And he did scare me. There was a possibility he’d done terrible things to people—things that would frighten anyone with half a brain. Still, were it not for Amber, I might be able to overlook the rumors. Might be tempted by his charisma. That might have been the scariest thing of all where Reeve Sallis was concerned.
He shook his head. “Don’t answer that. It was inappropriate, and anyway, there’s no way you’ll respond the way that I want you to.”
He was wrong. I’d respond however he wanted me to if it got me what I wanted. What I needed.
But not yet. I couldn’t go that far yet. “That sounded like an apology until you tacked on another thing you probably should be apologizing for. So how about I ignore everything you’ve said in the last ten seconds and we try this again. What should I wear to dinner this evening, Reeve?”
“Nothing too fancy. A dress, though, please. It would be a shame to hide those lovely legs of yours.” But he said that with his eyes on my rack.
It was where I wanted his eyes. Another moment of triumph. A minor one. Partly because it meant he was attracted to me, but mostly because if they were elsewhere, if they met mine instead, I wasn’t certain I could keep the advantage.
Thankfully, it was hard for anyone to look elsewhere. I had a nice rack.
I pushed my chest up and out just enough to let him know the attention was welcomed. “I know exactly what I’ll wear. Until tonight.”
His gaze rose to meet mine and lingered just long enough to threaten my control. Just long enough for me to glimpse the burden of his own restraint. Then, without a goodbye, he turned and dove into the pool, his form so tight and perfect that he barely splashed.
Despite my intentions to leave, I stayed long enough to see him swim the length and back. He was mesmerizing. His body was strong and lithe all at once, his arms gorgeous as they flexed and stretched, cutting through the water with powerful strokes. His tight ass could hold my attention for hours.
Though he never looked up, I’m sure he felt my presence, just as I’d felt his. There was an attraction between us. An electric pull that made the air crackle and twist around me even at that distance. It was something that I couldn’t have faked, and I was grateful for it. It would make it easier to take the steps I needed to take next.
At least, I hoped that was the reason I was grateful for our connection. I didn’t want to believe the alternative.
FIRST TOUCH
Order now
to get the $3.99 introductory price.
More books in the Fixed Universe:
Fixed on You (Fixed #1)
Found in You (Fixed #2)
Forever with You (Fixed #3)
Fixed Trilogy Bundle (all three Fixed books in one bundle)
Hudson (a companion novel)
An excerpt from Fixed on You:
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. They were the safe ones. David fell into this category.
Then there were the men that were anything but safe. They weren’t fuck and forget—they were, “Oh, fuck!” They drew me to them so intensely that I became consumed by them, absolutely focused on everything they did, said and were. I ran from these men, far and fast.
Two seconds after locking eyes with this man, I knew I should be running.
He seemed familiar—he must have been in the club before. But if he had been, I couldn’t imagine that I’d have forgotten. He was the most breathtaking man on the planet—his chiseled cheekbones and strong jaw sat beneath perfectly floppy brown hair and the most intense gray eyes I’d ever seen. His five o’clock shadow made my skin itch, yearning to feel the burn of it against my face—against my inner thighs. From what I could see, his expensive three-piece navy suit was fitted and of excellent taste. And his smell—a distinct fragrance of unscented soap and aftershave and pure male goodness—nearly had me sniffing at the air in front of him like a dog in heat.
But it wasn’t just his incomparable beauty and exquisite display of male sex that had me burning between my legs and searching for the nearest exit. It was how he looked at me, in a way that no man had ever looked at me, a hungry possessiveness present in his stare as if he not only had undressed me in his mind, but had claimed me to be sated by no one ever again except him.
I wanted him instantly, a prickle of fixation taking root in my belly—an old familiar feeling. But that I desired him didn’t matter. The expression on his face said that he would have me whether I wanted it or not, that it was as inevitable as if it had already happened.
It scared the hell out of me. The hair on my skin stood up as witness to my fear.
Or perhaps it rose in delight.
Oh, fuck.
