Winter Storm

By Lacy Kennedy

From the moment the striking, frosty-eyed temptress strides into his regular dive bar haunt, local ladies' man Darren is instantly enraptured by her bewitching mystique. In their close-knit small town where he's on a first-name basis with every soul, this gorgeous, elusive stranger is an irresistible siren-call he's powerless to ignore—her disinterested glares and aloof disdain only fanning the ravenous flames of desire.

While easy charisma earns Darren his reputation as a stud, this infuriatingly tantalizing beauty rebuffs his searing advances with icy nonchalance...until their blowtorch chemistry unleashes into a sizzling one-night conflagration. But come morning, his mystery lover has fled back behind her towering walls once more. Used to seducing any woman who captures his fancy, Darren refuses to let this defiant Ice Queen freeze his inner blaze.

With unrelenting, scorching fervor, he'll deploy every irresistible tactic to demolish her defenses—can this smoldering Casanova convince the guarded temptress to let him melt her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Just Bae
• Release date: Sep 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223584612

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

She was trouble. He'd noticed that the moment she walked into the bar. Smoking hot but emanating an aura of sweet chaos.

She didn't pay him any mind. Her eyes were busy scanning the pool players, frat boys, and security.

Only after she had surveyed the entire establishment, studying the exits, marking the locations of the bathrooms and the clusters of people glued to their wall-mounted phones, did her gaze finally settle on him.

Shit, DJ thought. This lady wasn't just trouble; she was drowning in it.

He recognized that look on her face. She needed an escape from her routine, but her instincts were blaring louder than the crappy jukebox in the corner.

When their eyes locked, he didn't flinch or react. He allowed her to assess him while he returned the favor.

She was tall, especially with those heels. Easily pushing six feet, her body was well-toned, like someone who put in the work but had curves in all the right places. She looked like she ate healthy and didn't indulge in much drinking – tonight was an exception.

Just as he thought, she was here to break the monotony.

She briefly glanced at the bar, moving towards it with measured steps, careful not to brush against anyone. She didn't make eye contact with anyone else, only settling onto a barstool. She wore tight jeans, spiked-heel boots, and an oversized T-shirt that slipped off one of her curvy shoulders. Her healthy tan suggested she enjoyed the outdoors, perhaps jogging or practicing yoga in the park.

Her hand ran down the bottle she ordered, wiping off the condensation. She used a napkin to dry it before taking a sip, all the while discreetly surveying the bar.

She was trying to relax, but those instincts of hers were still screaming. DJ grabbed his beer, took a swig, grabbed his leather jacket, and made his way over.

He had a soft spot for damsels in distress, especially when they were putting up a brave front. By doing that, she'd piqued his curiosity, and damn if he wasn't going to figure out what was bothering her.

He slid onto the stool next to her, and she stiffened. He knew that she was giving him a sidelong glance, sizing him up. Although not in the way he'd prefer.

Her body slowly relaxed. She figured he wasn't a threat, but she didn't hold her bottle like she was going to drink it. It was more like she was preparing to smash it in his face.

If you're going to hit me, aim for the nose, he quipped.

Her head turned, her long hair sweeping over her far shoulder, her eyes scrutinizing him, trying to unravel the mystery.

He slid his glass to the bartender, pointing at the beer on tap. Go for the nose; you might not break it, but my eyes will water, and I won't be able to see too well.

She cocked her head and asked, Are you serious?

He flashed that sly, Texan grin of his, letting her know he wasn't all serious.

She let go of the bottle's death grip, and he successfully erased the frown from her face.

What do you do? she inquired.

He smirked. Funny you should ask.

She had a cute smile, the kind with the creases around her lips and the crinkles around her eyes that suggested she laughed a lot.

Her name was Winter, but her tone hinted at a touch of sarcasm. Oh, she enjoyed dropping that name on people, but it had become a sort of mantra for her.

Winter, he grinned, raising his glass, There ain't nothing cold about you.

She rewarded him with her first genuine smile as they clinked their respective bottle and glasses together and downed the last of their drinks.

He wanted to dig deeper and hear her life story because the more he looked, the more he liked what he saw.

They shifted closer together so they could converse over the thumping music.

She seemed genuinely interested in learning about his line of work. He could admit that he enjoyed telling women he was a bounty hunter.

She eyed his brown-grey hair, pulled back in a leather thong, the slight receding hairline, and the goatee surrounding his lips.

I suppose you have a 'Dog' thing about you, she commented.

He'd be a rich man if he had a dollar for every time someone mentioned that famous bounty hunter.

The Rolling Stones tee and battered jeans suit you better, she added, her eyes not hiding their interest as they roved over him.

He wasn't winning any fashion awards; he wore what was comfortable. Running around in leather wasn't fun, and it definitely caused some friction below. Those weren't exactly his fondest memories – applying ice packs to sore areas.

The music faded, and the familiar buzz of the packed bar enveloped them. The bartender scooped some coins from the tip jar and sauntered over to the jukebox, smoothly sliding the coins in and pushing buttons. It seemed he knew every song in there. He made his choice, returned, and gestured at their empty glasses.

One for me, DJ said, nodding at Winter. And whatever the lady wants.

Your weakest beer, please, Winter replied.

She was clearly out of her element here, and DJ was itching to find out what had brought her out tonight.

The bartender acknowledged their order and went to fetch their drinks. A soft riff started playing. DJ loved this song and couldn't help but sing along.

Yeah, something you should know, babe, he crooned. Winter's smile brightened, her eyes crinkling, her cheeks plumping. She was stunning.

He seized her hand, pulling her up from the stools, wrapping his arms around her as they danced and sang together.

Running his fingers through a lock of her hair, he caught a whiff of sunshine, apples, and her unique scent.

Stepping back, he twirled her around, her hair spinning around like a whirlwind, before drawing her back into his embrace. Her back nestled against his chest as they swayed together.

He dipped his head, his nose tracing her ear, whispering the lyrics, his breath setting her skin on fire. Unable to resist, he planted a kiss on her exposed shoulder, savoring the clean skin and a hint of citrus from her moisturizer.

His lips trailed up, meeting her cheek