Penelope Ward Books

A love letter sewn into a wedding gown ignites a scorching romance between a down-on-her-luck sculptor and an arrogant real estate heir.

This standalone companion novel serves as an epic conclusion to the Jake Series, crafted by a New York Times bestselling author. It promises to deliver a captivating narrative that ties up loose ends and deepens the emotional journey of the beloved characters, providing readers with a satisfying resolution. Fans of the series can expect a blend of romance, drama, and personal growth, enriching the overall experience of the Jake saga.

This book, previously titled Dear Bridget I Want You, features a letter from Simon, a carefree British doctor, to Bridget, a proper single mom. Despite their differences, Simon can't stop thinking about her and hints at a potential romantic connection, leaving the door open for her to visit him.

"My love story all started with a letter. Only it wasn't from the man I'd eventually fall in love with. It was from his daughter. A sweet little girl named Birdie Maxwell who'd written to the magazine that I worked for. You see, once a year my employer fulfilled a few wishes for readers. Only that column didn't start up again for months. So I fulfilled some of her wishes myself. It was harmless, so I thought. Until one day I took things too far."--Provided by publisher.

Set against the backdrop of a Nebraska rest stop, the narrative explores an unexpected encounter that feels surreal and fantastical. The protagonist finds themselves captivated by a mysterious stranger who embodies the essence of their wildest dreams. This chance meeting challenges their perceptions of reality and desire, leading to a journey of self-discovery and exploration of what it means to connect with someone who seems out of place yet profoundly significant.

A seemingly innocent party for new friends spirals into chaos, revealing hidden secrets and unexpected tensions. As relationships are tested and alliances shift, the protagonist navigates the complexities of friendship and betrayal. The story explores themes of trust, the impact of social dynamics, and the consequences of choices made in the heat of the moment. As the night unfolds, the characters confront their true selves, leading to revelations that will change their lives forever.

Rush and Gia's story reaches its thrilling conclusion in "Rebel Heart," the second book of the Rush Series Duet. As summer in the Hamptons unfolds, Gia navigates the challenges of love and poor decisions, leaving her to ponder how to walk away from the man she falls for.

RoomHate by Penelope Ward is a standalone novel about two former lovers, Justin and the narrator, who are forced to share a summer house after inheriting it. Tensions rise as they navigate their unresolved feelings, revealing a thin line between love and hate.

In this romantic comedy, a British single mother navigates the complexities of love and motherhood while juggling her feelings for a charming American man. The story unfolds through witty banter and heartfelt moments, exploring themes of vulnerability, friendship, and the challenges of finding romance in unexpected places. As Bridget confronts her past and embraces new possibilities, readers are treated to a delightful journey filled with humor and emotional depth.

A decade-long friends-to-lovers journey unfolds, exploring the complexities of deep friendship and evolving feelings. As the characters navigate life's challenges and their changing relationship, they confront emotional barriers and the significance of timing in love. The narrative captures the intimacy and tension of their bond, highlighting the transformative power of love over the years. With relatable characters and heartfelt moments, this story promises to resonate with anyone who has experienced the delicate balance between friendship and romance.

In "Stepbrother Dearest," the protagonist grapples with her intense feelings for her tormenting stepbrother, Elec, who disrupts her senior year. Their tumultuous relationship evolves, leading to unexpected encounters. Years later, a family tragedy forces them to confront their unresolved emotions. This standalone novel features adult themes and explicit content.

From bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a standalone novel about a woman's solo trip to a luxury resort that turns chaotic. After meeting a charming man, she pretends to be his sister, leading to an unexpected adventure and a road trip. They agree to meet again, but reality complicates her feelings for him.

From bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a standalone romance about a woman who, after a disastrous party revealing her ex's infidelity, clashes with her landlord, Colby. Despite her plans for a dating hiatus, their undeniable attraction leads to unexpected twists and an ending she never anticipated.

A captivating standalone novel by a New York Times bestselling author explores complex relationships and emotional depth. The story delves into themes of love, longing, and personal growth, featuring well-developed characters who navigate their intertwined lives. Set against a backdrop of relatable challenges, the narrative promises to engage readers with its heartfelt moments and unexpected twists, making it a compelling addition to contemporary romance literature.

