The Australian (#2 Crime Royalty Romance)
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Fall
in love with an unforgettable female heroine!
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Lose
yourself in multiple plot twists!
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Take
a trip down under for only $2.99!
Charlie Sykes takes everything and
everyone at face value, and believes life would be a lot easier if everyone
else did, too. Jace Knight, international Aussie hotelier and purported
playboy, has never met anyone like the absurdly literal and obliviously beautiful
American who applies to his personal assistant position. The trouble is, how do
you seduce a woman whose definition of flirting comes straight out of the
Merriam-Webster Dictionary? That, and he’s not the only one after Charlie.
Seems Mr. Knight may not be a reformed criminal after all. Charlie soon finds
herself caught up in a whirlwind of dangerous international espionage that
takes her from the hip streets of Sydney to the majestic Great Barrier Reef and
the wild, desolate outback. A terrible trap’s being laid, but how will Charlie
protect herself and prevent a devastating betrayal when she can’t even sort out
what her heart’s telling her?
Excerpt — The Australian, by Lesley Young
When I heard men’s voices and
women’s laughter an hour or so later, at 12:30 a.m., I quickly turned off the
light and rolled over, my heart beating so loud I thought it might burst.
The bedroom door opened and closed
quietly.
He was back. I could barely think
straight. What was wrong with me? It was worse than the second grade spring
blossom play when all I was supposed to say was part of a poem, “violets are
blue,” and instead, peed my pants.
The clang of a belt buckle.
Clothes rustling. Static buzz (in my head). When the bed depressed suddenly, I
inhaled loudly.
“You’re awake, Miss Sykes.”
Having blundered my attempt to
pretend to be asleep, I was forced to concede the truth. But first, I needed to
return from panic station.
“Yes,” I uttered, regulating my
breathing and my mind.
He turned on the light on his
side of the bed, and I rolled over. I observed him swing his bare, strong legs
up and under the top sheet, and lean back halfway upright against pillows. He was
wearing underwear, only, and I was horrified to see my employer in such a state
of undress . . . and yet, at the same time, beyond exalted to be
lying beside a man in such intimate repose.
I could not reconcile the two
experiences.
When our eyes met, my heart
hitched up to hummingbird speed.
I could not steady myself.
“Howya holding up?” he asked
quietly, staring down at me.
“Fine.” I chose to lie.
“Why aren’t you asleep then?”
Propping myself up awkwardly on
one elbow, I stared at the black soft hair peeking out of his armpit. I felt
the hair on his leg brush my thigh under the sheet.
Oh yes. Why wasn’t I asleep? What
could I answer? Because my body was in a fever pitch of need. Base, biological
yearning, mysterious, inexplicable attraction.
Moistness. Hunger. Salivation.
I stared up at him, and was
unable to say a word. In that moment, I saw into his eyes and it was clear he
was not intending to take advantage of our unusual situation—he appeared blank.
Indifferent.
Not a word came to mind. I just kept
staring up into those large ebony eyes that were staring back down on me.
“Don’t look at me like that, Miss
Sykes. Not if you know what’s good for ya,” he finally murmured through gritted
teeth.
Lesley
Young Biography
Lesley Young is a
genre-defying author of unforgettable heroines who experience thrilling life-
and love-altering journeys. Her debut novel was Sky's End; her most recent
stand-alone series, Crime Royalty Romance, includes The Frenchman and The
Australian. She loves to hear from readers. Follow her at Facebook.com/LesleyYoungBooks, @LesleyYoungBks and lesleyyoungbooks.com/blog.
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