The Second Time Around: a Hope Valley novel Read online

  The Second Time Around

  a Hope Valley novel

  Jessica Prince

  Copyright © 2020 by Jessica Prince

  www.authorjessicaprince.com

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Don’t Miss Out

  Discover Other Books by Jessica

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  More from Hope Valley

  Discover Other Books by Jessica

  About Jessica

  Don’t Miss Out

  We’re officially seven books in, and there’s still so much more Hope Valley to come!

  I have the next few books in this series mapped out in my head already, and I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am. This series truly has my heart, and I hope you guys continue on this journey with me!

  Click here to sign up for my newsletter so you can stay in the know about all the Hope Valley series news to come

  And if you want the scoop on all good things before everyone else, click here to be a part of my amazing reader group, Jessica’s Princesses.

  Discover Other Books by Jessica

  REDEMPTION SERIES

  Bad Alibi

  HOPE VALLEY SERIES:

  Out of My League

  Come Back Home Again

  The Best of Me

  Wrong Side of the Tracks

  Stay With Me

  Out of the Darkness

  The Second Time Around

  CIVIL CORRUPTION SERIES

  Corrupt

  Defile

  Consume

  Ravage

  THE PICKING UP THE PIECES SERIES:

  Picking up the Pieces

  Rising from the Ashes

  Pushing the Boundaries

  Worth the Wait

  THE COLORS NOVELS:

  Scattered Colors

  Shrinking Violet

  Love Hate Relationship

  Wildflower

  THE LOCKLAINE BOYS (a LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP spinoff):

  Fire & Ice

  Opposites Attract

  Almost Perfect

  The Locklaine Boys: The Complete Series Boxset

  THE PEMBROOKE SERIES (a WILDFLOWER spinoff):

  Sweet Sunshine

  Coming Full Circle

  A Broken Soul

  Welcome to Pembrooke: The Complete Pembrooke Series

  GIRL TALK SERIES:

  Seducing Lola

  Tempting Sophia

  Enticing Daphne

  Charming Fiona

  STANDALONE TITLES:

  One Knight Stand

  Chance Encounters

  Nightmares from Within

  DEADLY LOVE SERIES:

  Destructive

  Addictive

  Prologue

  Tessa

  In spite of the life I’d led, I’d grown up believing in the ridiculous notions of fairy-tale romances and love at first sight. Or maybe it was because of the life I’d led that I’d believed in them so unwaveringly.

  I’d needed something to hold on to, something that would give me hope when things got to be a little too much. And things got like that often.

  I was only ten when I lost both my parents, and while my heart never properly healed from that excruciating loss, I’d had enough years with them to learn true love did exist. My father worshipped my mom, and she adored him just the same.

  So while I spent the rest of my childhood and teenage years in the system, bouncing from one foster home to another, I held on to the memory of what they had, knowing, deep in my soul, that if I waited and hoped hard enough, I’d one day find a love like that for myself.

  And I had.

  Or at least that was what I thought.

  What happened between Bryce Dixon and me had been nothing short of a whirlwind fairy tale. And no matter how hard I tried to forget, I could still remember our time together as if it had happened yesterday.

  The Vegas sun was beating down on me, it’s oppressive desert heat suffocating and unforgiving. I wasn’t the biggest fan of summer, especially when it was this damn hot, but this trip was all about stepping outside my comfort zone.

  I’d just graduated from college and had made myself a promise. I was finally going to start living.

  Bouncing from foster home to foster home had made it almost impossible to develop connections with anyone. Once I started college, I’d spent all my time studying and working two jobs to save every penny I earned, so I didn’t really have time to make lasting friendships.

  Now it was finally my time.

  Doing my best to ignore the sweat beading on my forehead, I slid farther down on the long, cushy, poolside lounger and picked up my journal, flipping to the page where I’d scrawled Tessa’s Graduation Bucket List along the top.

  I’d spent days making a list of things that would take me out of my comfort zone. I was finally going make up for all the fun I hadn’t had time for. Problem was, I didn’t really know how to have fun. Hence the list.

  Item one: take a trip to Vegas. Done.

  Item two: sunbathe by the pool in a tiny bikini.

  Through the shade of my sunglasses, I looked down at the bathing suit I’d spent two hours talking myself into purchasing. It wasn’t something I’d usually feel comfortable wearing, which was the point. But when I saw it in the store, I instantly knew I had to get it. The black bandeau top had a gorgeous gold ring in the very center of my chest with matching ones on the sides that held the bottom together.

  It so wasn’t me . . . but then, that was the whole point.

  Pulling the end of the pen from my mouth, I placed a checkmark beside item two just as a large shadow slid over me.

