Carly Phillips's Blog: Carly's Web Blogs, page 7

Dare to Resist Chapter 2 Sneak Peek

Read Chapter One Here

Chapter Two

Austin sat in his Porsche 911 Turbo with Marnie in the passenger seat. Enclosed in the small space, he was suddenly aware of the cloying scent of her perfume that would no doubt linger long after she exited the vehicle. Why hadn’t he noticed that it bothered him before?

Dammit, he knew why, he thought, and curled his fingers tighter around the leather steering wheel. As he’d walked out, he’d had a compelling need to turn back around. He had. And he’d met Quinn’s gaze. In her eyes, he’d seen a wounded look that seared him to his soul. Although they weren’t together, he now felt uncomfortable being with Marnie, who’d merely been a substitute for the female he couldn’t have.

As she reached over and placed her hand on his thigh, Austin tensed, wishing he’d made an excuse to go home alone. But he hadn’t and there was no valid reason he couldn’t enjoy this night. He was single, available, and dammit, he needed to get laid, and Marnie was clearly interested.

“I’m so glad you took me up on my offer,” she said, sliding her hand closer to his crotch.

Driving, he grasped her wrist and slid her fingers away from his dick, which sadly hadn’t reacted the way he’d hoped once they got things going between them. Fuck. “Come on, Marnie. We’ll have plenty of time back at my place. I’ll make it worth the wait.”

He caught her pout from the corner of his eye.

“I don’t remember you being so stuffy,” she said.

“I just don’t want to get pulled over because your hand is on my cock and I’m swerving all over the road.” He threaded his fingers through hers, keeping one hand on the wheel. “Relax and I’ll make you feel good soon,” he promised.

“Fine.” She huffed and settled back into her seat.

He turned off at his exit and finally, after what felt like an eternity, drove into his neighborhood and up to his gated property. The house wasn’t truly enclosed, the gates were just for show, ending at the lit pillars on either side of the drive.  He pulled all the way up and parked, planning to walk to the front door. With a little luck, he’d be taking Marnie home afterward, so no need to take the car inside the garage.

No sooner had he turned off the ignition than she began to slide across the center console and he cleared his throat. “Lots of beds inside. Counters, too. You can take your pick.” Looking at her, he winked, hoping she took his words as charming and not the blow off he was giving her.

This was going to be a long fucking ordeal. Too bad men couldn’t claim headaches and call it a night.

“Jeez.” She unsnapped her seat belt and opened her door.

He met her outside the car and wrapped an arm around her waist in an effort to calm her down by pulling her against him. “It’s going to be good.” He gave her ass a squeeze and she giggled, allowing him to relax.

In the distance, a strange noise captured his attention. “Did you hear that?” he asked.

She shook her head but then the noise sounded again. “Yes. Is that … a cat? A kitten?” She moved more quickly toward the front door and the sound, which was becoming louder and more persistent.

He shrugged and rushed after her. The front porch lights shone down on the steps, and he realized something had been left outside the double doors, his stomach churning at the sight.

Marnie stopped in her tracks. “That’s a baby carrier.”

He blinked to clear his vision because he’d really hoped he’d been wrong, that he hadn’t seen that. “I’m sorry, say that again?” Because he had to be sure. He was suddenly too queasy to be thinking rationally.

“It’s a baby carrier and that noise is a baby!” Marnie’s voice rose in panic.

“What the fuck?” Hesitantly, he took the three steps and looked at the car seat he’d seen his friends with kids use.

Movement came from inside, and as he bent down, two blue eyes stared up at him, and he noticed what looked like a pink sticky note stuck to the shifting blanket.

Frowning, he bent down and retrieved the note with three words scrawled onto it.

Jenny is yours.

His stomach churned and he’d be lucky if he didn’t lose what was left in his stomach.

“Holy fuck, Austin! You have a kid!” Marnie said, obviously reading over his shoulder and now sounding hysterical.

And at her panicked shriek, the baby began to cry, loud wails that traumatized him immediately because he didn’t know what the fuck to do.

“Pick her up!” he shouted over the din.

Eyes wide, Marnie shook her head. “Hell no. That wasn’t part of tonight’s deal.” She’d already grabbed her phone and begun tapping on the screen.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his gaze darting between the woman he’d hoped would take charge and the infant who’d thrown off the white blanket that had covered her. Little legs covered in footed pajamas now kicked up a storm as the screams she let out increased in volume.

“I’m calling an Uber. What do you think I’m doing?” Marnie looked as panicked as he felt.

Desperate, he grabbed her wrist. “Please, don’t go. Stay. Help me.”

She shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m meeting the car at the end of the driveway. Good luck, Austin. You’re on your own.” With that pronouncement, she and her high heels headed down the path and away from him and this bundle of joy as fast as she could go.

He glanced again at the baby screaming her little lungs out. Thank God it was warm out, but maybe too warm, and he picked up the carrier handle in one hand, the bag he’d just noticed in the other, and brought the infant inside the air-conditioned house. He took the baby into the kitchen and settled the carrier on the floor along with what he hoped was a diaper bag. Because Lord knew he had nothing with which to feed a baby. Change a baby. Nausea threatened.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered under his breath.

The screams continued but he was scared shitless to take the baby out of the carrier and hold her.

Who could he call? His mother? He immediately discounted that idea. Before he knew what this fucking situation really was, he wasn’t telling his mother someone left his baby on the doorstep.

Was it his baby? Fuck.

He ran a hand through his hair. Should he call Bri? He shook his head. His sister would be all over him about how he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants, and though that had once been true, he hadn’t had sex all that often in the last … how old was this baby, anyway? At a glance, he hadn’t a clue.

He paced the floor, his heart pounding as loud as the screams. He needed someone who could handle a crisis. Who wouldn’t panic. Who would take charge and make him feel like everything was going to be okay.

The name of that person came to him immediately, and though he cringed at the thought of dialing her number, he really had no choice. He was desperate, at a complete and utter loss, and she was the one person he trusted to handle things. Even if it changed how she looked at him forever.

 

#

 

Quinn washed up, changed into a pair of sweats and a tee shirt, and climbed into bed, letting her muscles relax as she settled against her fluffy pillows. Instead of thinking about her night, which would only lead to her remembering moments she didn’t want to dwell on, like Austin leaving with that woman or her family’s lack of understanding her, she picked up her Kindle to dive into a romantic comedy she’d been reading. Once she chilled out enough, she’d shut the light and try to fall asleep.

No sooner had she begun reading than her phone rang.

A glance told it was Austin and her heart began to race. What could he want this late? Something had to be wrong and she grabbed the phone, answering immediately. “Hello?”

“I need you. Really, desperately need you. Can you get over to my place now?”

In the background, she heard an indistinguishable sound. “What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked, knowing he’d left with the waitress, or at least she thought he had.

“Just get over here fast. Please.” He disconnected the call, leaving her staring at the phone in her hand.

Worried now, she glanced down at her outfit, decided it was good enough given the strange circumstances, grabbed her car keys, and rushed out the door. At this time of night, there was little traffic on the roads, and she arrived at Austin’s house in less than twenty minutes, pulled into his driveway, and parked behind his Porsche.

She rushed to the front door, finding it open, which was odd, stepped inside, and loud baby screams assaulted her senses. She immediately thought she was dreaming. Austin had an infant in his house? How could that be?

She walked through the main entryway with gorgeous vibrant paintings on the walls and toward the too familiar sound. She knew the way. Not only had she been here after Austin’s surgery but she’d dropped contracts and paperwork off on occasional days he’d been sick or working from home, so she headed toward the kitchen.

“Austin?” she called over the angry, upset sounds.

“In here!” he yelled back.

She stepped inside and froze.

He stood over a baby in a car seat carrier, literally wringing his hands.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Someone left her on my doorstep!”

Quinn immediately bent down and shifted the handle so she could lift the crying infant out of the seat and cuddle her against her chest. “Shh. Shh.”

She rocked from side to side, rubbing her hand over the little back in a soothing motion. “What’s in that bag? See if there’s formula or diapers.” Something that would soothe the baby.

But as he knelt, the infant responded to being comforted and held by Quinn. The baby calmed down and pulled in quick breaths, then released them.

“Oh, thank God. She stopped crying. How did you do that?” Austin asked, glancing up from his crouched position.

“You were a tense mess and transmitting that to her. Plus you didn’t pick her up or even try and comfort her,” Quinn chided him.

“She scares me. I don’t know shit about babies.” He dug through the bag on the floor. “What’s this?” He held up a burp rag.

Quinn rolled her eyes. “Give it to me.” She took the soft cotton and dabbed at the little one’s wet face and eyes and wiped her tiny nose. “There you go. All better?” she asked.

Two big blue eyes stared up at Quinn. My God, this baby was beautiful. “You said she?”

He rose. “The note said she’s a girl.” He picked up the pink sticky note that had fallen to the floor. “Here.”

She glanced at the paper and her eyes opened wide. “And you didn’t know about her?” she asked, voice rising in disbelief.

“No,” he replied a bit sheepishly.

With a frown for him, she looked back to the baby and smiled. “Hey, Jenny. You’re so pretty. Are you sure she’s yours?” she asked Austin, still rocking the baby in what was a natural motion that quickly came back to her from taking care of her youngest siblings and cousins.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

She shot him an incredulous glance. How could he not know he had a child? “Jesus, Austin. Are you that much of a man-whore?”

He actually looked insulted. “Hey, I’m not a man-whore. Anymore,” he muttered. “The last time I was with a woman was…” He paused as he obviously mentally did the math. “About a year ago. A little before surgery…”

“You mean before tonight. The last time you were with a woman before tonight was a year ago.” Her voice trailed off. “Seriously?”

He nodded. “I’ve been busy building the business. And for the record, I wasn’t with Marnie tonight,” he muttered.

But they both knew if not for the baby cockblocker in her arms, he would have been.

“Didn’t you leave with her?” she asked.

He nodded, not meeting her gaze. “She took one look at the baby and bolted.”

“Nice.” Quinn didn’t try to hide her sarcasm, then bit the inside of her cheek. “Why did you call me?”

His warm gaze settled on hers. “Because you’re you. You handle things. You keep me organized and settled.”

“In business,” she said through gritted teeth. “Why not call your mother or sister?”

“Are you kidding?” He dipped his head. “My mother would be all gaga-goo-goo over the baby and want to keep her forever, and my sister would be all over me … well, for exactly the things you just called me out on. And I wasn’t about to explain myself to my little sister.”

“She’s only two years younger than you but point taken.” For now. There was no way this infant was becoming Quinn’s problem. “Why don’t you hold her and I’ll check for necessities for tonight. A bottle, formula, and diapers.”

