Introduction

Discover the sexy new series NYT bestseller K. Bromberg says “Will have you turning page after page."

Rumor has it that Texas just got a little hotter! Fans of Tessa Bailey and K. Bromberg will fall for this sexy story of mistaken identity, electric attraction, and irresistible romance in the first installment of the addictive new series, Austin Heat.

Jake is desperate to rewrite his past with women and leave behind the media storm surrounding his off-the-field antics that cloud his potential. He’s done with the stream of models, actresses and NFL cheerleaders that have warmed his bed since he made a name for himself as starting quarterback for the University of Texas. He desperately wants to meet a normal girl in his hometown of Austin.

After moving to Austin to be the hired girlfriend of one of her long-term escort clients, Rakell finds herself wishing she could live a normal life with an average guy. Turned off by the billionaire clients she’s been serving for the last five years, she longs to get out of the business and build a life where she doesn’t live in the shadows of her escort persona.

Their worlds collide and the spice is off the charts. “Pretty boy” Jake Skyler has met his match with saucy-mouthed, Rakell McCarthy. Both think they’ve fallen for an average person. Both are wrong! What happens when their physical connection explodes, their hearts take charge and the secrets they are concealing are revealed.

If this were a TV show (it is not…yet ) think: a naughty version of “Virgin River” hooks up with “Friday Night Lights,” add in a little “Yellowstone” toothpick-chewin’ and you got the vibe of this steamy Austin-based series that follows Jake and Rakell, along with a host of other intriguing characters, as they search for The One.

Things are about to get heated!

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Excerpt

Eddie V’s in downtown Austin was alive with people chatting and laughing over jazz music that lingered seductively in the air. It felt so good to Rakell to be out. When she wasn’t in Europe, she seldom left the apartment at night, unless Matt was in town. She often felt lonely but was committed to her goal of saving enough money to get out of the escort business. She only had to stick it out for a bit longer. She was using this year to set herself up to pursue her passion.

She loved the way this dress made her feel—sexy, bold, and very feminine. Just as she was pulling out a barstool to sit down, she heard a familiar male voice shout, “Hey! Hey!” She looked to her right, immediately recognizing the hot guy from the gym sitting with yet another buff dude. Wow, this guy only surrounds himself with other meatheads, she thought, looking his way and smiling. He started to get up, so she walked toward them, not wanting him to sit next to her.

“Oh, hi,” she said as she approached him. He stood up from his stool, and she noticed that even though she was five-ten and in heels, he was still taller. He took a quick, not-so-subtle glance at her cleavage. She had to admit she loved it, having hoped that someone would notice.

He seemed visibly nervous, his eyes darting around as if trying to figure out what to say to her. “Wow… so, well…what are you doing here?” he stammered, his eyes moving up and down her body, quickly, but still not so subtly.

Rakell smiled, reveling in his obvious discomfort. This is fun, she thought, becoming acutely aware of her effect on him. “Well,” she said, her voice assuming a stronger than usual Australian accent, “take a guess, mate. I’m not here to fuck spiders. Sooo—am I here to lift weights or drink?” She was surprised by the sarcasm lacing her tone. Great. I’m reverting to my high school Aussie slang. This guy does not bring out the best in me.

Jake grimaced, shaking his head and chuckling at the same time. The other guy laughed out loud. “Damn, girl. You know how to cut through it, don’t you? I’m Dwayne, never mind this boy.” Dwayne stood around six feet with black hair styled into short dreadlocks and facial hair that ran the border of his jaw, accented by large black animated eyes. He wore a permanent smirk on his face. “I’m not here to fuck spiders either.”

Rakell smiled at him. “Sorry, just don’t like to indulge obvious questions. ‘Not here to fuck spiders’ is just an Aussie way to say that. You know the kind. The questions you already know the answer to.” Her green eyes landed on Jake’s face as she raked her eye tooth over her lower lip.

Dwayne’s eyes lit up listening to her. “I might have to steal the ‘fuck spiders’ line.” Turning toward a less-than-amused Jake, Dwayne hit him on the arm lightly. “Schooled.”

Jake shot Dwayne a slanted look before turning back to her. Damn, he knew this girl was pretty, but she looked insane right now. Plus, she had a brainy, sarcastic edge to her. Even if he was the target of her quick comebacks, he liked it. But he was squirming, scrambling to get a foot up in this situation. “Okay, fair enough. How about…what are you drinking? Can I buy you a drink?”

“That’s two questions, mate,” she said, holding up two fingers. “Though I’ll acknowledge that the questions are improving.” Her face broke into a huge smile, like she was trying not to laugh. “No, thank you. I’m meeting…” she hesitated, not knowing how to say it—“someone. In about thirty minutes.”

Jake heard, but blew by, the “someone” part and pressed, “Okay, well, that’s long enough to have a drink. What are you having?” he asked again, standing and gesturing toward his stool for her to sit.

She nodded, mouthing Thank you as she scooted up on the stool.

He pressed, “Drink?”

