Janelle Alvorada isn’t having a happy Valentine’s Day. Not only has her ex-husband made it clear that he’s moved on, but a pipe burst at the Upper East Side restaurant she manages just before the holiday. However, a silver lining comes in the form of a hot young guy on the repair team.
Valentine’s Day is on hold for Kyle Mensing, too. The sooner he can get his personal training certification and be a full-time fitness influencer, the better—he hates his job as a plumber. At this point, the one good thing is that it introduced him to an intriguing woman.
In the weeks following February 14th, things between Janelle and Kyle heat up enough to thaw the New York City winter. But is the age gap just a number, or a chasm that threatens a new connection?
Excerpt:
Her lips still on his, Janelle guided Kyle back to the bed. He leaned back carefully to accommodate his still-sore muscle that a fistful of Advil before dinner hadn’t helped, and she made her way on top of him without separating. Lying down was easier on him, and she took advantage of their suddenly equalized heights to deepen the kisses. Her hands glided over his shoulders, he reached up to stroke her back, and their tongues met somewhere along the way. The whimper that escaped summed up his pain, frustration, and lust. He couldn’t imagine how he could go much further feeling this way, but he also couldn’t even think about tearing his lips or body away from her.
She didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss, just leaned into him before pulling away. Then, looking him directly in the eye, she undid each button on her blouse one by one before letting it fall away and lying back down next to him. He undid her bra with one hand and pulled off his sweater and undershirt with the other. Once they were both topless, he let his fingertips wander over her breast before taking hold. It almost completely disappeared in his hand, and he savored the moment.
They shifted on the bed to an angle that would have been natural for the moment, but painful in his current state. Kyle couldn’t help letting out a yelp of pain that he knew he couldn’t write off as a moan of passion. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, pulling back.
He couldn’t meet her eyes as he painfully moved aside. “Remember how I said I got hurt this morning? Well…”
His averted glance slid to his crotch, where his cock didn’t seem to have gotten the message about the groin injury that put him out of action. Her eyes followed his, and her expression switched from carnal to comprehending. “Oh.”
She seemed to be trying for a diplomatic look, but he could see the disappointment on her face. “We don’t have to do anything tonight. I know how I’d feel if someone pressured me into this when I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent, and—”
He touched a fingertip to her lips to cut her off. “And just because I was careless doesn’t mean you should be punished.”
She puckered her lips to kiss his finger before pulling back. “I can wait until you’re feeling better.”
He stroked her face and moved a strand of silken hair back from her cheek. “But I can’t.”
Her beautiful dark eyes widened in surprise at his words, and Kyle continued. The words tumbled out as his desire mounted in spite of his physical limitations. “I’ve been thinking about seeing you naked, seeing and hearing you come … you have no idea how hot that would be for me. I might not be up to thrusting, but my hands and mouth are still working.”
{"num_reviews":0,"sku":"978-0-3695-0206-3","add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"print","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"id":2710,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"","category":["Contemporary","Erotic ","May\u002fDecember"],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2710\u002f2978\u002fvalentinesdeferred1l__49036.1595904091.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 62, 740\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0206-3\n\nEditor: Audrey Bobak\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2710","backorder_availability_prompt":"","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fvalentines-day-deferred-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome rules were made to be broken...\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJanelle Alvorada isn’t having a happy Valentine’s Day. Not only has her ex-husband made it clear that he’s moved on, but a pipe burst at the Upper East Side restaurant she manages just before the holiday. However, a silver lining comes in the form of a hot young guy on the repair team.\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValentine’s Day is on hold for Kyle Mensing, too. The sooner he can get his personal training certification and be a full-time fitness influencer, the better—he hates his job as a plumber. At this point, the one good thing is that it introduced him to an intriguing woman.\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003cbr \u002f\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the weeks following February 14th, things between Janelle and Kyle heat up enough to thaw the New York City winter. But is the age gap just a number, or a chasm that threatens a new connection?\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcerpt:\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHer lips still on his, Janelle guided Kyle back to the bed. He leaned back carefully to accommodate his still-sore muscle that a fistful of Advil before dinner hadn’t helped, and she made her way on top of him without separating. Lying down was easier on him, and she took advantage of their suddenly equalized heights to deepen the kisses. Her hands glided over his shoulders, he reached up to stroke her back, and their tongues met somewhere along the way. The whimper that escaped summed up his pain, frustration, and lust. He couldn’t imagine how he could go much further feeling this way, but he also couldn’t even think about tearing his lips or body away from her.