"Not here, precious. Not like this." His other hand wrapped around my neck and he pressed his forehead against mine. "I will have you beneath me. In a bed. Where I can adore you properly." His statement was a promise. A sensual threat that had me itching to make it come to pass. But I had to get to work. And he was right. A fast fuck in the bubble room would not nearly be enough for what I wanted with Hudson. No, needed. Hudson was far from what I wanted. But I'd gone beyond that now. I had to have him, bad for me though he may be. *** Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither's past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out --move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan. But what Alayna didn't figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He's smart, rich, and gorgeous --the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson's fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it. Avoiding him isn't an option after he offers a business proposition she can't turn down and she's drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she's fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.
FIXED ON YOU
I FELT ALIVE.
The alternating flashes of dark and soft lights, the throbbing pulse from
an Ellie Goulding club mix, the movement of sweaty bodies dancing,
grinding, enjoying each other-The Sky Launch Nightclub got into my
blood and turned me on in a way that I hadn't let anyone or anything else do
in quite some time. When I was there-working the bar, assisting the wait
staff, attending to the DJs-I felt more free than at any other time of my
day. The club held magic.
And, for me, healing.
For all its vibrancy and life, the club was a safe haven for me. It was a
place I could attach myself without worry of going overboard. No one was
going to sue me for focusing too hard or long on my job. But rumor was
The Sky Launch, which had been up for sale for quite some time, was about
to be sold. A new owner could change everything.
"Laynie." Sasha, the waitress working the upper floor, pulled me from
my thoughts and back to my job. "I need a vodka tonic, a White Russian,
and two Butterballs."
"Got it." I pulled the vodka from the shelf behind me.
"I can't believe how busy we are for a Thursday," she said as I worked
on her order.
"It's the summer crowd. Give it a week, and the place will explode." I
couldn't wait. Summer at the club was a total blast.
"That's when things around here get fun." David Lindt, the general
manager of the club, joined our conversation, a sparkle showing in his eyes
as the bright white light that lit the bar illuminated his face.
"Real fun." I gave David a wide smile and winked while I placed the
drinks on Sasha's tray, my stomach tensing with a flicker of desire.
He answered my wink with one of his own, stirring the flicker in my
belly to a low flame.
David wasn't the love of my life-not even the love of the moment-
but his shared passion for the club sparked something in me. My interest in
learning more and moving up from bartending had seemed to interest him
as well. More than one late night of showing me the ropes had ended in
heavy make-out sessions. Though I hadn't been instantly attracted to him,
his small stature, curly blonde hair and blue eyes had grown on me. Also,
his keen business sense and exceptional management style were qualities I
required in a man. And, truthfully, the lack of effect he had on my emotions
provided half the draw. We had decent chemistry, but he didn't have me
freaking out all over him like I had over other guys. He was safe and solid
and that was my definition of the perfect man.
I rang up Sasha's order while David filled shot glasses-Todd's order, I
suspected, another waiter standing next to Sasha. David rarely stepped
behind the bar anymore, but we were short-staffed for the night and I
welcomed his help. Especially with the way we were picking up. A regular
and his friends had leaned against the bar waiting for my attention, and out
of the corner of my eye, I saw a suit taking a spot at the far end of the
counter.
I handed Sasha her ticket, but David stopped her before she could take
off. "Hold on. While there's at least a few of us here, I think we should toast
to Laynie." He passed around the shots he'd been filling. Tequila-my
liquor of choice.
I peered at him suspiciously. While it wasn't unusual to have a shot or
two while working a shift, it was always kept on the down-low, never in
front of our manager and certainly not at his encouragement.
"No worries," David said, bumping my shoulder with his. "It's a special
occasion."
With a shrug, I smiled and took the shot he offered me. "You're the
boss."
"We're too busy for a proper toast, so let's just say this is to Laynie.
We're proud of you, girl."
I blushed and clinked glasses as everyone around, including the regular
customer and his friends, shouted out "hear, hear" and "cheers."
"Woo hoo!" I screamed my own excitement. I'd worked hard to get my
degree. I was proud of myself too. I slammed the shot back, enjoying the
burn as it lined my throat and spread through my veins. "Goddamn, that's
nice!"
Aware that the crowd was getting antsy, Sasha took off with her order
while David filled Todd's. I turned my attention first to the regular, a guy
whose name deserted me. He leaned in to give me a hug, which I returned. I
might not remember him, but I knew how to earn my tips.
"Four of whatever's on tap," he said, raising his voice over the music
which seemed to have gotten louder in the last few minutes. "Where's
Liesl?"
I handed him his first two mugs and began work on the next two. "Since
she's covering all my shifts next week she has tonight off." That's right-
this was the guy that usually flirted with Liesl, another bartender.
