Kept by Him

The Billionaire's Club #4

by Red Garnier

The Billionaire’s Club: The wealthiest, most powerful men, not only in Chicago, but in the world. They are used to getting whatever they want, whenever they want it.

Not everyone knows that billionaire Daniel Lexington gets a little dirty, a little dark and will settle for nothing less than everything from any woman lucky enough to tangle his sheets.  Handsome, rich and completely irresistible, Daniel can have any woman he wants.  However, there is one woman he aches to possess, but has never touched: Monica Davenport.  Monica is one of the alarmingly few women in his life that Daniel has called friend and Daniel protects his friends—no matter what.  But when Monica comes to him one night, asking him to make love to her, Daniel is not about refuse—he can’t refuse—even if it could cost him everything.

After witnessing her mother’s turbulent, bitter marriage to her father and its tragic end, Monica Davenport has always had trouble letting men get too close.  She’s determined to never to give herself to the kind of violent passion that plagued her parents’ relationship.  But after her most recent boyfriend dumps her for being passionless, Monica longs to finally break free. She wants to know what it feels like to be taken by a powerful, sexy man.  And who better than Daniel Lexington?  He is one of her closest friends and one of the few men she trusts…and she has always longed for his touch.  Now, she has a shocking, erotic proposal that threatens to change everything between them because Daniel is a demanding lover who will accept nothing less than complete surrender.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Erotic Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Erotica, Billionaires

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Red Garnier is an erotic romance author whose first book released from Ellora's Cave Publishing in May 2007 to receive a Fallen Angel Recommended Read.

She writes fun and sexy erotic contemporaries as well as paranormals, which can range from dark and emotionally intense, to witty and fun and sweet as cherries! Whatever she's writing at the time, Red loves to sit down with her characters and let them take things from there.

Red Garnier is a lover of love, laughter, and hot, steamy sex. She lives with her husband - the love of her life, her very own hero! - and is a proud mother of two.

She was born to write, to say what's on her mind, and to make a few tongues wag along the way. When Red is not writing, she's probably found with her face glued to a sizzling romance book.

Red loves to read and to write in the many genres of romance.

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

He thought he could control his hunger. He'd been controlling it for years. But like some underfed, abused beast, it was out of its cage, and Daniel feared no amount of willpower would hold it back now. Only Monica...


Daniel Lexington is sexy as sin, rich, and completely irresistible; the Prince of The Windy City. He can have any woman he wants. But there's only one woman that he hungers for, but she remains forever out of reach and hands off.

Monica is known as the Ice Princess. She may be successful and rich in her own right, but her issues with letting men in has earned her a reputation. Her parent's turbulent marriage and it's violent end has made her swear off the type of passion. She only dates "safe" men, and is not interested in getting her heart involved. Unfortunately her choice in men has not left her to experience the all consuming passion that she longs for in bed, and there's only one man that she knows can give it to her.

So when Monica propositions Daniel to show her what passion can be, no strings attached, he can't help but agree. After all, he's wanted Monica for so long. But will Daniel be satisfied with just Monica's body when he wants to possess her everything?


This was probably my least favorite in the series. It was super steamy and sexy and I absolutely LOVED Daniel, but I had a slight disconnect with Monica. She grated on me for most of the book. I understand her hesitancy to get involved emotionally given what she saw her parents go through, but at the same time she irritated me with her issues.

Daniel wanted her, and he was very clear about it. Monica took the entire book to finally get her shit together. I can't say that she was THAT bad, but enough for me to get irritated with her at times. It was a quick read, but I did find myself getting bored with it. It also might have been a case of been there and read that as well. It was a sexy, though unoriginal plot. It was OK. A quick and steamy read, but nothing I will be going back to.

[Mariℓina · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ICE MAIDEN AND THE PRINCE!!!

That was the story i was waiting for, from book 1..
And the prince really delivered!!!
Beautiful story of one and only love..

Daniel was SEXY, amazing, kinky in a nice way, sentimental and strong..
Monica was so wounded on the inside and tough on the outside, tried to hide behind her failed relationships, but all was just a pretence he knew better..
They found their love years ago and now it's their time!!!

