From New York Times Bestseller, Kendall Ryan, comes a sexy new standalone novel.
My tempting, and very alpha friend Sterling Quinn is someone I consider off-limits.
It’s not just that we’re friends, he’s also cocky, confident, and British, which means he’s a walking aphrodisiac.
But lately he’s been giving me the look. You know the one. When he thinks I’m not paying attention, and his gaze lingers for too long.
And then we start working together, and that’s when the sexual tension between us gets so thick, I want to hack through it with a machete. I want to make all these deep feelings I’ve harbored for him disappear, because there’s no way this can end well.
The lines between business and pleasure become irrevocably blurred, and I’m stuck between a rock, and Sterling’s very, very hard place.
Rather than keep a level head about our growing attraction, Sterling wants to go all in, showing me just how explosive we can be together.
But I’ve been around long enough to know that this British bad boy is more than my heart can handle. I’m not about to be cast aside like yesterday’s underwear when he’s done having fun.
Sterling’s never been told no, and he’s not about to put his ego aside and play by my rules. But I never thought he’d fight so dirty.
I love Kendall Ryan and her quick, sweet and sexy reads. Any book I read by her, I devour in no time. And after reading the Hitched series, I had to read this one since it was about the naughty Sterling Quinn.
Sterling and Camryn already know of each other through Olivia and Noah. They’ve never really hung out together and would be considered more as acquaintances then friends. However, it’s hard for anyone to not know who Sterling Quinn is and his bad boy reputation.
Sterling is given a deadline to marry in 6 months as part of his requirements to receive his inheritance. Sterling is a divorce attorney – marriage was never in the cards for him. He became even more jaded about true love and marriage after his father left his mom when she became sick.
When news of this makes the airwaves, Camryn in hired to help him out. Become his matchmaker. And she does believe in happy ever after. In finding your lobster. Just maybe not in this manor.
Watching these two being forced to work together is quite entertaining. They both fight the chemistry. She knows he’s nothing but heartache, even without the pending marriage. He knows that he’ll hurt her in the long run. But there is no denying the sparks between them – both in and out of the bedroom.
While I loved how everything played out in this book, I hated the cliché of needing to marry in order to inherit money. It was the same as the Hitch series and felt a little played out. But it was a great read other than that small gripe.
Kendall is always great at keeping me glued to the pages and rooting for the HEA. A perfect quick read.
I twist the doorknob, and finding it unlocked, let myself inside.
Sterling’s place is compact, but modern and classy. It suits him. After a quick glance around the living space, I spot him on the balcony outside, just beyond the glass doors at the far end of the living room. He’s facing away from me, his hands gripping the railing, his head bowed.
My smile from moments ago is gone. Seeing him like this—looking distraught—brings the reality of our situation crashing back.
Sterling suddenly turns and we lock eyes. A thousand emotions are revealed in his eyes, but mostly there’s anger. There’s also a sadness in his gaze that I’ve never seen. It’s haunting.
I swallow a lump in my throat, wondering what’s going on.
“Sterling?” I ask, slowly approaching the balcony.
It’s beautiful—plush pillows and twinkling lights, and a chilled bottle of white wine all nestled together in a romantic picnic for two.
He lets out a heavy sigh and runs one hand through his hair.
“This is beautiful,” I say since he hasn’t spoken, hasn’t even moved from the spot where he’s rooted, and his stony silence is killing me. “Are you okay?”
“Just fine,” he says curtly, his gaze looking past me.
He doesn’t seem fine. He seems off. Why go through all the effort if he’s just going to act sullen and withdrawn?
And what could have possibly changed in the twenty-four hours since we last spoke on the phone? He seemed so excited—like he hadn’t a care in the world. Now it seems he doesn’t want me here.
“If this is a bad time, if tonight doesn’t work . . .” I trail off, my voice suddenly shaky.
“The meal’s already prepared.” He brushes past me, headed toward the kitchen.
Unsure what to do, I follow behind him.
He’s acting like an asshole, and I suddenly feel so stupid for getting all done up tonight. I’m not going to stand around and embarrass myself by begging for his attention.
“You know what? Never mind. This was a bad idea, anyway. I’ll see myself out.” I turn and head for the front door, anger and rejection dueling inside me.
It takes all of three seconds before Sterling’s long strides catch him up to me by the door. His grip around my wrist stops me. “Wait.”
I turn and face him. I’m halfway between wanting to flee and staying to hear his explanation.
He releases a heavy exhale. “I received a phone call just before you arrived.”
With him so near, the combination of his clean soap and his spicy cologne intoxicates me. Memories of our intimate dinner rush back. But apparently tonight is not meant to be a repeat. Waiting to see what he’ll say next, I inhale and hold my breath.
When he doesn’t continue, I ask, “Is everything okay?”
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.
Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras
I’m a doctor. Mobster. Killer.
Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.
