize she’d forgotten about the water that had spilled earlier and the damp fabric was now slightly transparent and clinging to her skin.
“Oh, I-I spilled some water that’s all. It’s not a big deal. You’re overreacting, Ryan.”
“It damn well is a big deal. I can still see your nipples clearly right now!”
She crossed her arms in front of her embarrassed and defensive. “For god sakes. I’m sure the girls at the bar were showing a lot more skin than this. Did you yell at every woman there too, Ryan?”
If possible, he looked even angrier. “No, because they’re not you. You shouldn’t prance around naked in front of other men, Cassandra.”
Then it donned on her — the real reason why Ryan was so angry with her.
“Because I’m fat?” she replied angrily. “Is that the reason? You can say it you know, Ryan. You don’t have to spare my feelings. I know exactly what I look like, I have a mirror. And for the record, Dane didn’t seem to be grossed-out by my fat body.”
Ryan’s expression turned menacing and a low growl emitted from his throat. “Cassie, you are so pissing me off right now.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kara Swynn
• Release date: Jun 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9780991918256

Kara Swynn

I write what I love to read and if that makes me a naughty girl...oh well...

Book preview

Homegrown Heroes

— Ryan —

Kara Swynn

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 Kara Swynn

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cassandra Cross has loved Ryan Sears since the minute she met him, too bad he’s been her number one enemy from about that same time. Ryan is off limits and it would help if Cassie could remember that. Besides there’s no way the sexy, self-disciplined ex-Marine could be attracted to a curvy, smart-mouthed woman like Cassie.

Ryan’s not only attracted to Cassie; he’s in love with her. For years he’s tried to forget her and the pain she caused him. He still wants her, but he’s tired of being ignored.

Now Ryan has two weeks to prove to Cassie that he’s a real man and a Marine in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, great sex isn’t enough to put old insecurities to rest. When push-comes-to-shove one of them will walk away and the other will have to find the courage to either fight for their love or risk losing it forever.

This complete short read has the added bonus of two gorgeous, outspoken Marine buddies who don’t pull their punches. As well as, Cassie’s dirty-minded best friend – Alyssa, who doesn’t hesitate to tell her like it is.

Due to explicit language and sexual content, this story is intended for mature readers only.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to my supporters, Lou and the gang. I can’t do this without you. I love you all!!!

A big hug to all the lovely GR ladies who volunteered to beta-read this story, your input was truly priceless!

Thanks to all my fans, I hope you enjoy reading Ryan and Cassie’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

— Kara Swynn

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Epilogue

Other Titles by Kara Swynn

Recommended Reading

About Kara Swynn

Prologue

Yeah, but my mom asked me to housesit, Cassandra Cross argued, her hands resting defiantly on her generous hips. She was barefoot, dressed in faded jeans and a pale pink ‘keep-calm’ t-shirt. Unfortunately, the logo had little influence over Cassie’s present frustrated state.

She’d suffered through a three and a half hour drive expecting a relaxing stay at her childhood home in the country. Instead, she was greeted by the arrogant, condescending, sexy-as-sin — Ryan Sears, whom she tried to avoid whenever possible. To top it all off, he seemed totally fine with the fact that they would be living under the same roof while her mom and stepdad - Philip, enjoyed a second honeymoon in the Caribbean.

And Philip asked me to watch over the place, Ryan declared, taking another long sip of his beer as he casually leaned against the granite kitchen counter top. As usual, he wasn’t the least bit fazed by Cassie’s frustration. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying her predicament.

It’d been over four months since Cassie had last seen Ryan and if it was possible, he was even sexier now than he had been then. She watched his sculpted bicep flex involuntarily as he raised the bottle to his lips for another pull.

Get it together, she scolded herself, looking away. It’s been all of five minutes and already you can’t stop staring at him. There’s no way you can spend two weeks alone with him. One of us is going to have to leave.

I can take care of the house just fine on my own, Cassie declared, not loving the prospect of completing the three-page list of chores her mother and stepfather had left behind. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than hang around here with me.

Believe me, babysitting you and this house for the next two weeks isn’t my idea of a good time, Cass, he confirmed. But I promised my dad. Ryan often referred to Philip Dooley as his father, although they were not truly related. Cassie’s stepdad – Philip, and Ryan’s biological father had been lifelong friends. So when Ryan’s father died in the line of duty, Philip Dooley stepped in and took responsibility for the teenaged boy. To look at them together no one would ever imagine they weren’t father and son. Their love was real and unconditional, which made things difficult for Cassie, who now had a pseudo-stepbrother in her life.

To top it all off both men were stubborn and honorable which meant once Ryan Sears gave his word on something it was as good as done. Damn! He’d never back out now.

Although she hated to admit it, Cassie could be just as stubborn as Ryan. She’d given her word to her mother and she intended to keep it.

For some reason they asked us both to stay here, Ryan continued. This is probably some kind of sick punishment they’re doling out on us for god-knows what. Either way, I’m sure you can keep yourself busy for the next few weeks painting your nails, texting your friends and shopping online, he stated, sarcastically.

It was no secret Ryan thought Cassie was a spoiled little rich girl — although at a size eighteen ‘little’ was a bit of an exaggeration.

Cassie’s real father died the year she entered high school, leaving her and her mom a small fortune. Both Cassie and her mother, Diane, were devastated after her father’s sudden death and it took them years to recover. It wasn’t until Cassie turned nineteen that her mom was able to open her heart again and find love.

Diane Cross met and married Philip Dooley in a whirlwind romance. Thankfully, enough time had passed since Cassie’s father’s death that Cassie could accept her new stepfather openly into her life. His adopted son, Ryan, however was a different story.

Her twenty-four year old newly acquired foe was a picture of perfection. Ryan was smart, strong, courageous and handsome as fuck. Cassie knew instantly that Ryan was the man she’d been dreaming about since she was a little girl. However, she was mortified by her sexual attraction to her new sibling and petrified that someone would find out.

Ryan on the other hand, seemed content to tease and torment his ‘little sister’ at every opportunity. They were constantly at odds. The only reprieve Cassie received was when Ryan left for his tour of duty overseas.

Around that same time, Cassie accepted a job as a waitress at a tiny little pastry shop. She loved it so much that six years later she was still employed there. However, Cassie was no longer just a waitress. Now she was head pastry chef and majority stakeholder in the expanded and very successful trendy dessert shop.

When she wasn’t working, Cassie spent most of her time in her modest little apartment in the suburbs. She rarely spent money on herself, with the exception of the occasional pair of designer shoes and a week or two spent vacationing down south. Cassie was far from a snob, or a princess or any of the other derogatory names Ryan often called her.

How do you manage to get dates when you’re such a complete ass? she asked, in defense of his comments.

You’d be surprised how many women are into assholes these days, he replied, wagging his eyebrows at the double meaning.

You’re depraved.

Ryan shrugged, seemingly content with her assessment of him. Why don’t you pick up the phone and whine to mommy dearest? I’m sure if you shed a few of your crocodile tears, she’d let you weasel out of your responsibility once again, he offered.

Cassie scowled at him.