A look of horror crossed his face. “I can’t hold her.”

“You can and you will.” She handed the baby to him, giving him no choice.

He took her awkwardly into his arms and the screaming started again immediately. “See?”

Quinn adjusted the way he held Jenny so the baby felt more secure in his arms, but the cries didn’t abate.

Ignoring them the best she could, she lifted the bag to the kitchen table and went through it, doing a mental inventory as she laid out each item. “Powdered formula, four diapers, a onesie, you have the burp rag, and a pacifier. Thank God. You’ll be okay until morning.”

Quinn picked up the pacifier and walked to the sink, running it under the instant hot water to sterilize it, then dabbed it against her hand, waiting until the rubber cooled off. Returning to a still clearly panicked Austin, Quinn put the pacifier into the baby’s mouth.

Jenny immediately sucked it right in and quieted. Until she glanced at Austin and wound up to wail once more.

“Take her, please.” Austin held out the infant, her little legs dangling beneath her.

“Fine.” Quinn accepted the baby and cuddled her against her chest again.

When Jenny immediately settled, Austin’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m calling you the baby whisperer,” he muttered.

“Let’s sit down and talk,” Quinn suggested.

He nodded and she followed him into his comfortable family room and the place of their kiss. Any time she walked into this room, the memory assaulted her and she was reminded that the kiss had turned her life upside down. She hadn’t been with any man since.

Instead of sitting down, she kept rocking from side to side with the baby in her arms. “Think. Could she be yours?”

He threaded his hands through his hair, messing up the longer strands and giving himself an adorably shaggy look. Add the more than five-o’clock shadow and he was one sexy man.

“How old is she? I can’t tell,” he said.

Quinn looked at the baby’s face, gauged her size, “About three months? Four? It’s hard to know. I can check the size of her clothes but that’s my best guess.”

He groaned. “So if you do the math, nine months of pregnancy, three to four months old … yeah, it’s possible. But I wore a fucking condom. I always do.”

She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about him with a female in an intimate situation. Not at all. “Okay, well, you’ll get that sorted out. In the meantime, as I said, you’re good for the night. I can make a bottle before I go so you can feed her before bed.” She bent down and put the quiet baby into his arms.

“Wait, what? Where are you going? You can’t leave me!” he practically yelled.

Predictably, between his loud voice and tense body, Jenny started to wail once more.

Quinn narrowed her gaze at him. “I’m going to make a bottle and you are going to learn to hold her.”

“You can’t leave me.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You don’t expect me to move in and play nanny for you, do you?”

He treated her to his most endearing grin.

She folded her arms across her chest defensively. “Charm isn’t going to work.”

“What about begging? Will that work? A raise? A promotion?” he rambled, his nerves clear. So was the abject fear in his eyes and panic in his expression.

She narrowed her gaze. “I’m already your executive assistant. I can’t become your executive executive assistant.”

He let out a breath and glanced at the little girl in his arms. Despite his terror, there was something endearing about the man and the baby. She couldn’t say no to him on a normal day but now?

Fine. She’d stay tonight and they’d figure something out in the morning. But she didn’t have to let him off the hook that easily. He needed to learn to stay calm with the baby and that wouldn’t happen if she kept giving in to him immediately.

“Try calming her down. I’m going to make a bottle. We’ll discuss the rest when I get back.”

 

#

 

An hour after Austin had called Quinn for help, she’d had baby Jenny fed, changed, burped, and settled on a nest of blankets surrounded by couch pillows beside his bed. While his head was still spinning, Quinn had stepped up and taken charge.

Watching her with the baby had been a revelation. He’d been kidding when he called her the baby whisperer, but no joke, the woman had a magic touch.

He owed her more than he could repay and was so damned grateful. For the first time since finding a baby on his doorstep, he could breathe.

“She’s asleep,” Quinn said softly and gestured her head toward the bedroom door.

He followed her out and, once in the hall, leaned against the wall. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. She’s a sweet little thing.”

“When she isn’t a crying banshee,” he said wryly.

Quinn treated him to a tired smile. “Unless she’s colicky, babies cry when they’re hungry, wet, uncomfortable, or want to be held. Relax more around her and it should help.”

“I’ll try.”

“You do that.” She chuckled. “Okay well…”

They hadn’t discussed her staying the night again, and his heart sped up at the thought that she might leave him alone with the baby.

Reaching out, he grabbed her hand, and despite the baby situation, touching her sent a jolt of awareness through him. “You’re staying, right?” He heard the pathetic plea in his tone and he didn’t care. “Please?” When it came to this situation, he was not above begging.

She bit down on her full bottom lip, drawing his attention to her lush mouth. “I could come back in the morning.”

“What if she wakes up? You see how much she hates me.”

Quinn shook her head, her grin adorable. “She doesn’t hate you. She’s reacting to how tense you are.”

“Please? I’ll pay you.”

“It’s not about money!”

He wondered what it was about, because she was clearly good with babies. True, he was asking her to do something outside of her job description, but it wasn’t illegal, for Christ sake. “If not money, then what?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll stay the night but tomorrow we are figuring out an alternate plan.”

He noted she hadn’t explained her own panic over helping with the infant. Instead of calling her on it, he held up his hands in agreement. “Fine. Perfect. Thank you.” He blew out a sigh of relief.

“I’m assuming this huge house has a guest room?” She began to yawn and lifted a hand to cover her mouth.

He wanted her in his bed. Next to the baby and beside him, but he knew better than to push for the impossible. Any sexual feelings he had for her needed to take a back seat to his new reality.

“Sure. Come on. You can stay in the room right across the hall.” Where she could be on her feet and rush to the baby when she woke up.

His house was a six-bedroom on the bay with stunning views and was a good tax write-off. Did he need a mansion? No. But he had a big family and liked the idea of being away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

He led her to the guest room with a queen-size bed. “You have your own bathroom. There are towels, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and all the basics. My family likes to crash here every so often, so my housekeeper keeps things stocked for them.” He gestured for her to go inside.

“Thank you.” As she stepped past him, he caught a whiff of her perfume. He’d trained himself to ignore the sensual scent at the office, but this was his home. And with her hair up in a messy bun, wearing comfortable sweats and a tight tee shirt that showed her generous breasts, ignoring her was all but impossible.

“Get some sleep,” she said, breaking into his thoughts. “Who knows how quickly we’ll be woken up again.”

He nodded. “Thank you, Quinn. You’ll never know how much I appreciate your help.”

She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

He walked out and headed back to his room, pausing at the sight of the infant snuggled on the pallet on the floor. His stomach twisted anew.

Sitting down on his bed, he pulled out his calendar and went back one year, scrolling through various days and weeks, and then it hit him. He’d been in Chicago a year ago, doing business with a client, and he’d been at the hotel bar. A woman had sat down beside him. Nelle Jamieson was her name. They’d flirted. She’d taken him out of his head. Given he’d recently learned about Jesse not being his real dad, he’d been in a mood, feeling alone, and they’d gone upstairs to his room.

He was a free agent. Why not? But he’d used condoms, dammit. He always used protection. Which wasn’t effective if this little one was his.

He’d seen her eyes. They were a deep blue. Could get darker, turn the indigo of his family. Not that they all had that color eyes, but the gene was a strong one. Of course, he’d have a DNA test run. And he had cameras outside. He’d have to run the tape and see if he could get a good look at who’d left the baby on his front porch.

Which begged another question. What kind of woman left a defenseless, innocent baby outside at night? Alone? His protective instincts rose for this sweet baby.

He ran a hand over his face and lay down on the bed. Little noises reached his ears. He heard every move and sigh the baby made. And if she really was his, the woman who abandoned her could be damn sure she’d never get near the infant again.

Buy Now:

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKindle

Nook: https://smarturl.it/DTResistNook

Apple: https://smarturl.it/DTRestistApple

Kobo: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKobo

Google Play: https://smarturl.it/DTResistGooglplay

Paperback: https://smarturl.it/DTResistAmazonPrint

The post Dare to Resist Chapter 2 Sneak Peek appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Dare to Resist Chapter 1 Sneak Peek

Chapter One

            Quinn sashayed out of Austin Prescott’s office, sweet curves encased in a tight black skirt with high fuck-me heels completing the outfit.

“Stop staring at your assistant’s ass, or at the very least, don’t be obvious about it.”

Austin cupped the back of his neck in his hand and let out a groan.

“You’re right,” he said to Marcus Powers, an agent in his office and a close friend. “It’s not cool.” Quinn was the best executive assistant ever and Austin didn’t want to lose her.

She’d proven herself to be extremely intelligent, could keep up with negotiations, handle the wise-ass players Austin represented, and on the times they went out for meals, make small talk with their fancy wives. Oh, and she tasted like the sweetest treat he’d ever had.

He knew because they’d had one slip. A slip he couldn’t get out of his head, even a year later. The fireworks that had exploded between them were vivid even now. But they’d never discussed that moment again.

Quinn was a different sort of woman than the groupies who used to chase him in his NFL days. Everything about her appealed to him, but he did his best to treat her with respect. When he wasn’t inadvertently staring at her ass, that is. It was dicey to have an affair with a co-worker, someone for whom he was directly in charge of her career. And she didn’t strike him as a one-and-done kind of woman, and that was his MO. Not that he thought one time with Quinn would be enough.

“Are you going to Allstars tonight?” Marcus asked of the exclusive sports and cigar bar in South Beach that catered to the elite athlete.

It was a place players and industry people could frequent without groupies and hangers-on bothering them. Which wasn’t to say Austin couldn’t find a woman to hook up with there. Just that there was a higher class of female to choose from than a run-of-the-mill establishment.

He ran a hand over his face. Maybe hanging out with friends and possibly going home with a woman was just what he needed to take the edge off this gnawing desire for Quinn. Since he’d put his rampant playboy days behind him, he was more discriminating and discreet, yet it had still been too long since he’d gotten laid.

“Sure. I’ll be there.”

“Awesome.” Marcus pulled out his phone to check his email.

Just then, Austin’s desk phone buzzed and he picked up the receiver. “Yes?”

“You’re needed in the conference room. You and Marcus both,” Quinn said in her normal voice. But he even found her husky tone arousing. “Can I let your sister know you’re coming?” she asked.

“Tell her we’ll be right there.”

Although she wasn’t a full partner, Bri had a definite say in how things ran around here. If something went wrong, she sorted out the issue.

“We’re wanted in the conference room. Apparently Bri’s called a meeting.” Austin pushed up from his chair.

“Any idea what she wants?” Marcus asked.

He shook his head. “Not a clue but we might as well go find out.”

He headed for the conference room, Marcus right behind him, stepped inside, and heard, “Surprise!”

