Checkmate by Kennedy Fox

Title: Checkmate Boxed Set 

Series: Checkmate Duet (Travis & Viola)

Titles Included: Checkmate This is War & Checkmate: This is Love 

Author: Kennedy Fox 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Trope: Enemies to Lovers 

Photographer & Designer: Sara Eirew 

Release Date: April 5, 2017

Synopsis

Travis King is the worst kind of asshole with good looks and enough confidence to last two lifetimes. Viola Fisher is a goodie two shoes know-it-all who prefers fictional love stories over her own. The only thing they have in common is their mutual hatred for each other.

She’s had a secret crush on him since she was ten but Travis has always made it very clear the feelings aren’t mutual. He’s cruel, crass and takes every opportunity to get under Viola’s skin. She’s smart, beautiful, and too good to be true. Hating him is her religion but needing her is his.

Although Viola loathes his very existence, against her better judgment she let him into her bed. Her sexy curves and filthy smart mouth make Travis want her even more and although she’s succumbed to his manwhore ways, she’s determined to not let that change a thing. 

Too bad he has other plans. 

Viola’s always been off-limits, but Travis is determined to keep crossing that line. She can try to push him away, but he always gets what he wants and he’ll do anything to prove he’s done playing games.

Until then, they’ll play by their own rules to see who will win the biggest battle yet—love or hate? Checkmate.

*Recommend for ages 18+ due to sexual content and adult language.* 

Excerpt

     Watching Viola’s cheeks turn bright red gives me a thrill every time. She’s easy to rile up, even easier to embarrass. She pretends to hate me, but let’s be honest, there’s hardly anything about me worth hating. Even when she was just ten years old and we’d just met, I could make her blush without even speaking.
     I work out every chance I get, eat right, and work my ass off both in and out of the gym. When I’m not working out or at my job, I enjoy other types of recreation.
     Currently her name is Rachel and she’s basically salivating at the mouth as she waits for me to give her what she’s begging for.
     I give in, of course.
     I’m a guy after all.
     When we’re both sated and panting next to each other, I clean up and pull my boxer shorts back up. She curls her body around mine and places a quick kiss on my shoulder. “Are you kicking me out now?” I look over my shoulder and give her a sympathetic grin. “Sorry, babe. No sleepovers.”
     That’s not entirely a rule set in stone, but I prefer to sleep alone. Especially if there’s no chance of morning sex the next day. I get up at five a.m. and head to the gym before I have to be to work at eight.
     “All right.” She gets up and searches for her clothes. Once she’s dressed, she grabs her purse and walks over for a goodbye kiss. “Call me later.”
     “Sure.” I escort her out of the house and kiss her once more before shutting the door. I spin around and nearly run over Viola as she passes in the hall.
     “Aw…another victim released. How sweet of you.”
     “They aren’t victims if they’re willing,” I retort matter-of-factly.
     “Well, they’re airheads if they are.” She continues walking to the kitchen and reluctantly I follow.
     “You sure sound pretty envious.”
     “It’s not. It’s pity. There’s a difference.” She opens the fridge and reaches for a bottle of water.
     “Trust me…she’s not feeling any amount of pity right about now.” I lean up against the doorframe and watch her take a long drink.
     “If not pity, then definitely regret. Or perhaps she’s wondering where the nearest clinic is so she can get tested.” She takes another pull of her water and ignores my glare.
     “Just because a woman likes sex, doesn’t make her an airhead. But you wouldn’t know that would you? Not when you keep your V-card hostage like it’s a million-dollar diamond.”
     “For the hundredth time, I’m not a virgin!” she retorts sharply. “Just because I don’t spread my legs as much as a gymnast, doesn’t mean I’m a prude.”
      “Well it sure as hell doesn’t make you a delight.”
     She tosses the bottle out and steps toward me, shoving her shoulder against me as she walks past. “Knowing how to use your dick doesn’t make you a god, Travis.”
     I spin around and face her as she walks away. “You speak as if you know from experience.”
     “Trust me. The walls are thin. The entire neighborhood knows from experience,” she calls over her shoulder.
     “So are you saying I should be sorry for knowing how to use my dick?”
     She freezes and turns toward me. “No, you should be sorry for anyone that falls for your shit that gets them into your bed in the first place.” She presses her lips together in a fake smile and walks down the hall and back to where Drew is still playing his game.
     I don’t know what her problem is, but I’m determined to find out.
    

