Tangled with you, p.1
Tangled With You, page 1
Tangled With You
A Stark Security Novella
By J. Kenner
Tangled With You
A Stark Security Novella
By J. Kenner
Copyright 2023 Julie Kenner
ISBN: 979-8-88542-016-7
Published by 1001 Dark Nights Press, an imprint of Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
Tangled With You
A Stark Security Novella
By J. Kenner
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner comes a new story in her Stark Security series…
He never expected to feel this kind of heat again…
FBI agent Ollie McKee is burned out on relationships. After a head-spinningly on-again/off-again relationship with his former fiancée, he’s been out of the dating pool for years. Now he’s focused on his career—and it’s getting more intense. Because Ollie’s ex was just kidnapped, and despite the rules, he’s resolved to work the case and find her.
Stark Security agent Trevor Barone knows better than to fall for a friend, especially one who’s straight. But there’s no denying the way his heart and body react around Ollie, especially after the last quick mission they worked together. He swore to himself to keep his distance. But now Ollie’s begging for his help. The woman he once loved—maybe still loves—has been kidnapped, and Ollie’s determined to bring her home alive. Trevor’s not about to let his friend down, but as they work the case together, the attraction and connection between them can’t be denied.
When the kidnappers turn deadly, Ollie and Trevor put their lives in each other’s hands. But can they trust the passion that threatens to consume them both?
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
About J. Kenner
J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one-hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.”
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a lawyer in Southern California and Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
Visit JK online at www.jkenner.com
Join JK’s Patreon for bonus content, exclusive stories, and more!
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Also From J. Kenner
Click to purchase
Fallen Saint Series:
My Fallen Saint
My Beautiful Sin
My Cruel Salvation
Sinner’s Game
Stark Security:
Shattered With You
Broken With You
Ruined With You
Wrecked With You
Destroyed With You
Memories of You
Ravaged With You
Hidden With You
Charmed By You
Tangled With You
The Stark Saga:
Release Me
Claim Me
Complete Me
Anchor Me
Lost With Me
Damien
Enchant Me
Interview With The Billionaire
Stark Ever After:
Take Me
Have Me
Play My Game
Seduce Me
Unwrap Me
Deepest Kiss
Entice Me
Hold Me
Please Me
Indulge Me
Delight Me
Cherish Me
Embrace Me
Stark International
Steele Trilogy:
Say My Name
On My Knees
Under My Skin
Take My Dare (novella, includes bonus short story: Steal My Heart)
Stark World Standalone Stories:
Justify Me (part of the Lexi Blake Crossover Collection)
Jamie & Ryan Novellas:
Tame Me
Tempt Me
Tease Me
Dallas & Jane (S.I.N. Trilogy):
Dirtiest Secret
Hottest Mess
Sweetest Taboo
Most Wanted:
Wanted
Heated
Ignited
Wicked Nights:
Wicked Grind
Wicked Dirty
Wicked Torture
Man of the Month:
Down On Me
Hold On Tight
Need You Now
Start Me Up
Get It On
In Your Eyes
Turn Me On
Shake It Up
All Night Long
In Too Deep
Light My Fire
Walk The Line
Royal Cocktail
Bar Bites: A Man of the Month Cookbook
Blackwell-Lyon:
Lovely Little Liar
Pretty Little Player
Sexy Little Sinner
Tempting Little Tease
Also by Julie Kenner
Click here for an updated Printable Booklist
Demon Hunting Soccer Mom Series:
Carpe Demon
California Demon
Demons Are Forever
Deja Demon
The Demon You Know
Demon Ex Machina
Pax Demonica
Day of the Demon
How to Train Your Demon
The Dark Pleasures Series:
Caress of Darkness
Find Me in Darkness
Find Me in Pleasure
Find Me in Passion
Caress of Pleasure
Rising Storm:
Tempest Rising
Quiet Storm
A Note From the Author
For years, I’ve been wanting to tell Ollie’s story, but could never seem to find the right woman for him. I wondered if maybe he and Courtney needed to reconcile, but that never felt right. So I started keeping an eye out, paying attention to the characters who appeared in Stark World, thinking that surely he’d find someone. And then one day I was working on one of the Stark Security books, and low-and-behold, Ollie and Trevor were becoming friends. Except it was more than just friends. There was that spark, you know? And that’s when I realized that Ollie’s perfect match was a guy. More than that, his perfect match was the guy who had over time become his best friend. Once I realized that, everything clicked. All that had to happen was for Ollie to get comfortable with himself. I hope you enjoy going on that journey with him!
