Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  “Well you should.”

  Nicholas gave him a stern look. “Perhaps you’re right, but I can’t. I have to work.”

  Peter sighed. “And perhaps you’re being stubborn. You need to let it go. If you don’t you might not have a shot at all. It’s up to you.”

  Chapter Forty

  As the Greyhound bus pulled into the 11th Street transportation center, Prue spotted her mom’s blue Ford Focus parked on the street. She packed away Nikki’s coloring book and crayons, gathered up their belongings and prepared to get off the bus. It had been over a seven hour journey from New York to Pittsburgh and Prue needed some caffeine to perk her up before visiting her brother in the hospital.

  Prue took her daughter’s hand, grabbed the handle of her suitcase and made her way into the center to find her mother. Lorraine smiled and waved as the girls came through the automatic glass doors and Nikki tugged her hand free, let go of the handle of her small suitcase and ran over to her. “Hi, Grandma, we came on a big bus with a toilet in the back,” she said, her little face beaming.

  “Yes, honey, I know. Was it fun?” Lorraine picked up her granddaughter and gave her a big hug.

  Nikki nodded with enthusiasm, a huge smile spreading across her face. “I colored in on the way. Do you wanna see my pictures?”

  Lorraine stood Nikki on the floor then leaned in to give Prue a quick hug. “Maybe later, sweetie, when we get home. Right now we have to go visit your uncle at the hospital.”

  Nikki gave a sorrowful pout. “Poor uncle Toby. I hope the doctor makes him feel better.”

  ***

  The drive to Allegheny General would take around ten minutes with a quick stop to pick up coffee. Prue pulled her cosmetics bag out of her purse, opened the compact and sighed as she gazed at her grim reflection in the small round mirror. Lack of sleep had created dark circles under her eyes. She found her concealer and attempted to blend away the shadows. She didn’t want Toby worrying about her state of health while he was recuperating.

  Her mom glanced at her sideways. “Not getting enough sleep, honey?”

  Prue sighed. “No, not lately.”

  “Anything you want to talk about?”

  “I’ll be fine. It usually sorts itself out after a while.” She touched her mother’s arm. “Don’t worry about me. We’ve got bigger problems with Toby’s recovery.”

  Lorraine frowned into the rearview mirror at her daughter. “Don’t change the subject, Prudence. What’s going on?”

  Prue gave a frustrated huff. “Nothing’s going on.”

  “You’d tell me if there was, wouldn’t you?”

  “Of course I would.” She felt like a teenager again being quizzed for some minor misdemeanor. “Seriously, Mom, everything’s fine.” Prue finished applying her makeup and lip gloss and pushed the small crimson bag back into her purse. “There. That feels better.”

  Lorraine pulled into a parking spot outside Starbucks on 6th Street. “What would you like?”

  Prue dug into her purse looking for her wallet. “A vanilla latte, thanks.” She held up a ten dollar bill.

  Her mom waved the money away and opened the car door. “I got it. Back in tick.”

  The drive from Starbucks to the hospital took all of five minutes. Lorraine turned into James Street and drove along the road to the hospital parking garage.

  Prue gazed up at the oversized sign above the entrance: ALLEGHENY GENERAL “One OF AMERICA’S BEST HOSPITALS” ―U.S. News & World Report. If that didn’t elicit confidence in the abilities of the medical staff working at the hospital, nothing would. She was glad Toby was in good hands.

  ***

  When Prue walked into Toby’s room she found it difficult to hold back the tears threatening to spill. The sight of her brother lying in a hospital bed, his leg in a plaster cast, with scrapes and bruises on his face were too much for her already fragile emotions. She inhaled a breath to steady herself, rushed over to the bed and threw her arms around him. “Hey, big bro, what’ve you gone and done to yourself?”

  He was groggy from the meds, but managed to wrap one arm around her and kiss the top of her head. His words were slurred. “Hi, little sis… I’m glad… you’re here. It was a stupid accident. Came off of Demon hard, hit the dirt with my hip the wrong way and planted my face too.”

