Title: Conspire
Authors: Erin Noelle and S.E. Hall
Release Date: August 26, 2014

He wants answers.

She wants freedom.

The search is over…when they Conspire.

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Erin Noelle is a Texas native, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters. While earning her degree in History at the University of Houston, she rediscovered her love for reading that was first instilled by her grandmother when she was a young child. A lover of happily-ever-afters, both historical and current, Erin is an avid reader of all romance novels. In 2013, she published the Book Boyfriend Series, which included books Metamorphosis, Ambrosia, Euphoria, and Timeless, and thus far in 2014, has published When the Sun Goes Down, a contemporary romance novel, and Transparent, a romantic suspense novel. Her books have been a part of the USA Today Bestselling list and the Amazon and Barnes & Noble overall Top 100.

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S.E. Hall is the author of the Amazon Best Selling Evolve Series, Emerge, Embrace, Entangled (novella) and Entice as well as the bestselling stand-alone NA Romance, Pretty Instinct. She also co-wrote Stirred Up, an erotic short story with her CP and friend, Author Angela Graham and is honored to be a part of the USA Today and NYT Best Selling Devour box set. S.E., which stands for Stephanie Elaine, resides in Arkansas with her husband of 18 years and 3 beautiful daughters of the home, and one married daughter who graced her with two beautiful grandchildren. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading and writing and the occasional trip to the casino. She’s also clutch at Baggo, when it’s warm outside, and definitely the woman to pick on your side for some Flip Cup!

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Reasonable Doubt: Volume Three
by Whitney Gracia Williams
Reasonable Doubt #3
Publication Date:  August 26, 2014
Genres:Contemporary, Erotica, Novella, Romance
Purchase from: Amazon • Nook 
Add to Goodreads.

Synopsis: I hate him…

I hate that I fell in love with him, hate that he didn’t love me back, and I hate the fact that I just made a life-altering decision just so I could get the hell away from him.

He’d always said that he was unchangeable, heartless, and cold…

I really should’ve believed him…

Final book in the Reasonable Doubt series…

Also in the series:

About Whitney Gracia Williams

A self diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them. She is the “imaginary bestselling” author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul. When she’s not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop, she can be found here: http://www.whitneygracia.com She also loves getting emails from her readers, so if you want to tell her how much you loved (or hated) her stories, email her at whitgbooks@gmail.com

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Ten Bestselling Authors, Ten Powerful Alphas, Ten Passionate Novels

Every novel is full-length, and smoking hot!

Every author is a USA Today, NYT and/or Amazon Top 100 Bestseller!

RELEASE DATE; Monday, August 25^th, 2014

Price ~ $0.99!

Buy Links

Amazon UK

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iTunes

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Consequences by Aleatha Romig

New York Times bestselling author, Aleatha Romig, brings a suspenseful thriller about secrets, deception, passion, love, choices, and consequences.

Every action has consequences: Claire doesn’t understand how she ended up in the cruel hands of her abductor, Anthony Rawlings, but it’s been made abundantly clear—she is now his acquisition and every action has consequences.

Captivate the captor: Will Claire follow his rules, or will Anthony become enthralled by Claire? If that happens, will either of them survive the consequences?

Forever Black by Sandi Lynn

When Ellery moved to New York with her boyfriend, she thought they’d live happily ever after in their small New York apartment. She never thought he’d pack his bags and leave because he “needed space.”

With her newfound single status and fear of being alone, Ellery buries herself in her artwork and paintings until one night she helps a mysterious intoxicated stranger get home safely. Little did she know the mysterious stranger is none other than CEO and millionaire Connor Black. After finding Ellery in his kitchen the next morning and assuming she broke his #1 rule about sleepovers, he becomes intrigued, not only by her stubbornness and defiance, but by her kindness.

Connor Black, emotionally dead and damaged, made a vow to never fall in love. After Ellery shares her world, Connor starts to feel things he never knew existed. Despite the rumors and warnings regarding Connor Black, Ellery finds herself being drawn into his world, but she is harboring a deep secret that could destroy him emotionally forever.

Join Connor and Ellery as they embark on a journey of courage, love and strength. Will it be enough to save them?

Adam’s Apple by Liv Morris

Adam Kingsley reigns as the prince of Manhattan. His looks and money let him get away with all types of sins. It’s been an intoxicating ride until he meets Kathryn Delcour, an alluring socialite with unique erotic tastes.