 It’s already ten o’clock, and I have a long day at the office tomorrow, but I can’t get Viola off my mind long enough to fall asleep.
     This never happens by the way.
     Okay, well, maybe it does. Only when she gets under my skin, which happens to be all the damn time.
     But you can’t blame me. She’s always perfect and proper, never wrong and always knows the answer to everything. She’s that annoying smart kid in class that always fucks up the grading curve for everyone else. The one that wears modest clothes but somehow always ends up looking sexy as fuck.
     On the outside, Viola Fisher is the poster child of innocence and purity. But I know better.
     Viola Fisher has tattoos and a right hook that could make any grown man cry.

 

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About the Author

 A secret duo of romance authors team up under the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox who share a love of You’ve Got Mail and The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you!

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Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige

*4 The Dirtier The Better Nutella Jars*

These filthy rich men were the death of me , I loved this story so much and the level of swoon I had whilst reading this off the charts, again cause of me health I have to do a quick review but I'm working on updating this and another review real soon hopefully it all pans out, I highly recommend this series because trust me you don't want to miss out.

Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige 

Publication Date: March 27^th, 2017 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

From NYT Bestselling author Laurelin Paige, discover a whole new world filled with sex, love, power, romance and dirty, filthy rich men.

When I met Donovan Kincaid, I knew he was rich. I didn’t know he was filthy. Truth be told, I was only trying to get his best friend to notice me.

I knew poor scholarship girls like me didn't stand a chance against guys like Weston King and Donovan Kincaid, but I was in love with his world, their world, of parties and sex and power. I knew what I wanted—I knew who I wanted—until one night, their world tried to bite me back and Donovan saved me. He saved me, and then Weston finally noticed me, and I finally learned what it was to be in their world.

And then what it was like to lose it.

Ten years later, I’ve found my way back. Back to their world. Back to him.

This time, I’m ready. I've been down this road before, and I know all the dirty, filthy ways Donovan will try and wreck me.

But it’s hard to resist. Especially when I know how much I’ll like it.

READ TODAY!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2lpoQIT

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About the Author:

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime 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 or 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. She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.  

Connect with Laurelin Paige:

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Crooks & Kings by London Miller

*4 Same Pain Different Reason Nutella jars*

*NOTE*  I've been sick as a dog for the past 2 weeks therefore I wasn't able to post the whole review but tomorrow I'll have the whole thing up with gifs and art. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience but I promise tomorrow I'll have everything up to date and ready to post.

----Teaser for the whole review---

So I took me a whole chapter and half to get into this book cause honestly the beginning really didn't settle well with me cause of reasons. It kind of reminded me of red and I'm still not okay with it besides that LM just keeps on getting better with each installment. So the Den & Wild Bunch are part of the kingmaker series but unlike the den series we don't get a chapter at the end regarding the King maker cause this isn't "IT'S" crew though it does play a vital part in the whole game plan. One thing is for sure I love the names in the wild much series there's 

Invictus

Thanatos

Tăcut

Yes. That's how excited I am that I made gifs. Can't wait for more.

Title: Crooks & Kings

Series: The Wild Bunch #1

Author: London Miller

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Organized Crime

Release Date: March 20, 2017

Blurb

In a game of crooks and kings, only the cunning survive … 

She was a girl with secrets.

He was a man with demons.

For her, it was supposed to be a way out from beneath the hands of a man who wanted her dead.

For him, it was supposed to be a job to make amends for a past wrong.

 They were never meant to fall in love.

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Free in Kindle Unlimited

Author Bio

With a degree in Creative Writing, London Miller has turned pen to paper, creating riveting fictional worlds where the bad guys are sometimes the good guys. Her debut novel, In the Beginning, is the first in the Volkov Bratva Series.

She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two puppies, where she drinks far too much Sprite, and spends her nights writing.

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Inflict by Bethany-Kris

 

INFLICT

by Bethany-Kris Publication 

Date: April 3, 2017 

Genres: Adult, Erotic, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime

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Cover Designer: Popkitty Design

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SYNOPSIS:

  As the son of an Irish mobster, Connor O'Neil spent his boyhood hiding from the horrors of his own home. His one reprieve was a girl he knew only as Evelyn, but even she was taken away. As a man, Connor is determined to stay away from his father's business. With Sean, participation is not a request, but a demand. The truth is, Connor might be more like the evil he's trying to hide away from than he would like to admit.   And he's already spent years trying to cover the scars left over from the pain.   A chance encounter puts the lost girl from his past back on his path, and he no longer has a choice but to face the darkness he's been ignoring for years.

Evelyn. Sasha. Slave. She doesn't really know who she is anymore.   Or maybe she does, and she doesn't want to tell.   She isn't the same as she once was-now a thing to be kept and maintained, shuffled from owner to owner until it was her time to go. She only became Connor's because he took her when he knew she wasn't his to take.   Except she isn't Connor's at all …   And he can't keep her hidden forever.   

~Inflict is a Standalone Romance with graphic depictions of violence, sexual scenes, dark elements and a HEA. It is not recommended for those under the age of 18.  

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EXCERPT: INFLICT by Bethany-Kris

"You must think I'm stupid," she whispered. No, he certainly did not.   She was well spoken. She had a mind of her own and a questioning stare that told him there was a hell of a lot hidden beneath her exterior. He was not going to underestimate her in anything.   "I don't," Connor said.   "Then answer my question. You're a man, so what do you want from me? They always want something; from the very start, each one has wanted something. 

I've filled a void, been used to enjoy, and even to be taught. I've been treated like a plaything to some, and like a sweetheart to others. What is your move?"   Connor damn near choked on his next question trying to get it out, "And how many has there been?"   She didn't even think about it. "Seven, over the years."   "All Russian?"   "The first one was not; he had a wife who liked me, and had three boys of her own, but no girls. He was just there to keep me, until I was passed on again. I was eleven when the wife left-I was passed on the next day."   "What then?"

That spark of fire was back in her eyes. "What do you think?" "I think you've misunderstood my intentions," Connor murmured.   Evelyn tipped her head to the side, and her gaze dropped to his groin again. "Did I also misunderstand being in your bed, what you were doing in the shower, or the sounds you made at the end?"   Cac.   

She had spied on him.   "I have to call that friend," Connor said, refusing to indulge her further. "You should find something to wear that covers you."   "I don't think you mind."   "I don't, but I won't be held accountable for reacting in an unpleasant way to an arsehole move from my guest."   Evelyn's lips curved into a sly, sensual smile.   It was shocking.   Beautiful, but shocking. 

Men may have used her for what they wanted, but he fully believed there was a part of Evelyn that was more dangerous than she let on.   "That's a new one."   Connor's jaw clenched. "What is?"   "Jealousy. I've never had one that was jealous before."   Perfect. Just feckin' grand.   "I'm not … one-an owner, whatever-of those," Connor said, more irritated than before. "You will do well to figure that out and fast, Evelyn. You will do well to stop trying to figure out what game you need to play to please me; you're not here for that."   "Then why am I here?" Honesty was the best policy …   "I don't know yet."

He finished getting dressed, and the whole time, Evelyn never left him in private. As he passed her by to make that phone call and get something to eat for breakfast, her soft voice stopped him again.   "But why don't you touch me?" she asked. "Even those who were not terrible, still wanted that from me."   Connor looked down at her, and found she was watching him, curious and unashamed. "I told you why, love. It's not for me to take, and if you want that, then you can ask for it."   "I don't understand, and I'm not sure what to do or how to act for you, if you want nothing from me. I'm not sure who to be here."  "That's a sad idea, isn't it? 

That you have to be something at all, and not just a person, a woman." Her gaze dropped. "I don't know anything different."  

