by J. Kenner
“She damn sure does.”
“But we’ll still be careful,” Brent said. “Just in case I’m wrong.”
Parker nodded. “You have an investigator in mind?”
“I’m friends with a guy who heads up an Austin division of Stark International. He does a lot of security tech work, and he introduced me to the Stark International Security Chief. I figure any security guy who works for Damien Stark knows his shit.”
“I’d think so,” Parker agreed. He’d never met the billionaire in person, but he knew the man by reputation. “Will this security guy do you a favor?”
“I’m sure of it. Either him or someone else.” He gave Parker a friendly clap on the shoulder. “One way or another, we’ll nail that bastard’s ass to the wall. And we’ll make sure he doesn’t harass Megan or anyone else again.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He nodded toward Megan’s condo. “I’m done here, and I think you have somewhere else to be.”
“Yes, I do,” Parker said, then moved to the door. He opened it, and she flew into his arms, relief and trust and love clinging to her like perfume. And right then, he knew without a doubt that this woman was his, now and forever.
And damned if he didn’t belong to her, too.
“I’m so sorry,” Parker said, lifting her into the safety of his arms as he kicked the door closed, then carried her to the sofa.
“What on earth for?” She sighed and curled against him, and for the first time that evening, the world righted itself.
“For not being here sooner.”
“Are you insane? That you came at all was a miracle. You swooped in like a superhero.” She’d almost burst into tears when she’d seen him, she’d been so relieved. And now he was apologizing?
“And for letting you think that I looked into your background because of that flyer. That wasn’t true. I poked around in LA.”
She nodded. “I figured Carlton was right about that.”
His brows lifted.
“About the fact,” she clarified. “But not about the menace.” She twined their fingers together. Maybe she should be angry about the white lie, but she wasn’t. “But why did you check me out?”
“I told you. I’ve wanted you for a long time. What I learned only made me want you more. Fucking Carlton just got there first.”
“But you’re the one who stuck with me,” she said. “My knight in shining armor.”
“Maybe not that shiny, but I’ll take what I can get.”
“You rescued me,” she said. “That qualifies for knighthood in my book.” She frowned. “Actually, why did you come at all? I didn’t think I was going to see you until later tonight.”
“I had some news for you. But it can wait.”
“Good news?” When he nodded, she snuggled closer. “Well, tell me now. After that encounter, I’m all about the good news.”
“Remember in New Orleans how you mentioned that you wanted to take your makeup business to the next level? Get into skincare products?”
“I remember.” She’d mentioned it early on, and then they’d talked about it again at length as they walked through the Garden District. She’d told him how she made her own, experimenting to find the best texture and results, but also admitting that since she wasn’t a chemist, she could only take her ideas so far. “What about it?”
“I told you about the trial for Cecily, right? The new topical that PCM is working on?”
She nodded, confused.
“Well, I was talking with the folks at the lab, and at least two of my chemists said they’d love to chat with you about what you have in mind. Maybe see about putting together a sample of a product that you could test on your clients and refine.”
Her breath caught in her throat, and she thought her heart might swell to breaking. She blinked, and a tear trickled down her cheek. “You did that for me?”
“Baby, I’d do pretty much anything for you. Don’t you know that by now?”
The tears fell in earnest. “Yeah? In that case, I think you should make love to me now.”
He chuckled, then lightly kissed her. “Happy to oblige.”
Gently, he carried her to bed like she was the most precious thing in the world to him. He undressed her, then pulled her to him, and when they kissed, it seemed as if the whole world fell away. It was only the two of them, with the future wide open in front of them, while fear and regrets were left far behind.
“Now,” she said as she knelt on the bed, then held out a hand to tug him close. “I want to feel you moving inside me. I want you to take me to the stars, and I want to take you right along with me.”
“To the stars? Baby, you take me to heaven every day.” He cupped her cheek, and she fell back against the pillows, drawing him down, over her. Into her.
She arched up as he thrust deep inside, filling her with his body and his love. And when passion cut through him, making him tremble, she held him close and followed him over, shattering into a million pieces, but unafraid. Because she knew that Parker would always be there to put her back together again.
When the electricity in her limbs finally calmed and she could breathe again, she snuggled closer, then sighed. “You’re mine, Parker Manning.” She propped herself up on her elbow. “Just so you know, I’m not ever letting you get away.”
“Good to hear,” he said, the love in his eyes making her heart sing. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Epilogue
The Night of the Mr. June Contest
Amanda eased toward the back of the bar, thinking that she’d slip out through the alley exit while the contest was going on. Not that she wanted to miss it, but she definitely had someplace else she wanted to be right now. And though going out the front might make more sense, she didn’t want to get waylaid by one of her friends.
Derek.
She sighed with happiness—and with anticipation—as all of her girly parts fired up at the prospect of seeing him again.
For almost a year now, they’d been meeting in secret whenever he came to town for business, usually every month or so. It had started when he’d picked her up on the sidewalk outside The Fix. She’d gone in for nothing more than a drink and to soothe her own crappy mood, but his tempting smile had caught her attention, and his tempting offer had won her over.
They’d been clear from the get-go that the encounter would be nothing more than a fling. She wasn’t interested in more, and he swore that neither was he. And when he told her that he was only in town for the night for business, the whole encounter had seemed like a no-brainer.
A fabulously sexy, decadently delicious, orgasm-inducing no-brainer. Seriously, the man had been the best sex of her life, and the glow of satisfaction afterwards had lasted for at least a week.
And the very best part? No strings.
Because the last thing that Amanda wanted or needed was an actual relationship.
Which, in her book, made Derek the absolute perfect man.
She eased through the crowd, her mind on her lingerie drawer, and was just about to slip into the hallway, when she heard the familiar deep voice with the Texas drawl calling her name.
“Amanda.”
She turned, her breath leaving her as she saw him, his broad shoulders filling the space and his eyes full of so much passion she knew that her panties were already soaked. If it wouldn’t be so damn dangerous, she’d just drag him into the ladies room and have her way with him right then.
Instead, all she said was, “Hey.”
“Meet me in our room in an hour?”
“Absolutely.”
“I have news,” he said. “I was going to wait to tell you, but baby, I’m too excited.”
“Really?” She couldn’t imagine what it could be. Maybe tickets to a show tonight?
He took her hand, then leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear. “I’m moving here, sweetheart. No more waiting. From now on, you can have me anytime you want me.” He pulled back just
enough to meet her eyes. “And baby, I always want you.”
Continue reading for a sneak peek of Turn Me On, book 7 in the Man of the Month series!
Are you eager to learn which Man of the Month book features which sexy hero?
Here’s a handy list!
Down On Me - meet Reece
Hold On Tight - meet Spencer
Need You Now - meet Cameron
Start Me Up - meet Nolan
Get It On - meet Tyree
In Your Eyes - meet Parker
Turn Me On - meet Derek
Shake It Up - meet Landon
All Night Long - meet Easton
In Too Deep - meet Matthew
Light My Fire - meet Griffin
Walk The Line - meet Brent
I hope you enjoyed, and please keep in touch! You can subscribe to my newsletter or text JKenner to 21000 so you’ll be among the first to know when fab things happen!
Check out all of my books at www.jkenner.com and be sure to join my Facebook fan group!
Sneak Peek: Turn Me On
Sometimes one night just isn’t enough.
Though they see each other only once a month, Amanda’s sweet body and wicked ways have been driving Derek wild for over a year.
And now that he’s moving to Austin, Derek is determined to have Amanda in his bed permanently.
There’s only one problem: Amanda’s happy with their current arrangement. Can Derek convince her a lifetime of nights together will be so much sweeter?
Meet Mr. July … he’s determined to heat things up.
Grab your copy now: Turn Me On
J. Kenner Series In KU
Check out these blurbs for KU first-in-series books
by J. Kenner!
Because books are constantly being added to KU (and sometimes leave KU for a period of time) you can always find an updated list of JK’s Kindle Unlimited books here!
Born in Darkness
Fight and redeem myself … refuse and suffer an eternity of torment.
I intended to kill him—to avenge my sister by destroying the vile human who’d tortured and broken her. My plan was simple. Foolproof.
Except somehow I ended up dead.
Now the joke’s on me, because I’ve been resurrected as an assassin and given a choice: Fight the forces of darkness and redeem myself … or refuse and suffer an eternity of torment.
The choice seems clear. But I’m unprepared for the depth of the evil I must face. And I’m unsettled by my attraction to the darkly sensual man whose words seduce me, but who is hiding secrets of his own.
All I know is what I’m told. I’m afraid I’m a pawn in a much larger game where I can’t tell my enemies from my allies. I just hope it’s a game I can win.
Down On Me
With his tight muscles and vibrant ink, certified bachelor Reece Walker is the kind of man who’s used to having any woman he craves in his bed—except Jenna Montgomery. She’s been his best friend for years, and that’s a line he just can’t cross.
Until a wild, stolen kiss changes everything. Now anything goes, and Reece is determined to use every wicked skill in his sensual repertoire to claim Jenna as his friend, his lover, his everything.
Carpe Demon
Kate Connor is your average, everyday mom with two kids, a husband, and one very big secret ... she used to be a Demon Hunter for a secret arm of the Vatican. Now retired, she's more interested in the domestic than the demonic. So when she catches sight of a demon in Wal-Mart, she tells herself it's some other Hunter's problem. But when that demon attacks her in her kitchen, retirement is no longer an option.
Now Kate has to kick a little demon butt, figure out why the creatures are trying to take her out and take over her home town, and at the same time take care of her 2 year old, deal with a hormonal 14 year old, get the family to Catholic Mass on time, and try to keep her past a secret from her daughter and her husband.
She's a little out of practice, but hey ... if she can juggle two kids and an impromptu dinner party, ridding the town of demons should be a piece of cake. Like the saying goes, Carpe Demon ... and Kate intends to do just that.
So (Very!) Much More than
the Girl Next Door
With her X-ray vision and super-senses, Zoe Smith is about as far from normal as a girl can get—and she intends to stay that way. Half-mortal and half-superhero, Zoe is determined to help save the world. But first she has to pass her upcoming tests and avoid having her memory and powers erased through “mortalization.”
An ex-cop turned private investigator, George Taylor craves a normal life with a normal wife in a normal neighborhood. The typical American dream—and when he meets Zoe Smith, he’s certain she’s one-hundred percent “the girl next-door”.
With her super powers, Zoe can do just about anything … except make Taylor fall in love with her. For that, they’re both going to need a different kind of magic …
Because books are constantly being added to KU (and sometimes leave KU for a period of time) you can always find an updated list of JK’s Kindle Unlimited books here!
Also by J. Kenner
Click here for a printable booklist
J. Kenner Titles - Partial List
Click here for an updated list of JK’s Kindle Unlimited books!
Man of the Month
Who’s your man of the month …?
Down On Me
Hold On Tight
Need You Now
Start Me Up
Get It On
In Your Eyes
Turn Me On
Shake It Up
All Night Long
In Too Deep
Light My Fire
Walk The Line
Man of the Month Box Sets
Winter Heat (books 1-3)
Spring Fling (books 4-6)
Summer Love (books 7-9)
Fall Fantasy (books 10-12)
*Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook(by J. Kenner & Suzanne M. Johnson *not in KU)
Extraordinarily Yours
Sexy paranormal rom-coms!
So (Very!) Much More than the Girl Next Door
The Charmed Affair of an Invisible Bodyguard
The “Super” Secret Life of an Accidental Daddy
Never Trust a Rogue on a Magical Mission
Mayhem, Matchmakers, and a Bit of Bewitching (novella)
How a Sexy Hero and a Marvelous Makeover (Sorta!) Saved the World (novella)
The Seductive Charm of a Sexy Shifter (prequel)
The Extraordinarily Yours Collection #1
The Redemption Chronicles
A sexy apocalyptic urban fantasy trilogy!
Born in Darkness
Lost in Shadows
Surrender to Dawn
The Redemption Chronicles Collection (All 3 books!)
Demon Hunting Soccer Mom
Like Buffy … grown up!
Carpe Demon
California Demon
Demons Are Forever
Deja Demon
The Demon You Know (short story)
Demon Ex Machina
Pax Demonica
Day of the Demon
The Trouble With Demons (Books 1-5 Box Set)
Other titles in KU
Wild Thing
’Til Death Do Us Part
J. Kenner Titles Not In KU
The Stark Saga Novels:
Only his passion could set her free…
Meet Damien Stark
The Original Trilogy
Release Me
Claim Me
Complete Me
And Beyond…
Anchor Me
Lost With Me
DAMIEN
Stark Ever After
(Stark Saga novellas):
Happily ever after is just the beginning.
The passion between Damien & Nikki continues.
Take Me
Have Me
Play My Game
Seduce Me
Unwrap Me
Deepest Kiss
Entice Me
Hold Me
Please Me
Indulge Me
The Steele Books/Stark International:
He was the only man who made her feel alive.
Say My Name
On My Knees
Under My Skin
Take My Dare (includes short story Steal My Heart)
Stark International Novellas:
Meet Jamie & Ryan-so hot it sizzles.
Tame Me
Tempt Me
S.I.N. Trilogy:
It was wrong for them to be together…
…but harder to stay apart.
Dirtiest Secret
Hottest Mess
Sweetest Taboo
The Dark Pleasures Series:
Sexy immortal paranormal romance
Caress of Darkness
Find Me In Darkness
Find Me In Pleasure
Find Me In Passion
Caress of Pleasure
Most Wanted:
Three powerful, dangerous men.
Three sensual, seductive women.
Wanted
Heated
Ignited
