The Bad Boy's Goodness: The Bad Boys of Regret Hollow, #4

By Sara Daniel

He’ll do whatever it takes to save her from himself.

Just once, straight-laced teacher Bethany Wilkerson wants to make love with a man who’s not a dud in bed. When she finally meets the perfect man, he turns her down. Humiliated, she studiously avoids him for months…until she’s stranded at his house during an ice storm.

Ken Hawkins might have cleaned up on the outside, but on the inside he’s still a bad boy from the ghetto who will never be good enough for Bethany. Keeping his distance is a lot easier when she’s not parading through his house wearing nothing but his sweatshirt. No matter how hard he tries to reform, he’s not a saint.

The more Ken tries to convince her of his rotten core, the more Bethany believes in his innate goodness. But until she can convince him to believe in himself, he will continue to push her out of his life.

WARNING: Contains naughty words Grandma wouldn’t approve of, smoking hot love scenes Grandma can’t get enough of, all the quirks of small-town life, and a swoon-worthy, no-cliffhangers-no-regrets romance.

Books in The Bad Boys of Regret Hollow series:

1.  The Bad Boy’s Gift

2.  The Bad Boy’s Guilt

3.  The Bad Boy’s Guarantee

4.  The Bad Boy’s Goodness

5.  The Bad Boy's Commitment

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sara Daniel
• Release date: May 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524284107

Book preview

Prologue

I need you to fix something for me, but you have to promise not to freak out. Bethany Wilkerson closed her eyes as she danced cheek to cheek with Ken Hawkins, their forced coupling as groomsman and bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding having evolved until they’d become inseparable over the course of the evening.

You can’t shock me, babe. I’ve seen it all. He chuckled.

The corresponding, reassuring vibration strumming through her chest convinced her to throw the last of her misgivings aside and go for it. She wanted him to be the one. After tonight, he’d return to Chicago, and she’d still be living in her mother’s house in Regret Hollow in southeastern Wisconsin. She lifted her head so she could look him in the eye. I’ve never had an orgasm.

Deep-green eyes flaring, he choked out a strangled sound. Never?

I can’t wait for you to be my first. She hugged him tighter.

Within her embrace, he recoiled. Are you a virgin?

No, of course not. I’ve had lovers. A whole two of them. But no orgasm.

He didn’t need to know she’d never had one because she was boring in bed. Worse, she couldn’t even work up the nerve to attempt to pleasure herself. Before today, they’d been mere acquaintances, but from the moment he’d kissed her in the limo after the ceremony, she’d known that going to bed with Ken would be anything but boring.

I need you to help me fix this. Tonight. She kissed his chin then caressed up to his lips.

He turned his head and clamped his hands on her waist, holding her away from him. Babe, that’s the wine talking. You don’t want me. I’m no good for you.

So what if she was plastered? The alcohol had simply lowered her inhibitions enough for her to admit what she wanted. I’m not drunk. I’ve only had three glasses of wine.

Which is—what? Two glasses more than usual?

Three glasses more, to be honest. The one time she had tried to enjoy a bottle of wine in her bedroom, Mom had scolded and fretted so much Bethany had limited her consumption to ordering a glass when she went out with friends. No surprise that she couldn’t get worked up enough to touch herself in her mother’s house either. At thirty-two years old, she’d become a teetotaler spinster who’d never had an orgasm and lived in her childhood bedroom.

Allowing her life to continue along its pathetic trajectory was not an option, especially while she danced with the sexiest man who’d ever given her a second glance. Not only had he kissed her during the ride to the reception, he’d danced with her all night, far exceeding any obligation he had to stay by her side. Tonight, I’m cutting loose—with you.

His jaw tightened. I’m not taking advantage of you while you’re drunk or going along with something you’ll regret in the morning.

Who regrets having an orgasm? She couldn’t imagine it, but she for sure regretted never having one.

The music died away, and the DJ closed down the evening. Ken tucked his arms around her waist and guided her across the reception hall.

Oh my gosh, he was going to take her up on her offer. Now she had to scramble to find a location. She couldn’t take him back to her place. She’d never relax enough to climax while worrying if Mom would burst in on them. Wait, he had a room for the weekend at the bed-and-breakfast on the edge of town. That would be perfect. Mom would assume she’d stayed late at the reception to help clean up, so she wouldn’t have to invent excuses.

Instead of continuing toward the exit, Ken veered between the mostly vacated tables. Your mom and step-dad look ready to leave. You’d better ride home with them.

She stumbled to a stop. She couldn’t have heard him right. After she’d guaranteed he’d get lucky, he’d chosen to dump her with her parents? In books and movies, members of the bridal party always hooked up. But, in real life, Bethany couldn’t even get a guy to strip off her clothes when she begged him to. You’re sending me home with my parents instead of having sex with me?

Yes. With his palm on her back, he propelled her forward. Trudy and Len, he addressed her mother and stepfather. Bethany’s ready to go home. She’s had a bit too much to drink, so she’ll need you to give her a ride.

She might not have been able to shock him, but he’d certainly shocked her.

Good night, Bethany. He smiled at her like she was preteen with an amusing crush. I enjoyed your company this weekend.

But not enough to want to sleep with her. Unable to bear the humiliation, she averted her face.

Bethany, sweetheart, your cheeks are flushed. How much wine did you have? Mom pressed a cool palm to her face.

Too much, she murmured, closing her eyes and waiting for the floor to swallow her miserable, non-orgasmic existence.

Chapter 1

Six months later

I have a huge favor to ask. Her best friend’s voice crackled through the cell phone.

You know I’m always willing to help if I can. Bethany switched the phone to her left ear as she packed essays needing grading into her canvas bag. Cell reception inside Regret Hollow High School tended to be a bit spotty, but the sooner she got outside the building, the less likely the call would drop.

I’m supposed to be in Chicago, checking that all the student artwork and written statements about their work have been set up for tomorrow night’s show, but I’m still at the airport in Minneapolis with Zane, Julianne said. We’ve been hit with a horrible ice storm, and all flights are canceled or delayed for hours. Could you possibly go to the gallery and check on the exhibit for me?

Drive into Chicago right now? she clarified, not that she had any other plans for her Thursday evening.

I know it’s a ridiculously huge favor to ask with the storm heading through Wisconsin toward Regret Hollow and then Chicago. But if you can leave now, you should be able to get home before the freezing rain hits. I never imagined ice and winter weather would be a problem in April, or I wouldn’t have gone to Zane’s opening and left my students in the lurch.

Bethany glanced at the pile of essays tucked in her bag as she exited the building. Even if she started on them tonight, she wouldn’t finish grading them to hand back until Monday. If the ice that was predicted to hit after midnight did materialize, tomorrow would likely be a very late-season snow day.

Sure. I’ll check it out. I’d love a sneak peek at the exhibit. Considering she’d helped the students prepare statement papers explaining their artwork, she had a vested interest in the show’s success, as well.

"Great. Let me give you the address. If you have any questions or have any trouble from the gallery, Ken can