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  “You, too.” Linda pointed. “They want to talk to you.”

  Willis pulled me into his lap. “You look so very fuckable in my favorite Transformers t-shirt,” he whispered in my ear.

  A blush crept into my cheeks.

  Linda rolled her eyes. “Enough with that. I need you two to get your heads out of each other’s nether regions and do exactly as I say. Willis, post on the blog that it’s all true. Put one of those selfies on there of the two of you saying that you’re in love. Have been since the moment you met.”

  I gaped at her.

  She waved her hand at me. “What? It’s true. It was written all over your faces that day in my office.”

  “She’s right.” Willis nuzzled against my ear.

  “Scarlet, I’ll need you to book a one-on-one with Jina and spill about the subterfuge, the reasons why, and the romance that sprang from it.” She stared around the room. “Where’s the liquor?”

  “Go back to the book preorders.” Willis held up a hand to catch Linda’s roving gaze. “How many are we talking?”

  “I got a call from the publisher this afternoon. You’re well into New York Times territory.”

  Now it was Willis’s turn to gape. “Are you shitting me?”

  “No, but I may be murdering you if you don’t pour me a goddamn drink.”

  “You. It’s all because of you.” He gave me the look that every woman dreams of.

  I threw my arms around him and squeezed. “Us, because of us.”

  Epilogue

  Daphne

  “She really wore this on a giant movie screen?” I spun around and checked my reflection in Jason’s bathroom mirror. The skeptical expression on my face bled into my tone. “Fangia, a warrior princess wore a bikini-looking armor top, an armored mini-skirt, and thigh-high boots with a five-inch heel? How did she fight?”

  “Very sexily.” Willis strode in behind me dressed in a metal breast-plate, matching helmet, and some sort of black tights with knee pads. A crimson cape draped behind him, and his face was painted a deep shade of blue.

  “The horns are a nice touch.” I giggled.

  “Let me see your fangs.”

  I opened my mouth for him.

  “Christ, you look way better than the Fangia from the movie.” He ran his hands down my bare waist.

  “Don’t mess up the body paint.” I’d been sprayed with a white, iridescent layer.

  “It’s dry.” His eyes roved me in the mirror, then he glanced behind him at Jason, who was sitting in a makeup chair and getting a ridge of bony spines attached to his forehead. “That’ll take a while.” He kicked the door shut behind him.

  “What are you do—”

  “Shh, Fangia. If Commander Reptilian finds out about our secret tryst, he will surely kick me out of the Vocknar Fleet.”

  “You must be joking.”

  “Would I look like this if I was joking?” He pointed to his blue face.

  I snorted.

  “Right, let’s get to it before the vampires attack and try to rescue you.” He ran his hands up my thighs and hooked his fingers in my thong.

  I dropped my voice an octave, trying to sound more like the movie-version Fangia. “But ScaleyThorn, if the Commander finds out—”

  “Let me worry about him. And it’s Lieutenant ScaleyThorn to you.” He slid his fingers along my folds and sank them inside me.

  I bit my lip. “Oh, Lieutenant, the commander never touches me like that.”

  “He doesn’t have the mating ability like I do, Fangia.” He pulled my wetness from me and spread it to my clit.

  I turned around, and he scooted me onto the vanity. Spreading my legs, I grabbed the edges of his cape and pulled him to me. “Show this vampire how aliens deal with their enemies.”

  “Ooooh, fuck, Fangia.” One corner of his mouth turned up into a smirk. “I intend to.”

  I spread wider for him as he freed his cock and fed it into me inch by inch. “That’s perfect, Lieutenant.”

  He pulled back and slid all the way inside, then started a quick rhythm, fucking me fast and dirty with the makeup artist and Jason right outside the door. The taboo thrill of being caught sent me spiraling higher and faster.

  “Show me your tits.”

  I smiled, my fangs teasing my bottom lip and pulled my top down.

  Willis groaned and leaned down to suck one nipple into his mouth.