Blinking into the bright room, he realized the entire staff was present, along with his family. In the corners, gold and white balloons decorated the room, and a large cake sat on the rectangular gleaming wood table.

“What is all this?” he asked, confused. It wasn’t his birthday.

Bri sidled up beside him, her long blonde hair pulled into a bun at the back of her head. “Today is one year since the kidney transplant. A year since you saved Uncle Paul’s life.”

Paul Dare walked up to him, looking healthy, his skin tanned, his eyes clear and gleaming. “Thank you … son.”

Everyone in this room knew the word son meant so much more to both than a random term of endearment. When Jesse Prescott, the man who’d raised them as his own, hadn’t been able to have children, Austin’s mother, Christine, had turned to her best friend since childhood to help her via sperm donation. Her gay best friend. The man she’d been in love with but couldn’t have. To say it had been a shock was an understatement.

“You’re welcome,” Austin said to Paul, who he still called uncle.

Austin pulled the older man into a brief hug before releasing him. “Any chance you and Ron will come to Allstars tonight? Marcus and I are going.”

“I’ll be there,” Bri chimed in.

“We’ll try. Ron’s been sick this week. I’ll see if he’s feeling up to it,” Paul said of his long-time partner, Ron Mayburn. Another Prescott family friend who’d been loyal to them for years.

“Give him my best and don’t push him if he’s not up to it. And let’s do dinner soon. The three of us,” Austin said.

“Sounds good.” Paul smiled. “So what about you? When are you going to settle down?”

Austin grimaced at the thought. “I like my life the way it is, thank you very much.”

“Really? You like going home alone at night to a house that echoes because it’s so big but empty? Ordering in dinner? Eating by yourself?” Paul lowered his voice so they wouldn’t be overheard.

“Whoa, what is with the third degree?” Austin asked, surprised.

“I just worry about all of you. Single. Alone. Even your mother seems open to a new relationship, but you kids?” He shook his head. “I just want the best for you.”

One look into his serious indigo eyes and Austin knew they were related. It was a miracle none of them had caught on sooner, but then no one ever had a reason to assume they weren’t Jesse Prescott’s children by blood.

“Well, trust me, I’m not always lonely.” Austin winked at his uncle, unwilling to admit that just maybe the truth hit a little close to home. But not enough to consider settling down any time soon. If anything, he was now even more determined to get laid and get rid of this annoying desire for someone he couldn’t admit to clawing at him inside.

“I’m always here if you need me,” Paul said before turning to talk to one of the agents in the office.

Letting out a breath, Austin took a minute to just be before he made the rounds as well, thanking everyone for showing up for this impromptu party.

Before he could begin, Quinn came up to him, a warm smile on her beautiful face. “I know I’ve said it before, but you did a wonderful thing for Paul and for your family,” she said, her green eyes shining with admiration.

Her approval meant something to him he couldn’t quite name, but her praise also made him uncomfortable. “I just did what anyone would do.” He shifted on his feet.

She shook her head, a wry smile lifting her lips. “That’s what makes what you did so special. You really believe it was no big deal.” She reached up and patted his cheek, obviously meaning it to be a friendly tap, but their eyes met and her touch lingered.

With her soft hand against his face, he wanted nothing more than to grab her wrist, pull her close, and kiss her … again. Since the yearning had been building for a year, and knowing he was no longer incapacitated by surgery, their union wouldn’t be soft and sweet, either.

A loud laugh broke the silence. Cheeks flushed, Quinn stepped back and turned away, walked to the table, and began cutting the cake, head down, not meeting his gaze.

Not well done of him, he thought and groaned. Time to focus on the gathering around him and his workers. He clapped his hands. “Okay, everyone, eat cake, be merry, and head home for the day. My way of showing my appreciation for the party.”

That pronouncement earned him a round of applause. Even if it was already four p.m. on a Friday, leaving early was leaving early, and cutting his employees some slack was good for morale.

He waited until he’d spoken to and thanked everyone, and made certain he was the last to leave the office before heading out, locking up behind him.

Then Austin, Bri, and Marcus met up for a steak dinner. Afterwards they settled in at Allstars for a drink and well-deserved relaxation. The dark oak walls of the bar, the low sconce lighting, and the comfortable club chairs settled him.

“Hello, Austin, long time no see.” Marnie, a cocktail waitress at the bar, sidled up close to him.

“Hi, yourself. How are you?” he asked.

She batted her lashes. “How do I look?” she asked flirtatiously.

He chuckled at the way she deliberately was fishing for compliments. They had history, he and Marnie, as in he’d fallen into bed with her once before.

With her auburn hair that hung long and wavy around her shoulders and a killer body, she was easy on the eyes. She didn’t do it for him like a certain green-eyed assistant, but she was off-limits. Marnie wasn’t.

He dragged his gaze up her long legs in black pants up to her silk camisole, also black. Her breasts were perky and her smile welcoming. “You look pretty damn fine from where I’m sitting,” he said.

Marnie grinned, gripping her round cocktail tray in her hands. “So what can I get for you?” she asked in a husky voice.

“The usual.” Actually it was his old usual as he didn’t drink often since his kidney donation. But a Don Julio would sit well right now.

“And maybe a little something later? My shift ends early tonight,” she offered, leaning down so he could see her lush cleavage.

Austin grinned because he’d just found his willing woman to take home for the night.

 

#

 

Quinnlyn Stone walked into Allstars with her brother, Matt, by her side. Although she’d wanted nothing more than to go home after work, he’d insisted they needed to meet and talk in person. Worried about him because she was the oldest of four siblings and it had always been her job to watch out for the others, she’d agreed but insisted on going someplace quiet. After the party at the office and being around people for an hour in a small room, she wanted some peace.

These days, crowds and loud noises made her a little anxious. She likened it to a mild form of PTSD, similar to her cousin who had been an extremely colicky baby. Even a decade later, she couldn’t listen to an infant crying without being transported back to the intense feelings of failure and frustration of those days.

Allstars was on the top level of an exclusive hotel, but she waited in the lobby for her brother because it was hot and humid in Miami in August. She hadn’t seen her brother in a while because he’d missed last month’s Sunday dinner at her parents’ house.

When he walked in, she grinned. “Matty!” She ran up and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight before releasing him and taking him in. His jet-black hair was combed, his glasses with black frames sat on his face, and his sport jacket was perfectly pressed. “Look at my baby brother in his college professor attire.”

He chuckled but rolled his eyes. “You’re twenty-eight. I’m two years younger than you. Jeffrey’s the baby.”

At twenty-one, yes, he was. But so was Matt. “As long as you’re younger, you’re the baby, so humor me.”

“I am humoring you. I’m letting you bring me to a place where jocks hang out, aren’t I?”

She wrinkled her nose. “That’s a snobby, elitist thing to say. Now, come. Let’s go have a drink and you can tell me why you wanted to see me.” She clasped his hand, led him to the elevator, and hit the button for the top floor.

They walked out, and as they waited for the hostess to lead them to a table, she heard a familiar laugh that sent tingles down her spine and a jolt of pure awareness through her veins. After hearing his voice all day, she should be immune to such a typical feminine reaction. Quinn always knew when Austin Prescott was nearby.

“Your table is ready,” an attractive waitress with blonde highlights in her hair said.

“Thank you.” They started for the table when Quinn heard her name. “We’ll be right there,” she said to the other woman.

“Matt, come say hello to Austin.”

“The jock boss,” he said low enough that only she could hear.

“What do you have against athletes?” she asked. The rest of the family loved sports. She came by her choice of job naturally. Her dad was a die-hard Miami Thunder fan.

“I know their social reputations. I just don’t want you to end up a notch in this guy’s bedpost.”

Her eyes opened wide. “Oh my God, Matt! He’s been nothing but professional since I started working for him.” If she ignored the one kiss that consumed her dreams.

She pulled her brother over to Austin’s table, where he sat with Bri and Marcus. “Matt, you’ve met Austin. This is his sister, Bri, who works PR at the firm, and Marcus, who is an agent. Guys, this is my brother, Matt.”

They all exchanged hellos.

“I didn’t know you’d be here tonight,” she said to Austin, who looked casual and relaxed. His white shirt was unbuttoned, showing a smattering of chest hair she had to drag her eyes away from. And right now those gorgeous unique-colored indigo eyes were hot on her face.

“I was dragged here by these two.” He gestured to the others at the table. “What brings you out tonight?”

She glanced at her sibling. “Matt wanted to talk. I figured this place was a good choice.”

Austin inclined his head. “So I don’t suppose I can convince you to join us?”

She smiled but shook her head. “I need to know what Matt wants.”

A low laugh sounded from beside her. “I want a drink.”

Quinn grinned. “And that’s my cue. I’ll see you Monday?” she asked.

Austin nodded. “See you Monday.”

Matt grasped her hand and led her to the table the hostess had indicated earlier, and a little while later, she sat with a glass of Chardonnay, while her brother drank a scotch and soda. They talked about home, their parents, their siblings, and their jobs, catching up. But all the while, she was acutely aware of Austin. And the waitress who was definitely flirting with him in ways that couldn’t be misconstrued.

Quinn ought to be used to the attention Austin garnered. From the first business lunch they’d attended, women ignored Quinn and threw themselves at Austin. He had cleavage lowered into in his face, boobs brushed against his arm, phone numbers slipped into his jacket pocket … and she could go on. He laughed it off to being an ex-NFL star.

But in the time Quinn had been working for him, he’d been discreet. He didn’t parade women in the office and never had he asked her to make a lunch or dinner reservation for a date. But the man wasn’t a monk, and he clearly had no intention of settling down.

“Quinnie-Boo, God, are you even listening to me?”

She blinked when Matt snapped his fingers in front of her face and even called her by that awful childhood nickname to get her attention. “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. But I’m paying attention now.” She couldn’t spend time thinking about her boss and his strong, chiseled features and tanned skin. Or the muscled body beneath the suit. She needed to stop letting her mind wander there.

“I guess you want to know why I asked to see you in person?” Matt asked.

Finally, he got to the crux of things. “I take it you didn’t just want to see your sister?”

He shook his head. “I mean, of course I did, but I also wanted to tell you something.” Her brother looked like he was chewing glass, that what he had to reveal was that upsetting.

“What is it?” She put her hand on his.

“I ran into Daniel at a faculty meeting on campus.”

She startled at the mention of her ex-fiancé. “Oh. Okay?” She and Daniel Munroe had ended things on an awkward note.

Matt had introduced them because he and Daniel were colleagues at the smaller college where they both taught. She and Daniel had bonded over the notion that neither one of them wanted children. As the oldest of the family, she’d raised her siblings and was quite content with any nieces or nephews that might come along who she could spoil.