“Vodka martini. Tito’s please. Extra, extra dirty.” She looked at Jake, her eyes wide. Marietta knew that it was time for a soft smile and furtive upward glance at her client as a silent thank you. But she didn’t have much experience with flirting as Rakell, so she wasn’t sure how to proceed in a natural way.

“Got it.” He repeated the order to the bartender, thinking, Of course she would order that, and of course her breasts are practically spilling out over the top of her dress, and of course she’s meeting “someone” tonight, and of course Dwayne is here as my not-so-flattering wingman. Maybe I should order a few tequila shots.

He started to hand her the very full martini, but she put her hand up and said, “Wait, can you steady it so I can slurp off the top sip?” An amused sultriness infused her tone.

He and Dwayne quickly found each other’s eyes, trading a look before they focused on her as she slowly bent toward Jake’s hand, arching her back slightly so the tops of her breasts were on full display as her lips seductively opened.

Jake’s eyes recorded every minuscule second of her plump, glossy lips meeting the edge of the glass, then her eyelids fluttered upward as her catlike eyes sported an I got you look, obviously reveling in Jake’s surprised expression as she loudly slurped the liquid into her mouth.

From deep in his throat, a guttural “daaamn” rumbled out. Jake flexed his arm muscles, willing himself not to drop the glass.

Her big green eyes challenging him, she asked, “Did you say something or just grunt?”

“Mmm…humorous, aren’t you?” he threw out on a heavy breath. Damn, she knew what she was doing to him, probably knew exactly what he was visualizing as her plump lips touched the glass, followed by the loud slurping sound. Yep, he could definitely picture her hot mouth all over his cock.

As she stood, she murmured, “Thank you. Now I know I won’t spill.” A not-so-innocent smile curved her lips. Reaching for the glass, her long fingers grazing Jake’s. He willed his hand to open, releasing it to her.

The whole thing seemed like foreplay to Jake. And goddammit, did he ever have something he’d like to feed her, keep that mouth occupied, maybe shut her smart ass up. Grab a fistful of that hair, guide her head back and forth while watching her mouth engulf his cock. Oh yeah, he could picture it! He shuddered. Jesus, Jake, stop, he reprimanded himself as he steered his thoughts away from her lips, her cleavage, her hair, and what it would be like to touch her.

“Damn, you know how to tackle a martini, don’t you?” Dwayne said, grinning from ear to ear, the whites of his eyes growing bigger as he raised his eyebrows, mouthing Wow to Jake.

Jake tried to shake off what he’d just witnessed, subtly shifting his legs as he silently told his cock to give it up. “So I never got your name.” Jake looked at her face, hoping for a little inroad, begging his weak self for some modicum of control so he didn’t seem like a bumbling fool. God, it had been years since he’d felt so discombobulated by a woman. Wasn’t he the one that made women swoon? Made them forget their words as they tried to steady their nerves?

“That’s because I didn’t give it to you.” Her chin tilted toward him. “Got a bit of a creepy stalker vibe from you.” Her eyes shifted to Dwayne, who was chuckling. “Is Jacob here a stalker? Be honest,” she chided, purposely using the wrong name again and having a hard time stifling her own laugh as she continued to poke at him.

Jake shook his head. “It’s Jake. Jake.” He tried to sound calm, like it didn’t bother him. He kept getting the feeling she was messing with him.

“That’s right, how could I forget?” she exclaimed, theatrically placing her hand on the upper part of her cleavage. “I’ll try harder. Well, Dwayne, is your friend here a creepy stalker? Because I saw him doing the outer-thigh machine at the gym, and I’m pretty sure only creepy stalker guys do that so they can stare at the women around them doing the inner-thigh machine.”

Jake had the feeling he’d regret that ridiculous move for a long, long time.

Dwayne smiled up at Jake, who was standing between him and Rakell.

Jake squinted his eyes, slicing him with a death glare.

“No, not a stalker. Just not a lot of experience with women, so he may seem clumsy. Be gentle on him, okay? He’s kinda fragile.” Dwayne gently touched Jake’s arm before Jake swatted him away.

Rakell laughed, her chin rising up as she threw her head back. Jake couldn’t help but catch the trail of honeyed skin going from her chin down her long neck and spilling into the mounds of flesh pushed together. His eyes dropped to her breasts. That image would stay with him. He caught himself, attempting a forced laugh to mask his irritation with Dwayne.

“Dwayne here is not my best wingman,” Jake said, trying to sound lighthearted but thinking he’d like to strangle Dwayne later. On the field, he was the best wide receiver out there. Off the field, though, he sucked ass.

“So do you have a name, or were you sent from another planet to straighten my man Jake out, take him down a notch or two? Because I can definitely see someone upstairs”—Dwayne looked up to the ceiling—“wanting to see that happen.”

“I’m Rakell,” she said, extending her hand toward Dwayne while tossing Jake a smile. “Definitely not here to reform your friend.”

Rakell touched Jake’s upper arm, gently squeezing his bicep. He held his breath for a few seconds as her hand ran down the length of his arm and stopped at his wrist. “Don’t have the time or energy to fix a man,” she said, lightly squeezing his wrist before her hand dropped away.

