by Jo Leigh
“Paladino Trust?”
“In poche parole—in a nutshell—the Trust was started in the early 1900s by Joe’s ancestors. The first Paladinos who came to New York bought up much of Little Italy. A lot of the buildings here are owned by the family and that’s why rents are cheap. The Trust is good—it helps people stay in the neighborhood, people who can’t afford the crazy rents. But it’s not the same anymore. Even the business is too bound by the agreements. One of which is no one can know. You understand? No one. Luca couldn’t tell you.”
After a moment of flailing, April asked, “So, why are you?”
Theresa clutched her bag tighter and straightened her back. “Because I love my boys and I want them to be happy. You made Luca happier than I’ve ever seen. You also made him brave. You know what he did?”
April shook her head, just realizing she hadn’t even offered Mrs. Paladino a seat.
“He told his father and brothers to hire another architect if they want one. You helped him see that his real passion isn’t to build chain stores. Why it’s so hard for my sons to believe we want what’s best for them, I don’t understand. My boy loves you. He’s miserable that he chased you away.” She gave April another once-over, sniffed and said, “He could have done worse. And he says you can make lemon gnocchi.”
April couldn’t do anything but laugh. “I haven’t spoken to him since we had our fight.”
“How many times did I ask if he called?”
April bit her lip. Luca must’ve loved that. “You were nice to come here, Mrs. Paladino, but...I’m sorry. I’ve already decided. I’m leaving in two days,” she said, feeling only slightly guilty for misleading the woman. April was moving in with Grace, not leaving New York. If that didn’t pan out, she’d have to find another city to set up shop.
“So, you have two days. Think about it. Think about who he is, huh? You’re a smart girl. He was foolish, but for the right reasons. Sometimes, that boy, he’s just too honorable.” Theresa reached over and touched the back of April’s hand. “He doesn’t know I’m here. And you can’t tell anyone about the Trust, okay?”
Nodding, April felt dizzy and happy and sad all at once. Too honorable. Yes, she could see describing Luca that way. Before she’d even made sense of half of it, she heard the door close, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Why hadn’t Luca called? Probably because she’d been pretty harsh, but then what was she supposed to have thought? He really had made some bad decisions.
Because he’d been scared. Of losing her. It was so hard to believe. A lot of what he’d said had been too difficult to accept. Until she’d had time to really think about it. Time to get over the anger and hurt, and remember who he was. Luca would never intentionally hurt her.
He was the best man April had ever known. Everything else aside, she’d never fit with anyone the way she did with Luca.
God, she missed him. So much. Maybe it was too late, but she got out her phone, anyway. He was still Speed Dial One. The phone rang four times then went to voice mail. “Luca. I’ve had some time to think, and I know I reacted badly to everything that happened but I was shocked...” Her voice broke and she disconnected.
Since he hadn’t called before now, she already had her answer, didn’t she? Shame hit her in waves. She could beg, point out that Wes had conditioned her to assume the worst about a man. But she wouldn’t do that. She’d leave with some of her dignity intact.
But dammit, she didn’t want to leave. They needed to talk.
A second knock on the door made her jump again. She opened it expecting Theresa.
It was Luca. With his phone out. “I was stuck in your elevator,” he said. “I’ve never wanted anything more than to work this out. Never. I miss you. I love you. I love the way you think, your strength, your determination. I have a lot to explain, and I will. Every detail, if you’ll let me. There’s this Trust thing that’s complicated, but you should know. Also, I’ve told my family I don’t want to do my internship, and that’s because of you. None of it matters, though, compared to how sorry I am that I caused you pain. That I let my fears overshadow what was good for you.”
April smiled. He hadn’t taken one breath during that whole monologue. She threw her arms around his neck and he picked her up and carried her inside.
“I love you, April Michela Branagan, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much, if you’ll let me.”
She swallowed hard. Because he had to know. “I was scared, too. Scared I’d never see you again. Never be in your arms.” He set her down and wiped a tear off her cheek. “I said hurtful things—”
“And I did hurtful things...” He cut off her protest with a fingertip on her lips. “The only thing I care about is hearing you say you love me. And that you have no doubt that I believe in you.”
“I don’t doubt you. I was hurt but I don’t think I ever really thought you were playing me,” she said. “Not you, Luca, never you.”
“Hearing you say that means a lot.” Emotion darkened his eyes. “I can’t say it enough, but I’ve missed you so much.” He held her a little tighter. “God, I love you.”
“Me, too. I love you,” she whispered, crying happy tears, until she could tell him just how much.
* * * * *
Look for the final book in the NYC BACHELORS miniseries!
SEDUCED IN THE CITY by Jo Leigh, available soon online and at your favorite bookstore from Harlequin Blaze.
Keep reading for an excerpt from TEMPTING THE BEST MAN by Tanya Michaels.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Blaze story.
You like it hot! Harlequin Blaze stories sizzle with strong heroines and irresistible heroes playing the game of modern love and lust. They’re fun, sexy and always steamy.
Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin Blaze every month!
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
Join Harlequin My Rewards & Instantly earn a FREE ebook of your choice.
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever & whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS.
Don’t miss out. Reward the book lover in you!
Register Today & Earn a FREE BOOK*
*New members who join before April 30, 2017 will receive 2000 points redeemable for eligible titles.
Click here to register
Or visit us online to register at
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010001
Tempting the Best Man
by Tanya Michaels
1
“SO WHAT’S NEW with you?”
It was the third variation of that question Daniel Keegan had heard in the last fifteen minutes. He’d always dreaded parties where he had to make small talk with strangers, but tonight was proving that catching up with former acquaintances could be just as awkward.