She’d thought they’d been on the same page. So when he’d asked her to marry him, it seemed like the right thing to do. They enjoyed each other’s company and could each focus on their careers. Until the day he revealed he really did want kids and had assumed she’d change her mind at some point in time.

When she assured him she hadn’t … wouldn’t … he’d asked her to at least agree to reconsider things down the road. But she knew better than to go into a marriage with something as fundamental as wanting children undecided. She’d ended things and hadn’t seen him over a year.

“And?” she asked into the silence.

Matt drummed his fingers against the table. “His wife is pregnant and I wanted you to hear it from me. In case you took it hard or had had second thoughts.” He stared at her with love and concern in his eyes, and she adored him for it, but she did not understand her family.

Her parents thought, after helping to raise their kids and her younger cousins, she’d want to be a nanny instead of having a career, and her brother believed she’d be hurt by her ex doing exactly what he’d told her he’d wanted. Or maybe the problem was her family just didn’t understand her.

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be? I knew Daniel wanted kids. Well, eventually I knew, although it would have been nice if he’d told me from the beginning and not assumed I’d change my mind.”

She glanced at her sibling, who still looked worried. “I realized pretty quickly after we broke up that I didn’t love him the way I should or I would have been a lot more upset by the end of things.” She bit down on her lower lip, remembering that odd feeling of relief after things had ended.

“And by the way, same goes for him. He was engaged again within a year. It’s all good, Matt, but thank you for worrying about me.” She squeezed her brother’s hand and he let out a relieved breath.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the waitress approach Austin once more, lean down, and whisper in his ear. Whatever she said, it was an intimate action that had nothing to do with his drink order, and he placed his hand on her waist and squeezed once in reply, causing Quinn’s stomach to twist at the sight.

“Well, I’m glad to hear you’re okay,” her brother said, oblivious to her inner turmoil over Austin.

She forced a smile, still keeping an eye out as Austin reached inside his pants pocket for his wallet, handing the waitress his credit card. She strode off and brought the bill back for him to sign. And not five minutes later, Austin stood up, hugged his sister, shook hands with Marcus, and started for the door, meeting up with the woman who’d obviously just gotten off her shift. Together they walked out the door.

But not before Austin turned back and his gaze caught on Quinn’s. She hadn’t meant to continue staring. Hadn’t anticipated him turning back and looking her way. Something flashed in his expression before he shuttered it and quickly jerked his head back around and headed out the door.

Quinn sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, watching Austin with another woman hurt more than breaking up with her ex had. She’d grown close to Austin while working for him and had kept that kiss they’d shared close to her heart.

Until today, she hadn’t had to see him with one of his conquests, and reality was a bitter pill to swallow. The truth was, she had no business having feelings for her boss. Her job was too good to lose.

He had every right to do his thing and she’d do her own. Live and let live. And she’d move forward secure in the knowledge her heart wouldn’t get broken by her playboy boss.

Buy Now:

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKindle

Nook: https://smarturl.it/DTResistNook

Apple: https://smarturl.it/DTRestistApple

Kobo: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKobo

Google Play: https://smarturl.it/DTResistGooglplay

Paperback: https://smarturl.it/DTResistAmazonPrint

The post Dare to Resist Chapter 1 Sneak Peek appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Dare to Resist Preorder Giveaway

  Dare to Resist Preorder Giveaway  

I’m so excited to bring you my next DARE hero that I’m doing a $50 Amazon gift card preorder giveaway!

ENTER HERE: https://forms.gle/hBp6LJJ5EXrhMYLC7

PREORDER DARE TO RESIST

Low $3.99 Preorder Price!

Available 5/12

Preorder today!

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKindle

Nook: https://smarturl.it/DTResistNook

Apple: https://smarturl.it/DTRestistApple

Kobo: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKobo

Googleplay: https://smarturl.it/DTResistGooglplay

AmazonPrint: https://smarturl.it/DTResistAmazonPrint

Audio Preorder w/Erin Mallon and Joe Arden

Audible: https://smarturl.it/STResistAudible

Amazon Audio: https://smarturl.it/DTResistAmazonAudio

*No purchase necessary to enter.

The post Dare to Resist Preorder Giveaway appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Introducing Dare Nation!

The Dares are back! Dare Nation is coming!

Return to my sexy Dare world of rich billionaire sports heroes in my new DARE NATION SERIES! First up? DARE TO RESIST on May 12 at a very special $3.99 discounted preorder price!

You’ve seen the placeholder covers and you’ve read the blurb. But you can now see the gorgeous cover for it AND all of the series below. Check them out and let me know what you think!.

I promise you’ll see the original Dares you know and love while meeting new ones too. And like the original Dares and the NY Dares, every book in Dare Nation stands alone.

Read on to see the Dare Nation covers below!

 

Dare to Resist release date 5/12

He’s sexy. Alphalicious. And suddenly a dad.

Austin Prescott is a lot of things. Ex football player. Sports agent. And as of this morning? Father. Finding a baby on his doorstep should have been a joke but the pink sticky note and baby carrier she came in is deadly serious.

What’s an out of his depth bachelor to do? Call his tempting and beyond gorgeous executive assistant and beg her to move in.

Quinnlyn Stone agrees to help Austin until he can straighten out his messy life. It’s just another item on her very long To-Do list. It’s absolutely not because she’s attracted to her very single and extremely handsome boss.

Close quarters. A baby. Undeniable chemistry. What could possibly go wrong?

Dare to Tempt release date 8/4 – full blurb to come!

Dare to Play/Dare to Tease/Dare to Stay release date/blurbs to be announced at a future date!

Dare to Resist Pre-Order Links:

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKindle

Nook: https://smarturl.it/DTResistNook

Apple: https://smarturl.it/DTRestistApple

Kobo: https://smarturl.it/DTResistKobo

Google Play: https://smarturl.it/DTResistGooglplay

Paperback: https://smarturl.it/DTResistAmazonPrint

The post Introducing Dare Nation! appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Better Than Sexy Is Here!

Better than Sexy is finally here! I can’t wait to share Landon and Vivi’s long awaited story with you.

All the angst and drama, pain and love. Get your copy today!

Kindle: https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyKindle

Nook: https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyNook

Kobo: https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyKobo

Apple: https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyAppleBooks

Googleplay: https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyGoogleplay

Xo

Carly

The post Better Than Sexy Is Here! appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Better Than Sexy Chapter Two

Chapter Two

 

Back in her apartment, Vivi propped her feet on the chipped wooden table in front of her couch and opened her secondhand laptop. Although it’d been a couple of hours since she’d met with Landon Bennett, her heart was still racing.

Now, showered and fed so she wasn’t hangry, she had time to look into Club TEN29. The name sounded familiar, and she’d originally assumed it was because of their concert with Tangled Royal, but something else was niggling at the back of her brain.

She plugged in the club’s website and read through the information, impressed with everything she saw, from the classy look of the club to the detail and money put into the site itself. She moved on to the About page. There were three owners, Jason Dare, Tanner Grayson, and the man she’d met, Landon Bennett. Her stomach flipped at the thought of him.

She scanned the words, scrolling past the full-color pictures of each man, though she’d be lying if she said she didn’t stop and stare at Landon, until she and came to a dedication at the end.

Club TEN29 is named in memory of Levi Bennett, who died in a tragic accident on October 29, 2009. And beneath that was the photograph of a guy who appeared almost identical to a younger Landon.

And suddenly she knew why Club TEN29 sounded familiar, and it had nothing to do with their hosting of Tangled Royal. Her pulse pounded hard and nausea threatened, but before she panicked completely, she Googled her brother’s name — Victor Clark, Club TEN29, and bomb threat – and prayed she was wrong with the connection she’d made. Unfortunately, the articles came up, backing her hunch.

She picked up her cell and called Ellie, who lived in an apartment upstairs. “Come down,” she said when her friend answered.

She knew Ellie would hear the urgency in her voice, and sure enough, Ellie was banging on her door soon after. “What’s wrong?” she asked the second after Vivi let her inside.

Like Vivi, Ellie had showered and was now wearing a sundress but her hair was still damp.

“Remember on the way home from Owen’s, I said the club name sounded familiar?” Vivi asked.

Ellie nodded. “Come sit. You look green. Why is the name familiar?”

Vivi swallowed back the bile that threatened and followed her friend to her sofa. They sat down and Ellie waited for Vivi to talk.

“My brother, Victor, killed Landon’s twin in a horrible hazing gone wrong back in college.”

Ellie’s eyes opened wide. “Your brother who got out and then was thrown back in prison for terrorizing some guys?”

Vivi nodded. “He went after Landon’s partner, Tanner Grayson.” Thanks to the articles she’d pulled up, Vivi was now too familiar with the details. “He vandalized their club. He tried to attack Tanner’s girlfriend. He called in a bomb threat, which is a federal offense, by the way, and told the cops the bar was serving underage kids, causing a raid.” She blinked back tears. “He killed Landon’s twin.” She repeated the worst of the crimes because that was the one that mattered the most.

She’d spent so much time trying to disassociate herself from her brother. When Victor had been arrested for hazing and manslaughter, Vivi, sadly, hadn’t been shocked that her brother had been capable of hurting someone so badly. He’d been in and out of trouble for years, each time subjecting him to a beating from her father.

Unable to take it anymore, her mother divorced him during that horrific time, and the press had been so relentless, Vivi and her mother had legally changed their last names back to her mom’s maiden name, Zane,and moved out of state. At that point she hadn’t had a good relationship with her brother in years. He’d resented her so-called status with her father and treated her like shit anyway, so she hadn’t contacted him in prison and vice versa.

When he’d been released, he’d claimed to want a relationship, and they’d met for lunch. The next day he called her because he’d been arrested again. Obviously he’d been setting her up to bail him out if he got caught. He’d rambled about being accused of phoning in a bomb threat to a club and assault, among other things.

She’d hung up on him, and though she’d heard information on the news, including the club’s name, she hadn’t followed the case. She’d wanted nothing to do with her sibling. But she didn’t think Landon Bennett would care about her lack of a relationship with Vic. Because of her mere association, he and his partners would want nothing to do with her.

“Once Landon finds out I’m Vic’s sister, I can kiss any chance at the residency goodbye. I can’t take the job.” Her stomach hurt at the loss of such huge potential but not as much as it twisted in pain for Landon, whose brother was dead.

Ellie pulled at a nonexistent thread on her dress. “Or … you don’t ever have to tell him.”

Whipping her head up, Vivi stared at her friend. “What? No. I’m not going to lie about something that huge. I couldn’t live with myself.”

“I didn’t think you could,” her friend said softly. “I just had to offer it as a solution because you know that’s what Owen would tell you to do.”

“Fuck Owen. He only cares about money. Not about what I want or about people’s lives.”

