Bad Boys Box Set – Part 1-3: 3 Romance Novels

By Liz Levoy

Bad Boys Box Set – Part 1-3

3 Romance Novels

This collection includes:

- Love Campaign

- Best Man’s Bet

- It’s in the Stars

Part 1: Love Campaign

When Brisk Insurance needs a new marketing campaign and they shortlist both Wonderworks and Imagine Solutions to tender for the job, Allie has the chance to prove herself. She has to go up against Daniel Bowen, a Shark in the marketing world, but she knows enough about him not to be afraid of a little healthy competition.

Until she meets him and he’s not what she expected him to be. Instead of staying away from him and focusing on her work, Allie spends more and more time with him. It looks like Daniel is the one man that changes her ideas about juggling relationships and careers.

It’s just a pity that Daniel has ulterior motives. What catches her off guard, though, is the fact that the womanizer of the century seems to have developed emotions. Through the difficulty of being on opposing teams and both making personal mistakes, they both learn about choices. But all is fair in love and war, right? Or will there be space in their perfect worlds for each other?

Part 2: Best Man’s Bet

Gina is the maid of honor and she is determined to make her best friend’s wedding run as smooth as possible. Everything runs according to plan and she’s confident she’ll be able to pull it off.

She meets Alex, the groom’s best man and the local womanizer. He has a reputation of sleeping with every bridesmaid at every wedding. Gina knows he won’t get into her panties and she’s not worried.

When Gina and Alex are forced to be together and their car breaks down, she gets to know a different side of him. She starts to think that he might not be so bad, that she would want to be with a man like him.

Until she finds out that he bet his friends that he can sleep with her. She is furious and things get out of hand. Gina loses her best friend and her faith in men.

Will a romantic gesture change Gina’s mind, or will she hate the one man that had made her sit up and take notice, forever?

Part 3: It’s In The Stars

Anna is an independent woman who can’t find a partner in any of the men she meets. Leo is self-destructive and desperate to run away from his path. When the two meet, sparks fly but neither of them know what to do with it.

In the meantime, life goes on and they choose their paths. When they spend more time together they start to wonder if they shouldn’t be together after all.

Until Leo’s past interferes and Anna decides to take a job offer that will take her away from him.

Will the two of them realize they were meant to be? Or will they choose lives without each other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: DAO Press
• Release date: Apr 3, 2018

Book preview

Bad Boys – Box Set (Part 1-3)

3 Romance Novels

Part 1: Love Campaign

Part 2: Best Man’s Bet

Part 3: It is in the Stars

Liz Levoy

DAO PRESS

Table of Contents

Part 1: Love Campaign

Chapter 1: Allie

Chapter 2: Daniel

Chapter 3: Allie

Chapter 4: Daniel

Chapter 5: Allie

Chapter 6: Daniel

Chapter 7: Allie

Chapter 8: Daniel

Chapter 9: Allie

Chapter 10: Daniel

Part 2: Best Man’s Bet

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter10

Part 3: It is in the Stars

Chapter 1: Leo

Chapter 2: Anna

Chapter 3: Leo

Chapter 4: Anna

Chapter 5: Leo

Chapter 6: Anna

Chapter 7: Anna

Chapter 8: Leo

Chapter 9: Anna

Chapter 10: Leo

Chapter 11: Anna

More Books by Liz Levoy

About the Author

Imprint

Part 1: Love Campaign

A Contemporary Romance

Chapter 1

Allie

I walked into the office just after eight and sat down at my desk. The office smelled like cleaning detergent, freshly applied perfume and coffee.

You’re late, Lori teased.

Two minutes, I replied.

Lori turned in her chair and smiled at me. You wild thing.

I rolled my eyes at her but I couldn’t help smiling. So, I was known in the office for always being exactly on time. Lori had gotten three tardy notes from Nina in the past two months. It was important to me not to be late. I kicked off my kitten heels. The industrial carpet was rough underneath my stockinged feet. I retrieved a pair of slippers from the bottom drawer and slid my toes into them.

Lori pulled her dark hair up into a bun and stuck a pencil into it. Strands fell back into her face, defeating the purpose.

