Kieran grinned at her retreating form. Was Hazel wiggling her hips a little more than necessary?
Zoey basked in all the happiness. For a long time, it had only been her, Elise, and Hazel. Now their days included these men, and she couldn’t wait to see what would happen for them next. Things really did have a funny way of working themselves out. She slid her arms around Rhys’ middle and said quietly to him, “Archer and Elise are ready to kill each other. Kieran’s making Hazel blush. And Hunt’s about to eat that entire pizza to himself. I guess this is our life now, huh?”
Rhys chuckled, wrapped his arm around Zoey, bringing her close, and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Yeah, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”
She glanced out at Hazel, who was still blushing, and Elise ignoring Archer like he wasn’t burning a hole in the back of her head, and she smiled. “Yeah, me neither.”
Don’t miss the next book in Stacey Kennedy’s Phoenix series:
From USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy comes an intoxicating romance set in the elite world of the Phoenix club, where one night of pleasure is never enough…
For private investigator Elise Fanning, hacking into the ultra-exclusive sex club, Phoenix, is a piece of cake. A couple of clicks, and now her best friend can go behind its very locked, very private doors. But she quickly realizes she wasn’t as stealthy as she thought when she comes face to face with the club’s head of security, retired Navy SEALs Archer Westbrook. He’s pure sex in worn jeans and a leather jacket, and talking her way out of this—heck, talking at all—will be no easy task.
Archer Westbrook loves a smart, sexy woman. So when Elise hacks into a system he thought unhackable, he’s impressed—and intrigued. As their stubborn standoff leads to steamy banter, Archer knows he’s met his match. Each intoxicating look, each sizzling touch only makes him want her more, but Elise is guarded. He’ll have to show her that this raw desire between them is worth the risk.
When Archer offers Elise one night to indulge in her wildest fantasy at Phoenix, she knows she should walk away. She’s already in too deep. But ignoring the delicious pleasure Archer makes her feel is impossible. She’ll agree to one night then she’ll leave Archer’s seductive world…for good.
Click here to learn more.
About the Author
Stacey Kennedy is a USA Today bestselling author who writes contemporary romances full of heat, heart, and happily ever afters. With over 50 titles published, her books have hit Amazon, B&N, and Apple Books bestseller lists.
Stacey lives with her husband and two children in southwestern Ontario—in a city that’s just as charming as any of the small towns she creates. Most days, you’ll find her enjoying the outdoors with her family or venturing into the forest with her horse, Priya. Stacey’s just as happy curled up indoors, where she writes surrounded by her lazy dogs. She believes that sexy books about hot cowboys or alpha heroes can fix any bad day. But wine and chocolate help too.
Acknowledgments
To my husband, my children, family, friends, and bestie, it’s easy to write about love when there is so much love around me. Big thanks to my readers for your friendship and your support; my editor, Lexi, for making my stories shine; my agent, Jessica, for always having my back; my cover artist, Regina, who never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful work; my PR company, Social Butterfly, I’d be lost without you; the kick-ass authors in my sprint group for their endless advice and support; and to Christa, who helped me brainstorm the idea for this series. Thank you.
Want more sexy reads? Check out the first book in Stacey Kennedy’s Dirty Hacker duet:
Chapter 1
On the crisp autumn night in the heart of Manhattan, Rowan had a new assignment: secure his target—former lover, Alex McCoy—to help catch New York City’s latest serial killer, recently coined by the media the Casanova Sadist. Of all the assignments he’d taken since the last time he saw her, this one filled him with the most dread.
When he arrived at the Cool Cat’s Piano Bar in New York City’s Theater District a little after nine o’clock at night, he noted how the jet-black walls, the cushy booths, and crystal chandeliers set the mood to older, classier times. Alex sat at the bar, drinking a martini. Her long dark hair flowed down her back over her black leather jacket, and her tight ass in her blue jeans drew his attention. He remembered that body, every spectacular inch of her.
He’d never expected to see her again. Let alone work with her again.
Five years had gone by since they had spent that week together in Paris. Five years since he’d smelled the captivating spring-like scent that belonged only to her. An aroma that had a slight similarity to when the sun came out after it rained. Five years since she’d set those gorgeous, intelligent amber eyes of hers on him. Five years since the unexplainable passion burning between them made him hard in a single breath. And five years since he’d told himself not to go to San Francisco to apologize for running out on her when he very well knew she’d begun to care for him. Alex had been his biggest regret. The only woman he thought about after he’d left her. Maybe because she had a hold on him too.
He moved closer, the chatter from the busy bar brushing over him. While Alex still worked for Blackwood Security in San Francisco, she’d come to New York City for a vacation, which put her on his radar. He’d learned through the CIA’s undercover New York location where he was earlier today that she’d landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Alex was one of the best hackers out there. When she moved, the CIA kept a close eye on her, and her arrival in New York City set off alarms throughout the agency. But the second he heard she was in town, he knew she could help him crack this case.
Only problem?
He’d run out on her without a word.
The man at the piano on stage played a soft, sensual song, setting the right mood for exactly what Rowan needed to do. He could manipulate easily. That was his job, and he needed to get her back on his side before asking for her help. Alex was smart. He knew he needed to tread lightly when he slid on the stool next to her. “Whiskey on the rocks,” he said to the bartender.
He noted the hitch of Alex’s breath before he caught the surprise in her wide eyes, which she controlled in an instant. Her gaze lingered on his mouth long enough to let him know she hadn’t forgotten him—or the sensual pull they shared—either. A bonus for him, making this seduction easier.
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“You know I don’t believe in coincidences,” she finally said.
Rowan didn’t either. He also didn’t believe in lasting love. He trusted no one, and most times, people around him got killed, which didn’t lend itself well to long-term relationships. But lust was real, and that red-hot sexual energy still pulsed between him and Alex, almost so tangible he could taste it in the air. “Yes, I do know that about you.”
She didn’t even miss a beat, glancing down at the drink in her hands. “How did you know I was here?”