Hot Asset (21 Wall Street, #1)

by Lauren Layne

“Lara, what would you say . . . what would you do . . . if I asked you to stay?”

I need more than to be Ian Bradley’s woman. I need to be Lara McKenzie, and Lara McKenzie still wants to be in the FBI. “Don’t,” I whisper. “Please don’t ask.” He nods and lets me go without another word.

“Enough with the attitude, Henley. You should be happy. My orchid is almost dead, so you’re going to win the bet. Congratulations.” “I didn’t want to win like this,” she grumbles. “Meaning?” “Meaning I didn’t want to win because you died.” “I didn’t die.” “You’re acting like it. Dead on the inside.”

“You know this perp may have gotten it wrong. Turns out being great with the ladies isn’t where it’s at.” “No?” “Nope. The smart ones zero in on one lady. Make her theirs.”

Though, for the record, I did contemplate the very impressive gesture of quitting my job and moving here. But I didn’t think you’d respect me for it.” I shake my head. “You’re supposed to be rich.” He laughs, and the sound makes my heart swell. “Damn straight. But I’m also supposed to be with you.”

“Yeaaaaah, guess that was a situational thing. Who knew beer could taste totally different when it doesn’t come after a long, grueling day of target practice?” “God, I love it when you talk dirty to me,”

“Didn’t get to cuff anyone, but there’s always tomorrow.” I smile into my glass. He leans forward and lowers his voice. “You can cuff me tonight, if you want.”

“I hope so. See, Lara . . .” Ian gets up from his chair and slowly starts to bend to one knee next to the table. “I called him with a question about his only daughter. An important one.” My eyes fill. “You did?” Ian lowers all the way down in front of me and takes my hand as his other reaches into his pocket. “I did. He said yes, and I’m relieved. But what I really want to know is”—he flips open the ring box—“what will you say?” I take a shaky breath, then pretend to be confused. “Hard to say. What’s the question?” Ian’s eyes lose the teasing expression but none of the warmth. “Lara McKenzie, I love you more than any damn thing in this world. Will you marry me?”

The 21 Wall Street series was originally conceived because of one simple author wish: to write about hot guys in suits. They’re my favorite thing to read and thus . . . my favorite thing to write. ;-)