From the bestselling authors of "Cocky Bastard" comes a standalone novel about a chance encounter on a train that leads to unexpected romance. After picking up a mysterious man's dropped phone, a series of steamy exchanges ensue, culminating in a surprising connection that neither anticipated.

An Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestseller. From New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes an unexpected love story that started with a boy and girl and heats up when the man and woman reconnect. I'd never forgotten him--a man I'd yet to meet. Griffin Quinn was my childhood pen pal, the British boy who couldn't have been more different from me. Over the years, through hundreds of letters, we became best friends, sharing our deepest, darkest secrets and forming a connection I never thought could break. Until one day it did. Then, out of the blue, a new letter arrived. A scathing one--one with eight years of pent-up anger. I had no choice but to finally come clean as to why I stopped writing. Griffin forgave me, and somehow we were able to rekindle our childhood connection. Only now we were adults, and that connection had grown to a spark. Our letters quickly went from fun to flirty to downright dirty, revealing our wildest fantasies. So it only made sense that we would take our relationship to the next level and see each other in person. Only Griff didn't want to meet. He asked that I trust him and said it was for the best. But I wanted more--more Griff, in the flesh--so I took a big chance and went looking for him. People have done crazier things for love. But what I found could change everything.

From New York Times bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new standalone romance. Rule number one for having a one-night stand: Don't fall for the girl. After a lengthy dating slump, I finally met someone who sparked my interest. Well, first the sparks flew when we argued. Later in the evening those sparks ignited into something more. I was drawn to Devyn, in a way I hadn't felt in a really long time. Needless to say, I was disappointed when she abruptly left after our amazing night together. I couldn't stop thinking about her. But she hadn't even given me her number. In a city with eight-million people, I figured I'd never see Devyn again. So imagine my surprise when I knocked on the door of an apartment in the building I lived in, and none other than my one-night stand stood on the other side. If I thought Devyn didn't want anything to do with me before, that was nothing compared to how she felt after finding out I was the landlord and she was about to be evicted... And that was just the first surprise that would rock my world when it came to the mystery woman in apartment 410.

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new forbidden, enemies-to-lovers story... It all started with an unexpected phone call. Two years after my fiancé passed away in an accident, his father died suddenly, leaving Brad's adult, special-needs brother with no one to care for him. The next thing I knew, I was on a cross-country drive to New Hampshire where I'd be moving in to look after Scottie until I could get him into a group home. The last thing I ever expected? I wouldn't be taking care of him alone. Josh Mathers, my fiancé's best friend-who also happened to be my sworn enemy-insisted he was the better person for the job. He told me to go back to California, and I told him where he could stick that demand. Our disdain for each other wasn't anything new. It dated back to a text I'd accidentally read years ago. We hated each other. But we both loved Scottie, so neither of us budged. Now we were living together in a tiny house-with one available bedroom. Thank goodness it was only temporary. Over time, I realized the broody jerk I thought I knew was different than I'd imagined. I found myself slowly growing attached to someone I once considered the enemy...and growing attracted to him. Sure, both of us were guilt-ridden over Brad. We were also two grown people with pent-up frustration toward one another-stuck in a cabin in the woods. But this was Josh. I could never.

I met Bianca in an elevator. She was on her way to interview me when we got stuck. The beautiful raven-haired reporter assumed I was a delivery guy because of the way I was dressed. She had no clue I was really Dex Truitt, the wealthy, successful businessman she'd dubbed "Mister Moneybags"―her afternoon appointment.

New York Times Bestselling Authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward present three steamy short stories perfect for the holidays. In "Get Sleighed," a contest leads to unexpected romance. "Lights Out Love" features feuding neighbors brought together by a power outage. "Hot Item" explores a playful rivalry over a coveted toy on Christmas Eve.

From bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward comes a standalone novel about a woman who moves with her son to his great-grandfather's inn, now co-owned by quarterback Levi Miller. After a rocky start and a bet on the inn's future, they find themselves drawn to each other, complicating their lives further due to family ties.

Exploring the conflict between financial security and romantic fulfillment, this book delves into the choices individuals face when balancing love and wealth. It presents compelling characters who navigate their desires and societal expectations, ultimately questioning what truly brings happiness. The narrative intertwines personal stories with broader themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of genuine connection in a materialistic world.

A captivating standalone romance unfolds, crafted by New York Times bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. The story promises a blend of emotional depth and engaging characters, drawing readers into a unique narrative that explores themes of love, connection, and personal growth. Fans of the authors can expect their signature style, filled with wit and heartfelt moments that resonate long after the last page is turned.

Finding a good roommate through a classified ad isn't as easy as it sounds. I was starting to lose hope. Until a knock at my door came and God answered my prayers. Except...uh...wrong prayer, God. I'd definitely requested the big guy find me a drop-dead gorgeous man on more than one occasion...just not as my roommate. Declan Tate talked me into interviewing him anyway. While he was amusing and charismatic, I wouldn't have been comfortable living with a man, so I regretfully declined. Then cupcakes showed up at my door-freshly baked by Declan and just as sinfully delicious as he was. You could say he was persistent. I eventually folded. It wasn't like I had another viable candidate anyway. Plus, I was interested in someone else. And Declan was into another woman. So it wasn't like anything would happen romantically. After he moved in, the two of us became the best of friends. We even started to give each other advice on getting our crushes to notice us. Eventually, Declan concocted an idea: we should pretend to be a couple to make our love interests jealous. I was hesitant, but went along with it anyway. To my utter shock, his crazy plan worked. Now I was dating the supposed man of my dreams, and my best friend had the woman of his. But there was one problem. I couldn't stop thinking about Declan. Those feelings we were trying to fake? Yeah...I wasn't pretending anymore.

Featuring three enticing short stories, this collection by bestselling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward is designed to add some spice to your holiday season. Each narrative explores themes of romance and desire, ensuring readers are captivated by the chemistry and passion between the characters. Perfect for those seeking a quick, steamy read during the festive period, these stories promise to deliver warmth and excitement.

Length: 7 hours 42 minutesAt first, my neighbor Deacon frustrated me.Sure, he was great-looking and friendly.But our walls were thin, and on occasion, he’d bring women to his place and keep me awake while he “entertained” them.As a single mother to an infant, I didn’t appreciate it.So, finally it was my turn. When my daughter wouldn’t stop wailing one night, Mr. Manwhore came knocking on my door. Miraculously, at the sound of his voice, Sunny stopped crying. And when he held her…she eventually fell asleep in his arms.Deacon was rough on the exterior, but apparently on the inside? Mr. Single-and-Ready-to-Mingle was a baby whisperer.After that night, we became friends.He’d go for coffee runs. Come over to chat. Normal friend stuff.But over time, our conversations ran deeper. We got closer.Until one night we crossed the line.Our friendship turned into a complicated mess.I’d gone and fallen for a guy who’d sworn off commitment and kids.I knew Deacon was starting to care for me too, even though Sunny and I didn’t fit into any plan he’d ever imagined for himself.He was wrong for me—so wrong that I’d dubbed him the “anti-boyfriend.”Then why did I wish more than anything that I could be the one woman to change him?

A standalone novel by a New York Times bestselling author, this story promises a captivating narrative filled with engaging characters and emotional depth. Readers can expect a fresh plot that explores themes of love, relationships, and personal growth, all crafted with Ward's signature style. The book offers a unique journey that will resonate with fans of contemporary romance.

The novel by Penelope Ward features a captivating standalone story that promises to engage readers with its unique characters and compelling narrative. As a New York Times bestselling author, Ward brings her signature style to explore themes of love, relationships, and personal growth, ensuring an emotional journey that resonates with fans and newcomers alike. Expect a blend of humor and heart, making this a must-read for those who enjoy contemporary romance.

New York Times best-selling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward present three steamy short stories to spice up your holidays. From a chance Uber ride with a cocky lawyer on Christmas Eve to mistaken identities and unexpected kisses, these tales explore love and connection amidst festive chaos.

Heat up the holidays with this novella by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward! Riley Kennedy's emails get crossed with her colleague, Kennedy Riley, who annoys her with his comments. When they meet at a holiday party, sparks fly, leading to a fake relationship that reveals deeper feelings than expected.

