Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the HeirSecret Silver NightsSomeone Like YouIndulge Me Tonight

by Pamela Yaye

  “There’s only one thing missing,” Adam said.

  “What?”

  He released her for a moment and went to the table in the living room. Retrieving a small box from the drawer, he brought it back to her. Adam lifted the black velvet cover. The Varrick name was emblazoned on the inside lid.

  “My ring,” she said.

  He removed it. “You will marry me.” He stated it as a foregone conclusion.

  “I will,” Teddy said.

  He slipped the heavy stone on her finger. This time it meant more to both of them than it had in the past. When they chose it, Teddy had protested. But this time their engagement was real and the ring was real.

  They sealed the engagement with a kiss.

  * * *

  The bed wasn’t just in disarray. It had been destroyed. The sheets were hanging off the sides or completely removed from the mattress.

  Adam caught one of the linens and covered them with it. Teddy’s heart was beating double time, her body was bathed in a sheen of sweat, but she was happier than she’d ever been.

  Adam lay beside her, cradling her in his arms, one hand on her breast. She’d asked herself if their lovemaking would equal the first time. Then the second. Would it always be this intense, this thoroughly satisfying? She couldn’t answer that, but she hoped it would.

  “You know no one is going to believe us when we tell them we’re engaged,” she told him. Her voice was deep with sexual satisfaction.

  He nodded against her hair. “They’ll think it’s another trick.”

  Teddy stretched her hand out admiring the ring. “We can’t even show them a different ring.” She laughed. “Maybe they’ll believe us on our tenth anniversary.”

  “Do you want a different ring?”

  He pushed back and looked over her shoulder. “Absolutely not.”

  “Whether they believe it or not, we’ll know,” Adam said and pulled her back closer to his naked body. Teddy felt the rise in heat, the familiar burn that accompanied arousal.

  She turned over. He brushed her hair from her face and gazed at her. She could see the need in his eyes, feel the desire in the strength of his body.

  “Your hair is a complete mess,” he whispered as he threaded his fingers through it. Over and over, he combed the strands as if they were gold. His mouth kissed her face, skipping from place to place.

  “I have you to thank for my messy hair,” Teddy said. “Thank you.” Her murmur was low and sexy, conveying everything she felt, everything that he brought out in her.

  Adam took a moment to stare at her. Tension built within her as he watched, held her with only his eyes for a thousand years. Teddy’s mouth went dry. She licked her lips to wet them. He lowered his mouth, replacing her tongue. Their lips mated and clung. Arms and legs circled and entwined, bringing their bodies into alignment. Teddy ran her legs up and down against him, touching in the most intimate way. Fire sprang up like meteors hitting the ground. She ached for him, to have him close, inside her, to feel the presence of his body joined with hers. She wanted the unbottled elixir they created. It was around them, holding them together. It was not for sale and had a shelf life of less than an hour, but it generated feelings so strong and so passionate that Teddy could die from continued exposure. Yet she wanted the elixir, wanted to open it, relive its effect at any moment of the day or night.

  She felt the joy of penetration when they joined, the beginning of a dance that would take her to places never before found by anyone except the two of them.

  His body drove into hers and she met him with each deep and soulful thrust. Her hips lifted off the bed, slamming into him, taking him inside to the hilt of his sex, draining whatever pleasure he offered. She took and she gave. Together they determined their own rhythm. It started on an upbeat and went up from there, going from frenzied to wicked as they mounted the levels of hedonism.

  The room filled with the electric snap of lovers mating. Waves of emotion thundered inside her, crashing and reforming with the velocity of tidal waves. The seas of a primitive dance swirled and burst into raining fountains. Hands raked her sides and gathered her behind as Adam guided her up and into the heights of mutual love.

  Teddy gasped for air but refused to stop the raging storm rocketing through her body. And then a new feeling took over. She was aware of everything about herself, not only the overwhelming pleasure that she and Adam forged, but every blood vessel, every nerve, the feel of Adam’s hands on her, the softness of the mattress beneath her, and the deluge of powerful emotions that assaulted her senses and crossed her over into a land of pure sensation. Her scream came loud and long as she reached the height of ecstasy.

  Together they fell back to earth, coming down fast and hard. Breath shallow and panting, her heart throbbing, Teddy tried to calm herself. Adam’s weight pressed her into the bed, kept her warm. She wanted his weight, triumphed in the compassionate nature of this one and only. His arms enclosed her, holding on to a nebulous thread that bonded them together. For a moment longer, she wanted to resist the slowing of the sensation that connected them.

  Adam rolled off her, pulling her into his side. He faced her, his eyes drowsy and his mouth curved in a half smile.

  “I love you,” he said.

  Epilogue

  The gown Teddy designed for her own wedding was her best effort ever. She used Viennese lace and bolts of satin. The dress fitted to her waist, the skirt was straight in the front, but the back bustled out into a train that rivaled anything she’d seen anywhere. Pearls and crystals covered the entire dress and glittered in the candlelit church. Her veil draped down her back and extended several feet beyond the train.

  The two mothers proved the rule by challenging everything. The bridesmaids’ veils didn’t match the dresses. Should they wear hats and not veils? It was a June wedding so the men should be dressed in a lighter color, not the traditional black with white tie and tails. They went on and on, and Teddy felt sorry for Lisa, the wedding consultant handling the arrangements. Often she or Adam were called on to provide the deciding vote or to placate the mothers. But when it came to the ceremony, they were there with smiles on.

  Lisa had the privilege of dealing with the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom—a fate that certainly proved her worth.

  The organ music began. Teddy heard it from the vestibule where she stood. Diana looked at her and smiled. Renee and Teddy’s two sisters were her bridesmaids. They gave her a final nod and started down the aisle. Diana, as matron of honor, followed them.

  “Well, honey, I promise not to cry, but you look wonderful,” her mother said and hugged her. Normally, the mother of the bride began the ceremony by being escorted to her seat by a groomsman. Teddy’s father had that honor. Teddy would walk down the aisle escorted by her mother. Teddy had asked her mother to divert from tradition and give her away. Gemma Granville happily cried at the honor.

  The “Wedding March” began. Both women looked at each other. Mist was in her mother’s eyes. Teddy had heard that music a hundred times at other weddings. Today it sounded for her. Her heartbeat quickened. On the other side of that door stood Adam waiting for her. She loved him more than she ever thought possible. Moments from now they would be husband and wife.

  The church was full, adorned with fragrant flowers and lighted with candles. There was a rolled out white carpet strewn with long-stemmed red roses that led to the altar.

  Gemma Granville’s arm trembled as the two stepped on the carpet and began their walk.

  Teddy and Adam pledged their troth and the groom kissed the bride.

  * * * * *

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Kimani Romance.

  You dream in vibrant hues! Harlequin Kimani Romance stories feature sophisticated, soulful and sensual African-American and multicultural heroes and heroines who
develop fulfilling relationships as they lead lives full of drama, glamour and passion.

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  ISBN-13: 9781460338889

  SOMEONE LIKE YOU

  Copyright © 2014 by Shirley Hailstock

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

  ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.

  www.Harlequin.com

  Seven days to reclaim the only woman he’s ever needed

  Graedon Clegg has misgivings about a weeklong retreat at a remote country estate organized by his estranged brother. One, his brother can’t be trusted. And two, it’s hosted by his ex-wife, Tielle. Grae was forced to walk away from Tielle for the sake of the family advertising business. But he still burns for the vibrant woman who could always bring out the very best in him.

  Tielle stubbornly refuses to believe that the Clegg brothers can’t work things out, and she’s delighted to finally help heal their family. Having powerful, handsome Grae around again is painful yet exciting and tempting. Grae and Tielle honeymooned at this same hideaway before. Will their new time together rekindle the romance they once shared, in the place where it all began?

  “But you said I wasn’t your business anymore.”

  Grae brought his full weight down upon her. “When will you stop taking everything I say so literally?”

  Tielle relished the brunt of his body against hers and savored the sensations he stirred.

  “Don’t do that.” Grae bowed his head, whispering the order when she moved against him in a slow, needy grind.

  “Do what?” Tielle bit down on her lip and moaned close to his ear.

  He grunted what sounded like a curse. Loosely cupping her neck, he used his thumb to tilt back her chin. Tielle followed through on giving him her tongue and didn’t know which one of them whimpered first when their tongues tangled, engaging in a sultry duel.

  Tielle had lost her cap during the unorthodox trip through the house, freeing her coarse locks. Grae gathered a fistful of the dark mass, using his hold to keep her mouth crushed beneath his. She kept her hands filled with the material of his shirt, eager to take him out of it and paying little heed to what she was doing. She only wanted this—wanted him.