"That's cool. So what are you doing on your vacation?" With Liesl not
around, Regular turned his charm on me. His eyes travelled to my breasts
that were admittedly hard to miss. Especially with my low-cut neckline. I
had some nice girls, who could blame me for showing them off?
"Absolutely nothing." I hoped my delivery sounded like I was looking
forward to my vacation. Truth was I'd taken the time off so I could go home
and spend time with my older brother. But only that morning, Brian had
called the trip off, saying that he was too swamped with work. He wouldn't
even be able to make it to my graduation.
I swallowed the emotions that threatened to show on my face. On top of
being disappointed, I was terrified. Me with nothing to occupy my time was
not an attractive me. I'd almost told David several times to go ahead and
put me on the schedule, but every time I started, I felt like a total loser.
Maybe a week off would be good for me. I could handle it. Right?
Now wasn't the time to fret about the week to come. I finished the
transaction with Regular and slid down the bar to take care of the suit at the
end of the counter.
"Now what can I get...you...?" My words trailed off as my eyes met
the suit's, the air leaving my lungs, suddenly sucked out by the sight that
met me. The man...he was...gorgeous.
Incredibly gorgeous.
I couldn't look away, his appearance magnetizing. Which meant he was
exactly the type of man I should avoid.
After the numerous heartaches that had dotted my past, I'd discovered
that I could divide the men I was attracted to into two categories. The first
category could be described as fuck and forget. These were the men that got
me going in the bedroom, but were easy to leave behind if necessary. It was
the only group I bothered with anymore.
Our lips stayed locked as we grinded and humped, a tight ball of tension growing deep in my belly. I’d never been so intimate with someone during a first kiss let alone the first night we’d met. Never felt so close to orgasm with all of my clothes still on. Never been on the verge of begging for sex from a near stranger—The sound of a throat clearing brought me tumbling out of ecstasy. Dylan broke his mouth from mine and peered around me. “Yes?” The driver. Oh my God, I’d forgotten about our driver. **** British ad exec Dylan Locke isn't looking for love. He isn't looking for fate. He's definitely not looking for Audrey Lind. She's pretty, far too young, and overly romantic--in short, exhausting. But when the girl, young enough to be his daughter, literally lands in his lap and asks for his expertise, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested. But Audrey isn't looking for love either--she's looking for lessons, and she's certain Dylan knows everything she needs to learn. If he agrees to play the teacher can he keep his heart? Of course he can. Then again, he might be lying.
Are You Sure You Want To Delete This Contact? He hesitated. Maybe he was overreacting. Just because his parents hadn’t worked out… “Christ, Brad, divorced?” Stu said into the phone. Until now, Stu hadn’t said much and his sudden outburst drew Micah’s attention. “I knew that chick was just after your money.” Stu paused. “Look, I’m real sorry to hear that. I’ll get Pam to spin it to the press however you want me to. It’s funny, I was just saying to another client that relationships in Hollywood are tough.” Stu gave a knowing wink and Micah’s mind was made up. He looked back at his phone. Are You Sure You Want To Delete This Contact? Micah pushed Yes. And Maddie from the party was erased from his phone. Erased from his life. *** On the night of her graduation from film school, straight-laced Maddie Bauers fell completely out of character for an oh-my-god make-out session with a perfect stranger. Complete with the big O. Seven years later, that romantic interlude is still fresh in her mind. That stranger is now a rich and famous actor. And she’s one very distracted camera assistant working on his latest production. She might consider another tryst…if he even remembers her.
He’ll get what he wants—even if I’m already taken. Holt Sebastian is royalty in our world. As CEO of the Sebastian News Corp, he’s the man with all the power. The man who decides if I’ll always just be a local television anchor or if I’ll be the rising star of my own show. I make it my mission to be noticed. Make him see my potential. But soon, it's clear he's the one in charge. His possessiveness is brutal. His eyes own everything they touch. I feel his gaze on me when he's in the room. The heat of them as they rake down my body, taking me in, marking me as his. He doesn’t just want me on the screen—he wants me in his bed. And Holt Sebastian gets what he wants. No one will stop him, no one will get in his way. No one can protect me from his desire. Not even the man who promised nothing would come between us and his ambition—my husband.