Discover More 1001 Dark Nights authors and their amazing stories…
Click here to explore
Lara Adrian
Dylan Allen
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Kristen Ashley
Tessa Bailey
Sawyer Bennett
Shayla Black
Lexi Blake
Lauren Blakely
K. Bromberg
Claire Contreras
Tina Folsom
Melissa Foster
Heather Graham
Donna Grant
Liliana Hart
Larissa Ione
Alexandra Ivy
Lorelei James
Darynda Jones
Lisa Renee Jones
Laura Kaye
J. Kenner
Corinne Michaels
Elisabeth Naughton
Laurelin Paige
Carly Phillips
Jennifer Probst
Kristen Proby
C.D. Reiss
Christopher Rice
Carrie Ann Ryan
Kendall Ryan
Kennedy Ryan
Kylie Scott
Jill Shalvis
Gena Showalter
Cherise Sinclair
Susan Stoker
Tijan
Rachel Van Dyken
Skye Warren
Laura Wright
Joanna Wylde
Rebecca Zanetti
Discover More Blue Box Press authors and their amazing stories…
Click here to explore
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Kristen Ashley
Xio Axelrod
Sawyer Bennett
Steve Berry
Lexi Blake
Audrey Carlan
Robin Covington
Kaylea Cross
Jay Crownover
Avery Flynn
C. W. Gortner
KL Grayson
Cristin Harber
Lynn Raye Harris
Liliana Hart
Larissa Ione
Suzanne M. Johnson
Laura Kaye
J. Kenner
Kimberly Kincaid
Gennita Low
Randy Susan Meyers
Corinne Michaels
Monica Murphy
Carly Phillips
Kristen Proby
Christopher Rice
Lucinda Riley
M.J. Rose
Kennedy Ryan
Cherise Sinclair
Susan Stoker
Rachel Van Dyken
Samantha Young
Table of Contents
Book Description
About J. Kenner
Also from J. Kenner
A Note From the Author
Discover More 1001 Dark Nights Authors
Discover More Blue Box Press Authors
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Ten
Discover More J. Kenner
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Chapter One
“Girls! What have I told you about running around Uncle Ollie’s house? You could step on a nail or knock over a can of paint. Plus, it’s not polite to go crazy when you’re a guest.”
The girls stopped on a dime, then aimed angelic faces in his direction. “Sorry, Uncle Ollie,” Lara said, her big, brown eyes on him. She poked her little sister, Anne, a wide-eyed imp, who piped up with, “We’ll be good.”
Ollie grinned. “You two are always good. Clearly your mom is confused.”
At nine, Lara immediately burst out laughing, but the more literal seven-year-old frowned, then shook her head. “No, Uncle Ollie. We were being little pests.”
He shot a glance toward their mother, Nikki. She tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear, her sea-green eyes dancing as she struggled not to laugh. “You, my friend, are a bad influence.”
“Hell, yeah,” he said with a shrug. “Isn’t that part of the Uncle job description?”
“It’s definitely part of being an aunt,” Jamie said from across the room. The three of them—Ollie, Jamie, and Nikki—had formed a tight triangle of friendship back in Texas, and those bonds had held strong over the years and the miles. They’d been tested, sure, but there were no two people he loved and trusted more in the world than Jamie and Nikki.
“Oh, come on, James,” Nikki said. “Being an aunt has nothing to do with it. You’ve always been a bad influence.”
“She has a point,” Ollie said dryly, then pretended to cower under her glare. Whereas Nikki had a girl-next-door beauty that suggested innocence, Jamie was nothing short of wildly sexy with a definite hint of badassery, a fact she knew well. And which she’d used to her advantage on more than one occasion before she’d met her match in Ryan Hunter.
Now, she shrugged, then looked at the kids. “What can I say? Your mom and uncle know me well.”
Lara giggled, but Anne asked, “Can we have some cookies now?”
“Yes, can we?” Lara chimed in.
The entourage had arrived with a dozen freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from Upper Crust, an amazing beachfront bakery near Nikki and Damien’s Malibu house.
“I thought we were giving those to Uncle Ollie,” Nikki said, making Lara roll her eyes.
“Mommmy. You know he’d just share with us anyway.”
Anne nodded. “Uncle Ollie is very polite.”
“Only one each. Daddy’s taking us to dinner tonight. More than one means no dessert.”
They raced toward the kitchen, their responses of okay and thank you drifting back to the adults.
“Anything in there that will send a couple of rambunctious kids to the ER?” Nikki asked.
“Actually, the kitchen’s mostly done,” Ollie said. “I still need to put the cabinet doors back on, but at least this way we’ll see them if they decide to hide.”
“Do you want us to hang out for a bit? I wouldn’t be any help if you were laying tile, but I can attach a cabinet door.”
“She says,” Jamie retorted. “I won’t believe her until I see it with my own eyes.”
“Then it’s going to stay a mystery,” Ollie said. “I’m not putting you two to work. I’m just glad you were able to swing by.” Nikki had called earlier to see if he wanted to join them for lunch, and when he’d said that he was tied up painting, they decided to come see the progress.
“You’re doing an amazing job,” Nikki said. “The front of the house looks great, and the entry hall is amazing. I love the tile.”
“I wasn’t sure about it,” he admitted. “But Mom had Saltillo tile in the Highland Park house. Nostalgia,” he added, then winced. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Nikki said. “I’m nostalgic for the time I spent at your house, too.”
He knew she meant it, but he still wished he hadn’t said anything. He adored his parents, and he’d loved growing up in the posh Dallas neighborhood. Being next door to Nikki had only made it better.
For her, though, those years had been torture. The visits to his house were rare moments when she was free of her abusive bitch of a mother.
“This part is looking great,” Jamie said coming back from where she’d been peeking into one of the halls. “But you’ve still got your work cut out for you back there.”
