Fractured

by Sydney Landon

  And to my blogger friends, Catherine Crook with A Reader Lives a Thousand Lives, Jennifer Harried with Book Bitches Blog, Jenn with SMI Book Club, Chloe with Smart Mouth Smut, Shelly with Sexy Bibliophiles, Amanda and Heather with Crazy Cajun Book Addicts, Stacia with Three Girls & A Book Obsession, Lisa Salvary and Confessions of a Book Lovin Junkie.

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  Represented by:

  Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, Union Square West, Suite 904, New York, NY 10003, (212)627-9100 ext. 12

  About The Author

  Sydney Landon lives in Greenville, South Carolina and previously worked in accounting before writing her first book. Sydney met her own prince charming in 2000 and received the most romantic proposal on a pier in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, thus creating her eternal love for the city. The fact that her future husband was a fellow computer geek completely sealed the deal for her. She credits him with keeping her calm and rational while also understanding her need for a new pair of shoes every other week. They have two children who keep life interesting and borderline insane, but never boring.

  The idea of the Danvers’ Series popped into her head and refused to go away. She started writing the first story never imagining that it would ever be finished. Three months later it turned into her first book, Weekends Required. Within a few months, it had quickly made the best-seller list on Amazon, and went on to make the New York Times Best Seller List. Barely taking a breath between books, Sydney followed up with the second book in the series, Not Planning on You. Within the first month, this book also became a best-seller. The third book in the series, Fall For Me, was released in February 2013 and became a New York Times Best Seller. The fourth book in the series, Fighting For You, released in paperback in February 2014. Sydney is currently working on the sixth book in the Danvers’ Series and the third book in the Lucian and Lia Trilogy. When she isn’t writing, Sydney enjoys reading, swimming, and being a mini-van driving soccer mom.

  Please enjoy this special preview of

  No Denying You by Sydney Landon

  A Danvers novel ~ Now Available

  Chapter One

  “Honey, have you given any more thought to getting some bigger tits?”

  Emma rolled her eyes and dropped her head onto her desk. Why couldn’t her mother bake cookies, knit sweaters or do any of that other Betty Crocker shit? No-o-o, she couldn’t be that lucky. Katrina Davis—or Kat, as she liked to be called—had always wanted to be the cool mom on the block. Heck, most of Emma’s childhood friends still called her mother for advice. The woman didn’t pull any punches. “God, Mom, can we please not talk about my tits today? Or lack of them?”

  “Em, it’s for your own good. You’re too attractive to sit at home all the time. Men are visual creatures so maybe a new rack is exactly what you need. Your father can’t keep his hands off mine. And you’re not getting any younger. You don’t want to wake up one day and have them fall out of bed before you do.”

  “Gross, Mom. This whole conversation is really gross. I don’t want to hear anything about your sex life with Daddy. Ever. I’d like to be able to look him in the eyes just once without the constant stream of images in my head of the things you feel the need to confide to me. Maybe you should just go Catholic—then you could confess to someone with a more professional opinion.”

  “Oh, Em, get over it. I’m just trying to help. You know what? I’ll even pay if I can pick them out. I’ll e-mail you some information and you can let me know what you think.”

  “Mom, for the last time, I like my tits just fine!” As soon as she shouted that last bit, Emma froze at the sound of a throat clearing behind her. Please tell me that the asswipe isn’t behind me, ple-e-ease. As she swiveled slowly in her chair, she groaned. Fate definitely wasn’t on her side. Her boss, Brant Stone, stood behind her with his usual condescending smirk. She quickly said her good-byes to her mother although she could hear her still speaking as she gingerly placed the receiver back in the cradle. Determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her rattled, she raised a brow, asking as politely as she could manage, “Did you need something?”

  “Apparently not as badly as you do, Emma.”

  Oh great, here it comes, another jab at my work performance. I wonder how much jail time I would get if I choked him with the paisley tie he’s wearing? Turning her back to nonchalantly pick up her coffee cup, she said, “Pardon?”

  “I am positively riveted by your plight,” he replied.

  More obscure code to unravel. She spent half of her time trying to figure out what in the hell he was talking about. She knew he did it on purpose, the sneaky bastard. “I bet you are considering you cause most of my misery.” She knew it was unprofessional as well as career suicide to talk to her boss this way, but she kept hoping he would have her transferred to another department so that he could find someone more suitable for his assistant. So far, that hadn’t happened. She had even started dropping hints, but, like every suggestion she made, he seemed to completely ignore it.

  “That’s flattering, Emma, but I don’t think I can accept responsibility for your... shortcomings.”

