Harlequin Kimani Romance January 2018 Box Set

by Reese Ryan

  Bree studied a photo of Gray being pushed on a swing by his adoptive mother. “How’d you find him?”

  “It’s one of the few times I readily accepted help from the Westbrooks. Liam helped me find a detective, who tracked down my son. When I found him, he was in a loving, wonderful family with good parents. I didn’t have the heart to disrupt their lives.”

  “So how’d you get the pictures? The detective?”

  “He dug up everything he could find at the outset. A lot of the pictures were on his adoptive parents’ social-media pages. I have him do a checkup twice a year, just to make sure everything is okay with my son.”

  “He’s so handsome. Just like his father.” Bree smiled faintly as she thumbed through the book, and Wes felt as if she’d given him a lifeline.

  She hadn’t condemned him or walked out in disgust at the pig he’d been back then. When she reached the end of the book she closed it carefully and set it on the coffee table. She stood in front of him, opened her arms and embraced him.

  He hugged her tightly, overwhelmed with a sense of relief and gratitude.

  “I’m so sorry.” She kissed his head. “It makes sense now, how you feel. But, honey, you can’t punish yourself for the rest of your life. What you did was wrong, but you’re not the one who gave your son away. And look at the effort you put into finding him and into making sure he’s safe.”

  Wes didn’t speak. Pain, shame and regret swirled inside him, along with a deep affection for her. Bree’s warmth and compassion soothed his soul.

  Made him feel human again.

  “You aren’t the person you were then, Wes. Let go of the guilt and forgive yourself. I know your son wouldn’t want you to torture yourself this way.”

  “What makes you believe that?”

  “Because I’d give anything for my bio mother to love me even half as much as you love your son.” Her voice broke, tears running down her cheeks.

  Wes pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. A kiss that started off tender and sweet. Two people comforting one another over their loss and grief. It slowly heated up. Her kiss became hungrier. His hands searched her familiar curves. Her firm, taut breasts filled his hands.

  His tongue danced with hers, the temperature between them rising. He’d missed the feel of her. The taste of her warm, sweet skin. He wanted to lose himself in the comfort of their intense passion. But not before he’d told her everything.

  He pulled his mouth from hers, their eyes meeting. “There’s something you need to know.”

  Bree stared at him, her chest heaving, her face filled with apprehension. “All right.”

  “I love you, Bree. And I’m not just telling you that because you said it first. I’m saying it because it’s true. I’ve waited my entire life to feel like this about someone. I’ve been miserable without you. I’m afraid I was an awful best man during Liam’s stag weekend.”

  Bree grinned.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I’ve been miserable without you, too.”

  Wesley closed the vent on the grill and locked the patio door. He took Bree upstairs and made love to her, in the fullest sense of the words.

  Dinner would have to wait.

  CHAPTER 22

  Brianna smoothed down the hem of her skirt, her heart beating rapidly. “Are you sure you want to do this tonight?”

  Wesley squeezed her hand and grinned. “The way I see it, this is long overdue.”

  He pressed a warm, lingering kiss to her lips, one strong hand cradling her face.

  Bree leaned into his touch and angled her head, allowing Wes to deepen the kiss. His tongue slid between her lips and glided along hers. He released her hand and planted his on the small of her back, pulling her in tighter against him.

  She should pull away. Show a little self-control. After all, though they’d declared their love to each other, they’d yet to tell their family and friends.

  Kissing openly outside the resort wasn’t very discreet. Still, she couldn’t pull herself away, reluctant to allow a single inch of space to separate her from the man she loved madly.

  They’d spent the majority of their first three days as a bona fide couple in Wesley’s bed. Talking, eating, making love. Taking small steps toward planning for a future together.

  The prospect of slowly building a life together was exhilarating and terrifying. And she couldn’t think of anything that would challenge her more or make her happier.

  Wes pulled his mouth from hers reluctantly and groaned. “We’d better not be late. Liam will never let me hear the end of it.”

  They rounded the corner and entered the pathway that led to the outdoor patio where Liam and Maya’s rehearsal dinner was being held. They were greeted by teasing woots and loud kissing noises.

  Bree pressed a hand to her open mouth, her cheeks stinging with heat.

  “Guess the secret’s out.” Wes squeezed her hand.

  “No matter. It was just about the worst kept secret in the history of secrets.” Liam met them on the path and grinned. “And I should know a thing or two about clandestine relationships.”