Adam finds this complex woman too tempting to resist and will stop at nothing to have her, yet she is warned to stay away from him and his player ways. But will she be strong enough to hold the charismatic Adam Kingsley at bay?

The passionate lure of ancient sexual practices and a former business partner wanting to inflict a deadly revenge set the scene for an erotic love story. All told in Adam’s point of view.

The Agreement by S.E. Lund

Kate McDermott is a Journalism graduate student writing an article about BDSM in popular culture. It’s just research & nothing personal. Really.

Drake Morgan, MD, is a Neurosurgeon, bass player, philanthropist & Dominant. He doesn’t do girlfriends, sleepovers, & he certainly doesn’t do breakfast in bed the morning after. Ever.

When the two meet for an interview, Kate hopes the carefully worded agreement she draws up will keep their relationship strictly professional. Big mistake…

Devour Me by Kailin Gow

Taryn Cummings could not believe she was accepted into the prestigious International Institute of Culinary Arts culinary institute she dreamed of studying at in beautiful Paris, France. It was a far cry from her unglamorous life back home in New York where she helped her mother run their small family-owned restaurant called Sam’s. The Institute churned out the top chefs in the world, including the wildly sexy and eccentric Master Chef, Errol King, whose celebrity personality was larger than life.

She wanted excitement in a city of romance and thrills, but arrived to find her apartment barely livable and herself in need of a suitable place to stay. A chance meeting at the Institute brings her face-to-face with her new roommate…the devilishly charming Errol King, who would be guest teaching her class this term.

The attraction is as hot as the fire they cook with, and while Errol King, the notorious bad boy chef with an attitude, can get anyone he wanted into his bed, he wanted this woman more than anything. Something about her sweet innocence and sad eyes reach into his harden heart, but is it enough for him to forget his past?

Vital Sign by J.L. Mac

My world was perfect, until it wasn’t. I fell fast and hard straight into the fiery pits of hell, my past a bittersweet torture that never went away; the sadness, eating away at my soul. My life is empty. No meaning. No hope. No vital sign.

***

Despite her general indifference to organ donation, Sadie sets out to heal by finding those who benefited from her husband’s tragic death, but instead of peace, finds only jealousy and rage.

Though Sadie hates Alexander McBride for his health, he soothes her grief in ways that are intoxicating; addictive even. Can she learn to love the man who now owns the heart that used to beat just for her? If she has any hope of overcoming her all consuming grief, he must convince her that it still does.

Searching for Moore by Julie Richman

I lost the love of my life when she disappeared without even a goodbye.

It was the 80’s – there was no internet, no Google, no cell phones.

If you wanted to disappear, you could. And she did. She crushed my soul.

A friend just told me he saw her on Facebook. And now I’m a keystroke away from asking her the question that’s haunted me for two decades. “Why did you leave me?”

Sexy entrepreneur Schooner Moore receives the birthday bombshell of a lifetime – his true love, college girlfriend Mia Silver, the girl who broke his heart when she fled without even a goodbye at the end of their freshman year, has been seen on Facebook.

Now 24 years later, Schooner discovers the truth behind what drove Mia from him as he tries to once again win her love.

Gemini by Penelope Ward

Diner waitress Allison had no idea her mundane life was about to dramatically change the day she serves a devastatingly handsome customer. After he abruptly leaves the restaurant, she can’t get him out of her head. She has no idea that he had actually come on a mission to find her.

Cedric wasn’t expecting to fall in love at first sight with the pretty waitress he’d set out to find. In fact, she was the last woman on Earth he should be having feelings for. Before revealing himself, he makes her believe their meetings are coincidental.

Cedric’s lies and secrets are finally revealed, changing both of their lives forever.

Angel After Dark by Kahlen Aymes

Gorgeous, hotshot executive, Alexander Avery, is all business and doesn’t believe in love. He bases his relationships on mutual convenience and makes no apologies for his lifestyle or his choices. When his on-the-way-out girlfriend calls into a late night radio program to whine about his treatment of her, he is angrier at the host’s advice, than the inconsequential woman’s bitch-fest.

Psychologist Angeline Hemming has little tolerance for bullshit, so when Alex calls into her show a week later to give his side of the story, she calls him out on his excuses, and um… habits.

When they finally meet, their sexual chemistry and mental connection leaves them both reeling, as they take their fight… to the mattresses!

A sizzling hot, smart, funny, & suspenseful 5 star throw-down you won’t want to miss from the USA Today bestselling author of The Remembrance Trilogy!

