“What about Purity Haven? Does that name mean something?”
“It does. My dad used to always say that no one can live forever, but if we find a place that truly makes us happy, we will always have our own personal haven of purity. To my dad, being happy was a sure way to extend your life and I guess calling the island Purity Haven was a way for my dad to live on... A way for me to communicate with him since he is constantly an inspiration in every facet of my life even though he’s no longer here.”
It didn’t surprise him to see so much emotion in Becca’s eyes. “That’s beautiful,” she said in a soft voice. “And it fits the island perfectly.”
“Thank you.” Josh studied her eyes, finally understanding why he could never figure out the perfect names for the properties on the island: because it was always meant for Becca to choose those names. She just didn’t know it yet. “Why don’t you relax? I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Josh left Becca lying out in the sun by the pool on the second deck.
When Josh got to the gate, his package was right on time.
“Thanks, bro.” Josh dabbed fists with Logan.
“No problem, man. Good luck!”
“Thanks.” Even though Josh kept trying to calm his nerves, he still couldn’t do so. But with each step he took toward the deck where Becca was relaxing, he felt more calm.
Becca turned to him when she heard movement behind her.
“DeLong, what is in that big box you’re holding?”
Josh held the box out to her as he walked over. “Why don’t you open it and see?”
The minute she opened the box, she squealed at the small bundle of brown fur that jumped out at her.
“Oh my God, a puppy?”
“Not just any puppy,” Josh said.
“Wait... Is this a Lab and golden retriever mix? You got a combination of the dogs we each grew up with?”
“Yes, I did.” Josh loved to hear the excitement in her voice. “I got you something else, too. Check out his name.”
Becca looked up at Josh with laughter in her eyes. “This is too perfect. You named him Bugatti.”
“Had to,” Josh said with a smile. “I fell in love with you the minute you yelled out the name of my favorite car.”
Becca stood up and gave him a big hug, careful not to squish the puppy.
“Just so you know, Bugatti belongs to both of us,” he said. “I’m already earmarking certain places for him on the ship.”
“I can’t wait to visit him all the time.”
“You won’t have to visit him because you’ll be living on the yacht with us.”
Becca frowned. “Josh, we’ve been through this. You just told me you love me a week ago. Are you sure you want me to move in so fast?”
Josh nodded to the dog collar. “Why don’t you open that pouch that’s on Bugatti’s collar.”
Becca looked at him with skepticism, but she untied the pouch. When she opened it and looked inside, Josh gave her credit for not dropping the puppy.
Josh took Bugatti in his arms and dropped to one knee, pulling the ginormous engagement ring completely out of the pouch. He captured Becca’s left hand as her right flew to her mouth.
“Becca Wright, I know it may seem like our love has progressed fairly quickly. But for me, it feels like I’ve waited my entire life for you. When two people share a love like ours, it doesn’t take long for one to realize that a future without the other isn’t a future worth living. There are so many amazing qualities that you possess and I’d never want you to be anyone but yourself. I fell in love with the woman you were. The woman you are. And the woman you will be. You’d be standing here for hours if I listed all the reasons why I love you and why I can’t wait to start our future together. So I’ll try to make this question as simple as possible... Becca Wright, will you be my first mate for life?”
By now, Becca was crying and even then, Josh still thought she looked adorable. “Yes, Joshua DeLong. I’ll marry you.”
Josh barely had time to place the ring on her finger and give her a kiss before their families erupted in applause.
Becca turned to find the Wrights and DeLongs approaching them on the deck. She faced Josh. “How in the world did you pull off getting everyone on the yacht without me noticing?”
“That would be my doing,” Logan said, taking a bow.
Josh pulled Becca in for another kiss until Bugatti got jealous and started showering them with his own kisses, his little pink tongue furiously licking one then the other.
“What do you want me to do about this one?” Becca and Josh turned to Sebastian, who was holding another puppy. This one was all black.
Becca raised an eyebrow as she turned to Josh. “Two puppies?”
Josh shrugged his shoulders. “They’re sister and brother. I didn’t want to split them apart.”
Becca took the other puppy from Sebastian. “Hello, Maserati,” she said as she scratched her ears.
“How did you know what I named her?”
“Because I know you, and those are the two cars that you own that you picked me up in.”
Josh winked at his brothers since they hadn’t thought Becca would understand his naming conventions.
Becca walked back over to Josh and gave him a kiss that wasn’t interrupted by the puppies. “Just so you know, I draw the line at kids.”
