The Perfect Man: The Hardcore Series, #3

By Jessika Klide

Siri sets about seducing the perfect man. 

"A body that perfect should never wear clothes!"

But a secret revelation threatens to derail her efforts. 

 

 

Best one yet. With each book, these stories get hotter and more suspenseful. —Goodreads review

 

The chemistry between these two is off the charts…. Hot, sexy as all hell! —Goodreads review

 

Aurelius and Siri will steal your heart, making them one of your top ten favorite couples you've ever read.  —Goodreads review

 

No lies. I will tell it to you straight... not curved....THIS SERIES IS ONE OF THE BEST I'VE EVER READ.  —Goodreads review

 

I'd definitely say you're missing out if you haven't read this series! —Goodreads review

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessika Klide LLC
• Release date: May 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393743958

Jessika Klide

"Everyone has secrets!" Jessika Klide burst onto the romance scene in 2014 with her debut novel Untouchable. It steadily rose to the top of Amazon's erotic romance list and made her a favorite among fans. Jessika wrote five full-length novels. Once the series was complete, she was encouraged to continue the hot love story between Maximus Aurelius Moore and Siri Wright. Published as Siri’s Saga, The Series, a continuing steamy romance series, she hopes an even broader audience will be reached and her devoted fans will wear 'happy faces'. Jessika describes herself this way. "Jessika Klide is my pen name. I'm from LA ... Lower Alabama. The Deep South. My mind is extremely sensuous, some call that slutty, so it's just better to use a pen name. Trust me on this! ;)" Whether it's Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, military men make her swoon. Her alpha male hunks are heroes that fall for her confident, smart, and oh so sexy heroines. She is fun and flirty like the heroines she writes. She believes lust and love form perfect unions and the stars do align for true love

Book preview

Chapter

One

Dogwood Court’s apartment buildings loom through the trees as I stroll up the drive.

I wonder if Aurei is home yet? Will I see him today or will I have to wait until Sunday? I smirk, can I wait until Sunday? Can he? The image of him laying naked in bed, floats across my mind. Hopefully, the answer is no.

The lights of a vehicle at the gate illuminate the pavement and my figure casts a long shadow on the road. As the gate goes up and the vehicle pulls through slowly, I move to the left side concerned I could get run over at 2 a.m. The lights brighten then dim politely when the driver see me. The vehicle, however, does not pick up speed. It creeps up, so I turn to look.

The most beautiful man in the world is sitting with his arm out the window of his badass, black Raptor smiling at me.

What are the odds the Golden God would return right now? Karma! You're on a roll!

He stops when he gets even. Hi, Wild Thang.

Hi, Aurelius. I turn to face him.

You good?

Yes, I am. I state as fact and return his smile, then strut over to tease him.

He chuckles and cuts the truck off. No doubt, but I meant, are you alright?

Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?

Where’s the dude? His eyes study my face.

Who? I frown confused.

The dude with the french braid.

I laugh. Oh, TD. I dismiss TD with the wave of my hand, then change the subject. Did you give them hell at the farewell?

I did. So where’s TD?

Why? Are you worried about your bro? I sass him, flirting.

His eyebrows lift, and he chuckles. Should I be?

May … be. I flirt harder.

His tongue sneaks to the corner of his mouth as he tries to stop the amusement from playing across his face.

Damn! He is too fucking cute!

I take a step closer.

So where is he? He presses me, and I hear concern in his voice.

If you must know, I left him there.

He frowns. You left him?

I can’t believe we are talking about TD’s stupid ass. I sass him. Why are you so concerned? Do you think I hurt him?

He looks shocked by my question. Did you?

Sassy ass attitude always trumps the truth, so I roll my eyes, then give him my best 'go to hell' look and refuse to answer him.

He raises his eyebrows and chuckles again. I feel sorry for him now.

The honesty I hear in his voice, pisses me off.

Sorry for him? Sorry? For him? The lying bastard?

The words fuck you form instantly on the tip of my tongue, but luckily his handsome as fuck face makes me bite them back. Knowing those two words could end whatever crazy chemistry we have before it starts. Instead, I express my anger with a Humph. Whip my hair and head up the drive.

Unbelievable! TD’s a manipulating prick! And Aurei feels sorry for him? He’s concerned I hurt him? Concerned where he is because I left him behind? Unbelievable! I shake my head as I stomp away, swinging my hair wildly.

Hey Wright, wait a minute. He calls after me.

Ignoring him, I keep going.

But when I hear the truck crank, my heart plummets to my feet, and my breath pauses in a panic in my throat. What if he drives away? I cut my eyes to the road. That same sick feeling of ultimate loneliness I felt in the elevator that first day threatens to consume me, and I pray Aurei doesn’t leave me behind.

When he creeps into view, his arm is resting on the window. His face is wearing the look of a patient man. A man who does not intend to drive off, but to hang around.

My heart and my breath return to normal, and I stop walking and face him.

When our eyes connect, he grins, knowing he has won, and I close my eyes, confirming it.

Sweet Zeus! My nipples are hard as fucking rocks right now, and it has nothing to do with the chill in the air. What this man does to me!

He stops when we are even and turns off the engine again. Before he can say anything, I ask as I shake my head. Why are men such shits?

The truth of the statement hangs heavy between us.

He doesn’t answer immediately, and I look up to the stars pondering the question. Then he says in a soft, yet commanding voice. Siri, look at me.

My soul melts with the sensuous way my name sounds when he says it, and I can't stop myself. My eyes fall to meet his. When he looks at me with his gorgeous green gaze, the intensity of his concern evaporates all my anger instantly.

In that moment, I understand that that is what is important. Not the who, nor the what, not even the why. What’s important is that he felt true concern. That is what matters most.

