Distraction:
The great intensity, novelty, or attractiveness of something other than the
object of attention.
Sven is a
man who takes pride in his ability to separate himself from his emotions. He's
a man who knows who he is and where he’s going in life, a man who needs no one,
because needing someone, anyone, is a weakness.
His past
taught him love isn’t enough.
Maggie
wants the happily ever after, but has never picked the right men, or stuck
around long enough, to build a forever. It’s always been easier to get out
early, before emotions make things messy.
When
Maggie wakes up naked in Sven’s bed, with no memory of the night before, these
two must be honest about their feelings and face their fears, so they can build
a future together.
Will love
be enough for them to get their happy ending together, or will a threat from outside strike them down before they ever have a chance?
As soon as I heard about this book I was anxiously waiting to get my hands on it. I love all the books by Aurora Rose Reynolds. The characters, the stories, the dialogue. It's always alpha male perfection. However, I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one. The story was there, but I just didn't feel the usual magic and connection that I usually make.
The story is about Sven and Maggie. They meet when she starts harassing the men at his club. Her sister was drugged and beaten and she wants to find out who did it. He of course throws her out, but she continues to return night after night. He finally has enough and demands that if she is going to be at the club, she is going to quit harassing customers and work as his assistant. Of course, all of this takes place while the two are fighting a very strong attraction to each other.
I loved Maggie. She is witty and so strong willed. She definitely gives Sven a run for his money. He in return is just what she needs: loyal, strong, and protective. I didn't get the usual alpha attitude from Sven as I've become accustomed to with this author. Actually, let me rephrase. Sven's alpha doesn't come out until about halfway through the book, for me anyways. I just wish there was a little more.
The writing didn't seem to flow as smoothly as I've come to expect from the author. At times the story was really choppy. I found myself trying to get acquainted with what was going on and how the story got from point A to point B several times. However, I loved the characters. I loved the basis of the story. I do think it's worth the read if you are a fan of this author. I for one can't wait for more by her.
“Fuck no,” I snap, loosening my tie.
The last assistant I had ended up being a clusterfuck. The woman was pissed
that I wouldn’t fuck her. I finally had to fire her ass when she brought
another woman up to my office and proceeded to try and get me to join them on
my couch when I walked in on them half naked. Work is work. Yes, I might invite
women up to fuck, but never anyone I work with.
“It’s not like she’s your type,” he
says, and I feel my jaw tick. “Besides, if she’s up here with you, she’ll stop
harassing the women down there.” He nods toward where she’s sitting and my eyes
follow the movement, seeing her talking to a girl who looks a little startled
by whatever it is Maggie is telling her.
“It’s not happening. You guys need
to keep her out of the club,” I tell him, turning away from the window.
“Just saying it would be a good way
to keep an eye on her,” he gripes, patting my shoulder before leaving my office
and closing the door behind him.
Letting out a frustrated breath, I
turn away from the window and try to focus on all the shit I need to get done.
“Yeah,” I pick up my desk phone when
it beeps and looking at the clock, seeing that an hour has passed since Teo
left.
“Look out your window,” Zack says,
and I spin my chair around and scan the floor, wondering what he wants me to
see. Then I spot Maggie with a man’s head tucked under her arm as she leads him
toward the front of the club, with Lane and Zack following closely behind them.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“That guy tried to put something in
some chick’s drink, and Maggie saw him and went postal on his ass,” he explains
almost proudly.
“Jesus Christ, what the fuck do I
pay you for?” I gripe.
“I saw the whole thing. I was
getting ready to step in when she stood up on her barstool, jumped on the guy’s
back, and then did some fucking ninja shit, wrapping her arm around the guy’s
head and forcing him to his knees. She won’t let him go. She said she wants to
ask him some questions.”
“I’m on my way down,” I say,
slamming down the phone and jerking open the door to my office, taking the
stairs two at a time. Reaching the front of the club, I see Zack holding the
guy and Lane’s arms wrapped around Maggie’s waist, trying to drag her away.
What the fuck is going on?” I roar, and all eyes come to me except Maggie’s,
who takes the opportunity to grab the man’s ear and twist, making him drop hard
to the ground on his knees.
“You think it’s funny to drug
innocent women, you flaming turd bucket?” she yells, hitting the top of the
guy’s bald head, and Zack chuckles along with Lane, but I don’t see one damn
thing that’s funny about this shit.