“He’s never going to go for you,” a voice came out of the dark in front of me. “Not while you’re a virgin.” I squinted, and when I looked closer, I saw there was another bedroom at the end of the hall with the door wide open, and though I couldn’t quite make out the figure, I could see there was someone sitting in an armchair, smoking a cigarette. Or a cigar maybe. I took a step forward. Surely he wasn’t talking to me, but there didn’t seem to be anyone else around. “Excuse me?” “Weston never goes for virgins. It’s one of his rules.” Heat rushed up my neck and flooded my cheeks. “Uh…” “You’re offended.” **** When I met Donovan Kincaid, I knew he was rich. I didn’t know he was filthy. Truth be told, I was only trying to get his best friend to notice me. I knew poor scholarship girls like me didn't stand a chance against guys like Weston King and Donovan Kincaid, but I was in love with his world, of parties and s*x and power. I knew what I wanted—I knew who I wanted—until one night, their world tried to bite me back and Donovan saved me. He saved me, and then Weston finally noticed me, and I finally learned what it was to be in their world. And then what it was like to lose it. Ten years later, I’ve found my way back. Back to their world. Back to him. This time, I’m ready. I've been down this road before, and I know all the dirty, filthy ways Donovan will try and wreck me. But it’s hard to resist. Especially when I know how much I’ll like it.
I hated how he said my name, like he had all the power because he knew that bit of information about me. Hated it and loved it. I also hated how his eyes drew up my body, long and slow. Sensually touching my every curve, my every angle. Hated and loved it. Hated that I loved it. I sat on the chair that was still behind me, not trusting my legs to keep me steady for much longer. “What exactly is this deal you have? And who are you?” “I,” he paused, “am JC.” I’d never heard of him. “JC…?” “Just JC.” He said it like it answered everything. Two short syllables to put me in my place. “As in Jesus Christ?” JC chuckled as well, his expression brash and sexy. “I’ve been called that. But usually only when my face is pressed between a woman’s thighs.” Ew. Also, hot. —— The only reward Gwen Anders got from her rough childhood was a thick skin and hard heart. She’s content with her daily grind managing a top NYC nightclub—Eighty-Eighth Floor. So hers isn’t a happily ever after. She doesn’t believe in those anyway. Then she meets J.C. The rich, smooth talking playboy is the sexiest thing that Gwen has ever encountered, but she’s not interested in a night-in-shining latex. But when a family tragedy pushes her to the brink, it’s J.C. who’s there to teach her a new method of survival, one based on following primal urges and desires. His no-strings-attached lessons require her to abandon her constant need for control. Her carefully built walls are obliterated. Gwen discovers there’s a beautiful world outside her prison. Freedom is exhilarating—and terrifying. When she starts to feel something for J.C., she fears for her heart. Especially as she realizes that he has secrets of his own. Secrets that don't want to set him free.
“I don’t need your money.” She stuck out her chin. Insistent. “I do fine.” “‘Fine,’ but you’re getting kicked out of your hotel room—” “Fine doesn’t mean I can spare the money for an impromptu trip to NYC and a fancy hotel room. Regular people don’t have gobs of cash lying around.” The comment about regular people hit me in the gut. Because I’d always been the regular one, and she’d never been anything close to “regular.” But I understood what she was saying. She wasn’t desperate. She could take care of herself. She just couldn’t take care of this, and to make matters worse, the reason she’d splurged on this was because she’d put all of her hope in me saying I’d help her out, and I refused. ___ We were supposed to run away after graduation. When she didn’t show at our meeting place, I got brave and went after her. It was a mistake. I left bloodied and bruised. I had no choice but to walk away. Years passed. I traveled, settled halfway around the world, made enough money that I didn’t have to look back. But I never got over her. Then, out of the blue, she calls. And, what she asks for, the favor that she wants? I never thought I'd be willing to take a life. But the truth is, and always has been: I'd do anything for her.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
For two years, Bryan only saw Eileen as an assistant. She needed money for her mother's treatment, and he thought she'd never leave because of it. To him, it seemed fair to offer her financial help in exchange for sex. However, Bryan didn't expect to fall for her. Eileen confronted him, "You love someone else, yet you always sleep with me? You're despicable!" The moment she slammed the divorce papers down, he realized she was the the mysterious wife he married six years ago. Determined to win her back, Bryan lavished her with affection. When others mocked her origins, he gave her all his wealth, happy to be the supportive husband. Now a celebrated CEO, Eileen had everything, but Bryan found himself lost in another whirlwind...
"Ms. Crawford, it’s time for you to divorce Mr. Larsen and come home. You're the only heiress the Master's waiting for.” ~•~ For the sake of love, Amara accepted the arranged marriage with Tobias William Larsen. She did everything to gain her husband’s heart but when his old love returned, she realized that all her effort was all for naught. Tobias demanded a divorce on the night of their wedding anniversary, even at the price of threatening her. Heartbroken, she finally dropped all her illusions about him and returned home to be the heiress. The next time she met Tobias, they were no longer couples but opponents. "Mr. Larsen, should I remind you again? We've divorced." "Amara, that's the stupidest mistake I've ever made. Please come back to me."
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."