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Chapter 6
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 7
Joy hadn’t expected Adam would be thrilled about her doing a story on the vineyard. But she hadn’t expected he’d be quite so steamed, either.Sitting across from him in a booth at Trudy’s, twenty minutes after he’d called and mysteriously asked to see her, she sipped her coffee, waiting for him to say something. Instead, he seemed intent on having a staring contest with her. If she’d known he just wanted to glare at her, she would’ve stayed in bed, made her own coffee and maybe watched a movie.Feeling peevish and tired, she asked, “You wanted to talk to me about something?”He ripped open a sugar packet with more force than strictly necessary, and thus the majority of the granules ended up on the table. He swore. “Are you writing a story about the vineyard?” he asked in clipped tones.Joy sipped her coffee. Grace wasn’t working today, and she could tell that Terry had made the coffee today because it tasted like bitter lukewarm water. She dumped more creamer in it, slowly stirring
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 8
Adam was stewing. Stewing and drinking and feeling generally sorry for himself. He knew and he wasn’t proud of it. But sometimes a person needed to sit and wallow for a bit, and then you could go back to your life and move the hell on.He finished his third beer, sighing. Morose music played in the background of his house; the lights were dimmed. If he’d put on black eyeliner and gotten his lip pierced, he could’ve given one of those emo kids a run for their money. Were kids still doing that these days? Adam stared at his beer can, wondering. Grace had been friends with a self-described emo kid who’d renamed himself Lucifer back in junior high, but Adam had missed that trend. Thank God.His beer can empty, he debated whether or not four beers in two hours was excessive. Being not in the least bit slight in stature or overall body type, he barely felt buzzed. It would take a lot more than a few beers to get him hammered. And really, he didn’t want to get hammered. He just wanted to ta
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 9
When Grace had texted her to tell her brother was coming by, Joy had imagined slamming her door in his face and laughing maniacally at his shocked expression. Maybe after she’d tossed her water in his face, or stepped on his foot, or kicked him in the shins. Something completely immature yet wholly satisfying. Joy hadn’t kicked anyone in the shins since Marcus Terrell in fifth grade, and damn if she didn’t want to see the same look of shock on Adam’s face as Marcus’s.But all of her plans of shin-kicking went out the window when he’d shown up, looking delicious and apologetic. He’d even brought her wine. He’d seemed to be trying, and damn if she wasn’t easy for a man who tried to right his wrongs. Maybe that made her weak.As Adam kissed her, though, Joy couldn’t find it in herself to care.He kissed her like a man in a desert who just found an oasis, a man desperate for companionship, a man who wanted her more than any man had ever wanted her in the history of the universe. Joy had
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 10
When Adam woke up just before dawn the following morning, it took him only a nanosecond to realize where he was and what had happened only hours earlier. Plus, the light snoring coming from the woman next to him happened to be a fairly large clue.Turning over, he gazed at Joy as she slept on, her bright purple hair rumpled and her cheeks flushed with sleep. Her face, softened in repose, made his heart contract in a way he didn’t want to examine too closely. He brushed the hair from her forehead and kissed her in the spot between her eyebrows before getting up. At first he’d considered waking her, but she seemed so at peace that he hated to force her out of her deep sleep.Not to mention, he didn’t know what he would do if she woke up and smiled at him like she had last night. She had become a bigger weakness than he could’ve ever imagined. But what could come of their relationship? The ghost of his wife haunted him, and he had a difficult time seeing Joy happy in a place like Heron’
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 11
Joy smiled as she finished the last paragraph of her story about River’s Bend. She planned to reintroduce the subject to Adam later that day, especially now that the vineyard was expanding into events. Mostly, though, she was giddy about everything else that had happened recently: Adam, sex, kissing, Adam, sex. Lots of sex. Adam had come over every night for the past week, and each time they slept together, it was unlike anything Joy could describe.The sex wasn’t hours-long or intense, acrobatic Tantric sex that you could base a series of erotica novels off of. It didn’t involve sex swings (although Joy had joked about getting one) or giant dildos or even anything other than oral and your traditional penis-vagina sex in various positions. But being so close to Adam, touching his body, his hands running down her body, the way he felt inside of her? She had a difficult time describing all of the various emotions that ran through her mind each time they had sex. And she was the writer.
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 12
With his feet propped up on his desk, Adam set Joy’s story down, rubbing his chin. It was good—great, even. He hadn’t really known what to expect of Joy’s writing abilities, but she’d impressed him. She had a stylish tone that permeated her writing, and he could almost hear her voice in his ear as he’d read the article.She’d made River’s Bend sound like an up-and-coming attraction, as opposed to a declining vineyard in the middle of nowhere. She’d even described the owner as a “dedicated individual with an immense knowledge of wines,” which he had to admit he’d smiled at. Thinking about the last time he’d read about himself in a story, he scowled, forcing those memories away. This was Joy, and hadn’t she already shown him that she wasn’t like the journalists that had almost ruined his and his family’s lives? Joy may use writing to pay her bills, but she clearly respected boundaries and didn’t use other people’s pain and misfortune for a quick buck, either.He was just about to text
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 13
Joy remained on a high that lasted for the rest of the week. She and Adam texted back and forth and saw each other as much as possible, although he was slammed with event planning at River’s Bend. Joy found herself writing even more than usual, her muse coming back in full force. If only she’d known that getting good sex would result in her most productive writing spree ever, she would’ve gone down to the vineyard and seduced Adam ages ago.She grinned at her laptop. She was practically beaming, and multiple people had commented on it. Grace, for one, who gave her sly glances and teased her as much as possible. Even Mike in the general store had asked what put the spring in her step. Unable to say that she was getting the best boning of her life, she’d replied that it was just Mike’s amazing array of produce that sent her into such a euphoric state.Typing away at her computer, Joy frowned when her phone sounded. And it rang…and rang. She let it go to voicemail, waiting for the sound
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 14
As Adam watched the blood drain from Joy’s face, he knew instantly who this man was. And at her softly murmured, “Jeremy,” his assumption was confirmed. Her ex—this was the guy who’d cheated on her? Adam had to restrain himself from grabbing the guy by the collar and punching him in the face. Instead, he curled his hand into a fist underneath the table.Jeremy looked like a guy who’d cheat on his fiancée. Tall, lean, his slacks and shirt perfectly ironed and his hair coiffed just so, he looked like he’d cry if you told him he shoes were ugly. Adam hated him on sight.“Jeremy, what are you…? What are you doing here?” The blood was coming back into Joy’s face, but now slashes of red bloomed on her cheeks. Adam could feel her tapping her foot underneath the table.“I was just in the neighborhood…” Jeremy laughed, fiddling with his collar a little. “I came to see you, Jo-Jo. Why else would I be here in—what is this place called? Heron’s Nesting?”“Heron’s Landing,” Adam said gruffly.
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Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 About the Author
A coffee addict and cat lover, Iris Morland writes sexy and funny contemporary romances. If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.Stay in touch!irismorland.comIris Morland’s MermaidsNewsletter Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Also by Iris Morland
Say You’re MineAll I Ask of YouMake Me YoursHold Me CloseOopsie DaisyHe Loves Me, He Loves Me NotPetal PluckerWar of the RosesincludingThen Came YouTaking a Chance on LoveAll I Want Is YouMy One and OnlyThe Nearness of YouThe Very Thought of YouIf I Can’t Have YouDream a Little Dream of MeSomeone to Watch Over MeTill There Was YouI’ll Be Home for Christmas
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Enjoy this exclusive excerpt
Grace peeled the potatoes with such force that more than one poor spud was a mere nub of its former self. Quickly tossing the offending potatoes in the trash so her mother wouldn’t see, she forced herself to peel only the brown peels.I’m not freaking out. I’m not freaking out. I’m. Not. Freaking. Out.“Grace, do you know where the potholder is?” her mother Julia asked.Grace jumped, the peeler clattering into the sink.“Goodness, you’re so on edge today!” Julia plucked the potholder from around her daughter, giving Grace a concerned look. “Are you okay?”“I’m fine. Just have a lot on my mind.” Grace turned and began peeling, slowly and without destroying the potato in hand.Julia didn’t say anything, but Grace could feel her mother’s gaze on the back of her neck.“Well, let me know if you need any help.”Grace had been like this since Adam had so helpfully told her that they’d be having a guest for Thanksgiving: none other than Jaime himself. Of course he was coming for Thanks
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Epilogue
Joy couldn’t help but smile as she sat outside at Sadie and Robert’s wedding reception a week before Thanksgiving. After the ceremony, which had been held overlooking the river at the vineyard, the wedding party had walked a few yards to the reception. A large tent had been set up across the green, and the fall leaves provided a fairy-tale like backdrop. Luckily, it wasn’t too cold despite it being November.Initially, Joy hadn’t been sure she even wanted to attend Sadie’s wedding, given what had happened at Trudy’s. But Sadie herself had come to Joy’s place to apologize and invite her personally. That had been the general tenor of Joy’s return to Heron’s Landing: lots of apologies, even more meals sent as apologies, and a true attempt by the locals to get back on her good side.It felt good, she had to admit, to have people realize they were wrong about her after all. Especially Adam. She smiled wider. He’d worked especially hard to show how sorry he was.“What are you smiling abou
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 18
A few weeks earlier…“These are your options: either you write a retraction and I don’t rat you out to the entire industry, or I rat you out to the entire industry and you lose face with pretty much any writer under the sun.”Joy watched as Jeremy scowled, his handsome face turning into something ugly and, she had to admit, a little comical. After she’d met with Regina, Joy had gathered as much information as she could regarding Regina’s allegation against Jeremy, including proof of plagiarism and various conversations with other writers who had it out for him for scalping their stories. But the plagiarism was the biggest card she had. He hadn’t full-on copied anyone, just a few sentences here and there. It had been subtle, and she wasn’t surprised he’d gotten away with it for so long. She just hoped Jeremy took it seriously enough that he’d do what she wanted.“And what’s your proof?” he finally asked, raising an eyebrow.Joy shoved a file toward him. He opened it with a scoff, bu
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 17
With October’s arrival came the most important part of the year for River’s Bend: harvest time. Adam had watched the grapes ripen into juicy, purple berries these two months. With the leaves changing to umber and scarlet, the grapes were ready to be picked.He walked among the rows of the vines, watching workers pluck the grapes by hand and tossing them into baskets and bins. Adam had a feeling they’d finish within a week, when normally it took twice as long, if not three times. He knew the harvest would be meager this year, with the excessive rain that had destroyed so many fragile buds in the spring. Bending down, he rifled through a basket, and he sighed when he saw how many of the grapes were unsuitable for wine-making.Adam already knew the projections, already knew how many grapes it took to make a bottle of wine, already knew that he’d be lucky to make it another year. He knew all of that, but he kept hoping against hope that they’d pull through.They had to. Because now the
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 16
“So, what, are you just going to hide for the next six months?”Joy sighed. “Do you have a better idea?”“I’m thinking you should get coffee with me and act like you did nothing wrong—which you did. Do nothing wrong, that is.”Grace’s matter-of-fact voice bolstered Joy’s depressed spirits a little, but that didn’t stop the proverbial storm clouds from gathering over her still. In a town as small as Heron’s Landing, news traveled fast, and everyone and their dog had read the exposé about Carolyn. Since Adam had accused Joy of writing it, now everyone else in the town believed she’d written it, as well. The only person who thought she was innocent was Grace.A week later, and things had only gotten worse. Joy barely left her apartment, afraid of the looks and whispers that accompanied her everywhere she went. She couldn’t even go into Mike’s downstairs without someone looking at her like she killed their firstborn.“I don’t really want coffee,” she said to Grace. “I just want to sle
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 15
Joy realized quickly that Jeremy had no intention of leaving soon and that if it weren’t illegal, she would’ve strangled him by the end of the first day of his coming to Heron’s Landing.She’d cajoled, she’d asked, she’d ordered, she’d done everything she could to get him to leave. But if Jeremy were talented at anything at all, it was being stubborn. And he’d gotten it into his brain that if he just stuck things out, Joy would finally surrender and they could be together again.Not a very romantic thought, but there it was. He wanted her so exhausted that she’d capitulate and then they could somehow be happy again.The first day, when Jeremy had shown up at Trudy’s and Adam had stalked off, Joy had almost abandoned Jeremy in the middle of Main Street to go after Adam. But she knew Jeremy: he’d find her, and if he couldn’t find her, he’d make life hell for everyone else in Heron’s Landing.As she sat with him at Trudy’s and he ordered a hamburger in a snide voice, she wondered how
Say You’re Mine: Heron’s Landing Book 1 Chapter 14
As Adam watched the blood drain from Joy’s face, he knew instantly who this man was. And at her softly murmured, “Jeremy,” his assumption was confirmed. Her ex—this was the guy who’d cheated on her? Adam had to restrain himself from grabbing the guy by the collar and punching him in the face. Instead, he curled his hand into a fist underneath the table.Jeremy looked like a guy who’d cheat on his fiancée. Tall, lean, his slacks and shirt perfectly ironed and his hair coiffed just so, he looked like he’d cry if you told him he shoes were ugly. Adam hated him on sight.“Jeremy, what are you…? What are you doing here?” The blood was coming back into Joy’s face, but now slashes of red bloomed on her cheeks. Adam could feel her tapping her foot underneath the table.“I was just in the neighborhood…” Jeremy laughed, fiddling with his collar a little. “I came to see you, Jo-Jo. Why else would I be here in—what is this place called? Heron’s Nesting?”“Heron’s Landing,” Adam said gruffly.