  “Looks like it’s your lucky day, sweet cheeks.”

  I glanced up from behind the dark lenses of my sunglasses. “Excuse me?”

  The muscle-bound, speedo-wearing guy standing over me gave me a smarmy grin. “Said it was your lucky day, sweet cheeks.”

  “And why is that?”

  He spread his bulging arms wide. “Your prince has finally arrived.”

  Pulling my lips between my teeth, I tried to keep from laughing as I gave my head a shake. “I . . . uh, appreciate you coming over, but I’m not looking for a prince. Just trying to work on my tan.”

  Not taking a hint, the guy straddled my lounge chair and plopped down like he had every right. I had to bend my knees and push up straight to keep him from sitting on my feet. “Saw you from across the pool, babe, lookin’ like a goddamn wet dream in that sexy bikini.”

  I fought back a lip curl as I scooted farther back on the lounger. My jaw ticked as I clenched my teeth. “Look, no offense, really. I’m sure you’
re a nice guy, but I’m really not interested.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was because the steroids had melted his brain, or if this guy was just that dense, but instead of moving along to his next helpless victim, he leaned in close. “Bet I could get you interested, baby. And I might be a nice guy, but I can be really bad if that’s what you’re into.”

  I opened my mouth, ready to spit venom, when a male voice suddenly spoke up. “There you are.”

  Before I could register what was happening, the sun was completely blocked by the massive man standing right next to me. I looked over and up, up, up, and Oh. My. Word. The newcomer was one fine sight to behold.

  Like the meathead who’d just been hitting on me, this guy’s body was packed with muscle, but his were much more appealing. It was hard to be certain from my vantage point close to the ground, but if I had to guess, this new guy was well over six feet tall. I let my gaze lower, using the few moments it took to get from his head to his feet to take him in fully.

  His black hair was cropped close to his scalp. A pair of aviators were perched on the narrow bridge of an attractive nose. His cut cheekbones and square jaw were covered in a dark five o’clock shadow. Smooth skin the color of milk and honey stretched over broad shoulders, protruding pecs, and chiseled abs. Dog tags hung around his neck, explaining the short buzzcut he sported. A small smattering of hair traveled temptingly from just beneath his navel into the waistband of black swim trunks. I couldn’t see his thighs beneath the shorts, but from the thickness of his calves, it wasn’t hard to imagine they were just as defined. By the time I reached his feet—and even they were sexy—I was breathing faster, the flush blooming across my skin having nothing to do with the Vegas sun.

  Every inch of this powerful man was incredible.

  In the seconds it had taken for me to ogle the stranger, he’d pulled off his shades and bent at the waist, moving in close without me even realizing. A large hand wrapped around the back of my neck, and I caught the briefest glimpse of the palest green eyes I’d ever seen before his face disappeared in my neck. The stranger’s breath fanned across my ear as he whispered, “Just go with it, darlin’.” Then, before I could ask what the hell was going on, his lips came down on mine.

  The kiss lasted less than five seconds, but when the stranger pulled back just enough to look down at me and winked one of those gorgeous eyes, it was enough to make me lose my breath. “I thought we said we’d meet at the rooftop pool,” he stated, a southern drawl prominent in his husky voice. “I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for you.”

  “Oh, um . . . s-sorry?”

  His eyes danced with humor as he lowered himself to sit right beside me, his hip brushing tantalizingly against mine. “That’s all right.” The stranger turned to look at the behemoth still perched on the end of my lounge chair as he slung an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him. “My girl can be forgetful sometimes. Can’t you, sugar lips?”

  The man’s focus returned to me. My mouth curved up slowly in a grin that mimicked his as I shifted in my seat, giving this handsome stranger my full attention. “Yep, that’s me. Always so forgetful . . . pookie.”

  That arm around me gave a small squeeze as he straightened to look at the foot of the lounger. “And who do we have here?” he asked, his tone slightly menacing in a way that made me shiver despite the intense heat.

  Meathead might have been jacked but, just like me, he sensed something in the stranger, something hinting that this guy could be a serious threat if he wanted to.

  “Uh, no one, man.” The speedo-clad dude stood and took a step back, his hands held up in surrender. “Didn’t realize she was taken. I’m just gonna . . .” He trailed off and threw his thumb over his shoulder.

  “You should probably do that.”

  With that, Meathead scuttled off with his tail between his legs, an amazing feat considering how tight his speedo was.

  I was staring off in the direction he’d just disappeared when the arm on my shoulders clenched, and the body pressed against my side began to shake. “Pookie?” the guy asked on a chuckle.

  I gave the stranger a single-shoulder shrug. “I figured it went along the lines of sugar lips. I’m Tessa Day.”

