Head Over Heels In Love
Mariah Ankenman
(Jackson Family Distillery, #4)
Publication date: May 8th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Catching a woman breaking into his car was not the way Ace Jackson wanted to start his day. Finding out sheās the new hire at his familyās distillery is even worse. Sure, she said she mistook his car for herās, but thereās something about Millie he doesnāt trust. Too bad all his siblings vetoed his vote. Whatās the point of being the oldest if you donāt get to be in charge?
Millie Danes told the grumpy Adonis she wasnāt breaking into his car, but did he believe her? No! The guy has a stick up his butt bigger than the pine trees gracing the Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately, heās her new boss or sheād try and see if she could melt that icy exterior. But she has more on the line than a job, she needs funds to start her dream. Her very own aerial studio.
When a theft is discovered at work, Ace enlists Millieās help as a spy in exchange for the money to build her dream. Their tentative truce becomes complicated when desires fan the flames of temptation. In the battle of love, who will fall first?
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EXCERPT:
āMillie!ā
Her shouted name came from beyond the swinging door. Irritation rose, winning the war over guilt as she quickened her pace. āUgh, coming!ā
She pushed through the door into the back, muttering to herself. āGet your boxers out of a bunch you grumpy asshole. It was five damn seconds.ā
āWhat the hell do you think youāre doing?ā Ace demanded the second the door stopped swinging.
āWell, I was working, until you pulled me back here to yell at me like an angry schoolmarm.ā
Confusion drew his brow down. āWhat theā¦never mind. How is pulling some dangerous stunt and almost breaking your fool neck working? Last time I checked this was a bar, not some ridiculous stunt show.ā
That was it. She knew the guy was her boss, but he was being a giant dick. No one talked to her that way.
āFirst of all, I wasnāt about to break anything. Before you rushed in and grabbed meāā
āSaved you.ā
She arched one eyebrow in disbelief. āIs that what you thought you were doing? Saving the helpless damsel in distress? I got news for you buddy. I have been bottle-walking for years. I know how to fall from the bottles safely. Provided some jackass doesnāt grab me off them and tweak my back.ā
His angry demeanor disappeared in an instant. Ace took a step forward, eyes scanning her body as his voice softened. āAre you okay? Did I hurt you?ā
Shocked by the sudden switchāand his concernāshe shook her head. āNo. Iām fine.ā
The sudden grab had surprised her and put her off kilter, but he hadnāt injured her back.
He glanced into her eyes, stealing her breath as she saw the unmasked worry filling them. Wow. Who knew Mr. Ice had feelings?
āReally, Ace,ā she said gently, placing a hand on his arm. āIām okay.ā
He glanced down at her hand on his arm. The air in the room thickened. A rush of heat filled her. A bolt of electricity shot through her body, her fingers tingling against his warm skin. She quickly pulled her hand back, clenching it into a fist and placing it behind her.
What the hell was that?
Pushing the moment away, Millie cleared her throat. āI know how to fall safely off the bottles. I promise you I would have been fine.ā
Ace shook his head, blinking a few times before the angry scowl returned to his face. āWhy the hell were you on top of those bottles in the first place? We pay you to work, Millie. Not goof around.ā
And there went all her warm fuzzy feelings for this man. Jeeze, it was like Jekyll and Hyde with him.
āI was working.ā She lifted onto her toes, still not high enough to be eye to eye with the Grumpy Green Giant. Lifting a finger, she poked him in the chest. āIf you take a peek out that door you will see.ā
Ace glanced down at her finger, raising a brow when he looked back up at her.
Maybe poking her boss wasnāt the best idea, but he was being a jerk, and she didnāt like to be pushed around. Especially not when she was making him a ton of money.
āLook,ā she huffed, flopping back onto flat feet and pushing the door open a crack. āSee all those people rushing to get the new drink special? I did that. Itās called creative marketing.ā
Ace leaned over her. His chest pressing against her back, the heat radiating off his body nearly suffocating her with its warm, intoxicating scent. Dammit! Why did he have to be so hot? Normally it didnāt matter how attractive a person was, if they were an ass, she wasnāt attracted to them. Her body didnāt get that memo with Ace. Didnāt matter. Wasnāt like she was going to do anything about it.
š»Reviewš»
Ace is a man who has required routine and control so from his first meeting with Millie he knew that she was trouble.Ā Ā A misunderstanding doesnāt get them off to the best start however when a problem arises he knows that she is the best way to try and solve it.Ā Ā The only problem with that plan is spending time with her forces him to see that there is so much more to life than the way heĀ has been living it.
Millie has dreams for the future and working at Aceās family bar is just a stepping stone to get there.Ā Ā She and Ace couldnāt me more different, but he has also offered her an opportunity to achieve her dream.Ā Ā What was supposed to be a simple assignment turns into more when she realizes that there is so much more to Ace than first appears.
Ace and Millie were so delightful together as she knows exactly what to do or say to get a rise out of him and he gives as good as he gets.Ā Ā Although they had a few challenges along the way they ultimately bring out the best in each other.
Author Bio:
Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her.
Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someoneās day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books visit her website http://www.mariahankenman.com
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