Passionate Kisses 2 Boxed Set: Love in Bloom

by Magda Alexander

  Rowan stood over the man. Waiting. Remembering.

  *****

  The sirens were right behind them when Justin pulled into traffic. They watched as six police cars and an ambulance raced past Justin’s truck. Shane was tired, the night took a lot out of him, and he needed to sleep. Justin looked tired, too.

  They made their way back to the apartment, but as they got close, all they could see were red and blue flashing lights. Something big was going down inside their complex. Shane’s first thought was of Rowan, but then he laughed it off, until he glanced over at Justin and saw that he, too, looked tense.

  “Wonder what’s going on?” Justin asked him as they tried to pull in.

  A police officer stopped them just as they got to the driveway.

  “Sorry guys. This is off limits. We got a police action going on in one of the apartments.”

  Just then, a voice boomed through a bullhorn, “Ma’am, put the gun down and get on the floor.”

  Justin didn’t hesitate; he was out the door and sprinting to the apartment. Shane followed just a few steps behind him. He didn’t know why Justin was running, but if he was running, so was Shane.

  When Shane looked up at his apartment, his heart stopped. There was Rowan, naked, holding a gun on someone. Jesus. As he crept closer, the chaos around him seemed to fade away and all he could focus on was Rowan. She was in a wide stance, just a few feet from some guy sprawled out on the floor. She was aiming the gun at his head. She wasn’t responding to the police, just stared at the guy on the floor, waiting for something.

  “Fuck.” Justin’s curse tore through his thoughts and he turned to see the swat team gearing up.

  “Wait!” Shane called out to one of the guys. “That’s my apartment and my girlfriend; she can be there. The guy on the floor is an intruder,” he shouted to anyone who would listen.

  Justin followed him. When they got close to the window, Justin shouted, “RO. RO.” But an officer blocked him from going further.

  “Who are you and what are you doing here?” He scowled down at him.

  “I’m Justin. I live with her. Fuck. She needs me right now.” Justin sounded frantic.

  “And you are?” The officer turned to Shane.

  “I’m her boyfriend and that’s my apartment,” Shane told him, sounding even more frustrated than before. “Where’s Sargent Brooks?”

  “Well, if you can get her to put the gun down we can go in and assess the situation.”

  Justin bolted and ran up to the window, banging on it. Rowan turned her head and saw him.

  “Rowan. Put the gun down. Drill is over. Disarm and protect,” Justin shouted into the glass.

  Shane had no idea what he was talking about, but something snapped in Rowan’s eyes. She nodded and slid the hammer back, dislodging the chamber bullet and dropping the gun. The police charged in and took her down. Shane watched, enraged as they swarmed her small, naked body and handcuffed her.

  Justin paced outside, looking just as freaked out as he felt. After a few minutes they brought her out. God damn it, she still didn’t have a shirt on. What was wrong with these guys, he didn’t recognize any of them. He took off his and walked up to her, but was stopped by a large officer walking in front of them.

  “Jesus. Put a goddamn shirt on her,” Shane growled at him, thrusting his shirt into the officer’s hands.

  He watched as the officer turned around and put the shirt over her head, finally covering her. Her hands were still behind her back, but at least she was wearing something.

  Justin appeared out of nowhere and stepped right in front of her.

  “You did great, Ro. Please don’t. Just don’t, you did great,” He told her, his voice cracking. Her eyes looked up at him, just slightly less vacant now that he was there.

  “I’m sorry, but family only. We need to take her statement now,” The officer leading her barked at him.

  “In handcuffs?” Shane exploded at him. “You need to take her statement in handcuffs?”

  The officer paused and then nodded to the other one standing beside her. He reached down and unlocked them. Rowan moved her arms through the holes in the shirt and looked at Shane. He moved forward but was once again stopped by the monster in uniform.

  “You can wait, Mister. Family only,” he barked at him again.

  God, what an asshole.

  “I’m her son,” Justin spoke up.

  Shane’s head jerked up, looking at him. What?

  “Is that true, Miss?” the monster asked Rowan.

