Former DEA agent Angelo González’s final undercover operation exploded in a betrayal he’ll never forget or forgive. He’s moved on. As one of Atlanta’s Finest, providing personal security for the rich and famous, Angelo is living his best life—until he has to play fake boyfriend to one of their clients. Not just any client. A client who stirs something so sensually intense inside him, he’s not sure he can fake anything.
Singing sensation Zenobia Westfield’s troubled past and poor judgment, especially with men, nearly destroyed her life. Music saved her, but now her safety is in jeopardy, forcing her to seek personal security. Angelo is more than she expected. Dangerously sexy. Fearless. Attentive. The attraction sizzling between them is impossible to ignore, but her track record with men has her treading lightly.
When the threat against Zenobia escalates, Angelo will stop at nothing to protect her. But lies and treachery come to the forefront. Will another betrayal destroy their newfound love? Or will Angelo realize in time that Zenobia is a woman worth fighting for?
**easily read as a standalone! **
“Why’d you bring me up here?” Zenobia asked, her voice quiet as she looked at him shyly. She was like a puzzle that he so wanted to piece together. How could a woman who sang with such emotion and power seem so timid and unsure of herself? Then again, the way she fought those guys off the other day proved that she was also a fighter.
Yep, definitely a puzzle.
“If you don’t want to be a part of my security detail, I understand. I don’t blame you. Why would you want to protect someone who stole from you? Someone who ran off and didn’t look back?”
“You ran off because I told you to.” Angelo kept his voice as low as hers. “With us taking your case, you’ll be expected to do whatever we tell you to do.”
She leaned back and frowned, looking as if she was about to argue. Angelo didn’t give her a chance.
“Whatever we tell you to do is always for your own good. Everyone who’ll be assigned to you will put your safety first. You’re not going to like everything we’ll insist on, but—”
“So, does this mean you’re going to pretend to be my boyfriend?”
Angelo inched closer, close enough to see her take a hard swallow. “Under one condition.”
She worried her bottom lip, that shyness that he’d seen earlier returning. “What condition?”
He moved in even closer, close enough to feel her shudder. “I need to see if you can handle being close to me, because when I go undercover, I’m all in.” Without giving her a chance to speak, or even process what he was saying, he cupped her face between his hands and kissed her.
At first the kiss was sweet, gentle, and cautious, but when she moaned into his mouth, he couldn’t help but deepen the lip-lock. His tongue slid between her juicy lips and he explored the inner recesses of her enchanting mouth. Testing. Savoring. He’d only planned to get a little taste of her, see if there was any way to pull off this boyfriend/girlfriend idea, but he was getting more than expected. So much more.
His hands slid down the sides of her body, grazing over every dip and curve until they landed on her hips. When she whimpered and looped her arms around his neck, it spurred him on. He pulled her flush against him, loving the feel of her body against his.
Oh yeah. This was going to be one hell of an assignment. Angelo would make sure he kept her safe, and he planned to enjoy every minute of being her man.
Yep, definitely a puzzle.
“If you don’t want to be a part of my security detail, I understand. I don’t blame you. Why would you want to protect someone who stole from you? Someone who ran off and didn’t look back?”
“You ran off because I told you to.” Angelo kept his voice as low as hers. “With us taking your case, you’ll be expected to do whatever we tell you to do.”
She leaned back and frowned, looking as if she was about to argue. Angelo didn’t give her a chance.
“Whatever we tell you to do is always for your own good. Everyone who’ll be assigned to you will put your safety first. You’re not going to like everything we’ll insist on, but—”
“So, does this mean you’re going to pretend to be my boyfriend?”
Angelo inched closer, close enough to see her take a hard swallow. “Under one condition.”
She worried her bottom lip, that shyness that he’d seen earlier returning. “What condition?”
He moved in even closer, close enough to feel her shudder. “I need to see if you can handle being close to me, because when I go undercover, I’m all in.” Without giving her a chance to speak, or even process what he was saying, he cupped her face between his hands and kissed her.
