Lili Valente

"Je wordt papa."Amanda.Als ik in de donkere ogen van Alexi Petrov kijk terwijl ik het nieuws vertel, ben ik doodsbang. Deze man is de meest angstaanjagende verdediger in de NHL, en als de veelzeggende bolling van mijn buik er niet was geweest, zou ik waarschijnlijk niet hebben geloofd dat er die nacht iets tussen ons was gebeurd. (Ja, ik heb margarita's voor de rest van mijn leven afgezworen.)Maar de Alexi die met me naar mijn doktersafspraken gaat, mij in zijn gastenverblijf onderbrengt en zoveel heerlijke maaltijden voor me kookt dat het lijkt alsof ik een tweeling draag, is helemaal niet eng.Hij is lief. En intens. En zo sexy dat ik hem met honing wil insmeren en dat van elke centimeter van zijn krachtige, beschermende, o zo lekkere lichaam wil likken.Maar dat maakt geen deel meer uit van onze relatie. We zijn vrienden die van plan zijn om samen een kind op te voeden. Dat is alles...Toch?Alexi.Het is voor mij onmogelijk om alleen maar vrienden met Amanda Esposito te zijn.Ze is alles wat ik verlang in een vrouw - sterk, sexy, vol compassie, een beetje wild - met prachtige rondingen en een glimlach die ze alleen voor bewaart.Hoe graag ik haar ook wil, ik weet niet of ik het in me heb om de man te zijn die het hart op zijn tong draagt. Ik heb op de harde manier geleerd dat liefde heel snel heel rampzalig kan worden.Maar wanneer mijn nieuwe gezin bedreigd wordt, realiseer ik me hoe graag ik deze vrouw en onze baby voor altijd in mijn leven wil hebben en hoe veel ik bereid ben om hard voor hen te vechten. Ze zeggen dat ik een gevaarlijke man ben op het ijs, maar dat is nog niets vergeleken bij de ellende die ik over iemand kan uitstorten buiten de ring...

Een hilarische, sexy hockey romance.Laura.Brendan Daniels is de meest sexy man op aarde. De aanvoerder van het hockeyteam de Badgers is ook slim, aardig, grappig en was een goede vriend van mij... tot het moment waarop we uit de friendzone stapten door een weekend vol seks. De maandagochtend erna wilde ik maar al te graag in de orgasmetrein blijven rijden, maar Brendan wilde iemand die meer geschikt was als "stiefmoeder".Wat ik dus kennelijk niet ben.Het enige probleem? Ik ben tot over mijn oren verliefd op hem en dol op zijn dochter. Dus toen hij vroeg of ik een lang weekend wilde doen alsof ik zijn vriendin was bij zijn voormalige schoonouders, zei ik natuurlijk ja. We zijn namelijk nog wel vrienden, en vrienden laten elkaar niet in hun eentje doen alsof.Brendan.Laura Collins is wel de laatste vrouw aan wie ik hoor te denken om seks mee te hebben; op de achterbank van mijn auto, in het bos achter het huis van mijn schoonouders, of in een hotelkamer waar we een klein, krakend bed delen.Ik heb een vaste, stabiele invloed nodig voor mijn dochter, geen avontuurtje met een wilde, te jonge, te impulsieve roodharige vrouw. Wat dan nog dat ze prachtig, intens en gepassioneerd is en het grootste hart heeft, dat ik maar ken?Ik wil niet verliefd worden. Echt niet. Het hele "doen alsof ik een vriendin heb" hoorde juist mijn problemen op te lossen, me wat meer tijd te geven.Maar wanneer het Laura betreft?Shit, misschien kan ik dan niet gewoon doen alsof.