Only good guys care.

Not all men are shits. Some are assholes. He assures me, seriously.

I bust out laughing. Well, that’s truth!

Yes, it is. He chuckles.

So which are you? I smile at him.

He smiles a sexy sideways grin, then boldly admits. I’m not a shit. I am an asshole.

Thanks for the heads up. That’s good to know. Glad we have that out in the open.

He smirks and shrugs.

I put my hands on my hips and ask. So, Aurelius, when are you going to take me for a ride in your badass truck?

Right now! He pats the seat. Come on!

I walk around the front in the headlights, and out of habit, I swing my hair to shield my face. Rounding the side, I flip it back and see him leaning over with his hand on the door as it pops open for me. The interior lights bathe his sun-kissed halo and his golden hand. The Golden God watches me as I climb up. I wiggle more than necessary, getting comfortable. Unable to resist the opportunity to tease him.

Where to?

Oh, I cut feisty eyes at him. I only want a ride to the front door. I close the door, then sit prim and proper, staring expectantly out the windshield.

He laughs out loud. Ooo. That’s trickery.

I wiggle again, then pretend to smooth my skirt.

He starts to put the truck in drive, but stops and looks at me. Only the dash lights illuminate us. I glance over and see that the concern is back on his face. Studying me, he says. So?

My face falls. Really? I take a deep breath. I don’t want to talk about it. My tone is dismissive and his tone changes. I hear a hard edge in it.

Did he drop you off at the gate?

No. I told you. I left him there. I took a taxi home. Why are you so concerned?

Our eyes connect and I glimpse the hard edge. I'm trying to figure out if you are hurt.

I’m fine. I smirk.

Mr. Sexy was worried about me. That’s a good thing.

So what would you have done, if I had been hurt?

I would have kicked some ass for you. He states matter-of-factly and puts the truck in drive.

I smirk and look back at the road. That’s really sweet of you and all, but not necessary, I can take care of myself.

He cuts his eyes at me, and I glance over. Then he turns to ask me with a flirty smirk. Do I need to help you bury the body?

No. I laugh at that. He’s very much alive. But he paid dearly for being a shit.

That’s a good thing, Wild Thang.

I smile. Yes, it is.

Aurei takes his foot off the break, and we move forward, but we creep along. So, where was the party?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Try me.

No, really. I cut my eyes at him, and he glances at me. Seriously. You wouldn't believe me.

Try me.

Let's just say, it was not only private, but very secluded with some guests that were interested in mixing it up.

Hmm. His eyes narrow and he frowns as he ponders that information. Then he says in that soft, commanding voice. Explain mixing it up.

For the life of me, I don’t know why I feel compelled to tell him, but I do. Ok. It was actually a cock and tail party. A sex party of swingers.

His frown deepens and I see that hard edge return. Are you sure you're ok?

Positive. I can handle myself. I shrug it off.

He looks at me and even in the low light, I see the concern again in his eyes. I never doubted that for a moment. But just because you can handle yourself, doesn’t mean you came out of the swingers party alright. I did just find you walking home alone up a dark drive at 2 a.m.

Wow! That was a very sensitive thing to say. I’m good, really. Thanks.

He nods and turns his attention back to the road.

The silence in the cab is deafening to me. Lucky for me, I’m a Vegas entertainer.

He nods. Yeah, that’s really lucky. He hits the high beams, and we creep along.

Otherwise, I might not have managed to escape un-fucked.

His head turns toward me, and I can feel his intensity before I see the flash of thunder play across his face, and I continue, needing to make sure he understands who I really am. I’m not an easy piece of tail. I tell him flatly.

A slow smile spreads across his face, and I see that crinkle return to his eyes. He looks back at the road and says. That’s for damn sure! You most certainly are not an easy piece of tail.

I ignore his response and look out at the road too, but the silence screams between us, so I confess further. I’m not that kind of girl either.

No, you certainly are not that either. He states flatly, agreeing to be agreeing.

Annoyed, I turn to study his profile. Don’t agree, just for the sake of agreeing. It’s akin to lying in my book. Shits do that, and so do assholes. I cross my arms under my breasts.

He looks over and I can feel his eyes devouring me, making my nipples grow again. I turn away to look out the window, and the reflection confirms both.

I need to clear the air right now. He states and the edge is back in his voice. The truck stops and he turns in the seat to face me, but I don’t look at him. Instead, I continue to watch his reflection. Siri, you don’t know me either. But I’m not a liar. As a matter of fact, I’m too honest.

I almost laugh at that and look back at him. Too honest? Can someone be too honest? I don’t think so.

Well, it’s true. That’s why I’m an asshole. I raise one doubting eyebrow and he chuckles at my exaggerated, skeptical look. You see, I place a high value on honesty. I don’t sugarcoat shit for anyone. I tell it like it is. It’s who I am.

An honest asshole. I smirk and nod. I can see that.

He smirks too. My bros call me Hardcore.

I grin, liking that name. Hardcore, huh?

Yeah. I give it straight line. Not curved.

Why are you telling me this?

He smiles that sexy smile. I don’t want you staring out the window annoyed that I don’t say what you expect to hear and won’t change my tune when you confront me with it.

Hmm. I purse my lips, then say softly. There’s nothing wrong with over-the-top honesty.

No, there’s not, and I want you to understand from the very beginning, the way I am. I’m not mean. I’m direct. Always. I want you to get to know me well enough that you decide rationally, not emotionally, about who I really am. I want you to give me … us, a real chance.

The words, 'us' and 'a real chance' wash over me.

So be warned, you might not like what you hear from me, but you can always believe it to be true, and I hope you value that.

I twist to face him in the seat, then slowly lift my leg to lay on it. His eyes drop to watch my