At first the kiss was sweet, gentle, and cautious, but when she moaned into his mouth, he couldn’t help but deepen the lip-lock. His tongue slid between her juicy lips and he explored the inner recesses of her enchanting mouth. Testing. Savoring. He’d only planned to get a little taste of her, see if there was any way to pull off this boyfriend/girlfriend idea, but he was getting more than expected. So much more.
His hands slid down the sides of her body, grazing over every dip and curve until they landed on her hips. When she whimpered and looped her arms around his neck, it spurred him on. He pulled her flush against him, loving the feel of her body against his.
Oh yeah. This was going to be one hell of an assignment. Angelo would make sure he kept her safe, and he planned to enjoy every minute of being her man.
   | Retired Marine, Mason Bennett, has two goals: adjust to civilian life and keep drama out of it. His focus is on his role as part-owner, along with his siblings, of Atlanta’s hottest nightclub. However, his attention shifts when the woman he has loved like a sister reenters his life and thoughts of a passionate kiss they shared hijacks his mind. Their connection is explosive. Feelings he’s tried to deny come to the forefront, and he’s tempted to do something he thought he would never do—cross that line from friends to lovers. TV news anchor, London Alexander, is back home in Atlanta and ready to start a new chapter in her life. This time she hopes her future includes Mason, the man she has loved forever. She’s ready to step over the forbidden line that he’s drawn in their relationship. Will taking a chance on love lead to a happily-ever-after? Or will risking their friendship leave them both with broken hearts? *New Cover - June 2019 **Book 1 in the Atlanta's Finest Series (prequel), but can be read as a standalone. ***Previously part of the Bennett Triplets series Who is she? Mason rubbed his chin, hoping she’d glance into the camera so he could see her face clearly. There was something so familiar about her. As if reading his mind, she turned her head slightly and he sucked in a breath. Large expressive eyes, high cheekbones, and a mouth he would never forget was on full display. He’d recognize those gorgeous lips anywhere. But something wasn’t right. Something had her spooked. “Ham, hold up. I know her. I’m on my way,” Mason said into his mouthpiece and hurried to the stairs. He was a little surprised Hamilton hadn’t recognized London Alexander, Harper’s best friend. From what Mason understood, she had been to the club plenty of times when Mason’s parents managed the facility and Hamilton worked security. Seconds later, Mason slowed and London met his gaze. Guilt stabbed him in the chest. She was the last person he should be looking at with interest, but damn if she didn’t look sexy in the fitted red tank top and black leggings molded around her narrow hips and shapely legs. Considering it was early afternoon on a weekday, he was surprised to see her, and in running gear at that. “Mase,” she breathed, her husky voice feeling like a feather brushing against his skin. Mason heard a little wheezing coming from her, but she didn’t look as if she was having an asthma attack, something she suffered with when they were kids. Still staring, what he couldn’t get over was how different she looked. She never wore her hair super long, but the last time he’d seen her, it brushed her shoulders. Now the pixie cut transformed her whole appearance, the style seeming as if it were made for her. When her hand went to her chest, as if trying to catch her breath, and she glanced back at the door, all of Mason’s protective instincts kicked in. “What’s wrong?” He touched her arm. She was shivering. “What happened?” * Copyright © August 2016 by Sharon C. Cooper |
 | She’s a distraction he can’t resist… A spark ignites the moment security specialist, Hamilton Crosby, meets stuntwoman, Dakota Sherrod. She’s like no other woman he’s ever met. But Hamilton never ignores his gut, and his gut tells him to stay clear of the enticing beauty. Dakota is an adrenaline junkie. Leaping off buildings and running through fire is just another day at the job. Hence when she sets her sights on Hamilton, she goes after him full-force. Their attraction is fierce, but he thwarts her advances at every turn. He’s the strong, silent type who operates by a set of rules, but he’ll soon realize she rarely follows rules. Falling for Dakota catches Hamilton off guard. So does the fact that she’s attached to part of his past. A past that indicted him with shame and loss. But when Dakota becomes the target of an unknown enemy, Hamilton stops at nothing to protect her. In turn, vindication is his reward, except it comes with complications. Dakota snagged his attention when she revved the engine of a custom Ducati 1098S and took off down the street before slowing and circling back. She looked like a total badass on the sleek black bike that was accented in chrome with a matching helmet. The black leather jumpsuit she was wearing added to the fierce look. “Your woman has nerves of steel, man. I can’t imagine doing half the stunts she’s performed on this project,” Justin said, admiration ringing in his voice. “How much did she tell you about this stunt?” The question immediately put Hamilton on edge. “Not much. She just said that she’d be riding a motorcycle like one she wanted to purchase one day. I guess she’s been planning to test drive one but hadn’t yet.” “With the way she’s handling that machine, no one would ever know she hadn’t ridden it before.” As the words left Justin’s mouth, Dakota did a wheelie, riding a short distance with the front wheel of the bike off the ground. Considering the act was illegal on city streets, he hoped it wasn’t something she did outside of being on a movie set. Justin chuckled. “Now she’s just showing off, probably for you.” Hamilton’s pulse thumped loudly in his ear and his chest tightened as she popped another wheelie. When the front tire hit the ground, she sped down the street at top speed, then slowed and turned around only to do it again. This woman was going to be the death of him. He didn’t want her showing off. He just wanted her safe. “This will be the last time I come and watch her do a stunt,” he said to Justin. “My heart can’t take this shit.” Justin laughed and pounded him on the back, then gripped his shoulder. “Well, brace yourself, bro. You’re in for a treat.” |
 | Even when he does good, he’s bad… Detective Lazarus Dimas doesn’t play by the rules. On the streets, he’s a force to be reckoned with, a dangerous man with a badge and a gun. But he does have a soft spot — the sexy assistant district attorney Journey Ramsey. There is something about the woman he can’t shake. She’s irresistible and off limits. At least that’s what he keeps telling himself, but one kiss leads to others and well…so much for limits. Journey plays by the rules, normally. But she can’t deny the sexual tension that sparks whenever Laz is near, even when he puts her professional integrity at risk. Laz is complex. The type of man fathers warn their daughters about. Yet, there’s a gentle, vulnerable side to him that he lets no one see except her, and she can’t resist him. Can Laz prove he’s the man for Journey before a reopened case exposes his true colors? Or will the danger they face show that the love they share knows no boundaries? *Indebted is book 2 in the Atlanta's Finest Series, but can be read as a standalone. **Interracial romance (BWWM). Journey moaned as his tongue danced with hers, familiarizing itself with every nook and cranny of her luscious mouth. All the desire he’d had pent up over the years to kiss her came to the forefront as he savored every moment. This connection exceeded his expectations and when her hands slid into his hair, he just about lost it. His body throbbed with need. But just as quick as the kiss started, common sense settled over him like a cold chill. They couldn’t do this. He was no good for her. If she ever got involved with him, his reputation alone would ruin her good name. Laz couldn’t let that happen. Knowing this, he reluctantly broke off the kiss, but was slow to release her. They were like two magnets molded together and it was almost impossible to pull away. He needed to…he should…but he couldn’t, at least not yet. Journey took her time opening her alluring eyes and he easily got lost in the dreaminess of them. This woman had a hold on him that he couldn’t explain. And now that he’d kissed her, he was screwed. If she had any idea how much power she had over him, she could do some serious damage to his heart. Good thing she’d never know. Laz dropped his hands and Journey visibly shivered before clearing her throat. “Um, how about that drink?” She hurried away from him, pouring herself a glass of wine, and taking a huge gulp. Laz released a noisy breath and ran his hands through his hair, glad to know he wasn’t the only one affected by their intense lip-lock. Making himself at home, he reached into the refrigerator, not surprised that there was very little food since she spent most of her days at the office. Yet, she had plenty to drink. He grabbed a bottle of water and moved to the other side of the long counter, where she’d set the burritos he’d brought. He pointed at their food. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.” He waited until she was seated at the breakfast bar before snagging the stool next to her. They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. What he needed to do was find out what she’d been holding back from him earlier, but first he had to get his body under control. Only minutes ago, flames of desire consumed him like the hottest fire, singeing every cell within him. He hadn’t felt this worked up in a while. Sure, he’d been with plenty of women over the years, but not one had him ready to say to hell with everything in order to have her. He hadn’t felt like this since…not since Gwenn. Don’t go there, Dimas. He definitely didn’t need to travel down that mental road. “The flowers were from a client,” Journey said out of nowhere. Laz nodded, not bothering to ask if the client was male or female. It was best he didn’t know. “Are you ready to tell me what you wanted to say earlier?” he finally asked Journey, tossing the wrapper from his burrito into the trash. He poured more wine into her glass before grabbing another bottle of water for himself. “Talk to me. What’s going on?” She wrapped her hands around her wine glass and he could feel the tension bouncing off her. “What’s wrong? Are you in trouble? Is it a case? Because whatever it is, I know it’s bothering you.” He touched her hand and she looked at him. “You can trust me. Tell me what happened.” “Laz, I could lose my job or worse, be disbarred if I say anything right now.” Okay, so this is serious. “Is there something I can do to help?” he asked quietly. If she was in trouble, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do. He couldn’t explain his possessiveness when it came to her. He wasn’t even sure when his feelings for her had grown so strong. “Be careful of the people around you,” she whispered, staring at her wine glass. He stiffened. The words were spoken so quietly, he almost didn’t hear them. “So this is about me?” he asked cautiously. She gave a slight nod of her head before turning her troubled gaze in his direction. His heart squeezed. Not so much for himself, but for the worry he saw in her eyes. “I can’t tell you anything more yet, but for now Laz just…watch your back.” |
 | He wants to forget his past… She’s hiding from hers… Former FBI agent Kenton Bailey traded in his badge when an assignment went horribly wrong. Now he provides personal security to high-end clients. But falling for Egypt Durand, the Queen of Supreme Security, wasn’t part of the plan. She’s smart, classy, and ignites a fire in him that only she can extinguish. Except she retreats from his advances…and she’s shrouded in a veil of secrecy. Egypt has never met a man as sexy as Kenton. Funny and smart, he’s hard to resist. But her past leaves no room for a happily ever after. Still, with him, she dreams of a future. Finally, Egypt’s startling truths are revealed, throwing Kenton off balance and forcing him to confront the past he left behind. And when threats from a dangerous crime family send Egypt bolting, Kenton convinces her to stay. Together they will fight to bring closure to their pasts, but will they live long enough to explore the passion brewing between them? The kiss was everything he knew it would be and more. Egypt’s sensual moans and the way she fisted the front of his dress shirt, served as encouragement. Kenton savored every lap of her tongue and the warmth that encompassed him. He adored this woman. The eagerness in the way she kissed him back let him know that he’d been right. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Even so, his mind screamed—Stop! Let her go before you scare her off. The rest of his body wasn’t in agreement. Seeing her all dolled up for another man did something to him. Even though taking the liberty to kiss her had been risky, Kenton was determined to prove to her that she and he belonged together. His hands traveled down the sides of her body and stopped on her curvy hips. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. His body was on fire. No doubt she felt the effect that she was having on him pressed against her stomach. Damn. She felt good. If he didn’t stop soon, he wouldn’t be able to, and he really didn’t want to. He also didn’t want to totally scare her off. Knowing that, he slowly pulled his mouth from hers and lifted his head. Egypt gasped and stepped back as if just realizing what they’d done. “Wh-Why’d you do that?” she asked quietly, lust brimming in her eyes and her fingers hovered over her lips. “Because I wanted to make sure you’re thinking of me while you’re out with another man.” He brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Stay safe, and have a good evening.” Even though it was hard to leave after what they’d shared, Kenton opened the door and walked out. He left her standing there, knowing that he gave her something to think about. This was all a part of his plan. He was determined to show Egypt why he was the better choice out of any of the jerks she was going out with. He just had to figure out how to get past the walls she had built around herself. One way or another… |
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It’s my favorite genre. I love a little suspense.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI like how you have kept the same cover design concept through the series
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DeleteThank you for hosting my series - Atlanta's Finest!
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