I was wrapped in a terry robe, scrambling eggs and enjoying the low hum of music in my own kitchen when the doorbell rang. Digger immediately began her obsessive barking and ran for the door. I sighed, hoping Alex hadn't decided to pay me a visit to talk things over. I shut off the burner on the stove and moved the frying pan away from the heat.
I stepped up to my door and glanced through the peephole. Instead of Alex, I saw a man with long dark hair, an old jean jacket slung over his shoulder, and a strangely familiar look. I blinked and focused on him, recognizing him in an instant. Oh. My. God. Ty.
With shaking hands, I opened my apartment door. "Ty?" I stupidly asked, knowing him anywhere. I'd seen him not only in my memories but in my dreams. He nodded, but before he could reply, Digger began sniffing at Ty's feet and nudged his leg with her nose, begging for attention.
"Digger, off!" I chided, but the dog didn't listen. I always thought I could judge a man by his reaction to a dog, so I grinned when Ty bent down and petted Digger's head. Ty obviously hadn't changed. He still had a soft spot for those in need, like I had been, I thought. Which brought me back to the lingering question that had haunted me since leaving Hawken's Cove. Had Ty felt those same crazy feelings of desire and young love I'd felt for him, or was I just another stray, like Hunter, that he'd taken under his wing and protected so well?
I glanced at Ty and realized in one quick instant that he still had the ability to affect me deep inside. My emotions soared, from elation over seeing him again to a fuzzy warmth in my heart to a quickening in my belly that I hadn't experienced in years.
Enjoying the attention from a stranger, Digger lifted her front paws onto his legs, begging for more. "Okay, you shameless hussy. Leave Ty alone," I said, pulling the dog off Ty.
"He's a she?" Ty asked, obviously surprised.
I nodded. "She doesn't have a body any female would want, but she's a sweetheart."
"She doesn't have a name any woman would want, either," he said, laughing. His voice had grown deeper, I thought, the husky sound providing a rush in my veins.
"I found her digging in the trash, hence her name. The poor thing was starving. I took her in, fed her, and tried to locate her owners. No luck." I shrugged and scratched under Digger's chin. "She's been eating me out of house and home ever since." Digger was mine in all her bad breath glory. I freed the dog's collar. "Go!" I directed, and the dog finally ran into the apartment.
I edged back so Ty could enter, and he stepped by me, treating me to a whiff of warm, sexy cologne. My body tightened at the unfamiliar yet welcoming scent. Once inside, I let the door slam shut, and Ty turned to face me. He studied me without shame, his gaze swallowing me whole, his curiosity evident. I pulled the collar on my fluffy robe together, but nothing could change the fact that beneath it, I was nude.
Unable to resist, I looked him over as well. He'd been a sexy kid when I'd seen him last, but he'd matured in the last ten years. His shoulders were broader, his face leaner, and a somberness lingered in his hazel eyes that ran deeper than I remembered. He was all male and drop-dead gorgeous, I thought.
And when he resettled his gaze on my face, I couldn't mistake the slight smile that tilted his lips. "You're looking good," he said at last.
My face heated at the compliment. "You're looking pretty good yourself." I bit down on the inside of my cheek and wondered why he'd shown up now. What exactly did fate, and even more, sexy Ty, have in store for me?
Find out what happens next in Cross My Heart!
Small towns often grow heroes with BIG hearts!
An exclusive packaging of four of Carly's shorter series all with small town settings, hot romance, and heroes who will risk it all for the women they love. In this bundle, you'll get
- Ty & Hunter Series - 2 linked books
- Costas Sisters Series - 2 linked books
- Lucky Series - 3 linked books
- Most Eligible Bachelor Series - 2 linked books
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- Small Town Romance
- Romantic Suspense
- Second Chances
- Workplace Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Romantic Comedy
- Disguise/Pretend
- Bodyguards
- Runaway Bride
- Enemies to Lovers
Enjoy nine full-length romances and get a real taste for the broad range of Carly's storytelling, plus the best savings on these shorter series.
PAPERBACKS INCLUDED IN BUNDLE