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Chapter One

She was real…

Matt DeLeo, ex-IT entrepreneur and billionaire roceries to his chest as he jogged along Periwinkle Avenue, Sanibel The early rin spread across his lips

No doubt about it: he ide awake and his dreaoddess he’d left sleeping in his bed fifteen rant skin, and a cinnamon-sweet mouth Even her name sent shivers of pleasure up his spine Piper…Piper Reilly, the supple shell collector he’d watched from a distance over the last six days, was a revelation When she’d finally stepped into the Parrot Bar last night and asked for a Long Slow Coainst a Cold Hard Wall with a Kiss, it was as if an atomic sex bomb had exploded in the rooht of passion he would never forget, he was just a few yards away froereen-eyed siren breakfast

He knew little about Piper Reilly, but he did know she didn’t drink beer and she hated the color pink No proble in Florida, she’d clearly never tasted any of his Colorado reat This was the life, the reason why he’dfor other people, and started his own business Three years of twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week had taken its toll, and he deserved his reward And the best things had been worth waiting for: freedoining her for so long and now she had walked into his life

He’d done the right thing co south to scout new opportunities for his brewery business Life was good here, the sun shone, and people drank a lot of beer He only had to finish the big spring beer launch back in Colorado and then he’d start Project Florida And Project Piper He’d come back in a feeeks and they could pick up where they’d left off

Except he didn’t want to leave her for o back to Passion Creek, because he had commitments and jobs to secure in Colorado before he moved on There was no way around that unless she ith hiirl I’ve only justas crazy as that?” He realized he was talking out loud and clamped his jaw shut

He’d offer her the trip of a lifetime, all expenses paid, and tehed in his face the previous night when he’d told her he was a retired computer tycoon who tended bar from time to time just for fun He hadn’t wanted anyone to knoas checking out the Sanibel bar scene undercover He’d tell her the truth over breakfast

She was self-employed, so if she came to Colorado with him, he’d introduce her toon her own And, God, she was gorgeous Stunning enough to be a top round as he punched the air He could see it now as clear as day; she’d be the perfect woman to advertise his new beer

Passion Creek Brewery discovers Aenius, man!

Why would she turn down an all-expenses-paid trip to Colorado that proot a surprise for you, Miss Reilly,” he murmured as he reached the back steps of his rented condo

Breakfast in bed and an offer you can’t refuse

Matt hitched the groceries against his ribs and let hily in the narrow kitchenette, and the coffeeloud noises His heart beat faster as he peered around the doorfra area with the fold-down bed Cold air swept down over his brow The bed was empty The bathroom door ide open to show that it, too, was empty There was no note, just the faintest trace of her melon scent

Blood pounded in his ears as a cold, rational voice in his head chiot up and left soh times himself Why would this be any different? Except it was different It wasn’t him who’d walked out the door Karht on the ass