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

 

  Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to three young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.   To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here:http://eepurl.com/bf9lzD  

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Dirty Filthy Rich Men By Laurelin Paige

Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige Publication Date: March 27^th, 2017 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

From NYT Bestselling author Laurelin Paige, discover a whole new world filled with sex, love, power, romance and dirty, filthy rich men.

When I met Donovan Kincaid, I knew he was rich. I didn’t know he was filthy. Truth be told, I was only trying to get his best friend to notice me.

I knew poor scholarship girls like me didn't stand a chance against guys like Weston King and Donovan Kincaid, but I was in love with his world, their world, of parties and sex and power. I knew what I wanted—I knew who I wanted—until one night, their world tried to bite me back and Donovan saved me. He saved me, and then Weston finally noticed me, and I finally learned what it was to be in their world.

And then what it was like to lose it.

Ten years later, I’ve found my way back. Back to their world. Back to him.

This time, I’m ready. I've been down this road before, and I know all the dirty, filthy ways Donovan will try and wreck me.

But it’s hard to resist. Especially when I know how much I’ll like it.

 

Excerpt:

After she was gone, I walked over to the windows and drank in the scene. The Town Center was high enough that it had an unblocked view of downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond.   Giddiness surged through me, starting like a pinprick at my center and moving out through my veins in all directions until even my fingers and toes felt warm.   I was really here.   I made it.   It wasn’t the way I thought it would be, but in the end, it still came out of my time at Harvard. I’d always known that connections made the difference in a career, and here I was. Finally. At the top of the world, looking out.   I couldn’t stop grinning.   “It’s incredible, isn’t it?” a male voice came from behind me.  


Still smiling, I glanced up and caught his reflection in the window.   And everything disappeared.   The world that had buzzed below, the beautiful scene, the excitement that had unfurled through my body—all of it evaporated and all that existed in its place was a pale, hollow shell of myself and the man in the perfectly tailored suit behind me.   I turned to look at him directly. Our gazes smashed together, and my legs nearly fell out from under me.   “Donovan,” I rasped. It was a miracle that I managed to find enough voice to say that much.   And there was so much more that had to be said.


So much more that I hadn’t prepared for. Which was ridiculous since I’d talked to him so many times in my head over the years, practiced so many conversations, but never did he show up out of the blue looking so dastardly handsome in a dark gray three-piece suit, his face rugged with scruff, his eyes hazel and earnest despite the playful smirk on his lips.


I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I wasn’t even sure how to breathe anymore. He broke our gaze to nod out the window at the skyline, walking toward me as he said, “I’m sure you found the Empire.”   Though his focus was now on the scenery, I didn’t take my eyes off him as he approached. He didn’t stop until he was right beside me. So close our shoulders would touch if I coughed. Tension ran off him like foam spilling over from a mug of beer. Good tension. Bad tension. I wasn’t sure if there was a difference when it came to Donovan.


Which was why I was screwed if he was here.   Why the hell was he here?   “I thought you were in Tokyo.” I couldn’t stop staring at him. He’d gotten more refined with age, and rougher at the same time. His hair was short and his curls gone, giving him a polished look he lacked before. The lines by his eyes were more defined and his expression seemed harder than I’d remembered. It made him sexier.

As if he was a man who needed to be sexier than the one I knew.   “I came back two months ago,” he said offhandedly. “That’s it right there.” He leaned his face in close to mine as he pointed to the famous structure. “Do you see it?”   Fuck if I cared about the Empire. I was in Donovan Kincaid’s orbit. What else was there in the world?  

 

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

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About the Author:

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime 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 or 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. She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.  

Connect with the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurelinPaige/

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Tempting The Boss by Natasha Madison

Coming April 3rd

Pre-order exclusively via iBooks HERE

Lauren

Going back to work was supposed to be a painless transition, but when my new boss turns out to be an arrogant, cocky jerk, he quickly turns my professional life into a world of torture. Okay, fine, calling him an asshat before knowing he was my boss wasn't my finest moment. Hating him should be easy. I just never counted on him being so gorgeous or charming when he's not annoying me.