Belong to You by Vi Keeland

My honeymoon was almost everything I dreamed it would be; a tropical paradise, turquoise water, romantic walks on the beach, and loads and loads of mind shattering sex. The only thing missing was the groom.

After seven years of coasting through a relationship with Michael, my senses were numb. A week of passion with a stranger was just what I needed to clear my head and take back control of my life. But how do you move on when the man that was only supposed to be a fling somehow seeps into your soul and steals your heart?

Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to “just get the degree!” She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.

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Lynsie Fox has what she considers to be a perfect life. Married to Lincoln, a military pilot, she’s living the Army life she’s always loved. Being a sucker for great love stories, Lynsie makes it her mission to find Lincoln’s best friend and co-pilot, Dax Adams, a good woman.

Being born an “Army Brat”, Erika Ashby has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She’s a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she has. It wasn’t until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.

Allie Anderson has encountered more heartache than any one person deserves to experience. She’s lost her father to cancer, her brother to war, and the love of her life-Wyatt, took her most prized possession and vanished without notice. Wyatt once held Allie’s heart in the palm of his hand-he crushed it.

Blake, Allie’s best friend turned lover is everything she needs; he’d give her the moon if she asked for it, but there’s one problem-he wants Allie entirely.How can Allie give herself to Blake when she’s not sure there’s a her to give away? Allie’s heart is like a puzzle that’s unfinished and missing pieces-it’s impossible to put together.

After being MIA the last four years, Wyatt returns home. Allie’s forced to make a decision on who she wants or who she believes she needs. No matter who she chooses someone will be devastated.

Allie’s life begins to fall into place, her heart begins to heal, and happy is no longer a foreign emotion-until she’s betrayed by the two people she trusted most.

LETTER’S HOME

Life is all about the jigsaw, right? Finding the different puzzle pieces to complete your very own picture. A career you love, a house to make a home, a lover to complete you, and keep you warm at night.

Danielle Renton has a life, and she loves it. A recent law school graduate, she’d been floored when her boyfriend, Nate Lewis, enlisted during their sophomore year of college. At the time, she’d been concerned with what that meant for them as a couple, but in the years that followed, they’d learned to adapt to the logistics of an army relationship.

But when life throws her a curve ball, how will she cope? Can she pick up the pieces and make her picture beautiful again? Or does she realize that, sometimes, the pieces can be too broken to fit back together…

Brittan McKenna’s life was perfect. After getting engaged to her high school sweetheart her happily ever after seemed to be all planned out. However after 9/11 her fiancé drops out of college to enlist; Brittan’s life takes a swift turn.During his tour she tried to stay strong and hold onto the hope that he’d soon return to her, but then the unthinkable happens and she gets the news every military spouse prays they never have to hear.

Bestselling Author of the Savannah Series. I published my first novel Irresistible Desire last March, and since then it’s been whirlwind year! I love my die hard fans #KaydensAngels!

 

I’m 29yrs old and the mother of three gorgeous children ranging in the ages of 10, 6 and 2. I also run Bailey Boopers Boutique full time along with writing. I love to stay busy!! I love traveling and the beach, so I’m excited to mix the two when I travel to FL, TX, AL, NC, CA..ect through out the yr meeting my kick ass fans!!

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WHAT IF

THIS IS A STAND-ALONE, Contemporary Romance: Due to language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

 

For some people falling in love was a happy, glowing experience. For Briar Kelly and Arrow Donovan it was more like getting hit by a freight train.

Caring for one another was never an easy feat. They constantly fought to hold their feelings inside, not wanting to jeopardize their friendship. Then, Arrow left for the Marines, and everything changed. Briar was shattered. Arrow was hurt.

While Briar told herself she’d never let another man affect her in such a way, Arrow still remained in the forefront of her mind. For Arrow, his memories of Briar kept him alive in both of his near death experiences. When Arrow’s demons threatened to drag him under, Briar was there, pulling him from the darkness.

“What ifs” keep piling up while resentment and redemption battles continue; will Briar and Arrow be able to find their happily ever after, or will this be one war that Arrow can’t win?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bayli Lane didn’t realize how much she loved creating a world from nothing until college. She went to Marian University where she majored in Communications but in her spare time wrote and read. Her love for reading is what really brought out her desire to create her own novel. After starting loads of stories and not finishing them, she finally decided it was time to put her passion to work. Bayli lives with her husband, Tim, in Indiana where she is probably sitting with a large cup of coffee and her computer working on her next book. 

