Playing Dumb

Hailey Carter is used to playing dangerous games, but when her latest target is a devastatingly handsome billionaire, Tristan Agress, passion and deception collide. Will she con his heart—or lose her own?

My husband's first love posted a video on her social media. In the video, the two of them were passing a playing card with their lips. When the card fell, their lips met in a kiss. They didn't stop—lost in the moment, they kissed passionately for an entire minute. Her caption read: [Still the same clumsy piggy! PS: Steve's skills are as good as ever!] I quietly liked the post and left a comment: [Congrats.] The next second, my husband called, yelling at me furiously, "No other woman is as dramatic as you! I was just playing a game with Lanie. Why are you acting crazy again?" It was then that I realized seven years of love meant nothing. It was time for me to leave.

MEL – “I won’t be your sex toy”. It was all about the money and revenge. I will stay for the contract, deal with my step brother and disappear forever. So, I can’t possibly be falling in love with him, right? I mean, he is the mafia for goodness’s sake, a sexy one, but still. Then again, I never expected to need his protection from the past I can’t even remember. RIO – I wrap her hands along her lovely neck. “You are mine and don’t you ever forget that.” She was a permanent picture in my head and I craved her badly. So when her dumb brother offers her on a platter to me, I will do anything to make sure she stays and gives herself to me willingly for my pleasure. Now, I think I’m falling for her, which really sucks, as she turns out to be a key to the mystery that haunts me.

A holiday assignment turns into so much more for this grumpy Wyvern. It’s the holiday season, but instead of snowboarding and doing shots of cinnamon vodka off his favorite bartender, Jasper Wessex is given the assignment from hell—literally. Protect a woman on the run from a minor Egyptian Demon--um… who the what now? He wants nothing more than to pass on this nut-ball case till he opens her file. Struck dumb by her picture, his Wyvern scratches against his skin. He can’t resist the owner of those flashing blue eyes. Carolina Moore is in danger. Home from an archeological dig, she’s brought back a seriously unfortunate souvenir--an ancient Egyptian Demon who thinks she is his property! Luckily, she has a friend who has contacts with the mysterious Wyvern Protection Unit. But what can she do when her protector poses more of a threat than the Demon she’s running from?

Katie finds herself about to go to jail for something she didn't do. When gorgeous Samantha saves her and makes her an incredible offer. Katie has no idea of the dangerous game they are playing

Love For The Wicked Book Three. In my eyes, the world is a huge sandbox created for the big boys. Girls, money, business… and I always strive to come out on top until my father gave me an ultimatum. I needed to find a wife, or I’d lose my rights to the family business. I found the perfect woman for the scheme I devised, of course. She was beautiful, feisty, the picture-perfect wife to make my father believe I was done playing games. In return, she needed a favor, the kind that takes nine months to deliver. The rules were laid out meticulously, from the no touching to fake falling in love. After a year, we would part ways amicably with no hassle, no demands, and no regrets; after all, it was all just a game. As my plan took its course, it dawned on me that playing house was a game I never should have played. She started to grow on me, from that sexy little pout to the late nightcap, the endless dirty banter, and even the fights we had. I realize I enjoyed having her around. Trouble is, how will I make her believe I am not playing games anymore? That I don’t want her to be just my contract wife, that I don’t want twelve months with her but more?

On our fifth anniversary, Henry Judd—the guy who once swore he'd propose—rented out an entire mall for Cecilia Cheape's birthday. A diamond the size of a pigeon's egg sparkled on her finger. I'd been dumb enough to think it was meant for me. "Cece, I'm gonna give you a birthday you'll never forget," he announced, loud enough for the whole world to hear. Then he yanked the tab off a soda can and handed it to me. "Lulu, those gaudy things don't suit you. You deserve something unique." He slid the can tab onto my finger—his version of a proposal. Cecilia got the dream birthday. I got a piece of trash and a slap of reality. Later, when he found out I was marrying someone else, he got down on one knee with that same ring and begged me to say yes.

My wife cheated on me—with my cousin. The three of us were headed to sign divorce papers when bam—car crash. Next thing I knew, I was back on the day we got our marriage license. This time, no fights, no drama. We both knew it was over. She ditched me for Jason fast and skipped the country with him. I stayed behind, buried in law books and case files. Five years later, she was famous—thanks to Jason pulling strings. Concerts, cash, fans screaming her name. Me? Still grinding at a law firm, backing folks who needed real legal help. Then came the family reunion. She showed up on Jason's arm, smug and shining, throwing shade like it was sport. But when I mentioned I was settling down with someone else? Her face snapped. "I made one dumb mistake! How DARE you move on?!"

Our third anniversary trip to Hawaii was supposed to be a new beginning—just me, Tom, and our son. But then she showed up. Blair. Our single, sexy neighbor with a killer smile and a suitcase full of charm. I thought she was just tagging along. I was wrong. One night, I overheard her hiss, “Why the hell didn’t you just let her die?” That’s when it hit me—Blair wasn’t just having an affair with my husband. She had planned to let me drown in the tsunami. I survived. But I kept quiet. I decided to play dumb—to smile, to act fragile, to stay close—for my son’s sake. I needed to know what they really wanted… and how far they’d go. Then, on my son Noah’s birthday, he made a wish. “I want Aunty Blair to be my new mommy.” The candles flickered. My heart cracked. Had Blair already replaced me?

Falling in love with the gangster she was supposed to be playing wife for was the last thing Lily Sharpe expected. But when his real wife comes back and portrays her as the bad guy, what will she do to prove to Alfonso Gambino that her love is genuine?