  “Yes sir,” Rowan barely spoke, “Yes, Justin is my son. I’d like him to come.”

  THE END

  Escape Part Two ~ The story continues. Keep reading for a sneak peek at part two.

  ESCAPE Part Two

  SECRETS CAN DESTROY LOVE

  Just when Rowan is finally feeling cherished enough to admit her feelings for Shane, she’s forced to reveal one of her secrets. Now she’s running scared, and he’s left wondering what else she’s hiding. When a couple, who seems to have secrets of their own, hire his firm to find their missing sister, all of their lives get even more complicated.

  Struggling to save herself and her family from her past, Rowan faces the possibility of losing the new life she’s finally built, with a man she may love. But Shane won’t give up without a fight: a fight to stay in her life, uncover her secrets, and protect her.

  Torn between fear and trust, will she succumb to her past and let it swallow her whole, or will she open up to Shane and let him help her?

  AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MNWED92

  A Note from the Author

  Thank you for reading the first part of Escape. If you enjoyed Part One, please think about leaving a review. To be notified as new releases are published or just to keep up with my news flashes, join my mailing list www.SydneyHolmes.com/contact-sydney

  My first big thank you is to you-the readers! I’m thrilled you read my book. I loved writing it and hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

  Once again, Valerie from Loud Lit Chicks, swooped in and saved the day! Thanks Valerie, your work remains invaluable.

  Karen not only designed the cover, but she has been my greatest champion from the very beginning. Thanks Karen, what would I do without you?

  Of course, I wouldn’t be here today without my husband. Somehow I married the most amazing man on the planet. Words cannot express my love for you and all you do. Thank you from the recesses of my heart.

  And last but most definitely not least, I would like to thank my amazing beta readers! Without you, life just wouldn’t be the same.

  Meet Sydney

  Sydney Holmes writes contemporary romance with an erotic flair, or as she likes to say, “Hot and spicy romance that keeps you up at night!” She believes there is nothing more exciting than reading a hot, sexy tale about two people searching for themselves and getting lost in each other.

  Sydney is married to a wonderful man and they have two children. Sydney graduated from The George Washington University with a BS in Political Science and holds a Master’s Degree in Education. She lives near the ocean in California and travels as often as she can.

  To learn more about Sydney, please visit her website at www.SydneyHolmes.com

  Or, check her out on Facebook: www.FaceBook.com/SydneyHolmesAuthor

  And, follow her on Twitter @SydHolmesAuthor

  For periodic updates, news, events, book releases, and sneak peaks please join Sydney’s mailing list at www.SydneyHolmes.com/contact-sydney

  Borrowed Stilettos

  By

  Rebecca J Clark

  Dedication

  To Dan, for always believing, even when I didn’t. I love you.

  Chapter One

  Audrey Thompson pushed aside her nerves as she slammed the car door, and strode across the cobblestone driveway toward the Banister family mansion. Her ankles wobbled in the borrowed heels and she stumbled, flailing her arms for balance. Her gaze darted around the Sun
Valley estate. She was alone, thank goodness. Unfortunately, the movement had dislodged one of her fake boobs. Crap!

  She dipped her hand into her low-cut blouse and adjusted, praying no one watched from inside the house. She shimmied her shoulders to make sure the falsies stayed put.

  She really needed to be more careful. Her sister’s career, not to mention Audrey’s own pride, was at stake.

  Anxiety pretzeled in her belly, and she pressed her hand against it. What the heck had she gotten herself into? If she couldn’t pull off the rickety stilettos, salon hair, and phony cleavage, Zachary Banister would know the rest of her was fake, too.

  And he’d realize she wasn’t the woman he wanted to marry.

  Ava was so going to owe her.

  A mix of weathered wood, stone and glass, the house loomed over her, waiting to swallow her whole. The many windows reflected the mountain sun like prying eyes that saw right through her charade.

  Resisting the urge to shiver, she dragged her heavy suitcases to the massive double doors. She could do this. She forced a deep breath of courage. She would do this. Raising her hand to the ugly gargoyle door knocker, she rapped three times before she could change her mind and return to Boise.