  I gasped, and his hand squeezed my ass, pulling me past the edge of the vanity as he pistoned into me.

  His teeth grazed my nipple, and everything deep inside me twisted tightly around the sensation I’d been chasing since the moment he first touched me.

  He nibbled at my other nipple, then pulled back and licked his thumb. Pressing it to my clit, he swirled it around and around as he drove deep inside me.

  “Willis—I mean, Lieutenant, I’m there.”

  “So am I.” He thrust deeper as my hips stilled and my orgasm fell over me. Slapping a hand over my mouth, he gritted his teeth as he came.

  I moaned my release into his palm and slowly relaxed. He peeled his hand away and dropped a kiss on my nose. “That was better than any fantasy I’ve ever had.”

  “That’s what you are to me.” I smiled and gave him a fangy kiss.

  He cleaned me up and helped me down. “Hmm, you’ll need a touchup around your lips. Otherwise, you’re none the worse for wear.” He wiped some blue off my chest.

  I wiggled my skirt back down and pulled my panties into place. “You’re still blue.”

  “Not anymore.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  I laughed and opened the door.

  Both Jason and the makeup artist stared at us.

  “What?” I pranced out and sat next to Jason.

  “Oh, nothing.” He swallowed hard. “But is it bad corporate form for me to hear my number one Shitake Shocker saleswoman fucking her boyfriend in my bathroom?”

  “Oh. My. God.” The makeup artist stopped dabbing Jason’s nose. “You sell those? My boyfriend got me one. Changed my life.”

  “Oh, that’s nothing.” I pointed at Willis. “That’s the former Scarlet Rocket. Now known as Willis Halloran.”

  She turned to Willis, her eyes huge. “You are my guru! You’re the reason my boyfriend and I got together in the first place. I fought a bitch at the local bookstore for the last hardback copy of your book!”

  “Well, I’m glad you won.” Willis sat next to me, his hand on my thigh.

  She shook her head and returned to her work. “Best day ever.”

  Once we were all touched up and ready to go, Willis escorted me to the car. Climbing in, I found Hannah and Elias already inside, both of them wearing vampire fangs and bizarre sci-fi clothing.

  “I didn’t know you two were coming.”

  Elias grinned and draped his arm around Hannah’s shoulders. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  The car shifted, and I looked around to find Willis on his knee.

  My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened. So many thoughts rampaged through my mind, but they coalesced into one thought, I love this man.

  His hand shook as he held the ring out to me, but his voice was certain. “I know I’m a nerd and you’re a con, but I think we’re perfect together. Marry me?”

  I stared at the ring in the box, the sun glinting off the facets. All that came out of me was a stuttered squeak.

  Willis stared up at me, the love in his eyes telling me the truth—that he and I were meant for each other. Our true lives had dovetailed into each other while we’d been pretending to be different people. But he knew the true me, and I couldn’t contemplate another moment without the real him.

  There was only one answer I could give.

  “Yes.”

  Acknowledgments

  Mr. Aaron, you are always up first, because you give me that good, good lovin’. Thanks for believing in me.

  Viv, thanks for beta reading for me. I couldn’t tell if I was funny until you said, “hey, you’re
funny.” Then I knew it was legit.

  Thanks to my content editor J. Brooks for telling me he identified with the geeky Willis. And to Stacey at Spellbound for catching all my mistakes.

  Perfect Pear, thanks for always giving me a cover that I can go around and lie to people about, like “Yeah, I made this all by myself!” You’re a pal.

  To Wander (aka DADDY!) for this lovely image of Allen. He’s a hottie, a happy one.

  And to you, dear reader, for following along on my journey through bookworld. I can’t wait to show you what I’m cooking up for 2018. Some of it is downright depraved. (Imagine crab with black sunglasses and cig saying “deal with it”). And some of it is a bit lighter. In any case, it’ll be fun, and we’ll get through it together. Much love to you!

  Thanks for reading.

  xoxo,

  Celia

  Also by Celia Aaron

  Dark Romance

  Acquisition: The Complete Series

  Darkness lurks in the heart of the Louisiana elite, and only one will be able to rule them as Sovereign. Sinclair Vinemont will compete for the title, and has acquired Stella Rousseau for that very purpose. Breaking her is part of the game. Loving her is the most dangerous play of all.

  *includes Sinclair, Counsellor, Magnate, and Sovereign

  Blackwood

  I dig. It’s what I do. I’ll literally use a shovel to answer a question. Some answers, though, have been buried too deep for too long. But I’ll find those, too. And I know where to dig—the Blackwood Estate on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. Garrett Blackwood is the only thing standing between me and the truth. A broken man—one with desires that dance in the darkest part of my soul—he’s either my savior or my enemy. I’ll dig until I find all his secrets. Then I’ll run so he never finds mine. The only problem? He likes it when I run.

  Dark Protector

  From the moment I saw her through the window of her flower shop, something other than darkness took root inside me. Charlie shone like a beacon in a world that had long since lost any light. But she was never meant for me, a man that killed without remorse and collected bounties drenched in blood.

  I thought staying away would keep her safe, would shield her from me. I was wrong. Danger followed in my wake like death at a slaughter house. I protected her from the threats that circled like black buzzards, kept her safe with kill after kill.

  But everything comes with a price, especially second chances for a man like me.

  Killing for her was easy. It was living for her that turned out to be the hard part.

  Nate

  I rescued Sabrina from a mafia bloodbath when she was 13. As the new head of the Philly syndicate, I sent her to the best schools to keep her as far away from the life--and me--as possible. It worked perfectly. Until she turned 18. Until she came home. Until I realized that the timid girl was gone and in her place lived a smart mouth and a body that demanded my attention. I promised myself I'd resist her, for her own good.

  I lied.

  The Bad Guy

  My name is Sebastian Lindstrom, and I’m the villain of this story.

  I’ve decided to lay myself bare. To tell the truth for once in my hollow life, no matter how dark it gets. And I can assure you, it will get so dark that you’ll find yourself feeling around the blackened corners of my mind, seeking a door handle that isn’t there.

  Don’t mistake this for a confession. I neither seek forgiveness nor would I accept it. My sins are my own. They keep me company. Instead, this is the true tale of how I found her, how I stole her, and how I lost her.

  She was a damsel, one who already had her white knight. But every fairy tale has a villain, someone waiting in the wings to rip it all down. A scoundrel who will set the world on fire if that means he gets what he wants. That’s me.

  I’m the bad guy.

  Contemporary Romance

  Kicked

  Trent Carrington.

  Trent Mr. Perfect-Has-Everyone-Fooled Carrington.

  He’s the star quarterback, university scholar, and happens to be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. He shines at any angle, and especially under the Saturday night stadium lights where I watch him from the sidelines. But I know the real him, the one who broke my heart and pretended I didn’t exist for the past two years.

  I’m the third-string kicker, the only woman on the team and nothing better than a mascot. Until I’m not. Until I get my chance to earn a full scholarship and join the team as first-string. The only way I'll make the cut is to accept help from the one man I swore never to trust again. The problem is, with each stolen glance and lingering touch, I begin to realize that trusting Trent isn’t the problem. It’s that I can’t trust myself when I’m around him.

  Tempting Eden

  A modern re-telling of Jane Eyre that will leave you breathless...

  Jack England

  Eden Rochester is a force. A whirlwind of intensity and thinly-veiled passion. Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard to avoid my passions, to lock them up so they can’t harm me—or anyone else—again. But Eden Rochester ignites every emotion I have. Every glance from her sharp eyes and each teasing word from her indulgent lips adds more fuel to the fire. Resisting her? Impossible. From the moment I held her in my arms, I had to have her. But tempting her into opening up could cost me my job and much, much more.