  Wes grinned. “Well, I’m glad you and Maya aren’t a secret anymore. I’m excited for you both, Liam. I know you’ll continue to be very happy together.”

  “I’m thrilled for you, mate.” Liam’s self-congratulatory smile could light the entire Eastern seaboard. He held his arms open and hugged them both. “I knew you two were absolutely perfect for each other.”

  “Does this mean you’re confessing to being a meddling matchmaker?” One corner of Wesley’s mouth curved, as he tried to hold back a smirk.

  “Now that it’s worked? Absolutely.” Liam chuckled. “Now, if my best mate has had his fill of snogging this lovely young lady—for the time being—I say we get on with this rehearsal. I’m quite in a hurry to marry a lovely young lady of my own.”

  Liam’s eyes practically glowed as he looked at Maya Alvarez. The woman he would stand beside on the Pleasure Cove Beach and make his wife in less than twenty-four hours.

  A table of children squealed with joy, and everyone laughed.

  “Those are Maya’s daughters—Sofia and Gabriella. That’s Kai—the bride’s nephew. That’s Madison—the bride’s niece. The little one is Liam’s niece Emma and that’s her older brother, Max.” Wesley gave Bree a breakdown of all the children in attendance.

  “Bree, I’m so glad you’re here.” Lena’s eyes sparkled as she approached, gathering them both in a hug. “You two belong together. I’ve known it since the day I met you. Saw the love he had for you in his eyes. Saw the same in yours.”

  Bree smiled, her eyes misty with tears as she glanced up at Wes. “You’re a very wise woman, Ms. Lena. And you’ve raised a truly wonderful man.”

  Wes leaned in and gave Bree a quick kiss on the lips before deftly moving her through the group of family and friends.

  They congratulated Maya, whom Bree had met at a previous business dinner. Wes introduced her to the matron-of-honor, Kendra, and her husband Nathan Johnston, a pro football player. Next, he introduced her to Kendra’s and Maya’s brother Dash Williams and his fiancée Mikayla.

  She met a variety of additional relatives. Liam’s father, Nigel, and Mrs. Hanson—the woman who had been Liam and Hunter’s nanny since they were boys, but now seemed to enjoy a much more personal relationship with their father. The groom’s brother, Hunter, and his wife, Meredith. Kendra and Dash’s mother, Ms. Anna. The Johnston family, comprised of Nate’s parents and several of his siblings, including his fraternal twin sister Vi. Maya’s parents—Curtis and Alita Williams, and her brother Cole.

  The rehearsal was lovely. Filled with laughter and tears of joy. During the delicious meal that followed, there was more of the same.

  Bree felt at home, like she was
among family and old friends. She’d been nervous about the prospect of uprooting her life and moving to Pleasure Cove so that she and Wes could be together and close to his mother. But there was so much love, friendship and good-natured teasing here. And they’d gone out of their way to make her feel like she was part of their extended family.

  At the end of the night, she and Wes said their goodbyes, saw Lena to her room at the resort, and strolled along the beach hand-in-hand.

  London would always be special for them. It was the place where they’d first met and where they’d both realized they’d fallen in love. But here on the sandy beaches of Pleasure Cove among friends who were already beginning to feel like family…this somehow felt like home.

  Not his home or her home, but theirs. The place where they could make a life together.

  EPILOGUE

  Wes was head over heels in love with the girl who was in his arms. She’d stolen his heart in a way he hadn’t thought possible.

  He wanted to give her the entire world wrapped in a neat little bow. He’d do anything for her.

  The edge of her mouth curled as she slept, mimicking a smile. She seemed to know instinctually that she was safe in his arms. That he’d do everything in his power to protect her and provide for her.

  He stroked her soft, downy hair and kissed her forehead.

  “Mackenzie Alena Adams,” he whispered softly. His lips brushed her warm skin as he inhaled her scent. “Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?”

  Mackenzie yawned and stretched, her dark eyes opening for a moment before she closed them again and pressed her fist to her lips in a failed attempt to suck it.

  “Hungry again, baby girl?” Wes secured the blanket around his daughter, only a few hours old.

  Bree grinned as she stroked their daughter’s cheek. “She’s beautiful, Wes.”

  “Just like her mama.” Wes pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Bree’s lips.

  He sat on the edge of Bree’s bed and wrapped an arm around her as he cradled their daughter in his arms.