Lori’s desk was diagonally opposite to mine. The open plan office was spacious, allowing each of us to have enough space for larger desks and cubicle walls that we could stick things onto. It was still open plan – I wasn’t in my own office just yet – but I preferred it being communal. I enjoyed working in an environment where I could hear and feel the life teeming around me.

So, office gossip, Lori said.

That’s what I miss out on when I’m late, I joked.

Lori smiled. I heard it from Janine in HR last night after you left, she said. You know how she is, unable to keep her mouth shut.

Seems to be the trend around here.

Lori pulled a face. If I kept my mouth shut you wouldn’t know a thing that was going on, she said.

I shrugged. It was true, I owed all the gossip and secondhand information to Lori who kept her eyes and ears open always and told me everything she saw and heard, no matter how credible.

Brisk Insurance wants to vamp up their act. They need a new campaign and they’re hiring.

I raised my eyebrows. Brisk is big. I reached into my bag and pulled out a yogurt cup and a plastic spoon.

Lori nodded. Wonderworks is one of the companies up for consideration, she said

That’s big. I peeled open the yogurt and licked the foil before dumping it in my waste basket. Did the gossip mention who was going to get the job?

Lori shook her head. No, but we do know that ImSo has also been mentioned.

I groaned around the plastic spoon in my mouth. Imagine Solutions was a huge company, a shark in the marketing world that ate small companies like Wonderworks for breakfast. They got most of the campaigns they tendered for, working on a large-scale and focused on quick turnaround and instant gratification. They were the exact opposite from Wonderworks.

I’d been with Wonderworks for almost four years. I’d worked with a cutthroat company like ImSo before and it hadn’t been my thing – I preferred the personal touch and the heart that went into our work.

You know they’ll put Daniel on it, Lori said.

I rolled my eyes. I didn’t expect anything else. I scooped more yogurt out of my cup.

He’s such an ass, Lori said.

So, I hear.

I was one of the few people in our industry who hadn’t had the misfortune of meeting Daniel yet. I was happy keeping it that way if anything I’d heard about him was true.

Anyway, Lori said. We’ll find out what’s happening soon enough. I have other news, too. A favor to ask, actually.

I glanced up at Lori. Her favors weren’t simple.

What is it?

Lori smiled. Shane’s looking for a date for the charity thing he needs to sort out.

I pulled a face.

And you want me to do it?

Lori nodded. You know he’s too shy to ask you himself. You’re so intimidating.

I laughed. Me? Sure.

Really, Lori said. You’re successful and confident and all those nice traits a woman should have.

I chuckled. Wonderful compliments, I said sarcastically.

And he needs someone to make those PR cows jealous. You know how they get.

I scraped out the last bit of my yogurt and sucked off the spoon before throwing it all away.

So, you want me to act like I’m his girlfriend so I can make him look better in front of them because they think he’s gay.

Lori sighed. Basically. You know how different he is. They’re giving him hell.

Shane was Lori’s cousin and he worked on the second floor of our building. He was involved in PR – one of the few men in Wonderworks who employed largely women – and he wasn’t the manliest man out there. He lacked the oozing testosterone and absolute disregard for women’s feelings that most men had and that made him a target. Go figure.

Yeah, okay. I’ll do it if he comes to talk to me himself, I said.

Lori grinned. You’re a star, she said.

I turned to my desk and rolled my eyes. I wasn’t a star. I was a sad sap who helped people because I couldn’t bear to say no. It wouldn’t be so bad, though. What would one night hurt just to show the PR bitches a thing or two? They really were a hard bunch to please – I got irritated when I was around them during lunch. I couldn’t imagine what working with them would be like.

Nina alert, Lori said in a low voice without turning around and we pretended to be working.

Allison, Nina called from the other side of the floor. In my office, please.

I nodded and kicked off my slippers to put my heels on again. I glanced at Lori who rolled her eyes. Nina insisted on Allison even when everyone else called me Allie. I hated being called by my full name.

I walked to Nina’s office and knocked before entering.

Nina’s office was a home away from home. She spent so much time at work she hardly needed any of her stuff at home.

In the corner, an elliptical machine stood gleaming and proud. Nina had her own coffee machine, a clothing rack with more dress suits in case she needed to change on the fly for an important meeting and an angora rug that I wanted to curl my naked toes into.