Austin

I expected my new assistant to be professional and punctual, but all I'm getting are dirty looks and rude comments. I should fire the little hellion, but instead all I can think about is bending her over my desk and breaking every rule I've ever made for myself.

One look. One touch. One night. If we break the rules, our lives will never be the same again. 

Good thing rules were made to be broken. And besides, it feels so good to Tempt the Boss.

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

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Crooks & Kings by London Miller

Title: Crooks & Kings

Series: The Wild Bunch #1

Author: London Miller

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Organized Crime

Cover Design: London Miller

Release Date: March 20, 2017

Blurb

In a game of crooks and kings, only the cunning survive … 

She was a girl with secrets.

He was a man with demons.

For her, it was supposed to be a way out from beneath the hands of a man who wanted her dead.

For him, it was supposed to be a job to make amends for a past wrong.

 They were never meant to fall in love.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Pre-order Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Author Bio

With a degree in Creative Writing, London Miller has turned pen to paper, creating riveting fictional worlds where the bad guys are sometimes the good guys. Her debut novel, In the Beginning, is the first in the Volkov Bratva Series.

She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two puppies, where she drinks far too much Sprite, and spends her nights writing.

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Claimed Princess by Alexa Riley

*4 Queen Of His Heart Nutella Ja

There's one thing that I'm certain about and that's that I'm actually enjoying princess books never thought I'd say those words but then again I never imagined I'd like certain kinks. Moving on this was supposedly the last installment in the princess series but being the thirsty readers we are we have one more book to look forward to but enough of that let's delve into the world of alpha galore.

Heavenly & Carlos have been best friends since Heavenly crossed the fence into king Carlos backyard though they might have been wee ones at the time but Heavenly knew she was in love with him at the first sight. Their friendship got stronger and stronger as they got older but things were shifting , her best friend was keeping a distance not just because he was king but maybe she thought he only saw her as a younger sister so she decided to marry his younger brother once she became of age what she wasn't expecting was Carlos to go cavemen at her declaration.

“Carlos, if you don’t put me down right now, I swear I’m going to bite you on the ass.”

I feel her teeth sink into my ass cheek, and I have to bite my bottom lip to keep from crying out and laughing at the same time. I can’t believe she actually bit me.

Carlos King of his land but the only thing he wanted to rule was his Queens heart. He fell for instantly the moment he saw her and ever since she belonged to him but as they got older it was hard to keep things strictly platonic, he craved and needed her like his next breath, he was gonna announce his love for her once she came of age but when his queen decides she wants to marry his brother he couldn't take it anymore , no way no how was that happening so now it was time to show her whom she actually belonged to even if it means starting a fight.

I’m going to marry her. She’s going to be mine. Any thoughts of her being with someone else better be leaving her mind. Her fate is sealed. I will have her like I was always meant to.

The Princess series is something I was skeptical about cause I do prefer dark twisted erotica over princess reads any day but then again I had to remind myself I adore AR to much to let this series go and I'm so glad I read them. Favourite quote

“Because I knew at any moment I’d take your innocence and smear it across my bedsheet like a badge of honor and hang the sheet out the window for my kingdom to know you were mine and mine alone like it’s three hundred years ago. I knew if I let you lie in my bed one more night that I’d breed you as my queen long before you came of age, and I didn’t want to bring that shame on your family. On you. You know I always protect you over everything else. Been doing it from the first moment I laid eyes on you.”

“But. But you—” She looks to my mouth and then to my eyes. 

“From the first fucking day I saw you, Heavenly. The first fucking day.”

Archer how do we feel about this one babe

Amazon

Heavenly and Carlos have been best friends their whole lives. But it’s almost time for Heavenly’s birthday, which means she’ll be married off to a king.

Carlos has been King for a few years now and is being pressured to choose a bride. But he’s only ever had eyes for one princess, and he’s had to wait for her to turn twenty-one.

Heavenly doesn’t have any idea the plans Carlos has made for her, so when she offers to marry his brother, things don’t go so well. Girl, they don’t go well at all… Carlos isn’t having that. She gets a dose of alpha when Carlos lays down the law. But when she runs…how far will she actually get?

Warning: Do you really wonder if there’s a happily ever after? Because you know that’s kind of our thing, right? Look, he chases her, but it all works out.

Also it’s really hot. Get it!

Each book in The Princess series is standalone & about a different couple.

*Heavenly*

I flip through a magazine while lying on the floor of Carlos’s office. I’m bored as I lie on my stomach, swaying my feet in the air. I roll over when I come to a picture of Princess Star. I’m not shocked to see her in the magazine. I’d be more shocked if she wasn’t. The paparazzi are always trying to find out what she’s wearing and what she’s doing. Or better yet, who she’s doing. What kind of name is that? It makes me want to roll my eyes as much as her face does.

“You sure you don’t want to pick Star?” I tease, rolling fully to my side to look at Carlos. His eyes are trained on me, his face set in a hard stare. I don’t know why he looks so angry. He’s been grumpy for the past few months, which isn’t normal for him.

Okay, that’s not true. He’s usually pretty abrupt and a little cool with people. Except with me. I’m always the one who can get away with anything. I can show up at his office, flop down, and do whatever I want. Like I am now. It’s been that way since I was a little girl. But then he wasn’t always king. He’s only held the title for the past few years. I thought things might change. That he wouldn’t have time for me anymore. Instead I’ve only been granted further access into his family’s castle.

His eyes move to my legs, and it’s then I see my dress has ridden up. I sit up quickly and pull it down, my face turning red knowing he saw my underwear. I want to die. Of course when the man I’ve been in love with since I was fifteen sees my underwear, I’m wearing plain white ones with little hearts on them. Kill me now.

“I suggest you get rid of that dress, Heavenly. I’m sure whoever your intended might be wouldn’t like hearing his wife wore dresses and flashed what was his to other men.”

My mouth falls open at his words, then I narrow my eyes at him. He’s never talked to me like that before. I take the magazine and throw it at him. My aim is terrible, and it ends up knocking a vase off the table next to his desk. It causes it to crash to the floor, shattering into a hundred pieces.

I roll back over and grab another magazine, ignoring him. I’m not even sure what I’m mad about. Maybe it’s the casual talk about me being passed to whoever my husband might be. My coming of age is fast approaching, and I’ve been ignoring it, hoping that maybe no one will call on me. My heart already belongs to a man who’s been searching for his own wife since he became king. I’m not even a blip on his radar in that area. I’m like his cute little sister in his eyes, someone he has to protect and shelter.

He’s been my everything from the first moment we met. I came to stay with my grandma, whose home is right on the edge of Carlos’s land. I’d moved here after both my parents died and my brother had taken the crown. I love my brother, but he had no idea what to do with a grieving little sister. He had a country of his own to run.

I climbed the wall that surrounded the castle from the rest of the world, only to come up against two guards when I’d landed on the other side. Boredom and curiosity had gotten the best of me that day. They dragged me kicking and screaming back to the castle with the intent to have me arrested for trespassing. Which I was. But it was Carlos who’d saved me.

I’d broken away from the two guards and taken off, only to run right into Carlos. He was like a hard wall of muscle, and I would have fallen on my ass that day if he hadn’t grabbed ahold of me. He pulled me back to him and stopped me from falling.

I’d never seen someone go from angry to sweet in a flash. He ripped into the guards for having sent a girl running from them in fear. Since that day a guard has never touched me or stood in my way here. Most won’t even make eye contact with me. No place ever been off limits to me either. Something about that makes me feel special, but I have a feeling it’s something I’ll soon lose. I can’t imagine whoever Carlos chooses as a wife will allow me to still roam the castle and estate like I do now.

Sometimes when I can’t sleep at night I sneak over from my grandmother’s and climb into his bed, where he’ll hold me close until I fall asleep. I don’t think that will be happening anymore once he takes a queen. Especially since he asked me to stop the last time I did it. It cut deep. Deeper than I thought it would. Yeah, things are going to change, but I don’t want them to. I want to stay here forever. This feels like my home now—the only home I’ve known since I lost both my parents.

The room remains quiet as both of us know I’m not going to clean up the mess. I glance over at him, and his eyes are still on me. We stare at each other for a long moment.

