Cover Me

By Kacey Hammell

Wanting her son’s best friend shouldn’t feel so right...

Jay Savage is one of the most sought after models in the business who seems to have it all. He’s the face of romance novel covers from coast to coast, and has expanded his brand to an executive role. Despite the endless possibilities in his life, Jay doesn’t have the one woman he wants most. She is everything he needs, and everything he can’t have. Their age difference isn’t the only obstacle standing in the way of convincing her they were made for one another. Leanne is also his best friend’s mom.

On Nita Lake to celebrate the marriage of her son, Leanne Hogan is faced with the most delicious temptation she’s ever encountered. Their smoldering heat burns down her defenses, and Leanne finds herself giving in to the only man who tempts her banked desires. They shouldn’t work. Can’t work. So why does it feel so right when she’s in his arms?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Dec 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781773391069

Kacey Hammell

Avid Reader. Romance Author. Redhead... Canadian-born author, Kacey Hammell is definitely a book-a-holic, who began reading romances at a young age and became easily addicted. These days, as a multi-published erotic romance author, she enjoys adding a lot of heat, sass and emotion to the Contemporary Romances she writes. A mom of three, Kacey has made certain each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right. She lives her own happily ever after with her perfect hero in Ontario, Canada, and is a true romantic at heart.

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2016 Kacey Hammell

ISBN: 978-1-77339-106-9

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Amanda Jean

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

For my husband, James, who entered my life years ago when I least expected it. The best decision I ever made was marrying him. I wear my Cougar stripes proudly!!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For Jilly and Karen, thank you both for being there for me over this difficult last year. I treasure your friendships. Love you both.

Doris, mere words can’t express how much your input means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

COVER ME

Kacey Hammell

Copyright © 2016

Chapter One

You gonna sit there all day and gawk at my mother?

Jay swallowed hard at his best friend’s words. One night—a long, crazy one after his first big international photo shoot—in a drunken stupor, he’d confessed his deepest and darkest secret: his crush-slash-obsession for Beau’s mother.

But Beau hadn’t been all that surprised by his confession, and it had thrown Jay for a loop. He’d been shocked Beau had said nothing to him about it before that moment. And to get caught by his buddy while salivating over the stunning image of Leanne in wedding photos was a tad embarrassing. He’d done his best all afternoon to keep his eyes off her, but she was gorgeous in a skin-toned, knee-length dress, cut low enough for a nice amount of cleavage. It hadn’t been easy, but he’d given himself a dozen pep talks and solved multiple math equations in his head to keep his body in check.

You need to figure out your feelings for her, man. This obsession you have—not in a creepy way, I know, but … Hell, you’ve become a monk, buddy.

Jay shifted on the sofa and glanced at Beau. His friend was right. Jay sighed as he leaned his head back against the cushion.

The church room they’d used to get ready for Beau’s wedding now seemed too confining, smaller than he realized. The pine walls and rich mahogany décor were intrusively dark and foreboding. He suddenly wanted to be anywhere else.

But Beau’s comments were correct. The last couple years had flown by. And he’d buried himself in work to forget the woman who plagued his thoughts every day.

Isn’t much hope, Beau. She’ll never look twice at me. Not as anything other than her son’s best friend.

If you spend time with her, things might change. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know. You have to find out? Beau handed Jay a can of soda and sat down across from him. Not that I’m eager for my mother to get involved with anyone. She’s had enough pain. But at least with you, I know she’d be well taken care of and you won’t hurt her. His gaze locked on Jay’s. At least not on purpose.

I appreciate your faith in me, man. I’d never do anything to hurt her, but she has the power to break my heart. Warmth coated Jay’s cheeks. He never liked talking about his feelings much—at least not when he was sober—but who else could he trust if not Beau?

Mom would make mincemeat of you, sure. And it’s one reason I’m not concerned over you hurting her. I trust you. But you aren’t trying now, only becoming a workaholic. He pulled off his tie and stuffed it into his jacket pocket. Isn’t there a saying about no risk, no reward? Or some hokey shit like that?

Jay nodded and sipped from the can. A smile spread across his lips after he swallowed. Of course, you’re so shit-crazy drunk on the love shit right now, you want everyone to be as sappy happy as you are.

They both laughed.

"Married life will be fun. Hell, my father taught me how not to treat a woman. Beau let out a long sigh. I won’t screw up the way he did."

Jay knew that the failed marriage of Beau’s parents had almost gutted Beau. Jay remembered his own surprise when he’d heard Viktor had cheated on his wife. He remembered Beau’s heartache and anger.

