The Cut of Deception

by Alexx Andria

  God, it hurt to be so grievously mistaken.

  “See you at the board meeting, little brothers…” Dillon called out, taunting the twins as they rushed her out the door to the awaiting Towncar. Once inside the darkened confines, both Vince and Nolan punished her with an angry silence that echoed with the guilt of her betrayal. But even as she was willing to acknowledge how much she’d screwed up, a part of her was sobbing at the loss of something she’d thought was going to be special.

  Dillon had used her — the facts were plain. But her body still remembered the feel of his mouth on hers, the feel of his possession and she knew nothing would ever erase the elation she’d felt belonging to the bad boy Buchanan…if only briefly.

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  Is Dillon as heartless as he seems or is he protecting a long broken heart? Penny must discover if she’s better off taking the easy, but less passionate, road with the twins, or fighting to heal the shattered pieces of the bad boy Buchanan to have the love of her dreams. But is Dillon’s heart simply too damaged to be healed? And is it a risk Penny is willing to take? Don’t miss the last two installments of the Billionaire Brothers series.

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  #

  In the Buchanan family, is as it seems. Does Penny really want to know the truth behind the secrets and lies? Can she handle the skeletons hiding in the Buchanan closet or is ignorance better? Torn between three men, Penny must decide who is right for her — no matter the cost.

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  Here’s an excerpt from Alexx Andria’s hot, emotionally erotic story, ONE NIGHT TO SAY GOODBYE: http://amzn.to/SXdGc3

  “What are you doing here?”

  That single question, even as uninviting as his stark tone implied, sent a riot of goosebumps popping along Elise’s skin. She remembered that voice, as if it were spoken in her ear only yesterday instead of the years between them, and her breath caught painfully in her chest. The desire to fall into his arms, regardless of the consequences, tightened her muscles and made rational thought difficult. He looked the same — God, did he never age? — not classically handsome, but unique and different, but always virile and powerful. The tension between them pulsed like a live wire, sparking dangerously within the confines of the executive office. Gage had always been ruthless in business; his penchant for the jugular had served him well, she noted as her stare flitted among the fine furnishings and dark-paneled walls. Her stare returned to his, daring him to throw her out as he should for the both of their sakes.

  “I’m getting married,” she said, barely able to manage the words. When she was with her fiancé Scott, she felt no hesitation in saying those words. She loved him. But standing before Gage made the words seem forced from her mouth. “I thought you should know.”

  “Why?” His cold and distant stare might’ve fooled another, but Elise knew beneath that cool exterior burned a passion that distance and time had not squelched. Perhaps it had been foolish to come here but she’d known in her heart, she wouldn’t be able to walk down that aisle, dressed in white, to pledge her heart to Scott when another had already staked their claim. She needed closure. At least that’s what she’d told herself as she’d purchased her plane ticket to Colorado and lied to Scott about her trip.

  She’d called it business. Well, it was…of sorts.

  Scott, bless his naïve heart, had bought her lie without reservation. And why wouldn’t he? Elise had been lying to the poor man from the beginning.

  “I need…” Oh God. How could she say the words? How could she tell Gage that she needed him out of her system so she could marry another? It seemed wrong…but not as wrong as the secret between them. She swallowed. “Gage…I just needed to see you.”

  His blue eyes — eyes she remembered roaming her body with a fever that no aspirin could ever cool — flashed and hope lit up her belly like a Fourth of July sparkler. After what seemed an eternity, he broke the tense silence with a shake of his head, his expression softening by the barest of margins. “Elise,” he murmured with a hint of anger. “You should’ve stayed away.”

  She nodded. “I know.” God, how she knew. “But I couldn’t.”

  “Does he know?”

  “Of course not. And he will never know.”

  A smile that flirted with cruelty lifted the corner of his mouth. “Why not? Your beloved doesn’t deserve to know that you were once in love with your brother.”

  “Step brother,” I whispered, tears filling my eyes at how casually he spoke of the thing that held us both hostage. And she knew with a fatal certainty that she was still in love with Gage no matter that she could never truly have him. She lifted her chin. “Scott is a good man. He treats me well and I’m a lucky woman.”

  “I know,” he said, surprising her. She raised startled eyes to his. “I may be far, but I can’t help myself it seems when it comes to you. If he wasn’t worthy of your love…I’d never allow this wedding to happen.”

  “How did you…?”

  “Elise,” he said, his tone faintly patronizing. “I make it my job to know what is happening in your life. My promise to you was that I would stay away, not that I would stop caring. I’ve held up my end of the bargain…you, on the other hand, have broken it by coming here.”

  “I’m sorry,” she admitted, knowing she was taking a risk. “I just need some closure so I can start fresh with Scott.”

