When you come across a book that have you talking about it days after you have read it, then you know you have a winner. Well, Beneath the Mask is one such book. My decision to read and review this title were done on a whim. I had no knowledge of this author so
I was entering unchartered waters by taking that decision. My reason for taking this risk was based solely on the blurb. I had no idea if I was going to like it or not. Well, after completing Beneath this Mask, which kept me up all night, I have to say without a doubt it was well worth the risk. This is an emotional read, so be prepared to have all your emotions engaged.
This story has a dual POV, which allowed me to identify with the both protagonists thereby enabling me to experience all they were feeling. In Beneath this Mask, readers are introduced to Charlotte Agoston and Simon Duchesne. Charlotte is looking to start her life afresh after her father was arrested and charged with securities fraud. She wanted to distance herself from all the publicity and the stigma surrounding her father’s crime as such, we see her changing her name, location her appearance and her persona. Simon is a
former navy pilot, the son of a congressman and a budding politician. The chances of them meeting was not very high,
but fate has a way of bringing two souls together that are meant to be. Their meeting would lead to major changes in both their lives.
Charlotte found herself falling for Simon, which made it more and more difficult for her to keep her past life as a secret. She found herself torn between telling him the truth and keeping her secret. Simon knew she was hiding something and the closer he got to her the more determined he was to find out what it was. Simon is the type of guy that most women would give their left arm just to have him in their lives. He is sweet, sensitive, caring and sexy. He is not afraid to go after what he wants and he wanted Charlotte. He had no intention of giving her up.
This is a great storyline that will captivate you from beginning to the end. It will have you turning the pages as you will be eager to find out what will happen next. The love scenes are passionate, sizzling and hot.
Overall, this is an excellent read and I can’t wait to see what next the author has in store for her readers.
Excerpt 1
Backing me into a corner, he trapped me in the circle of his arms, much like he had earlier at the gate. I reached up and laid my palms against his chest, tracing the compass inked on his pectoral muscle with my index finger. Our skin didn’t touch anywhere else, but mine prickled with the need to feel him against me. I leaned closer, but he grasped my shoulders, effectively holding me back.
I looked up questioningly. “You left me a message, then slammed a gate in my face, then you strip in front of me, and invite me to go skinny dipping. I can’t keep up with you. I need to know what the hell is going on here before it goes any further.” I sagged back against the edge of the pool, letting the concrete lip dig into my spine. So much for my hastily constructed plan. An experienced seductress I was not. He must have read the defeat in my expression because he said, “I’m not saying I’m not interested. Hell, I’m buck ass naked, and I can’t exactly hide that I want you. But I need to know … why now? What changed?” I stared down at the water, wishing fleetingly that the pool lights were on so I’d know for certain that he still did, in fact, want me. But given the leap I’d taken by stripping naked in front of him, I suppose I owed him at least some sort of an explanation. “I decided that, for tonight, I didn’t care that you’re you and I’m me. I decided to take a risk and see what happened.” My answer was vague and without substance, but I hoped it would be enough. Heat pulsed between my legs and my nipples beaded almost painfully. I wanted him. Now. But he didn’t relent. “It doesn’t matter who I am or who you are. Tonight or any other night. We’re just people.” I held in a snort. Barely. He wouldn’t be in this pool if he knew who I really was. I was poison to someone like him. To everyone. Simon tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “If I fuck you tonight, are you going to throw me out on my ass as soon as we’re done and never call me again?” I bit my lip. Damn. He should be a freaking interrogator instead of a politician. But I wasn’t going to lie to him. At least not about this. “Probably.” He released my chin and backed away. “Then, no.” He shook his head. “This isn’t happening. Not tonight.” He turned and made his way to the stairs. I caught a flash of his pale, muscular ass as he climbed out of the pool. I looked down at the water, hot humiliation filling me. What the hell am I doing?
I sank farther beneath the surface, up to my chin. I needed to be covered. I heard the rustle of clothes and wondered how he was drying off without a towel. But I didn’t look up to assuage my curiosity. I’d given in to curiosity once already tonight, and this was
where it landed me. In a pool of my own shame. He cleared his throat, and I finally looked up. He was wearing his tux pants, and the shirt was partially buttoned. He held his soaked white undershirt in his hand. One question answered. His hazel eyes drilled into me. “You have my number. Call me when you want more than a quick fuck.” And then he was gone.
Excerpt 2
He reached a hand back and tugged his shirt over his head. I drank in his tanned skin and rippling muscles. He truly was a beautiful man. He kicked off his shoes and knelt at my feet to pull off my Chucks without untying the laces. It was a staggering realization to my champagne-soaked brain that he might have noticed I never untied them. What other details about me had he noticed that no one else would? I was crazy to think he’d never find out the truth. I never should’ve let it get this far. But how could I stop myself? He was so … perfectly imperfect, and I wanted all of him. For every second I could steal. He reached for his belt and paused. “I’m staying tonight.”
It wasn’t a question. “Okay.” I reached for the hem of my shirt and started to drag it upward. He reached out, covering my hand with his to stop me. “But if you take that off, I’m not going to be able to stop myself from having you.” “Good.” I yanked at his grip, trying to get the shirt off. He squeezed my hand. “No. Not tonight. The first time we’re together, you’re going to be stone cold sober, because
I want you to remember every single thing I do to you.” My insides turned hot and liquid. A pulse thrummed between my legs. “You already told me you’d put out. No take backs. It’s not fair.” He leaned down and brushed his five o’clock shadow against my cheek before saying into my ear, “Tough shit.” He pulled back, and I stuck out my lip and pouted. Simon caught it between his teeth and tugged before releasing it. “So fucking tempting. You have no idea.” He spun and looked at my bureau. “Pajama pants? And I know you own them. I distinctly recall a striptease that involved a pair.” I huffed. “Second drawer from the bottom.” He opened the drawer, pulled out a silky pink pair, and tossed them at me. “I’ll be right back. You better not be naked.” “You’re such a hardassprude, Mr. Duchesne.” He took a step toward the doorway and gripped the top of the frame. His tongue swiped across his bottom lip, and his hazel eyes shifted from playful to serious. “You’re worth the wait.” He walked out of the room, and I heard the bathroom door shut. I clutched the pajama pants in my fist as my heart tumbled further down the path of no return. A single thought crystallized in my head: Fuck. I could fall in love with this man
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About Meghan March
Making the jump from corporate lawyer to romance author was a leap of faith that New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Meghan March will never regret. With over thirty titles published, she has sold millions of books in nearly a dozen languages to fellow romance-lovers around the world. A nomad at heart, she can currently be found in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, living her happily ever after with her real-life alpha hero.
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