ŷ������

Three days later, after a long shift, I walk into Auntie Oakley’s Roadside Diner for a quick hot meal and a piece of pie. This week has kicked my ass and I’ve been thinking about this pie all day.��

I nod at Liza, the owner, and make my way to a booth and slide onto the bench seat. I’m perusing the plastic laminated menu when I feel the entire booth shift as someone sits across from me. I drop the menu and fuck me.��

There he is again.��

Damn, boy scout.

This time he’s in plainclothes, wearing a tight black t-shirt.��

“Hey, Selina,�� he says with a cocky grin.��

I give him the squint eye. “Do I know you?�� Then I snap my fingers like I’m trying to remember an unimportant detail. “Wait �� is it Houston? Boston? Something like that?��

He chuckles. “Austin.��

“I don’t recall inviting you to sit with me.��

“Only because you didn’t see me when you walked in.�� He grins and I swear I spontaneously ovulate.��

How is he this attractive? It’s annoying. Stupid handsome smile and those lines that fan out from the corners of his eyes that tell me he’s got an easy and ready smile. He’s a friendly and happy guy, they say.��

Well, fuck that! I’m grumpy and I like it.

“Hmm.�� I make a noncommittal noise that I hope will scare him away, and�� pick up the menu again to block out his stupid pretty face.��

“Hi Selina, I thought that was you.�� The familiar voice makes me smile. I drop my menu to find the owner of the diner standing at our table.��

“Ms. Liza,�� I say. “How are you?��

“I’m good, darling. But I didn’t know you knew my son.��

“Oh, I don—��

My words are cut off when Austin stands and one-arm hugs the older woman and smacks a kiss on her cheek.��

“Hey Mama,�� he says. He slides back into the booth and gives me a wink.��

Infuriating man! And now I find out he’s the son of one of my most favorite people that I’ve met since moving to Cherry Falls.

Liza looks at me with that sweet, genuine smile of hers and I realize that their eyes are similar. I fight the urge to roll my eyes while I curse my luck.

“What are you having tonight, darling?�� she asks me.��

I hold the menu out to her. “Grilled cheese on rye and fries. Extra pickles on the side, please.��

She nods, then looks at her son. “Your usual?��

“Yes ma’am.��

She knocks on the table, then walks away.��

“Is that for real?�� I ask.��

“W�󲹳�?��

“That charming, good boy, manners thing you’ve got going on?��

His grin broadens. “You think I’m charming, sweet girl?��

“I think you’re annoying.��

“Nah, I think you enjoy my company.��

“And you’re clearly delusional.��

He laughs and the sound is so appealing that I lose track of the straw from my drink and nearly stick it right up my nose. Zero cool is my motto.��

The truth is, the good ol�� manners are a little charming, but I could have over looked them. I know all too well that manners and actions are not the same thing.��

His quick wit is another matter entirely. His ability to smile through my barbs and turn it into banter completely disarms me.

Or rather, it would disarm me if I let it.��

Which I will not. I have more than enough on my plate without being distracted by a charming boy scout, thank you very much.

Thankfully his mother saves me when she sets our food down in front of us. The smell of my perfectly-grilled-with-too-much-butter-sandwich makes my mouth water. Should I eat a salad or at least something remotely healthy? Yes, probably. But my ass is already big so what’s one more serving of fries gonna hurt?��

I pop a fry in my mouth, then eye the burger on Austin’s plate. At least he didn’t order a salad.��

Liza steps away from the table without saying anything and suddenly this feels very intimate. Sharing a meal with someone is supposed to mean something. Isn’t it?��

But this isn’t a date. Not that the big, beautiful man across from me would be interested in someone like me anyways. You know what? It doesn’t have to mean anything. He sat down at my table. So whatever.��

“So what’s with the extra pickles?�� he asks, nodding to my plate.��

I shrug. “I like sour things.��

“Fair enough.”��

We eat in silence for a while and it’s not nearly as awkward as I would have guessed it would be.��

And when we’re done, I try to pay, but he’s already taken care of the bill. He walks me to my car and it’s all feeling very date-like again. Once I’m in the driver’s seat and buckled, he knocks his knuckles on the roof of my car.��

“Night, Selina. I’ll be seeing you.”��

I don’t respond and I spend the entire rest of the night ignoring all the annoyingly cliched butterflies in my stomach.

(A Brother’s Best Friend/Accidentally Married Curvy Girl Romance)
Cherry Falls Romance
Or read for FREE on KU

Excerpt from�� by Kat Baxter

��

“I hit you with my car,�� I say. Just call me Captain Obvious.��

He starts to stand, and I practically lunge for him. “You shouldn’t move! You might have a neck injury!��

He just stares at me while I continue to say all the dumb things running through my head.

“Do you need the hospital? Do you think you have internal bleeding. Oh, or a concussion?��

Oh my God. Why am I still talking?

He still doesn’t answer. Instead he leverages himself to a standing position all with the usage of only one leg and his arms. His other leg he kind of hovers over the ground, not putting weight on it.��

“Oh my God, did I break your leg? Shit, I’m such a disaster.�� I wedge myself under his arm, and then brace my arm around his waist. “Lean on me.��

“I’ve got it,�� he growls.

“Don’t be a baby, I can help. It’s my fault you’re injured.�� I shouldn’t notice how divine he smells, but I do. Because that’s me �� if a moment can be made awkward or inappropriate, I’ll be the driving force.��

But this is next level, even for me, because I nearly just killed him and I should not be sniffing him!

But seriously, as we clumsily make our way to the front porch, I want to bury my face in his neck and inhale him. It’s like pine and fresh water and linen and a summer rainstorm and sexy man all rolled into one.��

He’s also massive. I’m not a tiny woman. I’m not tall, but I’m not small. If I was being politically correct I might say I’m big boned, but the truth of the matter is, I’m what the media would call plus sized. I have big boobs, a tummy, big hips a big butt. I’m just full of curves and bumps and I’ve been in my own skin enough to love myself, but I know I’m not what most men want.

“I’m not being a baby,�� he grumbles with that low, sexy voice of his. “You’re the size of a child so I’m not sure how leaning on you is going to help me.��

“I’m not the size of a child!”��

“Pretty much,�� he grumbles.��

“Now that you’re actually speaking to me, do you need to go to the hospital?��

“N��.��

“Are you sure? Because you could have a concussion. Nearly four million people get concussions every year. True, most of those of sports related, but—��

“I don’t have a concussion. You bumped me. I fell down. That’s it.��

“A good percentage of traumatic brain injury related deaths are due to falls, particularly among small children and the elderly.��

His gaze narrows as he stops walking to glare down at me. “I’m not fucking elderly.��

I swallow and then clear my throat. “No. You’re not. Obviously. You’re—�� A huge, sexy beast of a man. Who is not fragile or elderly.

Every cell in my body lights up with neon flashing signs. Not safe! Not safe! Not safe!

And those neon signs aren’t worried at all about my physically safety. No, this guy isn’t giving off any serial killer vibes. He’s giving off sexy, beast man vibes. The kind that effortlessly tear down the defenses of demur homebodies like me.

Woozza.

I am in so much trouble here.

Except, I’m not. Because he’s a sexy beast and I’m �� well, me.

Then again, as we stand there in the sun-dappled shade in front of his house, with his arm around my shoulders and my body wedged so close to his, his gaze shifts from a glare to something else as his eyes roam my face and then drop to my lips.

And I get the strangest sensation that he’s thinking about kissing me.

Which is totally ridiculous. Because men never think about kissing me.

“Yep,�� I say out loud. “You have a concussion. Almost definitely.��

Why else would he be looking at me like that?

“I don’t have a concussion,�� he says, taking another step toward the house.

