So I confess I haven’t read any previous Erin Watt
books. Not from lack of desire just time hasn’t been on my side of late however
when I read the blurb for this one I just had to get my grabby hands on it and
I could not have been happier with what I got. Which really is no surprise
considering the calibre of these authors.
Normally I am not a huge
fan of Rockstar romance but I am a huge sucker for pretend relationships. But
despite the fact it was based around a rock star hero it really didn't have any
of the normal clichés I expect with the genre.
Vaughn was perfect from
the start. She absolutely took no bullshit from anyone and I loved that she was
completely unaffected by Oakley’s fame or ego. And despite a few moments of
stupid once she got on track she was so confident in herself it was impossible
not to have a huge girl crush on her.
Oakley was everything I
could have asked for. He started as an egotistical self centered arsehole and I
just wanted to see him get punched in the junk. But of course he redeemed
himself so perfectly that I was completely besotted.
They really were the
perfect couple and I love that none of the drama felt contrived or unnecessary
it all felt real and it kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole book.
I can not rave about this
book enough. I could not put it down if I was drowning and I would love to see
this turned into a series.
I am fangirling so hard over this book. I am a massive Lex
Martin fan but she has always been my go to for an angsty new adult read so
when I saw she had teamed up with Leslie McAdams and written a romantic comedy
I was so excited to read it and omg was it worth every minute I had to hide in
the toilet to try and read a page.
From the first page, I loved Evie. She was everything I could
ask for. She was so self-reliant yet she had these moments of self-doubt that
just made her all the more endearing. Add in her quirky friend, her rescue dog
and her fixer upper house and I fell so hard for everything about her.
Josh was perfect. He was the ultimate book boyfriend. Rich
yet down to earth, Hung like a horse and yet still so sweet and caring. I don’t
think he could have done a thing wrong. From the first time he heard Evie’s
voice he was so cute and I enjoyed being in his head so much.
Josh and Evie were just amazing together. I don’t think I could ever get enough of them
together. And their meeting and relationship drama was so different yet they
both felt so real and the sex was off the charts hot.
Of course in true Lex Martin style the emotion was so strong
and my connection to the characters was so complete I went from laughing to
crying and I felt like I was living every moment right along with them. You
have to read this book right now.
From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a new and sexy romance…THE KNOCKED UP PLAN! A standalone romance told in dual POV, THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is about all of the fun, hotness, and heartfelt emotions that come when a single woman asks her gorgeous, jaded, sworn-to-be-single-forever good friend to get one particular job done. What happens next when he agrees to provide the bun for her oven are lots of hot sexy times and heartfelt moments.
Now available on all retailers! Get your copy delivered now!
✮✮✮ THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮
There are three little words most guys don't want to hear on the first date. Not those...I mean these... "knock me up."
This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it's not true love. It's a bun in the oven, and I'm not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming -- and he's also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me.
I won't fall for him, he won't fall for me, and there's no way baby will make three.
Right?
****
There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date -- "your place or mine?"
When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place -- as well as any position -- I can't refuse. Besides, I've got my own reasons to take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.
There's no way I'll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?
Be prepared to swoon and fan yourself from the heat! This full-length standalone contains lots of hot baby-making s-e-x, happy tears, playful jokes and a hot, swoon worthy hero you will fall madly in love with. One-click now for pure reading enjoyment!
✦ Kindle US ✦ Kindle UK ✦ Kindle CA ✦ Kindle AU ✦ iBooks
✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Amazon PB
EXCERPT
Yanking open the door, I head
inside. I stride to the small cafe where Ryder said he’d wait for me.
My chest falls. The man is
known for punctuality. I scan the white bakery case and the five round iron
tables, but he’s not here. When I spin around and survey the bookshelves, my
heart nearly leaps from my chest.
He’s in the . . .
Oh my fucking God, he’s
waiting for me in the . . .
I bring my hand to my mouth,
and I want to run, to leap into his arms. When he sees me, his blue eyes
twinkle with mischief.
I am a teapot about to
whistle. I am a dog dancing before dinnertime.
He taps the shelves and holds
up a book.
A pregnancy guide.
He’s ten feet from me. But I
sprint anyway, and I grin like a fool. I stop two inches from him and clamp my
hands on his broad shoulders. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes—”
I tackle-hug him before he can
say anything more. I knock the breath from him in an oomph as I rope my arms
around his neck and crash into him.
