Mia Bradshaw realized long ago that falling in love is a harbinger of pain. As a single mom working for one of the most prestigious venture capital firms in the country, she doesn’t have time for serious emotional entanglements. Her sort-of–friend boy is dependable, respectful and…okay, fine, maybe a little lukewarm but whatever! Who ever said there was anything wrong with being…vanilla? It’s safe, low-risk and not fraught with conflict and heart wrenching disappointment.
Chris Camden is one of the most eligible bachelors in northern California. A successful entrepreneur with a hot car and a panty-dropping grin doesn’t need to do much to keep his bed warm at night. His smoldering hazel-eyed gaze makes women melt at his feet. No strings, no conditions, no questions - just the way he likes it. Why should he settle for just one when there are so many sizzling alternatives begging for a spin?
A coveted opportunity to partner with Chris’s company stirs up emotions that threaten everything Mia’s been so careful to protect and control. The guy with more lines than a crowded supermarket before a snowstorm can singe her insides with the slightest accidental touch, proof that she needs to steer clear.
But reality hurls a very unexpected curve ball that can change Mia’s life in a heartbeat. And sometimes…the perception of safety is relative.
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Excerpt:
The cream-colored dress hugged every curve of her svelte body. And those red-soled stilettos… Jesus, was it bad that all he could do right then was picture her sprawled across his bed wearing only those shoes? He rolled his eyes heavenward. It was time to focus on something other than that perfect ass. Like the liquidity of his company.
After checking in with security, Mia led him to the elevator bank. “This is a really important meeting. The McMillen Group owns controlling interest of most media and entertainment conglomerates across the country, and your offerings represent a gap in their portfolio.” She winked. “Don’t mess up, okay?”
“No chance. I’m wearing my lucky tie.”
“Fantastic. I feel so much better now.”
They stepped out of the elevator on the fifth floor. Mia glanced at her watch. “We still have a few minutes. I’m going to run to the ladies’ room. Can you tell them we’re here?”
“Sure.” He took a deep breath, watching her scurry through the large mahogany door. Her scent permeated the air around him, and he longed to bury his head in her sweet-smelling neck, nuzzling, caressing— Dammit, concentrate!
He sighed and walked to reception. “Hi, I’m Chris Camden with LazerShark. I have an appointment with Ken Greene.”
A bleached-blond head looked up at him with narrowed blue eyes.
Fuck.
A nasty smile spread across Lexi’s face as she rose from her chair. “Chris Camden. Hmm, I think we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Talk about worlds colliding. “Lexi, hey, it’s good to see you ag—”
“Isn’t it, though?” Her eyes spit fire as contempt dripped from her lips. “How nice that you remember my name this time.”
“Listen, I’m really sorry about what happened. I didn’t mean to—”
“Oh, come on, Chris. I’m a big girl. Don’t flatter yourself. Nice tie, by the way.”
“Um, thanks. I’m, uh, glad you weren’t upset.”
She flashed a toothy grin and picked up a cup filled with a raspberry colored-liquid. “I just love pomegranate juice.”
That didn’t sound good.
With one swift motion, she pulled the straw from the cup and blew. Red juice sprayed the front of his shirt and tie. “I’m not upset at all.” She grabbed the handset on the desk, a triumphant smile on her face. “Ken, Chris Camden is here to see you.”
The red liquid had already seeped into the silk. Ruined. And he had only himself to blame. “Great, thanks for letting him know.”
Mia’s heels clicked on the marble floor behind him. “Did you give her our names—“ She pointed to his chest. “What happened to your lucky tie?”
“Not so lucky anymore.” Lexi snickered. “You must be Mia.”
The cream-colored dress hugged every curve of her svelte body. And those red-soled stilettos… Jesus, was it bad that all he could do right then was picture her sprawled across his bed wearing only those shoes? He rolled his eyes heavenward. It was time to focus on something other than that perfect ass. Like the liquidity of his company.
After checking in with security, Mia led him to the elevator bank. “This is a really important meeting. The McMillen Group owns controlling interest of most media and entertainment conglomerates across the country, and your offerings represent a gap in their portfolio.” She winked. “Don’t mess up, okay?”
“No chance. I’m wearing my lucky tie.”
“Fantastic. I feel so much better now.”
They stepped out of the elevator on the fifth floor. Mia glanced at her watch. “We still have a few minutes. I’m going to run to the ladies’ room. Can you tell them we’re here?”
“Sure.” He took a deep breath, watching her scurry through the large mahogany door. Her scent permeated the air around him, and he longed to bury his head in her sweet-smelling neck, nuzzling, caressing— Dammit, concentrate!
He sighed and walked to reception. “Hi, I’m Chris Camden with LazerShark. I have an appointment with Ken Greene.”
A bleached-blond head looked up at him with narrowed blue eyes.
Fuck.
A nasty smile spread across Lexi’s face as she rose from her chair. “Chris Camden. Hmm, I think we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Talk about worlds colliding. “Lexi, hey, it’s good to see you ag—”
“Isn’t it, though?” Her eyes spit fire as contempt dripped from her lips. “How nice that you remember my name this time.”
“Listen, I’m really sorry about what happened. I didn’t mean to—”
“Oh, come on, Chris. I’m a big girl. Don’t flatter yourself. Nice tie, by the way.”
“Um, thanks. I’m, uh, glad you weren’t upset.”
She flashed a toothy grin and picked up a cup filled with a raspberry colored-liquid. “I just love pomegranate juice.”
That didn’t sound good.
With one swift motion, she pulled the straw from the cup and blew. Red juice sprayed the front of his shirt and tie. “I’m not upset at all.” She grabbed the handset on the desk, a triumphant smile on her face. “Ken, Chris Camden is here to see you.”
The red liquid had already seeped into the silk. Ruined. And he had only himself to blame. “Great, thanks for letting him know.”
Mia’s heels clicked on the marble floor behind him. “Did you give her our names—“ She pointed to his chest. “What happened to your lucky tie?”
“Not so lucky anymore.” Lexi snickered. “You must be Mia.”
Kristen Luciani Bio:
Kristen Luciani is a self-proclaimed momtrepreneur with a penchant for Christian Louboutins, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…
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