Dee S. Knight
Somebody likes it hot.
I'm somebody!
Somebody likes it hot.
I'm somebody!
One Woman Only, the Good Man Series, Book 2
As far as anyone knows, Jonah Goodman has spent his adult life doing a little of this and a little of that. Everyone thinks he’s good at many things but a master at none. It isn't that he doesn't have the brains or even the heart to be a master. He doesn't have the commitment. He's not like his brother Daniel, so focused on his goal that he blocks out everything else, or his other triplet brother, Mark, to whom focus is unthinkingly part of his genius. Whether his lack of follow through stems from fear or self-doubt, no one but Jonah knows. But it all started his senior year of high school, when he took the virginity of his girl, Kelly Shepherd. He immediately broke up with her and went so far as to drop out of school and move away. Since then, he’s found his place as a simple—but excellent—mechanic, well-known in the world of NASCAR. Now, he's about to meet up with Kelly again in a most interesting venue—his parents' wedding.
Kelly Shepherd has always liked Mr. and Mrs. Goodman. They were the town characters—she a former stripper who had triplets out of wedlock, and he an affable thief who did his time and then came home to be sheltered in the open arms of their small town. Kelly's parents, rich factory owners and employers of most of the town, would never be so loved and appreciated as the Goodmans. Nor would they love each other as the Goodmans did. Or show such open affection for their children. Jonah's parents were one of the reasons Kelly was so happy to start dating him in their senior year. Then she handed over her V-card and everything went to hell. She never even knew why. Now, after a disastrous marriage, a necessary divorce, and a career choice that still disappoints her parents, Kelly is finally returning home to see the couple she most admires marry each other after more than thirty-six years of "living in sin." Her mother's words, not hers. She thinks the one thing spoiling the thought of the weekend is the chance she might see the only man to break her heart. No, not her worthless husband. Jonah Goodman. But there's more, much more ahead.
"Another FANTASTIC book in this series!
This is the second book I've read in the series, and I'm SO ready for more!
I just love Dee's writing; it's so smart, flows easily and her characters are so believable. The dialogue is such that I could actually imagine being in a room with Jonah and Daniel when they go back and forth with each other.
Speaking of Jonah, all I'll say is if you like the "long lost love" trope, you will eat up this story. Things didn't exactly work out for he and Kelly the first time around, but she was never far from his thoughts and that was just so endearing.
And Kelly. I certainly felt for her with everything she had to endure, both in her past and in her present (her mother was a little...let's just say I would have totally lost it if her mother was my mother!)
This story truly had me hooked from the first page, and I'm very much enjoying my time with the Goodman brothers!"
5 Stars--Lauren Seiberling, Romance Novel Giveaways
"I loved this beautifully written second chance romance. Jonah and Kelly are very appealing characters and I rooted for them to find happiness together the second time around. I like the way Jonah proves to Kelly that he is the man for her, in and out of the bedroom, by supporting her in her business venture. The secondary characters are nice too. The writing is sparkling and the dialogue zings. Thoroughly recommended."
5 Stars--Alice Renaud, author of the Sea of Love series
"A great read. The relationship between Jonah and Kelly begs to answer the question can lost love ever be resurrected? I, myself, believe it can. But as Jonah and Kelly find out, truly loving another person means first finding your own inner strength, letting go of the past, and not only sharing a bed but sharing your heart as well. Five stars."
5 stars--Suzanne Smith, author of The Brute and I
"May I have this dance?"
Kelly turned at the sound of Jonah's voice behind her. Dinner had ended. All three of the boys had given best man speeches and Eve had even given a very creditable matron of honor speech, considering she had only known Marilyn and Caleb a short time. Lots of toasts had been raised and finally the live band had struck up the music. Caleb led his bride onto the floor for a foxtrot—a dance more than half of the guests had no idea how to do, including her.
Facing Jonah she sighed inwardly at how scrumptious he looked. Sure, his face was pretty much displayed on his brothers' heads, too, but there was something different about Jonah. His nose was just a little crooked from when Bobby Hendricks had broken it in ninth grade and his eyes held an especially bright sparkle in his eyes when he smiled. Maybe… Well, she didn't know what caused the difference between Jonah and his brothers. Whatever it was, she had never been fooled by the so-called identical nature of the identical triplets. She'd wanted to be his girl since elementary school. Thought she would be in high school. And then forced every last thought of him from her mind from senior year on.
Until now.
"I don't know how to foxtrot."
He shrugged. "Who does except those over fifty?" He glanced at his folks, still alone on the dancefloor, although a few couples were wandering out to join them now. "We can pretend."
She mentally compared standing on the sidelines alone now that Mama Rio left the party, or being held in Jonah's arms. Smiling, Kelly held out her hands. "Just don't step on my toes, Jonah Goodman, or there'll be hell to pay."
"Yes, ma'am." Together they walked onto the dancefloor. He took her right hand in his left and placed his right hand on her waist. Fortunately for them, the music changed to a slow tempo. Kelly laid her head on Jonah's shoulder, and he tugged her closer as they swayed to the music.
"This is nice," he murmured.
"Yes it is," she replied. So very nice. He smelled good. Beneath the light citrus fragrance of his aftershave was a slight whiff of pure man with maybe a twinge of motor oil or something so Jonah it brought tears to her eyes.
He rubbed a path up to her shoulder blades and gave a squeeze. "You fit me perfectly, Kelly."
"I do?"
"You sure do. I think our hearts can feel each other beat."
Kelly chuckled. "Smooth talker. Face to face like this our hearts are on opposite sides."
"Hey! I'm trying to be romantic here."
She sighed. "Keep on. It's appreciated."
"You smell…good."
She felt his smile. Raising her head she gave him a mock glare. "Watch it with those pregnant pauses, buster."
He used his hand to press her head back to his shoulder. "You do smell good, though. This isn't the same perfume you wore in high school. That was—"
"Lilac," they said at the same time. Once more she raised her head to look at him. "How did you remember that?"
"I remember much more than you might think." He turned her and moved her closer to the door onto the patio. "Each spring when lilacs are in bloom memories come flooding back. Does that surprise you?"
"More like shocks me," she said, grinning. And then she laid her head on his shoulder once more, finding she liked it more and more there in his arms. She stepped slightly closer and his arm tightened about her.
"Well, after a while I thought lilac seemed too girlish. I like the vintage scents, so in college I wore Wind Song. Then Shalimar was the scent Brad liked me to wear." She felt Jonah stiffen when she mentioned her ex, and really she didn't blame him. "But when I grew up enough finally to take charge of my own life, I started wearing Chanel No 5. A complex fragrance for what I hope is a complex woman."
"It suits you. Complex and beautiful." He kissed her temple. "Want to step outside for a minute?"
"Sure. It is a little warm in here."
On the patio, they could hear the sounds of the people from the television networks packing up equipment, chatting and laughing. Stars shone brightly in the clear night sky. Wood smoke from someone's fireplace wafted through the air and static electricity fairly crackled in the crispness of the autumn air.
"This is my favorite time of year," Kelly said. "The heat of summer is gone and winter nights curled up with a hot drink and blazing fire are ahead."
"Not me. I'm a summer boy all the way."
"A hothead you mean?" she teased.
"Oh, I'm hot all right." He waggled his brows at her. Kelly laughed.
"I do seem to remember that about you."
"You used to be pretty hot yourself. Still are." He leaned in. His eyes flicked down to her lips. Kelly sucked in a breath. She should stop him, she really should.
