Fun fact about “The CEO Enemy”

Dear reader,

I hope you all had a delicious “Chocolate Pudding Day” yesterday!

Speaking of delicious things, I wanted to remind you that the sweet release price for my newest romcom, “The CEO Enemy,” is ending very soon. 

(Segue, good? Good? 😉)

Now, onto something even sweeter: a fun fact about my newest release!

Keyword: Spider-Man.

My latest romcom is sprinkled with tiny Spider-Man references. My love for Spider-Man goes way back to my childhood. It all began with classic comic books, long before the blockbuster movies we adore today.

I vividly remember the moment I fell head over heels for Spidey. It wasn’t Mary Jane’s time yet—this was an iconic kiss with another heroine. 

It left me captivated. 💋❤️

Here’s the scene:

The romance! The thrill of that moment!

Set in space—absolutely epic, right?

Do you love it?

I can’t help but chuckle at Spider-Man’s thoughts during the scene, thinking “Oh, brother!” and “This is getting out of hand.” Hihihi 🤭 Swooooon!

Ever since that day, Spider-Man has been my ultimate hero. In my new book “The CEO Enemy”, you’ll find small nods to Spider-Man woven into the story. I hope you love these references just as much as I do.

Speaking of which, I’m curious—who is your favorite hero? Is it Spider-Man too?

If so, “The CEO Enemy” is for you.

Come meet Jess and Sean in this exclusive sneak peek. Just a heads-up: during their first, well, “revealing” encounter, Sean doesn’t exactly scream Spider-Man vibes—but hey, maybe it’ll sneak up on Jess later in the story.

For now, Sean gives off “Neighbor from Hell” vibes.

I knock on the door. 
“Hello?”
I know someone is home.

I can hear the TV news. There’s some movement, but it doesn’t seem like they’re coming to answer.

My neighbor Lottie caught sight of a man moving in, and she cautioned me that he’s a *very* unfriendly character. Apparently, he didn’t even bother with a simple “Hi” and instead, seemed to communicate through grunts. Classic Lottie, with her flair for exaggeration. He’s likely the regular friendly guy next door—poor Lottie just caught him in the midst of moving in.

After a few seconds, I knock again, only louder this time. 
“Hello? Anyone home? I need help!” I knock repeatedly.

The door opens a second later.

“Hi, there, sorry to bother y—whoa.” I can’t believe I said that out loud, but I’m not even a little embarrassed about it.

He towers over me. The most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life.

He’s at least six foot one, with a chiseled jaw, bright-green eyes piercing into my soul…and not a stitch of clothing on. Yeah. He’s standing there in his birthday suit.

And here I am thinking that me in my small-ish pink towel, wearing nothing underneath, is weird. My eyes keep straying south. I can’t help but catch more than just a glimpse of the view below the horizon.

Yep. There’s his…dick.

Believe me, I’m as surprised as anyone else here. Even in its relaxed state, it’s long and thick. Or is he half-hard? Because the size is quite impressive. Easily eight inches. Maybe nine. I’m staring…and disbelieving…and staring…until I realize what I’m doing and quickly avert my gaze back to his face.

My new neighbor looks alarmed, mad even, as if he’s rushed to the door without bothering to dress.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” he demands, eyes narrowed.

Crap. Why am I here again?

Right, I’m locked out. “Um, sorry to bother you, but, um, I locked myself out of my apartment,” I say, gesturing toward my door and the blueberry pancakes. As I speak, I realize how difficult it is to have a regular conversation when you’ve just caught an eyeful of all *that.*

“Well,” he huffs, “unless you slipped a spare key under my door when I wasn’t looking, then I’m not sure how I can help you.” He arches an eyebrow, already in the process of swinging the door shut shut.

“Wait! Please don’t! I really do need your help.”

I better be quick. Also, my pancakes are getting cold, so I really need to get back inside my place.

“So, Ms. Lockout Queen, do you need me to call the super or something?” he asks, scrutinizing me the whole time.

What a jerk. “No, thanks. Actually, our balconies are right next to each other. I was wondering if you would let me in so I could climb over.”

“No.”

I blink a few times. “I’m sorry?”

“I said no.”

“It will only take a second. I promise, it really will only take a second for me to hop over to my place. Then I’ll leave you alone.”

He gives me a stern look. “Climbing between balconies is reckless and unsafe.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“And if you’re not? I’m not going to be held responsible if something happens to you.”

“Fine,” I say, attempting to keep the exasperation from my tone. “If I promise not to hold you responsible if I get hurt, then will you let me in?”

He studies me for a moment, and it’s hard to get a read on him. His expression holds nothing but annoyance, though I’m hopeful I’ve gotten through to him, considering he hasn’t slammed the door in my face yet.

I offer him a bright smile.

There’s a moment’s pause before he mutters something under his breath and steps to the side. “Fine. Come in.”

Thank goodness! I want to do a little happy dance, but well, I’m trying not to lose my towel.

Before entering his apartment, I grab my food delivery and give my towel an extra little tuck for good measure.

I’m in!

The place looks minimalistic. Sleek. Somehow bachelor-esque with all the black furniture and monochrome artwork. I spot a black helmet. He rides a motorcycle? Interesting! 
At once, I realize he was exercising. I notice his treadmill and weights near the balcony, and there’s a pile of workout clothes on the floor. He must have been on his way to the shower when I knocked. I should have known he works out. With that body, it’s safe to say he’s not the “lounge around all day” type.