“Amen.”

Vivi met Ellie’s gaze. “Fucking Victor. He’s a terror even when he isn’t part of my life,” she said, as she watched her dreams shatter before she’d ever grasped them in her hand.

“You know I support you, right? Whatever you decide, I’m in your corner.”

Ellie squeezed her hand and Vivi smiled. “You’re such a good friend. I can’t believe we met at the gym only one year ago. I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

Ellie gave her a smile. “Fate works in weird ways. I needed a job and you needed an assistant.” Vivi had been working in a coffee shop during the day and singing when she could find work at night. She’d managed to pay Ellie very little to handle her website and help with social media, but she’d kept her job at a clothing store until Vivi started to get more steady singing work.

Eventually Owen had been in one of the venues where she’d been singing, heard her, and offered to sign her on the spot. Even then, she’d said she’d think about it and sent his contract over to her mom.

“Do it,” Ellie said, gesturing to Vivi’s cell. “It’s not going to get any easier.

With a sigh, Vivi picked up her phone, called Owen, and left a message, turning down the residency offer.

Then, knowing he’d call back screaming, she shut her phone off, pulled a pint of ice cream from the freezer, and shared the treat with her best friend.

 

#

 

Landon and Jason sat at the gym, where Tanner was fighting in the ring. Ever since Tanner had hooked up with Scarlett Davis, an assistant district attorney, and since Victor Clark had gone back to jail, Tanner’s anger issues seemed well under control. Where he used to fight at the gym to channel his aggression, lately it seemed he took more enjoyment in the sport.

They still showed up to support Tanner, and in truth, old habits died hard. They wanted to be here if something triggered their friend’s anger, although Landon didn’t see that as an issue any longer. Which meant they could focus on something other than watching Tanner kick someone’s ass in the ring.

“So how’d the visit with the viral girl go?” Jason asked, one eye on Tanner.

Landon felt the beginnings of a stupid grin on his face, and clearly Jason caught it, too, because he burst out laughing.

“I knew it would happen sooner or later. Tanner did, too.” Jason grinned.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” Because hedging was better than admitting that Landon had taken one look at Vivienne … he preferred Vivi because it suited her … and he’d fallen ass over teakettle, as his grandmother used to say. He’d thought it was as stupid an expression as Jason falling for Faith in a few short days and Tanner for Scarlett just as quickly. Now he understood. He wanted to get to know this woman.

“But it went well. I know her agent is completely on board, and though she tried to play it cool, she’s interested.” In more than just the summer residency, he thought.

And that feeling was completely mutual.

He’d been sitting in that office listening to the asshole agent try and blow smoke up his ass about how much money his client was worth when she’d come rushing inside. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, that lush body encased in Spandex, and he’d had a good look at breasts made to fit in his hand and nipples that had puckered under his gaze.

His dick had hardened at the sight.

And then he’d had his first glimpse of her beautiful face, up close and personal. Gorgeous brown eyes the color of hot chocolate framed by porcelain skin, a sprinkling of freckles on the bridge of her nose, and dimples on either side of sexy lips made for kissing.

He’d been blindsided by not just her beauty but her strength of character. She’d stood up to her agent, letting him know the details of the contract were up to her. She didn’t seem to go for the money grab the man clearly had on his mind. More than a point in her favor.

“And you’re into her,” Jason said. “Because I’ve been talking for the last few minutes and you haven’t heard one word I’ve said. I brought her up and you got lost.” He chuckled to himself.

Landon rolled his eyes but he couldn’t deny his friend was right. His cell rang and he pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. Vivi’s agent. His pulse picked up speed as he envisioned having her within touching distance all summer long.

He hit the accept button. “Bennett.”

“Mr. Bennett, it’s Owen Rhimes. I’m afraid I have bad news for you. Vivienne asked me to turn down your offer.”

“What? Why?” He had to admit he was floored. From the chemistry between them, which had been undeniable, to the generosity of the offer … he hadn’t expected her to reject him outright. Negotiate? Yeah, that he’d anticipated.

Jason glanced at him, brows furrowed.

Landon shook his head.

“I have to admit I’m taken off guard myself. She’d been clear about wanting to stay in town. I even had a list of wants for her. But she wouldn’t let me negotiate. Just gave me a firm no.” The man sounded frustrated, too.

“Thank you.” Frowning, he disconnected the call.

“What’s up?” Jason asked.

Landon shifted in the metal chair he’d been sitting on for too long. “She turned down the summer residency offer.” Dammit.

“What are you going to do about it? We can meet up and brainstorm someone else,” Jason said as Tanner stepped out of the ring along with his sparring partner, who stomped away, pissed he’d lost.

Landon clearly recalled the interested look in her eyes when she’d first seen him and the flicker of excitement at the mention of the summer residency. Oh, she’d tried to hide it and act professional, to not tip her hand so she’d have leverage to negotiate, because she’d acted like she could take it or leave it … but he’d seen and sensed how badly she’d wanted the gig.

“No. Nobody else. She’s our first choice, and I’m going to talk to her and see why she’d turn down such a lucrative contract.”

A decent agent wouldn’t share his client’s address, but he had a feeling Owen Rhimes wasn’t as decent of an agent as he claimed to be. Then again, Vivi was an unknown talent, so she’d probably taken what she could get.

He called Owen back. “I’d like to talk to your client. Any chance you can tell me where to find her?”

“Well … it would really be unethical of me to share her personal information, Mr. Bennett.”

He glanced at Jason, who was watching him, amusement in his gaze. Even Tanner had figured out what was going on if his smirk was anything to go by.

“Really? That’s too bad, because I think I can convince her to take the deal, and I know that’s what we both want.”

He heard the pause at the other end of the line, and he didn’t really believe the man was struggling with his conscience; rather Landon figured Owen was trying to make him believe it.

A few seconds later, Landon had Vivi’s address in hand. He’d give her tonight to think about the what she’d given up … and he’d be on her doorstep in the morning.

 

#

 

When the knock sounded on Vivi’s door the next day, she wasn’t surprised. She hadn’t thought Owen was going to let this go with a voicemail message and a follow-up phone call. Even so, Vivi had made up her mind. After what her brother had done to Landon and his partners, it wasn’t fair for her to take the job. She also had no intention of revealing who she was to them and subjecting herself to their disdain. She didn’t know Landon, but she knew she’d fall apart if he turned his rightful hurt and anger on her.

Preparing herself to deal with Owen, she flung the door open and came face-to-face with Landon instead. “Oh.”

Wearing a pair of jeans and a collared tee shirt, he looked sexy instead of uptight like Owen when he wore a similar outfit. The top two buttons were open, leaving his tanned chest and a sprinkling of dark hair visible for her to see, and she imagined her hand settled there, her fingers running over his skin.

She pulled her gaze upward and met his stare, glad she was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt of her own. Being fully clothed put her on more equal footing than her skimpy gym wear. And it covered her body’s instant reaction to merely looking at him.

“Hi.” He greeted her with a grin.

“Hi.” She didn’t ask how he’d found her. She knew Owen would cross any boundaries to get her to take this job.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

It would be rude if she said no without hearing him out, so she nodded. “Sure. Come on in.” She led him into her small apartment, all too aware of the shabby furniture and chipped paint on the walls.

It wasn’t going to make sense to him why she lived in such a run-down place and was turning down his offer. She gritted her teeth and hoped she could find a way out, short of explaining who she was.

“We can sit here.” She led him to the sofa and they sat across from each other. She clasped her hands together, trying to hide her nerves. “So what can I do for you?”

His addictive grin did funny things to her insides, and she trembled beneath that seductive gaze.

“I’m not here to ask why you said no to my offer,” he said, his words taking her by surprise. “But I am going tell you all the reasons you should say yes.” He leaned back against the sofa and held her stare. “My partners and I have been through hell these last couple of months.”

She stiffened in shock. Of all the things she’d expected, him confiding in her hadn’t been on the agenda. “I’m sorry,” she said, twisting her fingers together.

“When we were younger, we went through an … unimaginable experience and my twin died.” He paused, glancing away, his eyes clouding over. “Actually he was killed.”

Jesus. “Landon, I’m so sorry.” Her throat swelled and the truth swirled around in her head, but she knew better than to admit it now.

He shot her an appreciative glance while running a hand through his hair, messing the long strands. “Then, a few months ago, the bastard who killed him got out of prison and came after us,” he said, jaw tight. “I don’t want to get into the specifics, but the point is the club took a hit. People stopped coming in. The Tangled Royal concert was a way to bring the customers back and to make them feel safe.”

“I assume it worked?” she asked.

He nodded. “To a point. But summer is coming. People go away, leave for the Hamptons, the Jersey Shore. We want to keep our numbers up, and we believe you’re the key to that.”

She stared at her ugly flowered sofa. “I’m sure there are other artists who could step in and accomplish the same thing.”

But despite her words, she had to admit he was persuasive. She wanted to help him, if for no other reason than to undo a small measure of the problems and pain her brother had caused, and she couldn’t deny the money he offered would help her personally and the job itself would build her brand and get her name out to the public.

He leaned in closer, as if sensing he was getting to her. “Your numbers on YouTube prove how much people like you. Imagine building your presence on a stage in one of the biggest up-and-coming clubs in Manhattan?”

The idea was exciting and everything she wanted, but she felt guilty accepting knowing who she was. “I don’t know.”

He looked around her apartment, and she didn’t have to follow his gaze to know what he saw. Peeling walls, stained carpet, scuffed floors.

“I assume you aren’t making much now. Have you looked at the contract?” he asked in a nonjudgmental voice.

She shook her head. She hadn’t wanted to be tempted by a lucrative amount of money.

He narrowed his gaze in confusion, as if he didn’t understand her, but continued. “We’re offering you an apartment above the club for the summer. The place is immaculate. A fully stocked fridge with anything you want inside it and weekly deliveries. We’ll cover your incidentals in addition to pay per performance. And your manager mentioned you want to record your music. I’m willing to cover your studio fees for the duration of the residency. And I’m assuming you have debt? The salary will help alleviate that without you having to pay rent and utilities.”

Oh, God. He was offering the world, at least the world she wanted. “Why me?” She blurted out the main question circling her mind. “I mean there are any number of artists in the city. Why are you offering all of this to me?”

He blew out a breath and she sensed his internal struggle, as if he had more to say than he wanted to admit. “I used to play. Piano, guitar, whatever.”

She blinked in surprise.

“I know talent,” he said with a shrug. “I can feel that you’re meant for big things and I can help. It’s a leg up. Promoters and better managers than Owen will stop by Club TEN29 over the course of the summer. Do you have any idea what this can do for your career? Not to mention how much you’ll be helping us out?”

She hung her head and sighed. How did she take this job knowing what she did about their connection? Yet how did she turn it down?

When she hesitated again, he waited until she met his gaze. “Now I have to ask why. I saw the initial interest in your eyes. What changed your mind?”

She dug her nails into her skin. “I … I don’t think I deserve it.”

He eased in closer until his legs touched hers. “Of course you deserve it. You just have to reach out and take the chance. Accept the opportunity. Help me and my partners,” he said, his tone imploring her to say yes.

She blew out a long breath, doing her best to ignore the heat of his body so close to hers. He was distracting her with his masculine presence and scent, and his argument was compelling and alluring.

He added to her confusion by taking her hand in his bigger, warmer one. “My club needs you. My partners and I need you. And we’re giving you back so much in return.” He turned those gorgeous blue eyes on her. “Say yes, Vivi.”

Her internal struggle wavered. Bottom line, she needed this job as much as he said they needed her, and she reasoned that it was only a temporary gig. A few months and she could pay off her bills, finance her career, and move on without them knowing the truth.

“Yes,” she finally said, hoping if he ever found out who she really was, he’d understand why she’d withheld the information. With luck, the truth would never be brought to light.

 

#

 

Landon wiped down the bar, happy to be making himself useful in his own place of business. As usual, his thoughts strayed to Vivi. After she’d agreed to the summer residency, he’d immediately had the contract updated to include her studio fee and other things Owen had insisted upon that were minimal, at least as far as Landon was concerned.

Although he hadn’t heard from her in the week since their meeting, he’d received the signed contract yesterday and had breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t know what it was about her that intrigued him so much, but he’d wanted her locked into their club for the summer.

Tied to him.

Now that he knew he’d be seeing her often, he could definitely make his play. She interested him in a way no woman ever had, and he knew better than to ignore such a strong attraction when he’d never thought fate would give him the same happiness his friends had found.

Since losing his twin, it was as if a part of him was missing, and he understood he’d never replace or fill that hole in both his heart and his soul. But he wouldn’t mind discovering some form of that happiness in his personal life.

They had three weeks before the summer, which didn’t give her much time to pull an act together for her performance. If it hadn’t been for Vic taking up the bulk of his time and concentration, he would have put this into motion sooner … but then maybe he wouldn’t have seen the video of Vivi. Everything worked out for the best or so he believed.

He tossed the damp rag into a bin behind the bar, wondering when Vivi would come by and check out her new digs.

“Uncle Landon!” His ten-year-old nephew ran around the bar and barreled into Landon, wrapping his scrawny arms around his waist.

“Hey, buddy!” he said to LJ, named after Landon’s twin, Levi.

Amber Davis, the woman he assumed would have been his sister-in-law had Levi lived and the mother of his nephew, leaned against the bar and grinned. “Surprise!”

“Amber, what brings you to the city?” he asked.

A sheepish expression etched her features. “As you know, LJ and I are staying with your parents in Connecticut until we can move into our new house, and since he’s going to be traveling with them while I get settled, I thought I’d familiarize him with Manhattan.”

He shook his head. “Worried mom, hmm? He’s going to be fine with my folks. I promise. And you will get a head start on your new life.”

He and his partners, Amber’s good friends and LJ’s pseudo uncles, had finally convinced Amber to let them buy her a house near Landon’s parents, in Connecticut. She planned to go back to school to get her degree in education, having dropped out ten years ago during her freshman year after finding out she was pregnant. After Levi had died.

She grinned. “Thanks to you and the guys.”

She glanced at her son. “So this is Uncle Landon’s club. You won’t be here when it’s busy at night, but I’m sure you’ll spend some time here with Uncle Jason and Uncle Tanner, too.”

His eyes lit up at the mention of his uncles. “Are they here?” he asked.

Landon nodded. “Up in the office. Why don’t you take the elevator.” He gestured to the elevator across the way that opened directly into the offices upstairs. “Hit two and it goes right to the floor.”

“Cool! Then can we go to that place you promised, Mom? With frozen hot chocolate?”

She nodded. “Serendipity. Sure, honey.” He and Amber watched him run to the elevator and hit the button. As soon as he was in the enclosed space and the door shut, they faced each other.

“You’re worried about him missing you this summer?” Landon assumed that was what was on Amber’s mind.

She sighed. “I’m more worried about me missing him. I thought if I got a sense for where he’d be, I’d feel better.” She gestured to a low table and chairs, and he followed her over, pulling out her seat.

After she settled, he lowered himself into his chair. “Look, for a long time, it’s just been you and LJ, and your parents in Florida. It’s going to take time to adjust to a life where he travels to visit relatives.” He reached out and placed his hand over hers. “It’s going to be great. I can’t wait to drive up and play ball with him this summer. And maybe we can convince you to have a barbeque for all of us.” He winked at her. “Relax, okay?”

She blew out a shaky breath. “I agree or I wouldn’t have left the Sunshine State and come here to start over. I want him to be closer to Levi’s family. To you.”

He grinned. He appreciated his friendly relationship with Amber. Despite the fact that he looked exactly like his twin, there had never been any sexual vibes between them, and for that he was grateful. She was family, pure and simple.

“How about joining us for some frozen hot chocolate?” she asked.

“I could be persuaded.” He didn’t have a sweet tooth but knew it would mean a lot to her, plus he’d be able to spend more time with LJ.

“Great!” She rose and pulled him up and into a hug. “I don’t know what I would have done without the three of you all these years. And your parents.” His mom and dad had accepted Amber and LJ from the moment she told them she was pregnant with Levi’s baby.

“We’re always here for you,” he said, about to let her go.

“Umm, excuse me. I came by to check out the club. I called earlier and Jason Dare told me to come over,” a familiar female voice said.

Vivi.

He jerked out of the embrace, turning to see the woman he couldn’t get out of his head watching him with a curious expression on her pretty face.

He’d been waiting for her to show up and make arrangements to move in, and now she was here. He took in her outfit, a flirty spring dress with a pair of chunky-heeled mini boots, his gaze taking in her long legs and the flowered dress that hugged her curves.

He couldn’t stop the slow grin of appreciation at the sight of her. But he did not want her to get the wrong idea about his relationship with Amber.

Preorder now!

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyKindle

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyAppleBooks

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyNook

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyKobo

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyGoogleplay

http://smarturl.it/BetterSexyPrintAmazo

https://smarturl.it/SexyMineBNPrint

http://www.carlyphillips.com/audiobooks/

 

The post Better Than Sexy Chapter Two appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Better Than Sexy First Chapter!

Better Than Sexy

Sexy Series Book # 3

Club TEN29

Chapter One

“It’s over.” Landon Bennett sat at the bar of his club surrounded by his partners and best friends, Jason Dare and Tanner Grayson, exhaustion and relief seeping into his pores.

When the judge’s gavel came down confirming Victor Clark’s guilty plea for numerous crimes, not the least of which had been calling in a bomb threat to Club TEN29, vandalism, assault and violating his parole, all three men, Landon, Tanner, and Jason had breathed a sigh of relief.

The bastard who’d killed Landon’s twin brother in a hazing initiation gone wrong would be going away again for a long, fucking well-deserved time. He never should have gotten out of prison in the first place, but apparently the government placed a high value on Vic’s snitching on his cellmate, who’d been a bigger dirtbag than Vic himself.

“To Levi, to the future, and to Club TEN29.” Which had been named for the date Levi died. Jason, from his seat on a barstool, raised his glass and they all took a drink.

Nonalcoholic because despite the fact that they owned a nightclub, none of the guys had a taste for liquor since they’d experienced that horrific night with Levi during their freshman year in college.

Landon drank his sparkling water and let out a long groan. “Now we just have to get through sentencing.”

“Vic’s parole was revoked and he was originally in for manslaughter. Add all these charges including a federal one, and we won’t have to worry about seeing his face for a good long time. Don’t worry.”

This from Tanner, the hotheaded one of the trio. But being with Scarlett, the woman he’d recently met at the club, had mellowed Tanner. Just like Jason’s relationship with Faith had changed him and put an easier smile on his face. Landon was happy for his friends, even if he couldn’t see himself settling down any time soon.

His last serious girlfriend had cheated on him. While Landon had been working nights, she’d been doing her own thing in the evenings. Her own thing being her ex. Landon had left work early and gone over to her place to surprise her … and found her ex’s face between her thighs. She shouldn’t have given him her key. Suffice to say, after the jaded life he’d lived thus far, trust didn’t come easily, except for the guys … and his immediate family.

“So I know you’ve been wanting to talk to us about the club,” Tanner said. “What do you have in mind?”

Landon was grateful for the subject change. The three men, who’d met in college, ran Club TEN29 together and made decisions as a team. Levi’s death had bonded them in a way nothing else could have. Today they had a solid partnership. Tanner dealt with everything inside the club, Landon handled entertainment, and Jason held the position of CEO, running the business end of things. However, they tossed out ideas, collaborated, and made decisions good for them all.

Landon had been thinking about his idea since the night of Jason’s thirtieth birthday party a few months ago, but they’d been so tied up with the Vic bullshit that he’d tabled the conversation. Until now.

“Can we agree that the night we hosted Tangled Royal was a huge success?” The popular band that included Jason’s brother-in-law, Grey Kingston, had reunited for a one-night gig in order to help bring back customers to Club TEN29 after Vic’s bomb threat had scared them away.

Both Jason and Tanner nodded. “We’ve been on an upswing ever since,” Tanner said.

Landon leaned against the glass and wood bar. “What’s the big thing now?” Before they could consider, let alone answer, he said, “Las Vegas residencies. Britney Spears and Celine Dion were a success, now Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, all bringing in people. So I was thinking, why not host a summer residency here, at Club TEN29?”

His friends looked at each other and Landon let them think, his own gaze going to the darkened stage they’d put in when Jason had the idea of opening the club to live acts in order to give the place a more Miami Beach vibe.

A grand piano sat in the corner, and just looking at it, Landon’s fingers itched to play. But he hadn’t indulged in music since his brother was killed. Both he and Levi had shared a talent few possessed. They could hear a snippet, a piece of music, and immediately replay it on the keys. Same with quite a few other instruments. Prodigies, their parents had called them. Landon’s desire to play had died along with his twin.

“Interesting idea,” Jason said, drawing Landon’s attention from the painful past. “Who did you have in mind?”

“I didn’t. I’ve been tossing ideas around in my head but nothing’s felt right.” Landon knew the feel of what he wanted, he just hadn’t laid eyes on the right performer yet.

