Krista Nelson loves being a pediatric nurse. What she doesn’t love is her demanding boss and stressful workload. Fortunately, Krista knows she can count on a waterfront happy hour every Wednesday with her childhood best friend, Noah Sawyer, the one part of her life she never wants to change. But, like it or not, things are changing—because Krista can’t stop wondering what would happen if she grabbed Noah by the collar and kissed him like it was her job.
Bored of the superficial women he’s been dating, Noah’s putting his love life on hold so he can focus on his family’s high-end fishing business. Sure, there are moments when he’s tempted by Krista’s soft lips and killer smile—but her friendship is too important to Noah. How could he let himself jeopardize everything they share? The trouble is, if he doesn’t take the real risk of opening his heart, Noah might just let the perfect catch get away.
Bored of the superficial women he’s been dating, Noah’s putting his love life on hold so he can focus on his family’s high-end fishing business. Sure, there are moments when he’s tempted by Krista’s soft lips and killer smile—but her friendship is too important to Noah. How could he let himself jeopardize everything they share? The trouble is, if he doesn’t take the real risk of opening his heart, Noah might just let the perfect catch get away.
Noah looked at the ground to keep from noticing her curves, which
were all too noticeable in the fitted jeans and T-shirt she had on.
“It’s great for fishing.”
Krista frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “Fishing? Is that
all you Sawyer boys ever think about?”
“Pretty much,” he said. Until recently. Now, all he seemed to
think about was her and that kiss they’d shared. “Let’s go
inside. I can’t wait to show you the place.” He hoisted her bag
off her shoulder and onto his, then led the way up the stone walkway
to the hardwood front door.
Krista looked to her right and gave a little squeal. “There’s a
porch swing, too! I love this place already!”
Noah pushed the front door open and gestured her inside.
Krista squealed some more, moving from one room to another. “This
is the perfect honeymoon setting for Grace and Jack. Who needs some
fancy island resort when you have a place like this at your
disposal?”
“And sex toys to boot,” Noah added, taking Krista’s bag to the
main bedroom. “You get to stay in the big bedroom tonight.”
Krista followed him and immediately went to the window overlooking
the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you
guys ever bring me here with you?”
“Because you’re a girl.”
Krista glanced over her shoulder. “I’ve always been one of the
guys to you, though.” A sadness shaded her blue eyes. Was he
imagining that? Did she regret the relationship they’d had until
now?
Setting her bag down, Noah walked up beside her to peer out. “Wanna
climb later?”
Krista’s lips parted—and he couldn’t help but notice how plump
that bottom lip of hers was. He wanted to take it in his own mouth
and give it a little nibble. He wanted to hear her sigh into his
mouth the way she had a few weeks back. “Are you serious?”
He shook his head. “Not often. And no. I don’t climb. I fish,
canoe, and take up residence on that front porch swing while I’m
here.”
“Sounds like heaven.” A smile lifted her rose-colored lips.
“Grace and Jack are going to have a great time.” She turned
around and crossed her arms. “Okay. So we’re here on business,
not pleasure. What needs to be done?”
Noah shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “A little
dusting, I guess. Change the bedsheets.”
“I brought silk ones,” Krista told him.
Noah narrowed his eyes. “Jack isn’t going to want silk sheets on
his bed.”
“It’s their honeymoon and it’s romantic. And Grace will want
them, so she wins.”
Noah frowned, but didn’t argue just yet. “We need to stock the
freezer and the pantry. I brought a few things for you and me to have
tonight. Tomorrow morning, we can head out to get supplies for the
happy couple.”
“Okay.”
“And I need to cut some wood for the fireplace.”
Krista clasped her hands at her chest and got a dreamy look on her
face. “A fire is romantic, too.”
“This is a new side of you I haven’t seen before. Since when do
you like romantic things?”
Krista met his gaze. “Since always. In case you haven’t noticed
Noah, I’m a woman.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed.” He didn’t intend the deep rasp in his
voice. Coupled with the way their gazes locked, the space between
them was purely electric. If he hadn’t gotten such a good handle on
his impulse control when he was younger, he’d be pressing her
against that wood paneled wall right now and kissing her silly.
Pulling that plump bottom lip between his teeth and tasting her
again. He cleared his throat, impulses locked down. “It’s
supposed to get cold down here this weekend. I’ll chop some extra
wood for us. Not to add any romance, of course.”
Krista took a step back, a small laugh tumbling out of her. “Of
course.”
Noah hitched a finger behind him. “I’ll just go change clothes
and head outside to chop a few pieces. It’ll be dark in a couple
hours and that’s when the temperature really drops. If I remember
correctly, you don’t like being cold.”
“I’ve always said I’d rather be on a sunny beach. But I never
had this to compare it to. I might prefer this.”
Noah watched Krista. Her excitement was contagious. “I’m glad you
like it here.” And he needed to go chop that wood pronto because
Krista was right. He’d never seen the romance in this place. It was
just a cabin where he could appreciate the outdoors from a different
view. Having Krista here with him, though, turned that view on its
head, and he saw why his parents had come here on their honeymoon.
And Sam and Abby, too, way back when they were a couple. Now it was
Jack and Grace’s turn. “You can just put those items from Sugar
and Spicy away. I’ll be back soon.” After he’d worked off his
energy and his attraction to Krista.
3.5 Stars
Stolen Kisses is the second title in the Blushing Bay series. This is an enjoyable, friends to lovers contemporary romance, that can be read as a standalone.
Krista and Nate have been best friends since childhood. Nate has demons and has a tendency to be a bit flaky, he is content with the bachelor lifestyle, and has issues with commitment. Apart from his long standing friendship with Krista, that proves he's capable of commitment, just unwilling to tie himself to someone or something long term.
Krista feelings have developed beyond friendship for Nate, which is easy to imagine as he is her protector, confidante, and best friend who she turns to for comfort and in times of woe.
I struggled a bit to relate to Krista, and found her character to be lacking some depth and dimension.
Stolen Kisses is a sweet romance, with alot of hot scenes but the author has a tendency to fade out just as things start to get interesting.
This was my first time reading anything written by Annie Raines and I look forward to experiencing more of her work in the future.
Annie Rains is a USA Today bestselling author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.