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eShe didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss, just leaned into him before pulling away. Then, looking him directly in the eye, she undid each button on her blouse one by one before letting it fall away and lying back down next to him. He undid her bra with one hand and pulled off his sweater and undershirt with the other. Once they were both topless, he let his fingertips wander over her breast before taking hold. It almost completely disappeared in his hand, and he savored the moment.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eThey shifted on the bed to an angle that would have been natural for the moment, but painful in his current state. Kyle couldn’t help letting out a yelp of pain that he knew he couldn’t write off as a moan of passion. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, pulling back.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHe couldn’t meet her eyes as he painfully moved aside. “Remember how I said I got hurt this morning? Well…”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHis averted glance slid to his crotch, where his cock didn’t seem to have gotten the message about the groin injury that put him out of action. Her eyes followed his, and her expression switched from carnal to comprehending. “\u003cem\u003eOh\u003c\u002fem\u003e.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eShe seemed to be trying for a diplomatic look, but he could see the disappointment on her face. “We don’t have to do anything tonight. I know how I’d feel if someone pressured me into this when I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent, and—”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHe touched a fingertip to her lips to cut her off. “And just because I was careless doesn’t mean you should be punished.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eShe puckered her lips to kiss his finger before pulling back. “I can wait until you’re feeling better.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHe stroked her face and moved a strand of silken hair back from her cheek. “But I can’t.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHer beautiful dark eyes widened in surprise at his words, and Kyle continued. The words tumbled out as his desire mounted in spite of his physical limitations. “I’ve been thinking about seeing you naked, seeing and hearing you come … you have no idea how hot that would be for me. I might not be up to thrusting, but my hands and mouth are still working.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"BodyA\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eJanelle smiled. “Then by all means.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$3.99","value":3.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"","cart_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fcart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":false,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":false,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":false,"show_quantity_on_backorder":false,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fbrands\u002fHeat-Level-3.html"},"attributes":[],"mpn":null,"upc":null,"options":[],"related_products":[{"id":3087,"sku":"978-0-3695-0748-8","name":"Their Own Terms by Chelle de Notte","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002ftheir-own-terms-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","availability":"","rating":5,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 2"},"category":["Series Hearts on Fire","Romance on the Go","Contemporary","Mainstream"],"summary":"Hearts on Fire, 5\nThings got a bit spicy before they settled down together...For Tony Escrand, on","image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f3087\u002f3364\u002ftheirownterms1l__83107.1672970411.JPG?c=2","alt":"Genre: Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 2\n\nWord Count: 16, 100\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0748-8\n\nEditor: Melissa Hosack\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f3087\u002f3364\u002ftheirownterms1l__83107.1672970411.JPG?c=2","alt":"Genre: Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 2\n\nWord Count: 16, 100\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0748-8\n\nEditor: Melissa Hosack\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}],"date_added":"5th Jan 2023","pre_order":false,"show_cart_action":false,"has_options":false,"stock_level":null,"low_stock_level":null,"qty_in_cart":0,"custom_fields":[{"id":326,"name":"Series","value":"\u002fseries-hearts-on-fire\u002f"}],"num_reviews":10,"weight":{"formatted":"0.00 LBS","value":0},"demo":false,"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=3087","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$2.99","value":2.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"}},{"id":2959,"sku":"978-0-3695-0581-1","name":"Turning on the Light by Chelle de Notte","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fturning-on-the-light-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","availability":"","rating":4,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Contemporary","Gay","Erotic ","Romance on the Go","Series Hearts on Fire"],"summary":"Romance on the Go ®\nWhen he’s not putting out fires with New York’s bravest, Jake Cross performs as Bree Encroute, a drag queen in a Hell’s Kitchen revue. He keeps his two worlds separate by design,...","image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2959\u002f3236\u002fturningonlight1l__56158.1647476277.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Alternative (MM) Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 16, 150\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0581-1\n\nEditor: Melissa Hosack\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2959\u002f3236\u002fturningonlight1l__56158.1647476277.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Alternative (MM) Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 16, 150\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0581-1\n\nEditor: Melissa Hosack\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}],"date_added":"16th Mar 2022","pre_order":false,"show_cart_action":false,"has_options":false,"stock_level":null,"low_stock_level":null,"qty_in_cart":0,"custom_fields":[{"id":281,"name":"Series","value":"\u002fseries-hearts-on-fire\u002f"}],"num_reviews":2,"weight":{"formatted":"0.00 LBS","value":0},"demo":false,"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2959","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$2.99","value":2.