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A natural beauty, she seemed unaware of her effect on the men around her. Unlike her usual hairstyle, currently her dark hair was pulled up on the sides, the front styled in sweeping waves as long curls cascaded to the middle of her back. The softness of the style showcased her sensual neck and the simple pearl necklace. Under the lights from above, her gaze shone and lower lip disappeared as she nervously scanned the crowd.

  The long black dress she wore hugged her breasts perfectly, yet the skirt flared outward, hiding what I knew was a beautifully curved body beneath. I’d done my research, bided my time. No, I hadn’t seen her as up close as I desired; however, I’d observed. Despite the cool spring weather, at least three times a week she’d don skintight athletic apparel and run a local trail.

  From my observation, Dr. Laurel Carlson wasn’t a woman who thrived on being the center of attention—not like the room of potential donors, many vying for her attention. Her unease was evident in the lines around her eyes and the straightness of her neck. And yet still she was here, a testament to her dedication to this project.

  If only I’d moved faster, done my job, this would have been avoided.

  I hadn’t. I’d been too enthralled in a way I found unusual yet fascinating. It was a twisted, gnawing feeling I didn’t recognize.

  I wanted to understand it.

  In that search for comprehension, I’d taken too long.

  Now, the stage was set for this show, and it was too late to lower the curtain.

  For that, I was responsible.

  Now was the time to move.

  I leaned against the far wall, yet my mind stayed on her—my exception, the one who fascinated me in a different way.

  Maybe it was more than her outward appearance. It was her intellect along with her doctorate in pharmacology—she also had a doctorate in applied mathematics with a focus on computational neuroscience and pharmacology. The combination intrigued me. Rarely did I encounter a woman like her. Most were different, satisfied to be a physical outlet for me or other men. They concentrated on appearance, keeping their knowledge level hidden. Admittedly, my sample was skewed. I paid those women for their services, thus reducing the variables.

  Laurel was different; she was unaware of her beauty and unapologetically confident with her intelligence.

  Despite my obvious fascination, she was my assignment.

  I’d never failed at a job.

  In that regard, Dr. Laurel Carlson wouldn’t be my exception.

  It was time to get this done.

  Download TWISTED today, book one of the Tangled Web trilogy, entire trilogy is COMPLETE. Get your copy today by clicking on the title.

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  Books by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig

  THE SPARROW WEBS:

  DANGEROUS WEB:

  DUSK

  Releasing September 29, 2020

  DARK

  Releasing November 10, 2020

  DAWN

  Releasing December 22, 2020

  WEB OF DESIRE:

  SPARK

  Releasing January 14, 2020

  FLAME

  Releasing February 25, 2020

  ASHES

  Releasing April 7, 2020

  TANGLED WEB:

  TWISTED

  Released May, 2019

  OBSESSED

  Released July, 2019

  BOUND

  Released August, 2019

  WEB OF SIN:

  SECRETS

  Released October, 2018

  LIES

  Released December, 2018

  PROMISES

  Released January, 2019

  THE INFIDELITY SERIES:

  BETRAYAL

  Book #1

  Released October 2015

  CUNNING

  Book #2

  Released January 2016

  DECEPTION

  Book #3

  Released May 2016

  ENTRAPMENT

  Book #4

  Released September 2016

  FIDELITY

  Book #5

  Released January 2017

  THE CONSEQUENCES SERIES:

  CONSEQUENCES

  (Book #1)

  Released August 2011

  TRUTH

  (Book #2)

  Released October 2012

  CONVICTED

  (Book #3)

  Released October 2013

  REVEALED

  (Book #4)

  Previously titled: Behind His Eyes Convicted: The Missing Years

  Re-released June 2014

  BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES

  (Book #5)

  Released January 2015

  RIPPLES

  Released October 2017

  CONSEQUENCES COMPANION READS:

  BEHIND HIS EYES-CONSEQUENCES

  * * *

  Released January 2014

  BEHIND HIS EYES-TRUTH

  Released March 2014

  STAND ALONE MAFIA THRILLER:

  PRICE OF HONOR

  Available Now

  THE LIGHT DUET:

  Published through Thomas and Mercer Amazon exclusive

  INTO THE LIGHT

  Released June, 2016

  AWAY FROM THE DARK

  Released October, 2016

  TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE SERIES:

  INSIDIOUS

  (All books in this series are stand-alone erotic thrillers)

  Released October 2014

  ALEATHA’S LIGHTER ONES:

  PLUS ONE

  Stand-alone fun, sexy romance

  Released May 2017

  ANOTHER ONE

  Stand-alone fun, sexy romance

  Releasing May 2018

  ONE NIGHT

  Stand-alone, sexy contemporary romance

  September 2017

  INDULGENCE SERIES:

  UNEXPECTED

  Released August, 2018

  UNCONVENTIONAL

  Released January, 2018

  UNFORGETTABLE

  Released October, 2019

  UNDENIABLE

  Coming late summer 2020

  About the Author

  Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

  * * *

  Aleatha impresses with her versatility in writing. She released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES, a dark romance, became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Her first stand-alone smart, sexy thriller INSIDIOUS was next. Then Aleatha released the five-novel INFIDELITY series, a romantic suspense saga, that took the reading world by storm, the final book landing on three of the top bestseller lists. She ventured into traditional publishing with Thomas and Mercer. He
r books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016. In the spring of 2017, Aleatha again ventured into a different genre with her first fun and sexy stand-alone romantic comedy with the USA Today bestseller PLUS ONE.

  She continued with ONE NIGHT and ANOTHER ONE. If you like fun, sexy, novellas that make your heart pound, try her UNCONVENTIONAL and UNEXPECTED. In 2018 Aleatha returned to her dark romance roots with WEB OF SIN, TANGLED WEB, and DANGEROUS WEB.

  * * *

  Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America, NINC, and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.