Big Bad Professor(24)

Recognition shone in Dawn’s eyes. “I remember you two running around in my store. You were cute kids.”

A smile formed on my lips. “Well, you’ll get to see her again. She’s coming into town to get married and wants to hang out, which will be super weird since we completely drifted apart over the years.”

“And who’s fault was that?” she asked. I sighed, slightly annoyed. I knew where she was going, and I didn’t like it. At my reaction, she changed gears. “Any idea who the world’s most patient man is?”

I chuckled as I filled a pot with water. “No clue, but if she’s anything like she was back then, he’s in for a treat. A handful wasn’t even a proper description for her. She demanded the photographer take at least ten shots before she approved one for our senior yearbook.”

“What did the final photo look like?” Dawn asked, amused.

I walked over to the bookshelf and plucked the yearbook out. After thumbing through the pages for a bit, I got to her photograph and started laughing. When I showed it to Dawn, she laughed as well.

Lisa looked like a model in a shampoo commercial. She was throwing her hair over her shoulder and giving a come-hither look.

“My mother would’ve disowned me if I took a photo like that when I was in high school.” Still laughing, Dawn checked her watch and slapped her forehead. “I’m late! I need to get down to the store. I’ll see you tomorrow, dear.”

I ushered her to the door and locked the bolt behind her. Kimmy was watching her cartoons on the TV, making it easy for me to finish dinner without the adorable distraction she provided.

As I waited for the pasta to cook, I returned to the yearbook to fill my time. I paged through the autographs I’d received from my classmates and even laughed at my own stupid photograph. I looked so clueless and carefree; I almost felt sorry for that girl. If only the younger version of me had known how things would turn out.

With a sigh, I quickly flipped past the sports section, trying to keep those memories locked away. However, they were impossible to control, and by the time dinner was ready, they lingered like ghosts in my mind.

Kimmy devoured her noodles and then fell asleep in her chair. I lifted her to bed and kissed her forehead before I returned to the musty old couch to relax.

I flipped through the channels to take my mind off those old memories, but that turned out to be a mistake. Monday Night Football flashed on the screen, and as luck would have it, of all the people and football players in the world, he was front and center on my screen.

Ryan was just as gorgeous as he was in high school, but way more famous, which sucked for me. I’d tried being with a few men over the years, but none of them drove me as wild as he had. I wanted to click off the television and rid myself of the memory of the only man I’d ever really wanted, but I couldn’t. As always, I was utterly and completely hypnotized by him.

I still remembered the last night I saw him as though it were yesterday. He had looked so handsome waiting for me in the stands, and even more handsome as he cradled me in his arms during the most passionate night of my life.

Now I wanted to cry, which was unacceptable considering the amount of tears I had already shed over the years. Besides, what had passed had passed. Decisions couldn’t be changed, and even if they could, I would still make the exact same choice.

I felt guilty thinking about Ryan, especially since his younger sister, Lisa, was getting married this weekend and all I cared about was whether he’d be there.



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END OF SAMPLE

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Table of Contents

Big Bad Professor: An Older Man and a Virgin Romance

Mail Order Bride Collection

Regency Romance Collection

Older Man Romance – What the Boss Wants, He Gets

Older Man Romance: Billionaire Flawed

Big Bad Baller Exclusive Sneak Peak

More Steamy Romance by Tia Siren





Mail Order Bride Collection





The Gambler’s Bride – A Clean Western Romance

Chapter One

The sun was burning brightly in the Virginia sky. Caroline was grateful she had thought to wear a pretty hat with a wide brim. It kept her face from burning. She walked briskly down the sidewalk, anxious to get home. Her shoes were beginning to wear and she hadn’t thought to ask her mother to purchase her a new pair while she was out.