“I figure I can consult on films and television. Lyle and Matthew can help me line up work. God knows this town makes enough action movies that I won’t starve.”
It takes a moment for those words to process, and when they do, I take his hand. “I can’t… I don’t think I can handle that. Knowing I pulled you away from something you love. I don’t want you to resent me.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“You might. But it’s more than that. It’s part of who you are. Just like it was part of who my dad was. And even though the worst happened to him, I wouldn’t want to go back and change who he was. And I don’t want to change who you are either.”
His brows rise. “Are you saying you want me to call Tag and tell him I’m moving back to Dallas after all?”
I smack him lightly on the chest. “Don’t you dare. But maybe you could tell him you’re open to freelance? When he needs you? And you could even do freelance work for Ryan, too. And the Hollywood consulting. That should keep you busy. The rest of your time can be devoted to pleasuring me.”
“Oh, can it?”
“Absolutely. In fact, you can start by kissing me.”
“Anything you want,” he says, then slides a hand under my neck as he rises over me, his mouth closing hot and gentle over mine, a kiss like making love slowly, lazily. A kiss that holds a promise of things to come, and when he pulls away, I regret the pain in my thigh and the exhaustion and drugs that weigh down my body. But at the same time, I know it doesn’t matter. There will be so many more nights between us, and so very much to look forward to.
“I love you, Riley Blade.”
“Oh, Tasha, I love you, too.”
I sigh, deeply satisfied, then press my cheek to his bare chest. “We do have one problem though, you know.”
“We do? Wait. What are you talking about?”
I rise up, perversely enjoying the hint of panic I hear in his voice. “It’s just that you’re too good at what you do.”
I watch as his face relaxes as he realizes he’s being teased. “Is that so?”
“You caught my stalker without having to take me back to The Firehouse.”
“I see. And that’s a problem?”
“Not if you promise to take me back.”
His grin is pure, carnal wickedness. “Sweetheart,” he says as he carefully curls up next to me. “I’ll buy us a membership in the morning.”
Epilogue
Eight Months Later
I wake to the sun streaming in through the windows of Riley’s Malibu house. He says his love-hate relationship with Los Angeles is all over, and that he only bought property in Malibu because he wanted beach access, but I know better. After all, as Ian Taggart told me when he was in town last month, Riley knows perfectly well that Malibu isn’t really Los Angeles.
I smile at the memory, because that was also the day when Ian told Riley that he was off the books of McKay-Taggart for the next four months, freeing Riley’s schedule for another consulting gig—this time for Her Secret Service, Lyle’s next movie based on Serena Dean-Miles’ erotic thriller.
I roll over, enjoying the feel of the cool sheets against my naked skin as I think about all the wonderful perks that consulting job will bestow on me. Then I frown, realizing that cool sheets mean that I’m alone in bed—and have been for a while.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Riley’s voice caresses me, as smooth as whiskey and just as intoxicating. I prop myself up on my elbows and raise my brows. “You want to explain to me why, on the first day of my two-week vacation, I wake up alone in bed?”
“Might be because I had to feed your cat.” He takes a step toward me. “Or it might be because I had to answer the door. A delivery man brought this.” He passes me a letter-sized brown envelope.
I sit up, confused, pulling the sheet around me for warmth more than modesty. The windows are open and the breeze off the Pacific is cool. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
The envelope is closed only with a clasp, so it’s easy enough to get inside. I turn it over and a plane ticket falls into my lap. Confused, I read the destination, then frown as a slow anger starts to boil inside me.
“That lousy prick,” I say. “Taggart said he wasn’t going to offer you any more freelance work for four full months so that you could concentrate on Lyle and Serena’s movie.”
“Yeah, but that gig doesn’t start for another three weeks. This trip is only for ten days.”
“Ten days in China starting tomorrow,” I say after another glance at the ticket. “Dammit, Riley, this trip is over my vacation.” I will myself not to cry, but all I want to do is burst into tears. I haven’t taken a vacation in forever and I only took time off now because Riley specifically told me he wanted to spend it together.
“Huh,” he says, his brow furrowed as he takes the ticket from me. He turns it sideways, narrows his eyes, then steps back and says, “Oh! Of course.”
“What?” I demand, confusion piling on top of my irritation.
“You need this, too.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small, flat box. Like a jewelry store might use for a bracelet. I open it, then see another ticket folded up on top. I smirk, then pull it out, laughing when I see my name on it.
“Not a mission,” I say, rising to put my arms around him. “A vacation for two.”
“That’s not exactly accurate,” he says, and if it weren’t for the twinkle in those dark, dreamy eyes, I’d be worried all over again. Instead, I’m intrigued.
I take a step back. “Okay,” I demand. “What have I got wrong?”
“Anything else in that box?”
I shoot him one suspicious glance, then poke at the pad of cotton on which the folded ticket had been sitting. My finger hits something hard, and I immediately lift my head, looking once again at Riley, who looks incredibly pleased with himself.
I pull off the cotton to reveal a platinum ring with a stunning diamond, its facets catching the morning light and gleaming like starlight.
My legs go weak, and I fall back onto the bed at the same time that Riley drops to one knee in front of me. “Not a vacation. A honeymoon.”
“A honeymoon,” I repeat.
"We can stop in Vegas on the way. Or we can break convention and do the honeymoon first.”
My lips twitch. “Aren’t you jumping the gun a little?”
He flashes me a wide, sexy smile that’s just a little sheepish. “Natasha Black,” he says, taking the ring from my palm. “Will you marry me?”
I laugh with delight, and I’m pretty sure my heart has skipped a beat or two. “Yes,” I say. “Oh, yes, Riley. Of course, yes.”
He slides the ring onto my finger, then kisses me in a way that makes clear I belong to him. As if I had any doubt at all.
When we break apart, I sigh happily then tug his hand so that we both drop down to sit on the edge of the bed. “Why China?” I ask as I gaze into the fire of my engagement ring.
“I wanted to go someplace exotic,” he says. “And where we could get completely lost together. What better place than somewhere we don’t speak the language?” His brow furrows. “You don’t speak Chinese, do you?”
I laugh. “No. And if the idea is to get lost with you, I have absolutely no motivation to learn it.”
“Good.” He brushes a strand of hair off my face. “Shame on you for thinking I’d leave you alone on your vacation.” Mischief twinkles in his eyes. “I really should punish you for that.”
“Absolutely you should,” I say, pulling him down on top of me. “Spank me. Tease me. Punish me. And then make love to me. Slowly, please. And very thoroughly.”
“Sweetheart, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.” He cups my face and looks into my eyes with so much intensity I almost can’t bear the passion I see there. “Nothing except marry you, and I’m already planning to do that soon.”
“Yes,” I say, hooking an arm around his neck and pulling him close, craving the feel o
f him against me, inside me. “Yes,” I repeat before I lose myself in the magic of his touch. “You absolutely are.”
THE END
I’m so grateful to Lexi Blake for letting my play in the world of McKay-Taggart, and I was sold on the concept from the moment Lexi told me about her vision of a superhero universe, where characters from one world crossover into another. I’ve always known Lexi was freaking brilliant, and I think this project just sealed the deal for me. Not to mention the bonus of being part of a collection with some of my favorite authors and friends!
I love Riley and Natasha, and have since the moment they popped onto the page in Wicked Dirty. I hope you love them, too!
XXOO
JK
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Close Cover by Lexi Blake
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Remy Guidry doesn’t do relationships. He tried the marriage thing once, back in Louisiana, and learned the hard way that all he really needs in life is a cold beer, some good friends, and the occasional hookup. His job as a bodyguard with McKay-Taggart gives him purpose and lovely perks, like access to Sanctum. The last thing he needs in his life is a woman with stars in her eyes and babies in her future.
Lisa Daley’s life is going in the right direction. She has graduated from college after years of putting herself through school. She’s got a new job at an accounting firm and she’s finished her Sanctum training. Finally on her own and having fun, her life seems pretty perfect. Except she’s lonely and the one man she wants won’t give her a second look.
There is one other little glitch. Apparently, her new firm is really a front for the mob and now they want her dead. Assassins can really ruin a fun girls’ night out. Suddenly strapped to the very same six-foot-five-inch hunk of a bodyguard who makes her heart pound, Lisa can’t decide if this situation is a blessing or a curse.
As the mob closes in, Remy takes his tempting new charge back to the safest place he knows—his home in the bayou. Surrounded by his past, he can’t help wondering if Lisa is his future. To answer that question, he just has to keep her alive.
* * * *
Her Guardian Angel by Larissa Ione
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After a difficult childhood and a turbulent stint in the military, Declan Burke finally got his act together. Now he’s a battle-hardened professional bodyguard who takes his job at McKay-Taggart seriously and his playtime – and his playmates – just as seriously. One thing he never does, however, is mix business with pleasure. But when the mysterious, gorgeous Suzanne D’Angelo needs his protection from a stalker, his desire for her burns out of control, tempting him to break all the rules…even as he’s drawn into a dark, dangerous world he didn’t know existed.