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CRASHING BACK DOWN

Book #1 in a two part series!

Mags McManus has just become a war widow in her mid-twenties. Her late husband, Randy, left for the Army right after their wedding. Instead of celebrating his homecoming and living in marital bliss with her soulmate, Mags finds herself living in constant agony. Dealing with the guilt of still living without Randy, are Randy’s best friends and parents.

Rising from the ashes of this tragedy, Mags starts to learn how to love and trust again, finally being able to find happiness. But sometimes things really are too good to be true and again Mags learns how cruel the world can be as she crashes back down.

**18+ for sexual situations, cursing, and adult content.***

You want to know more about me? Well, let’s see…
I am just an average twenty-something following my dreams. I have a full time “day job” and by night I am author. I guess you could say that writing is like my super power (I always wanted one of those). I am the lover of wine, sushi, football and the ocean; that is when I am not wrapped up in the literary world.
Please feel free to contact me to chat about my writing, books you think I’d like or just to shoot the, well you know.
A portion of all my royalties are donated to The Marcie Mazzola Foundation.

Ryan Kendall is broken. He understands pain. He knows the hand of violence and the ache of loss. He knows what it means to fail those who need you. Being broken doesn’t stop him wanting the one thing he can’t have; Finlay Tanner. Her smile is sweet and her future bright. She’s the girl he grew up with, the girl he loves, the girl he protects from the world, and from himself.

At nineteen, Ryan leaves to join the Australian Army. After years of training he becomes an elite SAS soldier and deploys to the Afghanistan war. His patrol undertakes the most dangerous missions a soldier can face. But no matter how far he runs, or how hard he fights, his need for Finlay won’t let go.

Returning home after six years, one look is all it takes to know he can’t live without her. But sometimes love isn’t enough to heal what hurts. Sometimes people like him can’t be fixed, and sometimes people like Finlay deserve more than what’s left.

This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself.

Kate McCarthy grew up in a small town outside of Port Macquarie, Australia. Raised in a house just a short walk to the beach, Kate enjoyed the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere and friendships that come from being raised in a friendly, small town area.
She now resides in Brisbane, Australia, a city in the state of Queensland where she works as an accountant, along with a sideline wedding cake business and her writing.
She is married with two children, has two dogs and house in the suburbs, and a pile of friends and family dotted all over the country that help keep her sane.
When she’s not busy running after naughty kids, filthy dogs, crunching numbers, piping buttercream and writing books, you can find her curled up in bed in the early hours of the morning reading new books and re-reading old favourites. Her favourite books are the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward in which she longs to eventually join the brotherhood and change her name to Phierce Mutha.

At one time twenty three year old Maura had it all, loving parents, a best friend and a gorgeous boyfriend. Slowly over the years things were being ripped from her little by little. Her boyfriend left right out of high school to join the Marines. Her parents died a while later, leaving her on her own. She only had her best friend Ruby to rely on and keep her afloat while she dealt with her losses. Ruby has been the one constant and still remains her best friend after meeting in high school.

Finally Maura’s life was seemingly better, as she graduated college and opened up her own catering business, she was her own boss and life was normal again. But like always in life, once you get comfortable a ball drops. That’s when Pierson comes back to their hometown and back into Maura’s life, turning her world on it’s axis.

Pierson has demons of his own after serving in the military for five years. Tormented from his past and present, he has to come to terms with everything that has happened. He hopes to make amends with his first love.

Can Maura forgive Pierson for leaving all those years ago? Can they love each other like they used to? Things can never be what they used to be, but love was worth the fight. Wasn’t it.

I’ve always had my nose inside of a book ever since I can remember. And I thought Id try my hand at writing, and Ive wrote ever since I was young, never showing anyone what I was writing. Initially I started writing Coming Back to You without intending to publish, but my hubby of 15 years encouraged me to publish it. And I did. I cant imagine never writing. Its in my blood.

My mind is always wondering, plotting and full of ideas. I think my hubs questions my sanity sometimes, because I say my characters are real. They feel real to me.

And I hope my stories make some sort of impact to you readers. I love hearing from you and enjoy talking with you.

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CRAZY GOOD

Before there were bikers, or fighters, or even good old-fashioned jerks, there were Navy SEALs. They put the bad in badass because, well…it’s their job.

Navy SEAL Maverick Hart has everything. Women want him. Grown men idolize him. Little boys want to grow up and be like him. The job, the glory—it’s all his. Not because it’s handed to him…because he works hard for it. The second his sights lock on something, he owns it—or destroys it. Unfortunately he does both at the same time.

