Harlow (Society Girls #7)
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Society Girls: Harlow
Crystal Perkins
Contents
Society Girls: Harlow
About Society Girls: Harlow
Other Books by Crystal Perkins
Corrigan & Co. series
Society Girls
Other books
Praise for Books by Crystal Perkins
About Society Girls
The Beginning
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Society Girls: Harlow
#7 of Society Girls
By Crystal Perkins
Copyright © 2016 by Crystal Perkins
Cover Design by Helen Williams
www.allbookedout.com
Cover photos:
Adobe Stock © deagreez & © MillaF
All trademarks are owned by their respective companies and are denoted by the use of proper capitalization of the company and/or brand. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This contemporary erotic romance is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with, especially if you enjoy sexy, emotional, romance novels with alpha males. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
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About Society Girls: Harlow
The dancer who’s not ashamed of her past, falls for the artist who wants her future.
Harlow danced her way through college, trading the pole for the Society when she graduated. She expected her life to be in danger when she vowed to protect her cousin, but she didn’t know the shy artist who used to watch her dance would be threatened as well. When they’re forced to go into hiding together, more than just sparks fly between them as their friendship grows.
Bodhi secretly painted Harlow, and turned her into the heroine of the most popular video game in the world, never thinking he’d have a chance with her in real life. He’s always loved her, but his fears, and his family’s demands, may be too much for them both to overcome.
Can they learn trust each other, or will the song end before the first dance?
Other Books by Crystal Perkins
The Griffin Brothers series
Gaming For Love (The Griffin Brothers #1)
Building Our Love (The Griffin Brothers #2)
Creating A Love (The Griffin Brothers #3)
Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers #4)
Designing The Love (The Griffin Brothers #5)
Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers #6)
Keeping Their Love (The Griffin Brothers #7)
Corrigan & Co. series
Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #1)
Devouring the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #2)
Rocking a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #3)
Lessons in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #4)
Uncovering His SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #5)
Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #6)
Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #7)
Tending Their SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #8)
Playing in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #9)
Loving My SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #10)
Society Weddings (a Corrigan & Co. novella)
Society Girls
Society Girls: Sierra (Society Girls, #1)
Society Girls: Neveah (Society Girls, #2)
Society Girls: Matisse (Society Girls, #3)
Society Girls: Waverly (Society Girls, #4)
Society Girls: Rhieve (Society Girls, #5)
Society Girls: Jenysis (Society Girls, #6)
Other books
A Kiss is Just a Kiss
Activate
Never Fear-Phobias Horror Anthology
(Chronophobia short story)
Never Fear-Christmas Terrors Anthology
(Silent Fright short story)
Romantic Times Anthology, Vol. 3
(Gary and Maggie Griffin short story)
Never Fear-The Tarot Anthology
Praise for Books by Crystal Perkins
“People should be free to love whoever their heart leads them, too. And this author did a great job of presenting a passionate love between 2 people who are seen as different from each other as dictated by society, but this difference wasn't a part of the love they share. Ms. Perkins did an admirable job of dealing with the issue (and other issues) as a non issue, if that makes sense.” -DianeM, Amazon Reviewer, Creating A Love
“I love this series!!!!!! Crystal has the amazing ability to bring her characters to life. I laugh with them, I hurt with them, I smile with them, and I cry with them.” -Jessica, Amazon reviewer, The Griffin Brothers series
“I love how Crystal makes the characters feel like real people.” -Tami, Amazon Reviewer, Learning To Love
“This is a lovely romance story that has a sexy sizzle to it but it's funny as well as it is somewhat edgy. I like that the hero has money but it's not the focal point in this story. I love that the heroine has problems but they are not so insurmountable that they take over the story. This is good old-fashioned romance done with a modern day twist. Well Done.” -Kindle Customer, Amazon Reviewer, Gaming For Love
“I found this book on Amazon yesterday and loved the cover. I read the synopsis and knew I had to get it. So I purchased it and started to read it right away. Oh my, I could not put the book down. I got so wrapped up in the story I was afraid to put my Kindle down or I would miss a part.” -Amazon Customer, Gaming For Love