Regardless of what he says, I am helping him. “I’m like your human crutch,�� I say brightly, trying to make him at least crack a tiny smile.��

There’s no way I’m letting him tackle those steps by himself. What if he falls again? Which seems very likely given his befuddled state.

He grunts. “That’s not what I’d call you.”��

Rude.

Once we reach the porch, he holds onto one of the thick wooden beams and hops on one leg up the stairs. It’s an impressive feat of pure, unadulterated strength and I’m not unaffected. Nope, I’m staring at his ass muscles moving beneath the denim of his jeans.��

“You have very good muscle control for someone with a concussion.��

“I don’t have a concussion.��

“We’ll see.��

Only I would manage to find the hottest man in the world in the middle of nowhere in the mountains and then hit him with my car.

��

��

��

So you know a lot of work goes into putting books together, whether they be traditionally published or indie published. And things fall through the cracks, because let’s be honest here, we’re human and we’re fallible. So while I’ll be able to fix this error eventually, it will hit people’s kindles with a editorial note (to myself) in it. I figured we might as well make the most of my hilarious faux pas and I’m having a contest. If you can find my typo, send me a screenshot and then I’ll pick 10 random winners to get a book of mine, your choice!

Last year I wrote a Christmas book called about childhood friends turned teenage enemies turned lovers. It was so fun and readers loved it. This year I’m returning to Sand Dollar, TX with. You’ll get to see Ginger and Brock again and find out about Ginger’s best friend, Annie and what happens when she decides to go for it with her secret crush…Ginger’s brother, Kris!��

One hot former marine��

The minute I see Annie Fitzpatrick, I want her. Against me, under me, all around me. She is as full of humor and joy as she was when we knew each other in high school. The problem is she’s my sister’s best friend. Everyone in my family—everyone in the whole town for that matter—loves her. I’m not sure I have anything to give except my desire and if I break her heart, no one will ever forgive me. I sure as hell won’t be able to forgive myself.

…plus one curvy girl next door

I’ve had a crush on Kris Starr since we were in high school. Now he’s home for good and I’m ready for him to see me as more than his kid sister’s annoying side kick. One night, I take my chances and kiss him. Next thing I know he’s in my bed. As hot as we are together, I know this is just for one night.

…equal two little pink lines …��

Neither of us expected our night of passion to result in a baby bump for the holidays. Can I convince this emotionally wounded man that he’s the one I want, scars and all?

I can’t believe we’re here at the end of my Curvy Ever After series. I hope y’all have loved it so far. I cannot even begin to tell y’al how much I’ve loved writing these books. I know I mentioned how this is one of the ways I’ve been coping with all the pandemic stress. It sorta started with my reading habits. I craved books, but I wanted ones with very little to no angst. Not necessarily instalove, but just no significant conflict.

I wanted to watch the couple fall in love and get their happily ever after without that heavy emotional feeling of dread when the shit hits the proverbial fan. I know I’ll get back to books like that, both as a reader and a writer. But right now, this is what I need. So I hope you’re enjoying these shorter books where you get to fall in love (and have some STEAM!) without any added anxiety.

I kinda equate it to watching first kiss scenes or “I love you profession�� scenes on YouTube. Incidentally, here are two of my favorites of those.

I hope y’all loved Luke and Erin’s book. If you read it, then you’ve already met Jake and Chloe. These two were a hoot to write. Jake is all grumbles and frowns. He’s a big, tatted beast of a man with body piercings and a yummy beard. And Chloe is all curves and sass and curls. But she’s frustrated about her perpetual status as a virgin.