De grootste bad boy van de Hockey League staat op het punt verliefd te worden op zijn beste vriendin.Libby.Ik ben 's werelds grootste loser wat betreft daten. Op mijn laatste afspraakje ging mijn date ervandoor met de serveerster. Dat zegt genoeg, vind je niet?Maar ik heb een troef in de achterzak van mijn mom jeans; namelijk mijn verschrikkelijk sexy beste vriend en hockey-superster, Justin Cruise.Ik ken Justin sinds de brugklas, al lang voordat hij succesvol werd met zijn alom bekende... ijshockeystick. Dus in ruil voor mijn eeuwige, platonische loyaliteit wil ik alleen maar een appeltje-eitje-spoedcursus om een seksgodin te worden.Hoe lastig kan dat nou zijn?Justin.Ik ben in heel mijn leven nog nooit zo hard geweest.De dingen die ik met die lieve kleuterjuf en mijn beste vriendin Libby Collins wil doen zijn zo fout dat ik het niet hardop kan zeggen. Ik hoor het niet eens te denken.Ik vind dat je iets het beste kunt leren aan de hand van een voorbeeld en onze eerste les voor wat betreft haar seksuele ontdekkingsreis zal een erg praktische aanpak hebben: mijn handen op haar lichaam, haar handen op mijn lichaam en haar warme lippen onder de mijne terwijl ik probeer te bewijzen dat er niets mis is met de manier waarop ze zoent.Ik zal Libby in een maand tijd transformeren van een muurbloempje, naar iemand die graag tegen de muur genomen wil worden en zelfverzekerd genoeg is om elke man te verleiden die ze maar wil.Het probleem is... ik wil de enige man zijn die ze verleidt.

I didn't mean to fall in love with my grumpy British boss, Colin. Or his daughter, the adorable little girl I've been nannying for in London.I tried hard not to lose my heart, in fact-knowing I can't give Colin what he wants most-but...I failed.I've become way too good at failure, but all of that's about to change when I fly home to Happy Cat and win the annual scavenger hunt for love.For years, the winner has gone on to find their One, and I'm past ready to find mine. And maybe falling for someone new will make me forget that I miss my favorite grumpy Brit like a rogue vital organ...But what happens when Colin shows up at the starting line, insisting I'm his One?Will he listen when I confess why I'm the wrong woman for him? Or will he hit me with a love bomb I never saw coming?

I didn't mean to fall in love with my grumpy British boss, Colin. Or his daughter, the adorable little girl I've been nannying for in London.I tried hard not to lose my heart, in fact-knowing I can't give Colin what he wants most-but...I failed.I've become way too good at failure, but all of that's about to change when I fly home to Happy Cat and win the annual scavenger hunt for love.For years, the winner has gone on to find their One, and I'm past ready to find mine. And maybe falling for someone new will make me forget that I miss my favorite grumpy Brit like a rogue vital organ...But what happens when Colin shows up at the starting line, insisting I'm his One?Will he listen when I confess why I'm the wrong woman for him? Or will he hit me with a love bomb I never saw coming?

He's the world's most alpha Marine and the last man I should be letting jingle my bells this holiday season. So why does Clint O'Dell keep running through my thoughts wearing nothing but a Santa hat? And why do I stupidly agree that we should be Christmas friends with benefits? Someone must have spiked my eggnog. I don't do Marines. Or Santas. I learned my lesson about both the hard way. But when Clint steps in to rescue me--from a murderous goose, a rogue reindeer, and the ghost of Christmas Right Now causing trouble in my bakery--I can't help but wonder if we're meant to be more than friends. If maybe Clint is the holiday miracle I've been praying for...or if all the magic will disappear with the season. Humbugged is a laugh out loud holiday romp featuring a Marine with a heart of gold and a baker in need of a hero. Complete with the world's most awkward Christmas caroling, a photoshoot with furry friends, and more naughty baked goods than is good or decent.

He's the world's most alpha Marine and the last man I should be letting jingle my bells this holiday season. So why does Clint O'Dell keep running through my thoughts wearing nothing but a Santa hat? And why do I stupidly agree that we should be Christmas friends with benefits?Someone must have spiked my eggnog.I don't do Marines.Or Santas.I learned my lesson about both the hard way.But when Clint steps in to rescue me-from a murderous goose, a rogue reindeer, and the ghost of Christmas Right Now causing trouble in my bakery-I can't help but wonder if we're meant to be more than friends.If maybe Clint is the holiday miracle I've been praying for...or if all the magic will disappear with the season.Humbugged is a laugh out loud holiday romp featuring a Marine with a heart of gold and a baker in need of a hero. Complete with the world's most awkward Christmas caroling, a photoshoot with furry friends, and more naughty baked goods than is good or decent.

He's the world's most alpha Marine and the last man I should be letting jingle my bells this holiday season. So why does Clint O'Dell keep running through my thoughts wearing nothing but a Santa hat? And why do I stupidly agree that we should be Christmas friends with benefits?Someone must have spiked my eggnog.I don't do Marines.Or Santas.I learned my lesson about both the hard way.But when Clint steps in to rescue me-from a murderous goose, a rogue reindeer, and the ghost of Christmas Right Now causing trouble in my bakery-I can't help but wonder if we're meant to be more than friends.If maybe Clint is the holiday miracle I've been praying for...or if all the magic will disappear with the season.Humbugged is a laugh out loud holiday romp featuring a Marine with a heart of gold and a baker in need of a hero. Complete with the world's most awkward Christmas caroling, a photoshoot with furry friends, and more naughty baked goods than is good or decent.