  They’d been together for two years and were already engaged when Bree had shown him the positive pregnancy test. With the help of their family and friends, they’d managed to coordinate a simple, but elegant ceremony on Pleasure Cove Beach. The same place they’d witnessed Maya and Liam taking their vows two years earlier. They’d both stood barefoot in the sand, the soft sea air rustling her hair, and declared their commitment to each other.

  Even now, he got choked up thinking of how beautiful she’d been in her wedding dress. A sleeveless, cream-colored ball gown with a sweetheart neckline that showcased her breasts, enlarged by the pregnancy.

  Wes hadn’t thought he could be any happier than he was the day Bree stood there on that beach in front of the world and agreed to be his wife.

  He’d been wrong.

  Witnessing the birth of their daughter had been even more touching, eliciting tears from both of them.

  As a husband and a father, his life had taken on new meaning. Bree had given him the life he’d convinced himself he hadn’t wanted. Yet he was happier than he ever imagined possible.

  “Would you like to hold your baby sister?” Wes beamed at the handsome boy who was nearly fifteen with a face that looked so much like his own.

  The boy who’d washed his hands and had been waiting patiently bobbed his head and took the newborn in his arms.

  Wesley’s heart felt as if it would burst. His son. It still didn’t feel real. But Bree had made it happen. She’d written letters to Gray’s adoptive parents for more than a year before she’d finally gotten a response.

  Gray had learned he was adopted and he wanted to meet his biological parents. He’d been angry with Wes at first, but they’d slowly built a relationship over the past year. And four months ago, Gray had finally met his biological mother—Janine.

  Wes had been nervous to see her again. He was uncertain of how he’d react to the woman who’d given away their son without telling him. But when he’d laid eyes on Janine and seen the pain and fear on her face, they both had tears of regret in their eyes.

  He and Bree had sat and talked with Janine for an hour before Gray arrived with his adoptive parents. And when they parted ways, he managed to hug his son’s mother and wish her well. Something that was only possible because of the love and grace he’d learned from his mother and from being with Bree.

  They’d been through a lot. Marriage, a growing family and the expansion of two successful businesses. Bree had become a vocal activist for organizations that raised money to battle his mother’s illness and those that protected women from boyfriends and exes like Alex Hunt—whom they hadn’t heard from since Bree filed a restraining order against him.

  A wide smile spread across Gray’s face. “I think she just smiled at me in her sleep.”

  “She knows she’s safe. That her big brother will always be there to protect her.” Bree wore a white-and-green hospital gown with a crusty, baby-puke stain on one shoulder. Her curls were secured in a messy topknot.

  She looked happy, but exhausted. Still, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  The love of his life.

  Maybe he didn’t deserve Bree, the kids, or the life they were building together, but he was damn grateful for it. And he’d never, ever let any of them go.

  * * * * *

  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: 9781488081279

  Playing with Seduction

  Copyright © 2018 by Roxanne Ravenel

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  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.

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  Desire is a game without rules

  Optimistic and hardworking, Angela Bouler prides herself on getting through life without asking for an assist. School, two jobs, caring for her nephew, Cory—she’s keeping it all together…then Isaiah Reynolds bounces into her life. The Jacksonville Gators’ star forward is coaching at Cory’s summer camp, but guardians and mentors aren’t supposed to mix—and certainly not surrender to red-hot kisses…

  Isaiah has an image of the perfect partner in his head, and it doesn’t quite mesh with Angela’s hectic life. Or her evening job serving drinks at a gentlemen’s club. But deep down, she’s the only woman who sparks a true connection. He’s expected to keep his image spotless, but instead he’s risking everything on a strong, sexy, complicated woman. Winning her heart won’t be easy, but it’s becoming the only play that really matters…

  A large hand wrapped around her wrist and prevented her from impersonating a flipped pancake.

  Awareness prickled up her arm from the strong hand around her wrist. Her gaze lifted all the way up to a pair of dark sexy eyes. Her heart stumbled worse than her feet and air sprinted from her lungs like a that of a runner’s. Isaiah Reynolds.

  The lean muscles of his arms were bared by a sleeveless red athletic shirt. Basketball shorts partially covered sculpted legs long enough to make a redwood jealous. If a tree could get jealous. The spice of sweat and his own masculine scent swirled through her senses and made her knees wobbly. Recognition brightened his warm brown eyes. For a split second he seemed happy and surprised right before his brows furled. His lips, the lower one fuller and so damn kissable, twisted into a frown.

  “Angel?” he said in a tenor tone that was as smooth as silk and ran over her just as seductively.