When Jake finds her “sex to-do�� list, he knows he’s going to be the guy to help her out.��So next up in my Curvy Ever After series is REAL MEN LOVE CURLS.��

Jake

For me, Chloe is the one. The one I’ve always wanted. The one I can never have. The one I’m secretly in love with.��Why can’t I have her? Because she’s my best friend’s little sister. Oh, and he’s my boss and he’s practically the only family I have. So, yeah, she is permanently in a no-fly zone.��Until one fateful weekend when I find out that Chloe is a virgin and that she’ll do anything to lose her v-card. There’s no way I’m letting her pick up some random, not when I am more than ready to do the job myself.��But once I cross the line into that no-fly zone, will I ever make it back? Will I even want to?

Chloe

Yeah, sure Jake is the one �� The one most likely to mess up my plans to lose my v-card—the damn cockblocker!Okay, so he’s hot. Like, the hottest guy I know. But he’s also my brother’s best friend. The grumpy guard dog standing between me and a little bit of personal freedom.��That is until my brother goes out of town and I make plans to take matters into my own hands. That’s when Jake doesn’t the last thing I ever expected: He offers to punch my v-card himself.I know he’s just trying to keep me from making a mistake he assumes I’ll regret. He doesn’t realize that he’s a mistake I’ll never regret!

Pandemic life is weird, isn’t it? I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been devouring books lately. Initially I was too freaked out to read, but here lately they’ve been my lifeline. Romance novels sometimes make everything better–if for only while you’re reading the story.��

So I wanted to help, maybe bring a bright light to someone’s otherwise gloomy day. Real life is hard. Thus was born my new endeavor: Baxter Bites. These are short books, ones you can read in about an hour and they’ll be rapidly released so you can gobble up an entire trilogy in a matter of weeks. This won’t replace my longer books, the rest of Ally’s friends will still get their books. But for right now, I wanted to treat y’all and myself with something light and fun and so damn HAWT!

First up in my Curvy Ever After series which starts with REAL MEN LOVE CURVES.��

Luke

Even though Erin and I have been best friends for years, she has no idea how much I want her.��No idea that her luscious curves drive me crazy, or that she stars in my every fantasy. No idea that I’m aching to get out of the friend zone. I’m smart enough to keep that shit under wraps.

There’s only one secret I guard more closely: I��may��want Erin’s body, but I also want her heart and soul. And I want them forever.

But it turns out, I’m not the only one who has a secret.��

Erin

Everyone has a secret right? Mine is just more embarrassing than most. I must be the only twenty-three-year in the world who’s never had an “O.�� I’ve never taken the train to O-ville �� not with any of my boyfriends. Not even by myself.��

So when Luke, aka my best friend, aka sex-on-a-stick, aka I wanna-climb-him-like-a-koala, offers to teach me how to get there, who am I argue?

I’d be a fool to turn him down. I’d be even more of a fool to fall for him.

Baxter bites are short and sassy and oh-so-steamy. Delightful, bite-sized books you can read on your lunch break.

First up is the Curvy Ever After Trilogy: Real Men Love Curves, Real Men Love Curls, Real Men Love Charms��

Excerpt:

“Ah. I’m sorry, Allycat.�� I reached over and linked my hands in hers, squeezing her hand. “You know I could help you.��

She turned in her seat and pointed at me. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell youabout the fertility treatments.You can’t fix everything for me.��

Maybe not, but I always wanted to give it a try. I was a fixer by nature, it’s why I was an engineer. I took things apart and figured out the best way to put them back together. Ally, though, was fiercely independent and never asked for anything. It was a constant source of frustration for me.

“Throwingmoney at the problem won’t solve it. You can’t buy me a baby.��

“I wasn’t offering to buy you a baby. Let’s not get crazy here. But I couldhelp pay for the treatments.�� I had more money than I knew what to do with.

“No! No money.��

I sighed. My family’s money had always made Ally uncomfortable. Most of the time it didn’t matter because I’d made my own and hadn’t touched family money since college.

Ally was quiet on the way back to my place, I sure as hell wasn’t going to leave her alone in her shitty apartment above her bakery, not on the off chance she gotsick and hurt herself.

“Come on, Sleeping Beauty, let’s get you to bed.�� I cradled her against me and carried her into my bedroom. My office hada bed too, but it wassmall and uncomfortable and didn’t��have a connected bathroom. I sether onto the bed, and she floppeddown backwards. So I wentto the kitchen to get her a big glass of water and a couple of painkillers.

When I gotback to my room, though, she wasstanding by the bed in only her underwear and bra. I frozeand drankin the sight because best friend or not she lookedhot. I’d always found Ally attractive. Hell, I’d been in love with her for half of my life. I didn’t need to know she wore sexy underwear.

Fuck me.

She wobbled a bit on her feet as she triedto unbraid her hair. I couldn’t takemy eyes off how she lookedin thatlime green lacy push-up bra and matching boy shorts. Her ass lookedphenomenal and her tits��

Fuck.

It’d been years since I’d seen her in a bathing suit, despite us living near the beach. Evidently, she’dbeen hiding a banging body under her baggy clothes. She was all softness and curves. And now I wassporting a semi.

“Ally, you need to take these and drink this entire glass of water.�� I walkedtowards her. I can do this. She’s drunk. She’s my best friend, and it’s my job to take care of her. Not take advantage of her.

Shegaveme a mock salute, then proceededto lick the pills out of my palm. Seriously, what did I do to deserve such torture?

Then she downedthe water, some of it dribbling down her chin onto her chest and down into that lime green lace.

Excellent.Now I was fully hard. I had no doubt my sweatpants were leaving nothing to the imagination. Thankfully, Ally didn’t look down.

Isaton the edge of the bed anywaysto try and hide my erection.

“Do you want to talk about why you got so drunk tonight?�� I asked.

“Nope.�� She satnext to me. She leaned her head on my shoulder for a few breaths, then crawled intomy lap. Straddling me. So now her warm panty-covered pussy was pressed against my aching cock. Seriously, what had I done to deserve such temptation?

“What are you doing Ally?��

“Shhhh.�� She puta finger to my mouth, then leanedcloser, her full breasts pressedagainst my bare chest. Then she kissedme.

Her tongue slidacross my lips and I opened for her.Then our tongues were rubbingagainst each other and it was damnedperfect. Even sloppy drunk and Ally kissedlike a dream. She tasted like whiskey and sin and I devoured her. I’d wanted to her for so long, I didn’t remember my life without that piercing desire and aching need. I’d shoved my love for her so far down that most of the time I could ignore it and just be her friend.

Right now, though, with her grindingagainst my hard dick I was lost at sea. I groaned into her mouthslid my hands up her back. Her skin was so soft, her curves lush.

I couldn’t fuck herthough. For so many reasons. None of them sounded any good to my dick though. He was all for sliding into her hot, wet pussy. Right here. Right now.

She was still kissing me and grinding against me. And sonofabitch she wasgoing to make me come in my fucking pants like a horny teenager. But I couldn’t bring myself to push her away because she felt so right. Hope was spreading through my chest like proverbial wildfire and I couldn’t help thinking finally she sees me, finally she wants me too. I wanted to touch her everywhere. I craved the weight of her tits in my hands.I knew it’d only take one flick to unhook her bra and then I could have her nipples in my mouth. But that would mean stopping the kissing.

The best fucking kissing of my life. Her hands were all over my neck and chest. Her grinding intensified and she moaned, essentially riding my hard dick through our clothes. Fuck, I wasn’t going to make it.

Then her own orgasm hitand she shudderedagainst me, tossing her head back and crying out. It wasthe hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen. Then I came in my pants.

I was breathing hard when she climbed off my lap and snuggledinto the bed as if nothing had even happened. I looked down at the wet spot marking my sweatpants. Damn, I hadn’t done that since high school. I stood, tucked her into my sheets, then made my way to my shower.

What the fuck had just happened?

��

Coming October 1, 2019!��

Available for .��

Add to ŷ������

Add to