No woman was going to spring her mantrap on Sergeant Nick Paretti! And that included Gina Santini. They’d agreed to publicly play boyfriend/girlfriend, and Nick had never intended to keep up the pretense in Gina’s bedroom. But her luscious mouth left him poised before a pleasure-precipice he couldn’t resist. So he dived in—and took Gina’s virginity with him. The beautiful temptress claimed she was after experience—not marriage—but her heart obviously disagreed. Meanwhile, something told Nick the guards at his heart had thrown down all their weapons and surrendered….

Two romantic stories from USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child to warm your holiday season! Last Virgin in California For years, Lilah Forest had dodged her matchmaking colonel father's "bachelor bullets." But that didn't stop him from steamrolling Sergeant Kevin Rogan into playing Lilah's personal escort. She'd never marry military—not even sexy soldier Rogan. But at the drill instructor's touch, Lilah found herself unable to resist his masterful seduction. Still, she knew what she wanted in a man—and gruff and solitary wasn't it. So why, after just one more night of loving, did Lilah want to give this marine his marching orders…to meet her at the altar? Marine Under the Mistletoe Sweet and sassy Marie Santini learned long ago that the men around Camp Pendleton just didn't see the local tomboy as date material—even if there was a passionate heart beating beneath her cute coveralls. So why was devastatingly handsome marine First Sergeant Davis Garvey acting so interested? For Davis, there was no mystery—one look from the lithe, lovely and oh-so-sexy Marie Santini and his rugged body was jump-started well beyond high gear. But did the rootless marine dare take into his arms a woman whose eyes said commitment only?

LILAH, A MILITARY WIFE? NO WAY! For years, Lilah Forrest had dodged her matchmaking colonel father's 'bachelor bullets.' But that didn't stop him from steamrolling Sergeant Kevin Rogan into playing Lilah's personal escort. She'd never marry military—not even sexy soldier Rogan. But at the drill instructor's touch, her icy emotions did a swift about-face…and the virgin found herself unable to resist his masterful seduction. Still, Lilah knew what she wanted in a man—and gruff and solitary wasn't it. So why, after just one more night of loving, did she want to give this marine his marching orders…to meet her at the altar?

Thankfully, the longest three months of Aidan's life were coming to an end. Only three more weeks and he'd be the winner of the no-sex-for-ninety-days bet he made with his brothers. He could almost taste victory! Then he'd met Terry Evans. Her voice was soft and dreamy. Just the kind a man liked to hear coming from the pillow beside his. Aidan groaned from the absolute misery of having to look at this gorgeous woman and not be able to turn on his usual Reilly charm. Or work his magic until he had her right where he wanted her. In the dark. In his bed. No, it would not be an easy three weeks, not if he was going to be the last Reilly standing...and not on bended knee!

When Angela Santini felt the power of First Sergeant Dan Mahoney’s smoldering gaze, she dared to throw caution to the wind. It had been so long since she’d be held, kissed, touched... But how was this straitlaced single mom supposed to know that one fantasy-filled night of passion with this mesmerizing marine would never be enough? Dan Mahoney knew the pitfalls of getting too close to soft-hearted Angela Santini and her lonely son. But if the elusive bachelor was so set on a life of solitude, why couldn’t he just stay away? Was it because this Cassanova in uniform might actually be...in love?

Brian Reilly was a man on edge. It had been two long weeks since he and his brothers had made a "no sex for ninety days" bet before Tina Coretti Reilly turned up on his doorstep. And now that his beautiful ex-wife was within arm's reach again, he didn't know how he'd survive! Coming home had been a hard decision for Tina. But she wanted a baby. Brian's baby. She just didn't know if her heart could survive another go-around with the hunky marine. Still, she was determined to show Brian just how tempting she could be....

He came back to Belle Terre to save his family’s plantation, but seeing Eden Claibourne again had Adams Cade fighting his long-buried desire for the woman he’d never forgotten. The enticing tomboy had turned into a sensual goddess—one whom he longed to lure into his bed. But Eden deserved a man who could offer more than fiery, short-lived passion. Would his first love’s tantalizing kisses convince this jaded loner to let down his marriage-wary guard?