A fun, sexy new stand-alone from New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig.
He's sexy and confident, the kind of man every woman notices. You know, the one with the to-die-for body and panty-melting smirk. And then there's the way his designer suits drape over his broad shoulders and big...well, we've all heard the rumors, the ones that say he's up for any challenge.
But I can't see him that way. He's my boss—technically one of the owners of the company where I work—and definitely not in my league. Men like him don't notice women like me, and they don't date them.
And I don't date men like him.
Until that one time that I catch him in a compromising position when I'm also in need of a last-minute date for a wedding...and then it's not real. It's blackmail.
For one weekend, he's my plus-one.
Beautiful and unobtainable.
From the moment she walked into my office with those stunning blue eyes and crazy sensual curves, she's been on my mind. Three years and never once has she acted interested in me. Usually I flash a million-dollar smile and women fall to their knees, some literally.
Not her.
Then on the occasion that I agree to let another woman do that—fall to her knees—guess who happens to catch us?
It may not be the most conventional way to get on her radar, but I didn't get this far in business without knowing when to seize an opportunity. If this sexy little firecracker with perfectly kissable lips thinks she can blackmail me into attending her cousin's wedding, I'm going to jump at the chance to be her plus-one.
You love her darker side. Now it's time to meet Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha, as she trades her renowned twists and turns for laughs and love with this sexy new stand-alone romance, PLUS ONE.
I'm in an alternate universe and it's every fantasy I never knew I had. What CEO of a billion-dollar company dreams of enjoying a farm in the middle of nowhere? Who imagines waking in a small bedroom, complete with a canopy bed and sunshine streaming through pink curtains, as birds sing? What owner of a 7,000-square-foot penthouse with a to-die-for view of the Empire State Building enjoys the hominess of a hundred-year-old, 3,000-square-foot farmhouse with a wraparound porch, creaky floors, and a view of cornfields? Sitting with a cup of steaming black coffee, I listen as Kimbra and her brother Kevin bicker back and forth while helping their mother in the large eat-in kitchen. The warm spring air is filled with the sizzle of frying as the aroma of coffee, eggs, and bacon reminds me of some of the best diners in New York. Although Kimbra's dad, Oscar, is talking, I can't concentrate on anything but Kimbra—Kimberly Ann. That's what everyone here calls her. "Because of you, I'm out ten bucks." Kevin says, not doing a good job of whispering. "Me?" Kimbra asks. "What did I do?" Kevin tilts his head my way. "You brought a real guy here. I put money on him being made up." Kimbra reaches out and punches his shoulder. He lifts his hands in surrender. "No. Listen. I was sure it was a good bet. When Mom said your boyfriend's name wasn't Timothy, but Duncan, and you didn't want him in the wedding, Susan and I figured he wasn't real. I bet Jimmy ten bucks this fake Duncan guy would be a no-show. Susan and I were sure that before last night, you'd have some reason why at the last minute he couldn't attend. You know, like you’d make up some accident or something." Her brother is about as good at speaking softly as he is at being nice to his sister. "Shut up!" Kimbra whispers back. "Obviously he's real." Kevin's head falls back in laughter. "He's real, all right. Last night I thought your old bed was going to collapse." Kimbra's eyes flash to me. And though I look down at my coffee and pray her dad isn't listening, the gleam in her expression makes my cock twitch with the memories of the night before.
EXCERPT
Chapter 1
I push the thought of my mother's call away and
concentrate on my friend, Shana. As I do, the slippery napkin escapes my hold.
Quickly, I slide from my seat to retrieve it.
"Excuse me," a deep voice says as
black leather loafers stop precariously close to where I'm now kneeling to
rescue my napkin.
Seeing the shoes, I look up and suck in a deep
breath.
Towering above me are long legs covered in
tailored trousers. As I follow them up, they lead to a trim waist, a black
belt, and a white shirt that buttons over a broad chest. I barely swallow the
lump in my throat as I recognize the wide shoulders covered with the matching
suit jacket. Seizing the napkin, I stand, suddenly face to face with one of the
owners of the company where I work.
My face burns with embarrassment as his
shimmering green eyes narrow and head tilts. Inches away from me is one of the
handsomest men I've ever met. He should be on the cover of GQ, not gracing the
halls of Buchanan and Willis.
His firm lips form a tight smirk and cheeks
rise in amusement. "Miss Jones."
Staring into the sea of emerald, I try to
pretend I wasn't just on my knees in a chic restaurant in front of Duncan
Willis.
"Mr. Willis," I respond, my voice
cracking. Nervously I take a step backward. As if the moment weren't awkward
enough, I wobble, teetering precariously on my high heels.
Swiftly, he reaches out, grabs my elbow, and
steadies my footing. Though he just saved me from making an even bigger fool
out of myself by falling face-first into what I can only imagine is a hard,
defined chest, my mind is suddenly consumed with the electricity of his touch.
The energy heats my skin as his grasp lingers.
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
2017 brings Aleatha's first "Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha" with PLUS ONE, a fun, sexy romantic comedy.
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
NEWSLETTER | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK| AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST
No comments:
Post a Comment