Maddox's Story

No strings. No commitments. Absolutely no catching feelings. Three rules for dating—and life—that have served me well. Until now.

Because there's a rat at Jamestech, and my brother is convinced he knows the perfect person to sniff them out. Some guy they call the hotshot who he knew back in Chicago. Sounds good, right? And I'm fully onboard with protecting my family's company.

That is until I walk into work one morning and I'm confronted with King Worthington. Of course it's him—who better to catch a rat than a snake! I haven't seen him for eighteen years, yet he somehow still looks exactly the same—the cruel piece of garbage that eviscerated my heart. But his killer smile and charm won't work on me this time. He might hide who he is, but I know exactly who I am. I am Mason James, and he doesn't get to get anywhere near close to me.

So why do I want to let him in? Why do I want to believe his apologies and lean into whatever this intense attraction is between us? King and I both have our secrets, and even if we can let go of our past hurts, maybe they're the kind of secrets there's no coming back from.

But every brush of his lips, every single touch of his skin, sets mine on fire. They call me the player, but I can't help thinking I'm about to be played.

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