X-Treme Love Series, Book 2
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In love and life, there is no such thing as a safe secret.
For the first time in her life, Hindley Hagen has found unconditional love. As attorney and sports agent for pro athlete, Rory Gregor, she’s worked hard to help rebuild his reputation. This time, he’s won more than just a gold medal, he’s captured her heart.
Now she’s trapped, caught in the snare of a man playing a deadly game. She must choose – protect the one man who’s made her come alive or risk losing everything she’s worked hard for, including him. Hindley must learn, in love and life, there is no such thing as a safe secret.
Trust isn’t something that comes naturally to Rory Gregor. Even his achievements as a multi-gold medalist in extreme sports can’t wash away the insecurities from a childhood filled with abuse. But Hindley’s devotion to him personally and professionally has given him hope. Will his self-doubt drive her away?
As their need to protect one another grows to escalating heights with deadly consequences, will Hindley and Rory finally find the future together they deserve? Or will they discover the one thing that could destroy them both is each other?
Extreme Devotion is not a stand-alone book. It is the exciting conclusion to Extreme Risk, X-Treme Love Series, Book 1.
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Read an Excerpt
-HINDLEY-
I stood at the sink, my knuckles white as I gripped the counter and stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying hard to keep my tears at bay. What the hell had Rory done? First, he had nearly locked lips with some skank right in the middle of the lobby. Then, he gets into a pissing match with a potential endorser. It wasn’t like Matt Davis from Sonora Water was putting the moves on me. Or was he? He was awfully touchy for a business associate. That’s ridiculous. Even if it were true, Rory still had no right to act like a jackass.
Then, there was the issue with Axel Pretorius, a fellow skater, someone I would see constantly if I toured with Rory as Mr. Stedwick, the senior partner of my law firm, had asked me to. Why didn’t Rory understand I needed new clients if I was going to be successful in this new career and keep my firm happy? Don’t you mean keep Mr. Stedwick happy so he doesn’t ditch your stepfather’s investment midway through the deal? I had to admit, Paul’s business did weigh heavily on my mind.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes as Rory’s dumbass words rang through my head. ‘She’ll be pretty tied up for a while.’ If Axel had half a brain, he’d assume there was more going on between Rory and me than a professional relationship. How dare Rory? How dare he jeopardize not only my professional, but also my personal reputation? And for what? For some male testosterone showdown? Fuck that.
I pulled off my mini skirt and ripped off my halter top then reached for my toothbrush and paste. Maybe I could scrub this disgusting taste out of my mouth. Doubtful. I rubbed my gums raw with my toothbrush, laughing silently as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing the Hello Kitty panties Rory had sent me at the office. I thought I’d surprise Rory tonight and have them on when he undressed me. Looks like the joke was on you, sweetheart. Well, I’m definitely not going to sleep in them, that’s for damn sure.
I stormed out of the bathroom with foaming toothpaste still filling my mouth as I stalked toward the closet to dig out new underwear from my suitcase. I was fuming mad as I tugged out a pair of regular old Granny panties from my bag. I spun to return to the bathroom and rinse the mounting suds, and the sour taste of Rory Gregor from my mouth when suddenly, something moved on the bed. I tried to scream, but it came out as gargled moans. I dropped my toothbrush and instinctively clutched my chest as I realized I was only wearing panties.
My eyes flew open in shock as I saw Rory Gregor laying across my bed in nothing but his boxer briefs, his gaze fixed on mine and showing no remorse. When my screams of terror finally reached my vocal cords, and filled my room, he sailed off the bed, trying to quiet me.
I backed away, narrowly escaping his grasp. “What the fuck are you doing in my room, Rory?” I nearly choked on all the foam still in my mouth.
“What did you say?” He tried to stifle a grin.
I was in no mood for his bullshit, not tonight. I gave him my gravest of expressions then sighed in relief at his retreat. I turned on my heel to spit my toothpaste into the sink. After rinsing out my mouth for what seemed like hours, trying to regain my resolve, I wiped my mouth with the hand towel and stared at myself passively in the mirror. Keep strong, girl. You can do this. Feeling braver and more in control, I chucked the towel in the sink, vowing to give him a no-holds-barred piece of my mind.