I loved so many different moments in this book.. and i really felt their story.. Complicate and easy at the same time.. And hot, HOT, HOTTER THAN HOT..

They are so passionate.. And so jealous of each other and they tortured one another all the time for no reason..
I loved their prvious relationship.. How he was holding her every night so she could sleep.. AWWWWWWW cuteness alert... But Daniel was right, she locked him behind her walls all those years ago without her understand it.. He was always available to her..




THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- My Luke!!! I missed him so much..
- They intensity in their alone times was palpable
- Monica's past was horrible..
- It was crazy acting like friends..
- The thing with Roland was sick from his side..

And now my favorite scenes
Limo sex


Fighting in rain


The photoshoot

[Jamie *Gypsy Smut-a-teer* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this short story series. All of these Chicago alpha males have been scorching hot playboys that all fall head over heels in love and realize all the playing they've been doing was just a past time to finding the girl of their dreams. The thing I've enjoyed the most about this series, is the fact that each book is just barely over 100 pages, but the stories don't seem to be rushed or incomplete. They have plenty of character development, with some backstory, and duel POV's with a big HEA!!

Daniel had known who the girl of his dreams was for years, but she asked him to step back and he did for her. But when she comes to him and asks him to have sex with her, he knows this is his opportunity to finally get her and have her as his own. She doesn't go down easy, but who could really turn down Daniel Lexington??

I loved the photo shoot scene, like scorching hot, well basically any scene with Daniel was, but that one was beyond hot. I can't wait for the last story. Those silent type guys always get me for some reason. :)

[Vintage · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was well on its way to be being a three or four star. Daniel is an awesome, kickass, alpha bad boy with a melting heart. Monica, the Ice Queen, is a shutdown girl who goes to her BF to enjoy sex. She's shut down due to a horrific family tragedy.

But,the guy she's been seeing and can't enjoy sex with turns about to be her mother's old lover. GROSS, GROSS, GROSS and ICK. What does she do when she finds out, she says thanks for him for caring for her mother and hugs him. I am sorry, but this is what violence was created for. She should have slugged the bejeezus out of him. Having sex with your dead mother's lover is just NOT done. A DNF at that point. I don't know if i can even read the rest, and I want to know Cade's sad sack story, but I am afraid that he'll end with his own sister or something.

[Alex Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars is really the most I can give a novella, but this one really had potential to go farther. I loved their story and wanted more. This type of reading has made me realize I’ll stick to novels in the future but it’s good to switch it up.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Love this series but couldn't give a five star for two reasons. First, the twist about her mother and Roland was just creepy!! It was gross, ugh. And second, the prior books portrayed Daniel as the kinkiest of them all. Talking about what he did to girls up in his locked fortress. But where was the kink?? Just tying a woman up is not kink and especially for the reasons he did it. I still liked him but, I was looking forward to kink!!!

[Megan ~The Never Ending Book Basket · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved every bit of this novella! It was steamy, full of pent up tension and spark, and it had two characters that I loved getting to experience. The story was real and raw and intense and I loved it. I have really enjoyed reading the series, and I can't wait to see what the last book will bring these characters. I found Monica and Daniel to be such an enjoyable characters to get to know and fall for, and their story is not one to be missed!

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED IT


Daniel Lexington billionaire, known as the prince of Chicago is the hero in this edition of the billionaires club series. Daniel, tall and blond with green eyes is the dream man of many women. But even though Daniel has had many women in his life, there is only one woman he wants, and that is Monica Davenport. They've known each other since childhood, Monica's history is quite tragic, causing her to keep a tight hold on her emotions. Hence the press have named her the ice maiden. Monica never lets herself go in or out of bed. Determined to feel something and try to let herself go, she approaches Daniel and asks him to have sex with her.

Enjoyed this story the fourth in the series, even though it was a bit cliched. The sex was hot and passionate. I liked Daniel he was a great character, and although Monica had experienced tragedy via her parents. I wished she had not been quite so reticent with Daniel. But this is still a good story for those fans of this series. I'm really looking forwards to Cade's story which is next.