She's the last woman on earth I'd marry....again.Yet here I am. Saying my vows. Again.To save an alpaca.At least, that's my story. But the truth might be a little more complicated.I didn't want to let her go the first time. But now I have a second chance to win over my wife. We're older. Wiser. And hornier.This time, I won't fail.Hitched is a red hot, enemies-to-lovers laugh-a-palooza featuring a girl in need of a marriage of convenience and a man in need of a cold shower to keep from falling for his fake wife. They say opposites attract, but with Blake and Hope, they also combust...

She's the last woman on earth I'd marry....again.Yet here I am. Saying my vows. Again.To save an alpaca.At least, that's my story. But the truth might be a little more complicated.I didn't want to let her go the first time. But now I have a second chance to win over my wife. We're older. Wiser. And hornier.This time, I won't fail.Hitched is a red hot, enemies-to-lovers laugh-a-palooza featuring a girl in need of a marriage of convenience and a man in need of a cold shower to keep from falling for his fake wife. They say opposites attract, but with Blake and Hope, they also combust...

I didn't mean to kidnap the groom.It was an accident.Mostly...At least I didn't take much time to plan it. It was more of a spur of the moment kidnapping. Does that count?One minute, the town's bad boy is standing at the altar about to marry the world's most evil kindergarten teacher. The next, he's passed out in my Vespa sidecar with his bride hot on our tail.But I didn't have a choice I couldn't stand by and watch Jace O'Dell be blackmailed into a loveless marriage. And besides, what's a little kidnapping between friends?Okay, so maybe we're not just friends...And maybe I can't quit thinking about that night at his bar when he closed up early and had me on the rocks.And maybe this crazy stunt is going to blow up in both of our faces.If it does, I'm blaming the moonshine.Even though the only thing I'm hammered on when it comes to Jace is love-straight up, no chaser.

I didn't mean to kidnap the groom.It was an accident.Mostly...At least I didn't take much time to plan it. It was more of a spur of the moment kidnapping. Does that count?One minute, the town's bad boy is standing at the altar about to marry the world's most evil kindergarten teacher. The next, he's passed out in my Vespa sidecar with his bride hot on our tail.But I didn't have a choice I couldn't stand by and watch Jace O'Dell be blackmailed into a loveless marriage. And besides, what's a little kidnapping between friends?Okay, so maybe we're not just friends...And maybe I can't quit thinking about that night at his bar when he closed up early and had me on the rocks.And maybe this crazy stunt is going to blow up in both of our faces.If it does, I'm blaming the moonshine.Even though the only thing I'm hammered on when it comes to Jace is love-straight up, no chaser.

The world's sexiest firefighter is about to get a second chance with the virgin next door... He's bossy, arrogant, and so ridiculously hot he should come with a warning label and a pair of flame retardant coveralls. He's also the boy who broke my heart when we were in high school. I want to move in next door to Ryan O'Dell the way I want to be the virgin gamer geek suddenly in charge of running my sister's sex toy factory. Too bad both are written in my stars. Yeah, I'm the world's oldest virgin code-writing nerd. And he's the world's hottest firefighter. And even though he intimidates the heck out of me, I can't seem to control my libido when he's around. Where is my dignity? My self-respect? My panties? Seriously.... Have you seen them? Anyone? Maybe they're hiding in his bedroom. With my heart. Yeah, I know. I'm hosed. So hosed. Hosed is a steamy, fun romantic comedy between a firefighter and the virgin nerd next door, complete with a pet raccoon, scandalous gossip, and dildo football. (No, really.) This romance has no cheating or cliffhangers, and ends with a banging hot happily ever after.

