Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
The last time I saw Troy, I was a kid heading off to college with dreams of going to law school like him. I thought he was just a successful lawyer and my dad’s best friend, but that’s far from the truth.
Turns out Troy is a mob boss, and my dad is his closest business partner. I became a lawyer to abide by the law, not break it, but the heat in his eyes has me wanting to break all the rules.
Now we are on the run after a deal gone wrong. The sickest thing is, part of me is actually enjoying the chance to be alone with Troy. Am I going crazy?
My dad wants Troy to protect me, but what he doesn’t know is he’s taken me out of the frying pan only to put me in the fire.
As danger closes in, I’m left wondering: can we survive the heat, or will it consume us both?
* Illicit Temptation is a steamy, insta-everything, standalone romance with a HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. It features a possessive anti-hero and a curvy heroine.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
Liz
“What do you think of this one?” Bethany struts out of the dressing room in a mermaid-shaped white gown adorned with lace and simple pearls. Her dark hair is pulled into a bun at the top of her head, messy strands slipping loose.
Still, she’s stunning.
“I love it,” I comment, ignoring the pang of jealousy deep in my chest. She’s been my best friend since our junior year in college.
Her shoulders fall as she makes a face. “Liz, you have said that about every dress I’ve tried on today. Come on, give me more. Is it the one, or should I keep searching?”
My brow furrows. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about marrying the one?”
“Ugh, you just don’t get it. I know I’ve already found the one. Daniel is uh-mazing. I want to shock him at how beautiful I am on our wedding day. You know, I want him to cry tears of pure joy.”
I laugh, holding back the urge to roll my eyes at my best friend’s dramatism. “You’re something else, Beth.”
“I know, I know.” She strikes a pose, pretending to flip her hair over her shoulder. However, then she gets thoughtful. “Seriously, though, I’m having the worst time choosing. What do you think?”
I pause, taking in the current dress, and then try to recall the other umpteen ones she’s tried on. “Well,” I begin thoughtfully, “if it counts, I like this one the most.” I shrug my shoulders, giving her my best “Please just be happy with me” look. In truth, I’m not feeling this outing, and I think she might have noticed. It’s my third dress-shopping trip with her, and it’s just another reminder that I’m forever alone. All I’ve ever done is focus solely on school and my career. I’m borderline pathetic for a twenty-five-year-old.
Bethany seems happy with my answer, turning to the dress attendant, who’s currently lost on her phone. “I’ll take it!”
The young woman drops her phone from her face. “Perfect! I’m so glad you finally made your choice. Let’s get you checked out and make any notes for alterations.”
Bethany squeals with delight, clapping her hands. I give her my best supportive grin and thumbs-up, staying that way until she turns around. Then I drop both my hands and my smile.
I sit silently as Bethany changes and then follows the woman to the register to fill out all the paperwork for her wedding dress. The shop is pretty empty, and my eyes wander to the men’s section toward the back. There are rows of tuxedos and suits of various colors. My gaze falls on a neon pink leopard print pattern. Whoever wears that is my type.
I laugh to myself, shaking my head. I have no idea what my type is, and probably, whoever would wear a suit like that is bad news. However, the moment the thought hits my brain, my peripheral picks up a figure—a freaking handsome-as-hell figure.
The man’s back is to me, but the cut of his tailored suit shows off his lean, toned body. He’s speaking in a low voice to someone who works here—someone that I can’t see, but damn. This guy’s salt-and-pepper hair shows a little age, but the back of a man’s head has never been so eye-catching. He’s like something right out of the catalogs you order from. Well, given that he has a face to match the back of him. Then, as if he feels my eyes boring into his skull, he turns around.
Heat creeps into my face as my jaw drops. Oh shit! I know the man I’m gawking at, and he’s not who I expected. I drop my eyes to my lap as I clench my thighs together. My body is reacting in the most unladylike way.
Oh my god. That’s my dad’s best freaking friend.
My knee bounces up and down as the sound of footsteps grows closer. Oh please, don’t recognize me. Please be Bethany.
“Liz?” a voice booms above me, sultry and deep, just like I remember. A jitter of excitement tingles my spine, and I can’t breathe. I force my eyes upward, swallowing hard as the steely gray gaze settles on me.
“Hi, Mr. Watkins,” I choke out, trying to keep my tone as light as possible. I had a crush on this man throughout high school, but I don’t remember getting this flustered back then.
“Please, call me Troy,” he corrects me with a smile.
“Okay, Troy…” His name rolls off my tongue like it was meant to be, sending my heart into somersaults.
His gray eyes slip from mine for a moment, raking down my curvy body in a way that makes my face flush. They flicker back up, his eyes a little darker than before. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you since you were a kid. I hardly recognized you.”
I nod, hoping my face isn’t as red as it feels. “Well, I’ve been good. I, uh, started working for a firm here in the city. I haven’t taken on any cases yet, but I hope to in the spring.”