“Grey is in Florida. No way he’s leaving his family for a two-month gig,” Jason said. “Avery would string him up by his balls and he’s not fighting with a very pregnant woman.” He chuckled at the thought. “And Lola“ — Tangled Royal’s lead singer – “enjoyed the one night, but again, she’s in Miami and not leaving her husband.” Rep Grissom was the Miami Thunder football team’s wide receiver and they were based in Florida.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect to get that kind of star power for the summer.” Landon drummed his fingers on the glass. “Any other suggestions?”

For the next few minutes, they tossed around names. Big, small, rock, classic, pop, indie, but they couldn’t agree on the first person to approach.

Jason snapped his fingers and pulled his phone from his pocket. “Faith watched one of the morning shows on television earlier today. On their Pop News segment, they featured this woman whose performance video went viral. Vivi something or other. You should check her out. Great pipes. I don’t think she’s going to stay unknown for long. Let me search…” He input something into his phone and muttered to himself as he obviously scrolled through videos.

“While he looks, I want to make sure we’re on the same page,” Landon said. “When I say residency, I mean we need to provide a place for the performer to stay while they’re in the city, assuming they don’t already live here, and depending on what we agree to pay per performance, there may be supplemental payment or things we need to give as well.” He looked to Jason, who was still scrolling through his phone.

As the CEO, he might find holes in the plan Landon had missed. Tanner, too. They complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“We could offer the upstairs apartment,” Tanner suggested. “Saves an additional rental fee and we don’t use it much anymore.”

Landon shook his head. “You two very much attached guys don’t,” he muttered.

Tanner shot him a wry glance. “When was the last time you hooked up upstairs, or anywhere, Landon? It’s the cheapest solution.”

Frowning, he gave the point to his partner. “Fine.” He ignored answering the question because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a good fuck. Or any fuck, for that matter.

He’d been over the club women for a long time and resistant to anyone who had the word seriouswritten all over them. It would take a special woman to get him to change his mind, but he didn’t deny it was possible. Although his ex had royally screwed him over, his parents had an amazing relationship and had been happily married for the last thirty-two years. Even his equally jaded best friends had found their forever women. Landon just didn’t know if she existed for him.

“You’re in charge of entertainment,” Jason finally said, glancing up from the phone screen. “I’m going to assume you’ve done your research.”

“Damn straight. I’ve also got our lawyer working on a contract in case you both agree.” He grinned, knowing he was ahead of them, but hell, he believed in his idea.

Tanner shook his head and laughed. “Fine. I’m in. Jase?”

The other man nodded. “I like it. Now as for who … I found the video. Look.” Jason rose from his seat and walked over to where Landon stood behind the bar and placed his phone on the counter.

The three men crowded around and looked down at the small screen. Jason tapped and the video filled the entire display.

A gorgeous brunette with long hair hanging down her back in sexy waves rocked her way across the stage. Despite the ball cap on her head, she had presence, owning the space as she moved, hips swaying, her husky voice crooning magic.

Landon leaned in, wanting to get closer to her, to view her as clearly as possible.

“Hey, back up so we can see,” Tanner complained, smacking him in the arm.

Feeling oddly proprietary over the video, Landon reluctantly lifted his head and stepped to the side so his friends could also check out the spectacular woman on the screen. But she’d taken off her cap for a brief second, and his gaze was locked on her face, his body captivated by her voice, and his dick completely engaged in a way he hadn’t been in years.

“I want her,” Landon said, hoping his friends didn’t realize he meant it in a wholly different way than as their summer resident performer.

“That’s her,” Tanner agreed, and a rush of adrenaline buzzed through Landon’s veins.

“Then it’s unanimous.” Jason picked up his phone, taking away Landon’s eye candy.

“Email me the video.” Landon ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Also include anything you know about her so I can track her down and make the offer when we’re ready.”

Jason tapped on his phone. “Done,” he said, and Landon’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Something told him he’d be watching that video on repeat later tonight with his hand wrapped around his cock.

“Make sure the contract is in order before you jump the gun and go see her,” Jason said. “I want to cover our asses and not get ourselves tied up with something we come to regret.”

Landon nodded. “I’ll call Ryan and set up a conference call after he emails the documents,” he said of their attorney on retainer, Ryan Walker. “We’ll all be in agreement before we go forward,” Landon promised, his phone with the video burning a hole in his pocket.

He needed to see her again. To pause on her face, listen to her sing, and know whether or not the initial gut reaction that had his pulse thudding, his heart pounding, and his dick hard as hell had been real.

Because one look at the sexy songstress and Landon was hooked.

 

#

 

The sound of banging woke Vivienne Zanefrom a deep sleep. Exhaustion still nagging at her from her late night of tossing and turning, she dragged herself out of bed, pulled on a pair of pajama pants and a sweatshirt, and padded toward the door of her apartment.

She looked into the peephole and saw her best friend and personal assistant, Ellie Roberts, standing at the door, waving at her. “Let me in, sleepyhead! I have news!”

Vivi groaned and opened the door. “You’d better have coffee this early.”

Ellie, with full makeup, blonde hair curling around her face, met her with a smile. “It’s noon. And you won’t need caffeine after you hear what I have to tell you.” She pulled out her phone. “You went viral! I know you didn’t want anyone to know you went out to sing, but oh my God, look at the views!”

Ellie shoved the screen in her face, and Vivi blinked in shock at the number of views beneath the video of her belting out her favorite tune.

“Vivi, this could lead to big things!”

And Lord knew they needed something to shake loose. Between bills that needed paying, her band that required money or they’d have to go their separate ways, and her family that had fallen apart thanks to her brother having been found guilty again, this time of so many crimes she’d lost count, she’d been emotionally drained for too long.

Needing a break, she’d just wanted to just be herself, not someone who had people counting on her to come through. She just wanted to be Vivi, the girl who got lost in music when life was hard. So one night last week, she’d put on a pair of worn jeans, an old tee shirt, and a baseball cap and made her way to a bar owned by an old friend, where she sang her heart out to drunk people.

“I didn’t notice anyone with their phones on me.” Then again, she hadn’t been looking.

“Well, the contact email from your website has so many hits I’m never going to get through them all!” Ellie’s excitement was tangible. “Oh my God! Good Morning Worldpicked it up on their Sunday Pop News segment!” She was practically bouncing on her heels, her body vibrating with contagious energy. “They used your actual music name!”

Vivi swallowed hard. She wasn’t well known in the industry, but she was an up-and-coming artist known as Vivi Z, doing small gigs with her band and hoping to get a break.

“Let me look at it again,” she said, now wide awake and realizing the implications of Ellie’s news.

Her goals, to be a big-name pop star and to take care of her band and her people, were possibly within reach if they leveraged this opportunity the right way.

Ellie handed her the phone, and she began scrolling through the comments. To her shock, not only had the video gone viral, but her fans, people who’d found her as an up-and-coming indie artist, had recognized her and were clamoring for the song to be recorded.

“I’ll be right back.” She darted into the bedroom for her own phone, yanked it off the charger, and returned to her friend, already pulling up her social media pages, which were blowing up like crazy.

She looked up at Ellie in shock. “This is unreal.”

Her friend grinned. “If the world didn’t know who Vivi Z was before, they will now!”

Hard banging on the door sounded.

“Owen,” they both said at the same time. Her manager, Owen Rhimes, who had taken her on last year, would jump on this in a heartbeat.

Vivi strode to the entryway, glanced through the peephole, and nodded at Ellie before opening the door. “Owen, what a surprise,” she said somewhat drolly.

He walked in, tablet in hand, wearing a pair of light-colored chinos and a green Polo tee shirt, collar up, as usual. “If I’d known you were doing anonymous gigs for no money, I’d have been pissed, Vivienne,” he said, using her full name, as he always did. “However, given the outcome, I have no complaints. Now I just need to organize the offers that have already started coming in and present you with the best of the best.” He sounded certain … and full of himself, as if he’d had something to do with her big break.

She rolled her eyes at Ellie, behind his back, of course. He was such a pompous ass, but she’d needed an agent, and very few had been willing to take a risk on an unknown musician.

“I want to see all the offers.” She never wanted to be an artist who blindly trusted her agent. She intended to be in charge of her own destiny.

He cleared his throat and frowned at her. “I know what’s best, Vivienne.”

“And it’s my future. So I want to hear them all.”

He glanced at his tablet. “Well, most involve touring as an opening act. The main acts aren’t huge … yet, but I can make some calls and–”

“No touring, Owen. I want to be in one place so I can hole up in a recording studio during the day and work on new music. I want the time and money to record.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers. We’re lucky that these offers are coming in, but there is no guarantee they’ll be around forever,” he said, his tone full of impatience.

He might have a point. Not that he wasn’t a jerk at times, but she needed to hear him out. “Let’s sit down and you can tell me what you’ve got so far.”

For the next thirty minutes, he went through a list of opportunities that included opening for B-list bands, and if she wasn’t so set on staying around the northeast, both for recording and especially for her mother, who was hurting from her brother’s actions, she might have jumped at the opportunity. But she’d rather play local clubs for the year than take off on her mother at such a difficult time for both of them.

Her father, Victor Clark Senior, had passed away from a heart attack years ago, and that was both a blessing and a curse, because he’d been a big contributor to the bully and abuser her brother, Vic, had become, and Vivi carried her own share of guilt because she’d been his baby girl, his princess. Her brother had been his punching bag. But she preferred not to dwell on either of them now.

She refocused on her agent. “I’ll think about all these, I promise. In the meantime, if something more local comes up, call me immediately.” She really wanted a well-paying gig that would help her afford in-studio recording sessions.

She refused to take help from her mother, who ran a small legal practice but specialized in pro-bono work, so she didn’t make much on her own.

Owen frowned and tapped on his watch. “Ticktock. These offers aren’t going to be open forever. I’ll email you a summary of each.”

She merely smiled at him. He ought to know she couldn’t make a spur-of-the-moment decision. He rose and headed for the foyer. She ushered him out and closed the door behind him, leaning back against it with a sigh.

“He’s such a killjoy,” Ellie muttered.

“Yes. But he’s my killjoy. The only one who’d take me on when no one else would. Now, for the love of God, can we please go get some coffee?”

 

#

 

The next day, Vivi and Ellie went to the gym, where Vivi did her daily run on the treadmill. Headphones on, she was lost in the beat of the music, when an alert from Owen came up on her phone. Since she’d done her requisite miles, she slowed down and came to a stop, checking her screen as soon as she’d caught her breath.

Call me now.

She pulled up his contact name and placed the call. He answered immediately. “Where’ve you been? Never mind. I need you in my office as soon as possible. I have a man sitting here with an offer that’s going to blow your mind. It’s everything you wanted.”

She glanced down at her gym outfit, knew she was a sweaty mess, and groaned. “But–”

“No buts. I’m keeping him busy talking. Get down here,” he barked.

