From USA Today Bestselling author J.L. Berg comes a sexy standalone about love, lies and every dirty little thing in between.

It wasn’t just a job.

It was my way back to the top.

After losing my position as a journalist for one of the biggest news publications in the world, I knew I’d do anything to get it back.

Even if it meant breaking a few hearts to get there.

She was the hottest author in the country.

Known only by a pen name, there wasn’t a person alive who wasn’t dying to discover her true identity.

And I’d figured it out.

Her real name was Kate O’Malley and not only did I plan on finding her, but I fully intended on learning every dirty secret she had and exploiting it for my own gain.

But I underestimated my prey.

I didn’t anticipate how her words would intoxicate me, or how the curves of her body would consume me.

I never meant to fall in love.

And now I had a choice to make.

Do I give up everything for the woman I set out to destroy, or walk away, making me the biggest fraud of all?

Excerpt

My foot tapped nervously against the tattered carpet until the elevator dinged, announcing the arrival to the third floor.

“Okay, here goes nothing,” I said to myself, taking the first step.

Forty-seven steps.

As the neurotic part of me walked the familiar path, silently counting down to one, I found myself at his doorstep.

I knocked before I had a chance to run away.

Part of me hoped he wasn’t there. Then, I could go home, rewarding myself with ice cream because I’d at least tried.

But there’d be no ice cream tonight.

The door cracked open. Killian’s face appeared.

Time to be brave.

Shit. Say something.

“Um, hi.” I lamely smiled up at him.

That wicked-hot grin of his fell into place, and I suddenly felt myself turning into mush.

God, I’d dreamed of that grin and practically every other sexy attribute he possessed.

“Hi,” he replied.

“Are you… alone?” I asked hesitantly.

His brows furrowed for a split second, as if he found the question perplexing. “Yes, of course. Why?”

“Just checking. Can I come in?”

He didn’t reply but instead pushed the door wide open with a single thrust.

Thrust.

Hopefully, that wouldn’t be the only use for that word tonight.

It was seriously absurd that I could write a sex scene without breaking a sweat, but the act of walking into a man’s motel room caused me to nearly go insane.

“So, what’s up?” he finally asked as I paced around for a few seconds.

I took a deep breath, deciding on the bed for a logical place to sit. Tucking my dress underneath me, I slowly lowered myself, and he joined me.

“I thought we left things a little awkward the last time we were together. I’m sorry if I sort of sprang that bit of information on you. I know it’s—”

“Shocking?” he said, taking the word right out of my mouth.

I nodded, my gaze falling to the floor. “I know; it’s weird.”

“The only reason I find it shocking, Kate, is because I truly can’t fathom why. Did someone hurt you? Are you holding out for marriage? Because, believe me, it’s not for a lack of trying. I’m sure men have been lined up for years.”

I smiled, loving his kind words.

“I didn’t really come here to talk, Killian,” I said, lifting my eyes to his.

Understanding blossomed in his gaze. “You said you wanted to take it slow.”

“I’ve been taking it slow my entire life,” I replied. “I’m ready to see what not taking it slow feels like.”

I could see the indecision written all over him— from the way he looked at me with those dark blue irises almost leaping into my soul and all the way down to his posture, as if he were holding himself back.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ve never been—”

His mouth was on mine before I got a chance to finish. Red-hot and full of uncontrolled passion.

This was living.

Finally.

Buy on Amazon

About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

Connect with J.L. Berg: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway