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One Weekend in Barcelona
Author: Christi Barth
Publication date: September 13th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
Hudson Locke’s world shattered when the band he started with his best friends fell apart. Sure, he’s super successful now, subbing as a drummer for huge acts, but he wants one of his own. One he can build. A place where he can belong. But he’s only got one shot–and one weekend in Barcelona to test out potential bandmates.
Zora Rosenthal can’t fail. Not again, anyway. She’s been in 3 bands that crashed and burned. This weekend is her last chance to join one that will actually succeed. It’s vital that she impress Hudson with her incredible talent on guitar–and prove that she’s easy to get along with, also.
The problem starts when Hudson and Zora get along too well. It’d be beyond stupid to even think about getting involved.
Or kissing each other.
Or admitting all the things they want to do to each other…
On top of that, the third potential member is horrible. Will their band actually form before it falls apart? Will either one back out because of their…connection and how badly that could go once they start working together? Or will this one weekend send Hudson and Zora down a new path–together?
an excerpt
Zora took both of his hands in hers, immediately noting the callouses from years of wielding drumsticks. And wondered how those would feel dragged over certain sensitive areas of her skin…
“If Central Casting were looking for a hero to star in surfer movies, they’d use you as the example. You’ve got the lanky-but-muscled build, the blond-ish, just-too-long hair that I guarantee every woman wants to feather through her fingers. And you’re nice.”
Hudson rolled his eyes. “Nobody cares about nice.”
Did the man know nothing about women? Sure, some were on the prowl for status and wealth. But most women? They wanted a nice guy. One they could trust. One who was nice enough to put their needs first at least half the time.
Being a nice kisser was good too.
“That’s not true.” Zora gently banged her knee into his in admonishment. “It is an entirely underrated quality. You’re nice. Loyal. And you have a passion for music that’s intriguing.”
“How do you know?”
“Did my homework, remember? I watched lots of videos of your shows. Mostly, though, it was the way you insisted on hearing me play before letting either of us waste our time this weekend. You care. That’s intensely attractive.”
Okay, she’d gone overboard. The words were all true. But maybe…she shouldn’t have said all of them out loud.
“I appreciate the ego boost. Trouble is? Dating—anything beyond hook-ups—scares me.”
Zora tapped a finger against her lips. “Hmm. Is it that you’re worried the small talk will dry up? We could use the Notes app on your phone. Make a list of general topics to pull from when things go quiet. Or did the canceled honeymoon give you, ah, the sexual yips?”
He jolted in the metal seat. It loudly squeaked as his weight shifted, and his eyes went wide. “What the hell is that? And I’m already sure the answer is no.”
“The yips. It’s a sports thing. You know…performance anxiety.” Zora peered pointedly down at his crotch.
“No! Wow, you really tossed the rules about what to talk about in an interview out the window. Want to know my inseam? Where I stand on the death penalty and the war in the Middle East? Whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich?”
“We’ve only got two and a half days. Better to get deep. Fast.”
One corner of Hudson’s mouth worked up. As did the eyebrow directly above it. Those full lips pursed for a second before he said, “I don’t have any trouble in that area.”
Whoops. Zora realized how supremely sexualized her words could have been. Especially since they’d already been talking broadly about his penis. Yowza.
There was literally no comeback. Or rather, no space in her brain to look for one, given that all she could think of was Hudson’s sexual prowess. Fair? No. Sexist? Yes. Unavoidable? Absolutely.
With an attempt at a smile that was probably as crooked as Jersey bookie, Zora glanced away and said, “Guess I need to go on and update your Wikipedia page with that tidbit.”
USA TODAY bestseller Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance. Christi lives in Maryland with her husband.
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