Sit down, please, Nina said and gestured to one of the armchairs. I sat down and waited. Nina walked around her desk and sat down in the other. Without the desk between us, it gave the idea of equality and friendship, but it was only an illusion. Nina was above the rest of us and she was not a friend.

We’ve been awarded the opportunity to tender for Brisk Insurance’s new campaign, she said. They want something new, something fresh that will tug at the hearts of those who witness it to buy their insurance. You know how it goes.

I nodded. I’d been in this industry for nearly six years – I knew exactly how it went.

I want you on the campaign, she said.

Alone? I asked.

Nina nodded. I think it’s about time you proved your worth to this company. I’m sure you can handle this.

It wasn’t a compliment, it was a threat. I understood Nina’s ways of speaking. I nodded.

Of course, I said. I could show her what I was worth.

Good, Nina said. You’re meeting with Harold Dunn at three. We’ve been shortlisted but you’re still going to have to beat the others. I expect big things, Allison.

I frowned. Three o’clock this afternoon? I asked.

Nina nodded, glancing down at a piece of paper in her hand.

Yes, three. Their main offices are in Lower Manhattan. I trust you’ll find it.

I swallowed. I had virtually no time to prepare if she wanted me to face Mr. Dunn from Brisk Insurance at three this afternoon.

That’s all. Go on, make me proud.

I got up and thanked Nina for the opportunity before leaving the office.

I got it, I said when I got back to my desk. The Brisk interview.

Lori squealed and rolled her chair to my desk.

It’s today, I added. I have no idea what to prepare.

Lori shook her head. You’ll be fine. You just need a rough idea to present to Dunn and you’ll be fine. You should rather worry about Daniel Bowen. He’s going to be there and you don’t want him to charm Mr. Dunn into his own pocket.

I flipped my hair over my shoulder.

If there’s one thing I can do it's competing with Daniel Bowen. Dunn needs a women’s touch on this and I can show him that. It’s why Nina employs so many women.

Lori nodded slowly. Yeah, I get that. But you’re not prepared for Bowen himself. He’ll charm you out of your panties before you know it. I’m not worried about you impressing Dunn, I’m worried about you being in the same room with Daniel Bowen.

I rolled my eyes. He’s just a man, Lori. Sure, I hear he’s an ass, but how bad can it be?

The office of Brisk Insurance was a jewel of a building sandwiched between equally shiny buildings that had all their sights set on business. I looked up at the towering buildings above me.

Beautiful view, isn’t it? a voice said behind me. When I turned around I stared into emerald eyes. They were smiling.

It is, I said. I live here and I still can’t get enough of it.

He jammed his hands into his pockets and chuckled. I looked at him. He had messy sandy hair, styled to look windblown, and high cheekbones that gave him an almost Slavic look. His eyes were amused. He wore a tie loosely around his neck, the first button undone. It looked like he was headed home after a long day.

He nodded a greeting at me and headed toward the front door. A moment later, I followed him. My meeting was in fifteen minutes. When I stepped into the lobby, Mr. Windblown leaned against the reception desk, one hand in his pocket, one elbow on the desk. He was smiling at the receptionist. She blushed. Whatever he’d said to her, it had caught her attention. Her eyes were glued to him.

Excuse me, I said when she didn’t acknowledge me. She looked at me, almost irritated. Her dark hair was pulled back from her face, her ponytail tighter than it needed to be. I have an appointment with Mr. Dunn at three.

She glanced down at her book and back up at me, her eyes dull.

Ms. Snyder?

I nodded.

You can go up. He’s expecting you. Fifth floor, you’ll find it.

I glanced at Windblown again. He had a cocky grin on his face, his eyes boring into mine. I was immediately irritated. I couldn’t stand men who flirted their way through life.

I rode the elevator to the fifth floor. A redheaded receptionist greeted me and pointed me to a heavy mahogany door with Mr. Dunn’s details printed in gold on it.

Miss Snyder, Mr. Dunn said when I entered his office. He was graying at the temples, his eyes black. He had a warm smile and it made me feel at ease. He was the kind of person I would want to deal with if I had a claim, although I doubted he handled any claims directly. But the big desk, the impeccable office, his three-piece suit of which he’d only taken off the blazer, wasn’t intimidating at all.