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel who is the brother of Chloe (from book 1) is a playboy and not good at keeping woman. He likes to play but does not like to stay. His long time friend Monica asks for his help. She has been having problems in the bedroom and she wants her friend to see what he could do to help her get out of her head while having sex. The problem was once they get a taste for each other they did not want to stop. Of course there are problems - Daniel with commitment and Monica believing that he could commit but also her ex boyfriend. Monica is looking for a father figure who can provide her with stability and help her with her business. She did not think Daniel fit the bill. He was a great friend but she was not sure that they could build a relationship.

But they have sex and more sex and fall in love and live happily ever after.

I read this as an ebook travelling across Europe.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story.
Daniel and Monica have been friends for many years. There was a brief time when they were teenagers that things between them could have blossomed into a great love, but that is when tragedy struck. Monica closed herself off to love after that. With her relationship on the rocks, she seeks the help of Daniel to see if the problem really lies with her.
Another good story in the Billionaire's Club Series.

[Tammy Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Daniel and Monica had an unrequited love for each other. Monica was afraid to love because of her parents, they had always fought and cheated on each other. Seeing this and hearing her mothers words about never falling in love, Monica pushed Daniel away not long after her parents committed suicide. But in the end Monica and Daniel got their hea.

[Onyinye Okafor]

Emotionally sensual
Danica

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each one of these seem to get better and better. Maybe it's because we have seen glimpses of the men throughout the earlier books - or if the general progression of the author's growth... who knows...

So lets dive into the story of Daniel and Monica. Childhood friends that are linked together through a past that is entwined with first crushes and support when things fall apart. Both business savvy and both still friends after all these years. Daniel is the Prince of Chicago, one of the most sought out playboys but one that seems to have a heart. Monica is the icy one - never linked to a man that is her age, always cold and lifeless in the spot light.

But not with Daniel, he knows her and the pain that love brought to her life - to her parent's life. Avoiding the tragedy that love can often bring she is closed off and can't seem to connect to anyone intimately. She needs practice, she needs a man that is obviously good at it to show her the ropes; teach her to let go and give her body so she can keep the man that will give her comfort (and not passion).

But Daniel has harbored feelings for Monica since she was a teenager and he held her through the roughest parts of her life. And a chance to show her why she should be his is something he won't let pass. As they begin their little agreement Monica starts to realize that she craves his touch and is finding out that the problems that plagued her before don't exist with Daniel. But this type of intimacy leads to nothing good. She can't give her heart to a man, a risk that could destroy her.

The only thing about this installment that I did not like was the replay effect of switching back and forth in the point of view. After each encounter told from Monica's POV it would switch of to Daniel who would in turn day dream about that same encounter from his POV. It felt a little like I kept reading the same sex scenes over and over again. The story is not too long so I felt like I was missing a chance at a little extra bit of story in the middle of all of this. But that was the only thing that bothered me and I got over it.

I am pleased that I came across one of these via Net Gallery and gave it a shot, a great little Novealla series about 5 hot rich guys, who could ask for more?

[ies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suka deh tema friend with benefit kek gini.. hahaha

Monica Davenport, si heroine.. awalnya hidupnya baik-baik saja, berasal dari keluarga kaya raya dengan orang tua yang saling menyayangi dan jelas menyayanginya (ga ada abuse2an syukurlah) hingga suatu hari Ibunya Monica mengetahui bahwa ayahnya selingkuh
Hancur deh, keluarga bahagia yg selama ini dinikmati Monica, dari Ibunya yg bales ayahnya selingkuh, ribut tiap hari, saling menjelekkan satu sama lain di depan Monica, sampai puncaknya Ibu dan Ayahnya bareng2 bunuh diri (ga ngerti gw jalan pikiran ortunya gimana) dan Monica yg nemuin mayat keduanya.
Itu semua membuat Monica tidak percaya cinta, tidak percaya keluarga, dan tidak ada deh kebahabiaan selama-lamanya kek di dongeng, dia jadi cewe yg sangat dingin.

