Tall, Dark and Charming, an all-new sexy standalone from Erika Wilde, is now LIVE!
Aiden Stone loves life as a bachelor and has no intentions of settling down anytime soon. He has a great job and a career he enjoys, and women adore him . . . except for Daisy Parker, who doesn't seem fazed by his flirtatious attempts or the sexy smile that normally has panties dropping to the floor. She's a tougher nut to crack, but the fact that she seems immune to his charm only fascinates him more . . . until one hot unexpected encounter with her blows his mind and gives them both more than just a night of pleasure. Because Daisy is now his baby momma, and his life is about to change in ways he'd never anticipated.
Excerpt
"Enough about work. I say we move on to other pleasures," Aiden said with a flirtatious gleam in his eyes. "What'll you have to drink? Your normal white wine spritzer?"
Yep, she really was totally predictable and boring, because that was always her go-to drink during their monthly mixers with clients, or when some of their co-workers went out after work for a cocktail, and he'd obviously noticed her light-weight choice. Her limit was always one, and she was usually the first to leave those social gatherings, citing an early morning.
Predictable and boring had been her life for the past three years because it was a safe place to be, but tonight, being in a different city and away from her normal routine and weighty expectations prompted her to be daring.
"I think I'll have a Moscow mule," she said, stepping completely outside of her square little box.
He arched a dark brow, the amusement in his eyes warm and playful. "Wow, walking on the wild side tonight, huh?"
She laughed, the sound huskier than she'd intended. "Sure. Why not."
"Why not, indeed," he murmured, looking at her as if he was seeing someone other than the reserved woman he'd worked with the past three years before motioning to the bartender.
"What can I get you two?" the older gentleman asked as he set a small square napkin on the counter in front of each of them.
"Two Moscow mules," Aiden said, surprising Daisy by ordering one for himself.
"You like them, too?" she asked once the bartender left them to make their drinks. With a mixture of vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice, it was usually an acquired taste.
"Never had one," he admitted, flashing her a dimpled grin that caused a warm tickle in her belly. "But if you're taking a walk on the wild side tonight, then I'm joining you."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm such a rebel," she scoffed, then shook her head at that absurd notion and laughed. "Okay, let's be real. I'm so not rebellious."
"I know, which is why I'm not letting you indulge alone," he teased, leaning his forearm on the countertop. "You know what they say . . . friends don't let friends get drunk alone."
Her lips quirked at his explanation. "Umm, can't say I've ever heard that quote before."
"Just go with it, Daisy," he encouraged, swiveling his chair so that his body was turned toward her, though she remained sitting straight because if she did rotate her seat his way, his legs would end up bracketing hers. "Besides, I don't want to be the responsible sober one if you do something crazy, like dance on one of the tabletops. I want to watch and cheer you on."
Her cheeks warmed at the notion of doing something so impulsive, but mostly at the thought of Aiden encouraging her brazen behavior and having his eyes on her while she shimmied her body and tempted him to end her three year dry spell. Yeah, as if that would ever happen. Judging by the beautiful, sophisticated, svelte women she'd seen him with, she was so not his type.
"So, truthfully?" he said, his voice effectively snapping her out of her little fantasy, even though the residual scrape of her tight, hard nipples against the cups of her bra was distracting as hell. "I've always been curious to know what a Moscow mule tasted like."
"You didn't have to order one," she told him with a laugh. "I would have given you a sip of mine."
"Mmm . . . I don't think I should be putting my lips on your lips," he said, his voice dipping sensually low as his gaze skimmed across her mouth before lifting to her eyes again. "Well, not technically, anyways, but if you shared, I might not be able to stop at one taste, and that wouldn't be fair to you."
Daisy's pulse stuttered, then resumed at a faster, more arousing pace. Oh. My. God. Were they even talking about the Moscow mule anymore? She was used to the occasional teasing exchange with Aiden at work where there were a dozen other people around so it never felt personal. But now that it was just the two of them, without anyone else around to buffer his comments and the situation, she wasn't sure what to make of this more intimate dialogue . . . except to admit that it was making her very aware of how much she missed this kind of connection with a man . . . especially the physical one. And how much she liked Aiden's attention.
The bartender delivered their drinks, and both she and Aiden picked up their highball glasses and took a sip of the Moscow mule. The taste of vodka was strong, but the spicy ginger beer and lime gave it an interesting twist of flavor. It took Aiden three sips, taken with a furrowed, uncertain brow, before he finally, slowly, nodded his head in approval.
"It's definitely different, but I like the kick of spice." He shifted his gaze from the drink, to her. "Who knew beneath those conservative suits you wear that you were a woman who liked a little spice in her life."
His eyes twinkled mischievously, though there was something more heated simmering beneath the amber hue as he maintained eye contact with her. As if he was testing just how far she'd allow this arousing banter between them to go. If she'd play it off like she normally did, or if she'd dare to take a walk on the wild side, as he'd suggested earlier.
The thought was appealing, especially in a city and environment where no one knew them. Deciding to just go with the flow of flirty conversation and enjoy the evening away from work, obligations, and responsibilities, she took another swallow of her drink and smiled at him. "That's because you've never seen me out of my business attire."
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Meet Erika Wilde
Erika Wilde (aka Janelle Denison) is the USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances for multiple print publishers.
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Liza's Review:
Tall, Dark and Charming is an amazing start to a new series from Erika Wilde. I'll say right off the bat that I totally and completely fell for Aiden Stone pretty much from the moment he appeared on the page. I loved Daisy Parker as well, and loved how strong and independent she was no matter what life threw at her.
Daisy and Aiden had worked at the same company for some time and never been anything more than professional with one another. I absolutely loved that Daisy was the one to suggest their one-night stand and then everything would go back to being professional only. I love a strong heroine who knows her mind and not afraid to say what she wants. I felt like while Daisy and Aiden had a working relationship type friendship, they only really moved to real friends after their night together. And what a night of smoking hot sex it was!!! They each were attracted to the other but had maintained a professional relationship to that point. It's like the floodgates of emotions and chemistry opened up between them as soon as they had their very first kiss. OMG so freaking hot!!!
I think part of the reason I fell so hard and so fast for Aiden was his respect for Daisy. Yes he wanted so much more than just the one night with Daisy, but he was willing to respect her wishes and maintain a professional relationship with her because those are the boundaries she set. I do think Aiden would have eventually pursued Daisy, as he really did fall for her that one night, but Daisy finding out they were having a baby changed everything for them both. I loved that Aiden wanted to be a part of everything from the very first moment and only wanted to support Daisy in any way she needed.
Daisy had many reservations in the beginning and I got part of it. They both worked for the same company and at anytime their boss could have made changes, and since Aiden had seniority, I could understand Daisy's uncertainty. Add in the fact her mother had ended up pregnant and unwed with Daisy and not had someone as supportive as Aiden, and I figured hearing her mother bash men her whole life couldn't make the situation easy. I loved the differences between their families. Aiden's family accepted Daisy into their clan upon meeting her and gave me all the feels to see her finally have the family she has always deserved.
Tall, Dark and Charming was such an amazing love story. I loved every single minute of it and honestly didn't want their story to end. I can't wait to read the rest of the stories in this series, as I know I'll fall just as hard for Aiden's brothers. Tall, Dark and Charming is another winner from Ms. Wilde and I highly recommend this book to all romance readers.
Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher
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