One More Chance: 'The Alexanders by M. Malone, #5

By M. Malone

A heartwarming return to the Alexanders series from RITA® winner, M. MALONE. Over 1/2 Million+ copies sold in this USA Today bestselling series!

 

Ridley Alexander has it all: a devoted husband, children to love and a home of her own. But now that she's expecting her usually insatiable husband is interested in anything but seeing her naked. 

 

All she needs is for Jackson to pretend he finds her as sexy as he used to, even if it's not true. Now with a little advice from her meddlesome twin, she has a plan to seduce her own husband. 

 

This novella is a companion piece to JUST ONE THING, part of the Alexanders series by M. Malone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CrushStar Romance
• Release date: Sep 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386542094

M. Malone

M. Malone is a RITA® Award winner and a NYT & USA Today Bestselling author of completely inappropriate romantic comedy. She spends most days wearing Wonder Woman leggings and T-shirts that she's embarrassed for anyone to see while she plays with her imaginary friends. She lives with her husband and their two sons in the picturesque mountains of Northern Virginia even though she is afraid of insects, birds, butterflies and other humans. She also holds a Master's degree in Business from a prestigious college that would no doubt be scandalized at how she's using her expensive education.

Book preview

One More Chance

one more chance

M. MALONE

about this book

Ridley Alexander has it all: a devoted husband, children to love and a home of her own. But now that she’s expecting her usually insatiable husband is interested in anything but seeing her naked.

All she needs is for Jackson to pretend he finds her as sexy as he used to, even if it’s not true. Now with a little advice from her meddlesome twin, she has a plan to seduce her own husband.

This is a companion to the novels One More Day & Just One Thing. It is not intended as a standalone read. Go to mmalonebooks.com/onemoreday to find out more.

one

Ok, what’s wrong with you?

Ridley Wells Alexander looked up from the bowl of triple fudge brownies she was currently mixing. What do you mean? Nothing’s wrong.

Her twin sister yanked the bowl out of her arms. If you beat that batter any harder it’s going to file a restraining order against you.

Ridley scowled. She couldn’t even blame all the changes of the past few years for her sister’s dramatics. Getting married and having a baby hadn’t changed Raina in the least. She was just as meddlesome and overly dramatic as always.

She was also Ri’s very best friend.

I’m just frustrated.

Raina carefully tipped the bowl and filled the clear glass baking dish on the counter with the decadent chocolate batter. As per their usual routine, she handed Ridley the spoon to lick while she swiped a finger through the batter left in the bowl. Ridley moaned as the chocolate hit her taste buds. When she looked over at her sister, Raina was watching her with a horrified expression.

What? she asked, uncharacteristically annoyed. She was always the easygoing twin but it had been harder and harder lately to keep a smile on her face.

Nothing. I just wasn’t expecting you to make out with the spoon, Raina joked. Do I need to have a talk with my brother-in-law about how to keep the home fires burning?

Silence fell over the room as thick as a blanket. Ridley carefully set the spoon down on the counter, not even bothering to lick the rest of the batter off. Her appetite was gone.

Raina watched her curiously as she put the bowl in the sink. I was just kidding, Ri. I wasn’t trying to upset you. Considering how the two of you go at it, clearly Jackson doesn’t need any help.

Ridley shrugged. Lately he does, she muttered.

Holy crap. You’re serious aren’t you? Raina’s mouth fell open.

Please don’t make fun, Ray. I just can’t… not about this. Ri knew her sister never meant any harm, it was just her nature to mock everything. She’d always claimed bitchy was her native language. But this was too close to home for her to take a joke. It was too close to her heart.

Oh honey! Raina pulled her into a hug. "I would never make fun about … well, about that. I was just shocked. I’m used to the two of you being all over each other, that’s all. But it’s normal for things to slow down. No one goes through years of marriage getting freaky on a daily basis."

Silence settled between them. Ridley closed her eyes, humiliation burning through her like wildfire with what she was about to admit.

As usual, Raina sensed how upset she was instantly. She led her over to the kitchen table and pulled out two chairs. Ridley sat and kept her eyes on the floor. She jumped when a warm hand settled over hers. When she looked up, Raina’s eyes were soft but understanding.

What’s going on, baby girl?

Immediately tears welled. Hearing that soft understanding voice from her sister who was usually joking around or being snarky was the last straw. She’d been strong for months. Ridley didn’t have any strength left.

"It’s been three months, Raina. He hasn’t touched me since I really started showing. I guess I’m lucky this is my first baby