I'm leaving you this note because I know you're very busy, and I don't want to waste the town sheriff's time. Lord knows I've already wasted enough of it. Thank you for taking me home last night and...everything else. I made you a basket of wild blueberry muffins for your trouble. That seemed like the appropriate baked good for getting naked in your living room. I wasn't myself last night. I didn't mean to kiss you or fondle your backside or ask all those intimate questions. Thank you for pretending to enjoy it.

Brooke Markham needs a man. A real good man. But she's not looking for a keeper. She's too busy kicking ass, running an empire, and caring for her ailing father to spend time with men who want annoying things like relationships and commitment and...conversation. Brooke knows what she wants, and it's not a future with the growly barkeep. JJ Harniczek needs money. A whole lot of money. He's determined to launch his distillery, expand his tavern, and put Talbott's Cove on the foodie tourism map. But there's no way he's asking Brooke for a dime.

Meet Lauren Halsted. It's all the little things - the action plans, the long-kept promises - that started falling apart when my life slipped into controlled chaos. After I fell ass over elbow into Matthew Walsh's arms, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to run screaming or rip his pants off, and most days I wanted a little of both. If I was being honest with myself, it was rip his pants off, ride him like a workhorse, and then run screaming.

Former Navy SEAL turned Covert Agent Wes Halsted spent his days - and weeks and months - being someone else. But with his cover blown and his injuries requiring months of recuperation, he must learn how to be himself again. Only...he'd rather save his issues for another day and get to know a stressed-out, suited-up businessman instead. Tom Esbeck has everything under control. Meal plans, workout plans, project plans, five-year plans. A plan for everything and everything according to plan. 

 My rules when it comes to my job in personal protection are pretty simple: Protect the client’s life, not their feelings. Don’t put hands on a client unless you’re getting them out of harm’s way. For God’s sake, don’t do something stupid like fall in love. Twenty-four hours after meeting Jude Archer, rules one and two are already out the window. 

Right as Raine features a rookie NFL player and his unexpectedly adorable live-in chef. The only problem? That chef happens to be the coach's son. And that's a personal foul. 

The job at Sunday Orchard was supposed to be temporary. A chance to gain some work experience, to have some fun. I had not expected to be welcomed into a family of gorgeous and weirdly efficient lumberjack-types, or to find purpose in the tiny Vermont town whose claim to fame seemed to be apple-based products and copious amounts of charm. And I most definitely hadn’t expected to fall for Knox Sunday, my grumpy, burly, fifteen-years-older, reluctant roommate, with his infuriating lectures, his hot-as-fire body, his superior attitude - I’ve never been one to put down roots. 

Jordan Kaisall has problems. Business problems, political problems, cheating ex-girlfriend problems. He knows that a week away from the Washington D.C. Beltway won't do a damn bit of good for those problems, but his beach house in Montauk is exactly where he needs to be right now. April Veach has plans. Work plans, travel plans, try-everything-once plans. Montauk is keeping her plenty busy this summer between decorating wedding cakes and teaching yoga, and busy is good. But busy is also a lonely bed, and that wasn't part of her grand plan.

Don’t play dirty. That’s the code I live by on and off the field. The other? Don’t get distracted. Not by the media, not by hookups, and definitely not by our rival team’s ridiculously charming star player, who loves to whisper dirty nothings to me every time we play ball.

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed. Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything. 

Once upon a time, all I needed was baseball, friends, and extracurricular activities. Then everything changed when Declan Steele stormed into my life and upended all my priorities with his heart, his love, his passion. So my next five-year plan will include this new ground rule - love big. Only, that’s easier said than done when my man and I come face to face with hard truths and new troubles about what it means to be all in.

When I left home, I swore I'd never hide anything about myself again. From college, to law school, to the United States Senate representing California, I've done it all as an out gay man. So, when I'm in DC and see a beautiful guy at the hotel bar, I don't hesitate to proposition him...right before he runs out on me, leaving his sunglasses behind like my very own Cinderfella. 

It was supposed to be a prank. A silly frat boy dare. One hot moment in a hidden storage closet. One kiss. No consequences. But if you get that close to a man with fire in his eyes, you’re gonna get burned, and I was no exception. One taste of Grey Blackwood ruined me for life. The way Grey sees it, I was the one who did the ruining. I humiliated him. Wrecked his life. Destroyed his future.

If I had to describe Sean Bailey, it would be: A surly, temperamental pain in my ass. Never in that equation would I ever include the word boyfriend - and not just because he’s straight. The older brother of my life-long best friend, Sean is a detective for the Chicago PD, and is also known as Detective “Dick” for being...well, a surly, temperamental pain in everyone’s ass. He also happens to be the best they have, which is why I find myself on his doorstep the night my life is threatened by an anonymous stalker.

When I left that night, I had every intention of coming back to you. To us. But no matter how hard I wish for what I want, there are some things in life that aren't meant to be. I don't expect you to understand. You've already moved on, living your life. But mine ended that night, nine years ago, and I still can't let you go. Not sure I ever will. I regret so many things, but hurting you, I'll never forgive myself. I'm sorry for...everything.