Tuesday, August 9, 2022

What's It Gonna Take - Burgers and Brew Crรผe #5 - by Lacey Black (Garreth and Reagan)





BLURB

Garreth

From the first moment I saw Reagan Turner at the bar and restaurant I help manage, I was drawn like never before. She was dating someone at the time, which meant she was off-limits, until the jerk broke up with her. I can’t get her out of my head, can’t stop wanting to kiss those perfectly lush lips. Fighting this attraction has been my kryptonite.

So, I give in to temptation.

Now, all bets are off. One touch, one kiss, one night will never be enough. Of course, I wasn’t factoring in us working together, which means I have to keep my desire—and my hands—to myself.

Should be easy enough.


Reagan

There’s something about the charismatic, flirty bar manager that pulls me in. When my boyfriend breaks up with me via text message, I suddenly see Garreth Taylor in a whole new light. He’s gorgeous, fun, caring, and everything a single woman could ever want. And for some reason, he seems to have his sights set on me, even if he doesn’t say it outright.

So, I make the first move.

The result is both explosive and dynamic, and before I know it, one night turns to two. He has a hang-up, however, about being professional while at work, and draws a line in the sand.

Looks like I’ll have to show him how fun it can be to cross it.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





EXCERPT

My blood is boiling.
What kind of douche canoe sends a text to break up with a woman, and then shows up at the same place said woman you just broke up with is eating dinner?
Justin fucking Morales, that’s who.
I want to punch him in his smug, dirtbag face, but I won’t because my employers frown upon it. Well, maybe not Jameson as much as the others, especially when he hears what happened to his wife’s cousin. He’d probably jump to the head of the line to knock out a few teeth.
I remember growing up with Jameson and Walker. They definitely weren’t afraid to get into parking lot scuffles. We didn’t hang in the same circles, but I never had any issues with them. I was just more focused on getting good grades, playing baseball, and getting into college.
Reagan approaches where I stand, eavesdropping on her confrontation and not ashamed in the least. Her eyes are cast down at first, and when they finally meet mine, I can see her embarrassment and anger swirling together like a tornado. Part of me wants to reach out and pull her against my chest, vowing to kick his ass for hurting her, but I know she won’t appreciate that right now.
Instead, I go to the one place I know will get a reaction out of her. “I’m so turned on right now,” I mutter, throwing her a wink and a smile.
And just like that, the shock and rage reflecting in her stunning eyes falls away and is replaced by laughter. “Oh my God,” she sputters through her giggle fit. “What is wrong with you?”
See? This right here. I’d rather see her happy and laughing instead of what that asshole made her feel like. When she smiles, there’s this light that surrounds her. It’s vibrant and makes me feel like I won a million dollars or something equally as badass.
“You wound me, love.” I place a hand over my heart and sigh dramatically.
Reagan rolls her eyes, much as I’d expect her to. “You’re nuts.”
I sober and step closer, greedily breathing in her sweet scent. “Do you want me to drop a drink in his lap? Or maybe step on his patty before I serve it? I’d do it in a heartbeat, for you,” I tell her, only half-joking.
Reagan gives me a sad smile, and Jesus, I don’t like it. “I do appreciate the offer, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Please don’t make any health code violations on my behalf,” she replies with the faintest grin on her pretty lips.
“If you change your mind, send me a signal, okay? Maybe blow me a kiss from across the room or twerk. Twerking’s always good.”
Her face completely relaxes as she laughs and shakes her head. “You’re terrible. I’m going to head back to my friends,” she says, reaching out and squeezing my arm. Little bolts of lightning streak through my veins and land firmly in my balls. It’s hard to just stand here and watch her walk away. “Oh, Garreth?”
Glancing up, I meet her gaze. “Yes?”
“Thank you. For making me smile.” She rewards me with another small smile.
My throat is tight with emotion. “Anytime.”
Reagan rejoins her party, immediately jumping into an animated telling of what happened over with Justin. As much as I’d love to go over there, I can’t. I have a job to do, which right now, is serving the ex. Even if I’d rather kick his ass out or just flat out refuse to serve him, that’s not my job, and I always strive to do the best job I can.
Dammit.






ALSO AVAILABLE


99c for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






COMING SOON


HOME SWEET HOME

Releasing January 10

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Only available at the following
retailers for a limited time







AUTHOR BIO


USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.


AUTHOR LINKS




I received a complimentary early release e-book prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a standalone story within the series, and it stars Reagan and Garreth. It is a fun, flirty romance between two flirty acquaintances/friends of friends and who have crushed on each other for 4 years. It is a slow burn story and I really enjoyed it though it's a pretty slow-moving story. Perfect for a beach or pool read. 

Garreth is a divorced guy so when he met Reagan four years before he flirted and crushed on her from afar. Now four years later she is single and ends up employed at the restaurant he manages, and he is still majorly crushing on her. But he is also hesitant to start something with her because he is her boss. 

It is not a forbidden relationship as there is no rule against dating but it's more of making it work as relationships at work can get complicated. There are some fun twists ahead for Gareth and Reagan and I really loved their journey to happily ever after. 

There are lots of family connections in this story. We get to see all the previous couples in this series and their kids, and it was fun seeing them have ladies' nights and BBQ's. I also loved the addition of Garreth's family, and his mom was a total sweetheart.

 


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