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The Best I Never
Had
DeVine Winery # 1
DeVine Winery # 1
By: Loni Flowers
Releasing May 5, 2015
Self-Published
New
job, new town, new people— new life.
That’s what Olivia Langston needed. At twenty eight, she was given a rare opportunity at an internship in the rolling valleys of Crystal Falls in California wine country, far away from her small town roots in North Carolina. It was an unexpected journey she desperately needed after her ex-husband crushed her.
At DeVine Winery, she expected a fresh start in a new environment to help let go of her past. Instead, she found Daniel Black and a hell of a lot of sexual tension she wasn’t prepared for. He was gorgeous, modestly wealthy, irresistible, and just happened to be part owner of DeVine, one of the largest vineyards in the country.
If only she knew that before she kissed him her first night in town.
That’s what Olivia Langston needed. At twenty eight, she was given a rare opportunity at an internship in the rolling valleys of Crystal Falls in California wine country, far away from her small town roots in North Carolina. It was an unexpected journey she desperately needed after her ex-husband crushed her.
At DeVine Winery, she expected a fresh start in a new environment to help let go of her past. Instead, she found Daniel Black and a hell of a lot of sexual tension she wasn’t prepared for. He was gorgeous, modestly wealthy, irresistible, and just happened to be part owner of DeVine, one of the largest vineyards in the country.
If only she knew that before she kissed him her first night in town.
When Evelyn disappeared into another
room, I pierced Daniel with a hard glare. He’d
gotten his wish, to some degree, after all. Dinner had been his idea, and if he
couldn’t get me alone for it, then having me at his mother’s house was the next
best thing.
“Are
you always used to getting your way?”
“Sometimes.”
“Well,
this was the last time from me.” I stood up abruptly, the chair legs screeching
on the hardwood floor, and hurried to the door. I made it out and halfway down
the walkway before Daniel latched onto my wrist and pulled me to a stop.
“Don’t
leave like this. Not while you’re angry.”
I snatched my hand from his grasp and
spun around. “I’ve told you on
several occasions that I won’t get involved with my boss.”
“I’m
not your boss, my mother is.”
“That
is exactly why it makes you off limits.”
“I’m
a thirty-five-year-old grown man. I’m capable of making my own decisions.”
“Then
you’ve been around long enough to know when a woman tells you she’s not
interested, then she’s not interested.” I took a few steps backwards and found
myself between him the water fountain. Taking a step forward, he prevented my
retreat and scanned my face with seriousness I hadn’t seen before.
“You
can say you’re not interested all you want, but the way those gorgeous eyes
follow my movements in the office speak something entirely different.”
“Really?
And what exactly do you think my eyes are saying?” I countered. I was out of my
league with the snarky comeback. Trying to pretend he didn’t affect me was
pointless. But if I could manage to stay strong, he’d give up. Eventually.
“You
can’t stop thinking about that night. No matter how hard you try, you can’t
ignore what happen and how it made you feel.”
“Well,
you need to get your eyes checked then. How it made me feel makes no
difference. I have five and half months left in this internship before I move
on. Getting caught up in you, or anyone else, isn’t going to do me any favors.
I’m over what happened already. It’s about time you get over it too.”
“Is
there something wrong with enjoying yourself while you’re here?”
I stared—shocked that he’d consider something so casual. I had
no doubt he’d be good in bed, but I wasn’t that type of woman. I didn’t sleep
around for the pure enjoyment of it. Sex meant more to me than that. It was
special, a one-of-a-kind connection you didn’t find with someone random. It was
what I thought I had with my ex-husband.
“No.
There’s nothing wrong with being causal if that’s the type of person you are.
But I’m not one of
those people. And getting into a relationship, of any kind, is so far down on
my to-do list, it’s practically
nonexistent.” I blew out a heavy breath, relieved to get all of that off my
chest, but my breaths were still heavy. My hormones didn’t get the memo my
brain sent. He was too close. Smelled delicious. And sexy as hell. “Move so I
can go home. Please,” I added.
“Okay,
but can you do one thing for me before you go?”
“What?”
I put my hand on my hip, annoyed.
“Kiss
me again.”
Daniel is one of the sweetest heroes I've read. The way he makes Olivia feel is sigh worthy. They have both been burned in the past, but Olivia has a harder time trying to move on from the hurt. Especially when Daniel's past comes back and threatens to end their relationship. Most of the story was a bit predictable, but that did not take away from the romance and emotion of it. This book also sets up Garrett, Daniel's brother, and Hannah's story coming up in the next book of the series. The glimpses into their relationship have me impatiently waiting for its release. Overall a wonderful contemporary romance.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Residing
in Eastern North Carolina with her husband, 2 girls, and couch-potato dogs,
Loni works a full-time professional job during the day and writes in her free
time. She never thought it was possible to have a satisfying writing career,
but with the love and support of her family, she's made it part of her life.
Loni
searches for the tiniest speck of romance in any story and is a firm believer
in the happily-ever-after’s. She thrives off the sexual tension, and gets a
kick out of taking her characters on a roller-coaster ride of drama-filled
emotions. A romance that can soothe the soul is her number one priority.
Thank you for hosting THE BEST I NEVER HAD!
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