“I’m sorry, Heavenly. You know I’m very protective of you.” I nod, understanding. He has always been that way with me, even when it comes to men or boys poking around me. “I don’t like the idea of men being able to see up your dress.” He leans back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face. “Things have to change,” he mumbles, and I feel my stomach turn.

“I’m not going to be allowed here after you choose your wife,” I say, and I hear the defeat and sadness in my own voice. This wife thing has been hanging over my head for two years now. It’s bittersweet. Part of me loves the fact that he hasn’t picked one yet, and another part wants him to do it so I have to face the music.

“Why would you say such a thing?” He sits back up in his chair.

“I mean, I know I can come over, just not like now. You already won’t let me in your room.” My gaze drops back down to the magazine.

Carlos gets up, coming around his desk and picking up the magazine I threw. He looks at the page that’s open to the picture of Star. He rolls his eyes and tosses it into the fire that’s cracking quietly in the fireplace.

“You’re days away from coming of age,” he reminds me.

I know. I turn twenty-one soon. I’ve been dreading it, wondering who might be calling for my hand in marriage. I secretly hoped that my brother had forgotten all about me and I wouldn’t have to worry about that day. But I think that chance is slim to none.

“I know,” I mumble. “Maybe you should worry about your own little problem. You know, picking a wife? How many women have showed up here and you still haven’t picked one.”

His jaw clenches at my words. He hates when they come. That makes two of us. I want to say it out loud, but I keep it to myself. I always try to keep the anger out of my voice. I can’t let my jealousy show. That wouldn’t be good. Then I really wouldn’t be allowed over anymore.

“Heavenly. You will never not be allowed here. You’re a part of this family, and you know it.”

I want to tell him he’s wrong. If he were mine I sure as heck wouldn’t let him hang out with some girl in his office all day.

Then it hits me. I jump up and rush over to him. “Maybe I could marry your brother!”

I almost run into him I’m so excited at the idea. But he catches me and puts his hands on my shoulders. I’d never have to leave! I could still see Carlos and his mom every day! Carlos’s brother Romy is nice, but if the rumors in the magazines are true, he’s a little bit of a player. But I wouldn’t care. I’m sure his mom will be pushing him to get married soon, too. Maybe we could just be married in name. He could still do whatever he wanted, and I could stay here. Romy and I get along well. We often team up and give Carlos a hard time when he gets into one of his grumpy moods.

Carlos tightens his grip on my shoulders.

“You want to be with my brother?”

The look on his face changes to anger. I’ve seen this face on him many times over the years, but never has it been aimed at me. I don’t understand why he’s so mad. I know he’s protective of me in a brotherly way, but this seems excessive.

“He wouldn’t treat you as you deserve to be treated,” he half-growls. He brings his hand to my cheek and strokes it softly. The touch doesn’t match the anger in his words.

“Romy is sweet to me,” I say, trying to make him understand.

“He wouldn’t be loyal,” he throws back.

Loyalty is everything to him. I know Carlos would be faithful to his wife. He’s a man of great honor. That’s probably why I’ve never seen any magazine pictures of him out on a date. It’s also why he’d never think of being with me. I’m too young. Not only that but although I’m a princess, I’m a little brash and blurt things out in moments I shouldn’t. My parents kept me away from the social scene, then after they died I was out here living with my grandmother. She barely leaves the house. My only social interactions occur with him, when I come over here and hang out. I even completed my schooling at the castle with private teachers. It was easier to do it here. I practically live here, for the most part. If I wasn’t with Carlos, I was with his mother, helping her plan some charity event or dinner, ones I never went to. Carlos always said I was too young. I often wondered if he brought dates to those events. But at night, when he’d get home, I’d sneak over, faking I had a bad dream. When I crawled into his bed there were never any other women. Nor did his bed smell like one had been with him.

The doors to Carlos’s office open, and his mom Nina walks in. Carlos drops his hand from my cheek, but the other on my shoulder only digs in a little tighter. I shake him off, turning to greet the woman who has become like a mom to me over the past five years.

“Nina, I have the best idea! I should marry your son.”

Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.

They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!

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