  Prue frowned. “I can see that. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been run over by a train. But the meds are good. Takes the edge off.” He attempted a smile.

  So did Prue, although she was worried about him and knew it showed on her face. “How long are you here for?”

  “They said I can go home in a week or two as long as I get plenty of rest for the next eight to ten weeks and use a pair of crutches when I’m on my feet. The doc said the pelvis was a clean fracture, so was the leg. That’s something, I guess.”

  “It sure is. Thank goodness you didn’t need surgery.” She sat in the visitor chair beside the bed. “I have a week off, so I’ll do what I can to help you out while I’m here.”

  “I really appreciate it, sis. Nikki with you?”

  She shrugged. “Where else would she be?”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Are you sure you’re up to it. She’s a bit boisterous right now. Long bus ride.” She smiled.

  “Yeah, I’m up to it. Don’t care if she’s full of beans. Bring her in.”

  Prue stood up. “Ok. Let me go get her and mom. Be right back.”

  “Thanks.”

  Nikki hurtled into the room. “Uncle Toby!” When she saw him lying in bed with his leg in a cast she stopped short, a frown of concern on her little face, then tiptoed over to him, her voice in a whisper. “Sorry, Uncle Toby, I’ll be more quiet.”

  “Hey, Jellybean, how’re ya doing? Enjoy the bus ride?” He patted the bed and Nikki climbed onto the chair, then onto the bed and wriggled up beside him.

  “Yep. It was fun. There was a toilet on the bus? I had to go so mommy took me.”

  “Yeah? How was it?” His face lit up at the innocent conversation.

  “It was small but it was okay. I used it while the bus was moving.” She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.

  “Sounds neat.” Toby tweaked his niece’s nose.

  Prue walked over to the bed. “Uncle Toby needs to rest now, honey. We’ll come back and see him later. Ok?”

  “Ok, Mommy.” She leaned in, kissed her uncle on the forehead and tapped his cheek with the palm of her hand. “The doctor will make you all better soon, Uncle Toby. I love you.”

  Toby smiled. “I love you too, baby girl.”

  Prue kissed his forehead too. “We’ll come back later. I need to go home to freshen up and give Nikki something to eat.”

  “That’s ok. Do what ya gotta do. I’ll still be here.” He winked at her. “Love you, sis. Thanks for coming.”

  “Love you too. Where else could I be?” She repeated the words her brother had used when she’d told him about the lawyer Nicholas had hired. They would always be there for each other.

  Lorraine crossed the room and kissed her son. “Rest up, honey. Dad’s coming in later too.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Out in the corridor, Prue glanced over her shoulder at Toby’s hospital room door. She was glad he was ok and happy to be home to help him. Her family meant the world to her.

  ***

  Later that evening, Toby asked Prue if she could hang back for a while, he had something he wanted to talk to her about. Prue arranged with her mom to drive the Focus back and Lorraine and Nikki went home with her dad. She was curious about what her brother wanted to say to her. He’d been turning something over in his mind the whole time they were visiting with him. She could see it on his face.

  “I want to run something by you to see what you think. Ok?”

  Prue nodded.

  “I’m going to be off my feet for at least eight to ten weeks the doctor says, so I need someone I can rely on to run the ranch and do the admin st
uff while I’m out of action.” He took Prue’s hand. “Would you consider staying on for a while? I can pay you a decent wage… it won’t be as much as what you get now but it’ll be enough to keep you and Nikki comfortable and do the necessities. I could really use your help.”

  Prue was surprised by Toby’s offer. She loved her brother but she loved her job too and she had waited a long time to find exactly the right position for her. She didn’t want to let Toby down, but how could she pick up and move back home when she’d created a life in New York for her and her daughter?

  “Tobe, it’s a generous offer…”

  He nodded. “I understand. You love your job and where you live. You’ve made new friends too. It’s ok, I’ll work something out.” The look of disappointment on his face made Prue’s heart clench.

  “Can I think about it?” She smiled and patted his hand.