“What do you mean?” Josh asked.
“It means that although I think it’s adorable that we’re naming our dogs after luxury cars, we can’t name our kids after cars, too. I have to draw the line with them.”
Josh laughed so loud both puppies started licking his face. “Baby, the thought never even crossed my mind.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from
PLAYING WITH TEMPTATION by Reese Ryan
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Playing with Temptation
by Reese Ryan
Chapter 1
Nate Johnston entered the private dining room at his favorite seafood restaurant and froze, his expensive Italian loafers rooted to the floor.
The ghost of relationships past.
Kendra didn’t need to turn around for him to recognize the woman he’d once shared his bed with; the moth
er of his six-year-old son. He sensed her presence—like something warm wiggling beneath his skin—the instant he stepped into the room.
Nate was in the midst of the biggest crisis of his eight-year-long professional football career. Why would his brother invite him to dinner with the woman who shattered his heart seven years ago?
“Glad you’re here, Nate. Have a seat.” His brother Marcus indicated the seat next to Kendra.
Nate narrowed his gaze at his brother and took the seat beside him instead. “You asked me to meet you for dinner to discuss the situation.”
As if Kendra and every other sports network viewer hadn’t seen the grainy cell phone footage of him in a club, after a few drinks, ripping his teammates to shreds following the ass-whipping they’d endured at the hands of their division rivals. A devastating loss that put the brakes on the Memphis Marauders play-off run for the third year in a row.
The video had been edited to make him look like the villain. It didn’t include him detailing how his own mistakes—a dropped pass and a costly fumble—had contributed to the loss.
“That’s why she’s here.” Marcus’s response was terse. As Nate’s sports agent, Marcus’s job had become ten times harder since the tape hit the airwaves that morning.
“Hello, Nate.” Kendra’s apologetic smile indicated she knew something he didn’t.
Nate’s attention was drawn to her expressive face. How did she manage to get more beautiful every time he saw her?
Head full of short, dark curls. Sheen on high blast. Style on point. Body-hugging knit dress in his favorite color on her—Marauders blue. The color perfectly contrasted the expanse of smooth brown skin exposed by the neckline of her dress.
An uneasy feeling crawled up his spine. Nate turned to his brother. “What do you mean that’s why she’s here?”
“It means we’ve got a ton of damage control to do, in addition to negotiating your new contract with the Marauders and trying to renew your two biggest endorsement deals. I can’t handle everything alone. I’ve asked for Kendra’s assistance.”
Marcus had every right to be pissed, and Nate expected a little brotherly payback. But Marcus was a few cans short of a six-pack if he expected him to work with the woman who left him on one knee, ring in hand.
“What’s wrong with the PR firm we’ve been using?”
“They’re great when things are good, but we’re in crisis mode. We need someone tough who’ll get ahead of this thing and change the narrative out there about you.”
“And out of all the possibilities in the free world, you believe the woman who rejected my proposal is the best person for the job?” He slid his gaze to Kendra. Her cheeks glowed beneath her warm, dark skin.
A twinge of guilt settled in his gut. It was a low blow, but so was walking out on him when he asked her to marry him seven years ago. He’d convinced himself he was over it and her. Yet the rejection still stung, especially being relegated to a part-time father.
Nate’s father had tucked him and his six siblings into bed every night. Read them stories, taught them how to fish, fix their bikes and change the brakes on a car. He was still very much part of their lives. Nate had looked forward to being the kind of father who was present in his kids’ lives every day.
Kendra had destroyed his chance of being that kind of dad to Kai.
When she’d responded to his marriage proposal by walking out, she’d left a hole in his chest where his heart had once been. Discovering the pregnancy a few weeks later, then announcing she fully intended to raise the baby on her own, had ripped out his soul and left him in a tailspin.
He still couldn’t forgive her for reducing him to a baby daddy. For being the reason he didn’t get to tuck Kai into bed most nights. Now Marcus wanted to put his future in her hands?
Oh, hell naw.
“I know she’s the best person for the job.” Marcus’s expression was unwavering.
“I understand why you’re still upset.” Kendra’s eyes conveyed the apology he’d already heard too many times. “But this isn’t about our past. It’s about ensuring your future on your terms. I can help you do that because I’m damn good at what I do. But I don’t want to be here if you don’t want me here.”
“Good, then it’s settled. What’s for dinner?” Nate picked up his menu.
