Resist
by Missy Johnson
Publication Date: April 12, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
In this sizzling novel from New York Times bestselling author Missy Johnson, a young journalist goes undercover in a world of desire—and gets seduced by the billionaire bachelor she’s supposed to be chasing.
Recent college grad Charlotte Lucas thinks she has found her breakout story. It all begins when she answers a provocative want ad posted by a secretive mogul who happens to be a prime suspect in his girlfriend’s disappearance. Young and inexperienced, Char has never been pushed to the limit—until their games take her to the very edge. Char has gone in looking for the truth, but now she’s in way too deep with a master who plays her body like it belongs to him.
Jaxon Murphy knows a lot more about Char than he lets on. Although the media has made him out to be a monster, he’s not about to come clean about his tormented past—at least not before he turns this good girl bad and sends her out to do his dirty work. After all, Jax didn’t make it to the top without breaking some rules. But as their play grows passionate and achingly real, Jax can’t resist taking a shot at something that’s bigger and more powerful than revenge: love.
Excerpt
“So, Ms. Lucas. Tell me a little about yourself,” he says as he adjusts his position, crossing one leg casually in his lap. He looks so damn relaxed. And sexy. Did I mention sexy? Because fuck, this guy defines the word sexy. He watches me intently as he waits for my answer.
“I’m newly out of college and looking for work. I thought this job sounded interesting,” I reply. My mouth feels like rubber and I’m sure he can tell how nervous I am. I wonder if he likes that. He strikes me as the kind of guy who likes to see the effect he has on women.
“Well, you’re certainly the type of woman I am looking for, aesthetically speaking,” he muses, rubbing his jaw.
I nearly laugh. Well, if nothing else, at least I pass the appearance test. We’re interrupted by a knock on the door. An older woman walks in, carrying two cups. She sets one down in front of me and the other in front of him. She offers him a kind smile; I get nothing but cold, steely eyes. I’m momentarily taken aback by her reception.
“Thank you, Marina,” he says.
She nods and retreats out of the room, but not before shooting me another glance.
“So tell me,” he continues, focusing his attention back on me, “why apply for this role? What do you think you can offer me that the other three hundred and thirty applicants can’t?”
I nearly choke on my tea. Three hundred and thirty women applied for this job? There are that many desperate women in Southern California? I don’t even know how to answer that question, or what he wants to hear.
“I spent the last four years obtaining my degree, and that has gotten me nowhere. If I’m being completely honest, at this point I’ll take anything. I have no idea what it is that you want, but I’m open to anything if it’s going to get me somewhere.” I regret the last sentence the second it leaves my mouth, because I know it’s going to come back to bite me.
He raises his eyebrows, a shadow of a smile playing on his lips as those eyes invade me. “And what was this degree that took up so much of your life?”
“Business,” I reply quickly. I have no intention of letting him know about my journalism degree. “But I’m not sure where I stand with that now, or if I want to attempt to further my education. So for right now, this job is perfect for me.”
“Very interesting answer.” He pauses and runs over my résumé again, his shoe tapping softly against the hardwood floor. “But I do wonder how you can say that when you have very little idea of what I’m looking for.”
Good point. Could I look any more desperate? I’m practically throwing myself at him without any idea of where I’m going to land.
“How about I run through what I’m looking for, and then you can tell me whether or not you think you fit my needs?” he suggests with a faint smile. “But first, I’m curious . . . What are you expecting from this role?”
“I . . .” Words evade me. I take a deep breath and try again. “From reading your advertisement, I think you’re looking to fulfill a specific desire, but you don’t want to mess around with dating.”
“I don’t date.” He smirks, his deep brown eyes laughing at me. “Ever. Please, go on.”
“You want a no-strings arrangement where you don’t have to deal with the bullshit that usually goes with a normal relationship.” I pause, biting my lip. Am I even on the right track? “So you pay for what you want.”
“I’m into many different things, Charlotte. Can I call you that?”
I nod, forcing myself to hold his eye contact.
“You are right in that I do have very specific tastes. I don’t date. I don’t chase. I hire women to fulfill specific needs, they do their job, and then they get paid. It’s a clear-cut, simple business relationship. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“What kind of tastes are we talking about?” I ask, my face heating.
He laughs. “Nothing illegal, Charlotte, and nothing you can’t handle. Provided you are able to keep an open mind, you’ll do fine. How would you describe yourself sexually?” he asks, lifting his eyebrows.
“I’d say I am willing to explore,” I reply evenly, my gaze locked on his.
Review
When Charlotte finished college with her degree, she thought she would would be able to find a job quickly. But things are not easy, however she's just got a lead for a position that sounds very provocative.
Jaxon Murphy is someone that is always in the news and it isn't always good news. He's had his share of bad luck and because of that he's built walls around his heart and keeps everyone at arm's length. His sexual desires are varied, so he prefers an unconventional relationship to satisfy his needs.
So when Charlotte answers Jaxon's latest ad, the sexual tension hits an all time high. And it is only a matter of time until that tension breaks and the embers roar into a raging fire.
But Charlotte isn't being totally honest with Jaxon, so when the truth comes out, how will Jaxon react? Will she be able to make things right with Jaxon or will Jaxon just walk away? And Jaxon will learn things about his past he never saw coming.
This book is a quick and steamy read that will leave the reader panting for more and in need of a very cold shower. I loved the connect Jaxon and Char have, it's undeniable and intense. Their banter is intense, stimulating, flirtatious, and hypnotic. Jaxon and Char's relationship develop in an unconventional manner, but it is deep and profound.
I love Missy writing and this story is fun, fast, provocative with a love story at the heart of it.
Advance praise for Resist
“Prepare to read late into the night. Resist is a sizzling-hot, intense must-read.”— Stacey Kennedy, USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series
“Resist is a twisted, gritty, and provocative read full of toe-curling steam and spine-tingling suspense. I give Missy Johnson a big thumbs up for this one!”— USA Today bestselling author J. L. Mac
“This dark, intense page-turner had me gripped to the end. Jaxon Murphy is the troubled soul that every girl will want to heal.”— USA Today Bestselling author R. J. Prescott
About Missy Johnson
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Missy lives in a small town in Victoria, Australia with her husband and her confused pets (a dog who thinks that she is a cat, a cat who thinks he is a dog…you get the picture).
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.
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