Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn discussion

**Posting a bit early today. I was a bit meh on this book. But it's cos I've read two other books by this author, and we have a bit of history with the male MC. I almost dnf this one, but then I finally caught a glimpse of him.. and who can refuse tall, dark, and mysterious. Right?

Today had been a hard day- hard but satisfying. It was time to relax and let some tension go, and so we did. A couple hours later we were in the process of having our food boxed up, as well as the two bottles of wine, when a group of men entered the restaurant.

They came in suddenly and walked straight through toward the back. The atmosphere around us shifted. Their presence brought the undercurrent of tension I'd been feeling to the forefront. Everyone could sense it now, even Sia. I was intrigued by the pack of visitors, and I heard her swift intake of breath.

The men were all tall, all over six feet, with broad shoulders, They looked muscular, like they could've been MMA fighters, and most had hard jawlines. It wasn't necessarily their appearance that drew them attention, it was how they walked, their strong and confident presence together.

They seemed to have one mission, and they didn't waver from it. None of them smiled. None of them looked around the restaurant, but they were clearly familiar with it. The hostess and sever quieted, but didn't approach them. They seemed used to their presence as well.

The men didn't walk past our booth- we were too far in the corner- but they came towards us, then turned left. As they did, I watched them. The guy in the middle was different. He was startling beautiful. His hair was dark, almost black, and cut short. He has chiseled cheekbones and dark eyes that weren't like the others'. The other men had dead eyes. They were there to take orders, and this was the guy who game them. He was their leader.

Authority and confidence emanated from him, along with an aura of danger.

I could find no outward indication to prove my gut feeling, but I was sure of it. The others were well above six feet, whereas this guy was either six feet or an inch above. He moved with a grace the others didn't have, He was lean, with broad shoulders and a slender waist, but he wasn't skinny.

The others walked, but he stalked in a sensual way. He moved like a predator.

I licked my lips. then realized what I had done and pulled my gaze away. When the group reached the rear of the restaurant, instead of pushing through the door into the kitchen, they turned. I hadn't noticed before, but I saw a set of stairs. I counted as eight of them went up, leaving two behind. They took position with their backs to the stairs and hands folded in front. They were the guard dogs.

I realized I wasn't the only one caught in some kind of spell. The hostess and server had gone quietly back to their work, but Sia's mouth was hanging open. She still stared at where they'd disappeared.

I waited for her to snap out of it, thankful for the time to compose myself. That man, whoever he was, he'd affected me in a way no other had- since dead husband. And at the thought of him, a bucket of ice crashed over me.

"Heroine." Sia finally manged, her eyes still locked on the two guys standing at the stairs. "Oh my- did you see that?"

I coughed, clearing my throat. "What do you mean?"

"That guy." She leaned forward. "He was gorgeous!"

The image of him flashed in my head. A different burning flared up. "He was. Yes." I could admit that much. "He was also very scary looking."

"Negative," Sia declared with a quick head shake. "He was absolutely breathtaking. Forget your building manager. I want to know who that guy is and how can I be his wife."

A genuine laugh came from me. This was vintage Sia. She had a new project, and it wasn't me. Thankfully. I had no doubt she'd hunt the guy down, find out who he was, and do as she'd promised, or at the very least have a hot fling.

"Seriously." She fanned herself. "I've never seen that man before, and I know almost everyone around here. Who could he be?"

"I have no clue."

"I suppose not." She skimmed over my face. "Oh, babe. You look a little flushed. The wine must be hitting you, huh?"

I nodded, but it wasn't the wine. "Yes, let's go please."
Sia laughed, sliding out of the booth. I followed suit, and we walked back to my new home, armed with our food and two bottles of wine. No one had better mess with us. Our wobbly knees would be the death of them.

I definitely haven't read this!

Deb, this author is a hit and miss for me. Loved the other two I mentioned above. I also like that the male MC get his own hea.

No idea!

Don't know it but I'm interested to find out more. Thanks for sharing. :-)

Well, I am curious as too who he is.

Too funny. Wobbly knees, a new home, and a horny bestie.

Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Don't know it but I'm interested to find out more. Thanks for sharing. :-)"

Stacey, this one's right up your alley. :D

Susan wrote: "Too funny. Wobbly knees, a new home, and a horny bestie."

I know! That cracked me up, too.

I haven't a clue!

No idea.

Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan.

Okie wrote: "Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan."

Are you serious??? I've always avoided this author because I thought she wrote high school stuff? This does not seem like high school stuff. (shocked and astounded!!)

Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan."

Are you serious??? I've always avoided this author because I thought she wrote high school stuff? This does not seem like h..."

Yess!!! I know right?! You should add Carter Reed to your tbr pile! I Loved bk 1 and 2.

Okie wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan."

Are you serious??? I've always avoided this author because I thought she wrote high school stuff? T..."

So, Carter Reed isn't high school either? OMG!! I can't believe I was so wrong (shaking head at myself).

Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan."

Are you serious??? I've always avoided this author because I thought she wrote high sc..."

Not high school. It's a bit gritty and every thing I expected from a mafia read. Apparently, there's a Carter Reed 3 coming soon. *jazz hands**

Okie wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan."

Are you serious??? I've always avoided this author because I t..."

Thank you so much for this puzzler. If you had not shared it, I would never have known. 8-)

Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Stacey is Sassy wrote: "Okie wrote: "Before I forget to post. This week's MP is: Cole by Tijan."

Are you serious??? I've always avoided this autho..."

:D