“I thought this was a fantastic start to a series, and kind of first book of a series that makes you want to rush out and buy each additional book in the series. The premise of a strong group of women working together to help other women in need was pretty awesome. I loved how C0rrigan & Co was a secret covert company along the same lines as the underground railroad but it saved women from sticky situations or abusive relationships.” -Aubrey, Romancing the Book blog, Fielding Her SECRET
“I had so many different emotions while reading. I was rooting people, wanting kick people, wanting to rip some peoples clothes off, laughing while reading, gasping out loud. Seriously, I read this like a crazy person. So much happened that I was not mentally prepared for. There we
re so many shockers while reading this I could not even think about putting the book down.” -Sabrina, Amazon Reviewer, Devouring the SECRET
“Love this book the suspense and sex is EPIC.” -Teresa Jensen, Amazon Reviewer, Rocking a SECRET
“Perkins breathes life into their characters and has the reader feeling their agony, pain, and even their love for one-another. I enjoy reading her books and learning more and more about each of the people that make up this secretive group.” -Dayreader Reviews, Corrigan & Co. series
“In the end I am somehow proud of you Crystal Perkins. How you portrayed Ellie and her and Aiden love. I know I have no right to be, and it's really not my place to say but I am proud I read it and I recommend it to all women so they can see how strong We can be.” -Marta Bukowska, Goodreads Reviewer, Tending Their SECRET
“The story flowed well and kept my attention throughout. There was one part I was totally not expecting to happen. I love when that happens.” -Lisa Dess, Girls With Books blog, Training Her SECRET
“Wow this story! There are some stories and characters that leave you speechless, breathless and at times slightly broken, and Loving my SECRET Matt & Reina's story is definitely one of them!” -Vicki Plant, Goodreads Reviewer, Loving My SECRET
“I laughed I cried and there many times that I wanted to throw my device.” -Mallory, Goodreads Reviewer, Loving My SECRET
“Perkins gives the reader a quick peak into the Weddings of the amazing ladies in the society. What a fun roller coaster ride it was.” -Taz Lozada, Goodreads Reviewer, Society Weddings
“Totally loved this book as I did with all of crystals book previous to this with their well written gripping story lines brilliant characters a must read really can't wait for the next in series.” – Sassylady33, Amazon Reviewer, Society Girls: Sierra
“It is banter central, lol and completely full with characters who you actually get to know and enjoy spending time with.” – All Booked Out, A Kiss is Just a Kiss
“Good book and a really powerful message.” Petrina, Goodreads Reviewer, Society Girls: Jenysis
About Society Girls
The Corrigan & Co. Foundation is a cover for the Society, a group of women helping to rid the world of evil, and right ever wrong that they can. Originally founded by five powerful women, leadership of this secret group is now in the hands of Reina Corrigan, and her nine friends. The ten veterans are training ten new agents, from all walks of life, to replace them in the field. Just like those before them, the new recruits will need to find a way to balance falling in love with honoring their commitment, and passing their rigorous training. The Society isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. Training is necessary, loyalty is non-negotiable, and failure is never an option!
For Heidi Nolan, who said I should write a book about a dancer and a fantasy artist!
The Beginning
Almost two years ago
Harlow
I pull at my clothes as I walk through the lobby of the Corrigan & Co. building. My skirt isn’t short, and my shirt covers everything, but I still feel like I don’t belong here. Reina Corrigan asked me to come in for a meeting, and I really don’t know why. I’m kind of friends with two girls who work here, Stella and Tegan, but they don’t come around to the club much anymore. Getting married will do that to you, I guess.
“May I help you?” one of the guys at the reception desk asks me. There are three people total manning the desk right now, two guys and a girl. I’d think it was excessive if the other two weren’t on the phone, with more lines ringing. “Miss?” he asks again, and I blink.
“Oh, sorry. I’m here to see Reina Corrigan.”
He clicks something on the screen in front of him, and smiles at me. “Ms. Green?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll just need to see your I.D., and then I’ll get you on an elevator.”
“Of course,” I saying, pulling out my wallet.
Once he’s scanned the front and back, he asks me to look behind him, and smile. I do, and watch as a badge comes up through the counter. He hooks it on a clip, and hands it to me.
“This will get you where you’re supposed to be. Just stand in front of the first—no wait, the second—elevator over there.”
“Okay.”
I walk over, and stand where directed. Almost immediately, the elevator opens, and I walk inside. There are no numbers in the elevator, but as soon as the doors close, it starts going up. This is all very “spy movie” and I’m more than a little freaked out. So much so that when the doors open, I don’t immediately step out.
