****4 Stars***** Playing Dirty (Monkey Business Trio #1) by C.L. Parker

Shaw Matthews plays to win, and he intends to snag a coveted partnership at San Diego's hottest sports agency by signing America's top athlete. Only one woman stands in his way: rival agent Cassidy Whalen. But eliminating the competition will be Shaw's pleasure when he concocts an ingenious plan to seduce Cassidy and show the beautiful ballbreaker who's the better man for the job. That is, until Cassidy turns the tables—and their steamy encounters start breaking all the rules.

Cassidy has worked hard to make it in a man's cutthroat arena, and she isn't going down without a fight, not even against the six-two alpha hunk whose rock-hard body awakens desires she's never known before. As Cassidy shares night after night of unending passion with Shaw, the game begins to change. Now Cassidy stands to lose everything—unless a fiery contest of wills can become a winning proposition for two people who keep raising the stakes.

Playing Dirty is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences

Reader beware cliffhanger ahead. Shaw Matthews and Cassidy Whalen are sports agents, who have been pitted against each other for the coveted partnership vacancy. They were tasked to sign Denver "Rock Man" Rockford, San Diego quarterback to their agency and whoever he selected as his agent will be given the partnership.

"We were both ruthless in our antics, unforgiving in our quest to secure the most coveted prizes, which were usually the same clients every other agent in the nation wanted."

Each has earned their position at the agency. Now they have to decide how far they are willing to go to win the star quarterback and the partnership.

From the beginning the story is filled with pent-up sexual tension. Shaw and Cassidy are equals at work, they are also rivals and highly competitive. Losing is not an option. However in the bedroom (office, alley, boardroom...) Cassidy lets down her walls and is dominated by Shaw. She enjoys giving herself over, although at times she feels remorse because of her continued friendship with her previous long term boyfriend. There are quite a few steamy sex scenes you do not want to miss. As the story develops, their relationship becomes an emotional 'seesaw', they continually try to stay one step ahead of each other, finding ways to out do the other. At times they take no prisoners. The story does become a little draining because of the emotional roller coaster ride. The cliffhanger is ruthless. Shaw leaves us wondering what are his true intentions. Can't wait to find out.