When He Desires

Pretending to date my handsome new housemate was already a bad idea, but then I discover he’s no ordinary guy—he’s a mobster in hiding. And in this story, he’s not the hero, but the wicked villain. Rowan Miller isn’t used to hearing the word “no.” I guess when you’re 6’5, gorgeously tattooed, and sculpted like a Michelangelo masterpiece, women tend to throw themselves at you. But in a small town like Darkwater Hollow, a reputation as a womanizer will catch up with you—and your business—eventually. Which is why Rowan needs a fake girlfriend to prove he’s reformed. Enter, me. When my house goes up in flames, I agree to Rowan’s offer in exchange for a place to stay. After my last brutal break up, I’ve sworn off charming, smooth-talking men. But the way Rowan looks at me—hungry and possessive—makes my pulse race and my skin sizzle with heat. The longer we pretend to be in love, the more real it feels. Just when I think I’ve broken my unlucky streak, I discover Rowan’s hiding secrets. Big ones, like his real name. Will his dark past bring us closer together? Or will it destroy everything we’ve built?

Pretending to date my handsome new housemate was already a bad idea, but then I discover he’s no ordinary guy—he’s a mobster in hiding. And in this story, he’s not the hero, but the wicked villain. Rowan Miller isn’t used to hearing the word “no.” I guess when you’re 6’5, gorgeously tattooed, and sculpted like a Michelangelo masterpiece, women tend to throw themselves at you. But in a small town like Darkwater Hollow, a reputation as a womanizer will catch up with you—and your business—eventually. Which is why Rowan needs a fake girlfriend to prove he’s reformed. Enter, me. When my house goes up in flames, I agree to Rowan’s offer in exchange for a place to stay. After my last brutal break up, I’ve sworn off charming, smooth-talking men. But the way Rowan looks at me—hungry and possessive—makes my pulse race and my skin sizzle with heat. The longer we pretend to be in love, the more real it feels. Just when I think I’ve broken my unlucky streak, I discover Rowan’s hiding secrets. Big ones, like his real name. Will his dark past bring us closer together? Or will it destroy everything we’ve built?