“But I have one condition,” he
says, embracing me back.
I’m crying tears of happiness,
so I don’t care. “Anything. Name it.”
“You better hear it before you
agree.”
The moment screeches to a
halt. He’s going to want visitation rights. He’ll want lots of money. He’ll
want summers, or weekends, or evenings out.
I unwrap myself from the
warmth of his strong chest and swallow. “What’s your condition?”
“I thought it would be best to
present it in the form of a column.”
“A column?”
“Top five list and
everything.”
I groan inside. He has five
conditions? Maybe my mother was right. Maybe asking for baby-mix from someone
you know is a big mistake. Anonymous donors request nothing but greenbacks.
I steel myself as he fishes in
the back pocket of his jeans. The paper is square, folded in quarters. He hands
it to me. “Open it.”
I unfold it then read the
headline out loud. “‘Top Five Positions for Getting a Woman Pregnant’?”
I blink and stare at him. The
cogs turn slowly in my brain. I part my lips to speak.
He raises a hand to silence
me. “Hear me out. You explained how it worked. The room, the cup, the
magazines, the videos. The whacking off in a fucking public place. The cost.
But most of all . . . the wait.You’d have to wait for an appointment for me, for the testing, for the jerking off, then for your special date with the turkey baster.” He cups my cheek. His hand is big and warm. “What if we did it the
old-fashioned way?”
✦The audiobook will be narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt! Link coming soon! ✦
"A refreshing take on the baby trope, The Knocked Up Plan is as sweet as it is naughty. Blakely not only balloons Nicole and Ryder’s incredibly powerful chemistry to new heights with their steamy love scenes, but she also infuses sweet emotion into every single one of their interactions."
- USA Today
“Wildly romantic! Incredibly sexy! Hilarious and sweet! The Knocked Up Plan HAD IT ALL! The PERFECT romance to kick your Summer into HIGH GEAR! Ryder and Nicole are Lauren Blakely's BEST CHARACTERS YET!”
- Shayna at Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads
“The chemistry between Ryder and Nicole is COMBUSTIBLE!!! They are magic together.”
- Bookalicious Babes Blog
Add it to Goodreads here!
✮✮✮Enter to win this amazing THE KNOCKED UP PLAN GIVEAWAY!✮✮✮
Lauren’s Bundle of Joy Special Delivery Giveaway! This bundle is valued at $200 and includes the most delicious cupcakes delivered to your door from Wicked Cupcakes, a $50 gift certificate for luxurious bath products to make your skin baby soft from The Body Shop, and comes wrapped up with a beautiful sterling silver bow bangle bracelet from Pandora ($125 value).
http://laurenblakely.com/knocked-plan-giveaway/
About Lauren Blakely:
A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she's sold more than 2 million books. In June she'll release THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, a standalone contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter!Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads
We are excited to bring you the next cover from New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Authors Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland.
DEAR BRIDGET, I WANT YOU is the next standalone Contemporary Romance Novel from this sensational duo releasing on September 18, 2017!
Model: Philip Van den Hoogenband – Chadwick Models Melbourne
Photographer: Brian Jamie
Cover designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs
Dear Bridget,
I’m writing this letter because it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.
So, here goes.
We’re totally wrong for each other. You’re the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I’m just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.
But here’s the thing… for some bloody reason, I can’t stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.
I want you.
The only reason I’m even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don’t believe it’s one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we’re joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.
So, what’s the purpose of this note? I guess it’s a reminder that we’re adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it’s to let you know that I’m leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you’d like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.
No questions asked.
Think about it.
Or don’t.
Whatever you choose.
It’s doubtful I’ll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.
--Simon
Add to Goodreads
PURCHASE LINKS:
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**No Amazon ebook preorder. Will go live on Amazon on release day.
Sign up for Penelope & Vi’s mailing list now and be the first one notified when it goes live!
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of thirteen novels. With over a million books sold, her titles have placed on the New York Times Bestseller list fifteen times. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 10-year-old boy. Penelope, her husband, and kids reside in Rhode Island.
