A natural beauty, she seemed unaware of her effect on the men around her. Unlike her usual hairstyle, currently her dark hair was pulled up on the sides, the front styled in sweeping waves as long curls cascaded to the middle of her back. The softness of the style showcased her sensual neck and the simple pearl necklace. Under the lights from above, her gaze shone and lower lip disappeared as she nervously scanned the crowd.
The long black dress she wore hugged her breasts perfectly, yet the skirt flared outward, hiding what I knew was a beautifully curved body beneath. I’d done my research, bided my time. No, I hadn’t seen her as up close as I desired; however, I’d observed. Despite the cool spring weather, at least three times a week she’d don skintight athletic apparel and run a local trail.
From my observation, Dr. Laurel Carlson wasn’t a woman who thrived on being the center of attention—not like the room of potential donors, many vying for her attention. Her unease was evident in the lines around her eyes and the straightness of her neck. And yet still she was here, a testament to her dedication to this project.
If only I’d moved faster, done my job, this would have been avoided.
I hadn’t. I’d been too enthralled in a way I found unusual yet fascinating. It was a twisted, gnawing feeling I didn’t recognize.
I wanted to understand it.
In that search for comprehension, I’d taken too long.
Now, the stage was set for this show, and it was too late to lower the curtain.
For that, I was responsible.
Now was the time to move.
I leaned against the far wall, yet my mind stayed on her—my exception, the one who fascinated me in a different way.
Maybe it was more than her outward appearance. It was her intellect along with her doctorate in pharmacology—she also had a doctorate in applied mathematics with a focus on computational neuroscience and pharmacology. The combination intrigued me. Rarely did I encounter a woman like her. Most were different, satisfied to be a physical outlet for me or other men. They concentrated on appearance, keeping their knowledge level hidden. Admittedly, my sample was skewed. I paid those women for their services, thus reducing the variables.
Laurel was different; she was unaware of her beauty and unapologetically confident with her intelligence.
Despite my obvious fascination, she was my assignment.
I’d never failed at a job.
In that regard, Dr. Laurel Carlson wouldn’t be my exception.
It was time to get this done.
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Books by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig
THE SPARROW WEBS:
DANGEROUS WEB:
DUSK
Releasing September 29, 2020
DARK
Releasing November 10, 2020
DAWN
Releasing December 22, 2020
SPARK
Releasing January 14, 2020
FLAME
Releasing February 25, 2020
ASHES
Releasing April 7, 2020
TANGLED WEB:
TWISTED
Released May, 2019
OBSESSED
Released July, 2019
BOUND
Released August, 2019
WEB OF SIN:
SECRETS
Released October, 2018
LIES
Released December, 2018
PROMISES
Released January, 2019
THE INFIDELITY SERIES:
BETRAYAL
Book #1
Released October 2015
CUNNING
Book #2
Released January 2016
DECEPTION
Book #3
Released May 2016
ENTRAPMENT
Book #4
Released September 2016
FIDELITY
Book #5
Released January 2017
THE CONSEQUENCES SERIES:
CONSEQUENCES
(Book #1)
Released August 2011
TRUTH
(Book #2)
Released October 2012
CONVICTED
(Book #3)
Released October 2013
REVEALED
(Book #4)
Previously titled: Behind His Eyes Convicted: The Missing Years
Re-released June 2014
BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES
(Book #5)
Released January 2015
RIPPLES
Released October 2017
CONSEQUENCES COMPANION READS:
BEHIND HIS EYES-CONSEQUENCES
* * *
Released January 2014
BEHIND HIS EYES-TRUTH
Released March 2014
STAND ALONE MAFIA THRILLER:
PRICE OF HONOR
Available Now
THE LIGHT DUET:
Published through Thomas and Mercer Amazon exclusive
INTO THE LIGHT
Released June, 2016
AWAY FROM THE DARK
Released October, 2016
INSIDIOUS
(All books in this series are stand-alone erotic thrillers)
Released October 2014
ALEATHA’S LIGHTER ONES:
PLUS ONE
Stand-alone fun, sexy romance
Released May 2017
ANOTHER ONE
Stand-alone fun, sexy romance
Releasing May 2018
ONE NIGHT
Stand-alone, sexy contemporary romance
September 2017
INDULGENCE SERIES:
UNEXPECTED
Released August, 2018
UNCONVENTIONAL
Released January, 2018
UNFORGETTABLE
Released October, 2019
UNDENIABLE
Coming late summer 2020
About the Author
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
* * *
Aleatha impresses with her versatility in writing. She released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES, a dark romance, became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Her first stand-alone smart, sexy thriller INSIDIOUS was next. Then Aleatha released the five-novel INFIDELITY series, a romantic suspense saga, that took the reading world by storm, the final book landing on three of the top bestseller lists. She ventured into traditional publishing with Thomas and Mercer. He
r books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016. In the spring of 2017, Aleatha again ventured into a different genre with her first fun and sexy stand-alone romantic comedy with the USA Today bestseller PLUS ONE.
She continued with ONE NIGHT and ANOTHER ONE. If you like fun, sexy, novellas that make your heart pound, try her UNCONVENTIONAL and UNEXPECTED. In 2018 Aleatha returned to her dark romance roots with WEB OF SIN, TANGLED WEB, and DANGEROUS WEB.
* * *
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America, NINC, and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.