New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy mixes business with pleasure in the second book of her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series …
Marina Knight came to this party for one thing only: to slap Gage Emerson in the face. Poised to snatch up her family's real estate empire, the sexy tycoon is on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …
When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn't seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.
Gage's persistence and intense passion war with Marina's determination to protect her family. As they delve deeper into an affair they didn't see coming, Marina's torn: Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?
“Tell me your name.”
A shiver runs down my spine at the commanding, deep voice that sounds in my ear. I keep myself still, trying my best not to react considering we’re surrounded by at least a hundred people, but oh, how I want to.
If I could, I’d throw myself into the arms of the man who’s standing far too close to me. He’s demanding to know my name as if I owe him some sort of favor, which I can’t help but find hot.
Irritating, but hot.
“Tell me yours first,” I murmur in return, turning my head in the opposite direction, so it appears I’m not even talking to him. He stands behind me, tall and broad, imposing in his immaculate black suit and crisp white shirt—the silvery tie he wears perfectly knotted at his throat.
I might not be looking at this very moment, but I’d memorized everything about him the moment I first saw him not an hour ago. He’d drawn plenty of attention without saying a word, striding into the room as if he owned it, casting that calculating gaze upon everyone in attendance. Looking very much like the mighty king observing his lowly subjects—until his eyes lit upon me.
He watched me for long, agonizing minutes. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I felt his hungry eyes rake over my body, and for a terrifying moment I wondered if he could see right through me. I shifted the slightest bit, inwardly cursing myself for coming tonight, but I held firm. I refused to react.
I still refuse to react.
“You don’t know who I am?” He sounds amused at the notion, and I’m tempted to walk away without a word. My earlier nerves evaporate, replaced by a steely spine and an even steelier attitude. He’s so confident, so arrogant, I’m sure he believes he has me.
He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with then, does he?
We’re at a local wine- and brewery-tasting, and I’m here representing the bakery my family owns. The one I was recently allowed to take over and run since I’d graduated college. The business they all believe is going to fail. So why not give it to Marina? She can’t screw it up too badly.
That’s what I overheard my father telling my uncle. The memory of his words still cuts straight to the bone.
Finally I chance a glance at the man behind me, drinking in his thick brown hair tinged with gold, the way it tumbles across his forehead, his twinkling green eyes, the faint smile that curves his full lips. The combination gives him a boyish appearance. It’s a complete illusion because there is nothing boyish about this virile man before me.
“Perhaps you can enlighten me.” I offer a carefree smile and turn to face him, the nerves returning tenfold when he takes a step toward me, invading my personal space. His scent hits me first: clean and subtle, a mixture of soap and just . . . him. No cologne that I can detect.
Rather unusual. Most of the men I know slather themselves in expensive scents all with the purpose of drawing us silly women in. Instead, they end up choking us.
With the exception of this man. I find the uniqueness refreshing.
A slow smile appears, revealing perfectly straight white teeth. “Gage Emerson.” He thrusts his hand toward me. “And you are . . .?”
He’s not very subtle. And he’s exactly who I suspected, not that I had any real doubt. The very man who recently bought up what feels like half of the Napa Valley, all in the hopes of turning it around and selling it to God knows who just to earn a hefty profit.
Not caring in the least that he’s forever changing the landscape of the very place I’ve grown up in. And devastating my family in the process.
“Marina Knight,” I say. God, I sound breathless, and I want to smack myself. I’m not here tonight because of him. I came for other reasons. To promote the family bakery, to mix and mingle with local business owners, many I consider friends. My life in the Napa Valley is all I know.
And this gorgeous man standing in front of me is trying to take what I know away from me for good.
I've come to a conclusion. Ms. Monica Murphy cannot write a bad, or even an okay book. Everything she has written I have loved! And Torn is definitely tied for first, along with One Week Girlfriend right now. Gage? One of my favorite heroes. And Marina? Such a tough on the outside, soft on the inside character. They are two a puzzles pieces that just fit together perfectly. Their relationship was a new experience for me and I loved every minute of it. Gage and Marina set out with opposite goals. He wants to buy the shopping center that her bakery is in, and she wants his connection to Archer Bancroft to help keep said bakery stay afloat. What neither one of them expected was to feel such a strong pull toward the other.
"For once in my life, I want to leave myself vulnerable when it comes to a woman. But only for this woman. She has be so twisted up in knots I don't know if I'll ever be able to unravel them. I don't know if I want to wither."
~Gage
Gage is a self-proclaimed bachelor for life, and is only looking for another temporary bedmate. Marina, can't be bothered with relationships when her business is barely keeping its doors open. But when they meet, all their rationale goes out the window. When they met in the first scene I think I was as captivated by their banter and attraction as they were by each other. But, the beautiful thing about their relationship is that going into it, they both knew the score. She knew he was after the shopping center, and he knew she was fighting to keep it open. It was a very "eyes wide open" scenario. And slowly Gage and Marina were both willing to give up what they wanted in exchange for a thriving relationship. These two have such warring personalities. Only because they're both so headstrong. At first, there was no give on either end. But, the more they got to know one another and fell for each other, the more they began to give instead of demand.
"I wish we could go back to the car, where it's just the two of use. Wrapped up in our own little bubble, touching each other, kissing each other... Getting lost in one another."
~Marina
Gage and Marina both evolved so much throughout the book. It became more about being selfless than selfish... unless they were in the bedroom. Then it was fair game for all. And I tell you, this book is HOT! There's a car scene, a bakery scene.... I mean, if everyone had such explosive chemistry as these two we'd all walk around giddy as hell 24/7. Fear not though, there is substance to this story as well. And it's not just a been there done that story, it is a well crafted, humorous and engaging book. I feel like I say this every time I review one of Ms. Murphy's books but, she has outdone herself once again and I cannot wait for Matt to meet his match in the next book!
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.