  Books by AlTonya Washington

  Harlequin Kimani Romance

  A Lover’s Pretense

  A Lover’s Mask

  Pride and Consequence

  Rival’s Desire

  Hudson’s Crossing

  The Doctor’s Private Visit

  As Good as the First Time

  Every Chance I Get

  Private Melody

  Pleasure After Hours

  Texas Love Song

  His Texas Touch

  Provocative Territory

  Provocative Passion

  Trust In Us

  Indulge Me Tonight

  Harlequin Kimani Arabesque

  Remember Love

  Guarded Love

  Finding Love Again

  Love Scheme

  A Lover’s Dream

  AlTonya Washington

  has been a published romance novelist for ten years. In 2013, her Harlequin Kimani Romance His Texas Touch won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Series Romance of 2012. In addition to being an author, AlTonya also works as a college reference librarian. Her Harlequin Kimani Romance Provocative Passion was nominated for an AMB Ovation Award for Outstanding Interracial Romance and is the follow-up to Provocative Territory.

  Indulge Me

  Tonight

  AlTonya Washington

  Dear Reader,

  Graedon Clegg and Tielle Turner are about to celebrate the worst milestone ever: the anniversary of their divorce. What’s worse? The ex-spouses are set to spend a “fun-filled” week with Grae’s family at Tielle’s retreat for a little bonding time. Did I mention that the family hates Tielle for going through with the divorce even though Grae was the one who initiated it? I love to display the family dynamic in my work. Usually, the families get along—not the case in this particular tale.

  It was a treat to portray Tielle—strong, self-sacrificing yet oh-so-much in love with her ex—and Graedon, the protective alpha male who bows down to no one…except Tielle. Peeling back explosive issues and working with such an outspoken secondary cast in such an intimate environment as Tielle’s lavish retreat was especially delicious. I hope you’ll enjoy indulging yourself….

  Blessings,

  AlTonya

  altonya@lovealtonya.com

  www.LoveAlTonya.com

  To Lost Loves and Loves Rekindled…

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 1

  Vancouver, British Columbia

  Tielle Turner looked away from the multicolored planning calendar that was projected on the farthermost wall of her office. The small plasma screen in the corner of the room’s living area had droned on softly, offering no real cause for interest until Tielle’s keen hearing picked up on the word snow.

  She groaned.

  “Is she kidding?” Tielle’s round, coffee-colored face twisted into a glower, which she directed toward the woman who was delivering the midday forecast.

  “It’s only a prediction, Ti.” Laura Cooper didn’t bother tugging her dark eyes away from the wall projection she was studying. Laura had worked for her in some form or fashion for almost five years and was seemingly used to her mood swings whenever a discussion of the weather’s quick change conditions was on the table.

  “Sounds like it’s for later in the week, too. No worries.” Laura’s eyes moved away from the projected calendar. “Besides,” she called to the tiny woman standing in front of the TV with her fists perched defiantly against her hips, “it is autumn.”

  The reminder encouraged Tielle to turn her back on the television. “Autumn,” she parroted with a smirk. “You know, when I think of autumn, I imagine leaves changing color and dropping from trees, the air turning a bit brisk, and the time changing. I imagine all kinds of
descriptions. Ones she could give—” Tielle cast another tiresome look at the meteorologist “—but rarely does.”

  “It’s Vancouver...” Laura turned back toward the wall.

  “And that’s why I live here. Because it’s Vancouver.” Tielle’s vibrant eyes, the color of chilled cognac, glistened, and she seemed more appreciative of Laura’s reminder that time.

  “Vancouver autumns are supposed to be awesome.” Tielle used a green dry-erase marker to point past the office’s bay windows along the back wall of the office. The spotless glass offered a stunning, colorful array depicting the glory of the season.

  “Well.” Laura had pulled her attention from the wall again and was tapping her own dry-erase marker to the curve of her jaw as she treated herself to the view. “Since we do have such awesome autumns, aren’t we entitled to have a few not-so-awesome ones?”

  “Being cooped up with a group of execs isn’t going to be fun for long if it snows, you know?” Tielle gave a conceding smile.

  “I don’t think it’ll come to that. The Korman Group will be gone in two days,” Laura said with a half shrug.

  Tielle slipped the marker into a back pocket of her skirt and looked back to the wall projection she’d abandoned for the weather report. “After Korman, we’ve got offers from four more corporations for weeklong retreats. And if this snow hits...” She let the word carry while glancing across her shoulder in the direction of the television. When she turned back to Laura, the woman was finally gazing fixedly at the screen.

  Laura looked to Tielle. “Yuck.”

  Tielle’s smile was grim. “You catch my meaning?”

  “Loud and clear.” Laura tapped her index finger against her cheek as she considered the mounting issue. “We need something to mix things up, you think?”