Falling Under You
Page 1
Falling Under You
A Fixed Trilogy Novella
By Laurelin Paige
1001 Dark Nights
Falling Under You
A Fixed Trilogy Novella
By Laurelin Paige
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2016 Laurelin Paige
ISBN: 978-1-940887-95-1
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
Falling Under You
A Fixed Trilogy Novella
By Laurelin Paige
Norma Anders has always prided herself on her intelligence and determination. She climbed out of poverty, put herself through school and is now a chief financial advisor at Pierce Industries. She’s certainly a woman who won’t be topped. Not in business anyway.
But she’s pretty sure she’d like to be topped in the bedroom.
Unfortunately most men see independence and ambition in a woman and they run. Even her dominant boss, Hudson Pierce has turned down her advances, leaving her to fear that she will never find the lover she’s longing for.
Then the most unlikely candidate steps up. Boyd, her much-too-young and oh-so-hot assistant surprises her one night with bold suggestions and an authoritative demeanor he’s never shown her in the office.
It’s a bad idea…such a deliciously bad idea…but when Boyd takes the reins and leads her to sensual bliss she’s never known, the headstrong Norma can’t help but fall under his command.
About Laurelin Paige
With over 1 million books sold, Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She's a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn't seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn't do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.
You can connect with Laurelin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurelinPaige or on twitter @laurelinpaige. You can also visit her website, www.laurelinpaige.com, to sign up for e-mails about new releases.
Also from Laurelin Paige
Click to purchase
The Fixed Trilogy
Fixed on You
Found in You
Forever with You
Hudson
Falling Under You: A Fixed Trilogy Novella (1001 Dark Nights)
Chandler—Coming Fall 2016
Found Duet
Free Me
Find Me
Lights, Camera
Take Two
Star Struck
First Touch
Last Kiss —Coming Summer 2016
Co-Written Works:
Written with Sierra Simone:
Porn Star
Written with Kayti McGee:
Miss Match
Love Struck
MisTaken: A Novella
Screwmates—Coming Fall 2016
Acknowledgments
To my husband and kids—Thank you for knowing how to love the Norma Anders that I am. It’s a true blessing.
To Liz Berry, Jillian Stein, and MJ Rose—You are an absolute treasure in the world of romance. I’m so lucky to have met you and even more lucky to be included in your circle of friendship.
To my “people”, Rebecca Friedman, Jenn Watson, Ashley Lindemann, Sheri Gustafson, Melissa Gaston, Sierra Simone, Kayti McGee, and Melanie Harlow—Best. Squad. Ever.
To my Fixed Trilogy readers—There aren’t words for how much I appreciate the love you’ve given these characters. It’s truly humbling and astounding. Thank you!!
To my God—Always, I remain fixed on you.
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Click here to explore
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
TAME ME by J. Kenner
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Click here to explore
WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice
SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair
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1001 Dark Nights story
The First Night
by Lexi Blake & M.J. Rose
Turn the page for a full list of the
1001 Dark Nights fabulous novellas...
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهریار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Table Of Contents
Book Description
About Laurelin Paige
Also by Laurelin Paige
Author Acknowledgments
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
An excerpt from Chandler by Laurelin Paige
Special Thanks
Chapter One
July
I pushed the door open and stepped onto the rooftop, grateful for the empty landscape if not for the hot, muggy night. Escape. That’s what this was. A much-needed escape.
I walked over to the railing and looked down at the street below, but my attention was still on the scene I’d just left. The awkward, horribly embarrassing scene. I groaned out loud. I could still see the look on Hudson’s face when I’d cornered him in the hallway and kissed him. Could still hear the disdain in his voice as he’d pushed me away and said, “You don’t want what I have to give, Norma. Trust me.”
But I did want what he had to give. At least, I was pretty sure I did. After the disappointing series of men I’d dated who’d failed to satisfy me in the bedroom, I’d realized I craved a lover with the confident, powerful strength of a man like Hudson Pierce. A man who controlled and had authority over me in every way possible. I’d thought that he would be the one guy who could handle that I was a smart, successful woman without letting it intimidate him. As his chief financial advisor, I’d been his right hand “man” for years. Couldn’t I also be the perfect companion elsewhere? The potential of the power couple we could make was scary and thrilling all at once.
Apparently, he didn’t have the same vision.
My flaws ran through my mind like bullet points on a PowerPoint presentation.
Too old (thirty-four, which was only a digit off from thirty-five)
Too serious (how else did a woman get to where I was in the business world?)
