Florida Flirt: States of Love

By Ann Omasta and Callie Love

Women love me. Imagine my surprise when I'm turned down by a dolphin…

Charming billionaire Dane Wilder dates beautiful, brilliant, and vivacious ladies––lots of them.

Dolphin trainer Emmy Scott is too smart to fall for her vacationing billionaire boss.

When Emmy's favorite dolphin spits in Dane's face, the woman is even more confident in her decision to steer clear of the powerful and wealthy man.

That is, until he makes her an offer she can't refuse.

What will happen when the billionaire boss can't have the one woman he truly wants? Find out in Florida Flirt.

The States of Love books are scorching stories with heat, heart, suspense, and laughter. They feature hunky heroes, strong heroines, seductive instalove, sizzling bedroom scenes, and satisfying happily-ever-after endings. Start anywhere. Binge-read them all. Dive into Dane and Emmy's story now to satisfy your steamy romance craving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: More Happily Ever Afters
• Release date: Sep 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201512781

Ann Omasta

Ann Omasta is a USA Today bestselling author.  Ann’s Top Ten list of likes, dislikes, and oddities: I despise whipped cream. There, I admitted it in writing. Let the ridiculing begin. Even though I have lived as far south as Key Largo, Florida, and as far north as Maine, I landed in the middle. If I don't make a conscious effort not to, I will drink nothing but tea morning, noon, and night. Hot tea, sweet tea, green tea––I love it all. There doesn't seem to be much in life that is better than coming home to a couple of big dogs who are overjoyed to see me. My other family members usually show significantly less enthusiasm about my return. Singing in my bestest, loudest voice does not make my family put on their happy faces. This includes the big, loving dogs referenced above. Yes, I am aware that bestest is not a word. Dorothy was right. There's no place like home. All of the numerous bottles in my shower must be lined up with their labels facing out. It makes me feel a little like Julia Roberts' mean husband from the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, but I can't seem to control this particular quirk. I love, love, love finding a great bargain! Did I mention that I hate whipped cream? It makes my stomach churn to look at it, touch it, smell it, or even think about it. Great––now I'm thinking about it. Ick! ** I would LOVE to send you a free copy of my novella, Aloha, Baby! Visit annomasta.com for details. ** Stay up-to-date on new releases and insider info by liking / following Ann: - Facebook: facebook.com/annomasta - Goodreads: goodreads.com/annomasta - Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/ann-omasta - Website: annomasta.com

Book preview

1

EMMY

Some days I love my job and my life. Today is not one of those days.

This is the kind of day that makes me wonder why I struggle to get by in the tropical Florida Keys. It’s the tiring type of day that makes me want to give up, tuck tail, and move back home to Georgia.

But I won’t do that. I can’t. I refuse to give my parents the satisfaction of knowing they were right when they told me that moving to Key Largo to become a dolphin trainer was a crazy pipe dream that would leave me broke, exhausted, and feeling like something important is missing from my life.

I try to blow the sweat off my forehead, but the tiny hairs that have escaped my tight ponytail are stuck to my face. I use the back of my hand to swipe them out of the way, but end up just smearing the dampness across my skin.

A giant mosquito lands on my thigh, just below the hem of my neoprene shorty wetsuit. I slap at the bug and am relieved to see that I smashed it, until I notice the gooey spot of blood on my skin. Guess I was too late. Again.

It’s a wonder I have any blood left, considering how many times the enormous suckers, which seem to thrive down here, bite me on a typical day. The mangrove-sheltered lagoon where I work is a breeding ground for them.

Even though sprayers come by regularly, they can’t seem to control the ever-growing mosquito population in this area. I’d complain, but I hate the thought of any more contaminants going into the water. The dolphins who come here to interact with us and get their free food don’t need any more challenges.

The three bottlenose dolphins, who are regular visitors here, make every inconvenience and challenge I face worthwhile. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the sleek, beautiful creatures, but Star, Einstein, and Crush are special. We named them based on their unique personalities.

Star, the only female of the group, loves to preen and pose. She truly appears to smile for the cameras, which makes her a favorite of visiting tourists.