  Her coffee cup fell from her suddenly limp fingers and crashed to the floor. Then she plowed into him as she jumped back to avoid the hot liquid. “Shit!” The carnage continued as they both fell backward like dominoes. When she managed to get her bearings, she was horrified to realize that Brant was laid out on the floor underneath her, and her butt was nestled firmly near his crotch. Coffee stains were splattered all over his perfectly creased slacks, and it took her a moment to realize why her legs seemed so bare as they lay tangled with his. Her short skirt had blown up during their fall and was now resting well above the level considered legal in most states. Was that...? No, it couldn’t be…

  Without thinking, she wiggled around experimentally. No way! Her boss, the spawn from hell, was not growing hard against her bottom. Oh my God, he was!

  “I didn’t realize that ruining my clothing also came with a lap dance.” When she froze, he chuckled. “Oh, by all means, don’t stop now. Even someone with small tits is a turn-on when she’s grinding against your lap.”

  A special preview of the new book Barred by Paisley Walker

  Prologue

  Kimberly climbs behind the wheel of her Ford Explorer as she sends Sarah a text.

  Kimberly: Heading that way now, see you in a bit. She puts the phone down in the drink holder as she cranks the car. The little light comes on notifying her that she received a text back.

  Sarah: Okay be careful, but hurry. I think something is wrong. Immediately, Kimberly throws the car in reverse, sliding the phone back into the cup holder without turning it off like normal. Sarah normally doesn’t act like something is wrong, so when things like this come up, it scares her. A month ago, Sarah found a lump on her breast but kept it a secret, afraid of what would happen if she brought it to light. She finally confided in her sister and Kimberly made her go to the doctor to have it checked. Today was the day for that, and wouldn’t you know it would be storming. Kimberly made sure to have Barb cover the daycare today while she went with Sarah.

  She was running about twenty minutes late because the storm knocked her power out. She had her music playing lowly through the car as she was coming to curve in the road about two miles from the hospital. Her phone lit up, and thinking it could have been Sarah, she reached for it.

  Sarah: Doctor wants to remove it for biopsy, pretty sure it’s cancerous.

  The words she never wanted to hear from her sister were there on that screen. Just when she was about to type a response, a horn honked making Kimberly jerk her head up just in time to see a car coming head on. She jerked her wheel to the right, hitting the curb and stomping the gas instead of the brake. The last thing she r
emembered before her mind went blank, was the sign of the One Stop Shop as she crashed into the corner of the building.

  Chapter One

  Looking up at the immaculate building of Phillips & Stanley, Kimberly immediately begins to shake in her heels. She’d heard of the amazing things that Jonathon Phillips and Emerson Stanley could do with cases like hers. She was released from jail two nights ago after she totaled her car in an accident involving her cell phone. She takes a deep breath as she walks up the stone building leading into the dens of hell. When she walks through the sliding glass doors at the top of the stairs, her eyes find an incredibly attractive blonde woman sitting behind a white and black marble desk. The desk matches the tiles on the ground to a tee. Immediately, Kimberly looks down at her attire and back to the woman who is now staring at her.

  “May I help you, ma’am?” The woman with Nicole on her name tag asks. Kimberly looks around the lobby of the building. Her eyes land on a black couch with two white plush recliners sitting across from it. A black coffee table sits between them on a red rug, the only contrast in the room other than the white vase holding the dozen red roses. Kimberly’s eyes finally rest upon the woman with the grey dress behind the counter.

  “Yes ma’am. I’m so sorry. I have an appointment with Mr. Phillips and Mr. Stanley at one o’clock.”

  “Your name?”

  “My name is Kimberly Weston.” She responds as she looks down at the only pair of decent heels she has. They are nude pumps that she bought on sale a few months back. They went well with the black lace-open-back shirt she had tucked into a grey high-waist pencil skirt.

  “I will let them know you are here Ms. Weston. Please have a seat and I’ll call when they are ready for you.” Nicole says as she ushers Kimberly to the chairs. “Would you like some coffee or water?”

  “Water would be great please.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  With that, Kimberly is left alone to wait for the two men that may or may not be able to help her. Two weeks ago her entire life changed. She is lost in thought when Nicole hands her the bottle of water. Kimberly’s right leg shakes as it’s crossed over the left.

  “Thank you.” Kimberly replies as she looks up to see the person who gives her the water. Only it isn’t Nicole, and her breath is instantly pushed from her lungs. Her eyes rake over the man standing in front of her. He has to be at least six-foot-five and has broad shoulders in a sleek gray suit. She starts at his black polished shoes and trails her eyes up to his pants. Which look as if they were made just for him, which could probably be if he is one of the main associates. She can see his cock in his pants, which must mean the man is packing, considering it’s not hard. As she trails up his defined stomach, up to his brood shoulders to his defined jawline with a five o’clock shadow, to the crooked nose he sports, she can’t help but blush. His green eyes sparkling with mischief as if he knows she is ogling him.

  “Ms. Weston, I presume?”

  “Um… Yes sir.” She replies as a blush creeps up her neck to her face.

  “Hello, I am Emerson Stanley. Jonathon is assisting another client at the moment but I would be glad to go over your case with you.” He straightens his cuff link before adding. “If you’ll follow me.” He gestures with his hand for her to stand. He walks across the marble flooring towards the steel elevators to the right of the desk. He pushes the button as he places his hand on the small of her back. A smile crosses his face, showing a set of dimples as Kimberly gasps at the contact his hand makes to her skin. It feels as if there is a flame setting her on fire. As the elevator closes, Emerson pushes the button for the sixth floor. The silence is deafening but the electricity flowing through them is piercing. Emerson can’t help but steal a glance at the beautiful woman standing beside him. The way the light hits her wavy hair, looks as if she could be an angel. He turns his attention back to the steel doors as the elevator carries them to his office. Once it stops, he smiles as he watches her nervously straighten her blouse. “Right this way Ms. Weston.” He walks out of the elevator and as she follows behind him, she can’t help but stare at how amazing his ass looks in those slacks.

  “Please come in. Have a seat.” Emerson says as he pushes the heavy door open, leading Kimberly into a light, sky-blue office, with two brown leather chairs, and sitting in front of an enormous mahogany desk. Behind the desk, there are two plants in either corner of the office as well as floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Mississippi River. As she sits down into one of the plush leather chairs, Emerson walks by her, sliding his suit jacket off his shoulders and placing it on the back of his massive leather chair, behind his desk. As he sets it down, his muscles flex under the light blue of his shirt. She can’t help but stare at the Adonis in front of her. He lights up the room, and if the dampness of her panties has anything to do with it, he seems to ignite her libido as well.

  “Mr. Stanley, I hear you are the best in the state of Louisiana. I need the best.”

  “Is that so?” He sits behind his desk, hands resting in front of him as he listens to her.

  “Yes, I was involved in an accident. Luckily, no one else was hurt, but I ran into a building and damaged enough to be in trouble.”

  “What type of accident?”

  “I was sending a quick text message to my sister.”

  “So texting and driving? That’s against the law Ms. Weston. If caught doing so, you could potentially spend up to five years in prison.”

  “Yes, I’m aware. That’s why I’m here to see you.”

  “No need to get catty Ms. Weston. I am only trying to give you the facts.”

  “I’m not being catty Mr. Stanley. I’m only saying that’s why I’m with the best. Now, can you tell me what the expenses will be like?”

  “Right down to business. I like that in a woman.” As he speaks the words, she realizes the innuendo in the man’s words. She squeezes her legs tighter and shifts in the chair as she opens the forgotten water bottle in her hands to help calm her frazzled nerves. “It depends on the case and how long it will take. For something like this, I would say it would be around fifty-thousand dollars.”

  She looks at him as if he’s lost his mind. “Fif… fifty thousand?”

  “Did I stutter? You want the best, you have to pay for the best.” He stands with a knowing smile before turning to look out at the sights of downtown Baton Rouge.

  “I… I don’t have that type of money.” She finally lets out deflated. The feeling that overcomes Emerson is not one that he is used to. Sympathy. Why does he feel sympathetic to this woman? It was not him who was texting while driving.

  “Well, I suppose this meeting is adjourned. I am sure you can see yourself out Kimberly.”

  As he says her first name, she catches the dismissal. To her surprise, the dismissal stuns her and knocks her pride down a notch. “Well… thank you for your time.” She stands, staring at his back. All she can think of is how arrogant the man standing in front of her is. Also wishing he was staring at her, instead of that damn view from the window. Emerson nods his head in acknowledgment that he has heard her as she turns to walk out of the door.

  Kimberly hangs her head as she walks to the elevator. Pushing the button, she senses another presence behind her. She turns and is captivated by the most stunning pair of crystal-blue eyes. She takes in the features of the man standing before her. He looks to be around six-foot-two and of an athletic build. He is wearing a white, button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone. The sleeves are pushed up right below his elbows and the shirt is tucked into the dark gray slacks he has on.

  “Go ahead and stare. It’s not rude or anything.”

  “Oh my God! I’m so sorry.” Kimberly replies, turning a shade of crimson.

  “It’s quite alright. I actually like having beautiful women get flustered around me. Means I still have my game.” He lets out a chuckle as the elevator dings, signaling its arrival. “I’m Jonathon and you are?”

  “Kimberly.”


  “Coming from Stanley’s office?”

  “Yes, but it looks as if I won’t be able to afford him.” She lets out a defeated sigh.

  “Well, maybe you’re just going about it the wrong way. You’re a beautiful woman. You’ll think of something.”

  “Like?” She cocks her head to the side, looking at him.

  “Well, had I had a beautiful woman in my office, instead of the old men over the board, I may have had her spread over my desk,” he smiles a naughty smile before nodding his head and exiting the elevator.

  “What the hell was that?” Kimberly asks more to herself than anyone else as she exits the building and makes her way to her rental car.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Also By

  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

  Coming Soon

  Acknowledgements

  Connect

  About the Author

  Preview Chapter One

  Barred Preview

  Barred Chapter One