Kissing in the Rain

By Annie Rains

A Blushing Bay Prequel Novella

After a rough year, Jillian Maready is overdue for a relaxing weekend getaway. Where better to find that than Blushing Bay, North Carolina where her family vacationed growing up? When she sets sail on her own, however, she ends up stranded on a deserted island in the middle of one of the biggest storms of the summer—and in the arms of her sexy childhood crush.

As part of the Coast Guard Reserve, Gabe Sawyer is used to search and rescues. After learning that his sister’s best friend is in trouble, he doesn’t hesitate to brave the storm to find her. With the raging seas too volatile to navigate back, Gabe is in over his head when he and Jillian must spend one hot summer night surviving the storm together—and giving in to their sizzling attraction. But what happens when the sun comes back out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: NYLA
• Release date: Jun 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641970419

Book preview

Kissing In The Rain

Kissing In The Rain

A Blushing Bay Novella

Annie Rains

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Epilogue

Dear Reader

A Sneak Peek At Forbidden Kisses

A Sneak Peek At Christmas On Mistletoe Lane

Books By Annie Rains

About the Author

This ebook is licensed to you for your personal enjoyment only.

This ebook may not be sold, shared, or given away.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Kissing In The Rain

Copyright © 2018 by Annie Rains

ISBN: 9781641970419

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Editor: Linda Ingmanson

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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No part of this work may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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1

Jillian Maready slid her sunglasses over her eyes and tipped her head back to stare at the sky above. Bright and clear, unlike everything else in her life.

A pelican glided over the water, and her breath caught at the sight. There was a lot of beauty to be seen in Asheboro too, but she mostly sat behind a desk in a windowless office. And that was the exciting part of her day. The creature spearheaded into the water below and promptly came back up with a silver-toned fish in its beak. It knew exactly what it wanted, and got it.

She, on the other hand, had no idea what she wanted. Not anymore.

Thus, the reason she’d driven three hours here to Blushing Bay two days ago and had been crashing on her childhood BFF Lorelai Sawyer’s couch. Not because she was down on her luck. Or she was, but not financially. She’d spent the last decade in corporate America making a lot of money. She’d also spent the last decade slowly drowning in a life she hated.

A man’s voice in the distance caught her attention. Even though she was on the neighboring boardwalk, she immediately recognized his form as she stopped walking to admire him now too. Tall, muscular, tanned skin and dark hair. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she remembered they were also dark. Gabe Sawyer, Lorelai’s older brother and Jillian’s teenage crush.

Crush being the key word.

He had been older, cooler, and uninterested in her. He’d made that very clear on one such night that she tried never to think of. Even though she’d only been fifteen at the time, the memory still had the power to make her feel two inches tall. She watched him walk to the end of the pier of the Sawyer Water Recreation and Sports Center that he owned. The center rented out kayaks, rowboats, paddling boards, and sailboats to name just a few things. He helped a couple of customers load into a kayak and handed them a paddle. There were also a few sailboats navigating the smooth waters nearby.

She and Lorelai used to love taking sailboats out exploring when they were young. She remembered how free she’d felt with the wind at her back and leaving her cares on the shore behind. What she wouldn’t give to feel that way again. Especially after this past year. That was one of the reasons she’d come here. Blushing Bay was the place of her fondest childhood memories, and maybe here, cliché as it sounded, she could find herself again. She could find her smile. Her laugh.

Hell, she didn’t care what emotion she found, just as long as she felt something.

And she was pretty certain she’d feel something in one of those sailboats at the rec center, if she could manage to rent one without having to interact with Gabe Sawyer. She wasn’t interested in any of the feelings he would stir up.

Jillian pulled out her cell phone, did a quick search for the business’s number, and dialed. She knew Gabe was outside and wouldn’t be the one to answer the main phone.

What’s up? Sawyer Water Recreation and Sports Center, a voice answered. Whoa! That is a mouthful to say. Can I help you? the man asked on the other end of the line.

Um, yes, Jillian said, slightly thrown off by his surfer-esque accent. This was North Carolina, not a valley in California. I would like to reserve a sailboat for this afternoon.

Sure thing. About what time do you think you’ll be coming?

After staying with Lorelai for the last few days, Jillian knew that Gabe picked up his niece, Lorelai’s daughter, from school at three o’clock every day. Lorelai was a single mom and her job at the hospital didn’t allow her to pick up little Kimberly herself. Three o’clock.

You goooooot it, he said, drawing out his syllables.

She waited for him to ask for her information. He didn’t.

Instead, he said, I’ll help you load up in the boat myself. My name’s Jonathan.

Perfect. I’ll see you at three, Jonathan. She hung up her phone and shoved it back in her pocket with a wide smile. For the first time in a while, she felt excited. And that was something.

Gabe Sawyer waved as the young couple he’d just helped into a kayak set off down the channel. The sun was already beating against the back of his neck as he walked down the pier to the main office. Today promised to be hot and busy. It was the start of summer in Blushing Bay, which meant that the next few months would be active with people wanting to rent kayaks