Facebook Fan Group | Facebook | Website | Twitter | Instagram
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author. With more than a million books sold, her titles have appeared in over fifty Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twelve languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
Website | Facebook Fan Group | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Other books from Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward:
Cocky Bastard
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1LfN3fc
iTunes: http://apple.co/1PffE2J
B&N: http://bit.ly/1EjxNpY
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1UxCSUO
Stuck-Up Suit
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1S3LnpZ
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Qbwy57
B&N: http://bit.ly/29vrQhV
Kobo: http:// bit.ly/1RJdUif
Playboy Pilot
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2d5I5rS
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Wb06Cf
Nook: bit.ly/2caXPEK
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2cJDXO1
Other books from Vi Keeland:
Egomaniac
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/b1gi74
iBooks: http://apple.co/2fIsmvC
B&N: http://smarturl.it/t4ohsv
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/azmhq9
Bossman
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2a8D5B6
iBooks: http://apple.co/25x2jyX
B&N: http://bit.ly/29sL4H2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/29lW19I
The Baller
Amazon: amzn.to/1PBF2hG
iBooks: http://bit.ly/iBooksBaller
B&N: http://bit.ly/BarnesBaller
Kobo: http://bit.ly/KoboBaller
Left Behind (A Young Adult Novel)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Left-Behind-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00OJM92LI/
First Thing I See
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/First-Thing-See-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00AWXY3HG
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-thing-i-see-ms-vi-keeland/1114703332
Life on Stage series (2 standalone books)
Beat
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00ZOMUV12/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beat-vi-keeland/1121715501
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/beat/id983959123
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/beat-5
Throb
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Throb-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00SS2RYBU
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/throb/id948747986
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/throb-vi-keeland/1121112695
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/throb-4
MMA Fighter series (3 standalone books)
Worth the Fight
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Fight-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00FLG5B9S
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-the-fight/id805540252
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-the-fight-vi-keeland/1117014180
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/worth-the-fight
Worth the Chance
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Chance-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00I2UKQOK
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-the-chance/id813714461
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-the-chance-vi-keeland/1118634058
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/worth-the-chance
Worth Forgiving
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Forgiving-Vi-Keeland-ebook/dp/B00MWL78EG
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-forgiving/id906130022?ls=1&mt=11
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-forgiving-vi-keeland/1120173153
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/worth-forgiving
The Cole Series (2 book serial)
Belong to You
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Belong-You-A-Cole-Novel-ebook/dp/B00BUTCXLE/
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/belong-to-you/id639401754
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/belong-to-you-vi-keeland/1114962845
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/belong-to-you
Made for You
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Made-You-A-Cole-Novel-ebook/dp/B00DPWVKS6
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/made-for-you/id84550637
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/made-for-you-vi-keeland/1115883225
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/belong-to-you
Other books from Penelope Ward:
Mack Daddy:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kWzE1S
iTunes: http://apple.co/2iNrIPj
B&N: http://hyperurl.co/aiypfj
Kobo: http://hyperurl.co/r3hv19
RoomHate
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TksrpE
iTunes: http://apple.co/1PgsvE7
B&N: http://bit.ly/1PLGnSL
kobo: http://bit.ly/1POvSnW
Stepbrother Dearest
Amazon http://amzn.to/1mFNMeg
ITunes: http://bit.ly/YER0mT
B&N: http://bit.ly/1taMFjG
kobo: http://bit.ly/1fJaaBs
Neighbor Dearest
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2aS8BPa
iTunes: http://apple.co/29mC6L8
B&N: http://bit.ly/2akQ2aq
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2axt1SY
Sins of Sevin
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1F9tbc3
iTunes: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE
kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
Jake Undone (Jake #1)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dJrHBC
iTunes: http://apple.co/1fJayQ8
B&N: http://bit.ly/1obAwJ6
kobo: http://bit.ly/1SPKl0M
My Skylar
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1obOG2F
iTunes: http://bit.ly/SLNOTR
B&N: http://bit.ly/SLO1qi
kobo: http://bit.ly/1kNrtAB
Jake Understood (Jake #2)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GFdves
iTunes: http://apple.co/1DQQwgC
B&N: http://bit.ly/1FwJC0z
kobo: http://bit.ly/1LQ7Fvk
Gemini
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vgk1SE
iTunes: http://apple.co/1QTaONj
B&N: http://bit.ly/1KfmLHD
kobo: http://bit.ly/1BGJ2wu
Vegas Heat, a series of sexy STANDALONES from Erika Wilde is now live!!!
Game of Chance
A former Marine and Las Vegas vice cop, Nathan Fox has seen it all and then some. Heading up security for the Onyx Casino is tame compared to his dark past, but it's not his only job. Working for the Reliance Group is his real passion project. His current case: a missing woman. His mission: to find her. Easy enough, until he finds himself tangled up with sexy Nicole Hutton, a stubborn—and stunning—journalist who's nosed her way into his investigation . . . and into his dirty, erotic fantasies.
Resisting Nicole is impossible, and he soon discovers that in this dangerous high stakes game of chance, falling in love is the greatest risk of all.
Start the Series Today!
iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google Play
Take a Chance
The son of a con-artist, Sean O'Brien learned the hard way that living by your own rules comes with a price. After a brief time behind bars, Sean is now ready to live an honest life, and pay for his past mistakes, and he's fortunate enough that a member of The Reliance Group sees Sean's potential for good and gives him a job at the Onyx Casino.
Zoe Russo has met all types of men on the Vegas strip. But when Sean pays a visit to her boutique, she's certain her luck has changed for the better. They share an immediate, irresistible attraction, and for the first time in her life she's found a man she thinks she can trust. But when Zoe stumbles onto the truth about Sean and his reasons for pursuing her, she can't help but question everything they'd shared. Are his feelings for her real, or has she been a fool once again? Until now, nothing has prepared her for the thrill and risk of taking a chance on love.
Read Today!
Last Chance
As the Executive Casino Hostess for The Onyx in Las Vegas, Valerie Downing is always on the lookout for the night's biggest winners. When she spots a man―one of the sexiest she's ever laid eyes on―generating huge excitement at the craps table, she knows she's in luck. Her goal: To make sure the high rollers stay at her hotel, and that any further gambling is invested right back into the casino. His aim: To enjoy some other "perks" that Valerie might have to offer…
Turns out Chase Pierson is already a VIP guest who happens to be working with Valerie's boss on a top-secret mission for the Reliance Group―one for which she too has been recruited because of her psychic abilities. But Valerie, bold and gorgeous as she is, is first and foremost a professional. No fraternizing with Onyx clientele is her motto…except this hard-bodied, infuriatingly charming client is tempting her to break all the rules.
LAST CHANCE contains light paranormal elements (heroine has psychic abilities)
Read Today!
iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google Play
Meet Erika Wilde
Erika Wilde (aka Janelle Denison) is the USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances for multiple print publishers.Connect with Erika Wilde
Sign up for Erika's Newsletter at: http://smarturl.it/ErikaWildeNewsletter
Join Erika's Private Fan Page - Books & Exclusive Giveaways! http://smarturl.it/ErikaWildeFanPage
From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Ashley, comes the third and final book in her The Magdalene series—THE TIME IN BETWEEN—releasing August 29, 2017! Don’t miss the beautiful cover below, and pre-order your copy today!
About THE TIME IN BETWEEN
(The Magdalene Series #3):
After a painful loss, Cady Moreland is coming to Magdalene to start the next chapter of her life. A chapter that began eighteen years ago but had a heartbreaking ending. The time in between was full of family and friendship, but Cady could never get the man she fell in love with all those years ago out of her heart.
Coert Yeager has learned to live without the girl who entered his life right when she shouldn’t and exited delivering a crippling blow he never would have suspected. The time in between was full of failing to find what he was missing…and life-altering betrayal.
But when that girl shows up in Magdalene and buys the town’s beloved lighthouse, even if Coert wants to avoid her, he can’t. A fire in town sparks a different kind of flame that won’t be ignored.
As Cady and Coert question the actions of the two young adults they once were thrown into earth-shattering circumstances, can they learn from what came in between and find each other again?
Preorder your copy today!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Add to your Goodreads
And don’t miss the first titles in the The Magdalene Series!
THE WILL
SOARING
About Kristen Ashley:
Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorize and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.Nothing's changed.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.
WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * NEWSLETTER * GOODREADS * PINTEREST * INSTAGRAM
Tycoon
by Katy Evans Publication
Date: June 20th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tycoon, an all-new standalone from Katy Evans is available now!!!
He wasn’t always this rich. This hot. This difficult.
Aaric Christos was a guy who protected me. Wanted me. Maybe even loved me.
That man is gone.
In his place is the most powerful real estate tycoon in the city.
He’s a cold, ruthless, aggressive businessman.
The only one who can save me and my startup from ruin.
It takes every ounce of courage to put my pride aside and ask for his help.
I didn’t expect him to offer it easily.
And he doesn’t.
Instead, he vets me harder than he’s vetted anyone.
Don’t invest in what you don’t know, he says.
He's assessing every piece of me, to the point I've never felt so bare.
I yearn for the boy I once knew, whose touch once craved me.
Putting it all on the line will be worth it, I tell myself.
Until I realize—too late—that some risks are not worth taking.
Excerpt:
I hop off the train and walk several walks to his building.
It’s a brownstone in Park Avenue, one of the most elite of the elite spaces in town.
My lungs feel a little bit overworked from awe as I head up the steps to the double doors, grateful that I came dressed to kill in a little black dress, a jacket, and pumps. Simple, but effective.
See, I may be feeling a little awkward, but at least I don’t look it.
I’m greeted by his maid. She’s dressed in black and white, her hair drawn back in a neat bun, her expression stoic and formal as she leads me down the hall to a gorgeous study.
I catch my breath when I notice all the books and shelves.
It’s like a reader’s paradise in here. There’s a sleek chrome bar, a modern mahogany glass-topped desk, and two huge whiskey-colored leather chairs that almost swallow me up when I’m instructed to wait in one.
I drum my fingers, inhaling the scent of leather and wine, remembering a guy I knew with his mechanic navy-blue uniform, black streaks on his jaw, his big nose always the first thing you’d see, which was a pity because he had beautiful eyes and a really sinful pair of lips.
He’s living in luxury now. Wow. Good for him.
I hear footsteps approaching and the little hair on my arms prick at attention. My head turns as a tall, dark figure steps into the room, and the most intimidating guy I’ve ever seen enters and crosses the room toward the desk. He walks like he’s the shit…his strides proud and composed, elegant and powerful.
Christos, I hear myself breathe in surprise.
He’s so tall now…six three, at least. Dirty-blonde hair, gold-green eyes, chiseled jaw, and a gorgeous profile.
All in black, he looks very much a New Yorker.
He’s wearing a black jacket, black pants, and a black turtleneck beneath the jacket...
I stare at him, my jaw hanging a little bit open. The man is….all man. Testosterone. Muscles. Height. Width. My chest hurts all of a sudden because I realize…
The boy you knew is gone.
I force myself to stand. “Thank you for seeing me.”
He heads to the bar to pour two drinks, then he prowls over, takes the whiskey leather chair across from mine and leans forward, pushing a glass of cognac with one finger across a small table, toward me.
And he waits.
In silence.
But my stomach dips as if he’d said something ultra-sexy and decadent.
“You might not remember me, I’m sorry to be reaching out like this,” I say, nervous.
“What do you want?”
There’s a pleasant shiver as he speaks. Recognition of his voice, even though it’s far deeper than I remember.
“I was told you sometimes invest in startups.”
“I’d say more than sometimes.” He raises his eyebrows as if I should’ve done my homework better.
Ugh, Bryn! Focus! Be SMART! Make yourself and your business irresistible! A silence settles as he eyes me, slowly setting his drink down as he leans forward and finally, unexpectedly, smiles. At me.
It’s just a smile.
But the world tilts under its impact.
“Hello, little bit.” Amusement touches his gaze as he tilts his head and watches me. “You know, I’d think you’d have grown up the ten-plus years since I last saw you. At least an inch.” He leans back in his seat, seemingly displeased. Wow, this guy is not the lanky kid I knew once. This guy oozes danger.
Every ounce of “boy” is gone. Oh God. For a moment I wish that we could go back in time and I could discuss my startup with the guy I knew before.
But time travel is not really my talent, and it seems like I have yet to see if I even have any special talents at all—depending on what this guy thinks.
“I grew two in width,” I shock myself saying.
He laughs then, his eyes drinking me in openly.
“Shame on you, you’re not trying to see if it’s true?” I ask him, frowning now.
He shrugs casually, his lips curved at the corners. “I can’t help it. Something has to have changed.”
“Why?”
“Because nothing good ever lasts. Even you, little bit.” A smile touches those unforgettable gold-green eyes.
A shiver runs through me. Because…
Christos recognized me.
“I can tell you’re as incorrigible as ever.” I shake my head, but I’m smiling, truly just relieved that he recognized me.
“I try to be,” he purrs dangerously.
I’m feeling warm all of a sudden. I can’t believe I’m staring at him so much, but it’s like I cannot take my eyes away. He looks achingly familiar, but at the same time, so different I cannot help but stare and track the differences in his features. The way his jaw squared out even more, the way his body filled out with hard, lean muscles that shift and ripple beneath his expensive designer clothes. I cannot believe that this is a guy I knew once.
He seems to silently be taking in my changes too, his keen stare allowing me to see that he seems to approve of it all. Even the dress I’m wearing. “You changed enough for the both of us,” I blurt.
“Really. How so?” he asks.
“You grew into your nose.”
“Really?” He chuckles as if despite himself.
“Width and height too. Quite a bit,” I add.
“Anything else,” he prods, one eyebrow rising.
“You learned how to dress.”
He looks down at his black suit. “This old thing?” He grins, then shifts forward, sobering up. “What can I do for you, Bryn? Considering I’m rather surprised to see you here, I’m eager for you to satiate my curiosity.” His stare becomes keen.
“So am I. I didn’t expect to be here,” I admit, and for a moment when I look into his eyes, all I see is someone I’ve seen before. Someone who belonged in my life long ago. “You know when you had that misplaced crush on me and told me one day I’d know what it felt like to throw pebbles at someone’s window wanting them to open? I’m sort of throwing rocks here.”
“Not to sing me a love song,” he says flatly, his eyes shuttering.
“No. Well, you know that was never....I mean...” Don’t bring up your rejection of him, Bryn! “It’s for something better. Business.”
“Go on.”
“I knew that’d get you.” I smile privately. “So it’s true your love is money now.”
“She gives back what I put in. Though her ass isn’t as juicy as I like,” he says nonchalantly.
“Wow. No matter how polished you look, your mouth is still as crude as ever.”
“Thank you,” he purrs, his eyes grinning at me.
I laugh. Then I sober up and realize he’s waiting for me to speak. “I’m looking for money for my startup,” I say.
“How much.”
“One hundred thousand.”
“I don’t invest less than a million.” He twirls his whiskey in his glass, eyeing the liquid.
“Well then, I’ll ask for a million.”
He raises his brows, setting his glass down. “It’s not how much you want to ask for, it’s how much the company’s worth.” Eyebrows up, he skewers me with a cold, intimidating look.
“It’ll be worth more than a million, trust me,” I bluff.
“Good for you. Except…” he leans back with a rustle of clothes, every athletic inch of his black-clad body flowing sinuously like a feline with the move, “considering that has yet to happen and I’ll need to trust you on that, my trust needs to be earned.”
This version of Christos is even more intimidating than the old one, unfortunately.
I try to hide it, keeping my voice as level as possible. “How does one earn your trust?”
“I’d tell you if I were interested, but I’m not exactly sure that I am.” He eyes me as if debating in silence.
This guy is the only guy in the world that unnerves me in this way, and I can’t seem to slow the fast pounding of my heart in my chest as I try to remember what I came here to say.
“I have a full presentation for you. I’m not taking no for an answer.” I reach into my briefcase.
“Darling. Are you ready?”
I start at the female voice and glance at a gorgeous woman striding into the study. Christos continues looking at me as he stands and reaches for the cell phone the woman extends out.
“We’re done here,” he answers her as he pockets the phone, his gaze remaining on me.
“I’ll wait for you in the car.” She leans up and kisses his jaw, her hands proprietary on his chest, then sends me a woman-to-woman claiming look, before she swishes away, all glittering jewels and lean body.
There’s a silence as he approaches, and for a second all I can hear is the sound of a toilet flushing, taking my only opportunity with a possible investor away.
“I’ll think about it,” he says.
“Christos.”
“I said I’ll think about it,” he says from the door.
“Please do,” I say as he exits the room. I cup the sides of my mouth, “I’ll be back tomorrow. Same time?” I say jokingly.
I’m surprised when I hear footsteps returning. He pauses when our eyes meet. “I’ll make contact,” he says, raising his eyebrows meaningfully, “If I’m interested in hearing more.” He nods. “Nice to see you, Bryn.”
“Nice to see you. Christos.”
Well, that went sort of awful.
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