Mystery
man, recluse, finance guru… Virgin.
I was a shut-in for a reason. With too many secrets, too much to hide, and way too much at stake, I spent years in my mansion in the woods, never trusting a soul.
I was a shut-in for a reason. With too many secrets, too much to hide, and way too much at stake, I spent years in my mansion in the woods, never trusting a soul.
So, when a stranger showed up at my door, with her plans to save the
world, I should have sent her away, like I’d always done.
From the second she arrived, I couldn’t resist Veronica Cruz. She was everything I’d been missing—passionate, generous, and so damned sexy.
From the second she arrived, I couldn’t resist Veronica Cruz. She was everything I’d been missing—passionate, generous, and so damned sexy.
I let her into my life, gave her everything—including my heart.
Now, the one thing she wants is the truth. The question is, will she
still love me when she knows my secret?
Loving the Secret Billionaire is a sexy standalone novella in the Love at Last series, featuring a virgin hero and a slightly older woman.
Originally published in the Rogue Desire anthology, this edition has been expanded with new material.
Loving The Secret
Billionaire was a quick read that I overall liked but wished I had loved. I
have no problems with novellas but I think this one would have worked better
for me had it been a full-length book. I liked the premise of the book; it just
needed something more that just wasn’t there. I liked the idea of Zach and Veronica together, they balanced
themselves out, and gave each other an inner strength but I would have liked
more depth to their relationship than what there was. Overall I enjoyed it, it
was a quick afternoon read.
“Why are
you helping me?”
I shook my
head for a few beats—deny, deny, deny… Which was what I always did. But if I
denied it, then she’d leave. And I wouldn’t get another chance.
Now I had
to put it in a way that wouldn’t piss her off.
“Seemed
unfair.”
“What did?”
“You going it
alone against that family.” I didn’t add that I’d gone over their
financials—hers and theirs—and those three extra zeros in their campaign
coffers seemed like an unfair advantage. I doubted she’d seen my donation yet,
or she’d have said something… Although no way could she follow the paper trail
back to me on that one.
“That’s so pathetic.” I hated the defeat in her
voice.
“What is?”
“You felt
sorry for me, so you—”
“Hell, no.
That’s not what it is.”
“Well then,
what?”
You smell good and your passion gets me hard wasn’t exactly something I could
say, so I went with, “You believe in your mission. That worked for me.”
“It’s still
pitiful.”
“Is it? You
mean the part about being alone or the part where you truly believe in what
you’re doing?”
“I don’t…
I’m not sure.”
“Because,
if you mean being alone.” I waved a hand toward the empty house behind me.
“It’s kind of my thing.”
“I’m sorry,
I didn’t—”
“I know.” I
half laughed. None of this was going how I’d pictured it. Then again, I hadn’t
exactly planned this thing out. I’d just gone against all of my own rules and
helped a stranger. “I’m not great at joking. In person, at least.”
“In
person?”
Crap. Wrong
thing to say.
“I uh…spend
a lot of time online.”
“Oh.
Right.” Her feet shuffled on the porch boards. Was she about to leave?
“Would
you…” I cleared my throat and ignored the voice of reason screaming at me to
shut up. “Would you like a coffee?”
“Oh no, I
couldn’t interrupt your work.” She took a step back.
“You’re
not. I mostly work at night.”
“What is it
you d—” If she didn’t ask, I wouldn’t have to lie, so I stopped her.
“You want
something stronger than coffee? I’ve got beer. Not much else.” I lifted the
bottom hem of my shirt and wiped the sweat from my forehead.
“Oh, no, I
should—” She exhaled with a strange whistling sound. I dropped the shirt and
waited for her to finish. “I’d love to.”
“Come on
in.” I said the words, she slid inside, and now it was too late to kick her
out, even if I wanted to.
Which I
didn’t, though it was clear this was a very bad idea.
Author Bio
Adriana Anders is the award-winning author of the Blank
Canvas series. Under Her Skin, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2017, has been
featured in Bustle, USA Today Happy Ever After, and Book Riot. Today, she
resides with her tall French husband and two small children in the foothills of
the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she writes the gritty, emotional love stories
of her heart.
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