Strung Along (Cherry Peak, #1)

by Hannah Cowan

“Brody is all bark and no bite. Don’t worry about all the scowling.” I highly doubt that, but instead of saying exactly that, I look at Brody and smile saccharinely. My next words just explode from my mouth before I can think twice about them. “My sister’s a vet, so I’m not afraid of rabid animals.”

You don’t have to lose someone to miss them. Not physically.

I can take care of myself, but I also deserve to be taken care of if I wish to be. Truly taken care of.

“You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” “When it comes to you, that’s the one thing I can’t seem to do.”

“And what am I?” he asks, nearly groaning the question. Digging into the well of my confidence, I answer, “My man.”

My man. Her man. Hers, hers, hers. It’s the most important title I think I’ve ever had.

“I make you come, Anna, you’re mine. No more goin’ in circles. You’ll be my woman.”

“It’d be easier to fall in love with you, Annalise Heights. And I’ve never been a fan of careful.”

“I’ve never been one to believe in any sort of afterlife. No God and pearly gates. But hell if I’m not considerin’ it now.” He swallows, staring straight at me. “’Cause there’s no fuckin’ way my daughter didn’t send you here to be with her boy.”