Einstein is brilliant. He is amazing at doing tricks and solving puzzles. When I look into his eyes, I can practically see the wheels turning inside his brain. He’s definitely the thinker of the group.

My favorite of the three is Crush, although I would never let the other two know that. As his name implies, he is both an affectionate lovey-dovey and a bit of a brute. He will bully the other two out of the way to get more attention and rub-downs from me.

Although I probably shouldn’t like it, there’s no denying how much I enjoy having him be so desperate for my attention. It’s not as if any males of the human variety are knocking down my door, so I guess having a dolphin adore me is the next best thing.

The dolphins can come and go from our facility as they please through an underground tunnel that is always accessible and open to them. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to work here, specifically. I wouldn’t enjoy working at a place where the animals were trapped with no way out to the open ocean.

Our dolphins are wild and free. They leave sometimes, but they always come back. Granted, I make a mean fish bucket, but I like to think they come here for more than just the top-notch cuisine.

As I turn to leave for the evening, Crush splashes water to get my attention. I walk to the edge of the lagoon. It’s obvious by the look in his eyes that he wants me to come for a nighttime swim with him. Anyone who thinks animals can’t communicate with humans has never had a dolphin pleading for attention.

I try to ignore the beautiful creature, so he lets out a whistle.

I’ve been with you all day. I’m tired, and I need to go home. Even as I’m saying the words, I know he’s going to win me over. I love these animals so much that I can’t deny them anything that’s within my power to give them.

Star swims alongside Crush and adds her begging eyes into the mix.

Setting down the empty metal fish buckets, I say, Okay, you guys win. I can’t resist you.

The dolphins squeal and click with excitement as I stride to the end of the dock and dive headfirst into the lagoon. When I float on my back, they do the same on either side of me. I reach out to hold their pectoral fins, and suddenly a complete sense of calm washes over me.

The night sky is just starting to emerge, and the cool water is peaceful and relaxing. My stress level plummets as I take deep breaths and float with the relaxed animals.

In a quiet voice, I murmur, Okay, you guys were right. This is exactly what I needed.

I giggle when I feel the rush of water below me as Einstein swims beneath us, hoping to join in our little party.

These dolphins have accepted me into their pod as if I am one of their own. Deciding to be grateful, rather than bitter, I close my eyes and enjoy knowing that life can’t possibly get much better than this.

The man’s deep voice startles me out of my relaxed state. I can’t make out what he’s saying since my ears are submerged in the water. I bolt upright and the dolphins dart away. Our bonding moment of solitude is completely shattered.

When I swim closer to the dock where the impeccably dressed man is standing, recognition immediately sets in. Savvy billionaire, Dane Wilder, is a household name, but I’m even more acutely aware of who he is, since he recently purchased this facility as part of a broader land grab in Key Largo.

Stress has been high among my coworkers at this sanctuary as we all wonder what the new owner’s plans are for us. Chances are high that he’ll shut us down in favor of building a more lucrative housing or commercial development.

Not wanting to fan the flames of the pompous man’s ego, I pretend that I don’t recognize him. Making my face an emotionless mask, I ask in an all-business tone, Can I help you with something?

His dark, manicured brows raise slightly. He appears bemused that I don’t immediately know who he is. He’s likely used to women falling at his feet the moment he makes an appearance.

Determined not to play into his oversized ego, I glare up at him as I dog paddle in the water.

Quickly recovering, he grabs a large, colorful beach towel, unfolds it, and holds it out in my direction. It’s a sweet gesture, but there’s no way I’m going to let this charmer worm his way into my heart.

Allowing him to gallantly wrap me in a towel seems risky, so I stay right where I am and say firmly, I’m not getting out of the water right now.

His soft-looking lips purse slightly. I’m sure he’s used to having people trip over themselves to do what he wants, but I refuse to give him that kind of control.

Setting the towel aside, he says, As you wish.

He steps to the edge of the dock so he can speak in a normal voice, without having to yell for me to hear him. I have a business proposition for you, Emmy Scott.

It’s shocking