I turned off the light and rounded the corner, quickly snatching up a T-shirt from my suitcase and dragging it over my half naked body. Feeling brave and strong and fully armored with my breasts covered, I whipped around to confront him. Disappointment filled me as my stomach dropped at the sight of him.
He leaned against the headboard, hands behind his head, flexing his muscular arms, his chest spread wide, showcasing every muscle in his torso.
My mouth went dry. Why did he affect me so much? God, you’re pathetic. My mind, once filled with all types of words and accusations to fire at him, was rendered useless. Well shit, what are you gonna do now, princess?
“Sorry I scared you,” he spoke softly.
His face looked anything but repentant. In fact, I was pretty sure I saw a glimmer of amusement, and what? Hope? Yeah right. Get real, jackass, this will never happen.
I crossed my arms over my chest in defiance. “You need to leave, Rory. I can’t have people seeing you come out of my hotel room late at night,” I huffed. “How the hell did you get in here anyway?”
“Magic door,” he responded with a conspiratory wink.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re up to, but you need to get out of here.”
He remained motionless.
“Now, Rory!”
He pushed off the bed without a care in the world, a predatory gleam in his eye. His muscles moved with grace as he stalked toward me.
Desire pooled in my belly.
Shit, shit, shit. Stay strong, girl. I was overcome with his scent and proximity.
His shoulder brushed mine as he made his way toward a door in the wall next to my TV stand. “We have adjoining rooms.” His words were low and seductive and everything south of my navel trembled with desire.
Come on, Hindley, get it together. This guy humiliated you and jeopardized your professional reputation, more than once.
“Did you know that, Hindley?”
He seemed oblivious to the ethical struggles going on in my mind.
“I requested it, specifically so I could come, and go, as I pleased.” He took a step toward me. “With you.”
His sexy saunter was overwhelming as he made his way back. I held my breath, hoping maybe if I didn’t inhale, he wouldn’t affect me. I screwed my eyes shut tight, realizing my own visions of him were making it nearly impossible to stay mad at him.
“I really am sorry, Hindley,” he whispered, his breath caressing my face.
I opened my eyes and found him standing within inches of me, his hand hovering at my neck. When the pad of his thumb brushed my cheek, I expelled the breath I’d been holding for what felt like an eternity. Well, shit. It had been pointless. There was nowhere I could run, no place safe to hide from the pull Rory Gregor had on me.
“What are you sorry for?” I whispered so quietly I could barely hear myself.
“For embarrassing you.” His lips grazed my jaw.
Fuck.
“For being jealous.” His mouth clamped down on my ear lobe.
I fought my body’s natural urge to moan, and cursed silently as I felt my resolve slipping away.
His lips moved along my ear as he spoke. “For coming into your room unannounced.”
His breath cascaded down my neck and I shuddered with desire.
“For being a total jackass.” He trailed kisses down my neck as his body pressed against mine, moving me toward the bed.
Wait, wait, wait. “Stop!” I pushed him away.
His hands dropped to my wrists, his eyes guarded, but barely fazed by my command. He was searching mine, beseeching me to accept his request for forgiveness.
Don’t give it to him, girl. You’ll be flat on your back, doing the horizontal monkey dance in two seconds, tops.
His hands slid up my arms and skimmed over my shoulders causing goose bumps to erupt across my skin. He wrapped his fingers around my neck, his thumbs caressing my jaw.
His eyes were darker tonight, less blue, with flakes of deep brown near the center. They were so mesmerizing, I couldn’t break their hypnotic spell.
“I really am sorry, Hindley. I don’t know what happened tonight.”
His words were quiet and sincere, void of sexual innuendos or intimidation.
He dropped his fingers from my face and let them feather down my arms. Taking my hands in his, he slowly and methodically rubbed my palms with his thumbs.
