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Pillowtalk
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Pillowtalk

A Novel

About the Book

In a feel-good romance that will steal your heart, a charming small town brings together two people who could each use a fresh start—and it’s all thanks to a little pillowtalk.

Kennedy Walters used to be lucky in love—until tragedy struck. Now she’s come to the lakeside town of Lyra Valley to finally put the past behind her. But while Kennedy’s staying at a local B&B, she is shocked to find herself undeniably drawn to a sweet-talking hometown heartthrob. Kennedy isn’t sure if she’s ready to move on—and yet one look in Aaron Sheppard’s eyes makes her wish he'd make his move.

Aaron returned to Lyra Valley because he was fed up with the big city and everything he was missing: beautiful, down-to-earth girls like Kennedy. Turns out Aaron has more in common with Kennedy than he realized, and suddenly he wonders if he should give her a little space. But after a power outage strands them together, their innocent flirtation turns to intimate conversation. And over the course of a night that neither will ever forget, Aaron and Kennedy learn just how compatible they could be—if only they’d let themselves fall into each other’s arms.

Look for Cassie Mae’s charming All About Love novels:
DOING IT FOR LOVE | NO INTEREST IN LOVE | CRAZY ABOUT LOVE

Praise for Pillowtalk

“Wow, this book! Ow, this book! This book is one of the sweetest that I’ve ever read.”—Reading with the Dark (five stars)

“It is easy to empathize with the characters. I would recommend this as an easy read.”—Linda’s Book Obsession

“I’m running out of ways to say I love [Cassie Mae’s] writing! It just doesn’t get old for me. Her stories have such originality and this one was no different. And the cover is lovely too.”—Celebrity Readers (five stars)

“Pillowtalk by Cassie Mae is a beautifully told romance. . . . I highly recommend it to all.”—Urban Book Reviews (five stars)

“I absolutely loved Pillowtalk! Cassie Mae took a poignant subject and handled it with such delicate ease that I found myself dancing back and forth between tearing up and laughing out loud—and both of those things felt perfectly right in the moment. I will definitely be recommending this book to readers!”—New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shawn

“It takes a skillful hand to write a romance at once achingly sweet and scorchingly sexy, but with Pillowtalk, Cassie Mae’s newest contemporary romance, she’s risen to the challenge and delivers a gorgeous novel about saying farewell to the past and finding the courage to love again.”—New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery

Praise for the novels of Cassie Mae

“Doing It for Love is absolutely one of the best books I’ve read all year. It’s a truly feel-good romance that will make your heart squeeze a million times over.”—USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne

“With the sassy, fun and lively No Interest in Love, Cassie Mae delivers an entertaining read.”—New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde

“Sweet and sexy, funny and heart-wrenching, Crazy About Love is crazy good! I seriously loved this book!”—USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry

Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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Praise for Pillowtalk

“Wow, this book! Ow, this book! This book is one of the sweetest that I’ve ever read.”—Reading with the Dark (five stars)

“It is easy to empathize with the characters. I would recommend this as an easy read.”—Linda’s Book Obsession

“I’m running out of ways to say I love [Cassie Mae’s] writing! It just doesn’t get old for me. Her stories have such originality and this one was no different. And the cover is lovely too.”—Celebrity Readers (five stars)

“Pillowtalk by Cassie Mae is a beautifully told romance. . . . I highly recommend it to all.”—Urban Book Reviews (five stars)

“I absolutely loved Pillowtalk! Cassie Mae took a poignant subject and handled it with such delicate ease that I found myself dancing back and forth between tearing up and laughing out loud—and both of those things felt perfectly right in the moment. I will definitely be recommending this book to readers!”—New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shawn

“It takes a skillful hand to write a romance at once achingly sweet and scorchingly sexy, but with Pillowtalk, Cassie Mae’s newest contemporary romance, she’s risen to the challenge and delivers a gorgeous novel about saying farewell to the past and finding the courage to love again.”—New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery

Praise for the novels of Cassie Mae

“Doing It for Love is absolutely one of the best books I’ve read all year. It’s a truly feel-good romance that will make your heart squeeze a million times over.”—USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne

“With the sassy, fun and lively No Interest in Love, Cassie Mae delivers an entertaining read.”—New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde

“Sweet and sexy, funny and heart-wrenching, Crazy About Love is crazy good! I seriously loved this book!”—USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry
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Excerpt

Pillowtalk

The thoughts she’d been doing so well at keeping at bay started dropping out as soon as her lips parted. “Oh, so that’s how this is going to go, huh? We’re just going to fake pleasantries until everyone comes back?” She snorted. “No thanks.”

