Ravish: Cottonwood Falls, #3

By Aliyah Burke

There are times when you just need to return to your roots

On the heels of landing his largest part yet, Brody Paget, has returned from Hollywood to Cottonwood Falls, to share the news with a family he's not seen in years. Still, sometimes it's harder to let go of what you've run from than expected and he learns that when he is reunited with the one woman he's ever loved. She just also happens to be the woman he left at the altar.

Hermione Windsor can't believe it when he walks into the bank. Even ten years wasn't long enough for her to move on. Now, he was back and wanted to rekindle what they had. She's changed since he'd bolted and isn't sure she has what it takes to be part of his fast life. Brody is determined to prove to her he's still the only man for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sensual Romance Publishing
• Release date: Jun 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533734358

Aliyah Burke

Aliyah Burke is a USA Today Bestselling Author who’s an avid reader and never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She is happily married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days at the day job, writing, and working with her dogs. She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. If you would like to be kept abreast of what's going on in the world of Aliyah, please join her newsletter: http://aliyah-burke.com/newsletter.htm and/or cozy newsletter: http://aliyah-burke.com/abnewsm.htm Other places to find her on social media are: Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Aliyah-Burke/e/B007PQRFOQ Book Bub -  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aliyah-burke Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/263660.Aliyah_Burke Website - http://www.aliyah-burke.com Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/aliyah.burke.5  Facebook Author Page -  https://www.facebook.com/AliyahBurkeAuthor Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/aliyahburke5 Twitter -  https://twitter.com/AliyahBurke96 Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/burke.aliyah

Book preview

Ravish

RAVISH

A SECOND CHANCE, SMALL TOWN ROMANCE

COTTONWOOD FALLS

BOOK THREE

ALIYAH BURKE

Sensual Romance Publishing

CONTENTS

Ravish

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

About the Author

Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:

Ravish

Copyright © 2014 Aliyah Burke

Cover illustration copyright © Covers By K Designs

Sensual Romance Publishing logo © MMJ Designs

Editor: Jessica Bimberg

ISBN:

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher or author. The unauthorized replication or allocation of any copyrighted work is illegal. File sharing is an international crime, prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice and the United States Border Patrol, Division of Cyber Crimes, in partnership with Interpol. Copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by up to five years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 per reported instance, and seizure of computers.

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

Published by: Sensual Romance Publishing

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RAVISH

A SECOND CHANCE, SMALL TOWN ROMANCE

CHAPTER 1

He had returned to Cottonwood Falls.

Hermione Windsor ducked her head as he scanned the bank interior. She knew what others would see when they looked at him. A man whose appearance was identical to that of an up-and-coming action movie star. In fact, most might not know it was Brody Paget, who’d at one time lived here in Cottonwood Falls. After all, once he’d left here, he’d changed his name to Alton Rivers…his screen name.

They may not know, but she did. With a sniff, she lifted her head. She had no reason to be ashamed. She wasn’t the one who’d left. She hadn’t abandoned her fiancé without a word. And yet, seeing him, here and now, brought it back. All of it. The good, the bad, and the excruciatingly painful.

Taking a deep breath, she withdrew the money and counted it out to Mrs. Cofax who waited. There you are, Mrs. Cofax. Have a great day.

You know, Hermione. You’re always such a joy. Every day I see you, you’re always so cheerful. Aren’t you the president yet?

Not feeling particularly cheery right now. Thank you. I’m waiting a year or so more before my takeover, she said, smiling at the man behind her current customer, the actual president of the bank.

She’ll have my job very soon, Mrs. Cofax, Mr. Pringle commented. Mark my words, she’s destined.

The woman turned and welcomed him. Beyond them, Hermione spied Brody still in line. His shades hid his dark brown gaze. I wonder if karma will bite me for avoiding him. Bite. A singular word, which tempted her with memories. She’d done that to him a time or two, as well as being the recipient of some marks herself. No. I will not go there.

Ms. Windsor, her boss said. A moment.

She up moved her closed window sign in position with a sigh, gave Mrs. Cofax a farewell smile, and left the chair. Mr. Pringle met her at the end of the four teller windows.

Yes, sir?

I wanted to thank you again for coming in to help out.

No need. Shelia didn’t plan to go into labor early. I have no problem running a window. I’ve been running one since high school.

It’s just not common for you to do so anymore, especially as you’re now the finance officer of the bank.

He sounded distraught, and she hastened to calm his fears. We’re family. I will help people when they need it. Our patrons understand we’re short staffed currently.

I’ll take over now. I know you haven’t had a lunch.

Sure thing. If Brody was in here, it was the last place she needed to be. On the other hand… No, I don’t need to do this now.

Moving to the back, she grabbed her container of leftover perciatelli and meatballs then placed it in the microwave. While it reheated, she withdrew her salad before she added the breadsticks for the final remaining seconds of the heating process of the pasta.

At the small table, she ate, in no particular rush, enjoying her meal. The rest of her day flowed along smoothly. It was later than she’d planned when she left, for she had some paperwork to catch