  Toby’s face brightened. “Of course you can. I know it’s a big ask. And I’ll understand if you say you can’t, but I’m hoping you might consider it.”

  “Let me think it over. Ok? I’ll give you an answer by the end of the week, if not sooner.”

  “That’s all I can ask for. Thank you.” He squeezed her hand.

  Chapter Forty One

  When Prue arrived home her mother met her in the entry hall, before heading up to bed, to let her know she had kept dinner warm for her. Prue wasn’t the least bit hungry but wouldn’t tell her mom that because she had waited up for her.

  She hung up her jacket, followed her mom into the kitchen and sat at the center island. It had been a long, exhausting day and she was tired. She gave a heavy sigh rested her elbows on the counter top and placed her chin in her hands.

  Lorraine plated up Prue’s dinner and set it down in front of her then took a seat on a nearby stool. She could see something was weighing on her daughter’s mind. She didn’t want to pry but did want to help relieve the burden her daughter appeared to be carrying. “Everything ok?”

  Prue picked up her fork and played with her food. “Toby offered me a paid job working the ranch while he’s recuperating.”

  Lorraine’s eyebrows rose. “What did you tell him?”

  “That I’d think about it.” She sat her fork on the plate and threw her hands up. “What was I supposed to say? He’s injured and needs my help.”

  Her mom rested a comforting hand on her arm. “Honey, if you’d prefer not to do it, tell him.”

  Prue sighed. “I don’t want to let him down, especially not now. It wouldn’t be fair.”

  “Are you ready to give up your life in New York? Your job? That wouldn’t be fair either.”

  “I… don’t know.” She scooped food onto her fork but set it down again. “Toby’s always there when I need him, willing to drop everything and come to my rescue.”

  Lorraine rubbed her daughter’s arm. “I know, honey. But that’s his choice. He’s a grown man.”

  Prue frowned. “Yes, but…”

  “Toby only wants you to be happy. If coming back home isn’t the right thing for you, don’t do it. He’ll understand.”

  “I’m not sure if it is or not. I need some time to think it over.”

  Lorraine climbed off the stool and rested a hand on Prue’s shoulder. “It’s getting late, think about it tomorrow after a good night’s sleep.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Night, sweetie.”

  “Night, Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Once she was alone, Prue poured herself a mug of coffee and ate her dinner. New York was exciting and she’d made some wonderful friends there in the past year. So had Nikki. But family was the most important thing to her and she didn’t want to disappoint her brother. He needed her help. Living in the country was always a great option for raising children: cleaner air, safe open spaces, and interactions with a variety of animals. It had worked before she and Nikki moved to The Big Apple so why wouldn’t it again? Working at the ranch would be hard but fulfilling too. And who knew what the future held, she might buy into it and become her brother’s business partner one day.

  Prue grabbed a notepad and pen from off the desk in the study, took her seat at the counter and jotted down the pros and cons then calculated the funds she’d need to make the move. The apartment came furnished, so it was just a matter of boxing up hers and Nikki’s personal effects and having them freighted home. She knew her daughter would be overjoyed to have grandma, grandpa and uncle Toby around more often and it had always been a good environment for her. Was she considering it? Prue needed to be sure before she made a final decision.

  ***

  A couple of days later, Prue borrowed her mother’s car and took a drive. Her heart thudded as she drove up the dirt drive, under the canopy of yellowwoods, to the building site. It had been eight years since she’d been to her unfinished home and she wasn’t sure she was up to setting foot on the acres of land that held her empty dreams.

  She maneuvered the bright blue Ford Focus to the right side of the open gates, turned off the engine and breathed a heavy sigh. Connor loved this particular piece of the country and had wanted to build their perfect home for the family they’d planned to have.

  Prue remained in the car contemplating whether or not she would actually step out and walk over to the two-story house. The unfinished remnants of a life that wasn’t meant to be. A tear slid down her cheek and a painful lump formed in her throat as she sniffed back the urge to cry. The grief inside her had never truly disappeared. How could it when Connor had been the only man she had ever loved? And she still missed him.

