Series: Wolfe Brothers Series #1
Author: Marika Ray
Genre/Tropes: Small Town Romance; Single Mom; Millionaire Hero; Marriage of Convenience; Returning Home; He Fell First
Release Date: August 29, 2024
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My return home to my family’s small town hasn’t been easy, but the new female contractor I hired—a struggling but strong willed single mom—keeps stripping her clothes off on the job site, which certainly spices things up.(She swears a spider crawled under her shirt.)
She also divulges she’s scared of her ex and he’s taking her to court for custody of their daughter. I hate to see a woman mistreated, so I step up and marry her so she has a stronger case in front of the judge. Temporarily, of course.
As a retired millionaire, I’ve had my fair share of women use me for my wealth. I’ve given up on finding my happily ever after and I’m okay with it. I just need to find something else to do with the second half of my life.
My new wife, Emmerleigh Slaywright, has spicy comebacks galore, a stubborn streak a mile wide, and the kind of bellow on the job site that can unman even the toughest of workers. Add in her pint-sized daughter, Georgia, who loves the animals on our hobby farm and has me wrapped around her pinkie finger, and I’m not sure why I pushed for the marriage to be fake.
One night, all the tension between us boils over and Em gives up control.
(Only in the bedroom and I’m very okay with it.)
Suddenly she wants the marriage annulled, so she’s not taking advantage of me. Right when I think I want to make this marriage real. She might think she’s looking out for me, but she doesn’t understand that Em and Georgia have become the future I thought I’d never have.
How can I convince her they’re the package deal I want?
★★★★★ from Confessions of a Bookaholic - “It is no secret that Ms. Ray is my go-to for RomCom goodness. Naturally I was excited when she announced this new series but let me just say after finishing this book....I think this is going to be her best series yet.”
★★★★★ Goodreads Review - “This book was so so wonderfully swoony good. I have big ol’ heart eyes after reading it. The sexual banter, the spice, the loving gestures, the tiny child cuteness and the deep emotions all came together to create this big hearted romance that brings together two intense, strong and passionate characters.”
★★★★★ Goodreads Review - “Wow! Brilliant start to a new series….
An emotionally charged story which at times was sad but mostly full of good times and laughs.”
“Do you, Warrick Wolfe, take Emmerleigh Slaywright to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” And I took on all the responsibilities of that vow.
The judge turned to Em. “And do you, Emmerleigh Slaywright, take Warrick Wolfe to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.” Her voice was soft, like how she spoke to her daughter.
“Do you have rings?” the judge asked me.
Em inhaled sharply. I let go with one hand and reached into the inner pocket of my suit jacket. The two rings I’d picked up yesterday clinked together as I pulled them out. I handed them both to the judge who held up the diamond solitaire and whistled. Em gasped again, this time for a different reason. The three carat diamond was probably more than a temporary, fake marriage called for, but I didn’t do anything half ass. My wife should have an effing rock on her finger.
“Warrick,” she breathed.
I held both her hands again, squeezing tightly in a reminder. “My wife now, Em.”
She chewed her bottom lip, but didn’t argue. We said the vows and the rings slid onto our fingers, mine a plain gold band, Em’s fitting perfectly.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the judge said with a smile. “You may kiss your bride, son.”
Em’s eyes went wide, clearly not having thought through this eventuality, but I had. Shit, I’d tried hard not to think about it as I lay in bed last night instead of sleeping.
I slid an arm around her waist and carefully cupped her jaw, keeping my touch light. What I really wanted to do was haul her against me and dip her over my arm in a bruising kiss, but I also didn’t want her to stab me with the pointy heel of her shoe. I lowered my head and grazed the side of her jaw with my lips.
“Just once, wife,” I murmured, right before I claimed her mouth, our lips fused together as my heart pounded. Em was as stiff as a board for a long moment, and then a miracle happened. Her muscles released and her lips softened, just a touch. Just enough to make the kiss believable and have me wondering if I dared flick my tongue against her lip, right where she had that small scar, demanding entrance to a place I had no business being.
I moved my lips, about to press my luck when her fingers, on the hand that had flown to my bicep when I held her, pinched the hell out of my arm. With a yelp, I lifted my head and glared at her. The she-devil had the nerve to smile at me. Her cheeks, hotter than the afternoon sun, had me hoping there was more to this moment than just make believe for the judge’s sake. I didn’t want to be the only one in this marriage wanting to recreate that kiss when there were fewer observers.
“I do.” And I took on all the responsibilities of that vow.
The judge turned to Em. “And do you, Emmerleigh Slaywright, take Warrick Wolfe to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.” Her voice was soft, like how she spoke to her daughter.
“Do you have rings?” the judge asked me.
Em inhaled sharply. I let go with one hand and reached into the inner pocket of my suit jacket. The two rings I’d picked up yesterday clinked together as I pulled them out. I handed them both to the judge who held up the diamond solitaire and whistled. Em gasped again, this time for a different reason. The three carat diamond was probably more than a temporary, fake marriage called for, but I didn’t do anything half ass. My wife should have an effing rock on her finger.
“Warrick,” she breathed.
I held both her hands again, squeezing tightly in a reminder. “My wife now, Em.”
She chewed her bottom lip, but didn’t argue. We said the vows and the rings slid onto our fingers, mine a plain gold band, Em’s fitting perfectly.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the judge said with a smile. “You may kiss your bride, son.”
Em’s eyes went wide, clearly not having thought through this eventuality, but I had. Shit, I’d tried hard not to think about it as I lay in bed last night instead of sleeping.
I slid an arm around her waist and carefully cupped her jaw, keeping my touch light. What I really wanted to do was haul her against me and dip her over my arm in a bruising kiss, but I also didn’t want her to stab me with the pointy heel of her shoe. I lowered my head and grazed the side of her jaw with my lips.
“Just once, wife,” I murmured, right before I claimed her mouth, our lips fused together as my heart pounded. Em was as stiff as a board for a long moment, and then a miracle happened. Her muscles released and her lips softened, just a touch. Just enough to make the kiss believable and have me wondering if I dared flick my tongue against her lip, right where she had that small scar, demanding entrance to a place I had no business being.
I moved my lips, about to press my luck when her fingers, on the hand that had flown to my bicep when I held her, pinched the hell out of my arm. With a yelp, I lifted my head and glared at her. The she-devil had the nerve to smile at me. Her cheeks, hotter than the afternoon sun, had me hoping there was more to this moment than just make believe for the judge’s sake. I didn’t want to be the only one in this marriage wanting to recreate that kiss when there were fewer observers.
Marika Ray is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy and sweet RomComs, spending her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking any beach she can find, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.
More information can be found at www.marikaray.com
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