Marcus pushed the menu down. “Don’t be a smart-ass, Nate. More importantly, don’t let your ego get in the way of what’s best for your career and your bank account. You’ve dug a king-size hole for yourself, little brother. It’s my job to get you back on solid ground. I can do that, but I need Dray’s help.”
Nate narrowed his gaze at Marcus. Dray? Really? They were suddenly cozy enough that his brother was using the nickname he’d called her when they were together?
He turned his attention to Kendra. Her arms were folded, inadvertently pressing her breasts higher. His heartbeat quickened and his throat suddenly felt dry.
Focus, buddy, and not on those.
He gulped water from his glass, then cleared his throat. “I don’t doubt your ability, Kendra, but given our history, working together is ill-advised. Am I the only one who gets that?”
“It’s an awkward situation,” Kendra acknowledged with a soft sigh, “but you’re Kai’s father. We’ll always have a connection. Whether you believe it or not, Nate, I want what’s best for you. That hasn’t changed.”
Nate swallowed the lump in his throat. “Let’s not pretend this is a charitable arrangement. It’s your chance to make a name for yourself.”
Kendra pursed her lips painted a rich, velvety red reminiscent of a full-bodied glass of vintage port. As proud and stubborn as her mother, the woman was allergic to accepting help. It had taken him nearly a year to convince her to accept child support for Kai.
“This is an opportunity for me, which means I’m invested in your success. When we worked together, informally, you were a media darling.”
Nate tapped his finger on the table. Kendra wasn’t wrong. She’d been a huge help back then. He’d even asked her to help a couple of his college buddies who’d run into trouble.
He sucked in a deep breath. “You’re good, but that isn’t the point.”
“Then what is the point?” She leaned forward, her arms folded, elbows on the table, providing an excellent view of her cleavage.
Nate was beginning to think she was doing it on purpose. Distracting him and trying to get him off his game. He swallowed hard, ignoring the blood emptying from his brain and rushing below his belt.
He glanced over at his smirking brother, who seemed to enjoy watching Kendra take him to task.
“You’re going to make me say it? Fine.” Nate leaned forward, palms pressed to the table. “I prefer to work with someone I know has my back. Someone who’ll ride this out instead of hitting the door the second the road gets hard. I want to work with someone who’ll stand their ground and fight for me.”
Kendra grimaced, as if he’d knocked the wind out of her.
Part of him relished the pain evident in her eyes. It didn’t begin to rival the pain she’d inflicted on him. Yet another part of him couldn’t bear to see the hurt in her chocolate-brown eyes.
“Your feelings are valid.” Marcus spoke after what felt like a full minute of silence. His tone was apologetic, though Nate wasn’t sure if the apology was meant for him or Kendra. “That’s why you two need to hash things out.”
“You’re not hearing me, Marcus. There is nothing for us to hash out.”
Marcus placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “You’re my brother. I’d take a bullet for you. But as your agent, I have to be the voice of reason. Tell you what you need to hear. You screwed up. Royally. At the worst possible time. This is mission-critical. We need Dray. She knows you better than anyone, and she’s a master at crisis management. Besides, she has a
vested interest in seeing you succeed. All of our futures are on the line here, Nate. I wouldn’t bring Dray in if I didn’t trust her implicitly.”
Kendra gave Marcus a grateful smile. She sat taller and returned her attention to Nate. “I can do this, Nate. I won’t let you down.”
Nate ignored her plea. He turned to Marcus. “I think we’re pushing the panic button here.”
“Cards on the table, bro?” Marcus motioned for the server to come over. “It was Bat-Signal time the second that video hit the airwaves. The building is on fire. Don’t be too proud to accept the help of a friendly face wearing a cape and toting a fire hose.”
Nate gritted his teeth as Kendra held back a grin, her eyes gleaming. He sat stewing as Marcus explained to the server that he’d be leaving, so she should deliver his meal and the bill to Nate.
He loved his family, but it was a universal truth that older brothers could be asses.
Marcus stood and slipped on his wool coat. He gripped Nate’s shoulder. “You said you’d do whatever it took to make this right. I’m playing that card now. You’re two adults with a common goal. Figure it out.” He shifted his gaze to Kendra. “Walk me out?”
She grabbed her wrap and followed him out.
Damn.
Next time he’d be careful with the promises he made his brother. His only hope was to convince Kendra to walk away.
Again.
Copyright © 2017 by Roxanne Ravenel
ISBN-13: 9781488013713
A Miami Affair
Copyright © 2017 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Sherelle Green for her contribution to the Millionaire Moguls miniseries.
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, M3B 3K9 Canada.
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