Page 97 of Burning Daylight

“Yeah. You’ll probably write better, honestly, since now your muse is sitting right in front of you in the flesh.” I put my arms out to each side.

She picks up her pen and launches it at me, and I laugh, ducking out of the way.

“You totally have main character syndrome,” she says, pointing a finger at me.

“What the hell is main character syndrome?”

“Where you think everything’s always about you.”

My brows hike to my hairline, and I try to look serious. “Sounds terrible.”

“Mmhm, truly. My best friend thinks the bigger your MCS, the smaller your dick size.”

“Is that an official diagnosis?”

She shrugs. “It’s held true so far.”

I nod. “That’s a bold statement. And I’mextremelywell-endowed, so I think I’d like a second opinion.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “Sorry. Your symptoms are too advanced. I’m afraid it’s terminal.”

“Damn.” My smile drops, feigning disappointment. “Well, if beingunder-endowed means I get to be the center ofyourattention, then I’ll take it.”

Juliette quiets and bites the corner of her lip.

My eyes drop to the motion. I want to be the one biting it. Licking it. Sucking it into my mouth and having her taste on my tongue.

I spin the ring on my finger around so I don’t launch over the picnic table and grip her by the neck, demolishing these flimsy “friendship” boundaries we’ve put up.

“You really don’t mind if I write?” she asks.

“Nah. Being around you is enough.”

She beams at me and then pulls the notebook toward her and opens it up, crossing her legs on the bench and placing it in her lap. Immediately, she’s lost in her own world. I pretend I’m doing the same with my drawings, but to be honest, I can’t stop watching her.

She’s…

Well, I think she’s kind of everything.

Secret Son Shocker: Montgomery Heir Steps Into the Spotlight!

Marcus Montgomery’s secret son is officially out of hiding and back from the dead. No ring, a sordid past, and now the heir to the Montgomery empire.

So where’s he been all this time? And more importantly: Where is his mother?

We’ve got questions, and we won’t stop until we get the answers.

#MontgomeryHeir #BackFromTheDead #BachelorWatch #MontgomeryMoves #RosebrookRag

24

ROMAN

Irritation flares beneath my skin, making me overheat despite the crisp morning air. I toss my phone down, thatridiculousgossip rag article glaring up at me, and reach for my black book instead. I knew the headlines would be running rampant after yesterday’s conference, but this is the first one I’ve seen personally, and it’s also the most inflammatory.

Not that I should be surprised when something has the word “rag” in their title.

I’m on the front porch of my brand-new house, courtesy of my sperm donor. I’ve only been here for an afternoon, but already I can breathe easier not being under the same roof as my father. Montgomery Manor isn’t a part of my history, and it feels weird pretending it is.