  “I have confidence in confidence alone,” she quoted. She frowned. “Yeah, right. And my name isn’t Audrey Thompson.”

  She caught herself. Her name wasn’t Audrey-at least not for this weekend. For the next few days she was her twin sister, Ava Divine, flight attendant for the rich and famous, actress, and lingerie model.

  Audrey swallowed. As if anyone in their right mind would believe that. She was afraid of flying. She was a junior high school teacher. She wore white cotton underwear.

  But not today.

  The doors swung open. She’d expected Zach Banister to greet her. Instead she found herself staring at a tall, thin man dressed in a tuxedo, with slicked white hair and cheeks pinched as though he sucked on sour candy.

  Oh, God. A butler. “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” she mumbled.

  “Excuse me, Miss?”

  She cleared her throat. “I’m, uh, Ava Divine.”

  “Of course you are,” he said, giving her a discreet once-over with his expressionless gaze. He even had a British accent. “I am Stoudt, the Banister family butler.”

  Stoudt. She would have smiled, but she was afraid of cracking the makeup the real Ava had applied, with what felt like an air compressor and paint roller, a few hours ago. Her lips twitched, while her insides danced a jitterbug.

  “I thought butlers went the way of black and white movies,” she said as he reached for her two big suitcases, a ridiculous number for a three-day stay. Her things would require a single overnight bag.

  “We are a dying breed, I’m afraid,” he told her.

  Thank God they’re not completely extinct, she thought as he hoisted the luggage with an undignified grunt. He glanced at her legs as he straightened. Another first. She didn’t make a habit of wearing skirts short enough to be on the verge of illegal. Self-consciously, she tugged the hem of the soft leather mini over her thighs.

  She only had to make it through one weekend of playing pretend. Audrey stepped past Stoudt as he motioned her inside. The front doors opened into a two-story foyer, with a massive split staircase rising up in front of her like Poseidon, waiting to crush her with a tidal wave. A river rock fireplace, big enough to walk through, divided the foyer from the living area. Audrey gaped at the wood pillars and beams, hardwoods and tiles. Oh, God. She cringed at the thought of navigating those floors in four-inch heels.

  The faint scent of lemon oil wafted on the air. A house this size would have a fulltime housekeeper…or two.

  “Follow me, please,” said Stoudt. “I will show you to your room.”

  Audrey’s heels clicked shrilly against the tiles, then morphed into a muted tapping as the floor transitioned to wide-planked wood. She kept her weight in her toes, taking baby steps so she wouldn’t slip.

  She waddled behind Stoudt. “Where’s Zach-um, Mr. Banister-um, Zach?” What the heck should she call him? “Zach” sounded too familiar, considering she’d never met the man. “Mr. Banister” sounded more correct, but if she was supposed to be his girlfriend, and soon-to-be fiancée… Yikes!

  Stoudt started up the wooden stairs and said, without turning around, “Mr. Banister will meet with you at his convenience.”

  Swell. Maybe her mission here wouldn’t be so hard after all. Spoonfed, arrogant males like Zach Banister deserved what they had coming to them. Still, she’d promised Ava she would be gentle. “Gentle is my middle name,” she mumbled, staring up the long staircase and wondering how on earth she’d get to the top without stumbling. She grabbed the polished log railing for balance and life preservation.

  Stoudt paused on the landing. He stared at her from beneath raised white brows, and his thin lips squished into a tight knot. “What was that, Miss?”

  “Uh, nothing. I just commented on how many steps there are.”

  He dismissed her with a curt shake of his head as they continued their trek up the stairs. After traveling to the end of a hallway wider than Audrey’s entire house, Stoudt stopped in front of a raised-panel door. He set down one suitcase and turned the doorknob.

  “Your room, Miss Divine.”

  “Room” was an understatement. And, thank God, a thick nature-print rug covered those blasted hardwoods nearly wall to wall. Her spiky heels sank deep into the mat as she stepped into the room.