  He took the hand I offered and gave it a shake, his big, rough palm engulfing mine. “Nice to meet you, Tessa Day. I’m Bryce Dixon.”

  Bryce Dixon. I hadn’t thought it was possible for a name to be sexy, but Bryce Dixon most certainly was. “Thank you, by the way.” I tilted my chin in the direction Mr. Speedo had just disappeared. “For the assist. Things were about to get ugly.”

  Bryce released me from his hold so he could slide down the lounge chair and turn to face me. Laugh lines creased around his eyes. The icy green glittered playfully, and perfectly straight white teeth flashed as he smiled. “I figured that when I heard him call you sweet cheeks. It’s obvious the dude has no game, whatsoever, but I guess I should be thanking him for that.”

  My head cocked to the side in bemusement. “Why would you need to thank him for not having game?”

  His gaze heated, making the spearmint color darken considerably. “I’ve been watchin’ you for the better part of an hour, tryin’ to think of a way to approach that wouldn’t get me shot down in seconds, and he gave me the perfect opening.”

  I felt a pleasant tremor work its way up my spine. I’d dated in the past—it was a very rare occurrence, but I hadn’t wanted to go to college as a virgin. Then, I hadn’t wanted that one uncomfortable, sloppy romp with my high school prom date to be the extent of my sexual experience, so I’d given two guys from college a shot. Needless to say, they hadn’t been much better. But those guys didn’t come close to comparing to this man before me. They were just boys. This guy was all man, and I’d never caught the attention of someone so . . . virile before. I had to admit, it was exhilarating.

  “Is that right?” I asked, a pleased grin pulling at my lips.

  “Absolutely,” he announced with mock seriousness. “You in that bikini? All that smooth, golden skin on display? You haven’t noticed, but every man here’s been watching you, looking for the opportunity to approach.”

  He was right, of course . . . I hadn’t noticed. Mostly because I wasn’t paying attention. In that moment, I didn’t give a single flip about any of those other men. “Well, I’m glad you were the one to work up the courage.”

  His grin made my heart rate kick into high gear. “Me too. I’m just glad your friends decided not to join you.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. Even the bravest men are nervous to make a play when a woman is surrounded by her girls.”

  I giggled at the teasing lilt in his voice. “Something tells me you’re a man who’s up for a challenge like that. But if it makes you feel better, that’s not an issue. I’m here by myself.”

  He leaned back, his expression pinching in bewilderment. “You’re alone? You from here or somethin’?”

  I gave my head a shake. “Nope. I just graduated. This trip is supposed to help me kick off my new life. I made a list of things I want to accomplish while I’m here,” I found myself admitting. I wasn’t sure why I was opening up so easily to a man I had literally just met. He was a complete stranger, but before I’d thought better of it, my mouth opened and the words poured out.

  “Is that what you’ve been scribblin’ in there?” he asked, pointing to the journal on the cushion beside me.

  Wow, he really has been watching me. “Yeah.”

  He arched a single ebony brow. “Can I see?”

  “Um . . .” I began chewing on my thumbnail, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. Without answering verbally, I did something as out of character as sharing about the list in the first place; I nudged the journal Bryce’s way.

  He flipped it over, shuffling to the page marked by a thin ribbon, and began to read, his brow puckered in concentration. A few excruciating seconds later, he returned his attention to me. “Well, that’s quite a list you hav
e there.”

  “Yeah.” I reached up and tugged at the hair that had fallen from my haphazard bun, twisting the strands around my index finger nervously. “I might have gotten a little carried away. I’m only here for a week. I probably won’t get half of that accomplished.”

  The journal snapped closed with a resounding thunk, and Bryce shook his head. “That’s unacceptable. If you don’t check off every item on that list, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life, and I can’t allow that.”

  A snort tickled my throat as it traveled up and burst past my lips. “You can’t allow that?”

  The sternness in his expression was diluted by the enjoyment shining clear from that spearmint gaze. “Absolutely not. I’m part of this now,” he said, holding the journal up. “I’m a very determined man, and I’m going to help you check off every item on this list.”

  His exclamation set off a thrill that ignited my blood and raced through my body. A bewildered laugh bubbled from my chest. “I’m not sure. I’m starting to think you might be a little crazy.”

  “Far from it,” he informed me. “But if you don’t wanna take my word for it, you can ask my buddies over there. They’ll vouch for me.” He pointed across the pool to a tiny cabana where three other men were lounging. One was clearly flirting with a woman, another was kicked back enjoying a brightly colored drink with an umbrella in it, and the last was watching Bryce and me with obvious interest. All three were sporting the same military buzzcut as Bryce, and all of them were wearing dog tags.