Windsor Forbes only takes calculated risks in her profession and in her personal life. After being left at the altar by the only person she’s ever loved, the very last thing she’s looking for is a relationship—especially the insane brand an arrogant Navy SEAL is offering. Hesitant, yet trusting to a fault, she gives in.

She knew she shouldn’t take the chance, especially a second time, but love is irrational and their love is perfect, infallible. Or so she thought…

The downfall to having everything is you have that much more to lose. A man like Maverick can’t have it all without something slipping out of grasp.

Rachel grew up in a small, quiet town full of loud talkers. Her words were always only loud on paper. She has been writing stories and creating characters for as long as she can remember. After living on the west coast for many years she recently moved to Virginia Beach, VA. 

After nearly a year and a half of grieving the loss of her husband, twenty-seven year old Alexa Sullivan Tate is headed back to her hometown after a decade of being away. She has no idea her high school crush, Jace McAllister, the guy who stole her heart the same night that he broke it, is more than ready to pick up the pieces.

Jace has spent the last ten years in the Army defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who ignited all his passions. Little does he know that the spark still exists.

Ten years ago they had smoldering chemistry, but the spark between them now might light a fuse that leads to an explosion even Jace can’t stop. Not that he wants to. If only Alexa can get past her guilt and trust her heart again.

But how do you put it all on the line when you’ve already lost everything once before?

*Mature Audiences only, 18+. While this is a series, each book will be standalone.

I’m a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my best friend for 7 years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats. If I’m not writing, you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle.

We are beyond excited about the Release Day Launch of Nichole Chase’s RELUCTANTLY ROYAL!! RELUCTANTLY ROYAL is a New Adult contemporary romance novel being published by HarperCollins Avon imprint and is the third book in Nichole Chase’s Suddenly Series. We love the swoony romance in these books and this one delivers in spades!