Too independent (I didn’t depend on anyone for anything, though I’d prefer the real deal to my seven-inch battery-operated boyfriend)
Too…not blond (the most frequent hair color of the women I’d seen on Hudson’s arm)
I groaned again. Stupid, stupid, stupid. What the hell had I been thinking? Obviously, I hadn’t been. I couldn’t even blame my behavior on being drunk—though there was plenty of alcohol at the event downstairs, I’d touched nothing but water all evening. The party was meant to be a celebration. Pierce Industries had just closed its highest earning year ever, and I was a key player in that success. Silly me for thinking that a better way to celebrate would be to announce my infatuation with my boss instead of raising a toast like everyone else.
God, Monday was going to suck. How could I face Hudson without turning beet red with shame ever again?
The roof door slammed shut behind me. Startled, I turned in that direction, letting out my breath when I saw it was my assistant, Boyd. He approached the railing, and I scanned him over as he did, an action that almost caused me to sigh again. As sure as I was that I could be in love with Hudson Pierce, I was in most definite lust with Boyd Barrett. His suit was perfectly tailored to highlight his trim hips and toned upper body. And the way his hair flopped over his eyes, as though he didn’t give a shit about looking put together, yet pulling that messy look off with a precision that suggested he’d worked for it…yeah, he was truly a work of art.
He was a good assistant too. In the year he’d worked for me, he’d proven himself as the best employee I’d ever had, and not only because he was so delightful to look at.
Jesus, I really needed to get laid. Between my boss and my subordinate, I was halfway to getting charged with sexual harassment.
But I’d never make a move on Boyd. He was my right-hand man, even at only twenty-six years of age—a detail often overshadowed by his skills and competence. A detail that I remembered again when I truly took a moment to gaze at the smooth baby face—which he usually hid behind a pair of nerdy, dark glasses—and his young, fit body. He probably had a six-pack tucked under those layers of clothes. I bet he could go for hours…
Suddenly feeling warm, I turned to look back over the city below me before my thoughts got too dirty. “You found the fortress of solitude.” I hoped my voice didn’t betray my naughty fantasizing. “Unless you were looking for me?” I added, realizing he might need a signature or a directive. Even though it was a Friday night, it wouldn’t have surprised me to find Boyd was still on the clock. He was as much of a workaholic as I was.
He lifted his foot and braced it on the lowest rail. “I was, as a matter of fact. I noticed you slip out and wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Ugh. How was I supposed to answer that? I felt like shit, but I was okay. I was always okay. That was me—strong, enduring. Even when I had egg on my face. Even when I was forced to admit that hooking up with my crush was never going to happen.
Not that I’d say any of that to my employee. Putting on a tight smile, I dismissed his concern. “I’m fine.”
“That’s a lie. You’re not fine.”
Boyd’s uncharacteristically brash response caught me by surprise. I turned my head toward him, my brow raised, my mouth open to correct his impudence.
But he spoke first, his tone rumbling with authority. “I’ll only ask once more, Norma, and this time I expect an answer—what’s wrong?”
The depth of the demand, the way his blue eyes seared into me, the dark, sensual way he spoke my name (a name he never used, a name I usually hated)—all of it was fuel to a fire I hadn’t realized this boy could kindle.
Strike that—this man.
Warmth rippled down my spine and spread to my center, awakening my senses, stirring my arousal, weakening my knees. And Norma Anders rarely got weak knees. I’d never seen this side of Boyd. I’d barely ever seen this side of me, and goddammit, I liked it.
He was still waiting for my answer, his gaze patient and demanding all at once, and while I should have been formulating a response that would cut the power to the strange energy field that suddenly encircled us, all I could think about was how hypnotic his eyes were, wondering if he was wearing contacts or if his work glasses we
re just for show.
So when I spoke, I wasn’t thinking—I was reacting. “I made a pass at someone.” The words tumbled past my lips, as though compelled simply by Boyd’s command. “A stupid, foolish pass. It wasn’t reciprocated.”
Boyd’s eye ticked, probably annoyed that he’d gone to so much trouble to elicit a confession that boiled down to, “I got hurt by a boy.” Even I recognized the pettiness.
Except, it didn’t feel petty. It stung and I hated how much. I particularly hated how weak it made me appear, and I gave into the urge to validate my emotions. “It wasn’t a pass I made lightly. I’ve thought about it for a long time, and logically, it seemed like it was the natural progression of our relationship.”
Maybe it was the tilt of Boyd’s head or the purse of his lips, or maybe I’d simply opened the floodgates by voicing feelings that I’d kept stowed away, but I wanted to tell him more, words that had no motivation except the desire to be spoken. “I don’t know how he couldn’t have noticed me. I’m here, every day, right in front of him. Yet he’s never batted an eye in my direction that doesn’t have to do with business. Can you imagine how that feels? To be praised and admired for my work ethic but never acknowledged as an attractive member of the opposite sex? To plug away, side by side, for years and never catch even one flirtatious glance? Do you know what that’s like?”
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