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel. The beginning of my sophomore year in college was off to a rough start. On the first day of orientation, I had an altercation with an infuriating British dude in a campus bathroom. (The ladies' room was out of order. So, I used the men's room. Don't judge.) I got home later that night and realized that the foreign student we were expecting to rent a room in my parents' house was allergic to our cat. So, the spare room went to someone else: Caleb--the British guy from the men's room. And so it began...my love-hate story with Caleb Yates. Or was it hate-love in that order? The guy knew how to push every one of my buttons. Sometimes I'd email him to express my aggravation and disdain. He'd actually rewrite my own words and send them back to me. That was the type of infuriating person Caleb was. So frustrating. And... Sometimes incredibly funny and endearingly sweet. And hot. He eventually grew on me, and Caleb soon became one of my best friends that year. Too bad he was headed back to England soon, so nothing could happen between us--for so many reasons. I definitely couldn't fall in love with him, especially since all we had was just one year.

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone, second-chance story of forbidden love…It’s natural to want the one you can’t have. And for as long as I could remember, I’d secretly wanted my brother’s best friend, Jace.He was six years older and always treated me like the sister he never had.Fast forward a decade.We were all in our twenties now. Jace had moved in with my brother, Nathan, and me to help us make ends meet after our parents died. It was just the three of us—an odd family dynamic. Living under our roof, Jace was as bossy and protective as ever. But he certainly didn’t look at me like a sister anymore. That was what made things so complicated. I was pretty much hot and bothered twenty-four-seven. And he was torn.The signs were subtle, at first. Like on movie night, I’d casually rest my leg against his, and he wouldn’t exactly shift away.Still, I assumed he would never…go there.Nathan would kill us.The knowledge of that wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable, though.Eventually our slow burn exploded. But more than the physical attraction, we’d developed a strong connection. We just couldn’t get caught, right?That sounded simple.Until it wasn’t.This is a story of forbidden love, broken trust, and an unexpected second chance.

This epic standalone novel by Penelope Ward explores a captivating friends-to-lovers storyline that unfolds with unexpected twists. The narrative promises to keep readers engaged with its surprising developments, highlighting the complexities of friendship and love. Prepare for an emotional journey filled with tension and revelations that will leave you reeling.

Niepospolita uroda Elodie Atlier przyciągała mężczyzn, którzy zdradzali swoje partnerki, ale praca w agencji detektywistycznej nie była jej marzeniem. Postanowiła więc poszukać innego zajęcia. W drodze na rozmowę kwalifikacyjną miała pecha i uległa stłuczce z mężczyzną o wyglądzie greckiego boga i złych manierach. Ich ostra wymiana zdań zakończyła się nadzieją Elodie na brak dalszego kontaktu. Okazało się jednak, że aplikuje do niego jako opiekunka do bratanicy. Hollis LaCroix, przyzwyczajony do władzy i pieniędzy, nie znosił kobiet z tajemnicami ani tupetu. Mimo początkowych napięć, postanowił dać jej szansę, doceniając jej odwagę i talent do opieki. Elodie szybko nawiązała więź z małą Hailey, a ich relacja zaczęła się rozwijać. Oboje starali się ukrywać wzajemną fascynację, ograniczając się do niewinnego flirtu, zdając sobie sprawę z różnic między nimi i potencjalnych komplikacji. Nie przewidzieli jednak, jak skomplikowane stanie się ich życie, gdy naprawdę się zakochają.

Chelsea dachte, sie hätte den Mann ihres Lebens gefunden. Doch Elec verlässt sie für seine Jugendliebe, und Chelsea ist am Boden zerstört. Hat sie sich seine Gefühle nur eingebildet? Erst ihr Nachbar Damien lenkt sie von ihrem Kummer ab. Denn er ist unhöflich, und seine lauten Hunde rauben ihr den Schlaf. Sie kann ihn nicht ausstehen! Leider ist er sowohl ihr Vermieter als auch der schönste Mann, den sie je gesehen hat. Sie findet ihn unwiderstehlich ... Doch Damien geht aus einem guten Grund keine Beziehungen ein, und sein Geheimnis könnte Chelseas Herz erneut in tausend Teile brechen.

"How to kick off a great summer in the Hamptons: snag a gorgeous rental on the beach--check. Get a job at a trendy summer haunt--check. How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons: fall for the guy with a dark leather jacket, scruff on his face, and intense eyes that doesn't fit in with the rest of the tony looking crowd. A guy you can't have when you'll be leaving at the end of the season"--Back cover.

