One unforgettable night changes everything. Zion Priestly has one regret—not getting the full name of the woman he’d spent the most incredible night of his life with. It’s been almost a year, and not a day goes by without him thinking about her. But when a twist of fate brings them face-to-face, Zion is shocked. Especially when she hits him with unexpected news.
Raven Shepherd thought a positive pregnancy test weeks after returning from Vegas was the biggest surprise of her life. Wrong. Running into Zion, the mystery man who she had a one-night stand with wins that award. Who knew leaving Houston to get away from her unhinged ex-boyfriend would send her into the arms of the man she hasn’t stopped dreaming about? Their sexual chemistry is even more intense than before, but Zion is younger than her—something Raven didn’t realize. As for him, he can’t seem to wrap his mind around the fact that he’s a father.
Just as they manage to push aside all the obstacles keeping them from being together, Raven’s ex shows up with a shocking revelation. Can Zion and Raven have the future they desire? Or will a master manipulator’s lies and schemes keep them from truly being a family?
*All books in this series can be read as standalones.
He grabbed his jacket from the front closet, then walked around the building to his parents’ cottage.
Years ago, after leaving their corporate America jobs, they had purchased the Italian architectural style Greystone and turned it into a B & B. It was several stories high and had seven-bedroom suites, a huge eat-in kitchen, dining room, living room, and a library. His mother and father resided in the two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage located behind the main building.
Instead of just walking into their place, Zion rang the doorbell. He needed to set a few things straight with his mother, but what he really wanted to do was talk to his dad. Israel Priestly was the best man, and the best listener Zion knew, and he rarely exerted an opinion unless asked. Even then, he’d ask enough questions to make a person come to their own conclusion before they realized he hadn’t answered their question.
Zion had the best parents in the world, who absolutely adored their family. They made a great team. While his mother was loving, kind, and always had a hug for them, his father could be best described as the strong, silent type. Still, his dad’s presence was always seen and felt especially when Zion and his sisters were growing up. His father attended practically every soccer, basketball, and football game. As well as recitals, swim meets, and a host of other activities they participated in.
While his dad was mostly responsible for getting them around until Zion’s sister, Essence, was old enough to drive, their mother took care of the house. Despite working a full-time job, there was always a home cooked meal for them every day during the week. Sometimes that included leftovers, but she always made sure there was food on the table. She loved cooking and baking, especially for her family. Opening a bed and breakfast seemed like a natural fit for her and his dad.
The door swung open, and his mother stood there with her hand on her hip watching him. She had changed out of her work clothes and into lounging pajamas that were still dressy enough to wear out in public.
Normally, she had a smile and a hug for everyone she met, but right now, she wasn’t smiling and made no move to hug him. Zion couldn’t read her expression, but she wasn’t one for keeping her thoughts to herself for long.
Maybe I should’ve gone home to eat. With Onyx at the neighbors’ house, Zion didn’t have to rush home, but now he wished he had.
“Are you going to let me in?” Zion asked.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or what happened between you and Raven?” she countered.
“Virginia, let the boy in,” Zion’s father said from somewhere nearby, but his mother didn’t move.
“Mom,” Zion said when she didn’t open the door wider.
When she finally did, he gave her a wide berth, not wanting her to pop him upside the head. Something that happened often enough when he was growing up, and she made no apologies for it. Tonight wouldn’t be any different, especially since she was clearly pissed.
His mother might’ve wanted more grandkids, but she was old school. You dated. Got married. And then you started a family. If the twins were his, that meant he’d passed those first two criterions and leaped headfirst into the third.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, he told himself. It wasn’t a definite that they were his.
“Hey, Dad,” he said when he entered the house.
Israel Priestly was a big man. They were close in height, but his dad had at least twenty pounds on him, and much of it was still muscle. He was fit considering he was in his late sixties, and it helped he did some form of working out daily. He could easily pass for ten years younger, especially since his hair and goatee still had more black than gray.
They exchanged fist bumps before Zion headed to the kitchen to heat up some of the food. He had no doubt that they’d follow him in there, especially his mother.
“Wash your hands before you do anything,” his mother said, leaning a hip against the long center island.
Zion sighed. “I know the rules.” He set the bag down and rinsed his hands in the kitchen sink.
“Do you?” his mother snapped. “Because I taught all my kids to wait until marriage before sex, but I think it’s safe to say you didn’t.”
Yes, she had, and his dad had given him his first box of condoms—just in case. But Zion kept that information to himself.
His dad sighed loudly and pulled out a chair at the small kitchen table. “Have a seat, Virginia.”
Zion hid his smirk as he shoved one of the food containers into the microwave. His mom was a force to be reckoned with on any given day, but in his parents’ home, Israel was the boss. Except for when he wasn’t because his mother wasn’t one of those weak women who did everything her man said to do.
“Tell us what’s going on, son,” his father said when they were all seated. “Is it true you might be the father of that young lady’s kids?”
***
Copyright © 2025 Sharon C. Cooper
They’re opposites in every way, but they might just be the perfect match.After a case of mistaken identity, riddled with betrayal, Harrison Grant is struggling to open himself up to other people again. He lost a part of himself while in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and it seems impossible to move forward.
Enter Nyla Priestly. She’s a woman with a bubbly smile for everyone she meets and who always has a kind word to say. The jaded version of Harrison wants to doubt her personality is real. No one can be that happy all the time. Right?
Nyla has never been into the broody type. Yet something about Harrison makes her body crave him. Sure, he’s gorgeous and happens to be one of the sexiest saxophone players she’s ever met. But achieving her dream of owning Moody Days Jazz Club is top priority. She doesn’t have time to deal with a man. No matter how good he makes her feel.
As Harrison falls for Nyla and helps her fulfill her dreams, can her unceasing love be enough for him to trust again?
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I liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteToo bad more hook-up encounters that have 'unintended consequences' don't end up as healthily as they can in books!
ReplyDeleteI would enjou reading this one. Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spotlighting FINDING YOU!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great excerpt. The book sounds amazing.
ReplyDelete