“Owen! I’m in the gym. I need to go home and change!”

“No time. Hurry.” He disconnected the call.

“Jesus. High-strung much?” she asked the empty air.

“What’s wrong?” Ellie had climbed off her treadmill and was wiping down her face.

Vivi grabbed her own towel and began to wipe down, too. “Owen summoned me. He said he’s got someone in his office I need to meet. Now. On the one hand, I can’t go dressed like this. On the other hand, if I go home to shower and change, it’s going to take me at least an hour.”

She lived in a tiny apartment in Jersey City. Her gym wasn’t close to her apartment. She chose both for their cheap cost and sucked up the hassle. But Owen’s office was close to the gym, and she could be there within ten minutes once she got on the subway.

“Well, you’ve got deodorant in your bag and a little makeup. You’re in leggings and a cropped top. If he’s going to insist, it is what it is.” Ellie walked alongside her as they headed for the locker room.

“I can’t shower here and put these clothes back on. Gag. So you’re right. A little powder and freshening up and it’s as good as it’s going to get.” She pushed open the door and they walked into the women’s locker area.

“Want me to join you?” Ellie asked.

Vivi nodded. “A second set of ears is always good. I might miss something.”

They pulled themselves together as best they could. Thanks to the items the gym set out on the counters, Vivi used dry shampoo in her hair and piled it up into a messy bun and spritzed vanilla body spray on her when she finished washing, touched up her makeup, and called it a day.

A little while later, she and Ellie walked into Owen’s office. Anya, his secretary, greeted them with a smile. “Hello, ladies. He’s expecting you. Go on in.”

Vivi knocked once and opened the door, letting them inside.

Her agent remained seated but another man rose from his chair, and Vivi couldn’t take her eyes off him. Tall, broad shouldered, with sexy scruff covering his face and incredibly blue eyes, he was, in a word, gorgeous. His hair was a dark brown, the front dipping lower on his forehead. And that full mouth was made for sin.

“Vivienne, did you hear me? This is Landon Bennett,” Owen said.

She’d been caught staring, and a knowing grin lifted the other man’s sensual lips. Because his eyes had raked over her spandex-clad body and said body had reacted in a very obvious way, she didn’t feel bad. It would have been even more awkward if she wrapped her arms around herself and covered her now perky nipples, so she somehow kept them at her sides.

“A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Zane,” he said.

“Hello, Mr. Bennett.” Her voice sounded huskier than normal.

“Call me Landon.” He stepped forward, extending his hand.

“I’m Vivi.” She clasped her hand in his larger one, and a jolt of awareness licked through her veins.

Was it her imagination or did he hold on a second or two longer than was necessary? For sure when he released her, she felt the loss.

Ellie nudged her in the side and Vivi coughed. This man seriously had her off-kilter. “This is Ellie Roberts, my personal assistant.”

“Nice to meet you, Ellie.”

Even his voice was smooth and perfect, Vivi thought, and when he smiled at Ellie, as ridiculous as it sounded, Vivi was jealous he’d turned that megawatt grin on someone else.

“I’m sorry to have dragged you away from your workout.” His gaze once again slid over her body, this time in a much more blatant appraisal.

Owen cleared his throat. “Now that the formalities are finished, we can move on to business,” Owen suggested in his not-so-subtle way.

“Ladies?” Landon gestured toward the two open chairs, and they settled into their seats. Only then did he follow.

The man had more manners than her agent, she thought.

“So Vivienne, Landon owns Club TEN29 in Tribeca. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.” Owen picked up his pen and tapped it against the desk.

She nodded. “You just had the live reunion concert for Tangled Royal.” She’d read it in the trade blogs and sites online.

“That’s right. We saw your viral video and we’d like to offer you a summer residency.”

She blinked, certain she had to be hearing him wrong. “Residency?”

“Yes. Your agent has the contract.” He tipped his head toward Owen, who had dollar signs in his eyes and was practically drooling on his desk.

Her heart squeezed in excitement; however, she heard her lawyer mother’s voice inside her head. Never show your hand, Vivi. Always say you’ll think about it, then take the time to go over the contract. Show it to me. Don’t rush in your excitement to grab a deal.Her mother, Anne Marie Zane, who’d always believed in her.

“I appreciate the offer, Mr. … I mean Landon,” she said, doing her best to remain calm when all she wanted to do was scream, I’ll take it!

“As I told you before Vivienne arrived, we have certain requirements,” Owen said.

They did?

“Vivienne requires an upscale place to stay, food and beverage comped, and a rider with her list of particular items she will need on hand.”

Ellie gasped, then covered it with a cough.

“Owen, these are all things we need to discuss first.” She had an apartment in Manhattan. True, it was a month-to-month shithole, and she lived on tap water and whatever was on sale at the local grocery or bodega. She couldn’t believe Owen was discussing her contract as if she were somebody.

Of course, that was what she paid him for, but she didn’t want Landon to think she was a spoiled celebrity out to milk him for all he was worth. The things she wanted from this contract weren’t frivolous or meant to make her look like a diva. They would help establish her future and pay off any debt she had now. But she’d get into her needs when it came to dealing with her agent. Negotiating with the man was Owen’s job. She just didn’t want him to make her look like a diva.

Landon’s approving gaze flickered to her before he said, “Mark up the contract and forward it to my lawyer. Everything is up for negotiation and discussion. We want Ms. Zane to be happy.” He turned his attention to her, definite interest in his gaze.

Her stomach warmed at the obvious attraction between them, which was definitely reciprocated. She didn’t think it was a good idea to want the man who would be in charge of her employment, but she couldn’t deny the desire she felt just looking at this powerful man with the handsome face and bedroom eyes.

“I wanted to present the offer in person because the summer residency idea is that important to me and my partners.” He rose to his feet. “But please go over everything in detail and get back to me as soon as possible.”

He walked over to her and extended his hand. She slid her palm against his roughened one, and he pulled her to her feet. “It was nice to meet you and I look forward to you answer, Vivi. We could have an incredible summer together.”

She swallowed hard, lost in the husky sound of his voice and the inherent promise in his words. “I’ll go over the contract in detail and get back to you.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He glanced at Owen. “Thank you for your time.” With another long glance at Vivi that had her heart pounding inside her chest, he strode out of the office. And she had to say, his backside was as spectacular as the front.

“Vivienne! You could have shown a little more excitement! This offer is exactly what you wanted.”

Her heart pounded inside her chest and she turned to Ellie. “Oh my God! A residency! Can you believe this?” She flung herself at her friend and they hugged in excitement. Then she spun to face Owen. “I don’t care about a place to live or specific food. I want them to pay me enough money for a recording studio during the day. I want to be able to move out of my shitty apartment, yes, but I’m more concerned about looking forward with my career.”

“What if I could get you both?” He raised his eyebrows, certain in his abilities.

“Send me the contract, Owen. I’ll go over it and send to my lawyer.”

He narrowed his gaze. “I assure you I’m capable of handling the legal end as well. I’m an attorney, as you know.”

She smiled, doing her best not to patronize him when all she was doing was looking out for herself. “It’s good business to have a second look.”

She tipped her head toward the door, and together, she and Ellie headed out.

“Oh my God. Did that really happen?” she asked her best friend.

Ellie grinned. “It did. If the contract is good, you’ve hit the jackpot. And what was that chemistry I noticed between you and Landon Bennett?” She waved her hand in front of her face.

“He’s so sexy. I thought I was hit by a freight train when I looked into his eyes.” She squeezed her thighs together and felt the rush of desire flood through her. The man had had a potent effect on her.

Ellie grinned. “Looks like it is going to be a long, hot summer.”

Vivi certainly hoped so.

Preorder now!

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyKindle

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyAppleBooks

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyNook

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyKobo

https://smarturl.it/BetterSexyGoogleplay

http://smarturl.it/BetterSexyPrintAmazo

https://smarturl.it/SexyMineBNPrint

http://www.carlyphillips.com/audiobooks/

The post Better Than Sexy First Chapter! appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Sexy Dare is here!

For 3 years everyone asked for the rest of the Dares … I’ve now officially completed the original DARE siblings with SEXY DARE … Jason’s story … which also launches The Sexy Series about three business partners who share a tragic past on their way to love. Hope you all enjoy. I know I am. I hope you’ll pick up your copy of SEXY DARE today and let me know what you think.

Kindle – https://smarturl.it/SexyDareKindle

Nook – https://smarturl.it/SexyDareNook

AppleBooks – https://smarturl.it/SexyDareAppleBooks

Kobo – https://smarturl.it/SexyDareKobo

GooglePlay – https://smarturl.it/SexyDareGooglePlay

Amazon Print – https://smarturl.it/SexyDareAmazonPrint

Xo Carly

PS … think that’s the end of the Dares? Think again …

The post Sexy Dare is here! appeared first on Carly Phillips.

Win a Copy of Sexy Dare

5 copies of Sexy Dare paperbacks up for grabs at Goodreads!

Enter Here to Win!!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

Dare Me Tonight is here with a special treat!

DARE ME TONIGHT is finally live. I’m so excited to bring you my Dare to Love – Knight Brothers crossover book. Sienna Dare and Ethan Knight truly captured my heart as I hope they will yours. Returning to the Dares has been a true joy … and as you read to the end of this story, you’ll find out what comes next. And I can’t wait for you to find out.

That said, I’m completely a nervous wreck as this story comes out and I wait to hear what you think!

And as a special treat, if you download DARE ME TONIGHT before August 11th and fill out this form and  you’ll receive a free copy of Take Me Now – a short story featuring Harper and Matt from Take Me Down! (Take Me Now will be sent to you via email the week of August 12th!)

Happy Reading!

Xo

Carly

Dare Me Tonight

One virgin, one night, one surprise baby…

For Ethan Knight, managing his empire is his priority. Women, not so much. But when a favor leads to him meeting sexy, driven Sienna Dare at a black tie corporate event, his interest is piqued along with his desire, and his infamous control slips as he joins her for an unforgettable night in bed.

Sienna Dare is trying to figure out the direction of her life when she meets enigmatic Ethan Knight—a strong, confident man so hot and irresistible he’s the one she finally relinquishes her v-card to.

The problem? Ethan has a billion dollar contract with Sienna’s brother at stake. An overly-protective brother who doesn’t take it well when he finds out his business associate bedded his much younger sister. Oh, and she’s pregnant, too . . .

Buy now:

Kindle: http://smarturl.it/TonightKindle

Nook: http://smarturl.it/TonightNook

Apple: http://smarturl.it/TonightAppleBooks

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/TonightKobo

Googleplay: http://smarturl.it/TonightGooglePlay

The post Dare Me Tonight is here with a special treat! appeared first on Carly Phillips.