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RELUCTANTLY ROYAL Synopsis: Maxwell Jameson Trevor, prince of Lilaria, hates his royal role. Despising the limelight, he takes solace in his art studio and steers clear of any drama. But when one of the newly discovered royals passes away, Maxwell’s brother Alex asks him to break the news to the old man’s granddaughter. Though he hates to be the bearer of doom and gloom, he doesn’t want the poor girl to find out from the tabloids. For Maxwell knows all too well how devastating that could be. Coming from a broken home and modest background, newly ordained Lady Meredith Thysmer has seized her chance to make a better life for herself and her son. She’s not afraid to use her best assets to get what she wants. But when the unpretentious yet devastatingly handsome Max delivers his news, her plans for the future come crashing to a halt. In the challenging days ahead, Max’s compassion, humor, and steadfast loyalty to Meredith and her son win her over. She quickly finds herself doing something she swore would never happen again: falling in love. And yet Maxwell still refuses to completely drop his guard. Somehow Meredith’s got to find a way to seduce this reluctant royal. Excerpt: As I turned to leave the room, my eyes fell on a sketch pad and I couldn’t help myself. Sitting back down in the chair I flipped it open and smiled at the drawings inside. Marty had promise for such a young kid. Turning to a blank page, I glanced around and searched for a pencil. Charcoal would be best, but pencil would do. I started with the lines of his forehead, the curve of his impish nose, the roundness of his cheeks. I was lost in the sketch, enjoying the shadows, the tenderness in his expression, working to capture that moment of utter innocence. “That’s beautiful.” Her voice was soft. I looked up from what I was doing, not surprised that she had snuck up on me. When I’m lost in a project, the world disappears; the only thing I’m aware of are the layers of the project I’m working on. “He’s a good subject.” I turned back to the paper and finished up the shading of the blanket. “Only because he’s asleep and not moving.” Her quiet laugh sent shivers over my body. “That does help.” I smiled up at her. “But it’s the contrast. The contrast of him awake versus him asleep. He looks so young right now, so innocent.” “What do you mean?” She leaned closer to look at the picture. “He’s so mature, quick-witted.” I whispered the words. “But here he is, looking like the child he is.” “His teachers say that,” she said. “That he’s quick to pick things up.” “I’d say so.” I turned and handed her the sketch pad. “I hope you don’t mind that I drew him. The light and shadows were too perfect to resist.” Sort of like her right now. The way the moonlight glinted in her eyes and shone along her hair. Her perfect features would make any artist ache to draw them. Her pixie nose, the heavy eyelashes, the curve of her body hinted at by the oversized sweater she had wrapped around herself. It made my palms itch. Partly because I just wanted to touch her, to see if she would taste as sweet as she looked in that moment. “Thank you for keeping him entertained.” She stood up. “Can I keep this?” “Of course.” I stood up and stretched. Her eyes swept over my chest and then back up to my face. Maybe I wasn’t the only one tempted to touch. I hated to admit it, but I had a flare of pride. “I enjoyed hanging out with him.” I was surprised to realize I meant it. I never would have thought spending time with a six-year-old would have been enjoyable. “Looks like he did too.” She moved away from the door and I followed her into the hallway. “Did you get everything settled?” “I think so.” She frowned. “What’s wrong?” Her expression worried me. “Granddad would have hated a large ceremony.” She sighed and headed for the stairs. “But I guess that as a duke there are some things that have to happen.” “I don’t blame your grandfather.” I followed behind her. “I would want a small ceremony, not to be made into a production.” “I’m starting to think you don’t like any type of production.” She looked at me over shoulder. “Not really, no.” I wasn’t going to lie. “I don’t like being the focus, being the center of attention. It makes me uncomfortable.” I wasn’t going to lie, but I hadn’t intended to tell her so much about me. “And yet you agreed to help me with my grandfather’s funeral.” She turned to me at the bottom of the stairs and set the sketch pad on a table. “Why?” I stared at her for a minute, enjoying the way her eyes looked up at me, the tilt of her chin, the way her hair cascaded around her shoulders. “I don’t know.” Unable to help myself, I reached out and touched her cheek with my fingers. Her pupils dilated and she inhaled softly. With one thumb I traced the dip under her plump bottom lip. Her hand reached up to trace my jaw and she took a step closer to me. “You should be running from me as fast as you can.” She whispered the words. “I’m everything you don’t want.” “I’m not so sure.” “I live for the spotlight, it’s my food.” Her eyes were half lidded as she edged closer to my mouth. “And you’ve seen my family. I’m trouble, Max.” Did I care? I wasn’t sure I was capable of making a real decision as her smell wrapped around my senses. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to taste her, to touch her, to press her against my body. To hear her say my name again. Dipping my head, I grazed her lips with mine and I was lost. On a sigh, she leaned into me and wrapped her hands around my neck. Tilting her head back, I brought my mouth to hers carefully, softly, tasting. I wanted to deepen the kiss, to hear her moan, to feel the way her body could wrap around mine, but I kept it soft, sweet, and simple. She was in such a hard place, she needed to be protected, treasured by someone. And right now, I was that person.     Nichole Chase Bio: Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal, Flukes, The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, and several short stories. She is also the instructor of Say What? a dialogue class at the Romance Academy. Nichole lives in Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, superhero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not writing, you may find her reading, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** RELUCTANTLY ROYAL Goodreads

Chapter Five

 

Nik

We entered the penthouse, and I immediately led her towards one of the spare bedrooms. It was a crucial error on my end. How did I expect myself not to touch her when she was under the same roof? The smell of her lured me to her side. As I opened the door for her, I informed, “You can sleep here in the guestroom.” She was so weary I wasn’t sure she’d make it to the bed. When she stumbled over her own two feet, I clutched her elbow to keep her from faceplanting onto the floor. My God, she was beautiful. I had to divert my gaze before I did something impetuous.

Her eyes were heavy as she curled up under the covers. As I turned off the lamp on the nightstand, she grabbed my hand. “Stay. Please?” she slurred.

Oh, hell no. I did not have the strength for that. I brushed my fingertips along her cheekbone. “I’ll be right here, little one,” I reassured. “I’m not going anywhere. Rest, now.”

She mumbled, something like, “Only one man has ever called me ‘little one.’ ”

I smiled and whispered, “Sleep sweet.” I shut the door, not quite understanding why she had shared that information. She’s very tired and probably has no idea she said it, I chastised myself mentally. A woman like her should be loved and cherished, not debased and ignored, which was exactly what would happen if I gave into my impulses. I could not have a functioning relationship with a woman. I knew that. I was fully aware of my failures, and how much I was capable of hurting her. My past alone was enough to make any woman run, screaming.

*****

 

Lora is a Missouri native who relocated to California as a teen. She spent several years as an international flight attendant for a major airline, before taking on her greatest job ever, a stay-at-home mom. Now she resides in Kentucky with her family, and has taken on her newest adventure, writing.