Barbara's Book Blog : Shifted Under Construction

Friday, April 8, 2016

Shifted Under Construction

Title: Shifted Under Construction (Bad Boy Alphas)

Author: C.E. Black

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Secret Quill Press

Bedroom eyes and rock hard abs make for yummy eye candy, but Harper Mattox knows a bad boy when she sees him. She’s been there, done that, and refuses to buy the T-shirt. The scar was enough of a souvenir.

When Harper agrees to be the temporary secretary at H&V Construction as a favor to her best friends’ husband, Adam Hughes, she thought her days would be spent behind the desk, organizing until her heart was content. She had no idea she’d have to put up with the walking sex-on-a-stick Christian Viera. AKA, her other boss. No matter how many times she turned him down, he just oozed more charm in her direction, weakening her knees, as well as her resolve. And it was only her first day!

A threat on Harper’s life has Chris ready and willing to protect her, showing off an animalistic side she never knew existed. She’s known violence in her past and has no room for it in her life now. Is the fiery passion between them enough to stick it out? Can she accept him? Fur, claws, fangs, and all?

Smiling politely, I stood to walk around the desk. “Hi, I’m Harper Mattox,” I said, extending my hand. “You must be Mr. Viera.”

“Ah, yes, I forgot Adam said the new secretary was starting today. Call me, Chris.”

As he placed his large, calloused hand in mine, I held back the pleasant, yet surprising shiver his touch elicited.

“Glad you joined us. Adam was going crazy looking for someone to help out around here.”

“It’s just temporary.”

“Temporary?” He grinned. “I guess a beautiful lady like yourself doesn’t want to work in a place so…” he glanced around the room before locking gazes with mine again. “Dirty.”

“Um…” My cheeks heated momentarily. “Well, actually, I already have a job. I just told Nikki I’d help out Adam for the summer.”

Nikki was Adam’s wife and my best friend. The two of them had been there for me during my time of need. Or, at least they were when I’d finally let them. Stepping into a secretary’s shoes for the summer was the least I could do.

“Really? What do you do?”

“Teach,” I said

The soft tingling on the back of my hand alerted me to the fact that he still held my hand, sending another round of warmth to climb up my neck. My gaze locked with his as his grip held on to my hand even as I let go. My eyes widened a fraction at the way he was blatantly checking me out. Slowly, his gaze ran over me from head to toe, lingering on my lips and throat. And of course, he stared the longest on my abundant cleavage. My top covered me completely, but with these puppies, there was no hiding what was hidden beneath my clothes. I was used to them being ogled. And I hated it. Especially when they realized that with large breasts came large everything else.

Yanking my hand out of his, I held a tight smile in place as I backed up a couple of paces. The man made the empty room feel crowded. No wonder he had women problems. That charming smile of his probably had their panties dropping everywhere he went. I had no doubt he took advantage, leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake.

“Are you looking for Mr. Hughes?” I asked, clearing my throat. “He stepped out, but should be back shortly.”

“Yes, I was looking for Adam, but you were much more pleasant to find.”

He stepped into my personal space, causing me to back up until my butt hit the desk.

“W—what are you doing?”

“Asking you out.” He smiled. “What do you say, Harper? Go out to dinner with me.”

“What? No.” I shook my head. “I don’t even know you.”

When he didn’t reply right away, I glanced up and wished I hadn’t. Bedroom eyes. That’s what he looked at me with. Lowered lids, dark and lustful, they conveyed his thoughts as clearly as if I could read his mind.

“Hmm, do you want to get to know me? Cause I sure as hell want to get to know you.”