  The realtor would arrive at any minute and Prue needed to pull herself together. Today would be the hardest day of her life (apart from losing Connor) but she had to do it. She had to let go of the past so she could move forward, hopefully into a future with Nicholas.

  A white Hyundai Elantra pulled in beside the Focus and a well-groomed woman dressed in a cherry red jacket and black pants stepped out of it.

  Prue brushed the tear from her cheek, sniffled, took a quick glance in the rearview mirror to check her mascara hadn’t run and climbed out of the car.

  The thirty-something brunette walked over to her and extended her hand. “Hello there, you must be Prue. I’m Miranda. We spoke on the phone.” The women shook hands and the realtor gazed around the tree-lined acres then studied the semi-completed home. “It’s a beautiful spot out here. So, you’re considering selling the block with the unfinished house on it?”

  Prue glanced over her shoulder at the vacant structure sitting center stage, still uncertain if she’d made the right decision, then her eyes returned to the woman in front of her. She sighed. “Uh… yes, I think I am.”

  “Alright. Why don’t you show me around so I can get an idea of what the property is worth and we can go from there? Did you have a price in mind?”

  “No, not really. I was hoping you could tell me that.” Prue hesitated for a moment before heading to the semi-finished porch. “Please, come this way.” The women climbed the front steps and Prue took a key from the pocket of her jeans and opened the door. She swung it back and motioned for the realtor to go in ahead of her.

  Miranda stepped across the threshold into the entry hall, stopped and turned around. Prue was still on the porch, the color had drained from her face. The realtor knew the tragic story of the young engaged couple (it had been big news back then) and didn’t want to pressure Prue into doing something she wasn’t ready to do. “Why don’t I take a look around while you wait out here? I won’t be too long. Mind if I take a couple pictures on my phone?”

  Prue breathed a relieved sigh. “No, not at all. Thank you for understanding.”

  Miranda nodded then disappeared into what would be the living room, once finished, and continued on through the lower and upper levels of the house.

  After ten minutes she came out onto the porch. “I think it has great selling potential. The kitchen and bathrooms are completed which is a plus and it would make a comfortable
single family home. Being unfinished it also offers the buyer an opportunity to make the place their own.” She turned around and gazed back through the open door then looked at Prue. “Let me speak to my property manager and see what I can do. I’d like to get the best possible price for you.” She smiled.

  “I’d appreciate that, Miranda. Thank you so much.”

  “My pleasure. I’ll give you a call as soon as I’ve spoken with her and we can work out the details.”

  “Ok. I’ll wait for your call. Thank you for coming all the way out here.” Prue locked the front door.

  The women walked back to their cars together.

  “By the way, how’s your brother doing? I heard he came off one of his horses and is in Allegheny General.”

  “He broke his pelvis and left leg in the accident, but he’s doing ok. The doctor said he might be able to come home sooner than expected.”

  “That’s good news. I’m so pleased he’s ok. He’s a nice man.”

  “You know him?”

  “Yes. My daughter takes riding lessons out at Black Stallion.”

  “Oh. That’s great.”

  They stopped by Prue’s car.

  “Thanks for contacting us and considering Northwood Realty to list your home. I think someone will snap it up once it’s on the market. The house has a number of appealing features people will be looking for in a family home, especially that gorgeous fireplace in the living room.” She held out her hand and Prue shook it. “Take care, Miss Granger. I’ll be in touch.”

  “You too. Thank you.” Prue watched the realtor leave then turned around and ran her eyes over the house once more before getting into her mom’s Ford and driving away. She hoped selling it was the right thing to do.

  Chapter Forty Two

  Nicholas had his revised and edited manuscript completed within two months and had sent a hardcopy to his publisher first thing that morning. He had finished it in record speed because he wanted to take some time away from writing and fly to New York to talk to Prue. The book had been all-consuming, but now that it was done he was prepared to make every effort to work things out with her. He’d been a fool to let her walk out of his life again and he could only blame himself if she was no longer willing to talk to him.