The Fix UP
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 a 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.
* This is a spin-off from the HITCHED series, but can be read as a standalone. *
Buy Links
✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦ Amazon CA ✦ Amazon AU ✦
✦ iBooks ✦ B&N ✦ Kobo ✦
✦ Paperback ✦
✦ Get An Email on Release Day ✦
✦ Amazon US ✦ Amazon UK ✦ Amazon CA ✦ Amazon AU ✦
✦ iBooks ✦ B&N ✦ Kobo ✦
✦ Paperback ✦
✦ Get An Email on Release Day ✦
EXCERPT
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?”
About the Author
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment