by Candace Shaw
“In the snow wearing a strapless dress. It’s hella sexy …” His eyes roamed over it, landing on the side slit before he buttoned the coat up. “I can’t have you sick.”
“I know how to take care of myself,” she said with a confidence that she was glad escaped from her. He couldn’t know she was one second away from crying.
“I know. When did you arrive to town?” he asked as if he was baiting her.
Tilting her head, she glared up at him. “I flew in yesterday.” Why does he sound upset? He’s the one with the date.
“Mmm … I see,” he said with a nod. Shifting on his feet, he stuffed his hands into his tuxedo pants. “How long are you staying?”
“Not sure.”
“The snow is starting to come down faster. Let’s head back inside. Its freezing.”
“You go ahead. You shouldn’t leave your date this long.”
“Date?” he asked as his forehead lines scrunched together. “What date?”
“Boy, please. I saw you picking up and twirling around some woman at the bar.”
He laughed. Loud. Pulling her toward him, he engulfed her in his embrace. “Jealous?” he questioned, raising a cocky smize up his jaw.
Taken aback, she tried to squirm out of his arms, but he held her still against him. “Jealous? No.”More like ticked at myself for leaving you, she thought.
“So you stormed out when you saw me with another woman,” he stated, wearing the same arrogant grin.
“You can do whatever you want to do. We’re not together.”
“I know, you’ve made it clear.”
“Right, and you have a date waiting for you,” she quipped, trying once more to leave his hold, but instead he squeezed her tighter. “Let me go.”
“Brooklyn, she’s not my date. She’s my cousin, Giselle Arrington.”
“Who?” she asked, swishing her lips to the side in disbelief. “I know all the Arringtons. Bria said she didn’t know who she was.”
“She’s my late Uncle Sean’s daughter. Zoe hired a private investigator to find out if our uncle had any children, and he found Giselle. We invited her to come down from Connecticut for the party to meet the Arrington crew as a surprise to everyone.”
“Oh … so … wow. I wasn’t aware. I’m so sorry for jumping to conclusions.”
“Well, maybe if you’d call a brother to let him know you were in Memphis …”
“Chase, I wanted to surprise you, and when I saw you with her I guess I received a surprise of my own.”
“I understand. N-Now can we p-please … continue this c-conversation inside?” he asked while his teeth chattered as he turned them toward the club. “I have something to tell you.”
“Yes, but not here,” she replied looping her arm with his. “I want to show you something, first. It’s just the next block over on Main Street, and I promise it has heat,” she said with reassurance.
A few short moments later, they landed in front of the studio she’d toured earlier. Opening her clutch, she grabbed her keys and proceeded to unlock one of the double glass doors.
“You have the keys to this vacant building?”
“Of course.” Opening the door, she flicked up the switch by the entrance. The recess lights brightened the area. Turning off the alarm next to the light switch, she motioned for him to enter the huge, empty industrial space. “I own it,” she said in a sing-song voice and a shimmy of the shoulders. “It’s all mine.”
A wide smile moved across his face slowly. “Really?”
“Yep, bought it today … well, waiting for the money transfer to clear because of the holiday. The previous owner is a friend of mine who moved to Atlanta recently so she had the real estate agent hand me the keys. Rasheed vouched for me. It needs some renovations, but I hope to have everything up and running by the summer.”
“Wait, soooo you’re moving back to Memphis?”
“Yes, eventually after I tie up some things on St. Simons. I’ll be back and forth with overseeing the renovations. That was my surprise. I’m opening my own photography studio and …” She paused, as he stepped into her personal space and grabbed her hands.
“Marrying me,” Chase finished, pulling her toward him and kissing her tenderly on the lips. He slid a little, black box out of his tuxedo jacket and opened it to display a three-carat, emerald-cut diamond engagement ring.
“Oh my goodness, Chase!” she gasped as she eyed the beautiful, sparkly ring. “How did you know I was moving back home?”
“I didn’t, but I knew you would be present tonight, and I’d decided no matter what, I can’t be without you. I love you too much, babe. I was going to move to St. Simons or wherever you want to live. Didn’t matter. I can open a satellite office anywhere.”
“But, Chase, Memphis is your home. I never expected you to leave here for me. That’s why I never suggested it.”
“I know, but home is where the heart is and that’s wherever you are. I love you, Brooklyn.”
“I love you, too, Chase. I have for a very long time. I can’t believe you were willing to leave Memphis for me, but you don’t have to. I’m coming home.”
Kneeling in front of her, he slipped the ring on her left ring finger. “Will you marry me, Brooklyn?”
“Yes,” she answered, pulling him back up to her and kissing him. “Yes, Chase, I’d love to marry you.”
“You just made me the happiest man alive.” He picked her up and twirled her around. Placing her back down, he landed another tantalizing kiss on her lips.
“Now let’s go tell everyone the great news!” she exclaimed, pulling him toward the door. “It’s almost time for the new year.”
“And what better way than to be with you, my love? I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
“And I can’t wait to be Mrs. Chase Arrington!”
