A Little Naughty

Series:

Be Still #4

Genre:

Single Parent Romance,

Marriage of Convenience,

Opposites Attract,

Husband-Wife Romance,

Release Date: March 14, 2024

I wasn’t planning to propose to Raif Jones, the bad boy from the wrong side of town.
The one with the tattooed muscles, naughty blue eyes, and dimpled, James-Dean grin.

You see, it all started with a series of bad decisions.
First was flirting with a dangerous criminal to rescue a little girl I didn’t even know.
Second was throwing a massive, masked gala in my small-town hideout (complete with drag queens) and not expecting to draw attention…

Then Raif rode in on a motorcycle and melted my undies (and my heart), saying he wouldn’t let anybody hurt me.
Of course, I asked him to marry me.
Imagine my surprise when he said yes.

We’re a little naughty and a lot hot, and the perks of being married are very… perky.
They’re perky in the shower, on the kitchen table, against the front door…

Until Bad Decision #1 tracks me down (thanks to Bad Decision #2), and my outlaw husband turns Alpha Protector, risking everything to keep us safe.
It’s just a marriage of convenience. It’s supposed to have an end date.
But when the dust settles, walking away from Raif Jones could be the worst decision I’ve ever made.

(A LITTLE NAUGHTY is a small-town, marriage of convenience romance with single-mom vibes, a protective hero, no third-act breakup, and light suspense. No cheating. No cliffhanger.)

Then the old man says the words, “Til death do you part,” and my breath catches.

Raif repeats the words without missing a beat, and with a steadying inhale, I do the same. Monay huffs a little noise that sounds like a sob.

“Do you have the rings?” The man asks.

Monay steps forward to hand me the simple gold band Cass helped me buy online from James Allen. A half smile curls Raif’s lips as he watches me hold his hand and put it on his finger.

“Never thought of myself as a ring guy.” Warmth is in his tone, and he slides it around with his thumb. “I like it.”

I feel bad we didn’t really talk about this part. “It’s okay if you didn’t—”

“I hope you don’t mind.” He holds my hand in his and slides a delicate, gold ring onto my finger. “It was my mother’s.”

Emotions flood my chest, drowning my already aching heart. My lips part, but I can’t speak. The ring is beautiful with tiny diamonds wrapped in filigree swirls. I lift my finger, holding it close to my chest like a precious treasure.

“You may now kiss the bride.” The man holds his hands up, and Raif touches my chin.

My eyes are on his tie, and my bottom lip goes between my teeth.

“Look at me, Jemima.” It’s a low order, but I shake my head.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?” I hear the grin in his voice, and I force my eyes to blink up to his.

The intensity is stronger than ever, and I can’t hold his gaze. “I thought I could do this, but now I don’t know. I’m afraid.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“You. You’re so gorgeous. It’s all so beautiful.”

And I want it to be real so much, I don’t say that part out loud. “Just hold on to me, pretty girl. I told you, I’ll never let you get hurt.” He cups my cheek in his hand, placing his thumb on my chin. “I’m going to kiss my wife now.”