What
started as an assignment became more than Lily could have ever hoped for...
Lily
Salomé has encountered more challenges than the average twenty-four year old.
After a horrendous crash killed her parents, an abusive relationship was all
she needed to calcify her broken heart to stone. So when Lily’s boss comes to
her with a challenge most girls would balk at, she knows there isn’t much left
in this world to be afraid of.
The
target: Jonas Crane, a brooding business mogul who hasn't smiled once since his
divorce. Dark, dangerous and mouthwatering, Crane has written a book about life
in the fast lane and with the recent publicity, Lily's boss wants the rights.
Problem is, Crane won't return a phone call, let alone agree to a meeting. But
if a pretty publishing assistant happens to run into him at the Waldorf, with a
business card and a smile...what could go wrong?
A
lot, it seems. Lily thinks she's going to the Waldorf to meet a rich jerk, or
worse, a playboy, but the truth is way more challenging. Jonas Crane is smart,
engaging...and devastatingly out of her league.
Tiger Lily
Tiger Lily # 1
Amélie S. Duncan
Released February 10th, 2015
Self-Published
I managed to not stare in awe
at the murals, and walk confidently inside the softly lit lounge of Sir
Harry’s.
The sleek mahogany bar with
porcelain snack bowls dotted along the top took up a prominent portion of the
room, and thereby was the first thing I noticed upon entry. Searching for a
place to stand or sit, I zeroed in on one of the empty Japanned leather bar
stools, and briskly made my way to secure the seat before someone else. With
luck, I captured the vacant seat and swiveled around. Eyeing the eclectic mix
of patrons, I stared over the high-fashioned starlets, middle-aged tailored
gentlemen, and nouveau-riche designer clad tourists and wondered where I fit
in.
Not sure, but I patted my
back on arriving with ten minutes to spare before Jonas Crane was due to
arrive. Jonas! It finally dawned on
me I didn’t have a plan for approaching him. Knitting my brows, I tilted my
head down and tried to focus on making an impromptu plan. What would be a good
opener? Hello, yes. Jonas? Can I call you
Jonas? I’m Lily Salomé from Arch Limited, and I’m your publishing house
stalker, nice to meet you.
Fidgeting and inward gazing
didn’t mix. At least not when holding my satin handbag with sweaty palms.
Unfortunately, this realization came too late and my bag took flight, sliding
across the floor.
Shit. I had
barely made it inside the bar and hadn’t even ordered my first drink or eaten a
pistachio nut without embarrassing myself. Straightening my shoulders and
ignoring the burning of my cheeks, I lifted my chin and eased over in the
direction of my bag, doing my best to pretend I was bored and didn’t care, or
that I had maybe even purposely tossed it around. Spotting the bag, my insides
winced at the polished leather shoes it had bounced against. I hastened my
steps, but paused as a pair of large tanned hands with a golden ring on the
left ring finger picked it up.
Gazing up further, I met the
most luminous eyes I had ever seen. They were a rare combination of blue and
turquoise like a tropical sea. He had black wavy hair that hung a little longer
on the top and sides. Some lines around his eyes, but boasted of an otherwise
flawless face. With a smooth angular jawline, straight nose, and well-defined
cheekbones most women would die for, he was divine. Not to mention, full
sensual lips were flashing a perfect set of teeth.
My hand trembled a little as
I took my handbag from him, and recognition finally set in. He was not only
gorgeous, but he was the man I had come here for, Jonas Crane. Serendipitous or
cliché, it didn’t matter. My “accidental on purpose” encounter with him had
taken place.
Amélie S. Duncan writes contemporary, erotic romances with a
dark edge. Her inspiration comes from many sources including her life
experiences and travels. She lives on the West Coast of the United States with
her husband.
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Thank you for hosting today! Gaele (for Lisa)
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