I have no use for your father, man. Trust me, you are not like him.

Beau clenched his fists on his knees. Cynthia and I have promised to always be honest and communicate.

Then you’re golden. Jay moved forward and set the empty can on the table. You can’t let the sins of your father affect you. Or your marriage.

While he’d never married, nor had a relationship last longer than a few months, Jay would do whatever possible to be there for his buddy. Always. They’d been friends for over fifteen years, since high school and throughout college. They always had one another’s backs.

Thanks, bud. Beau glanced at his watch. Cynthia should be ready soon. She had to change out of her dress before we head to the airport. My father insists on us going with them since their flight leaves around the same time.

At least your mother won’t have to endure seeing that plastic Barbie he likes to show off. Viktor had ruined his marriage for a piece of artificial-looking woman in her early twenties who sported more jewelry than brains.

Jay didn’t understand what Viktor saw in the other woman. Not when he had a remarkable, kind, loving, and striking woman like Leanne. Jana had nothing favorable about her when compared with Leanne.

Mom’s held up well today, don’t you think? I hated having to invite my father, but she insisted it was the right thing to do. But fuck. Beau stood and paced the room, shedding his jacket and dress shirt as he went. I should have insisted he leave Jana at home. Without her around, Mom would have enjoyed herself more.

Too late to worry about it now. Jay tossed Beau a red shirt from the suitcase on the small table beside him. Your mom appeared okay dancing with your boss and two of your cousins. I’m just glad your boss is married. They danced together a few times. Jay had tried to squelch the bits of jealousy that had consumed him seeing Leanne dance with other men, but he had no claims on her, nor the nerve to confess his feelings.

Beau chuckled as he pulled on the shirt. Trevor and Amanda are extremely happy. Hell, they are embarrassing sometimes at the office with their PDA. Besides, he knows what Mom’s been through the last couple years. With Amanda’s absence today, Mom thinks she was doing him the favor of dancing with him. He glanced back at Jay. Why didn’t you dance with her? No one would have said anything. Not today, not for the occasion. If that’s what worried you.

Hell, I wanted to ask her. Jay tossed his tie and jacket onto his duffle bag and shoved his arms into a new shirt. But to be honest, I wasn’t sure I could trust myself. Her in my arms. Her body against mine, my…

Okay, okay. Jesus, dude, I get it. Beau wiped a hand over his face. "Shit, I do not need to know all your thoughts. I’m behind you a hundred percent, but she is my mother." Beau turned his back to him and pushed clothes into his own suitcase.

Jay’s face heated, chagrined. Sorry, man. Forgot who I am talking to.

Beau waved a hand at him. "Forget it. Some things we talk about never."

Right. Jay nodded.

Silence filled the room as they finished changing and repacked their bags.

Jay never imagined he’d have Beau’s understanding and continued friendship, not after learning he was hot for Beau’s mother. But his support meant so much to Jay. He would never leave him hanging.

He needed to grow some balls and approach Leanne. As a friend first, and possibly more. But he couldn’t rush things. Leanne’s distrust of men, and the pain he imagined she’d endured, wouldn’t be an easy cavern to cross.

Beau was correct in his thoughts of no risk, no reward. The future held no guarantees. And Jay had spent his nights alone, obsessing over a woman he didn’t believed he’d ever have a chance to date.

If she broke his heart, he’d have his answer. And while it was going to hurt like hell, he’d at least have a better direction to take his life. This limbo, though—engaging in no relationships with other women—had to end someday. But for right now, he needed to know if he had a shot with her.

Beau clamped him on the shoulder, and Jay turned.

Don’t sweat it, all right? Just be honest, take things slow, and let Mom lead. Beau held out a hand. I trust you, Jay.

Thanks, man. Jay enclosed his hand over his friend’s and hauled him in for a one-armed hug. Enjoy your honeymoon. I’ll keep an eye on her.

Beau stepped back and nodded. I know you will. He grabbed his suitcase, then opened the door. We’ll see you in a week.

Jay watched his best friend walk away to grab his bride and begin their life together.

After lifting his duffel onto his shoulder, he strode down the opposite hall toward the back exit. He’d checked in to his hotel room earlier, but he and Beau agreed to use the church’s accommodations instead of crossing the yard all the time. Trinity Delight’s resort on Whistler, British Columbia’s Nita Lake had held many weddings over the years and built their own church on the property to save time. For the next six days, he planned to take a