Ako tražite priču o seksi, jedinstvenoj, nekonvencionalnoj ljubavi ovo je roman za vas. I ne samo to – zaljubićete se u njega! Ne bi trebalo da želiš onog ko te muči. Kad je moj polubrat Elek došao da živi s nama dok sam išla u završni razred srednje škole, nisam očekivala da će biti takav kreten. Mrzela sam kad se iživljavao na meni jer nije želeo da živi ovde. Mrzela sam kad je devojke iz naše škole dovodio u svoju sobu. Ali najviše sam mrzela to što moje telo reaguje na njega na nepoželjan način. Isprva sam mislila da Eleku u prilog idu samo snažni istetovirani trbušnjaci i lepo lice. Ali naš odnos se menjao i jedne noći dosegao kritičnu tačku. A onda se Elek vratio u Kaliforniju podjednako brzo kao što mi je i ušao u život. Prošle su godine od našeg poslednjeg viđenja. Najgore od svega je to što sam morala ponovo da se sretnem sa njim onda kada je našu porodicu zadesila tragedija. Tinejdžer koji me je nekad izluđivao sada je muškarac koji me dovodi do ludila. Ovo je seksi priča o prvoj ljubavi i zabranjenim željama. Priča o nesavršenim ljudima koji ponekad donose pogrešne odluke. Priča o slomljenom srcu i nespokoju ali i o isceljenju i odrastanju. Ali pre svega ovo je priča o tome kako da naučimo da slušamo ono što nam srce govori.

Sie kommen aus unterschiedlichen Welten und verlieben sich trotzdem»Unfassbare Chemie, Emotionen, die einem zu Herzen gehen, und eine spicy Ich konnte das Buch nicht mehr aus das Hand legen!« RED CHEEKS READS über MEN OF MANHATTAN - MY BEST FRIEND'S SISTERDer vierte Band der THE-LAW-OF-OPPOSITES-ATTRACT-Reihe des Bestseller-Duos Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Presley postanowiła się przeprowadzić, kiedy jej syn odziedziczył po dziadku połowę starego zajazdu. Chciała go odnowić i przywrócić mu dawny blask, aby w przyszłości poprowadzić tam urokliwy pensjonat. Problem w tym, że do jej syna należała tylko połowa posiadłości. Druga przypadła Leviemu Millerowi, sławnemu rozgrywającemu, który wyglądał jak Adonis i miał zupełnie inne plany co do tego miejsca: sprzedać swoją część za dobrą cenę. Ponieważ Presley nie miała zamiaru rezygnować z marzeń, postanowiła przekonać Leviego do swojego pomysłu. Początek ich znajomości nie był udany - przypadkowe zranienie skończyło się dla przystojnego sportowca założeniem ośmiu szwów. Później wcale nie było lepiej. Negocjacje kończyły się ostrymi kłótniami. Rozwiązaniem okazał się zakład: jeśli Presley wyprzeda wszystkie noclegi do końca lata, będzie mogła poprowadzić zajazd. Tymczasem Levi i Presley z synem zamieszkali pod jednym dachem. Kolejne tygodnie przyniosły sporo niespodzianek. Nieoczekiwanie Presley i Levi zbliżyli się do siebie - zobaczyli, że oboje mają coś, za czym tęsknili od lat, i zakochali się w sobie po uszy. Szybko się okazało się, że sprawa zajazdu jest najmniejszym problemem. Sytuacja nagle stała się niezwykle poważna. I to z wielu powodów. Od tego zakładu zależy więcej, niż myślisz...

Od początku wszystko szło nie tak. Zerwane zaręczyny tuż przed samym ślubem. Samotna wycieczka zamiast podróży poślubnej. Fatalna pogoda, odwołane loty, a w perspektywie koczowanie w lobby hotelu zamiast oczekiwania na koniec śnieżycy w cywilizowanych warunkach. To wtedy nieoczekiwanie zaczęła się historia rodzeństwa Madeline i Milo Hookerów, choć oboje nazywali się zupełnie inaczej i wcale nie byli bratem i siostrą.

Co uděláte, když si letní dům vaší rodiny pronajme sexy starší muž? No, očividně se ztrapníte – a opakovaně. S Noahem Cavallarim jsme nevykročili správnou nohou. Naše první setkání skončilo jako jeden velký trapas. Když moje máma onemocněla, bylo na mně, aby bylo o naše hosty dobře postaráno. Měla bych být na vysoké. Místo toho prožívám to nejlepší období svého života… jako pokojská. Pohledný a tajuplný Noah je pro mě zapovězený. Vím, že tu nezůstane natrvalo. Vím, že je pro mě nejspíš moc starý. A přesto mě přitahuje. Navíc se mě pokusil zachránit, když se mylně domníval, že se topím. Dala jsem mu najevo, že ho chci. A on mě před sebou varoval. Začali jsme si po nocích povídat na břehu jezera. Naše přátelství se však brzy změnilo v něco, z čeho se možná nikdy nevzpamatuju. Protože až léto skončí, odjede. A já netuším, co na konci srpna budu dělat.

Graham Morgan, ein arroganter und reicher CEO, trifft auf die selbstbewusste Soraya, die ihn herausfordert und sich seinem Charme entzieht. Sie ist die erste Frau, die nicht von seinem Reichtum beeindruckt ist. Unter seinem äußeren Erscheinungsbild verbirgt Graham jedoch weitere Facetten, die ihm helfen, bei Soraya zu punkten.

Mieszkanie zaspokaja podstawowe potrzeby człowieka, jednak na rynku jest dobrem luksusowym z powodu wysokiej ceny, co uniemożliwia wielu rodzinom zaspokojenie potrzeb mieszkaniowych. Szczególnie dotknięte są grupy o niskich dochodach i niskiej zdolności kredytowej, takie jak młode i wielodzietne rodziny, które potrzebują wsparcia państwa w poprawie warunków mieszkaniowych. W monografii przedstawiono koncepcję innowacyjnego produktu bankowego skierowanego do beneficjentów świadczenia „Rodzina 500+”, zwłaszcza do rodzin defaworyzowanych rynkowo. Opracowana w ramach projektu „Model innowacyjnego instrumentu finansowego wspierającego rozwój mieszkalnictwa” koncepcja obejmuje preferencyjny kredyt mieszkaniowy „Mieszkanie własnościowe 500+”. Innowacyjność tego produktu polega na wsparciu beneficjentów przez państwo, które gwarantuje wkład własny, eliminując jego wymóg, oraz automatycznie kieruje świadczenie z programu „Rodzina 500+” na spłatę kredytu. Wyniki badań dotyczących warunków i potrzeb mieszkaniowych oraz rekomendacje autorów publikacji mają na celu opracowanie trwałych, efektywnych i inkluzywnych rozwiązań w polityce społecznej, które przyczynią się do zrównoważonego rozwoju gospodarki.

To leto bolo najkrajším v mojom živote. Stretla som Gavina, muža svojich snov, nanešťastie... bol pre mňa nedosiahnuteľný. Pre jeho matku som bola nikto, len najatá pomocná sila, ktorá sa jej synovi nemohla rovnať. Nikdy by nedovolila, aby sme ostali spolu. A tak sme sa skrývali, až kým ma nedonútila odísť. Ubehlo desať rokov a neprešiel jediný deň, aby som si na Gavina nespomenula. O jeho súčasnom živote viem len toľko, že žije a pracuje za oceánom. Okolnosti ma po rokoch privádzajú na to isté miesto, kde sme sa spoznali a ja tuším, že na seba opäť narazíme. Je to len otázka času. Myslí niekedy na mňa? Čo ak ma nenávidí? Čo ak miluje niekoho iného? Myslela som si, že ho už nikdy neuvidím, ale jedného dňa sa spoza oceánu vráti. A ja na jeho návrat vôbec nie som pripravená.

V ten den, kdy jsem zastavila před rozlehlým domem Daxe Moodyho, jsem vůbec netušila, co přijde. Jako masérka na objednání jsem byla zvyklá docházet k cizím lidem, ale nikdy se mi nestalo, že by mým klientem byl pohledný, tajemný, svobodný muž a navíc mladší, než bych očekávala. Poprvé se sice masáž neuskutečnila, k té došlo až na třetí pokus, ale mezitím mezi námi vzniklo zvláštní spojení. Najednou bylo obtížné udržet náš vztah na profesionální úrovni. Přestože se jednalo o vzájemnou přitažlivost, Dax zůstával odtažitý. Po nějaké době mi prozradil důvod svého chování. A ten důvod určil, proč bychom spolu neměli být. Tím měl náš příběh skončit, ovšem neskončil. A mně zůstala jen touha po zakázaném muži.

