Scarlett King

Maddy: It's amazing what you can do when you don't care if you live or die. Like escape from the hellhole where you have been a prisoner for half your life. Or ride off on the back of a hot stranger's motorcycle. Aaron is the first guy I have ever met that I have felt this way about. I like him. I trust him. I want him. But if I follow his lead and start wanting to live again, what happens when someone tries to drag me back into the hell I escaped from?

Once upon a time, I was a complete idiot-too damn young and inexperienced and cocky to boot. And because of that, I messed up my chances with the woman I've always loved. Unrequited love is never easy, but it's a whole hell of a lot harder when it includes a successful business and a lifelong friendship. Even years after I blew my chance, I just can't let go of the feeling that Andi is the only one for me. I never want to see Andi hurt again, so when she comes down with a mysterious winter-related illness, all my protective instincts come creeping in. I've already lost this woman once, and I'll be damned if it happens again. Now I just need to make her see that we're worth a second chance-and if I need to let a little Christmas magic run its course to make that happen?well then, who am I to say that miracles don't exist?

The little cutie next door is spying on me.She watches me when I exercise. She watches me when I use my hot tub and when I take a lover into it. It's clearly a crush-and I like it. Those bright, longing eyes of hers turn me on. They make me want to show her that some things are much more fun to do than watch.There's just one problem-if she's been watching me, she may have seen too much. I'm a problem-solver for my uncle Ezio, the local mob boss. I leave at odd hours. I keep odd company. One day, she may figure it out. And if that happens, I have to make sure she's already too attached to me to give me up to the cops.But there's a simple solution. The little lady has a crush. She wants me to show her what it's all about in bed. And with my secrecy at stake, I have to ask: why not give her what she wants?

I don't deserve a girl like Julia. She's young, sweet, pure, sheltered...she's my total opposite. I've been trying to pull my life together since my idiot brother got me thrown in prison, but it doesn't change the facts. I'm a bad guy. I'm a devil and Reverend Alderson's daughter Julia is an angel on Earth. I love her, and I want to do things to her that would make the Reverend want my head. So I have to stay away. But then she decides to kiss me in a damn elevator, and make it really clear that she wants me just as bad as I want her and she's willing to go behind dear old Daddy's back to have me. This is a bad idea. But I can't resist. She crooks her finger, and I come running. I've never felt so good about being bad in my life.

I saw her and knew I needed her... Her face, that mouth, those eyes... I needed to taste her body, every inch of it. She was feisty and I needed to punish her. She's a good girl, but she's bad with me. She needs to be touched by an experienced hand. I lost her once; I won't lose her again.I will claim her as my own again.