  “And you thought coming here was going to accomplish that?” he mocked, shifting in his chair. The movement reminding her of a jungle cat, all sinewy and muscle beneath the silk of his skin. The subtle nod of her head was her only answer. She was too busy undressing him in her mind to form too much of a valid argument. The fact was, she had no business coming here tonight. It’d been pure lunacy to board a plane to the one man she needed to keep from her life. They were two people who could never be together. The fallout would devastate so many. Which was why Gage had moved to Colorado and Elise made a point to be out of town on the rare occasions that he visited. “And what kind of closure are you needing, sister dear? I moved three states away. I never call…aside from disappearing from this planet, I’m not sure how I could further accommodate you.”

  “Stop being a cold prick,” she said.

  “Stop being a tease,” he countered, his eyes hard. “There’s only one reason you would show up unannounced with that look in your eyes…you came to get fucked. As if one last time would ever be enough between you and me. We both know the answer to that, which is why I moved away. I tried to make this easier on us both. We need that distance to protect our family from ourselves. The devastation would be horrific. We both agreed, it wasn’t worth it.”

  Tears tingled behind her eyes. Everything he said was true. His father, her mother, their blended siblings…the fallout of their love affair would shatter their family if discovered. But she knew there was no way in hell she could let Scott completely into her heart when Gage was so firmly planted there. “I can’t marry him without this,” she said, tears falling from her eyes. “I can’t. Believe me when I say that I love him but when I close my eyes at night, you are there. You’re in my dreams, my nightmares, my waking moments. I can’t seem to escape the memories or the desire that haunts me.” All mocking fled from his expression and he seemed as stripped bare and vulnerable as she. In that moment, they were equally miserable, wanting the one person who was off-limits for so many reasons. “I can’t have you. So I will build a life with this man and have his children but tonight, I need you. I need you to help me say goodbye to the past so I can move on with my future.”

  “What you’re asking…it won’t help. It will only make things worse,” he said hoarsely. “It will awaken a beast that’s been fitfully sleeping since the day I left California. I’ve built a life here…away from you…and it has taken every shred of self-control to keep from dragging you back to Colorado with me, damn the consequences! And now you show up, begging me to fuck you so you can forget me?”

  Shameful, hot tears coursed down her cheeks. The truth was cert
ainly uglier when verbalized than when hidden behind private justifications but she held his gaze without flinching. “Yes,” she admitted, not bothering to wipe away her tears. Let him see how much she hurt inside to ask. Let him know nothing she said or did came without cost. “I’m only here until tomorrow. My flight leaves at 10 a.m. We have twelve hours to get each other out of our systems. Then, I’m going to board that plane, sore and bruised in every way, and I’m going to forget anything ever happened between us, now or in the past. You will do the same. I will marry Scott and you will find someone you can love without restrictions. Someday, we might even be able to face one another as we should…as brother and sister.”

  “You’re living in a dreamland,” he said bitterly. “There is no one for me but you.”

  She closed her eyes. “There has to be. There will be. But not as long as you have me in your heart.”

  “This is —”

  “The only way,” she cut in, more sure than ever before. She advanced, resolve emboldening her step. Her nerves were suddenly calm, but excitement fluttered in her belly. She held his stare, murmuring with promise. “Time is wasting, my brother. And I need you. Now.”

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  Looking for more hot erotica by Alexx Andria? Try these titles from her backlist!

  SOLD:

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  Sometimes the person you believe you are, is nowhere close to the person lurking inside, waiting for that moment to emerge.

  Natalie discovers her true nature when sold against her will to a man who wants nothing more than to own her body and soul. Somewhere between anguish and misery, she finally yields and discovers there is no greater glory than being owned by her Master.

  OWNED:

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  At 20, Hannah knows she's not a great beauty so when she takes a bookkeeping job at the local gentleman's club she doesn't expect to attract any notice. But little does she know that someone's been watching her for some time and he likes what he sees. And what Mr. Villanti wants — he takes. Suddenly, Hannah finds herself giving up her virginity and her free will to the dominant man who is determined to have her, no matter the cost.

  This short story of approximately 7,000 words contains explicit sexual situations that some may find offensive.

  SOLD TO THE SHEIK:

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  Layla is set to study college courses abroad when she's abducted outside her hotel room and promptly sold into sexual slavery to an obscenely wealthy sheik who has paid for the privilege of being the first man between her legs. Layla finds herself among a harem of pampered slaves but refuses to yield to the man who makes her shake and quiver, but more importantly, makes her question who she truly is.

  ***

  This 12,000 word story is intended for mature readers only. It is filled with scenes that some may find morally objectionable. All characters are 18 years or older.

  UNWILLING:

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  Alexx Andria has bundled three of her best-selling non-consent short stories for your reading pleasure.

  The short stories featured in this collection were previously published as Owned, Sold, and Sold To The Sheik.

  The total collection is approximately 26,000 words.

  This collection is meant for readers 18 and older. If you're not 18, find something else to read!

  ONE NAUGHTY GIRL: Best-selling on the Kindle Amazon Top 100 Free list!

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  Landry James is one naughty girl who can't be controlled by her husband — or anyone — until she meets up with a mysterious man who offers her the opportunity to put her particular skill-set to work.