“Just a second,” he mutters, storming down the hall, and that’s when I catch a glimpse of his other side, and oh, boy, it’s just as appealing as the first. I’m pretty sure I could bounce a quarter off his backside if I had the chance.

Awkwardly, I stay put, switching my weight from one foot to the other, playing with the paper bag in my hands. He returns wearing a simple pair of black boxer briefs. They cover him, but honestly, the outline still makes quite the statement.

“The balcony is this way.” He motions with his inked arm for me to follow him.

Dear God, his back is rippling with muscles, something I missed when checking him out earlier. How does someone get that well-defined? I don’t have the energy for exercise—unbelievable, I know.

I tear my gaze away to focus. When did I become so easily distracted by a man?

Once we step outside, reality slaps me in the face, and I wince.

Crap. The balconies are a little farther apart than I originally thought. Not ridiculously far, only a couple of feet.

The distance is still manageable. However, it does make this whole thing a tad riskier. Setting my bag of pancakes down, I move to the edge to get a closer look, trying to figure out what my best move might be.

“We’re really high up,” my neighbor says. “You know what, I’m going to call the super.”

“Nonono, absolutely not necessary. I got this. Easy-peasy. Just…stay there in case I slip or something.”

“I thought you said you could handle this?” He sounds even more irritated than before.

I glance back at him to find he hasn’t followed me out onto the balcony. He stands in the doorway, tattooed arms crossed, that frown still etched in place. Geez, doesn’t this guy have any other facial expressions?

“I can,” I tell him. “Doesn’t mean I’m immune to the effects of gravity. It might be easier if you come out and spot me. Just in case.”

He shakes his head, a protest clearly on his tongue. When he notices that I’m already maneuvering my right foot over the railing, he quietly steps out and moves closer to me. “I got you.” The weight in his voice gives me a warm feeling. My heart flutters as he draws near. Deep down, I know that if anything were to happen, he would have my back. At least in this crazy endeavor. With those muscles, he’d definitely be ready to snap me back up!

As I carefully maneuver my other leg over the railing, I try to keep my breathing even and focus on him, the grim culmination in front of me, in an attempt to avoid looking down. I stand on the other side of the railing, gripping the metal so tight my knuckles turn white.

“Talk to me,” my neighbor says. At the sound of his deep, but surprisingly calming voice, I take a slow breath. “Okay…Slowly. No need to rush.”

Rotating, I face my balcony, and I’m slapped with a gust of wind that nearly sends me flying. The shriek that escapes is foreign to me, practically enough to make me backtrack and say, “Forget it.” The last thing I want to do is go splat, in just my towel, on a Manhattan sidewalk.

No. Thank. You.

“Whoa there,” he says, grabbing me like his life depends on it. “Come back. Now.”

I can’t suppress a surprised squeak, my heart fluttering at the unexpected closeness. “Whoa, buddy, I barely know you,” I tease.

But after a moment’s pause, with his strong arms enveloping me from behind, I think I’m good. I can’t stop now. I’m almost there.

It’ll be way easier to follow through instead of turning back at this point.

Cautiously, I stick my foot out until I feel the ledge.

I find it easily and, in one smooth movement, I step over and grab my railing. Dear God, if anybody were to look up, they’d be treated to a firsthand view of what not to wear on a balcony.

Phewwww. My adrenaline is through the roof. I’m proud of myself as I straddle the railing.

Almost there.

Ufff. Thank goodness.

When I glance back at my neighbor, he still has that serious expression he’s been sporting since he opened the door. But I notice his shoulders slump and some of the tension leaves his body.

“See?” I say with a grin, lifting my other leg over. “Ha! Piece of cake. Told ya!” I shrug, waving it off like I’ve been doing this all day, every day. “Call me Lockout Queen by day, and Balcony Spider-Woman by night,” I joke.

I’m too focused on my triumph to notice that my towel has become loose.

The next thing I know, I’m standing on my balcony all right, with my towel on the floor and everything on display for a complete stranger. Yes. I’m talking tits and delicate lady bits, officially making their debut.

My neighbor’s eyebrows shoot up. 
For the first time since we’ve met, that surly exterior cracks.

…

…

Did you enjoy the sneak peek?

Grab “The CEO Enemy” before the release price ends—it’s free on Kindle Unlimited!

🎧 Get ready for July, when the audiobook, narrated by the incredible Jacob Morgan and Andi Arndt, hits all major retailers worldwide. 

Happy reading (and listening)!

This is what some of you are saying. Guys! My heart! ❤️

“One of the best meet-cutes I have read! After the first few surprises it flows into a wonderful story. Great beginning to a series. I cannot wait for the next one.” -Amazon Reviewer

“10/10 recommend.” -Amazon Reviewer

“The banter is top tier! They had me giggling so many times! Also, Sean had me swooning! Plus the mouth on this man…SHEESH!” -Amazon Reviewer

“Sean is everything, literally. He’s tall, gorgeous, a little grumpy, charismatic, not to forget a billionaire CEO (that’s my type😫🔥) and has a filthy mouth that is my downfall. Most importantly he loves hard and the way he fought for their love and Jess made my heart swoon and warm.” -Amazon Reviewer

“I was hooked from the beginning. And the office scene! SHEW 🥵🥵🥵” -Amazon Reviewer

This one made me giggle: 🤭🤭🤭

“I’m in no way prepared to let go of these characters, so I’m going to need the author to write more, fast.” -Amazon Reviewer

Looks like I better keep those characters busy. Next book coming right up! Stay tuned! ❤️

Jolie Day