Playing house in the mountains was supposed to be temporary, but a woman would have to be made of stone to resist the most eligible bachelor in Pine Ridge and all his small-town charm.… Denny Torres needs a break. After a series of embarrassments on and off the field, the Adirondacks provide the perfect hideout for his new, quiet, post-football life. The fresh mountain air is a welcome balm for his soul, but what’s even more soothing? The sexy, sweet touch of fellow Pine Ridge newcomer Bethany Jones. If only she planned to stay....   Bee does not have time for a hunky former athlete—no matter how good he looks shirtless. Her artistic ambitions are in ruins, her brother is a disaster, and while Pine Ridge has its charms, the small town is nothing more than a pit stop on her way to getting back on track. Bee’s just going to ignore the fact that when Denny offers her the chance to channel her creative energy into redesigning his house, she finds herself building the home—and the life—of her dreams.   With their time together coming to an end, Denny will have to move quickly to prove he can be the man Bee needs. Who better than a defensive back to knock down those walls? Praise for Wild Love “The ultimate comfort romance read. Lauren Accardo has crafted an engrossing and heartfelt small-town romance about overcoming heartbreak and hardship to find your purpose and the happily ever after you deserve.”—Sarah Smith, author of Simmer Down “A deeply satisfying slow-burn romance”— Publishers Weekly Lauren Accardo writes steamy contemporary romance featuring strong women and the men who love them. Originally from Western New York, Lauren now lives in Queens with her stand-up-comic husband. She loves karaoke, cake, and the Adirondack Mountains, where her series takes place. chapter one   Bethany Jones closed her eyes as the sunshine melted into her skin, tugged at the corners of her matte-pink lips, and seeped into her soul, warming her from the inside out. She breathed in, tasting the scent of freshly printed books and a tangy orange blossom candle on her tongue.   "Told you summer in Pine Ridge was nice." Sydney's voice broke through Bee's thoughts like a pebble on a pond.   "I never doubted you," Bee said. She turned away from the big front window of the Loving Page bookstore where she'd erected the base of a small-scale sailboat for the last of the summer displays.   Sydney artfully arranged a basket of delicate scented soaps-ocean breeze and fresh linen-next to the cash register before stepping back to admire her work. "Does anyone use bar soap anymore?"   Bee placed a hand on her hip. "If nothing else, people give them as gifts. And they make the cash wrap smell nice. Seriously, Syd, you've got the incredible smells in here down to a science."   Sydney grinned, gazing around the bookstore she'd single-handedly transformed from dusty old shop to town jewel. "We sell so many candles. Obviously, the romance novels are still our bread and butter, but profits have completely shifted since I expanded our candle section."   A brief but distinct pang of jealousy hit Bee in the chest. Her dreams didn't reside in a tiny mountain town or a romance-themed bookstore, but she filled with longing as she watched Sydney flourish in a business she worked for and helped make thrive. They'd met at a discount gym during Bee's first year living in New York City and bonded over the subpar equipment and their favorite Zumba instructor. Sydney quickly became Bee's closest, most trusted female friend, and despite their paths drifting over the past few years, they'd never lost touch. And when either of them needed the other, she was always there.   "I pulled a specific box of titles I want featured in the window," Sydney said.   "If they don't work with my color scheme, I'm vetoing them." Bee winked.   With a roll of her eyes and a smirk, Syd turned over her shoulder, disappeared into the back office, and emerged carrying a box the size of a small child.   "Here." She dropped the box next to the front door and brushed off her hands. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."   Bee peered into the box of books with spines in shades of pale blue, creamy white, and dusty pink. "The Prince Problem," Bee read. "Heart of Stone. Josh and Odie: A Love Story."   She lifted her gaze to where Sydney stood adjusting the soaps for the third time.   "Male-male romances?" Bee asked.   Without turning her attention, Syd said, "Yeah. I mean, some. Queer romance. They cover the whole spectrum. Well . . . you know, not the whole spectrum. But that's my goal."   Bee turned back to the box, gazing at the spines with new affection. "Wow. Didn't realize a small town would be so accepting of such inclusive content."   "You have a lot of misconceptions about this place," Sydney said. "Of course, we have the requisite bigot, the handful of misogynists, the old folks using terminology that makes your skin crawl. But the majority welcome diversity and inclusi