  Join Landry on her various sexcapades as she romps her way through various adventures — clothing optional!

  This is a short story of 7,000 words.

  ONE NAUGHTY GIRL 2:

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  Landry James meets her new partner, Killion McClane and learns a few things about her new job, such as being ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done, whether it's a woman or a man.

  This is a sexually explicit short story of approximately 6,000 words featuring f/f situations.

  ONE NAUGHTY GIRL 3:

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  Landry James goes on her first assignment as a secret sex spy for the government and discovers danger and kink go hand in hand. This sexy, short story (approx. 5,400 words) is the third installment in the Landry James adventure series. If you are not at least 18 years of age or older, please find something else to read.

  Bonus features! Enjoy an excerpt from another one of Alexx Andria's hot titles!

  ONE NAUGHTY GIRL 4

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  Landry James goes undercover with new operative Liam O'Connor to infiltrate an ultra secretive human trafficking ring and it's one adventure she might not make it out alive! There's plenty of kinky action to get your blood pumping in this fourth installment of the Landry James adventure series.

  THE AWAKENING (The Breeding Prophecy):

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  Cassidy doesn't know it yet, but her life is about to change. Unbeknownst to her, Cassidy is an integral part of the foretold Lycan Breeding Prophecy and two rival clans will tear each other apart to possess her. This is the first in the ongoing series.

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  Just as Cassidy phases into the most dangerous stage of her Breeding Time, she is stolen while her protectors are fighting with the rival clan who want Cassidy for their own.

  Cassidy is an integral part of the foretold Lycan Breeding Prophecy and two rival clans will tear each other apart to possess her. This is the second in the ongoing series.

  THE STOLEN (The Breeding Prophecy):

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  Cassandra is abducted again, only this time, it's by Ulster, the Alpha of the rival clan and he plans to use her Phasing to his advantage. But Cassandra is fighting her destiny, even if the Phase controls her sexual appetite, forcing her to mate with the one person she finds abhorrent.

  Follow Cassandra as she discovers more about herself, her past, and the danger that is breathing right down her neck.

  THE TAKEN (The Breeding Prophecy):

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  Cassandra escapes the evil Ulster and believes she’s running for the safety promised with Clan Barrachius but she is shocked when she receives a less than warm welcome by the Barrachius Alpha, Tieran. Caught in the ever-tightening web foretold by The Breeding Prophecy, Cassandra and Tieran must succumb to their desires, even if they can’t stand one another. As all out impending war between the clans hovers on the horizon, Cassandra must give herself to the power of The Prophecy if any are to survive the bloodbath that will ensue.

  THE PURSUED (The Breeding Prophecy)

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  Cassandra and Tieran have settled into a turbulent relationship fueled by lust and desire yet they remain distinctly at odds. Tieran is struggling with the memory of his previous love, Serra, and fighting the growing emotion he feels for Cassandra. In the midst of their personal test-of-wills, Cassandra is carrying mystical twins — of which only one was supposed to be born — but hell hath no fury like a werewolf defending her pups and Cassandra will defend her babies to the death; even against Tieran, if need be.

  Caught in the ever-tightening web foretold by The Breeding Prophecy, Cassandra and Tieran must become as one to protect all they hold dear. As all out impending war between the clans hovers on the horizon, Cassandra must give herself to the power of The Prophecy if any are to survive the bloodbath that will ensue.

  BOUGHT BY THE BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS

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  Penny McDaniel had no idea that when she took the job as an accountant with the Buchanan brothers that the sexy billionaire entrepreneurs had a thing for curvy girls but when they make her an offer she can’t pos
sibly refuse, she learns just how hot they are for her soft, sweet body. Soon, to her shocked delight, Penny discovers just how amazing it is to be bought by the billionaire brothers!

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  *This naughty bit of a story is intended for mature readers only. If you’re not 18 years or older, find something else to read.

  The following short story of approx. 8,900 words is a work of erotic fiction and it features sexual acts between two men and a curvy woman.

  BOUGHT BY THE BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS 2 (Caught Between Brothers)

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  Penny McDaniel had no idea that when she took the job as an accountant with the Buchanan brothers that the sexy billionaire entrepreneurs had a thing for curvy girls but when they make her an offer she can't possibly refuse, she learns just how hot they are for her soft, sweet body. Just when Penny starts to believe she's living in a dream, Dillon Buchanan, the black sheep of the family, shows up, ready to make trouble. Caught in a dangerous game with high stakes, Penny finds herself torn between three men — all of whom want her body and soul.

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  Also, check out new releases and other fun stuff at her website:

  www.eroticalexxandria.wordpress.com

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  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for downloading my latest Billionaire Brother series installment. With so many ebooks to choose from, I appreciate that you spent your hard-earned money on my creation.

  Much love and many blessings,

  Alexx Andria

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  The road to hell wasn’t paved with good intentions

  An Excerpt from emotionally erotic story, ONE NIGHT TO SAY GOODBYE: