Sawyer Maddox hasn’t had an easy life…
She’s the daughter of Kerrville’s biggest drug addicts and she knows what it’s like to be belittled and neglected. She keeps to herself as much as possible and has nobody to count on but her sister, Carley. She’s loved and failed, and with nothing left to lose the two sisters leave the only home they’ve ever known to start fresh someplace new.
They’ve established a good life in Minneapolis for the past eight years. Sawyer finds her passion through her art and tattooing, and her sister finds the love of her life. Her happiness disintegrates when Carley dies in a fire and she’s left utterly alone in the world.
It’s been a long time since she’s been home, but she decides to say goodbye to Minnesota and returns to the Hill Country of Texas. The town is familiar, and she’s determined to bring beauty back to those horrible memories that plague her. She’s not the same woman she once was, and Mad Ink, her very own tattoo shop is how she plans to make those dreams come true. What she doesn’t expect, however, is to run into the dark haired, green eyed, sexy cowboy she left behind.
Jagger Hale is instantly drawn to the brunette beauty sitting at the bar the moment he walks into Hardbodies. She looks eerily similar to the woman he once loved, and the moment he finds out she is indeed the one who got away he has his own agenda in mind—getting Sawyer back. But first he needs to come up with a plan to woo her. Now that he has her in his sights again he doesn’t plan on ever letting her go. All he needs is that second chance…
EXCERPT
“Nice ink you’ve got there.” He gestured towards the half sleeve she had on her right arm and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Thanks, I love my art on the body and off of it.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she opened them again. It had been a long day. “Do you have any?”
“Tattoos?” He lifted his eyebrow and smirked. “One, but I’d have to take off some clothing for anyone to see it.”
Damn it! He’s flirting. “Jagger.” Sawyer said as if she was exasperated with him already, but secretly she was really wondering where on that delicious body of his it was located. Not that she’d ever admit that out loud or anything.
“That’s my name. Speaking of, I never did get yours,” he said just as they’d reached her car.
“Uh huh, now if I gave you that the mystery would be over.” Her keys jangled as she grabbed them from her pocket, but Jagger leaned against the driver side door before she could open it. “And, right now I’m still unsure if you’d like what I had to say. Best to play it safe I think.” She took a step forward hoping he’d take the hint and move out of her way but the stubborn stud wasn’t budging.
“I don’t know any man who doesn’t like a challenge sweetheart and I will figure you out. So consider me intrigued.” He smiled and stood straighter. “Now, how much have you had to drink?”
“What?” she asked totally taken off guard by the question. “I am not drunk.” Hell, it had taken her over an hour to finish her first beer, and she hadn’t even finished her second one.
“Let me be the judge of that.” He held his hand out and wiggled his fingers. “I have a feeling we’ve met before I just can’t seem to place it yet, and if that’s the case you know I’m a decent guy. So I think maybe you should pass me your keys and I’ll make it my duty to get you home safely.”
“Absolutely not!” she said and gripped them tighter.
“You need references darlin’? If so, feel free to march back inside and get as many as you need. I know almost everyone inside including the owner,” he said and waited.
Sawyer was in complete shock. In fact, so much so, her mouth was literally hanging open. Of all the nerve…wow. She fidgeted and then narrowed her eyes at him. “There’s no need. I appreciate your concern but I’m perfectly capable of taking myself home.”
He chuckled in response and then crossed his arms. The smooth tan skin and bulging muscles of his forearms distracted her and she muttered another curse under her breath when she looked back up to his face and he winked. Busted!
“Humor me.” He repeated, “Are you always this pigheaded or is all of it reserved just for me tonight?” He held out his hand again. “Come on just consider this some good old southern hospitality. You get home safely and I feel better about it.”
“Fine, it’s not like I’ve been given any other choice.” She handed him her keys and stomped her feet as she made her way to the passenger side. “Stubborn? Huh!” She huffed. “Takes one to know one.”
“It’s all just part of the package.” He teased. Once they were inside and all buckled up he turned towards her. “Now were to.”
Sawyer gulped as she looked into those hypnotizing green eyes of his and knew that she was royally screwed. Because the moment she gave him the address to her folks place he’d know exactly who she was and that might not be a good thing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Labelle resides in Canada with her husband and three beautiful children. After her third child she became a stay at home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active reader of romance (especially historical), mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work she’s decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination with all of you.
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