“Maggie, let him go and come here,”
I growl, and she raises her eyes to meet mine, looking startled.
“He—”
“I said get your ass over here now!”
I yell, cutting her off and feeling the vein in my neck bulge as I point to the
ground at my feet.
“Fine.” She pouts, letting the guy
go, walking sullenly toward me as Zack pulls the man to his feet, taking him
with him around the corner, with Lane following behind them with his phone to
his ear. I’m sure they are going to have a talk and wait for the cops.
“Let’s go,” I say, wrapping my hand
around the back of her neck, leading her through the club and up the stairs to
my office. Sitting her in the chair in front of my desk, I walk over to the
cabinets where I keep my personal bottle of scotch and pull out the cap. I then
lift the bottle to my lips, taking a swig while trying to calm down.
“Alcohol isn’t good for you,” she
informs me as I take a seat behind my desk.
“Do I look like I give a fuck about
that?” I ask her, taking another swig.
“You might not care about what it
can do to your body right now, but you may want to know that it lowers sperm
count and stamina in the long run.”
“Jesus.” I shake my head and rub my
eyes in aggravation.
“Just saying it’s not good for you,”
she mutters, dropping her eyes to her lap.
“What happened downstairs isn’t
okay, Mags.”
“Maggie,” she corrects, still not
looking at me.
“Whatever,” I drone, taking another
swig. “You could have gotten hurt.”
“I have a black belt—”
“Look at me,” I demand, cutting her
off and slamming the bottle down on the top of the desk, waiting for her eyes
to meet mine. “You could have gotten hurt or worse. Do you understand that? He
could have had a weapon on him.”
“You don’t understand,” she whispers
as tears fill her eyes, but I harden myself against them, needing her to
understand this isn’t a fucking movie. This is real life, and there are bad—really fucking bad—people in this world.
“You’re not allowed on the club
floor anymore,” I state firmly.
“I’m going to find the guys who hurt
my sister,” she states, and I see the determination in her eyes that make me
proud and pissed at the same time.
“If you come, you come to my office,
and if something happens down there”—I point to the club floor over my
shoulder—“you’ll be the first to know.”
“Why would I come to your office? I
need to be at the bar where I can see what’s going on.”
“You just got the job as my new
assistant,” I tell her, watching her frown while wondering what the fuck I’m
doing. This chick is a distraction I do not need right now, or ever for that
matter.
“I already have a job,” she says as
her frown grows deeper.
“Well, quit. You’re here every
night, Mags, and you don’t leave ‘til the club closes at one. I can tell by the
bags under your eyes that you’re exhausted.”
“Why would you want me to work
here?” Now, isn’t that the million dollar question?
“Either take me up on my offer, or
I’m going to have a restraining order placed against you and you won’t be
allowed within a few hundred feet of the club.”
I shrug like it’s all the same to me.
“You know this is malarkey, right?”
she stands and I take her in fully for the first time tonight. Her loose,
sheer, black dress is cinched with a thin belt emphasizing the dip in her waist
between her full hips and breasts. Her hair is down in a mass of messy waves,
and her makeup is subtle but still draws attention to her eyes, which look even
more golden now that she’s standing in front of me looking pissed off.
“I’m not messing around with you
anymore either. You take me up on my deal, or I’ll call the police and have
them escort you off the premises,” I tell her, ignoring the fact I’m getting
hard just looking at her.
“This is total crap,” she mumbles,
looking around before meeting my eyes again.
“Take it or leave it.”
“Jeez, can I have a second to
think?” she cries, and I feel my lips twitch, so I rub my hand down over my
mouth to hide it.
“Ten,” I state, watching her eyes
narrow. “Nine…eight…seven…” I continue counting, watching as she looks at me
like she’s ready to kill me. “Six,” I raise a brow. “Five…”
“Fine!” she yells when I open my
mouth to finish my countdown.
“Thought so,” I say triumphantly.
“You’re such a…you’re such a bigasterd,” she
growls.
“A what?” I ask, and I can’t help
it, I laugh at that one.
“When do I start?” she asks,
ignoring my question while red spreads across her cheeks and down her neck.
“Tomorrow. Be here at five, and I’ll
show you around the club and tell you your responsibilities.”
Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's
husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country
but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married
to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their
women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she
reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She
also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home
with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and
admires it's beauty.