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"}},{"id":3069,"sku":"978-0-3695-0727-3","name":"For All the Right Reasons by Chelle de Notte","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002ffor-all-the-right-reasons-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","availability":"","rating":4,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Series Hearts on Fire","Romance on the Go","Contemporary","Erotic "],"summary":"Hearts on Fire, 4\nLiya Wolford deeply loves her husband, but being married to a firefighter isn’t always easy. She started baking to distract herself from constantly worrying about him,","image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f3069\u002f3346\u002fforallrightreasons1l__70676.1669573061.JPG?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 16, 100\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0727-3\n\nEditor: Lisa Petrocelli\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f3069\u002f3346\u002fforallrightreasons1l__70676.1669573061.JPG?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 16, 100\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0727-3\n\nEditor: Lisa Petrocelli\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}],"date_added":"27th Nov 2022","pre_order":false,"show_cart_action":false,"has_options":false,"stock_level":null,"low_stock_level":null,"qty_in_cart":0,"custom_fields":[{"id":290,"name":"Series","value":"\u002fseries-hearts-on-fire\u002f"}],"num_reviews":6,"weight":{"formatted":"0.00 LBS","value":0},"demo":false,"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=3069","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$2.99","value":2.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"}},{"id":2619,"sku":"978-0-3695-0074-8","name":"An Especially Hot Summer by Chelle de Notte","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fan-especially-hot-summer-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","availability":"","rating":0,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Contemporary","Erotic "],"summary":"Sometimes when you think you’ve lost everything, you find exactly what you need...Charlie Ashton has built a successful career and a fulfilling life in New York. When news comes in of their...","image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2619\u002f2886\u002fespeciallyhotsummer1l__71011.1571108167.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Gender Queer Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 61, 000\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0074-8\n\nEditor: Karyn White\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2619\u002f2886\u002fespeciallyhotsummer1l__71011.1571108167.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Gender Queer Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 61, 000\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0074-8\n\nEditor: Karyn White\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}],"date_added":"14th Oct 2019","pre_order":false,"show_cart_action":false,"has_options":false,"stock_level":null,"low_stock_level":null,"qty_in_cart":0,"custom_fields":null,"num_reviews":0,"weight":{"formatted":"0.00 LBS","value":0},"demo":false,"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2619","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$3.99","value":3.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"}},{"id":2784,"sku":"978-0-3695-0295-7","name":"Never So Grateful by Chelle de Notte","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fnever-so-grateful-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","availability":"","rating":5,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Romance on the Go","Contemporary","Erotic ","Interracial","Holiday","Series Hearts on Fire"],"summary":"Kelsey Matthews is no stranger to New Yorkers’ gratitude for her work with the fire department. But after a fire at an upscale spa, no one has ever thanked her quite like that hot massage therapist...","image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2784\u002f3056\u002fneversograteful1l__49519.1612227984.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 16, 240\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0295-7\n\nEditor: Jessica Ruth\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"},"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2784\u002f3056\u002fneversograteful1l__49519.1612227984.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 16, 240\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0295-7\n\nEditor: Jessica Ruth\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}],"date_added":"1st Feb 2021","pre_order":false,"show_cart_action":false,"has_options":false,"stock_level":null,"low_stock_level":null,"qty_in_cart":0,"custom_fields":[{"id":279,"name":"Series","value":"\u002fseries-hearts-on-fire\u002f"}],"num_reviews":1,"weight":{"formatted":"0.00 LBS","value":0},"demo":false,"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2784","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$2.99","value":2.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"}}],"shipping_messages":[],"rating":0,"reviews":{"messages":[],"total":0},"bulk_discount_rates":[],"meta_keywords":"","show_quantity_input":0,"title":"Valentine's Day Deferred by Chelle de Notte","gift_wrapping_available":false,"min_purchase_quantity":0,"customizations":[],"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2710\u002f2978\u002fvalentinesdeferred1l__49036.1595904091.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 62, 740\n\nISBN: 978-0-3695-0206-3\n\nEditor: Audrey Bobak\n\nCover Artist: Jay Aheer"}]}
[{"url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002f","name":"Home"},{"url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fmay-december\u002f","name":"May\u002fDecember"},{"url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fvalentines-day-deferred-by-chelle-de-notte\u002f","name":"Valentine's Day Deferred by Chelle de Notte"}]