Daniel Lexington, Kaya maksimal, ganteng maksimal dan playboy maksimal.. tapiii.. dia selalu mencintai Monica sejak mereka remaja (pret! ga ada didunia nyata) kwkwkw
Daniel selalu menghormati Monica sebagai teman, bahkan mungkin lebih kek sodaraan, meski tidak bisa dipungkiri die menyimpan hasrat ke Monica dr mereka remaja #eaa

Keluarga Daniel dan Monica sudah berteman sejak lama, bisa dibilang Daniel dan Monica tumbuh bersama (rumahnya cuma beda lt doang)
Bahkan setelah ortunya Monica bundir, Monica sempet tinggal bersama keluarga Daniel beberapa waktu, yeah.. meski akhirnya Monica pindah.. itu setelah Daniel ga tahan buat ga mencium Monica hmpfh
ya pokoknya mereka itu deket deh..

Monica, yeah.. die cantik, mandiri dan sukses die jg punya pacar meski pacar2nya selalu cowo2 yg jauh lebih tua, kr die ga mau terlibat secara emosional sama pacar2nya (ngapain pacaran coba?)
Hingga suatu hari, pacarnya ninggalin die dgn alasan Monica itu dingin dan ga pernah bisa menikmati hubungan sexual, dan apa yg dilakukan Monica? yep... die ngajakin Daniel bobo bareng, tanpa ikatan, cuma buat uji coba apa bener die dingin? secara Daniel terkenal kr ke-playboy-an nya
Apa Daniel bisa nolak? secara die cinta mati ke Monica dr remaja? baca sajaahh... seruuu si, meski gw sebel sama Monica kr die ga berani menerima kenyataan fyuh........

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell! This stories keep coming more and more perfect. It have so much action, funny scenes and hot scenes that I barely cannot put it down. I never thought that Daniel had this side of him.

As I said, this time was the time of Daniel Lexington and our woman is Monica Davenport is the winner. I can say that she was the winner long time ago thanks to their backgrounds. They knew each other for years and love each other for years too, but neither of them want to say it to the other. Basically that was Monica's fault. She was traumatized after her parents died by killing themselves together. She swore never to give her heart to someone, but it was too late. Her heart belongs to Daniel long time ago and she have his too.

After years of separation and trying to deny themselves, she makes a proposition to him. Have sex without feelings, because she wanted a better relationship with his actual boyfriend. What a joke, right? Anyway, Danny accepts, but in the way both keep falling in love and this time nothing can stop them. Which that was the war Monica had in all the book. She knew she was in love with him, never wanted to tell him, then screw up and was scared that she didn't want him anymore. GIRL! He is head over heels for you, never doubt that.

At the end, everything went well. I totally love the epilogue! It was a magazine article about both of them being around kissing, going to dinner and alll that stuff. It also gave us the peek that she have a ring in her hand, so maybe he ask her to marry him. That would be very lovely! The Ice Maiden & The Prince of the Wind City ARE NOW together and hopefully forever! Yeah, I will think it is. READ THE BOOK!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot get enough of these books. They are steamy, short, well written and I absolutely love them. As I have said before, they are somewhat out of this world with the Billionaires and their over-the-top security systems and Bugatti's. But I don't always dive into a book to read about REAL life. The fantasy of the rich and hunky is part of the appeal. The unflappable king of non-commitment, Daniel Lexington, is in love? What?! Awwww. And the Ice-Queen herself is his one lost love!? Can you say Angst? Like I said - I LOVE these books.
Bring on the next one Ms. Garnier...

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Prince and the Princess are best friends for like forever. They can talk to each other, have meals together, board meetings but neither has ever thought of the other as "the one", until.....
Now once they get their hands on each other the Prince teaches the Princess a thing or twelve in bed. Okay they aren't really a prince or princess but as the story is told they make you think that if it was a fairytale they would be just that. I love Daniel's character. He is the epitome of the sexy good guy that you just want all for yourself. It's a story that just makes you let out a little smile and a sigh at the end.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You seem to be mistaking me for one of your elderly lapdogs. I'm not a man to be ordered around, not even by you, but now that you're making demands of me, then I'll gladly issue some demands of my own. The first one is, don't you ever, ever, say his name to me again as long as I'm fucking you. I may be your friend, but I'm also your lover. It's my name you call when you come. It's my eyes you look into when you're begging and writhing. It's me you wanted to fuck last night, me you wanted to fuck just an hour ago--not Roland."



I loved Daniel!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series just keeps getting better. Since we aren't going to find real men like this we have to live through the eyes of Red Garnier and her sexy, wonderful billionare hotties. Daniel doesn't seem to have as much kink factor as his friends but his story is no less captivating. To have loved your best friend your whole life and have your dream come into reality just makes the story all that more enticing. I look forward to the next book in the series and recommend to one and all.

[Ceacily cici Sherly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friend with Benefit...dua2nya cakep n cantik,dua2nya terkenal dan dua2nya kaya...yg cowo cinta mati ke cewenya...yg cewe trauma gara2 pernikahan orang tuanya yg kacau smp berujung tragedi saling membunuh dan bunuh diri...tp tetap gag bs menolak pesonanya Daniel yg super sexy...konfliknya yah cuma itu mengatasi traumanya Monica...saya agak berasa gag terlalu dapet feelnya ni novel...tapi satu hal yg pasti,baca ini bikin saya kepanasan yg gag ada hubungannya dgn api dan matahari hmpfh...apalagi pas sesi foto2 hmmm...

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book before this one was my favorite in this series, but that was until I read this one. Red Garnier is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

Daniel and Monica were friends - both secretly in love with the other. They both hide under a facade to keep their feelings hidden from the public. When they come together as a couple, they are explosive ... scorching hot and their happily ever after inevitable.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do like this series. I don't why I am so engrossed in the billionaire theme, I guess it is my way of avoiding reality for a bit. Daniel and Monica are a great couple that have been in love for years -- since they were kids. It's a nice story of finally admitting that and overcoming obstacles from each of their pasts.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story, I liked it a lot, they just keep getting better as they go. Daniel & Monica are a great couple. I like how Red Garnier makes her books look short but when you actually look at them her chapters are long, anywhere from 43 to 113 pages long. Her book might only have 5 or 6 chapters in it but they are long & completely filled chapters. I like her style.

[Limecello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite, if I can say that - I do love Daniel, but Monica's whole reasoning was unsound to me.
Of course it conveniently allowed for some intense longing and angst, but that felt contrived.

I guess I just wasn't entirely convinced/follow the "logical conclusion" Monica made on why she should be an "ice princess."

[Ixcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book! My god, this man.... They are just perfect. When they want something they pursue it, respect it no matter what even if they get hurt, Daniel is one of them. Loving someone for so many years and trying to not pressure that someone when he gets his chance, he's actually in heaven! Love it!

[Kirst · Rating 1 out of 5]

Novellas just don't do it for me far too rushed, though I liked the characters it was just too short and going over the same emotions they were feeling got a bit boring. I ended up skim reading this in 1 hour! Says a lot about the book! Disappointing and I think the author missed a chance to write a book and not a novella on these characters...

[Latasha Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

She did it again this was another hot book from the series. Red garnier is a wonderful author. She holds your interest and makes you feel hot, hot, hot. She gives you an insight of all relationships on how they find love. Good book!

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent 4 star read

I enjoyed Monica and Daniel's story. For a decent length novella it's a quick and HOT read!

There's plenty of good sex scenes, I particularly enjoyed their foreplay at the photshoot - yummy!

Look no further than Daniel if you need a hot alpha read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok as you can see from my updates I have read all four out now and I have the others three stars..don't get me wrong o liked these books a lot but I wanted more..I get that they are novellas but it felt like I was given the 'cliff notes' version of the story..and well I wanted the whole thing lol!!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. I expected Daniel to be a bit darker and more intense based on the perception given in the previous books. I didn't feel the chemistry between him and Monica was as hot as it was in some of the others in this series.