Page 1

Chapter 1

Mia

Have a rural get away in the Town of Hog Wash!

I believe in signs from the universe and I can’t stop staring at this poster while sitting on the train. It must be hard to work at the tourist department for a town called Hog Wash. But the picture of a fall festival and happy families does look appealing. It’s not something I would normally consider, but I’m on my way back from a meeting with my book agent.

Having a book agent makes it sound like I’m a professional writer. But I’m not a professional writer, not in the strictest sense of being paid for what I do. I’m a struggling writer. A starving artist. A part time website designer, who works from home so I can sit staring at my computer till 1am and call it writing.

“The feedback is that there is not enough romance.” My agent said. That is sort of the worst thing to say considering it is a romance book and I want to be a romance writer.

“And the characters need more depth. Maybe take more from real life?”

The problem is that I don’t know any people in real life. All my writer friends are in online chat rooms. My last boyfriend was years ago. That experience was enough to tell me that I like my romance purely fictional. I order my food online. I live in a tiny apartment where I can hear the neighbours through the wall but it’s not the kind of place where you duck next door for a cup of sugar.

Have a rural get away in the Town of Hog Wash

That’s what I need. A writer’s weekend away. I have this image in my mind of this being what writers do. They tuck themselves away in a cabin, no interruptions. Just fresh, country air. A rural landscape. Some small town charm. But it’s about getting the book finished.

It’s a day's drive and it’s getting dark as I cruise through the main street of Hog Wash. There are hay bales and garlands of fall leaves strung up between light posts. The small shops feel like a step back in time. The butcher, fruit and vegetables, the general store. Checking my map, I make my way out of town, the houses getting further and further apart, until I pull up in front of a big old house. There is a wrap-around porch, complete with porch swing. The windows are dark. And the sun has definitely set, a faint orange glow lingering on the horizon.

I had found accommodation in my budget but the pictures had been of the bed, the kitchenette, and a window with a view of a forest. There hadn’t been a picture of the front of the house. And this place feels way out of my budget. But the address is correct.

I get out of the car with a mix of fear and excitement. This is my first trip away by myself. I’m looking forward to the picture I have in my mind of writing all weekend. No distractions. But I am a city girl. I’ve never been anywhere where they don’t have street lights. It feels a bit like the start of a scary movie. So I’m relieved to find the key in the mail box, as it should be. Okay, I’m in the right place. With laptop bag over my shoulder and telling myself to be brave, I march up to the front door, excited to be doing something that will take me that bit closer to being a published writer.

It’s dark on the front porch, but there is enough light to know that this key is not matched to this lock. The key is new, shiny and silver. The lock is old. Ancient old. I look all around the door for a newer deadbolt. Nothing. Check the address again. Check all the information. There is no contact info for the accommodation I booked. I stand there staring at the key in my hand.

The town had looked closed up, and so with no other options, I knock on the big wooden door.

No answer. No sounds from inside.

Panic setting in I knock louder. Banging on the door with my fist for a good minute.

The porch light flicks on. The door swings open. A man on the other side. Naked except for a towel. Wet. Muscular. Sexy.

I take a big gulp as I take in the naked chest in front of me. Tanned. A six pack stomach. Droplets of water running over his chest, down a little valley in the middle, down those stomach muscles. Slowly traveling to his belly button. A big hand gripping the towel. I know my mouth is gapping open. I’ve never seen anything like this in real life. My hands itch to reach out and touch.

I feel like I’ve been dropped into a porn movie and I stare, waiting for him to open that towel and reveal what is beneath.

There is a loud clearing of his throat.

Shiiiittttt!

I blink up at his face. Holy Steamy Romance! He is so sexy. Wet dark hair, short but long enough at the front to fall over his forehead. Dark brows. Dark eyes. A sharp jawline, aquiline nose. Nice mouth. I write romance, I know sexy, and this guy could be on all the covers. The naked chest. The sexy glare. It’s enough to make my uterus jump up and down. I feel hot all over, weak at the knees. All the symptoms of attraction I’ve written about but never really experienced before.

He arches one perfect eyebrow. His mouth forms into a little half smile.

Shit! I’m still staring. I clamp my mouth shut. Ignoring the blush I can feel spreading across my cheeks. ”Ah, sorry. I’m Mia. I was given this address…” I just run out of words. I’m not great at talking to strangers at the best of times and right now is not one of my best times. I’m tired and flustered. My sentence left unfinished, I shrug my shoulders, blinking up at the sexy, naked guy.

He smiles. Crap, he looks even better when he smiles. “Mia. Of course. I’m Ronan. The cabin is out the back. If you give me a moment I’ll show you the way.”

“No.” I put up my hand. “I’ll find it.”

I’ve never found anything alone in the dark before. But I want to get away from sexy, naked guy. He has me feeling things I shouldn’t be feeling. You know that saying that those who can’t do, teach? Well, I’m of the can’t be loved and so I write romance group. I just want to get away, withdraw and be on my own.

Backing away, I take in one last look at the magnificent male body in front of me. I may never see anything like that again up close again. And then, in a flustered flurry, I turn and run down the steps to make my way down the drive around the back of the house. Lights come on as I jog down the driveway. They could be on sensors but I have a feeling sexy, naked man is flicking them on to light my way. That means he is watching me in my big girl jeans with the elastic waist and my over-sized sweater. Probably not having the same reaction to me as I had to him.

Behind the house is the cabin. The key fits. I turn the lights on and look back to the big house, watching as those lights are almost all turned off again. The cabin is lovely. One big room with a kitchenette in the corner, a fireplace, a lounge and a desk. I flop onto the bed. Eyes closed. All I can see is that body. And that face. Those eyes. And the smile.