He looked like he was in a trance.
“You could have jeopardized everything, Rory, everything I’ve been working for. For you.”
He dropped my hands.
I watched in pain as he slowly sank down on the bed. He looked hopeless, helpless, lost.
“I knew this would happen,” he sighed.
“What?”
He looked up at me. “I knew I’d fuck this up. I don’t deserve you, Hindley.”
My remorse quickly faded to annoyance at his continued insistence that I was better than him. Tell him. No.
I pushed my own thoughts to the back of my consciousness. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
I sat down beside him on the bed, tucking my hands under my thighs. “Put yourself down. Or rather, hold me up higher than yourself, as if I’m better than you.”
“I think you deserve someone who can give you everything. Someone like Dipshit.”
“You mean Matt?” I hid my smirk. He was jealous, and the insecure girl inside me was…happy.
“Whatever,” he scoffed.
“Look, Rory, you and I are just…” What were we doing here? Rory and I weren’t dating. We weren’t even seeing each other, outside of the bedroom and boardroom. You’re fucking, that’s what it’s called. Plain and simple. The realization floored me and I jumped off the bed as if it were on fire. “Hey, if you don’t want to do this,” I motioned a finger between us, “that’s fine. But don’t sit there and act like—”
He was up and had me captured in his arms. His hand tugged my hair to tilt my face up as his lips crushed mine.
It was a mistake to continue my involvement with him, but I’d never felt more alive with anyone than I did with Rory Gregor. Without thinking, I opened my mouth to allow him access. He became greedy, needy, and I felt so hot and desired that I kissed him back with a frenzy I’d never experienced. Before I could process it all, he whipped me around and threw me onto the bed.
“Well, well, well…”
His sexy, smoldering voice made my thighs throb with need.
“Who do we have here?” He smiled.
I followed his gaze and realized he was looking right at my crotch. Hello Kitty panties. Oh, shit. I scrambled back toward the headboard, trying to cover myself with my T-shirt and avoid his reach.
He grabbed both of my ankles and yanked me back down the bed. His eyes were aglow with mischief and desire.
I’d never felt so wanton in my life.
I felt a chill around my chest and looked down, horrified to find my shirt had ridden up over my breasts. I was fully exposed to his predatory stare. I grabbed for my shirt to cover myself.
Before I could move, Rory was on me, pinning my wrists next to my head. “Oh, no you don’t, Miss Hagen. I want to look at these all night.”
Part of me wanted to fight. I shouldn’t like this aggressive behavior from a man. But the majority of me loved his sexual prowess and I couldn’t hide my expectant smile.
His bare chest rubbed against my breasts as he licked and sucked my ear, moving down to my neck and over my throat. Then…lower.
I squirmed and bucked, mostly because his tongue working over my breasts was so damn intoxicating and arousing that my body was on fire.
“Stay still,” he growled against my skin.
I moaned deep in my throat.
He raised his head, his eyes piercing mine, his mouth sporting a victorious smile. “Does Hindley like?”
I tilted my head to the side, donning the most innocent face I could muster, but my body betrayed me. The glimmer in his eye said it all. He could feel how much I wanted him.
His mouth returned to its savage assault down south, yet he was still able to keep my hands restrained even as he moved further, down there.
“Well. Hello. Kitty.”
He laughed, his words vibrating against my sensitive skin as he kissed every inch of my underwear—the underwear he’d bought me.
You wore them, dumbass. He told you he liked your hello kitty, so don’t be all shocked and virginal now that he’s reintroducing himself to her.
“Oh, shit,” I moaned, my head falling back against the mattress as I closed my eyes and tried to absorb all the sensations this man was giving me. Wait. aren’t you supposed to be mad at him. “Rory, you can’t do this,” I panted.
He raised his head out of my crotch and stared at me with such boyish curiosity, his brow furrowed as he studied me.
“I mean, I’m upset. We need to talk about what happened.”
“We’ll talk later.” He smirked and his head lowered back to my panties.
And I knew our conversation was over. For now. Read more…
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