Boomerang Love: The Thorns, #1

By Melissa Combs

When you toss a boomerang, it's always supposed to come back to you, but no one ever said that about people or love. So why is Cohen waiting for the woman he met a year ago in Sydney? Better yet, why does Hayleigh show? Two people from opposite sides of the globe have a hot time in the city and the outback. But will they find their love in the place known as the Never-Never?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crossroads Fiction
• Release date: Jun 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393767589

Melissa Combs

JOURNEYS OF LOVE every woman needs to take. Melissa Lopez writes for herself and creates her worlds for her characters. She is an author of paranormal, contemporary, suspense, fantasy, historical, erotic romance and erotic horror. Besides writing under her own name she collaborates under Melany Logen and Marissa Alwin pen names. She has a BA in general studies with certifications in English, science, and history and is working towards a MA in marketing. She has been interested in the human psyche and paranormal activities since she gained eye-sight at the age of twenty-two. She welcomes comments from and interacting with readers. Website: https://www.melissalopezwrites.wordpress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormelissalopez Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissalopez Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1831021.Melissa_Lopez Blog: http://melissalopez.livejournal.com 

Book preview

Dedication

Originally, I entered Boomerang Love in a submission call at Samhain Publishing. They were looking for fun in the sun stories for an anthology collection. Sasha Knight the anthology editor didn’t think Boomerang Love quite fit the anthology call, but she believed in and enjoyed my story enough to send the story inside to an acquisition editor. Thanks to the encouragement of my first Samhain editor Eve Joyce my Thorn series was born!

Dear Reader,

I must acknowledge no book gets written in a vacuum. It takes a team of people to write and produce a book. I’m grateful to have such a support group around me. My youngest daughter Aly is a jewel for all the social media assistance she’s given me. I’d be lost without Linda Rettstatt’s formatting skills. A special thank you to Paula the International Woman of Mystery. She’s been a goddess since I started my writing journey and continues to be so. I appreciate all the perfect strangers who connect with me daily on different social medias. Your ability to support and rally around me is profound. You’re awesome! 

And most importantly, thank you—dear readers—for completing the writing process by allowing my characters to live for you. 

All the best,

`Mel

Chapter One

Australia

You’re a bloody fruit loop. Miller drained the rest of his beer and set the empty mug down. Chill, or let’s get out of here.

Cohen ignored his brother and looked around the crowded pub one more time. The place was teeming with tourists. No doubt, Miller had the right of it. A bloody fruit loop, to be waiting for a woman he’d spent half the night with a year ago. Still he could recall their fevered promises to reunite this year. If only he’d been able to get the night out of his mind or Hayleigh out of his fantasies.

Mate, the least you could do is spill. Miller waved the barkeep over again. You’re making me bloody nervous. I can’t even enjoy the beer.

He winced. Just like his brother to get down to business. Cohen was still surprised Miller had lasted an hour in silence. Would it have been too much to ask—for once—to have Miller go along? Miller would think he was a real nut, if he found out the reason Cohen had dragged his arse into the city.

Cohen’s gaze didn’t leave the door. He didn’t want to miss her. Though, as time passed, he agreed with Miller. He was an idiot for waiting, thinking she might show up after all this time.

Miller swung around and braced an elbow on the bar. Bloody perv tonight, aren’t cha?

Cohen blew out a breath. I’m looking for someone. Though he had eyed every female who’d come through the door, he hadn’t seen her. A time or two he’d looked too long. Nothing wrong with looking. He’d always favored a nice full rack.

Christ. What a nut to be waiting.

Someone?

I met someone in here a while back. I’m looking for her.

Considering neither of us has been to the city... His brother folded his arms and slowly scoped out the pub. ...in what...?

A while. He cast Miller a glare before turning back to the door.

So, I’m guessing you and this woman did more than chew the fat. A shit-eating grin spread across Miller’s cakehole.

I may have mentioned her to you and Ethan. Maybe, he’d spoken to Ethan more than Miller about Hayleigh. Their oldest brother could be bloody difficult to talk to. Especially in recent months.

Damn me. Miller shook his head. You were a dog after last year’s Sydney trip.

Cohen caught the inside of his cheek between his teeth. He had no desire to give his brother any details of that night. They’d done a whole lot more than talk. Hayleigh had allowed him to fuck her against his truck. Then she’d allowed him to fuck her inside his truck.

His prick stirred at the memory of how hot she’d been. Hours of sucking face, and he’d been hornier than he’d ever been. He’d made the moves, and Hayleigh had melted at his every touch. Several hours of dance and a little talk had ended with an hour of the most remarkable sex of his life.

Pig’s arse. Miller nudged him. Are you telling me you hooked up with a Yank and expect her to show up again?

Yeah. Sounded like bullshit to him to when it was laid out fact on fact.

Bloody fruit loop. Miller’s expression showed his disbelief and disgust. He turned back to the bar. The barkeep placed another mug in front