The End
About Candace Shaw
Candace Shaw writes romance novels because she believes that happily-ever-after isn’t found only in fairy tales. When she’s not writing or researching information for a book, you can find Candace in her gardens, shopping, reading or learning how to cook a new dish.
Candace lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her loving husband and is currently working on her next fun, flirty, and sexy romance.
You can contact Candace on her website at www.CandaceShaw.net as well as subscribe to her email list for updates, excerpts, and giveaways.
Books by Candace Shaw
The Arrington Family Series
Cooking up Love
The Game of Seduction (Excerpt at the end of this book)
Only One for Me
Prescription for Desire
My Kind of Girl
The Chasing Love Series
Her Perfect Candidate
Journey to Seduction
The Sweetest Kiss
His Loving Caress
A Chase for Christmas
The Precious Moments Series
For the Love of You
When I Fell for You
Then There was You
When I Think of You (TBA)
Arrington Family and Friends Series
A Passionate Night
Free Reads
Simply Amazing (Arrington Family Series)
Only You for Christmas (Chasing Love/Harlequin’s website only)
Extras
Hi romance readers!
If this is your first time reading one of my books or you haven’t read Bria and Rasheed’s sexy love story, check out the blurb and chapter one from The Game of Seduction on the next page. It’s the second book in the Arrington Family Series which is a complete series.
Happy reading!
Candace
Blurb
Dr. Bria Arrington has had her heart broken by one bad boy playboy and doesn’t want to travel down that road again. However, she finds herself attracted to her best friend, self-proclaimed bachelor, Rasheed Vincent. After a passionate kiss leaves them desiring more, seducing each other is the on
ly cure.
A retired basketball player, Rasheed is a player on and off the court. When a woman gets too close, he bounces to the next one. But the condition he’s in makes him want a permanent dose of Bria’s love, and he’s ready for the shot. She knows falling in love with Rasheed is a prescription for trouble, yet she’s willing to risk it. But can she trust him with her heart?
The Game of Seduction is the second book in the Arrington Family Series.
Chapter One
“Take one Clarinex every morning until you completely run out, even if everything clears up,” Dr. Bria Arrington instructed her patient who had broken out in hives after eating shellfish. Bria scribbled out the prescription and handed it to the young woman.
“Thank you. Next time, I’ll make sure to ask what’s in the gumbo before digging in.” She glanced at the prescription before placing it in her purse.
“Yes, that would be very wise,” Bria said. A few moments later she walked her patient out into the waiting area and bid her good-bye.
Bria ran her fingers through her bouncy, back length curls and headed to her sister’s office. Dr. Raven Arrington, an obstetrician and gynecologist, had just seen her last patient for the day and the two sisters were headed out to get ready for their sister’s bachelorette party. Shelbi, the youngest Arrington, was getting married the next day.
Bria stuck her head in Raven’s partially opened door. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yep. Let me finish editing this article on advances in infertility treatments,” Raven answered, her eyes not wavering from the computer screen and her fingers still moving fast along the keys.
Bria was impressed at how her older sister was always focused, serious-minded, and knowledgeable about the medical field and world topics. Bria was more interested in sports, music, good food, and fun. She figured once she was out of her twenties—which she had one more year—maybe she would be more focused and serious-minded like thirty-six-year-old Raven. For now, Bria just wanted to enjoy life.
“Did you include something about acupuncture and herbs?”
“Yep.” Raven glanced at Bria and then quickly back to the screen. “You know, for someone who is an allergist, you certainly have an interest in naturopathic medicine. Too bad you can’t practice it here like you want to, but you know Daddy.” Raven ended on a sigh and pushed her naturally curly red hair behind her ears. Her huge gold hoops dangled in the process.
“I can always move to another practice.” Oops. Bria bit her bottom lip and then pretended to look through her cell phone. She hadn’t meant to speak her thought of the past few months out loud, especially to anyone in her family.
“Um … did you forget you’re a part owner of our family’s practice? Arrington Family Specialists needs you.” Raven shut her laptop and placed it in a black leather carrier before she gave her sister a firm gaze.
“I know but … like you said, I have the interest, plus I’m a licensed herbalist, a certified iridologist, and a few other things I haven’t shared that I’ve been working on.” Bria shrugged, hoping this would be the end of the conversation. She had a possible lead on a job in Atlanta but wasn’t ready to discuss it with her family yet.
“I’m sure you are, much to Daddy’s dismay, and what other certifications are you working on that’s sure to make Daddy even more upset?”
Their father, Dr. Francis Arrington, a renowned cardiologist and surgeon, had started the practice when Bria was a teenager. Her father wanted his children to work at the family practice, but her heart wasn’t strictly in traditional medicine anymore. Instead, she wanted to combine traditional and naturopathic medicine to help her patients with their allergies and other issues.
“Raven, let’s not discuss this now.” Bria’s cell phone chimed.
“Let me guess. It’s your man.” Raven grabbed her coat and proceeded toward the door.
Bria shook her head and glanced at the text. It was her best friend.
“I don’t have a man.” She stood and followed behind Raven.
“Whatever. Your face lights up whenever your so-called best friend calls or texts you.”
