by Chelle Bliss
I slide in and out of her, relishing the feel of her body tightening around mine with each sweep. There’s no denying what’s between us. No matter what she says when we land in Chicago, I feel the way her body craves me. I know in my bones that she’s just as in love with me as I am with her.
“Find out everything you can about Trent Moore,” I bark into the phone.
Less than an hour ago, I arrived at Interstellar to get Lauren’s decision on the merger between our companies. It was the only way I could think to keep our relationship alive and salvage the mess that’s become of the Cozza-Interstellar takeover. I’d given Lauren the day to think it over and share it with her team before she’d give me the final answer to bring back to Cozza.
But Lauren was nowhere to be found. Cassie hadn’t seen her for at least 3 hours, and there’s nothing written in her datebook that gives any of us a clue as to where she may be. I scoured her office, searching for some shred of evidence, but I found nothing.
Slowly, panic crept in, and my worst fears were realized. Lauren isn’t the type to disappear without a word, especially not when the future of Interstellar is on the line.
Panicked, I did the only thing I could. I called the head of security at Cozza and made finding Lauren a top priority. I didn’t want to involve her team because that would set off alarm bells throughout the company and cause widespread panic, and it wasn’t something either of us could afford. Maverick, my head of security, is usually busy keeping our company secrets safe or tossing trespassers from our testing facility just outside the Chicago city limits, but nothing is more important than finding Lauren.
“Give me an hour,” he tells me.
“You have thirty minutes.” I hang up before Maverick can reply.
I’m done wasting another second discussing the details when he should be searching for her and Trent. With each passing minute, she’s moving farther away and becomes harder to find. In the possible few hours she’s been missing, she could be hundreds of miles away and even harder to trace.
I slam my cell phone down on Lauren’s desk, filled with so much rage I could easily crush it in my palm. “Goddamn it.” The screen splinters into a hundred pieces under my palm from the impact.
The only thing that matters now is finding her, and I won’t rest until she’s found alive.
COMING NOVEMBER 28TH -
MERGER, BOOK 2, IN THE TAKEOVER DUET.
ORDER IT NOW!
Also by Chelle Bliss
—MEN OF INKED SERIES—
THROTTLE ME - BOOK 1
HOOK ME - BOOK 2
RESIST ME - BOOK 3
UNCOVER ME - BOOK 4
WITHOUT ME - BOOK 5
HONOR ME - BOOK 6
WORSHIP ME - BOOK 7
—ALFA PI SERIES—
Men of Inked Spinoff
SINFUL INTENT - BOOK 1
UNLAWFUL DESIRE - BOOK 2
WICKED IMPULSE - BOOK 3
—OTHER BLISS BOOKS—
MISADVENTURES OF A CITY GIRL
ENSHRINE
REBOUND
TOP BOTTOM SWITCH
DIRTY WORK
DIRTY SECRET
—TAKEOVER DUET—
ACQUISITION - BOOK 1
MERGER - BOOK 2
—LOVE AT LAST SERIES—
UNTANGLE ME - BOOK 1
KAYDEN THE PAST - BOOK 2
To learn more about Chelle’s books visit chellebliss.com
About the Author
Chelle Bliss is the USA Today bestselling author of the Men of Inked and ALFA P.I. series. She hails from the Midwest but currently lives near the beach even though she hates sand. She's a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, coffee fiend, and ex-high school history teacher. She loves spending time with her two cats, alpha boyfriend, and chatting with readers. To learn more about Chelle, please visit her website.
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Acknowledgments
Sometimes I stare at this page for the longest amount of time and it never seems to get any easier either. There’s a certain level or terror at the thought of forgetting someone. I don’t want to be that asshole. When writing a book, it takes a small village working together before it becomes the book you’re flipping through now. I have an entire team behind me, plus my readers, moving me forward to get shit done.
First and foremost, to my amazing readers and friends. Although I’d probably still write even if no one would read it, but I can’t say thank you enough for actually spending your hard earned money to purchase Acquisition. I know you could’ve bought a Starbucks Frappucino and they’re damn good. Especially the Venti Smores Fraps with coconut milk and the whip cream of course. I never forget that you made the decision to read my book instead of drinking two fraps which you’d eventually piss out anyway. I hope you had the same satisfaction as all that chocolatey goodness.
To my betas... God, there’s so many of you. Thanks for the pep talk
Lisa, my editor and friend, you saved me so big. It didn’t matter that I sent you the book with only two days to edit, you did it without complaining. You may have downed a gallon of wine in the process, but you did it because you love me. I can’t thank you enough for putting up my insanity... Toni’s too, but we all know which one of us is more sane or is it saner? Eh, that’s my editors job ;).
To Julie, thank you for hopping on the proofreading of Acquisition and completing it in under 18 hours. You my friend are a rockstar. You pulled my ass out of a major jam. You’re amazing at what you do and authors like myself with forever be thankful.
Fiona, what can I say? You’re always there for me, toiling away with my mess. You’ve saved my ass a thousand times. You’re not only an amazing proofreader, but a good friend. Thank you for everything, Fiona.
Kimberly Brower, my agent, thanks for putting up my insanity. The last year hasn’t been easy, but thanks for being around when I need you. Thanks for putting the Takeover Duet into motion and believing in me.
Meredith Wild, girl... Thank you for being you. You helped bring me back from a dark place. Writing Misadventures of a City Girl with you made me find my way again. The trip to Montreal, watching our characters come to life did amazing things to my brain. I’m honored to call you a friend and I owe you more than you’ll ever understand. Love ya hard, mama.
Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations, thank you for the beautiful cover. I wasn’t easy to work with and was already a put short of a hole in one, but you rolled with it. I can’t wait to get my hands on copies of the Takeover Duet because they’re simply amazing.
To the people who hate me and wish to see me fail, go fuck yourself. No. Wait. Thank you. Why? Because you help propel me forward. I’m a gamblin’ woman and betting against my house only makes me dig harder and push deeper. So thanks for being an asshole.
To my Facebook reader group, Inked Addicts, thank you for always being amazeballs. I love each and every one of you and look forward to seeing what naughty things we can find.
To my friends like Aly Martinez, Mo Mabie, Meghan March, Mia Michelle, Ruth Cardello and others that I bother on a weekly basis... thank you for being the baddest bitches around.
To my mom and family, I love you more than words can say. I would be nothing without your love and support. I’ll be forever grateful to have you in my life.
&
nbsp; To my dad and brother, I miss you more than anything in the world. I’d give up everything to have you back in my life. I hope, where ever you are, you’re watching. I love you both.
To Brian, what can I say, boo? I love you.
To Tia Louise, chin up girl. Like can suck balls. I love you to the moon and back my sister in grief. Never forget you have an entire community behind you.
To all the people I forgot, I’m sorry. I guess I am that asshole. I promise I got your back the next time unless I forget.
Until next time... reach for the stars. Let no one tell you you’re worth less than you are.
Love Always,
Chelle xoxo