Suzanne is an earthbound angel on her critical first mission: protecting Declan from an emerging supernatural threat at all costs. To keep him close, she hires him as her bodyguard. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that she’s in over her head, defenseless against this devastatingly sexy human who makes her crave his forbidden touch.
Together they’ll have to draw on every ounce of their collective training to resist each other as the enemy closes in, but soon it becomes apparent that nothing could have prepared them for the menace to their lives…or their hearts.
* * * *
Justify Me by J. Kenner
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McKay-Taggart operative Riley Blade has no intention of returning to Los Angeles after his brief stint as a consultant on mega-star Lyle Tarpin’s latest action flick. Not even for Natasha Black, Tarpin’s sexy personal assistant who’d gotten under his skin. Why would he, when Tasha made it absolutely clear that—attraction or not—she wasn’t interested in a fling, much less a relationship.
But when Riley learns that someone is stalking her, he races to her side. Determined to not only protect her, but to convince her that—no matter what has hurt her in the past—he’s not only going to fight for her, he’s going to win her heart. Forever.
* * * *
Say You Won't Let Go by Corinne Michaels
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I’ve had two goals my entire life:
1. Make it big in country music.
2. Get the hell out of Bell Buckle.
I was doing it. I was on my way, until Cooper Townsend landed backstage at my show in Dallas.
This gorgeous, rugged, man of few words was one cowboy I couldn’t afford to let distract me. But with his slow smile and rough hands, I just couldn’t keep away.
Now, there are outside forces conspiring against us. Maybe we should’ve known better? Maybe not. Even with the protection from Wade Rycroft, bodyguard for McKay-Taggart, I still don’t feel safe. I won’t let him get hurt because of me. All I know is that I want to hold on, but know the right thing to do is to let go…
* * * *
His to Protect by Carly Phillips
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Talia Shaw has spent her adult life working as a scientist for a big pharmaceutical company. She’s focused on saving lives, not living life. When her lab is broken into and it's clear someone is after the top secret formula she’s working on, she turns to the one man she can trust. The same irresistible man she turned away years earlier because she was too young and naive to believe a sexy guy like Shane Landon could want her.
Shane Landon’s bodyguard work for McKay-Taggart is the one thing that brings him satisfaction in his life. Relationships come in second to the job. Always. Then little brainiac Talia Shaw shows up in his backyard, frightened and on the run, and his world is turned upside down. And not just because she’s found him naked in his outdoor shower, either.
With Talia's life in danger, Shane has to get her out of town and to her eccentric, hermit mentor who has the final piece of the formula she’s been working on, while keeping her safe from the men who are after her. Guarding Talia's body certainly isn't any hardship, but he never expects to fall hard and fast for his best friend’s little sister and the only woman who’s ever really gotten under his skin.
* * * *
Rescuing Sadie by Susan Stoker
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Sadie Jennings was used to being protected. As the niece of Sean Taggart, and the receptionist at McKay-Taggart Group, she was constantly surrounded by Alpha men more than capable, and willing, to lay down their life for her. But when she visits her friend in San Antonio, and acts on suspicious activity at Milena’s workplace, Sadie puts both of them in the crosshairs of a madman. After several harrowing weeks, her friend is now safe, but for Sadie, the repercussions of her rash act linger on.
Chase Jackson, no stranger to dangerous situations as a captain in the US Army, has volunteered himself as Sadie's bodyguard. He fell head over heels for the beautiful woman the first time he laid eyes on her. With a Delta Force team at his back, he reassures the Taggart's that Sadie will be safe. But when the situation in San Antonio catches up with her, Chase has to use everything he's learned over his career to keep his promise...and to keep Sadie alive long enough to officially make her his.
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Tame Me
A Stark International Novella
By J. Kenner
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Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter—the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides.
Stark International Security Chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure—he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her. Wants to do whatever it takes to make her his.
But after one night of bliss, Jamie bolts. And now it’s up to Ryan to not only bring her back, but to convince her that she’s running away from the best thing that ever happened to her—him.
* * * *
That, I think, was one hell of a party.
I am standing with my back to the Pacific as I watch the efficient crew break down the lovely white tents. The leftover food has already been packed away. The trash has been discarded. The band left hours ago, and the last of the guests have already departed.
Even the paparazzi who had camped out on the beach hoping to snag a few choice pictures of my best friend Nikki Fairchild’s wedding to multi-bazillionaire and former tennis star Damien Stark are long gone.
Justify Me Google Page 9
