GABRIELLE: I've been avoiding risk my whole life. That's what you learn to do growing up well off in a place like Detroit. This is a city that knows how fast things can turn. That white boy made me forget all that. A few moments in his presence and I was consumed by a madness. I did things I never dared dream of. But it doesn't feel wrong. It feels like freedom. He's from the wrong part of town. He makes a living out of violence. He's a risk in my unblemished life. One time was enough of a flirt with danger. The problem is, he might just have me addicted. SEAN: I've fought for everything I've got in this world. My fists and my body won me a new life - away from the squalor of my South Detroit past. Now I'm starting to get my reward: money, fame, girls. The waitress was just supposed to be one of many. Black girls weren't even my type, but something about her set me off. Everything about her screamed class - a word that had never been in this poor boy's vocabulary. I thought I just wanted a taste of it. Turns out it's not the thrill I'm after. It's her. I've gotta show her that I can be more than my body. She wants me to fight for her heart? Girl, get ready to be knocked out.

GABRIELLE: I've been avoiding risk my whole life. That's what you learn to do growing up well off in a place like Detroit. This is a city that knows how fast things can turn. That white boy made me forget all that. A few moments in his presence and I was consumed by a madness. I did things I never dared dream of. But it doesn't feel wrong. It feels like freedom. He's from the wrong part of town. He makes a living out of violence. He's a risk in my unblemished life. One time was enough of a flirt with danger. The problem is, he might just have me addicted. SEAN: I've fought for everything I've got in this world. My fists and my body won me a new life - away from the squalor of my South Detroit past. Now I'm starting to get my reward: money, fame, girls. The waitress was just supposed to be one of many. Black girls weren't even my type, but something about her set me off. Everything about her screamed class - a word that had never been in this poor boy's vocabulary. I thought I just wanted a taste of it. Turns out it's not the thrill I'm after. It's her. I've gotta show her that I can be more than my body. She wants me to fight for her heart? Girl, get ready to be knocked out.

KIARA: Listen, it wasn’t my fault. Our plane was grounded. It was freezing outside. And this guy, well, he definitely looked like he could warm me up. He had gorgeous grey eyes, a tongue that cracked like a whip and a body stacked with purpose, even under his suit. One sleepless night should have been enough. But he won’t leave my mind. After everything I’ve been through, that’s the surest sign I need to walk away. Problem is, he’s not just some random businessman. He’s rich. Like empire rich. The sort of rich that makes the Kennedys look middle-class. And he’s not done with me. A sexy, wealthy playboy trying to make you his? It’s what every girl dreams of. And it’s the last thing I want. Now someone tell my body that. DEACON: My family’s been trying to cram a silver spoon in my mouth since the day I was born. I just keep spitting it out and do things my way. When business goes really well, I allow myself a treat. This girl, she was a feast: curvy hips, tender lips, sultry brown hair. Plus, a brain backing it all up. She’s the most perfect creature I’ve ever met. I’d give her the goddamn world if it made her mine. She thinks I’m gonna let her slip away after one taste? Not a chance in hell, sweetheart. Nothing's going to keep her from me. Not work, not family. Not even her. Power Play is a standalone novel with a well-earned HEA. It features sizzling banter, steamy sexual situations and intense drama. Mature audiences only.

MEAGAN: I knew that boy was trouble the moment I laid eyes on him: leather jacket, shaved head, tattoos leaking out onto his neck like warpaint. I've just now left behind the storms of my past, and he is no fluffy white cloud to land on. But one wicked smile from him, and I'm shivering, longing for something I should never want Maybe just one night. Yeah, one rough night to shake me free. That's all this was supposed to be... VAUGHN: The girl had my attention from the moment her doe eyes found mine. She shouldn't have been my type, not by a long shot. But opportunity presented itself, and I gave in to weakness. Only one woman ever had my heart and she was ripped from this world not long after giving birth to me. This girl though, she won't leave my goddamn mind. I can't keep myself away from her lush embrace. This goes on, the truth will find us - burn me to the ground. My family runs with the Storm's Soldiers - the roughest bunch of white separatists south of the Mason-Dixie. And this girl's a lot of things, but she sure ain't white...

ROSA: I just found my perfect man. I usually go for rough, dark and dangerous types. This guy manages to be all that and. He’s protective and thoughtful. He even cares about his family. And yeah, he is freaking hot. His crystal blue eyes can bind me in place, even as his thick, rippling body splits me down the center. When I’m in his arms, there’s nothing else in the world I want. But there's the secret that's buried at the heart of our relationship. The one that brought us together. If it unravels, it could cost me all that I’ve worked to build. And despite how close we’ve gotten so fast, how right he feels, I can’t help but think that it might just reveal something that takes this relationship down with. CALIX: This girl’s everything I’ve been aching for my whole life. Fiery and sweet, outspoken and caring. Best of all, she comes in a tight little package that’s unbelievable lying bare on my sheets. So what if she’s different color than I expected. It’s been two weeks, but I feel like I've known her forever But she doesn’t know who I am. She thinks I’m a family man. Truth is, I’ve buried the biggest part of my life away from her. If the walls come down, they'll come down hard. I’ve harmed her enough already. I should let her go. I can’t.

MEAGAN: I see him for what he is now - the worst kind of guy imaginable. As if being a biker weren't bad enough, he's in with racists too? What a damn fool I was letting him in so deep. Why? Just cause he was hot. And cause he treated me well. And cause he whispered sweet things to me. Cause no matter how far apart we started, we were winding closer, faster than with any other guy I've ever been with before. I need him out of my life. I know that. So why can't I let him go… VAUGHN: The truth had to come out sometime. What we had could never last. I had my fun, tried what I should have never had. Now, I'm free again. But I don't want freedom. I want her. I can fix this. She's not too far gone to see there's more than just fireworks between us. Winning her will cost me though. The Soldiers will never let us be. There will come a day of reckoning. I can't be who I was and be who she makes me want to be. But I’m damn well gonna try.

MEAGAN: He's a pressure valve set to explode. A little steam and I wound up scalded. What's gonna happen when he blows? It's ok. I can handle this, cause I want to handle him. But don't I deserve more? Don't I deserve a man who won't hurt me? He can't hide me from the light forever. One day I'll want an answer. I'm not sure how long I can wait. VAUGHN: A rough word uttered in her defense and I'm out of her graces. Can't she see I'm trying? I'm twisting against my roots to stand in her light. If that's not enough, then I don't know what else I can do. Except for the one thing. The one act that must be done sooner or later, if we are to have a future. It'll cost me everything. Is she worth it?