Don't Let Go

  PRAISE FOR

  Jaci Burton and Her Novels "Jaci Burton's stories are full of heat and heart."

  --Maya Banks, New York Times bestselling author "A wild ride."

  --Lora Leigh, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Jaci Burton delivers."

  --Cherry Adair, New York Times bestselling author "One to pick up and savor."

  --Publishers Weekly

  "Jaci Burton's books are always sexy, romantic, and charming! A hot hero, a lovable heroine, and an adorable dog--prepare to fall in love with Jaci Burton's amazing new small-town romance series."

  --Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author "A heartwarming second-chance-at-love contemporary romance enhanced by engaging characters and Jaci Burton's signature dry wit."

  --USA Today

  "Captures everything I love about a small-town romance."

  --Fresh Fiction

  "Delivered on everything I was hoping for and more."

  --Under the Covers Book Blog "A sweet, hot, small-town romance."

  --Dear Author

  "Fun and sexy."

  --Fiction Vixen

  "The perfect combination of heat and romance."

  --Heroes and Heartbreakers "Plenty of romance, sexy men, hot steamy loving, and humor."

  --Smexy Books

  "An extraordinary novel--a definite home run!"

  --Joyfully Reviewed

  "Lively and funny . . . Intense and loving."

  --The Road to Romance

  "An invitation to every woman's wildest fantasies."

  --Romance Junkies

  "Burton is a master at sexual tension!"

  --RT Book Reviews

  Titles by Jaci Burton

  Wild Rider Series

  RIDING WILD

  RIDING TEMPTATION

  RIDING ON INSTINCT

  RIDING THE NIGHT

  Play-by-Play Novels THE PERFECT PLAY

  CHANGING THE GAME

  TAKING A SHOT

  PLAYING TO WIN

  THROWN BY A CURVE

  ONE SWEET RIDE

  MELTING THE ICE

  HOLIDAY GAMES

  STRADDLING THE LINE

  HOLIDAY ON ICE

  QUARTERBACK DRAW

  ALL WOUND UP

  UNEXPECTED RUSH

  Hope Novels

  HOPE FLAMES

  HOPE IGNITES

  HOPE BURNS

  LOVE AFTER ALL

  MAKE ME STAY

  DON'T LET GO

  WILD, WICKED, & WANTON

  BOUND, BRANDED, & BRAZEN

  Anthologies

  UNLACED

  (with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti) EXCLUSIVE

  (with Eden Bradley and Lisa Renee Jones) LACED WITH DESIRE

  (with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti) NAUTI AND WILD

  (with Lora Leigh)

  NAUTIER AND WILDER

  An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

  DON'T LET GO

  A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author Copyright (c) 2016 by Jaci Burton.

  Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

  JOVE(r) is a registered trademark of Penguin Random House LLC.

  The "J" design is a trademark of Penguin Random House LLC.

  For more information, visit penguin.com.

  eBook ISBN: 9780698183803

  PUBLISHING HISTORY

  Jove mass-market edition / August 2016

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Version_1

  This is dedicated to all the dreamers out there.

  Write them down, wish them, follow them,

  and never, ever give up on them.

  Contents

  Praise for Jaci Burton and Her Novels

  Titles by Jaci Burton

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Excerpt from Rules of Contact

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  BRADY CONNERS WAS doing one of the things he enjoyed the most--smoothing out dents in a quarter panel of a Chevy. As soon as he finished, he'd paint, and this baby would be good as new.

  It wasn't his dream job. He was working toward that. But with every day he spent as a mechanic at Richards Auto Service, thanks to the shop's owner, Carter Richards, he was pocketing money. And that got him closer to his dream--opening up his own custom motorcycle paint shop.

  Somewhere. Maybe here in Hope. Maybe somewhere else. Probably somewhere else, because the town of Hope held memories.

  Not good ones.

  A long time ago--a time that seemed like an eternity now--he'd had plans with his brother, Kurt, to start up a business together.

  That dream went up in smoke the day Brady got the call that his brother was dead.

  He paused, stood, and stretched out the kinks in his back, wiping the sweat that dripped into his eyes. He took a step away and grabbed the water bottle he always kept stored nearby. He took a long drink from the straw, swallowing several times until his thirst was quenched.

  Needing a break, he pulled off his breathing mask and swiped his fingers through his hair, then stepped outside.

  It was late spring, and rain was threatening. He dragged in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of fresh air.

  He really wanted a cigarette, but he'd quit a little over a year ago. Not that the urge had gone away. Probably never would. But he was stronger than his own needs. Or at least that's what he told himself every time a powerful craving hit.

  Instead, he pulled out one of the flavored toothpicks he always kept in his jeans pocket and slid that between his teeth.

  Not nearly as satisfying, but it would do. It would have to.

  He leaned against the wall outside the shop and watched the town in motion. It was lunchtime, so it was busy.

  Luke McCormack, one of Hope's cops, drove by in his patrol car and waved. Brady waved back. Luke was a friend of Carter's, and while Brady wasn't as social as a lot of the guys he'd met, he knew enough to be friendly. Especially to cops.

  Samantha Reasor left her shop, loading up her flower van with a bunch of colorful bouquets. She spotted him, giving him a bright smile and a wave before she headed off.


  Everyone in this town was friendly. He mostly kept to himself, did his work, and then went home to the small apartment above the shop at night to watch TV or play video games. Some nights he did side work painting bikes. He had one goal in mind, and that was to save enough money to open his business. He saw his parents now and again, since they lived in Hope, but the strain of Kurt's death had taken a toll on them.

  Nothing was the same anymore. With them. With him, either, he supposed.

  Sometimes life just sucked. And you dealt with that.

  His stomach grumbled. He needed something to eat. He pushed off the wall and headed up the street, intending to hit the sandwich joint on the corner. He'd grab something and bring it back to the shop.

  He stopped suddenly when Megan Lee, the hot brunette who owned the bakery, dashed out with a couple of pink boxes in her hand. She collided with him, and the boxes went flying. She caught one, he caught one, and then he steadied her by sliding his arm around her.

  She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide with surprise.

  "Oh my gosh. Thank you, Brady. I almost dropped these."

  "You okay, Megan?"

  "Yes. But let me check these." She opened the boxes. There were cakes inside. They looked pretty, with pink icing on one and blue on the other and little baby figurines in strollers sitting on top of the cakes. There were flowers and other doodads as well. He didn't know all that much about cake decorations. He just liked the way they tasted.

  "They're for Sabelle Frasier. She just had twins." She looked up at him with a grin. "A boy and a girl. Her mom ordered these for her hospital homecoming. I spent all morning baking and decorating them."

  He didn't need to know that, but the one thing he did know was that people in this town were social and liked to talk. "They look good."

  She swiped her hair out of her eyes. "Of course they're good."

  He took the boxes from her. "Where's your car?"

  "Parked just down the street."

  "How about you let me carry these? Just in case you want to run into anyone else on your way."

  Her lips curved. "I think you ran into me."

  He disagreed, but whatever. He figured he'd do his good deed for the day, then get his sandwich.

  He followed her down the street.

  "I haven't seen much of you lately," she said.

  He shrugged. "Been busy."

  "I've been meaning to come by the shop and visit, but things have been crazy hectic at the bakery, too." She studied him. "How about I bring pastries by in the morning? And I've never brought you coffee before. How about some coffee? How do you take it? Black, or with cream and sugar? Or maybe you like lattes or espresso? What do you drink in the mornings?"

  He had no idea what she was talking about. "Uh, just regular coffee. Black."

  "Okay. I make a really great cup of coffee. I'm surprised you haven't come into the bakery, since it's so close to the auto shop. Most everyone who works around here pops in." She pressed the unlock button on her key fob, then opened the back door and took the boxes from him.

  Man, she really could talk. He'd noticed that the couple of times they'd been together in social situations. Not that it was a bad thing, but for someone like him who lived mostly isolated, all that conversation was like a bombardment.

  But he liked it. The one thing he missed the most since his self-imposed isolation was conversation. And Megan had it in droves. He just wasn't all that good at reciprocating.

  After she slid the boxes in, she turned to him. "What's your favorite pastry? You know, I've dropped cupcakes off at the auto shop. Have you eaten any of those?"

  He was at a loss for words. He always was around her. A few of his friends had fixed the two of them up before. Once at Logan and Des's dinner party, then again at Carter and Molly's wedding. They'd danced. Had some conversation. Mostly one-sided, since Megan had done all the talking.

  He wasn't interested.

  Okay, that wasn't exactly the truth. What heterosexual male wouldn't be interested in Megan? She was gorgeous, with her silky, light brown hair and her warm chocolate eyes that always seemed to study him. She also had a fantastic body with perfect curves.

  But he was here to work. That was it. He didn't have time for a relationship.

  He didn't want a relationship, no matter how attractive the woman was. And Megan was really damned attractive.

  "Brady?" she asked, pulling his attention back on her. "Cupcakes?"

  "What about them?"

  She cocked her head to the side. "Oh, come on, Brady. Everyone has a favorite pastry. Cream puffs? Donuts? Scones? Cakes? Bars? Strudel?"

  He zeroed in on the last thing she said. "Apple strudel. I used to have that from the old bakery when I was a kid."

  She offered up a satisfied smile. "I make a killer apple strudel. I'll bring you one--along with coffee--in the morning."

  He frowned. "You don't have to do that."

  She laid her hand on his arm and offered up the kind of smile that made him focus on her mouth. She had a really pretty mouth, and right now it was glossed a kissable shade of peach.

  He didn't want to notice her mouth, but he did.

  "I don't mind. I love to bake. But now I have to go. Thanks again for saving the cakes. I'll see you tomorrow, Brady."

  She climbed into her car and pulled away, leaving him standing there, confused as hell.