“For the last time, we’re just friends. Besides, he’s arrogant, cocky, a jokester, a—”
“A player,” Raven interjected, “but you still want him.”
Bria sighed. She was tired of her family and close friends insinuating that she liked Rasheed Vincent for more than just a friend. The idea was completely absurd. Because of his player ways and women always after him, she didn’t want to fall into the category of being just another notch on his bedpost. No thank you. Instead, they’d become fast friends a few months ago, hanging out at blues clubs and sporting events or staying in, ordering a pizza, and watching the games on television. She listened to his complaints and trysts about whatever girl-of-the-week he was seeing. Nope. She liked him, but not enough to put herself in a hurtful situation again.
The sisters bid farewell to the receptionist and walked briskly toward the parking lot in the frigid evening air.
As she sat in the passenger seat of Raven’s Mercedes, Bria realized she’d never read the text message. His initials, R.V., were in a box on her cell phone. She touched it to see what crazy, off-the-wall thing he had said.
Wish you were here. A party isn’t the same without my homegirl by my side. Who else is going to keep my crazy butt in check? Wish me luck. This fine sista with a big butt is checking your boy out.
The last time she spoke to Rasheed, he was on a private jet with his boys going to Las Vegas for the bachelor party for his best friend, Justin, who was also Shelbi’s fiancé. At the time, Bria had to cut the conversation short because of an emergency with a patient. As she read the message again, she knew that anything more than a friendship wouldn’t work between them anyway.
*****
Rasheed Vincent adjusted his sage-colored bow tie in the mirror as he wondered who had the audacity to pick such a color. He flashed his usual charming, sexy smile that always melted the heart of any woman in the vicinity that had the pleasure of seeing it. A retired professional basketball player, he enjoyed the attention and company of beautiful women—until they became too close—and then he was on to the next one.
He checked his appearance in the mirror one more time. Everything had to be on point today, which wasn’t hard for him. His self-confident and slightly arrogant attitude wouldn’t let him be anything but on point. His bald head glistened under the vanity lights in the dressing room of the wedding chapel. The Armani tuxedo fit his muscular, athletic physique and showcased his broad shoulders with a rock hard chest and washboard abs. He checked his onyx cuff links and buttoned his tuxedo jacket, before giving himself the thumbs up.
He glanced over his shoulder to his best friend and the groom, Justin Richardson, who was busy reading the wedding vows he’d written. Rasheed had hoped that Justin would’ve tamed his wild, curly hair for the wedding but apparently the bride wanted it just like that. Their other best friend and the second best man, Derek Martin, finished putting on his bow tie and proceeded to open a bottle of Moet.
Rasheed strode over to his boy who in two more hours would no longer be living the single life, something Rasheed never planned to give up. He was a certified playboy and intended to keep it that way.
He placed his hand on Justin’s shoulder. “You ready to put on that ball and chain … I mean get married and have sex with the same woman for the rest of your life?”
Justin chuckled and placed the paper with the wedding vows in the pocket of his black tuxedo pants. “Of course, I’m ready. I was ready when I first laid eyes on her adorable face.”
Derek chimed in, as he poured three glasses of champagne. “Yeah, man, I remember. You’ve been whipped since you met Shelbi.”
“I’m not …” Justin paused. “You’re right. I am. But my Shelbi is perfect.”
Rasheed nodded. “You have a good woman that loves you for you. That’s the best kind, man.”
Justin and Shelbi had
met just four months before on a trolley in downtown Memphis. Unbeknownst to her, Justin was the owner and executive chef of the restaurant she had critiqued a few days before for her job as a food critic with the Memphis Tribune. After a whirlwind romance and the two working on some personal issues such as Shelbi deciding to begin her medical residency, the couple chose to get married on Christmas Eve. This would give them plenty of time for a honeymoon and a chance to move into their new home before Shelbi began her residency in January.
Rasheed checked his Rolex. “Well, if you change your mind, the Bentley is parked out back. I can have the jet ready, and we can be back at the strip club in Vegas in a few hours. Your bachelor party, thanks to me, was off the chain!”
Justin laughed and took the glass of champagne from Derek. “That it was. But now, I’m ready to get married to the most beautiful woman in the world. You know, Rasheed, you could be next.”
Rasheed almost spit out his champagne and thank goodness he didn’t because he knew Shelbi would’ve had a fit if any stains had been on his tuxedo jacket.
“Married?” He chuckled and shook his head. “Naw. Marriage complicates things.”
“Really? Like what?” Derek asked.
“Like getting the numbers of all Shelbi’s single, hot bridesmaids at the reception.” Rasheed took out his cell phone to make sure it was charged. “She even has some fine, sexy twin cousins from Atlanta. Twins! That would be a fantasy come true … again.” A wide smile formed on his face.
“Really? How would Bria feel about that?” Justin inquired.
“Bria?” Rasheed wasn’t surprised at the question. He had met her at Justin’s dinner and blues club a few months ago, and they’d been hanging out ever since. Everyone thought surely they would end up dating, but they were just friends. “Why would she care? She’s my homegirl. Nothing going on. We’re just friends.”