Arabella Nichols has reversed her bad luck and misfortune by creating a notorious and successful underground erotic ‘club’. But someone wants her dead. So she hires disgraced former Bow Street Runner John Valentine to protect her. But pretending to be lovers isn’t going to be enough for either of them. Can they overcome painful pasts, secrets long held and a person bent on murder to find true love?

Available in Parlor Games, Avon Red

 

Bookscan Bestseller (3 Weeks, peaking at #78)

The Buzz:
"4.5 Stars! Michaels works her sensual magic into this titillating tale with a great gothic twist." -- Kathe Robin, Romantic Times BOOKClub

"...engrossing and shines with Ms. Micheals' talented pen..." -- Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"Jess Michaels penned a wonderfully well-balanced emotional and sexually charged story" -- The Mystic Castle

"...this trilogy of explicit novellas gets Avon Red off to a rousing start" -- The Library Journal

"Jess Michaels does a fantastic job with her characters." -- The Romance Studio

"5 Kisses... "Fallen Angel" is a sultry, seductive read... guaranteed to pleasure fans of erotic historical romance..." -- Romance Divas

"Ms. Michaels pens a hot little historical number detailing the lust and danger that shadow this couple. Great ambiance, as well as a flair for the dramatic and likeable characters make this novella a winner!" -- Michelle for Fallen Angel Reviews

Excerpt

She straightened her spine and stared at him with no trace of embarrassment. “This is my private collection,” she explained, snatching the drawing and replacing it in her drawer before she slammed it shut and turned to him with folded arms.

“Your private collection, your private past, your private demons.” Valentine ran a hand through his hair as he just barely resisted the urge to pull her against him. “Those things could get you killed. Keeping me in the dark defeats the purpose of hiring me.”

The stubborn chit’s jaw set in a harsh line he knew was as unbreakable as her will. It was something he normally admired, but at the moment, he hated it.

“Whether that is true or not, my hiring you gives you no right to invade my private things, to delve into matters better left buried.”

“And does taking you to bed give me any right?” he asked, moving in on her. She started at his sudden advance, but didn’t back down. Her chin lifted, but he saw desire mixed with the anger in her eyes. “Does making you scream in pleasure, surrender like you never have with any other man give me the right?”

She stiffened and a swell of pride rushed through him. So his words were true. Despite her jaded past, the passion they shared was as unique for Arabella as it was for him.

He tamped back the dangerous joy that accompanied that realization. He knew nothing about her. She shared nothing. Only an illusion.

“No,” she said softly. “Even if that is true, and I admit nothing of the kind, it gives you no right. You are in my employ and I’ll tell you what you can and cannot pursue when it comes to this case. No man controls my comings and goings. No man controls my secrets, past or future. Not even you.”

His nostrils flared at her condescending dismissal, but he didn’t allow emotion to show on his face. “I’m afraid not, Miss Nichols,” he sneered. “That isn’t how I work.”

He motioned to the drawer she had closed. “I hope your ‘private collection’ keeps you entertained. Because I won’t be around to pleasure you for a few days.”

She stepped forward with widening eyes. “What? Why?”

With a shrug, he said, “You offer me no choice. If you won’t share the truth, I’ll seek it elsewhere. While I’m gone, be sure you stay here where you have some level of safety. Keep your door locked and don’t go out alone.”

He turned, but before he left, he came back. Crowding Arabella against the dresser behind her, he gathered her into his arms. Her breasts flattened against his chest, her thighs molded to his. He ached to fill her, take her, but after her denial tonight, he knew he could never possess more than her willing body. It wasn’t a bargain he could make, though it tempted him.

“Arabella, while I’m gone, consider why you hired me. Somewhere out there, perhaps closer than you realize, someone hunts you. They want you dead. I can protect you, but only if you let me past this barrier you have built.”