The first sign of trouble was the rough, masculine voice. The second was the Scottish accent. God, Cecelia loved Scottish accents. The last was the scent - his scent - familiar and uniquely Colin. Cecelia had been through bad breakups before, but none had compared to the two, yes two, that had come at Colin’s hands, because she was apparently glutton for punishment and didn’t know better and was young and stupid and in love.

Lexington Dane was my brother’s best friend growing up. We did everything together. He taught me how to throw a punch, how to change a tire...and he taught me how to kiss. I fell hard and fast, and gave him all my firsts. I promised I’d wait for him.... But I’m done waiting, because he went off to college and never came back. He took his fancy business degree and moved to New York City, where he promptly became a real estate mogul - turning every penthouse and apartment project he touched into gold. 

We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day. My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: He’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic. The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke - bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past.

The man had seemed so innocent in the bar - okay, not innocent, per say. He’d been hot, hard, and possessed a butt that I wanted to bite like the last chocolate chip cookie in my stash. He’d also skipped out of town faster than a villain in a B movie, leaving me woefully unsatisfied. I’d chalked the whole incident up to a bad night stand and moved on with my life. That was before the news of a failed IUD. Before the plus sign. Before Jordan showed back up determined to make that night up to me. I didn’t want a baby or a payday or a sexy, stubborn man in my life. 

Hookups weren’t for her. Rachel knew that. She was a good girl - sigh - she’d always been a good girl. Except when it came to him. She’d met the "him" in question in a bar, of all places. His lean strength, gorgeous face, and way-too-charming personality had combined to shatter her defenses. All of a sudden, she’d been doing all of those “dangerous, bad girl” things her grandmother had once warned her of. And just like her grandma had predicted, he’d vanished come morning. No note. No exchanged numbers. She hadn’t even known his name.

Bec Darden was a high-powered attorney, who had spent her entire adult life building a fearsome reputation both in the courtroom and the boardroom. But once upon a time, she was also a naïve and romantic - aka idiotic - soul who’d married her college sweetheart on a whim, just before graduating. She and Luke were young and in love, and no surprise, her marriage had been short-lived. Explosive. Miserable. And incredibly, incredibly short-lived.

Stefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my 16th birthday. He stood in the shadows, smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck. I thought he’d strangle me with it. That night, he left a message for my father. He said he’d be back to take something precious. I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he’s back. And he’s not hiding in any shadows.

We're a match made in hell, Stefan and I. He took me to exact his revenge. I went from being a pawn to my father to being a pawn to Stefan. The only difference is I have a ring the size of a boulder on my finger and a husband I don't want. And the hardest part is I thought he was different. I thought I was falling in love. I guess my father was right. I'm not a very smart girl. Stefan is a powerful man. He doesn't play nice, not if you're his enemy. But I've learned one thing about my husband.

Secrets have now been revealed...lies uncovered...and stubborn walls broken down. Reed always says everyone’s got a price...it’s been his mantra for as long as he’s had money in the bank. And now, he’s desperately trying to figure out Georgina’s before it’s too late. Will the truth finally set Reed and Georgina free to find the happiness they both so desperately desire...or have they lost their chance at love forever?

New Orleans belongs to me. You don't know my name, but I control everything you see - and all the things you don't. My reach knows no bounds, and my demands are always met. I didn't need to loan money to a failing family distillery, but it amuses me to have them in my debt. To have her in my debt. She doesn't know she caught my attention. She should've been more careful. I'm going to own her. Consume her. Maybe even keep her. It's time to collect what I'm owed.