Poznali jsme se na tom nejméně pravděpodobném místě. Začalo to docela nevinně. Pro ni jsem byl „BůhFilmu“ a ji jsem znal jako „Montanu“, což samozřejmě nejsou naše skutečná jména, jen virtuální přezdívky, za něž se schováváme. Večer se přihlásit a povídat si s ní mi pomáhalo před vším utéct – jen u ní jsem našel klid. Brzy jsem zjistil, že se ve skutečnosti jmenuje Eden. Uhranula mě od první chvíle, kdy jsme se přes internet spojili. Vypěstoval jsem si na ní závislost. O svých skutečných životech jsme toho navzájem moc nevěděli… a ona na tom nechtěla nic měnit. Anonymita však naši vzájemnou a nezastavitelnou přitažlivost nijak neoslabila. Spíš naopak. Díky ní jsme se tomu druhému otevřeli tak, jak bychom to možná za jiných okolností nedokázali. Eden byla vtipná, inteligentní, nádherná – vše, co jsem od ženy chtěl. Nemohl jsem ji však mít. Smířil jsem se s tím, že mezi námi zůstane vše při starém – dokud jsem nenarazil na informaci, která mě dovedla až k ní. Chopil jsem se šance. A právě tady náš příběh začíná.

Bývali jsme tři kamarádi. On byl ten podivín. Já byl ten playboy. A ona byla ta kráska. Hluboko uvnitř jsem chtěl vždycky jenom ji. Nechával jsem si to pro sebe, protože jsme s Rorym uzavřeli dohodu, že oba necháme naši kamarádku Amber na pokoji. Jenže lhal. Já šel na univerzitu a získal ji on. Amber se nikdy nedozvěděla, jak mi tehdy bylo. Zůstali spolu potom celé roky – než jí zlomil srdce. Navzdory tomu všemu, i vzdálenosti mezi námi, jsem s ní zůstal v kontaktu. Když jsem se dostal pracovně do Bostonu na tříměsíční stáž, Amber mi poskytla svůj volný pokoj. Pořád se ještě vzpamatovávala z rozchodu a dávala si od mužů pauzu. Jeden večer jsem však v jejím počítači zahlédl něco, co mě šokovalo. S určitým váháním totiž oslovila mužskou eskortní službu. Bála se chodit na rande, nechtěla zas skončit se zlomeným srdcem, proto hledala sex bez vztahu. Mísila se ve mně žárlivost, potřeba ji chránit – i zvědavost. Amber si vybrala Gentlemana Devět a zaslala mu zprávu. Byla k němu otevřená a mimo jiné mu přiznala, že ji fyzicky přitahuje její kamarád – já. Předpokládala, že u mě nemá šanci – a taky mě měla za totálního děvkaře. (Vzhledem k okolnostem je to celkem ironie.) Nakonec si s Gentlemanem Devět sjednala schůzku v hotelu. Byla v šoku, když jsem se tam ukázal já – s nabídkou, o níž jsem upřímně doufal, že ji neodmítne.

V té chvíli mi to připadalo jako dobrý nápad. Zavolat Landonu Roderickovi, s nímž jsme se znali jako děti a na kterého jsem nikdy nedokázala zapomenout – přestože on tak snadno zapomněl na mě. Jenže všechno zní jako dobrý nápad, když to před spaním přeženete s vínem, viďte? Měl to být jen jeden úplně bezvýznamný, praštěný telefonát. Místo toho jsem na něj vysypala všechno, co jsem celých těch třináct let potlačovala. Nečekala jsem, že zavolá zpátky. A už vůbec mě nenapadlo, že budou následovat týdny rozverných hovorů po telefonu, při nichž zároveň zjistím, jaký člověk Landon je. Vyšlo najevo, že na mě ve skutečnosti nikdy nezapomněl. To zvláštní pouto, které jsme kdysi měli, vůbec nezmizelo. Hodně jsem mu o sobě prozradila, ale stále toho o mně spoustu nevěděl. A stejně tak i on měl svá tajemství. Strávili jsme povídáním na dálku mnoho a mnoho hodin, a já přemýšlela, jak by mohlo vypadat naše setkání. Jednou večer jsem se znovu rozhodla. Tentokrát jsem jela na letiště a koupila si letenku do Kalifornie. Přišel čas zjistit, zda může jeden telefonní hovor dát dohromady dvě ztracené duše, nebo jestli zavolat mu opilá byla jen veliká chyba.