Reflexively, Jake shut his eyes, then quickly opened them. Her touch seemed to snake down his chest, working its way between his legs. He shifted his stance, hoping nothing was showing. “Rae-kale. Pretty name.”

She smirked, caught off guard by the way he drawled her name out. “Rakell,” she repeated.

The side of his mouth shot up. “Got it. Rae-kale.”

Dwayne shook his head. “Rakell, Jake here struggles with English. He speaks Texlish, some combo of Texan and English. It’s hard to adjust to, but eventually, you learn to decipher it.”

Rolling his eyes, Jake moved to the bar behind her and ordered them all another round. He leaned into Dwayne, handing him his drink. “Here you go, jerk, an oleander mule. I’m going to miss you,” he growled under his breath. Then he steadied the new martini in front of Rakell.

She looked up at him. “Really, I have to go, so you shouldn’t have—”

“Take it with you. I don’t care where you drink it,” he said, an edge to his voice, anxious lust threading his tone. “Do you want to slurp off the top?” he asked, his mouth tight, his blue eyes taunting her. Purposefully sliding his gaze from her green eyes—which were outlined in a thin black liner and black mascara, giving them an almost cat-like look—then gradually inching down her neck to the drop necklace embedded in the top of her cleavage. “Nice necklace,” he commented, his tone coarse. He stared back at her wide eyes, meeting her surprised stare with a wicked look. “Waiting…go ahead and slurp it,” he repeated, a slight demand in his voice. “Don’t want you to spill a drop, making sure it all ends up down your throat.” His voice dropped an octave as he inched the glass closer to her. Let’s go, sweetheart. Two can play this game. “Whenever you’re ready, bend forward. Now that I know what to expect, I’ll steady it even more firmly.” His eyes bore into her as she looked up at him nervously.

“Jeepers,” he heard Dwayne whisper just before he drew in an audible breath. Jake didn’t look his way, instead digging his gaze into hers, letting her know that he was controlling this show now.

His intensity pricked the surface of her skin. She could feel herself losing the control she’d had. “Yes, yes,” she said between a couple of forced breaths before slowly bending her head to slurp the top liquid out of the martini glass, her eyes caught on his fingers holding the stem. Then the visual converted to the sensory input of those same fingers working her wet folds. Oh God. Her chest moved up and down just a little more than it had been. Her head popped up as she cleared her throat, squeezing her thighs together.

Jake twerked his lips, raising an eyebrow, not moving his eyes off her. Gotcha, sweetheart.

“Damn, that was hot.” Dwayne’s comment cut through the tension. “Who are you meeting here tonight?”

“A friend,” she said, her voice tremulous, again unsure of what to say.

“A guy?” Dwayne looked at Jake, who was unabashedly staring at Rakell.

She could sense his eyes on her profile. “Yes—two,” she said weakly.

“Damn…two. Jake and I are up for that anytime.” He grinned before he felt Jake’s smack on his arm. “Hey,” he jolted, his eyes narrowing on Jake.

Rakell laughed, thankful for the levity. “Not sure you guys could handle it,” she said, winking. Just then, she caught sight of Matt and his friend walking by the window to the front door. “Oh, sorry—I do have to go.” Grabbing her purse in one hand and her drink in the other, she placed a foot on the floor, shifting forward on the stool.

Jake cupped her elbow, steadying her as she slid off the stool. She couldn’t help but absorb the strength in his hand, a power she knew wound up his arms, through his torso and permeated the muscles of his long legs. “Ahh…thank…I…” She sucked in quickly.

“Thanks for hanging with us,” he stated graciously, absorbing the nervous expression that suddenly washed across her face. He’d broken through that smart-ass façade, hadn’t he? A Cheshire cat grin sprang to his lips.

“Um, yeah. Thanks for the conversation,” she said, tossing Dwayne a glance. He smiled back. “And for the drinks.” She held the martini glass up to Jake. “I owe you.” Her tongue slid over her right eye tooth, teasing the tip.

Was it a nervous or seductive gesture? Jake couldn’t tell.

She stood up straight, taking a couple steps past Jake.

“Yeah…you do,” Jake drawled out in a low, gruff tone, turning to watch her hips swivel past him.

She glanced back, not sure what he’d said, but it sounded dirty to her. His commanding voice had registered between her legs as his stare, heavy…hung on her. Quickly she turned her head away from his blue-eyed, almost invasive, gaze. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the author:


1. Most places and establishments mentioned in Austin Heat are locations you can visit. Which place/establishment would you most like to visit?
2. Since this book is purposely written in a ‘non-trope’ style, which scene did you ‘not see coming’?
3. What do you think is Rakell’s greatest trepidation about emotional intimacy?
4. Rakell is a complicated/convoluted character: she is simultaneously sexually experienced but lacks a dating history. Talk about how you think that would impact someone attempting to enter the dating scene. In this way, how are Jake and Rakell alike?
5. With Jake in mind, what advantages/disadvantages does family upbringing give a person when in adult relationships?
6. How do you think Jake will react to the fact that Rakell is a sexual escort?
7. Who is your favorite character?
8. What character do you want to see more of in future books?
9. Based on the content of the book can you guess the author’s (30 year+) profession?

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