Showing results by author "J. Kenner" in Anthologies & Short Stories

With his tight muscles and vibrant ink, certified bachelor Reece Walker is the kind of man who’s used to having any woman he craves in his bed - except Jenna Montgomery. She’s been his best friend for years, and that’s a line he just can’t cross. Until a wild, stolen kiss changes everything. Now anything goes, and Reece is determined to use every wicked skill in his sensual repertoire to claim Jenna as his friend, his lover, his everything.

McKay-Taggart operative Riley Blade has no intention of returning to Los Angeles after his brief stint as a consultant on mega-star Lyle Tarpin’s latest action flick. Not even for Natasha Black, Tarpin’s sexy personal assistant who’d gotten under his skin. Why would he, when Tasha made it absolutely clear that - attraction or not - she wasn’t interested in a fling, much less a relationship. But when Riley learns that someone is stalking her, he races to her side.

Entertainment reporter Jamie Archer knew it would be hard when her husband, Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter, was called away for a long-term project in London. The distance is difficult to endure, but Jamie trusts the deep and passionate love that has always burned between them. At least until a mysterious woman from Ryan’s past shows up at his doorstep, her very presence threatening to destroy everything that Jamie holds dear.

I am Damien Stark. From the outside, I have a perfect life. A billionaire with a beautiful family. But if you could see inside my head, you’d know I’m as f--ked up as a person can be. Now more than ever. I’m driven, relentless, and successful, but all of that means nothing without my wife and daughters. They’re my entire world, and I failed them. Now I can barely look at them without drowning in an abyss of self-recrimination. Only one thing keeps me sane - losing myself in my wife’s silken caresses where I can pour all my pain into the one thing I know I can give her.

My life with Damien has never been fuller. Every day is a miracle, and every night I lose myself in the oasis of his arms. But there are new challenges, too. Our families. Our careers. And new responsibilities that test us with unrelenting, unexpected trials. I know we will survive - we have to. Because I cannot live without Damien by my side. But sometimes the darkness seems overwhelming, and I am terrified that the day will come when Damien cannot bring the light. And I will have to find the strength inside myself to find my way back into his arms.

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild-child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter - the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides. Stark International security chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure - he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her.

Despite everything I have suffered, I never truly understood darkness until my family was in danger. Those desperate hours came close to breaking both Damien and me, but together we found the strength to survive and hold our family together. Even so, my wounds are deep, and wispy shadows still linger. But Damien is my rock. My hero against the dark and violence.

Each day with Damien is a miracle, each moment with our children a gift. And yet I cannot escape the growing sense that a storm is gathering, threatening to pull me away, to rip us apart. To drag me down, once again, into a darkness to which I swore never to return. I have to fight it - I know that. And I am waging the battle with of all my heart. But it is Damien who is my strength, and we both know that the only way to push away the darkness is for him to fold me in his arms and claim me completely. And for me to surrender myself, once again, to the fire that burns between us.

When sexy Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter whisks his girlfriend Jamie Archer away for a passionate, romance-filled weekend so he can finally pop the question, he's certain that the answer will be an enthusiastic yes. So when Jamie tries to avoid the conversation, hiding her fears of commitment and change under a blanket of wild sensuality and decadent playtime in bed, Ryan is more determined than ever to convince Jamie that they belong together.

Former vigilante-for-hire Simon Barré has one steadfast rule: stay far away from celebrities. Too bad Simon’s first assignment at Stark Security is to protect A-list actress Francesca Muratti. He can’t even turn down the assignment, as that would be violating his second rule—never fail a woman. Now he finds himself up-close-and-personal with a high-maintenance diva whose flash and sass drives him crazy—but whose touch he undeniably craves.

Elena is too young for me, not to mention she’s my boss’ daughter, and she babysits my kid. That’s beyond complicated. Especially since I’m not in the market for a relationship - but I can’t deny the attraction that sizzles between us. I need to ignore it. Trouble is I want her, too. And when our flirty sparks turn to flames, I give in to temptation. Our secret fling is scorching hot, better than I’d even imagined. But secrets get out, and I could lose my job and my reputation. And I’m starting to realize she’s the one thing I’m not willing to lose.

Megan Clark refused me years ago. No one refuses me. Between my money and my charisma, I’ve gotten used to getting what I want. What’s the point of being a billionaire if you can’t have fun? When Megan comes to me for help, I know exactly what my price will be. One night. No clothes. And more fun than she’s ever had with any other man. Life doesn’t give you many second chances, and I plan to show her everything she’s been missing. But even as our chemistry crackles and sparks, she’s hiding something. A secret. I have one, too: I want the one thing money can’t buy me - her love.

I don’t do relationships. I’ve lived my life hiding my scars, revealing myself only in the scripts I write and the characters I voice. Few people know the real me. I’m too careful. Too afraid of getting burned all over again. Enter Beverly Martin. A movie star. A woman so beautiful and caring she makes my heart ache. She says she wants me, and her touch almost makes me believe a girl like her could love a man like me. But being with her would mean letting the spotlight of fame shine on me, too. I’m not sure I can do that - even if walking away means losing the woman I love.

Hannah Donovan is not my type. Intellectual and career-focused, she’s a lawyer, and an intimidatingly beautiful one, at that. She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. So how can I turn down her plea that I pretend to be her fiancé for one weekend? I never expected our pretend kisses to feel so real.... Our performance convinces everyone, but it was never meant to be more than a fantasy. A short-term gig before reality sets back in. I can’t imagine ever being good enough for her, but I’m hooked. Now I’m determined to do whatever it takes to make this fake engagement real.

Though they see each other only once a month, Amanda’s sweet body and wicked ways have been driving Derek wild for over a year. And now that he’s moving to Austin, Derek is determined to have Amanda in his bed permanently. There’s only one problem: Amanda’s happy with their current arrangement. Can Derek convince her a lifetime of nights together will be so much sweeter?