  Eden Rochester

  When Jack England crosses my path and knocks me off my high horse, something begins to shift. Imperceptible at first, the change grows each time he looks into my eyes or brushes against my skin. He’s my assistant, but everything about him calls to me, tempts me. And once I give in, he shows me who he really is—dominant, passionate, and with a dark past. After long days of work and several hot nights, I realize the two of us are bound together. But my secrets won’t stay buried, and they cut like a knife.

  Bad Bitch

  Bad Bitch Series, Book 1

  They call me the Bad Bitch. A lesser woman might get her panties in a twist over it, but me? I'm the one who does the twisting. Whether it's in the courtroom or in the bedroom, I've never let anyone - much less a man - get the upper hand.

  Except for that jerk attorney Lincoln Granade. He's dark, mysterious, smoking hot and sexy as hell. He's nothing but a bad, bad boy playing the part of an up and coming premiere attorney. I'm not worried about losing in a head to head battle with this guy. But he gets me all hot and bothered in a way no man has ever done before. I don't like a person being under my skin this much. It makes me want to let go of all control, makes me want to give in. This dangerous man makes me want to submit to him completely, again, and again, and again...

  Hardass

  Bad Bitch Series, Book 2

  I cave in to no one. My hardass exterior is what makes me one of the hottest defense lawyers around. It's why I'm the perfect guy to defend the notorious Bayou Butcher serial killer - and why I'll come out on top.

  Except this new associate I've hired is unnaturally skilled at putting chinks in my well-constructed armor. Her brazen talk and fiery attitude make me want to take control of her and silence her - in ways that will keep both of us busy till dawn. She drives me absolutely 100% crazy, but I need her for this case. I need her in my bed. I need her to let loose the man within me who fights with rage and loves with scorching desire...

  Total Dick

  Bad Bitch Series, Book 3

  I’m your classic skirt chaser. A womanizer. A total d*ck. My reputation is dirtier than a New Orleans street after a Mardi Gras parade. I take unwinnable cases and win them. Where people see defeat, I see a big fat paycheck. And when most men see rejection, it’s because the sexiest woman at the bar has already promised to go home with me.

  But Scarlett Carmichael is the one person I can’t seem to conquer. This too-cool former debutante has it all—class, attitude, and a body that begs to be worshiped. I’ve never worked with a person like her before—hell, I’ve never played nice with anyone before in my life, and I’m not about to st
art with her. This woman wasn’t meant to be played nicely with. It’s going to be dirty. It’s going to be hot. She’s about to spend a lot of time with the biggest d*ck in town. And she’s going to love every minute of it…

  Fantasy Romance

  Incubus

  An incubus who feeds off the sexual desires of others, Roth de Lis has never been denied the pleasure of a woman's body...until now. Lilah, once a warrior maiden in the service of a goddess, languishes on earth after being cast out from the slopes of Mount Olympus.

  Lilah will do anything to return home, including betraying Roth. As she spins her web of lies, Roth begins a slow, wicked seduction that eventually threatens to consume them both. But when Lilah's deceit comes to light, will their torrid love affair be able to overcome a pact with the darkest of gods?

  The Reaper’s Mate

  This job. Boring is too colorful a word for it. I’ve been escorting humans to the afterlife for millennia. I’m over it. But when you’re the son of the two greatest reapers of all time, reaping is in your blood. My latest appointment is with one Annabelle Lyric, a twenty-eight year old New Orleans party planner. Snoozefest. But there is one bonus to this assignment: it’s Halloween night. In New Orleans. And she’s attending a posh party whilst unaware of her impending demise. I’ve been tasked with taking Annabelle’s soul right after the masked ball. The good news? I’ll fit right in with all the costumed partygoers. The bad news? That hits me when I realize Annabelle is much more than my next victim, she’s my fated mate.

  Short Sexy Reads

  The Hard & Dirty Holidays

  A steamy series of holiday-inspired novellas that are sure to warm your heart and your bed.