The smirk dropped from his face completely, making it look adorable and infuriating all at once. “Uh . . .”

Kennedy turned to face him dead on. “I know I’m a novice when it comes to flirting, but can you really blame me?

It’s been a long time, and I know it was probably weird since I was holding my ex . . . old . . . late boyfriend on my lap, but I wasn’t trying to hit on you. . . . I was only trying to get to know someone, and you seemed polite enough. If you weren’t interested, fine, but don’t give me some excuse that you’re gay and then drive up with another woman in the same afternoon.”

“Um . . . I think you’re confusing—”

“I’m confusing? No. I was pretty blunt, as were you.” Kennedy let out a frustrated sigh, now speaking more to herself than him. “I finally put myself out there and . . . and . . . ooh, I can’t stand a liar. It would’ve been fine if you’d been honest, but I swear, I allow myself to actually be attracted to someone again and the universe pulls this one on me. Of course, who wouldn’t be attracted to someone like you, right? You probably get hit on all the time, and here I am . . . and well, I’m sorry I’m not a fiery redhead with a gorgeous smile, but you could’ve said that you were unavailable. Using homosexuality as an excuse to say no is an insult to all legitimately gay men. Ugh, to think I wanted to spend time with you while I was here.”

Austin settled his hands on hers, which had grown more and more wild as her words spilled out of her. Kennedy wanted to ignore the jolt she felt at his touch, but she couldn’t, and it made her all the more angry.

“Hold up, will ya?” he said, his smile back on his face. She threw him a grimace and ripped her hands away. “I was saying . . . I think you’re confusing me with someone else.”

“Oh please.” She looked him up and down, noting all the things she’d found appealing about him earlier—now all the things she wished she hadn’t. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

He had the nerve to chuckle. “No. But I do think you ran into my brother at the train station.”

Something drooped in Kennedy’s stomach as she processed his answer. “Brother . . . ?”

“Yeah. Austin, my twin. Who happens to be gay.”

Silence permeated the air between them. Kennedy’s lips stayed parted as if she were trying to catch flies. She studied him, refusing to believe she’d just made a fool of herself twice within a few short hours of being there. There were subtle differences between the Austin from earlier and the Austin now, but they could very well be things she overlooked. Had to be things she overlooked.

She let out a small huff. “The twin ploy. Wow, haven’t met a man with the guts to use that one.”

He grinned. “Only works when it’s the truth.”

“Well, then. What’s your name?” she asked, hoping he’d fumble with finding one. His mouth opened and then his eyes flicked up to the porch.

“Okay . . .” a breathy Chelsea interrupted as she leaned against one of the patio chairs. “I think I have a second to breathe now.” She smiled and straightened, waving her hand out between the two of them. “Aaron . . . this is Kennedy. In case she hasn’t already told you.”

And now Kennedy’s stomach was definitely filled with something very heavy and leadlike. An involuntary grunt floated from her lips as she turned back to him, humiliation dripping down from the tip of her head. Yet the amusement she expected to see in his eyes wasn’t there—instead it was a look of shock . . . and a little sorrow.

“Kennedy . . .” He paused, eyes flicking to just past her elbow into the open passenger door of Daniel’s car.

“Yes,” Chelsea said, stepping down to join them. “Jared’s ex-girlfriend.” Her brow pulled inward as she looked to Kennedy. “Old girlfriend?”

“I’m still trying to figure out the title,” she admitted, hoping her awkward laughter eased the tension instead of making it worse. Austin’s . . . Aaron’s smile started to form again, and he moved his gaze from the urn back to Kennedy.
 

About the Author

Cassie Mae
Cassie Mae is the author of a few hundred—okay, maybe not that many—books. Some of which became popular for their quirky titles, characters, and stories. She likes writing about nerds, geeks, the awkward, the fluffy, the short, the shy, the loud, the fun. Since publishing her bestselling debut, Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend, she has published and sold books to Random House and founded CookieLynn Publishing Services. She has a favorite of all her book babies, but no, she won’t tell you what it is (mainly because it changes depending on the day). Along with writing, Cassie likes to binge-watch Once Upon A Time and The Flash. She can quote Harry Potter lines quick as a whip. She likes kissing her hubby, but only if his facial hair is trimmed. She also likes cheesecake to a very obsessive degree. You can stalk, talk, or send pictures of Luke Bryan to her on her Facebook page. More by Cassie Mae
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