  “Dinner will be served punctually at eight. Mrs. Banister will expect you to be dressed appropriately for the occasion.” He swept a haughty gaze over her, from the white silk blouse with its plunging neckline, all the way down to her red stilettos.

  Audrey wondered if this sort of reaction was normal for Ava.

  Cocking her head, she studied him. “Do you ever let loose with a big belly laugh?”

  Not even a smirk. “Is there anything else you need, miss?”

  That answered her question. “No, thank you. I’m fine. Um, Stoudt,” she said, “What should I do between now and dinner?”

  He gave her a look that said he thought she was about as smart as a marshmallow. “You may do, Miss, whatever it is that you do.” And he closed the door.

  What the heck did that mean?

  Checking her watch, she realized she had three hours until dinner. Sitting on the edge of the huge lodge-pole bed, she slid her feet out of the uncomfortable heels. A blissful groan slipped from her mouth as she wriggled her bare toes into the rug. “Ah, heaven.”

  Her gaze traveled to the rustic stone fireplace across the room. And to the enormous deer head hung above the mantle. “My head might be up there beside yours if I’m not careful.”

  After the almost three-hour drive from Boise to Sun Valley, the beautiful quilt and fluffy pillows beckoned her from the bed. Did she have time for a nap? Probably, but then she’d need to redo her hair and makeup. No.

  She paced the floor in her bare feet. What if she screwed up, and Zach Banister found out who she really was? What if she got all tongue-tied, and couldn’t do what she was here to do?

  “Oh, stop it,” she chided herself. She had pretended to be her sister before. Sure, it had been a good fifteen years since the last time, but how hard was it to impersonate someone who looked almost exactly like her, someone she’d known her entire life?

  She reviewed what Ava had told her about Zach. He was thirty-two, the only son of Garrett and Grace Banister, founders of some big investment firm on the East Coast. The family also owned an executive aircraft company, which Zach managed. Ava was a flight attendant on the chartered jet trips he often piloted.

  He was known to mix with the likes of celebrities and supermodels. Gag. He’d pretty much been raised by nannies and governesses. Yuck. He had one older sister, owned an apartment in Manhattan, and a condo on Maui. And, according to her sister, his last relationship had resulted in a nasty breakup.

  A nasty breakup. G
reat. He was about to have another. Audrey’s gut clenched. Glancing at the ornate clock beneath the deer head, she decided to go downstairs. They certainly didn’t expect her to remain in her room until dinner, did they?

  She glared at the stilettos she’d discarded by the door. Bare feet were fine for Audrey, but Ava lived and breathed by her shoe fetish. She wrestled back her nerves, and mashed her feet back into the horrible heels. “Be Ava, be Ava, be Ava.”

  She hobbled down the hall and paused at the top of the stairs, hearing voices below.

  Two women and a man stood in the foyer, talking. The famous Banisters. Their voices were too low to make out the words, but the women, the older one in particular, looked upset. From the rigid way his arms crossed over his broad chest, the man didn’t seem too pleased either.

  Audrey swallowed. That must be Zach.

  A funny little shiver skittered across her skin. Ava had described him as male perfection. Audrey had seen his pictures, but the photos and Ava’s description didn’t do him justice. His body would make the Greek gods bow down in reverence to wide shoulders that spoke of good genetics and hard workouts, a chest that begged to be pressed against, and a lower body that looked way too yummy in blue jeans. Why on earth did her sister want to break up with that?

  Well. It was now or never. Adrenaline blasted through her veins, heating her skin. Taking a deep breath of courage, she navigated the first step downward while holding the banister for support. Her ankle wobbled on the four-inch heel. She took another step. This time, she swayed precariously. Her head swam with visions of being splayed out like road kill on the Banister slate.

  The threesome below turned her way.

  “Ava,” Zach greeted with a smile in his voice. Its deep tone echoed the answering quiver in her belly. She imagined what her name would sound like rolling off his tongue. She froze on the second step from the top, afraid to move. Who in their right mind would ever install hardwood stairs? Nerves rattled around her gut like coins in an empty soda can.

  “Darling, we were just talking about you,” he said, moving toward the bottom of the staircase.