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CHAPTER ONE
Tempest Wilder strolled through the lavishly decorated ballroom, surveying the guests and entertainment and making sure that everything was running smoothly before the formal dinner was announced. After months of planning, preparation, and organizing the Wilder Way Fairy-Tale Ball, Tempest could easily say that it was one of the most grandiose galas she’d ever envisioned and created for their family’s yearly charity event. She and her brothers, Maddux and Hunter, were always listed as the hosts of the festivities, but she was the brains behind the gorgeous, elaborate fairy-tale décor that promised an enchanting evening of happily ever afters.
The thought made her smile. Out of her and her brothers, she was always the one who focused on the positive even in the face of adversity. And with the concern of Maddux finally confronting their biggest enemy tonight and serving long overdue justice for killing their parents, it was imperative to Tempest that there be some kind of joyful significance to the charity benefit. She needed that hopeful promise of a happily ever after as much as her siblings did, even if they would never agree with her.
“You know, it never ceases to amaze me how effortless you make it look putting together these incredible annual charity balls,” one of her good friends, Goldie Monroe, said, as she fell into step beside Tempest. “You really outdid yourself with this year’s fairy-tale theme.”
Tempest grinned at Goldie, who looked stunning in an amber-hued velvet gown that molded to her slender figure. “Thank you. As much as I loved organizing this year’s event, I’m glad it’s done, or will be after tonight. My next big venture awaits, and I’m dying to get started on Wilder Things,” she said of the personal and professional pet project she’d been dreaming about the past few years.
“You are so incredibly bold . . . and brave.” Goldie shook her head in awe and envy, causing the gorgeous blonde waves falling down her back to sway like fine silk. “First, you start an online monthly subscription service featuring sexy lingerie you design and create yourself, which has become a huge success, and now you’re going to start a business that combines an upscale bar with fantasy-themed hotel rooms above it for exclusive guests. I love that you’re all about empowering women. It’s so liberating.”
“Hey, you’re doing very well for yourself as an interior designer for boutique hotels,” Tempest pointed out, giving her friend the credit she deserved as they continued strolling through the ballroom. “Not to mention your help in brainstorming some fun ideas for Wilder Things.”
Goldie sighed as she accepted a glass of champagne from a server’s tray. “Professionally, yes, I’m finally making a name for myself. But personally and intimately . . . well, my love life leaves a lot to be desired. Probably because my hours are insane with all the contracts I’m trying to finish up, and I have zero time to date . . . let alone indulge in hot, forbidden fantasies.”
“You need to make the time,” Tempest said, not missing the irony of her advice, considering she could just as easily apply the same advice to herself. It had been too long since she’d had sex, let alone been with a man who knew how to really turn her on. She’d decided a few years ago that she no longer wanted to settle for just mediocre sex and was willing to hold out for that guy who could make her breathless with pure lust, all with just a smoldering, knowing look.
She was beginning to think that such a man was an anomaly. A rare unicorn among males. Sure, she’d dated here and there, including most recently Kyle Jenkins, but there had been no spark or attraction on her end, though Tempest was having a hard time convincing him that they were nothing more than just friends. The man was incredibly persistent and didn’t take no for an answer.
“Making the time for a fling is easier said than done,” Goldie muttered, clearly miffed by her lack of a love life.
A familiar trio of ridiculously good-looking tuxedoed men standing together caught Tempest’s eye, including the very interested way they were surveying Goldie. Caleb, Jonas, and Quinn were obscenely wealthy entrepreneurs who’d made their money in real estate and risky, high-yield investments. And they were clients of MadX-Tech’s security systems, a company that her brother, Maddux, had built from the ground up and into a lucrative, billion-dollar venture.
The three tall, well-built men were also a bit . . . eccentric, and it was rumored that they enjoyed sharing one woman between them and preferred blondes. Considering the avid way they were staring at Goldie, Tempest suspected that the gossip was more fact than fiction.
Hmmm. Interesting . . .
Tempest gently steered Goldie in their direction. If her friend wanted to spice up her love life, then Tempest was more than happy to help lead the way into temptation. What Goldie did after the initial introductions was totally up to her.
As they approached the triple threat, there was no mistaking the flare of desire in Quinn’s gaze that was aimed at her friend. He was clearly the alpha male of the group and the more dominant of the three, though Jonas’s and Caleb’s presence were equally commanding in their own right.
“Who are those men?” Goldie murmured when she realized that’s where Tempest was heading. “They’re like three big, intimidating bears standing together like that.”
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Tempest laughed softly at the apt description of the imposing men and leaned closer to Goldie to keep her comment between the two of them. “Here’s a fairy tale for you to ponder, my friend . . . Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
Goldie inhaled a quick breath and her wide, shocked gaze flew to Tempest’s. “You can’t be serious.”
Tempest shrugged, though her smile was a bit on the naughty side. “I’m completely serious. You wanted a little excitement in your life? Trust me when I say that these three gorgeous, sexy men can provide that. And more.”