Also by Laurelin Paige:
Lights, Camera…
Take Two
Star Struck
An excerpt from Take Two:
She sat back, attempting to put everything in perspective. He was a player. A self-declared gigolo. At least he didn’t deny it.
And she couldn’t deny that she was mildly interested. More than mildly. More like wildly.
But she knew herself. She was too into him already. It wouldn’t take much to make her fall for him. As Bree had said, he would make her cry.
She sighed then leveled an even stare at him. “I can’t date you, Micah.”
His eyes hinted amusement. “Who said anything about dating?”
“And I definitely can’t do that with you.”
He leaned forward, challenge written all over his face. “Why not?”
“Are you serious? To just be a random number in a group of women? A notch in your bedpost that doesn’t mean anything?”
Micah put his hand over hers. His touch burned like fire on her skin. “You wouldn’t be random. You’re Maddie from the party.”
“God, Micah, that’s just…gross.” She slid her hand out from under his. “I’m not against one-night stands in general, but you said it before. You’re different. You’d be different.”
Micah leaned forward and placed his hand on her leg under the table, sending electric shocks throughout her body. “If by different you mean the most insanely hot, wicked pleasure you’ve ever felt, then yes, I’ll agree.”
His fingers moved in circles on her leg, and her mind filled with unwanted images of the insanely hot wicked pleasure Micah promised.
Shaking the fantasies out of her head, she removed his hand from her thigh. “Though I imagine what you say is true…” He winked at her and she had to look away. “That’s not what I meant. Most hookups you can love and leave. But not you. I’d see you everywhere after and I’m not talking about in person. And it would make me a major hypocrite. I don’t approve of how you use women like Kleenex—”
“Hey, no one’s ever complained.”
“I’m sure they haven’t.” His cavalier attitude about the whole thing just reinforced her decision. “And I’m sure you aren’t used to hearing those words, but I’m not interested, Micah. Not in the least.”
Okay, that was a lie, but he didn’t need to know that.
Written with Kayti McGee under the name Laurelin McGee
Hot Alphas
Miss Match
Love Struck (coming February, 2016)
An excerpt from Miss Match:
By the time t
he elevator opened on her floor, she was a new woman—determined and confident. With bitter and bold steps, she made her way to his office. She stomped past the secretary without a hello and was only somewhat surprised to see Blake waiting for her inside his door with a single red rose in hand.
For one fraction of a millisecond she considered accepting his truce.
Then she shoved the idea away. Hell no was he getting off that easy. She’d been hurt. Stripped raw. A stupid flower would not appease. Especially a lame-ass rose sort of flower. How unoriginal.
Without slowing her steps, she grabbed the rose from his hand and broke the stem in two, ignoring the sharp pain from the thorns. She tossed it in the trash can next to her work space, aware of Blake’s wide eyes following her as she did. Good, he could watch her all he wanted. Let him look at what he so harshly turned down.
It was after she deposited her purse in the bottom drawer that she noticed an entire vase with at least a dozen more roses sitting next to her phone. Those would have to go, too. She swept the whole thing into the trash. The sound of glass crashing and water sloshing echoed in the silence.
Andy could feel that Blake was stunned. Frankly, she was, too, but she wasn’t about to show it the way his gaping jaw did. His shock only fueled her more. What did he expect? That she’d smile and nod and pretend that nothing had happened?
Well, he wasn’t getting that. She wasn’t one of the docile chicks she set him up with. She was stupid to ever think she could be—even for one night. Never again. In fact, this weekend she’d begin applying for another job. Until she found one, she’d work her ass off to get Blake married off. But no more niceties between them. No more trying to understand him. No more attempts at friendship.
She’d just settled in and turned on her computer, prepared to dive into her work, when he finally spoke.
“Andrea, I’m sor—”
She thrust her palm in the air like a stop sign. “Don’t. Speak.”
“Just let me—”
Andy didn’t look at him as she delivered her edict. “I mean it, Blake. Do not speak to me. Ever again. Unless it’s related to work.”
“Drea, I have to—”
Slamming her hands on the desk, she swiveled to face him. “And my name is Andy. Or Andrea. When you speak to me, in relation to work only, you will use my name. My name! You don’t get to nickname me.”
“Come on, Andrea.” He stepped toward her.
Andy popped up from her chair. “And don’t come near me.” Scanning her desktop, her eyes settled on a tape dispenser. It was clear, but it would have to do. Holding the dispenser in one hand, she shooed Blake toward his desk with the other.
Surprisingly, he complied, taking several confused steps backward. When he’d crossed what she believed to be the center of the room, she got to work. Walking to the wall she fastened the end of the tape to the floor then paced it across the room before tearing the other end off. She traced her footsteps back over the line she’d made, pressing the tape into the carpet. It wouldn’t stick for long, but long enough to make her point.
She finished then turned to her boss. “You see that line? That’s your side.” She pointed to the side of the room that Blake currently occupied. “This is my side.” She circled back to her desk and deposited the dispenser in its place.
Blake scanned the line with his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I’m not.” She thrust out her chin and put her fists on her hips. “Do not cross to my side. Is that clear?” Perhaps it wasn’t her place to make such demands, but frankly, she didn’t give a hoot.
Blake, however, was not going to give in easily, it seemed. He squared his shoulders. “I’ll go wherever I damn well please. It’s my office.”
My, but didn’t he look hot when he was in charge.
Stop it, stop it, stop it! He is not hot. He’s horrific. She infused her anger at herself into her next words. “I don’t care whose office it is. You will stay on your side.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “What are you going to do to me if I don’t?”
Was that a challenge? Game on. “Try it and find out.”
Acknowledgments
To Tom who found me when I needed him most and to my girls who emulate their father more than me (thank God!).
To my mother for being my first supporter.
To Bethany Hagen, my first reader and editor—every book is written for you.
To Rebecca Friedman, my agent and favorite brainstorming partner. Finding you was kismet.
To Shanyn Day for managing my life.
To Kayti McGee for being my sounding board and second-wife and always cheering me up when I’m down.
To the other girls I rely on more than Scotch—Melanie Harlow, Sierra Simone, and Kayti McGee. Say it together, “Cancun. Cancun. Cancun.”
To Eileen Rothschild for believing in me. That confidence extends in all my words.
To Kimberly Brower, my audio agent, for saving my ass and being a fan. I’m a fan of yours as well.
To Flavia Viotti and Meire Dias for being the most AMAZING people I’ve ever met. God, I love you!
To Lauren Blakley, CD Reiss and K. Bromberg – fab four, indeed. Thank you for teaching me how to do EVERYTHING and then how to own it after.
To Cait Greer, my formatter, and Jenna Tyler for proofreading. You girls are gold. ;)
To Roxie Madar, and Melanie Cesa and Trish Mint for being the Mint-est betas. Muah!
To the support groups that keep me sane and the authors that teach me daily. You know who you are. Love to you!
To the bloggers who pimp and promote and give their time to my stories. You are so wonderful with your endeavors, and I appreciate you big.
≈
To the Free Me Street Team and the Hudson! Fixed Trilogy fans. Thank you so much for your continued love and support!
To the READERS! You make it possible to live this dream life and I never forget it.
And above all, to my God who has finds me over and over, no matter how lost I get. My words are yours alone. Teach me to use them well.
If you liked FIND ME, please consider supporting the author by telling your friends and/or leaving a review.
For a monthly chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate, plus being notified of Laurelin Paige book releases, visit www.laurelinpaige.com, and sign up for new release emails.
Twitter @laurelinpaige
Facebook www.facebook.com/laurelinpaige
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/laurelinpaige
About the Author
Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy any time there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International, though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.
You can connect with Laurelin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurelinPaige or on twitter @laurelinpaige, though she really doesn’t spend much time there. You can also visit her website, www.laurelinpaige.com, to sign up for emails about new releases and a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card in a monthly drawing.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
Coming Soon - Chandler
Sneak Peak of FIRST TOUCH
Fixed Series
Take Two
Books by Laurelin McGee
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Find Me Page 31