Control by Kathy Coopmans

Control is the next standalone romantic suspense in USA Today bestselling author Kathy Coopmans’ The Diamond Empire series. My mother warned me Jolie West was forbidden. Of course, I didn’t listen. Because all it took was one look at the girl with flaming, fiery hair, and I was captivated. Enthralled by her beauty and the blaze I saw burning behind her blue eyes. From the first touch of her warm skin, I was burned. Singed. That is until one conversation with my father turned my world upside down. He let me know I had family duties that I couldn’t walk away from. I went from fire to ice and broke mine and Jolie’s hearts. It’s what was best for her. Me? Not so much. My soul was lost the day I sent her away. Vowed right there she would forever own it. Even if, she’d never know. That was years ago when we were just teenagers. Not a day has gone by that I don’t crave her. Miss that spark that made a man like me come alive. I thought I was protecting her until I wasn’t. Someone hurt Jolie, and I won’t rest until I find out who. Now that she’s back in my life, I won’t let her go. Consequences be damned, I’m finally going to claim what’s mine.

“I agree it’s my fault. I disagree that I’m like them, and you damn well know I’m not, Jolie West.” He bites back with an arrogant grin that reaches his smoldering eyes, and the way my name rolls off his tongue throws a lit match on my already simmering fire. “I’ve had protection on you for reasons we’ll get into another time, but you?” He leans in, his hot breath at my ear, “Were and still are a terrible liar. I let you go years ago, and it was the dumbest thing I’ve done. I won’t do it again. I want you in my house, my bed and I’m going to have you. That’s not a threat. It’s a guarantee.” Slowly, he edges a finger down my neck, pressing against my pulse. It jumps wildly, close to bursting right out of me, and warmth floods between my thighs. My mouth waters. Heart battering hard. This man always had this effect on me. Touching me and making me lose my mind. Rational thoughts always disappearing. Vanishing into thin air like they’re trying to do now. I shiver, goosebumps breaking out on my skin as recollections slam into me. The first thing Aaron would do after being away from one another for hours is take in the entirety of my face and then press his finger right where it is now before capturing and prisoning my eyes. Telling me he liked to feel my heart flutter rapidly just from me seeing him. From his touching me. I think now, as his gaze lifts and dips to that spot, it was nothing more than a lie. One to conceal something from me or something else altogether, I’ve no clue.