Lauren Blakely is back with another great story, out today! Read on for an exclusive excerpt!
What happens when a no nonsense cop finds herself renting a room to a motorcycle-riding bad boy who is all kinds of hot and tempting? Well, you’ll want to read on for all things Derek and Perri as they navigate their responsibilities and their growing, undeniable attraction to each other. There may also be waffles and syrup and melted butter. Lauren Blakely fans won’t want to miss this one!
Want to see how they meet? Read on for the perfect meet-cute!
‘The Feel Good Factor’ exclusive excerpt
DEREK:
There are lies, damn lies, and then there’s love at first sight.
That’s the kind of storybook bullshit that gets people in trouble. I can find my own way there, thank you very much.
Besides, a detour of that sort is the last thing I need now that I’ve packed up all my shit and moved to a new town.
I’m not running away, even though it looks like it, thanks to the bike and the lack of stuff I own. I’m running to, and my goal when I arrive in town is singular.
Do what I came here to do.
Problem is, sometimes I go too fast.Like today, as I’m riding down a side street on the way to my sister’s house, a little speedier than the limit. But hey, I have places to be, people to see. What’s the big deal if I go five miles over? I’m safe as fuck and always have been.
A siren blares.
“Ah, hell.”
I pull over to the curb, turn off the engine, and remove my helmet, ready to pull my “hey, we’re all in this together” card with the guy I didn’t see running traffic duty.
But there’s no guy stopping me.
The officer in blue strolling down the sidewalk is certified 100 percent babe, and I do believe this is the best view I’ve seen in days. Wait, make that years.
Because holy redheaded lady-cop fantasy.
Even that uniform can’t hide those curves, nor can the ruler-straight line between her lips hide their lushness. The cinched ponytail of auburn only makes me want to untie it, get my hands in those locks, then run my lips all over her neck.
“Hey, officer. Was I going too fast?” I ask with a gee, I couldn’t have been speeding, grin.
“What do you think, Lightning McQueen?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Yeah, just a little,” she says dryly. “How about your license and registration?”
I grab my wallet and hand her my license, then the bike’s registration. She runs a quick check, nods since it’s all clear, and gives them back to me. “Let me guess. You either didn’t realize how fast you were going, or you have someplace real important to be?”
I flash her a grin, hoping the crooked kind is her favorite. “I do, and I sure hope you’ll forgive me.”
She parks her hands on her hips. “You’re aiming for full forgiveness?”“Complete absolution. What’ll it take to get there?”
She scoffs, but it has the hint of a laugh in it. “Let’s hear your story. Tell me where you’re going, Mr. Speedy.”
I raise a finger to correct her. “I’m not Mr. Speedy. I’m Mr. Take My Time.” She stares at me. “Yes, Mr. McBride,” she says, emphasizing my name. “And I’m Ms. I Don’t Have Time for Flirty Bikers.” Her lips quirk up though, like she’s trying to fight off a smile.
“I’ll give you the SparkNotes version.” I heave a sigh, drag a hand through my hair, then tell her where I’m off to, hoping the story of a man looking out for his sister and her kids will win over her black heart.
She shakes her head like she doesn’t quite believe me, but doesn’t quite disbelieve me either. She whips off her shades, revealing green eyes with flecks of gold—eyes that study me, that roam over my beard, my inked arms, and maybe, just maybe, all the way down.
Oh yes, keep the eye tour going, because I’m giving you one too, officer.
Exhaling deeply, she glances down the road then back at me. “Listen, it’s quiet today. I haven’t seen a lot of cars or kids or pedestrians. I’m going to let you off with a warning this time, Mr. Lawbreaker.”
I bow my head deferentially. “And I’m going to thank you from the bottom of my law-abiding soul.”
She chuckles. “Is it though? Is it a truly law-abiding soul?”
I grin, meeting her gaze again. “Right about now I can’t decide if I want to break laws or follow them. Would breaking them mean I could see you again?”
She flubs her lips and waves me off. “If I had a nickel for every time…”
Well, that’s no surprise. I bet each man she’s stopped has flirted with her. I’ll need to up my game. “Let me revise that. I can see that the way to your heart is through the law, so allow me to follow the rules.”
I kick down the stand and step off the bike. As I walk down the sidewalk, I look back at her, smirking, till I reach a stray paper cup keeping court with an empty Doritos bag. I pick up both, carry them to my bike, and tuck the trash into the side compartment. “I hate litterbugs.”
“So do I.”
I point to a sign along the sidewalk. “And littering is against the law. But hey, look at me, obeying like a good citizen.”
She fights off a laugh. “Thank you for handling trash patrol. Now, you need to go.”
I mount the bike and tug on my helmet. “You might be sending me off, but don’t think you’ll be out of my mind.”
“I won’t be thinking a thing about you.”
“But I’ll be thinking of you, officer.”
“Do us all a favor and obey the law. Can you do that?”
I wink. “Anything for you.”
She points at the pavement. “Hit the road. Before I decide to stop being the nice cop and write you a ticket instead.”
“Nice cop,” I say with a rasp. “I like the sound of that. Maybe I’ll see you around, nice cop.”
“Hopefully you won’t.”
“But a man can dream.”
And that’s exactly what I do that night, because I can’t get her out of my mind. Insta-love? No effing way.
But insta-lust? Oh, hell yeah.There’s no greater truth than how much I want to see the redheaded officer again.
The only question is whether I’ll have to break the law to get her attention.
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