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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The first book in the sexy, emotionally charged Stark trilogy—a romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms Wealthy, powerful, and exceedingly dangerous, Damien Stark wants to own me. . . . Or at least my likeness. He’s offered me one million dollars to pose for a nude portrait that will become the diamond of his private art collection. And I need the money. Bad. But it soon becomes obvious that this deal is too good to be true, and that Mr. Stark wants much more from me than I ever planned on giving. Except now I just might want him as much as he wants me. Some say he’s a killer, that this game of seduction could lead to my demise. . . . But what if it’s worth the risk? BONUS: This edition includes excerpts from J. Kenner's Claim Me and Say My Name.
Don’t miss any of the Stark Saga, intended for mature audiences. Begin your journey with RELEASE ME, CLAIM ME, & COMPLETE ME
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The first book in the sexy, emotionally charged Stark trilogy—a romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms Wealthy, powerful, and exceedingly dangerous, Damien Stark wants to own me. . . . Or at least my likeness. He’s offered me one million dollars to pose for a nude portrait that will become the diamond of his private art collection. And I need the money. Bad. But it soon becomes obvious that this deal is too good to be true, and that Mr. Stark wants much more from me than I ever planned on giving. Except now I just might want him as much as he wants me. Some say he’s a killer, that this game of seduction could lead to my demise. . . . But what if it’s worth the risk? BONUS: This edition includes excerpts from J. Kenner's Claim Me and Say My Name.
Don’t miss any of the Stark Saga, intended for mature audiences. Begin your journey with RELEASE ME, CLAIM ME, & COMPLETE ME
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
Excerpts-
Chapter One
1
A cool ocean breeze caresses my bare shoulders, and I shiver, wishing I’d taken my roommate’s advice and brought a shawl with me tonight. I arrived in Los Angeles only four days ago, and I haven’t yet adjusted to the concept of summer temperatures changing with the setting of the sun. In Dallas, June is hot, July is hotter, and August is hell.
Not so in California, at least not by the beach. LA Lesson Number One: Always carry a sweater if you’ll be out after dark.
Of course, I could leave the balcony and go back inside to the party. Mingle with the millionaires. Chat up the celebrities. Gaze dutifully at the paintings. It is a gala art opening, after all, and my boss brought me here to meet and greet and charm and chat. Not to lust over the panorama that is coming alive in front of me. Bloodred clouds bursting against the pale orange sky. Blue- gray waves shimmering with dappled gold.
I press my hands against the balcony rail and lean forward, drawn to the intense, unreachable beauty of the setting sun. I regret that I didn’t bring the battered Nikon I’ve had since high school. Not that it would have fit in my itty-bitty beaded purse. And a bulky camera bag paired with a little black dress is a big, fat fashion no-no.
But this is my very first Pacific Ocean sunset, and I’m determined to document the moment. I pull out my iPhone and snap a picture.
“Almost makes the paintings inside seem redundant, doesn’t it?” I recognize the throaty, feminine voice and turn to face Evelyn Dodge, retired actress turned agent turned patron of the arts—and my hostess for the evening.
“I’m so sorry. I know I must look like a giddy tourist, but we don’t have sunsets like that in Dallas.”
“Don’t apologize,” she says. “I pay for that view every month when I write the mortgage check. It damn well better be spectacular.”
I laugh, immediately more at ease.
“Hiding out?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re Carl’s new assistant, right?” she asks, referring to my boss of three days.
“Nikki Fairchild.”
“I remember now. Nikki from Texas.” She looks me up and down, and I wonder if she’s disappointed that I don’t have big hair and cowboy boots. “So who does he want you to charm?”
“Charm?” I repeat, as if I don’t know exactly what she means.
She cocks a single brow. “Honey, the man would rather walk on burning coals than come to an art show. He’s fishing for investors and you’re the bait.” She makes a rough noise in the back of her throat. “Don’t worry. I won’t press you to tell me who. And I don’t blame you for hiding out. Carl’s brilliant, but he’s a bit of a prick.”
“It’s the brilliant part I signed on for,” I say, and she barks out a laugh.
The truth is that she’s right about me being the bait. “Wear a cocktail dress,” Carl had said. “Something flirty.”
Seriously? I mean, Seriously?
I should have told him to wear his own damn cocktail dress. But I didn’t. Because I want this job. I fought to get this job. Carl’s company, C-Squared Technologies, successfully launched three web-based products in the last eighteen months. That track record had caught the industry’s eye, and Carl had been hailed as a man to watch.
More important from my perspective, that meant he was a man to learn from,...
About the Author-
J. Kenner spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge her passion for writing. California born, she now lives—and writes—in Texas, with her husband and daughters.
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