Series: Royally Engaged #2
Publication date: May 17th, 2021
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Synopsis:
It's time for everyone's favorite bad boy, Prince Alexander Stanley, to clean up his act. Given the rare opportunity to lead a new royal program that aids veterans and their families, Xander can't afford to be making scandalous headlines anymore. He has only two months until the program launches. No more overindulging. And definitely no more women.
Then halfway into it, his good behavior streak is threatened by a devil in a fuchsia dress.
Everly Wilson has kept a secret for years. She was the mastermind behind the celebrity dirt website Royals Gone Wild, which exposed some of her home country to Valeria's juiciest secrets. But once she was out of school, she left the website and her past behind, moved to New York, and became a serious writer.
A seriously broke writer. If she doesn't find a fresh story to earn her top dollar, she'll be out on the street, with nothing but her laptop and a stack of unpaid medical bills to keep her warm at night.
But when a friend's wedding brings her back home, it seems like the fates have aligned to deliver her the scoop of the year. Prince Alexander is suddenly on a mission to clean up his act, avoiding the escapades he once embraced--and she's determined to be the one to catch his inevitable screwup. So when things between them start to heat up, and Xander's walls start coming down, Everly might be the one royally in trouble this time...
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Excerpt
He flashed a grin. "Turns out I'm a fine athletic specimen, and believe it or not, some people actually find me charming."
"Because charm is so high on the list of requirements for serving in the military." She rolled her eyes. This fucking guy. "Honestly, it's like you can't go five minutes without complimenting yourself."
And still, he was melting her defenses with self-deprecating humor and naked vulnerability.
Xander winked as the barkeep delivered fresh pints and scooped up their empty glasses. "Just trying to point out some of my finer qualities, since you seem impervious to said charm."
Everly laughed in spire of herself. "Alright, hot shot. You want to show off your athletic prowess? We'll make a game of it."
"What do you have in mind?" he asked, his voice taking on a seductive edge that had her considering other games they might play.
Down girl.
"Grab a bottle of vodka from the bar and meet me at the dartboard."
She hopped to her feet and swaggered toward the back of the bar, swaying her hips more than was strictly necessary. She considered herself a feminist, but with the stakes this high, she wasn't above deploying every weapon in her arsenal. She hadn't thrown a dart since her college days, so this was pretty much going to be the best idea ever or a colossal disaster.
Focus on the goal.
Right. Get Xander drunk. Get the story. Get the hell out of town.
Easy peasy.
She was so busy formulating a game plan and gathering darts that she didn't notice Xander's return until he spoke.
"What are we playing?" he asked, slipping behind her to place the bottle and glasses on the table. His breath was a warm caress against her cheek, and he was so close she could smell his crisp outdoorsy scent mixed with a hint of sweat from the polo match. The muscles of his back rippled under the thin white polo shirt as he opened the bottle and poured two shots.
He was fully clothed, but damn if it didn't feel like a thirst trap.
Everly cleared her throat. Lord, she needed a drink. "Cricket. We'll throw to see who goes first. Loser takes a shot. Anytime a number is closed out, loser takes two shots."
Xander looked her over from head to toe and lifted a brow. "You sure you can handle this?"
"Can you?" she fired back, planting a hand on her hip.
"There's nothing I can't handle, love."
She didn't doubt it. Despite all the shit Xander had weathered in the media, he somehow managed to roll with it, remaining light and jovial. She could probably stand to take a page from his book.
He gestured to the board. "Ladies first."
Everly moved to the throwing line and relaxed her breathing.
It's all in the wrist.
She gripped the dart firmly but gently between three fingers as she drew her arm up to aim, putting most of her weight on her right foot. She needed the advantage of going first, but she wasn't quite ready to tip her hand yet. Not a bullseye, then. She'd aim for the outer bull and hope Xander went for the bullseye and missed. Given his enormous ego, it was likely, but if he went for a double or triple ring, she'd be screwed.
And not in the fun way.
Everly released her breath and let the dart fly.
Jennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy alphas, and a whole lot of mischief. She's a sucker for enemies-to-lovers stories, laugh-out-loud banter, and over-the-top grand gestures. Jennifer lives in Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She's lucky enough to live with her own real-life hero, two adorable (and sometimes crazy) children, and one rambunctious K9. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, a solid Netflix binge, the Winchester brothers, cupcakes, and all things zombies. Sings off-key.
To connect with Jen online, visit her website or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
