Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Penelope Douglas’s new release: Birthday Girl
From New York Times Bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new forbidden love story…
Jordan has nowhere else to go when her boyfriend offers to let her move in with him and his dad. Working a dead-end job, with her relationship sputtering, she jumps at the opportunity, expecting to help out around the house in exchange. What she doesn’t anticipate is for her heart to race every time Pike pulls into the driveway, or to burn when their eyes meet over the breakfast table.
He’s kind and listens to her and protects her in a way no man ever has before. Her sister once told her there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable. Only Pike isn’t the unavailable one…she is.
As the days go by, Pike’s finding it anything but simple to have his son’s girlfriend living in his house. He can’t stop thinking about her and holding his breath every time they cross paths. It feels like she’s becoming a part of him. Except he knows they’re not free to give in to this. How could they when he’s her boyfriend’s father?
Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Birthday Girl
He makes me happy.
Happy in a way that my boyfriend should.
Peeling another potato, I see him move outside, out of the corner of my eye, and I try to stop myself, but I look up anyway.
Raising his arms, he pulls his navy blue T-shirt over his head and slides it into his back pocket, reaching over to pick up the branch cutter again.
For a moment, I freeze. My hands pause in their task, and the sounds of the cutter, the lawn mower across the street, and the music playing in the kitchen slowly fade away.
His skin—golden and toned—looks warm and smooth; the muscles of his stomach and the cords running down his forearms press against his skin, displaying how long and hard he’s worked in his life. Sweat glistens down his neck and spine, and I can see the ripples of the muscles in his back. Even through the tattoos.
Long legs in worn jeans with his T-shirt hanging out the back pocket and covering part of his . . . I wet my lips as I tear my eyes off his behind and stare at the way his jeans hang off his hips.
Every muscle flexes as he chops branch after branch, and all I can manage are short, shallow breaths as I admire even the way his pant legs drape over his tan construction boots.
Mr. Lawson is hot. He’s able and strong-bodied, and I wonder how he feels. What is he like with a woman?
I drop my eyes again.
“Oh, that’s hot,” I hear a voice say.
I blink and jerk my head, looking behind me. Cam.
She stands next to the side of the island, having come through the front door without me hearing her. She has one forearm planted on the granite, leaning casually with an amused look on her face.
I turn back to my task, my heart hammering in my ears.
It’s bad enough to ogle someone who’s not Cole, but it had to be her who caught me, too.
“I’ve never seen you look at Cole like that,” she says. How long was she standing there?
I decide to nip it in the bud. “Like what?” I snap. “Stop trying to start shit.”
I hear her shuffle across the floor as she comes up to stand next to me at the sink. I cast a glance at Pike to see he’s still working, oblivious to us in the house.
“You both are getting pretty cozy here,” she teases, rinsing off the peeled potatoes and putting them in the pot. “He’s doing yard work. You’re cooking. It’s like you’re a couple.”
“Shut up. I’m young enough to be his daughter.”
“But you’re not his daughter,” she shoots back, turning toward me and leaning in. “You’re a hot young piece of pussy living under his roof, and you know he’s thought about that. He may be Cole’s dad, but he’s also a man.” She turns back, looking out the window and checking him out.
“And a fine, healthy-looking one, too.”
“I have a boyfriend. His son.”
That’s right, Jordan. That’s exactly what you should’ve told yourself when you were staring at him a minute ago.
But my sister just shrugs. “Even hotter.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “If you like him, go for it.”
“Nuh-uh.” Her lips curl playfully. “I’m all worked up about the fantasy now. I want my own boyfriend’s father.”
Uggggghhhh my cheeks warm again.
“You’re sordid. And you don’t have a boyfriend,” I point out. “Well, I should get one. One who has a hot dad.”
I shake my head. I’m not talking about this anymore. She’s con- vinced I was ogling, and she thrives on naughtiness. I’m not feed- ing her.
“Plus, you’re my sister,” she states. “I don’t want to make you jealous by hooking up with him.”
“Why would I be jealous?” I blurt out, finishing the last potato. “Seriously. I have a boyfriend.
Who Pike Lawson screws is of no consequence to me. Go for it.”
Turning away, I wipe off my hands, veer around her, and grab the pot of water with potatoes and put it on the stove, starting the burner. Pork chops are marinating. Dough for the biscuits is sitting. I go through my mental checklist as quickly as I can to keep my mind occupied. And away from him.
He can see whomever he wants. This is his house.
Excerpt. ©Penelope Douglas. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
Giveaway: (1) Finished copy of BIRTHDAY GIRL by Penelope Douglas.
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…
Meet the Author:
Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into twenty languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Hellbent Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the stand-alones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, and Tryst Six Venom. They live in New England with their husband and daughter.
Latesha B.
Enjoyed the excerpt. It sounds like things are going to get complicated for Jordan and Pike. Can’t wait to see how things play out for them.
Barbara Bates
Interested to read more.
erahime
The relationship aspect is complicated, but the attraction in this forbidden love is fiery. Thanks for the excerpt, HJ!
Diana Hardt
I liked the excerpt. It sounds like a really interesting book.
Dianne Casey
I really liked the excerpt, sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.
Mary Preston
I’m wondering about the age difference.
Katie Lowden
I loved this book, it’s been awhile since I w read it. Can’t wait to read the extra material!!
Lori R
I enjoyed the excerpt and I a want to read the book.
debby236
Thanks for the wonderful excerpt. I enjoyed it.
Janine Rowe
I look forward to reading this book. It sounds like one I could really get into.
Latifa Morrisette
Love the excerpt.
Nancy Jones
Enjoyed the excerpt.
Rita Wray
I liked the excerpt.
Daniel M
looks like a fun one
Susan C
Makes me want to know what happens next!
Crystal
Loved the excerpt and can’t wait to see how Jordan and Pike’s story plays out. Personally I think she will find out he gives her the best Birthday gift ever
Kathy Partridge
Looks so good!
Colleen C.
Its on my want list!
Amy R
I enjoyed this book.
Dianne Casey
I liked the excerpt, sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.
Mary C
Enjoyed the excerpt.
Melanie B
This sounds really hot; I love a good age-gap, forbidden romance.
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Lea
It sounds amazing!
Lea
It sounds interesting!
Bonnie
Interesting excerpt. I’d love to read more.
rkcjmomma
This is amazing and cant wait to read it! Such a great excerpt!
Irma Jurejevčič
I adore this book! I’ve already read and reviewed it. A 5 * read! Would so love to own a copy, thank you.
Terrill R.
I usually stay away from the taboo Father/son’s girlfriend romances, but I’m willing to try the topic when written by Douglas.