The Ultimate Steamy Why-Choose Romance Bundle

~CHAPTER ONE~

A knock on the door had Holly Hendricks on her feet and lunging toward it before the sound quit ricocheting through her tissue box of a living room. The place was spotless, even more so than usual, since she’d been expecting guests for the first time ever.

As Holly bounded past, her mother mustered a wan smile from the thrift store recliner she practically lived in these days. The injustice of it made Holly yank the door open harder than she’d intended. Her messy ponytail brushed her shoulder blades as it swung back and forth in response.

“Holly!” Her best friend from college, Andi, rushed her, threatening to knock them both on their asses with her overenthusiastic embrace.

They twirled around off-balance for a spin or two as they hugged out all the time and miles they’d spent apart. Their lives had diverged so drastically, it would have been easy to lose contact. Yet, somehow, they had grown even closer as a result of their near-constant texting, which also included…

“Kari!” Holly shook one arm free of Andi’s clutch to include the other woman in their circle. Kari had started out as Andi’s friend, but now the three of them were a unit. They’d each been through a lot in the past few years, and having the pair of them as a sounding board was probably the only thing keeping Holly sane, given the pressures she was under dealing with her mother’s medical crisis.

Andi looked up, her eyes bright. “This place is so…”

“I know.” Holly grimaced, trying not to fidget as she imagined how dismal it must be compared to the apartment Andi shared with her three lovers, each of them well on their way to establishing themselves in their chosen professions. She didn’t even allow herself to imagine the penthouse Kari occupied with her trio of hotshot lawyer boyfriends. Probably couldn’t, to be honest. She’d never been around that kind of true wealth.

“…cute!” Andi finished. Though she was eternally optimistic, only Andi would see the bright side of this dump. It wasn’t even as big as the apartment Holly had shared with some friends above Andi, Cooper, Reed, and Simon’s apartment while they’d been in college.

And afterward, when her friends had been climbing the corporate ladder, she’d been sliding down a slippery chute toward poverty and never attaining her goals. Student loan debt for a degree she couldn’t use was a monthly reminder of how she’d wasted her time and effort just so she could wind up right where she started, except with more obstacles than before.

That wasn’t fair.

Holly glanced at her mom and smiled. She damn well knew any time they got to spend together was more precious than building a career or accumulating material possessions or meeting a guy…or three, in both Andi’s and Kari’s cases.

“Holly has done such a great job with it, hasn’t she?” Her mother beamed, her quiet pride easy to hear in the intimate space. “The colors make it seem like it’s brighter than it really is.”

“She has.” Andi broke from their circle to approach Holly’s mom, Catherine. She must be nearly unrecognizable from the woman who had helped Holly move in and out only a few short years ago. Unlike some people, Andi didn’t let Mom’s illness put her off. “How are you, Momma C?”

“A pain in the ass, as always.” Mom patted Andi’s hand. “Don’t listen to what Holly tells you. I’m not going anywhere just yet.”

“Good to know.” Andi smiled, then straightened.

“It’s so nice to meet you.” Kari was right there to take her place, leaning down to hug Mom. “Technically to meet you both, though from the group chat we’re exchanging messages in a million times a day, I feel like I’ve known Holly forever.”

If the other two women noticed the wheeze that accompanied Mom’s laugh, they politely ignored it.

“I bet. I hear her phone buzzing constantly and she’s always tapping on her phone while we’re watching TV.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Holly winced.

“That’s not how I meant it.” She turned serious then. “I’m glad you have these girls to vent to. I’ve put too much stress on your shoulders for any one person, especially a daughter.”

“It’s fine. You know I don’t mind.” Holly didn’t. Really. But it was a lot to deal with.

The medical bills. The doctor appointments they couldn’t afford. The terror that one day she’d wake up and her mom would be too still in the recliner because she couldn’t pay for the treatment she needed to fully recover.

“That’s because you’re the world’s best daughter. And that’s also why I want you to go have fun with your friends while they’re in town.” Her mother sat up a little straighter, as if prepared to argue. “Take a mini vacation, Holly. You deserve it. You need it.”

“What? Mom, you know I can’t leave you here alone—”

“You go have fun.” Her mother’s insistence might have been a little harder to dismiss if she could vigorously fan her hand between them and the door instead of limply mimicking the gesture. “You told me they invited you to the get-together they’re holding at one of the fancy hotels on the strip. It sounds great. Don’t miss it because of me.”

“Parties aren’t my thing.” Holly shook her head.

“They used to be.” Andi might look sweet, but she was more tenacious than a pit bull dismembering a squeaky toy. “And this is going to be a hell of a lot better than getting drunk off cheap liquor at the frat house next door. I mean, not that we ever did that, Momma C.”

“What I don’t know…” Her mother grinned, but it dimmed quickly. “You haven’t had time to cut loose in forever. Go, Holly. Ms. Edison next door said she’d come sit with me if you want some time to yourself. Take tonight off from me and from the misery I’ve put you through. Hell, take the whole weekend.”

“Mom…” Holly’s tone softened, but the worry still lingered in her eyes.

“Don’t mom me, Holly.” Her mother’s gaze sharpened, and Holly was reminded of the sheer grit and determination that had carried her mom through so many hardships. That same steel had clearly been passed down. “I mean it. You need a break.”

“She’s right, you know,” Kari chimed in, leaning casually against the wall. “You don’t want to miss out on this. My boyfriends are pulling out all the stops. They rented the entire top floor, hired a team of chefs, and even brought in a live band. And if you’re worried about your mom, they already offered to send over a home health aide to keep her company.”

“They’d really do that?” Holly blinked in surprise.

“Of course, they would.” Andi smiled. “They’re sweet like that. They want you to have fun, and so do we. Let them help—it’s what they do best.”

Holly hesitated, glancing at her mother, who gave her an encouraging nod.

“Go,” her mom insisted. “Enjoy yourself for once. Let these wonderful friends of yours spoil you. It’s just for the weekend, and I’ll be here when you get back.”

Holly bit her lip, the weight of her responsibilities tugging at her. The medical bills, the appointments, the constant fear of losing her mom—they all loomed like a dark cloud. But maybe, just this once, she could let herself breathe.

“All right,” Holly said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “But only if Ms. Edison and the aide are here the whole time.”

“Deal.” Kari clapped her hands together triumphantly. “Now let’s get you ready. We’ve got a spa appointment in an hour, and we’re not taking no for an answer.”

“What?” Holly’s eyes widened.

“Oh, come on.” Andi grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the door. “You didn’t think we’d let you show up to this party without the full Vegas treatment, did you?”

“But I don’t have anything fancy to wear!” Holly protested.

Kari grinned. “That’s what shopping is for.”

“And makeup,” Andi added.

“And hair,” Kari said with a wink.

Holly groaned, but deep down, she felt a flicker of excitement. Maybe this was exactly what she needed—a chance to forget her worries, even if only for a little while.

Her mother’s voice stopped her just before they left. “Holly.”

She turned back, meeting her mom’s soft gaze.

“I love you,” her mom said, her voice full of quiet strength.

“I love you too, Mom.” Holly leaned down to hug her.

“Now go,” her mom whispered, her hands pressing lightly against Holly’s shoulders. “Enjoy every second of it.”

And as Holly let her friends pull her toward the promise of a magical weekend, she resolved to do just that—for her mom, and for herself.

Spicy romance novels where love comes in every combination.

Powertools: Original Crew
This five-man construction crew knows how to use all of their tools to delight their women and sometimes each other, too. Watch them fall in love one by one and introduce their women to the greater crew where everyone is friends…and lovers.

Powertools: Hot Rods
The mechanic cousins of the Powertools started off as a ragtag collection of foster kids. They’ve grown into misfit mechanics looking for a stronger bond with each other. The crew provides sexpert guidance to help the Hot Rods navigate their new poly relationship.

Powertools: Hot Rides
The motorcycle sister-shop to Hot Rods is chock full of sexy men who enjoy sharing their women, and each other. These MMF trios defy traditional boundaries and bring all the spice. Check up on your previous favorite Powertools universe characters too.

Powertools: Original Crew Returns
The original Powertools Crew returns in a brand new series of steamy reads. See how their connections have evolved and find out what happens when life does its life thing. Will they adapt and grow together…or apart?

Powertools: Shields
With one of the core Powertools members at their helm, a team of covert operatives save the day while finding their perfect MMF ménage lovers. Love, lust, and adventure. Plus sword crossing guaranteed!

Upon purchase, you will immediately receive an email from BookFunnel with links to the Ebook(s) you purchased.

Click that link and follow the instructions to read online or download the Ebook to your preferred eReader device. Easily read on your iPhone, Android, Kindle Nook or Kobo device.

If you have any issues accessing your new Ebook, there is a Need Help? link in the top right corner of each book download page.

If you do not receive a download email, visit https://bookfunnel.com/help/.

All sales are final. Unfortunately, we do not accept Ebook returns.