Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Aubree Ryan is living her dream as the proud owner of Slice, Slice Baby, the quirkiest pizza joint in town. But when mysterious threats start piling up and sabotage threatens to topple her beloved shop, she needs more than just extra pepperoni to fix the problem. Meet Boone Wilder—a brooding, no-nonsense security specialist with a love for the great outdoors and a talent for making bad guys disappear.
Aubree expected a bodyguard, but she didn’t expect Boone to whisk her away to his secluded cabin in the mountains for “safety.” Now, she’s swapping pizza dough for campfires, bears, and one very gruff mountain man who, despite his best efforts, can’t hide that spark of attraction between them.
As Boone tries to shield her from the danger lurking in the shadows, Aubree finds herself Is the biggest threat her business... or her growing feelings for Boone?
In this laugh-out-loud romcom, get ready for mountain escapes, pizza disasters, and a slow-burn romance that’s hotter than a wood-fired oven
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter 1
Boone
Today promises to be a good day. Not only do I get to travel for work—a perk I’m always excited about—but I’ll also have a chance to escape to my cabin tucked away in the Tennessee woods just outside of Nashville. That place has been my sanctuary since I left the military. Something about the pine-scented air, the hush of the forest, and the satisfaction of chopping your own firewood speaks to a part of me that Saint Pierce’s salty breeze never quite reaches.
This upcoming job is exactly what I need. Dean hinted last week there might be an assignment near Nashville, and he knew I’d be perfect for it—maybe because I’m ex-military and more than capable of handling tough situations, or maybe it’s because I look the part. My beard’s grown in thick and full lately, and I have to say, even though I’m more used to deserts and jungles than mountains, I’ve embraced the rugged look. The grizzly mountain man look.
I flash a quick grin to the blonde receptionist behind the front desk in the gleaming lobby of Maddox Securities, perched on the thirtieth floor of one of the tallest buildings in Saint Pierce. Then I step into the elevator. As I ride up, I can’t stop myself from picturing the Tennessee wilderness, the crisp air, and the logs stacked neatly beside my cabin’s porch. It’s exactly what I need—a reprieve from Saint Pierce’s relentless heat and an excuse to indulge in the kind of hands-on work that makes me feel alive.
When the elevator doors glide open, I stroll into the sleek, glass-walled conference room. “I’m here,” I announce, rubbing a hand over my beard, letting a slow grin spread across my face. “The meeting can begin now.”
A few of the guys chuckle, and I drop into a seat, nodding at Ranger. His expression is tight, like something’s weighing him down. I remember what he told me last week—about his sister—and my tone shifts as I murmur, “Sorry to hear about your sister.”
He gives me a brusque nod. “It’s fine.”
But I can see from the tense line of his jaw that it’s anything but fine. Greta’s a good woman. The thought of her hurting over some scumbag’s betrayal sets my teeth on edge. I fold my arms over my chest, the protective instinct I honed in the Marines kicking up a notch. “If you need me to knock that motherfucker out,” I offer, letting my voice go cold, “just say the word.”
Ranger’s gaze flicks to mine, appreciation in his eyes. “Thanks, Boone. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Across the table, Lincoln raises an eyebrow. “Knock who out?”
Ranger explains how his sister’s long-term boyfriend cheated on her, leaving her heartbroken—and with little faith left in men. The reminder pulls at a part of me that’s hardwired to protect the people I care about. Greta’s off-limits when it comes to heartbreak, at least if I have a say in the matter.
I push a breath through my nose, cracking my knuckles as I consider the possibilities. Nothing makes my blood boil like someone who preys on a woman’s trust. Moments like this take me back to my military days—guarding bases, escorting civilians through danger zones. I’ve seen enough ugliness in the world to know you can’t stand by when someone you care about is in trouble.
“She’s been devastated ever since,” Ranger mutters, his voice low and pained. He laces his fingers together on the table, as though trying to keep himself calm. “It’s probably why I’ll never fall in love.”
I feel a pang of sympathy twist in my chest for his sister, but I also get where Ranger’s coming from. If I had a drink in hand, I’d raise it to toast that sentiment. I’m about to agree when Dean clears his throat.
“Love isn’t all bad,” he says, in that confident way he has of looking on the bright side.
A laugh escapes me. “I’m surprised you’re even here, Dean,” I tease, my tone lighter than the tension in the room. “Figured you’d still be holed up with your girl.”
Dean’s expression softens immediately. He starts talking about Sophia—this woman who turned his entire life upside down. The story is wild, even by our standards: the job was supposed to be a simple extraction, kidnap one of the Four Families’ daughters, only for him to discover Sophia in her place at the last moment. Suddenly, he found himself pretending to be married to her, all so he could lure out Bishop Blackstone, a notorious mob boss. And now here Dean is, grinning like a fool because he’s clearly head over heels.
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Ranger whispers, nudging me. And he’s right. Dean’s happiness is so obvious it practically fills the room.
Then the door bangs open, interrupting the moment. Orion staggers in, his hair disheveled like he just tumbled out of bed. Honestly, knowing him, he probably did. He yawns, settles into a chair, and props his feet up on the table—unapologetically Orion.