SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times Bestseller, Kendall Ryan,
comes a sexy new standalone novel.
My tempting,
and very alpha friend Sterling Quinn is someone I consider off-limits.
It's not
just that we're friends, he's also cocky, confident, and British, which means
he's a walking aphrodisiac.
But lately
he's been giving me the look. You know the one. When he thinks I'm not paying
attention, and his gaze lingers for too long.
And then we
start working together, and that's when the sexual tension between us gets so
thick, I want to hack through it with a machete. I want to make all these deep
feelings I've harbored for him disappear, because there's no way this can end
well.
The lines
between business and pleasure become irrevocably blurred, and I'm stuck between
a rock, and Sterling's very, very hard
place.
Rather than
keep a level head about our growing attraction, Sterling wants to go all in,
showing me just how explosive we can be together.
But I've
been around long enough to know that this British bad boy is more than my heart
can handle. I'm not about to be cast aside like yesterday's underwear when he's
done having fun.
Sterling’s
never been told no, and he's not about to put his ego aside and play by my
rules. But I never thought he'd fight so dirty.
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REVIEW:
SOON TO FOLLOW
EXCERPT:
I twist the doorknob, and finding it unlocked, let myself
inside.
Sterling’s place is compact, but modern and classy. It suits
him. After a quick glance around the living space, I spot him on the balcony
outside, just beyond the glass doors at the far end of the living room. He’s
facing away from me, his hands gripping the railing, his head bowed.
My smile from moments ago is gone. Seeing him like this—looking
distraught—brings the reality of our situation crashing back.
Sterling suddenly turns and we lock eyes. A thousand emotions
are revealed in his eyes, but mostly there’s anger. There’s also a sadness in
his gaze that I’ve never seen. It’s haunting.
I swallow a lump in my throat, wondering what’s going on.
“Sterling?” I ask, slowly approaching the balcony.
It’s beautiful—plush pillows and twinkling lights, and a chilled
bottle of white wine all nestled together in a romantic picnic for two.
He lets out a heavy sigh and runs one hand through his hair.
“This is beautiful,” I say since he hasn’t spoken, hasn’t even
moved from the spot where he’s rooted, and his stony silence is killing me.
“Are you okay?”
“Just fine,” he says curtly, his gaze looking past me.
He doesn’t seem fine. He seems off. Why go through all the
effort if he’s just going to act
sullen and withdrawn?
And what could have possibly changed in the twenty-four hours
since we last spoke on the phone? He seemed so excited—like he hadn’t a care in
the world. Now it seems he doesn’t want me here.
“If this is a bad time, if tonight doesn’t work
. . .” I trail off, my voice suddenly shaky.
“The meal’s already prepared.” He brushes past me, headed toward
the kitchen.
Unsure what to do, I follow behind him.
He’s acting like an asshole, and I suddenly feel so stupid for
getting all done up tonight. I’m not going to stand around and embarrass
myself by begging for his attention.
“You know what? Never mind. This was a bad idea, anyway. I’ll
see myself out.” I turn and head for the front door, anger and rejection
dueling inside me.
It takes all of three seconds before Sterling’s long strides
catch him up to me by the door. His grip around my wrist stops me. “Wait.”
I turn and face him. I’m halfway between wanting to flee and
staying to hear his explanation.
He releases a heavy exhale. “I received a phone call just before
you arrived.”
With him so near, the combination of his clean soap and his
spicy cologne intoxicates me. Memories of our intimate dinner rush back. But
apparently tonight is not meant to be a repeat. Waiting to see what
he’ll say next, I inhale and hold my breath.
When he doesn’t continue, I ask, “Is everything okay?”
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