The doors don’t close as I expect them to, and then I feel awkward. Someone has to be out there waiting for me, right? Like a secretary or something. They must know I’m hiding in here.
“You coming out?” Tegan says, poking her head inside. A nicely manicured hand smacks her, and she swats back. “Damn, Stell, I was just checking to make sure she was okay.”
I can’t help but smile at the two of them, and after taking a deep breath, I go ahead and walk out into the Corrigan & Co. Foundation lobby. Reina runs the foundation, and her husband, Matt, runs everything else in this building. They are two of the richest people in the world, but from what I’ve heard around town, they’re also two of the nicest.
“Hello, ladies. I was wondering if I was here because of you.”
“Kind of. You’ll see,” Stella says.
“Is she as nice as they say she is?”
“Who? Rei? Most of the time. I tend to piss her off, but I know she’ll always have my back,” Tegan tells me.
“She does her job, and sometimes that means she has to be a hard-ass, but she’s the best person you’ll ever know,” Stella adds.
“You’re making me sound like some kind of wayward saint.”
I look to the side, and sure enough, there’s Reina. She looks like she just stepped off a runway, but the twinkle in her eyes, and the smirk on her face, tell me she’s not taking these two seriously.
“Well, if the halo fits…,” the smiling woman at the reception desk says.
“You hush, Alex.” Everyone laughs, as Reina holds out her hand to me. “Hello, Harlow. I’m so glad you could come by today. You’ve figured out I’m Reina, and this is my sister-in-law, Alex.”
I was in the process of shaking her hand, but I jerk back a little to look at the woman behind the desk again. “Everyone’s surprised to see me here, but I love it,” Alex tells me with a smile.
She must if she’s here. Alex was a Griffin before she married Miles Corrigan, and her family’s just as rich as his. She’s a billionaire several times over, and yet she’s here, answering phones, and making appointments. This one thing makes me more comfortable than anything else so far.
“Everyone should do what they love,” I say, conscious of the fact that everyone in this room probably knows I’m a stripper. I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it, either. It’s a job.
“For the most part,” Reina says, with a smile that seems a little more cryptic this time. “We’re waiting for someone else to arrive, but we can go to my office until they get here.”
“I’m here,” a woman says, rushing in. “Hi, I’m Ellie, and you must be Harlow.”
“Hi.”
“You’re late,” Reina tells her, trying to look stern, while also trying to suppress another smile.
“Not all of us can stay up late, and then roll out of bed looking like we should be on the cover of Vogue.”
“It’s a gift,” Stella agrees.
“You two have work to do, and Ellie, Harlow, and I have a meeting,” Reina says, ignoring the comment.
“You’re not going to be there?” I ask Tegan and Stella, panicking a little. I was hoping people I knew would be with me.
“No, but don’t worry; Reina only bites Matt,” Tegan tells me. Reina rolls her eyes as everyone laughs.
They hug me, and then they’re heading into the elevator. I still have no clue what I’m here for, but I don’t hesitate to f
ollow Reina down the hallway. Ellie walks next to me, and when she smiles at me over her coffee cup, I can’t help but smile back.
“You’re probably wondering why I asked you to come here today,” Reina says, once we’re settled.
“Yeah. I mean, we don’t exactly run in the same social circles.”
“You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or a woman by her bank account.”
I duck my head, because I know she’s right. “She’s not scolding you, Harlow, just pointing out that we aren’t exactly what we seem,” Ellie says, placing her hand on my arm,
I turn to her, and now that she’s taken her sunglasses off, I recognize her. Her father-in-law is the Vice President of the United States. “I should know that.”
“You wouldn’t be in this office if we didn’t believe you do know it,” Reina says, and if I wasn’t sure she knows I’m a stripper, I am now.
“Is there something you need from me?”
“I’d like to offer you a job.”
What? “I’m a stripper.”
“Who’s also two classes away from graduating with a degree in social work.”
“Two classes, and an internship.” Unpaid internship, which is why I haven’t been able to do it yet.
“Why did you choose that major?”
“I think you know, or you wouldn’t be asking me.”
“I know some things, yes.”
“What kind of job?” I ask, ignoring what she just said, because I don’t want to know how much she knows about my past.
“Can you keep a secret, Harlow?” Ellie asks.