The world's sexiest firefighter is about to get a second chance with the virgin next door...He's bossy, arrogant, and so ridiculously hot he should come with a warning label and a pair of flame retardant coveralls.He's also the boy who broke my heart when we were in high school.I want to move in next door to Ryan O'Dell the way I want to be the virgin gamer geek suddenly in charge of running my sister's sex toy factory. Too bad both are written in my stars.Yeah, I'm the world's oldest virgin code-writing nerd.And he's the world's hottest firefighter.And even though he intimidates the heck out of me, I can't seem to control my libido when he's around.Where is my dignity? My self-respect? My panties?Seriously.... Have you seen them? Anyone?Maybe they're hiding in his bedroom. With my heart.Yeah, I know. I'm hosed.So hosed.Hosed is a steamy, fun romantic comedy between a firefighter and the virgin nerd next door, complete with a pet raccoon, scandalous gossip, and dildo football. (No, really.) This romance has no cheating or cliffhangers, and ends with a banging hot happily ever after.

The world's sexiest firefighter is about to get a second chance with the virgin next door...He's bossy, arrogant, and so ridiculously hot he should come with a warning label and a pair of flame retardant coveralls.He's also the boy who broke my heart when we were in high school.I want to move in next door to Ryan O'Dell the way I want to be the virgin gamer geek suddenly in charge of running my sister's sex toy factory. Too bad both are written in my stars.Yeah, I'm the world's oldest virgin code-writing nerd.And he's the world's hottest firefighter.And even though he intimidates the heck out of me, I can't seem to control my libido when he's around.Where is my dignity? My self-respect? My panties?Seriously.... Have you seen them? Anyone?Maybe they're hiding in his bedroom. With my heart.Yeah, I know. I'm hosed.So hosed.Hosed is a steamy, fun romantic comedy between a firefighter and the virgin nerd next door, complete with a pet raccoon, scandalous gossip, and dildo football. (No, really.) This romance has no cheating or cliffhangers, and ends with a banging hot happily ever after.

Bree Marks is my best friend... My secret crush...And-wait for it-cursed with a deadly allergy to erecto-plasm. As in she'll seriously swell up and die if seminal fluid even touches her. Which means finding the perfect guy to punch her V card is literally a matter of life and death.She wants a no-strings summer fling, but she needs someone she can trust. A puck buddy who isn't going to get overly emotional. Someone who's as savvy in the sack as he is on the ice.That's where I come in. It's a simple request, really-and one I would be happy to honor.If it weren't for the whole life-and-death thing.If I hadn't just been traded to a team thousands of miles away from this girl who makes me think not all relationships are a losing game.If I wasn't already crazy in love with her.This arrangement is a disaster waiting to happen, but the heart wants what it wants, and mine wants Bree, danger and all.PUCK BUDDIES is a sexy, standalone romantic comedy from USA Today bestseller Lili Valente.

When I see the ad in Portland Alternative's "Love Wanted" section, I can't resist the urge to respond. Yes, it's dangerous--as a star forward for the Badgers I have a reputation to protect--but I miss the thrill of calling the shots in the bedroom and reading this ad is the first time I've laughed in months.Wanted: Discreet Dominant gentleman to teach maybe-submissive woman the rules of the game. No whips, chains, paddles, ropes, or toys. No nookie. No creepy stuff. No butt stuff. No gluten. Just the facts, Sir.Serious inquiries only. -CuriousCat4So I reach out to Curious Cat about the "educational" opportunity...A few sizzling--and hysterical--emails later we arrange to meet. I'm hoping we'll have chemistry, and I might finally be on my way to getting over my ex-girlfriend.And then the gate to the beer garden swings open and in walks Hailey.My ex is Curious Cat, and this experiment just got a hell of a lot more complicated. But I never back down from a challenge--on or off the ice.I keep my educational offer on the table--six weeks of submissive lessons. Six weeks to learn how to drive a Dominant man crazy, and then we part ways as friends.What do I have to lose? Except what's left of my heart?

I've waited years for my drop-dead sexy boss, Tristan Hunter, to notice me as something other than his right-hand gal. But though his dog is deeply in love with me, Tristan and I seem doomed to the friend zone.Until the night we kiss... It's all a ruse, of course--our make-out session is for the benefit of the two heartbreakers who dumped us--but very real sparks fly when his lips meet mine. At least...they're real for me. *** She's my employee, one of my best friends, my dog Luke's not-so-secret crush, and totally off-limits.So why am I suddenly unable to think of anything but Zoey Childers? Two days into our fake engagement and I'm dying to take her to bed and show her just how real the heat could be between us. But crossing that line wouldn't just be borderline unethical--it could be lethal to our friendship. I should call this off before somebody gets hurt, but how to say "no" to something real with Zoey when every bone in my body is dying to say "yes"? The Heartbreaker is a sexy, swoony STANDALONE romance.