New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with another sizzling Original Heartbreakers story featuring an irresistible charmer about to meet his matchâ¦
Beck Ockley lives by a single rule: one and done. The millionaire playboy knows the pain of loss and will do anything to avoid another. He moved to the small town of Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, expecting more of the sameâtime with the only two friends he trusts, workâ¦and lots of pleasure. What he never could have predicted was that a vulnerable Southern beauty would sneak past his defenses.
Harlow Glass is determined to rebuild her life. The reformed bully has lost everyone and everything she loved, and sheâs paid the ultimate price for her checkered past. Now she wants commitment, the only thing Beck refuses to give. As their chemistry blazes white-hot, heâll either have to break her heartâ¦or surrender his own.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter
âShowalterâ¦rocks me every time!â
âSylvia Day, #1 New York Times bestselling author
âShowalter writes fun, sexy characters you fall in love with!â
âLori Foster, New York Times bestselling author
âSassy, smart characters and an expertly woven, unconventional plot, The Closer You Come showcases
Gena Showalter in all her shining talent.â
âKristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author
âShowalter makes romance sizzle on every page!â
âJill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
âEmotional, heart-tugging, kept me turning the pages!â
âCarly Phillips, New York Times bestselling author
âWith compelling stories and memorable characters, Gena Showalter never fails to dazzle.â
âJeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author
âThe Showalter name on a book means guaranteed entertainment.â
âRT Book Reviews
âThe versatile Showalterâ¦once again shows that she can blend humor and poignancy while keeping readers entertained from start to finish.â
âBooklist on Catch a Mate
This book would not be what it is without my amazing editor, Emily Ohanjanians, who once again went above and beyond, pointing me in the right direction anytime I lost my way. Thank you! I thank God, the giver of all good things, for bringing you into my life.
A huge shout out to the magnificent Katie McGarryâan author I admire and adoreâwho spent precious time on the phone with me, helping me with my research (any mistakes are my own). You are a treasure!
A special thank you to these fantastic ladies and authors: Lori Foster, Carly Phillips, Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins. You guys rock on so many levels!
And to all the wonderful folks at Harlequin Books for taking a chance on this series Iâve been foaming at the mouth eager to write.
CHAPTER ONE
HARLOW GLASS STOOD on the porch of a hundred-year-old farmhouse that had more character than most people, waning daylight wrapping the structure in its loving embrace. Exterior walls once covered in chipped cream-colored paint that revealed crumbling, weathered wood now boasted new slats of paneling and a fresh coat. The broken seal on the bay window had been replaced, no more sheets of moisture collecting between the panes. Ivy used to climb all the way to the roof, but every stalk had been cut down.
She scanned the driveway. No cars.
She listened at the door. No suspicious sounds.
A smile stretched from ear to ear. After months of bad luck, something had finally worked in her favor.
Hereâs hoping it lasted.
Trembling, she inserted her key in the door lock. Hinges whined as the thick, wooden entrance brushed open, homey scentsâfresh bread, vanilla and some kind of caramelized fruitâwafting out and making her mouth water. Her empty stomach grumbled and twisted painfully.
âHello,â she called.
No one cried out a startled rebuke.
She shut the door with more confidence and entered the living room, breathing a sigh of relief. Iâm ba-ack.
Her childhood home creaked out a welcome, and for a moment, one of her favorite memories played at the forefront of her mind: Martha Glass pushing the sofa to a new angle, while Harlow straddled one of the arms, pretending to ride a bucking bronco. Her dad hadnât been home to sneer insults, thank Godâyouâre pathetic, youâre stupid, youâre such a disappointmentâso a relaxed, almost giddy atmosphere had pervaded.
But the cherished recollection withered against the depressing heat of realization. This might be Harlowâs childhood home, but it no longer belonged to her; technically sheâd just committed breaking and entering. But only technically! Sheâd just...well, after all the work that had been done, sheâd