Love Fairytale Retellings? This is the set for you!
Once Upon a Twisted Time
16 Fairytale retelling stories ~ ONLY 99c
Are you ready to dive into a world of *brand new & exclusive* fairy tales where your beloved stories are retold with a twist?
16 New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors have come together in this collection to bring new thrills are woven into the fables we know, both classic and modern.
Keys to her Heart
by
Lori King
A modern take on the Prince and the Pauper. Placing bets on who has a more difficult life, her heart is the prize. The twist? A billionaire and blue collar man each finding the other more similar than they imagined.
“Thanks for the beer. It was better than anything I had while I was on the road.” She took a couple of steps away from them. “I’ll see you guys around, okay?”
“You’re not running away that easy, cupcake,” Walker said, his gravelly voice making her knees weak. “Give me your keys, so I can look at your car. You said it’s in front of the bait shop?”
“You don’t have to do that Walker, really, I’m sure it’s just… ”
“Keys,” he demanded. Becca found herself unable to argue, she dropped her keys into his open hand. He gave her an approving smile which rattled her nerves and made her nipples hard.
Beside them, Evan coughed, “You know, you could stay at my place if you want, rather than the hotel. The only decent place is the Candlewood, and it’s probably full because of the graduations over the weekend. I’ve got more room than I know what to do with, and you’re welcome to it.”
Becca instantly shook her head, “That’s very kind, but I don’t want to intrude on your space. A hotel room will work until…” Her words drifted off and a wave of sadness hit her. She had no idea how long she’d be back in Calvert. Hell, she might be back permanently. It all depended on her finding work, and she wasn’t even sure if she wanted to go back to Atlanta. She was just too emotional to decide right now.
Walker stepped into her personal space and used his finger to lift her chin, so he could look into her eyes. “You’re not just home for a visit, are you, cupcake?”
She chewed on her bottom lip, worrying it as she tried to figure out what to tell them that wouldn’t start her tears again. “I’m not really sure, right now.”
“Why’d you leave Atlanta?” he pressed, his fingers skimming over the line of her jaw bone, then tucking a loose lock of her hair behind her ear.
“Why’d you stay in Calvert?” she snapped back. “It’s none of your damn business.”
The tension between them built until Evan spoke, “Ease up Walker, if Becca doesn’t want to spill her guts, it’s cool. We’ll just hold out until you’re ready to talk to us, Bec, no pressure. Can’t expect it to be like back in the day when we were all high school buddies.”
“We were?” she asked, shifting to look at Evan. “I’m not sure we have the same memories of high school.”
The guys exchanged a frown, and Evan’s mouth opened and closed as if he was going to counter her statement, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to rehash the good old days with them. She was running on exhaustion and adrenaline, and with a beer in her belly, she was likely to tell them something she’d regret. Like the fact that she’d planned out weddings to each of them in her diary, down to the color of her toenail polish. God, she’d been a sad, sappy teenager. She’d never even had the guts to flirt with either of them, and now they stood before her, acting as if they’d been the three musketeers.
“I need to go,” She whispered, unable to force her voice to be any louder with both men standing before her, scrutinizing her.
“Becca, I don’t know what’s happening in your life, but let us help if we can. That’s what friends are for, right?” Evan took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, “Walker will take care of getting your car to his shop, and I’ll help you get settled in the guest suite at my place. You can get a good night’s sleep, and tomorrow, you can make decisions on what to do next.”
He took her breath away. His smile, his charm, his good looks, and now, his genuine kindness. He was just too much. Returning his smile, she sighed resignedly, “Okay, but only for tonight, and only because I’m too tired to argue anymore.”
They both looked pleased with her decision, which gave her a little thrill. Good lord, she was going to wear out her vibrator after this encounter.
“I need to get my bag from the car, and then I’m at your mercy,” she said, hefting her purse onto her shoulder.
Her choice of words had both men smiling even wider and for just a second, she imagined what it would be like to have either one smiling at her like that every day. Any woman would be proud to call one of them hers. Too bad neither was meant for Rebecca Daily.
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16 Fairytale retelling stories ~ ONLY 99c
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