Can I offer you something to drink? he asked. I smiled and declined politely.

Mr. Dunn looked at his wristwatch.

We’re just waiting for Mr. Bowen, he said and smiled at me. He’s fashionably late.

Or rude, I thought, but I didn’t say it. I sat down in the seat Mr. Dunn pointed to and crossed my legs at the knee. I folded my hands in my lap and waited.

Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself, about what you do, while we wait? Mr. Dunn asked.

I started with a short summary of my qualifications and experiences. I wanted Dunn to know I was cut out for the job.

That’s impressive, Dunn said when I finished. But tell me about you, who you are as a person.

I opened my mouth to answer, but I didn’t get a chance to. The door opened and Windblown swept in.

Sorry I’m late, he said, walking to Mr. Dunn with an extended hand. I was held up.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Held up by the brunette downstairs? He glanced at me and smiled.

I was irritated.

It happens to the best of us, Mr. Bowen, Mr. Dunn said.

This was Daniel Bowen?

I was suddenly angry. The nerve! He flashed another charming smile at me, the kind that would make a woman blush without introduction.

I wasn’t blushing.

Let’s get this started, shall we? Mr. Dunn said. Was it only the two of us? I want to explain to you what I want. Then I want to hear what you have in mind, and lastly, I want to know why you think I should hire you for the job.

My ears started ringing. I had thrown together a rough idea but I didn’t know if it was enough. Bowen and his arrogant smile had thrown me off and now I had to pitch something that would get me in Dunn’s good books above Mr. Please-Everybody.

I took a deep breath. I could do it.

Let me be the first to say, Bowen started. That life and its beauty here in Manhattan never gets old. He glanced at me. It never fades. I live here, and I’m still not used to it.

My mouth dropped open. Was he using my line – the sincerity I’d spoken with outside – to pitch for a job?

I think we should use that concept for a campaign, to emphasize beauty and that something like loss shouldn’t draw our attention away from it.

I glared at him. He smiled at me, arrogant, cocky. Son of a bitch.

Mr. Dunn nodded, impressed. 

If this was my competition, this was going to be fun. Lori had warned me against Daniel Bowen, the handsome charmer who could mesmerize any woman.

Not me. The only thing I felt toward him was contempt. If this was how we were going to play the game, bring it on.

I could be better. I could make it happen. This was the man that charmed women out of their panties? Well, he had another thing coming. My panties were staying right where they were.

Chapter 2

Daniel

Work is work.  It always has been. You do it to get somewhere in life and the better you do it, the faster you get there.

I didn’t hate my job. I couldn’t stay I loved it – why would I love something that took up half of my waking hours? I was good at it, though, and winning was better than anything else out there.

I stepped into the office at five past nine. Henry and Blake were already in my office. Henry tapped his foot restlessly. Blake paged through a Sports’ magazine.

What’s the point of your team being early if you’re just going to be late? Blake asked when I stepped into my office and shrugged out of my suit jacket.

I thought you boys would have started, I said and grinned at them.

Not on your life, buddy. We do this together, remember? Henry was in a bad mood. I shrugged and leaned over to grab the mail from my IN tray.

At school, I had been the one to ride the coattails of others. Why do the work when someone else was willing to? In the grownup world, it wasn’t much different. If you waited long enough, someone would come along eager to get in the way and take over. Who was I to bust their dreams and insist on doing it myself?

So, I wasn’t always the most ethical person. I didn’t always give someone else the credit when they did all the work. Sometimes they didn’t know I was riding their coattails. Some people called it stealing. I called it being smart.

Life is all about money. If you do it right, no one gets hurt. If you do it wrong… there’s nothing like a charming smile and a sincere apology to make things right.

Okay, so what do we have? I asked Henry. He was the type that had always been a team player – fair and honest and all that.

He shrugged.  If you were on time you would have known that Brisk Insurers are looking for someone to put together a new campaign, he said. He rubbed his nose with his forefinger and sniffed.

I looked up at him. Tell me we’re shortlisted.

He nodded. Of course.

I clapped my hands together and rubbed them.

It’s in the bag, boys. Brisk is a big one.

Big names on résumés were always