When a winter storm grounds tech billionaire Lucian Hale's jet on Valentine's Eve, he ends up stuck in Willow Creek nowhere near his glass offices or polished routines. The only room left is at the Willow Rose Inn, and it comes with an unexpected roommate: Elena Rossi, the town's sharp-tongued baker who still smells faintly of sugar and flour at the end of the day.
Elena doesn't trust rich men, especially after one left her business and pride in pieces. Lucian doesn't do small towns or shared spaces. But with snow piling up outside and the heat humming all night, they call a truce. Temporary. Practical.
Then Elena's ex invites her to a flashy Valentine's wedding. On impulse, she asks Lucian to come along and play the part. It's supposed to be simple. It isn't.
Long looks replace small talk. Late nights stretch longer than planned. Lucian finds himself softening in ways he can't explain. Elena starts to see past the suits and money to the man underneath. What began as a favor turns into something neither of them expected.
When Lucian's business troubles surface, the fragile trust between them wavers. Elena has to decide if she's ready to risk getting close again or walk away before it costs her more.
Sometimes the storm that traps you changes everything.
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Part of the steamy Cupid's Arrow contemporary romance series where love always finds its target.
In the Cupid's Arrow series, love doesn't announce itself. It shows up fast, messy, and right on time. One minute it's a snowed-in gala with wet coats by the door, the next it's a fake date that starts to feel real. These contemporary romances follow strong-willed women and confident men who clash, tease, and circle each other before giving in. Billionaires with too much control. Athletes used to winning. Firefighters, bosses, and men who don't like being challenged. The tension builds in quiet looks, late nights, and conversations that linger longer than planned.
Each standalone story unfolds over one charged Valentine's season, where attraction grows, lines blur, and choices carry weight. There's heat, sharp banter, and moments that linger long after the door closes. Every story ends with a hard-earned happy ending and a love that feels chosen, not handed out.
What happens when the arrow hits and nobody ducks?