  He didn't want her to bring him coffee. Or apple strudel. Or anything.

  He didn't want to notice Megan or talk to Megan or think about Megan, but the problem was, he'd been doing a lot of that lately. For the past six months or so he'd thought about the dance he'd shared with her. The laughs they'd enjoyed together and her animated personality. She had a sexy smile--not the kind a woman had to force, but the kind that came naturally. She also had a great laugh and she could carry a conversation with ease. And that irritated him because he hadn't thought about a woman in a long time.

  Ever since his brother had died, he hadn't wanted to think about anything or anyone. All he'd wanted to do was work, then head upstairs to his one-room apartment above the auto shop, eat his meals, and watch TV. And on the weekends he'd do custom bike painting. Keep his mind and his body busy so he wouldn't have to think--or feel.

  Women--and relationships--would make him feel, and that wasn't acceptable. He'd noticed that right away about Megan, noticed that he liked her and maybe--

  No. Wasn't going to happen--ever. He needed to get her out of his head.

  He only had time for work and making money. He had a dream he was saving for.

  And now he barely had time for lunch, because he had a Chevy to get back to.

  Chapter 2

  MEGAN GRABBED HER purse and the cupcakes she'd made for tonight's book club meeting. She was already late because she'd had so much baking to finish for tomorrow, and she'd lost track of time. Then she'd had to shower to clean off the bakery scent--a flour, sugar, and butter combo.

  Though the girls probably wouldn't mind that.

  She drove over to Loretta Simmons's bookstore, noting that the street was filled with her friends' cars and she was the last to arrive. Typically, she was early. Her pulse raced as she got out of her car and pushed through the door.

  She loved this bookstore, which took up the entire first floor of the renovated old mercantile in downtown Hope. Loretta had returned to town after her divorce last year and had leased the first-floor space in the historic building Reid McCormack had gutted and rebuilt.

  Now it was the Open Mind bookstore, and lately it had become her favorite hangout. It not only had tons of books, but also coffee and tea, plus wireless and an electronic bar for people who had e-readers or laptops and wanted a quiet place to work or study. It was perfect for voracious readers, and with the local college nearby, it was also a great place for the students to come by at night to read or study.

  Megan wandered to the back and found her friends set up at their regular spot.

  "Hey, sorr
y I'm late," she said.

  Her best friend, Samantha, looked up from the book in her lap, her long blond ponytail twirling back and forth as she lifted her head. "You made it."

  "Yes, finally." She laid the boxes on the round table in the center. One of the things she loved was all the comfortable seating areas, spaces where groups could come together to meet. This one had several cushioned chairs, a sofa, and a table.

  "We're so glad you're here," Loretta said. "And not just because of the cupcakes."

  "Well, sort of because of the cupcakes," Chelsea said. "But I brought wine, so we'd have survived if you hadn't made it."

  Megan laughed. "I'm sure you would have. But I never miss book club."

  She unpacked the cupcakes from the box and arranged them on a plate.

  "What have we got tonight?" Molly asked.

  "Dark chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting."

  Chelsea poured the wine. "Which goes perfectly with zinfandel."

  Emma, who was eight and a half months pregnant, laid her hand on her lower back. "I miss wine."

  "Your doc said you could have a glass, didn't he?"

  "Yes, but I think I'll opt for tea."

  Megan looked around. "Where's Des?"

  "Opting out tonight," Emma said. "She said she'll see us all at the baby shower this weekend at the ranch, providing she doesn't have the baby before then."

  Megan went over and grabbed one of the glasses of wine Chelsea had poured. "Who do you think will go first, Emma?"

  Emma delicately lowered herself into one of the chairs. "I'm hoping me."

  Molly laughed. "I'm hoping it's you as well. I have tomorrow on the office pool."

  Emma arched a brow. "There's an office pool on my due date?"

  "Honey, the entire town has pools for your and Des's delivery dates," Sam said. "With both of you due at the same time, how could we not?"

  "Well, I have a couple of weeks left, so I don't know what you were thinking, Molly."

  Molly shrugged. "That first babies sometimes come early. Though I have you two weeks late on another pool."

  Emma rubbed her belly. "My poor baby being gambled on." She paused for a few seconds, then said, "Is it too late to get in on the action?"

  Megan laughed. "I don't know, Emma. I think you might have insider information."

  "Oh, please. I wish I knew when this little one was coming out. And hopefully it's soon."

  While everyone played guessing games about Emma's due date, Megan wandered over to Sam, who was making herself a cup of coffee. "How's the new house coming along?"

  "It's hit-and-miss. We got the foundation poured before winter set in, and they're working on plumbing, electrical, and getting the walls and the roof up. But you know they're dancing around the weather, and early spring has been rainy, so we're hoping that calms down somewhat so we can make some headway. In the meantime, we're living at my house. The yard is big enough for Not My Dog, who's perfectly happy as long as he's with Reid and me."