Bielman - Too Hard to Resist (Wherever You Go)

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright 2018 by Robin Bielman. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 105, PMB 159

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com .

Embrace is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Stacy Abrams

Cover design by Mayhem Cover Creations

Cover art from iStock

ISBN 978-1-64063-487-9

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition April 2018

To Greg, my favorite person to be next to.

Chapter One

Madison

I race into the bakery on Washington even though Im short on time. It took forever to find a parking spot that didnt require a permit, and the thought of being late to my first day on the job stresses me out, but some things are more important than punctuality.

Im barely inside the door when I come to a screeching halt inches before I bump into the man in front of me. Damn it. With a line this long, so much for a quick grab-and-go. Glancing back down at my phone, I read the group texts from my friends Teague and Harper. Good luck today! Kick some ass! Meet for dinner later to discuss? I grin at their supportive words. Id be lost without these two girls. I send a text back. Cant tonight. Ive got a date. Rain check! xoxo

I tuck my phone back in my purse, then close my eyes for a quick wish. Please let tonights date be better than last weeks. One more creep and I may never go out again. Which, come to think of it, might not be a bad thing. I could stay home, read, and spend time with book boyfriends. They never let me down.

My leg starts to bounce as I take a look around the trendy caf. The sprawling, sophisticated eatery is all stainless steel, glass, and pastries. The smell of coffee and fresh-baked bread fills the space. I cant wait to sink my teeth into a chocolate croissant, or for this line to move faster. When my eyes come back to rest on the guy in front of me, hes taken a step forward and Im able to better appreciate the view. From the back, hes definitely hot. A light-blue dress shirt stretches across broad shoulders that taper down to a trim waist. The shirt is tucked into black dress pants and holy moly, his ass is tight and round and the most attractive rear end Ive ever stood this close to. His legs are long, making him well over six feet. In my heels Im five eight, and I only reach the tops of his shoulders.

Je serai en contact.

At the sound of his voice, I raise my head. Hes talking to someone on his cell. His accent is deep, rich, masculine ear candy. I maybe swoon a little. The sleeve of his shirt is rolled up to reveal a strong forearm and a thick silver watch on his wrist. His black hair curls at the back of his neck, just inside his shirt collar. Its untidy, sexy, and seems out of character for a man dressed so impeccably. Hes probably so busy with whatever work he does that he hasnt had time for a haircut.

He inches forward. I inch forward. Maybe closer than what is acceptable for maintaining personal space, but its hard not to. He smells good, too, and I wouldnt mind hearing more of that accent. Its not eavesdropping if I cant understand what hes saying.

Merci pour votre temps , he says next.

The extent of my French is merci beaucoup, au revoir, and the line from the song Lady Marmalade, voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir . Oh! And croissant. Thats French, right?

He ends his call and slides the phone into the front pocket of his pants. Were almost to the front of the line now, so I pull my attention to whats inside the glass display case. I spy two chocolate croissants on a round decorative plate. Perfect. Im never going to get rid of the ten pounds Ive gained these past few months by continuing to indulge my carb cravings, but whatever. Im hungry.

I love your handbag.

I turn to the woman behind me dressed in workout gear and holding a toddler in her arms. Thank you. I love my handmade black suede bag with three stitched organza roses. It goes perfectly with my black pencil skirt and bell sleeve pale-pink sweater. The temp agency told me casual dress would be fine for the office Im headed to this morning, but I want to make a strong first impression.

Its been so long since Ive dressed up, the woman says.

How old is he? I smile at her adorable little boy. Hes wearing T. rex pajamas and holding a sippy cup under his chin.

He was two last week. Ive also got a four, six, and eight-year-old.

Wow. I dont know what else to say, except to maybe recommend birth control. I glance over my shoulder. Mr. Tight Buns is placing his order, so I move up. And wait a second. Hes taking the last two chocolate croissants? I should tell him thats no way to maintain his Buns of Steel and to please leave them for me.

Ha! I would never say something like that out loud.

Today its just this little guy and me, the woman says affectionately.

I quickly wish her a good day before focusing back on the croissant thief. Ask him to compromise, toss out a Hey, think you could leave one of those for me? But he doesnt stop there. Without a word, the girl behind the counter loads up a box filled with the remaining plain croissants, too.

Thats taking it too far, buddy . Yes, the caf is probably baking more as I stand here, but I need to hurry or be late to my first day at ZipMeds. This is my sixth temp job in as many months, and Im crossing my fingers this one sticks. I desperately need a steady paycheck. Like yesterday. If I dont save enough money to move out of my parents house soon, Im going to go insane.

Okay, Madison. Speak up . Im not concerned about myself so much as the woman outside waiting on me. Excuse me? I say.

Hes about to turn when a tall, stunning woman with enough cleavage to distract the Pope bounces up to the register and snags his attention. He immediately forgets about methe jerkand while I know this man is a complete stranger and I shouldnt take his slight personally, I do, because once again Im reminded of my cheating ex-fianc. I may have left Henry at the altar, but he left me with a damaged soul.

Stunning Womans big, bright smile blocks out the image of my ex, and I imagine the guy in front of me smiles back. Heck, everyone around us is suddenly smiling at her.

She giggles at something he whispers to herright before she orders a coffee! I hate people who cut in line. Im about to tap the guy on the shoulder to negotiate pastries (and remind him there is a line of people who did not cheatI mean cut) when the little boy behind me lets out a bloodcurdling cry. I twist around to make sure everything is okay when Im sprayed with chocolate milk as he pulls the lid off his cup and swings his little arms.

Oh my God! Im so sorry, his mom says.

I look down at my sweater dripping in chocolate milk and let out a deep breath. Its okay. Absolutely nothing is going my way lately. I twist back around in search of napkins.