Daniel sipped his beer, stalling. “Um...” Very articulate for a man with a PhD. He could share the story of how he’d proposed a few weeks ago. It
had seemed romantic to pop the question at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s.
Would’ve been a lot more romantic if Felicity had said yes. She’d blurted out a panicked no and fled his parents’ lavish party.
Or Daniel could discuss how he was being considered for tenure at the university—never mind that he was up against three very qualified candidates all competing for the same vacated spot. Professional triumph would ease the sting of getting dumped, but even with tenure, he’d still be the underachiever in the Keegan family. His older brother was hoping to be the next governor of Georgia.
Fortunately, the opening trombone notes of a classic striptease score interrupted conversation. Men eagerly turned toward the makeshift stage. The chandeliers in the rented ballroom dimmed even further as a spotlight appeared. Leaning against a column toward the back, Daniel tried to look enthusiastic, but part of him would rather be at home in his Buckhead condo, grading papers. You’re the best man. Participation in the bachelor party is mandatory. Hell, he was just lucky Eli hadn’t asked him to plan it.
Tonight’s location-hopping party—dinner followed by a private burlesque show before winding down at a jazz club—had been part of a package deal with the same event planning service that was managing Eli’s wedding next Saturday. The company had even provided a luxury bus and chauffeur.
A voluptuous redhead in a rhinestone-studded mesh bodysuit sauntered onto the stage, asking where the lucky groom-to-be was and making jokes about the honeymoon. From there, she progressed to audience participation, gathering bits of trivia about Eli’s past. The spotlight followed her to the guest of honor, where she sat in Eli’s lap and serenaded him with an improvised song about his favorite childhood stuffed animal and the day he got his driver’s license. Her lyrics were met with laughter and applause, but the guests really went wild when she introduced the next act—a pair of dancers with large feather fans and teasing smiles.
“Get you another?” A petite blonde waitress, wearing not much more than the women on stage, nodded at the microbrew in Daniel’s hand.
“Oh, no thanks.” He’d been nursing the same beer since arriving, and it was only half-finished. Party animal. “I’m trying to set the record for how long it takes to finish a single drink.”
“Designated driver?”
“Nope, just really boring.” It was something Sean Clark, head of the university kinesiology department, heckled him about once a week. Sean was the poster child for impulsive fun—which was why Eli hadn’t asked him to be the best man. Sean was the kind of guy who would lose the rings. Or miss the wedding entirely because he’d skipped town with a hot bridesmaid.
“I’m sure that’s not true,” the waitress protested. She gave him a slow once-over and a mischievous smile. “You look like you would be very exciting under the right circumstances.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he agreed politely. “Maybe I’ll surprise myself.” Liar. It had been drilled into him from birth that he had a family name and image to protect; he’d repressed his wild side for so long it probably didn’t exist anymore.
Another lie. Daniel knew damn well he had a rebellious streak buried deep down. But after so many years censoring himself, if he ever gave in to it, how would he regain his self-control?
“I’ll be sure to check back with you later,” the waitress promised. “I like surprises.”
As she moved on toward the tables clustered in front, Eli Wallace appeared, clapping Daniel on the shoulder. “Did I see you flirting with the cute waitress?” His approving smile gleamed white against his dark skin. “Progress!”
“Just a bit of friendly conversation.”
“At least I can trust you not to get too friendly.” Eli’s smile vanished. “My dumb-ass cousin Terrence got a little handsy with the bartender. I questioned whether to even invite him tonight, but since both of his brothers were coming... Help me keep an eye on him? If he gets too obnoxious, we pour him into a cab and send his ass home.”
“Remind me, which one’s Terrence?” Daniel and Eli had gone to high school together before ending up as professors at the same university years later; Daniel had met many of the man’s relatives in passing, but only knew Eli’s parents well.
Eli pointed across the room to a man in a disheveled suit whistling at the dancers from his seat.
“I’ll keep an eye out,” Daniel promised.
“Thanks, man. If you’ll excuse me, I should mingle—and keep some distance between me and the performers. If anyone else ends up in my lap, Bex will kick my ass.”
Rebekah was tiny compared to Eli’s six-foot-five but the surgical resident was fierce. “Yeah, probably best not to piss off a woman with regular access to scalpels and bone cutters.”
Eli laughed, but his amusement gave way to sincerity. “All I want to do is make her happy.”
“You will. You guys are great together.” Daniel almost winced at the unintentional irony; Eli had said the same to him when Daniel was psyching himself up to propose to Felicity.
Sympathy flashed in Eli’s gaze, and Daniel waved his friend away. “Go. You’ve got other guests to talk to.”
Making good on his agreement to watch Terrence, Daniel glanced in the man’s direction a few minutes later, but his gaze snagged on the second waitress working the room. She had her back to him, her black hair swishing across her bare shoulders in a straight, shiny fall that reminded him of someone he hadn’t thought of in almost a decade. Mia Hayes. In college, she’d had hair like that, but streaked with turquoise.
Trying not to ogle, he resisted the urge to compare the waitress’s body to Mia’s. Déjà vu aside, they couldn’t be the same woman. Mia had been in the MBA program. With her intelligence and aggressive nature, she’d probably taken over a company by now. Or a small country. Seeing people from his past tonight had simply triggered a sense of nostalgia.
Still, details about Mia came rushing back with startling clarity. The flaming feather tattoo on the back of her neck, her lush curves, her husky laugh. Her utter disdain for him. Daniel had made a woefully bad first impression, and she’d been unforgiving. The few times they’d been forced to work together in class had only made the situation worse.
Putting aside the past, he checked again on Eli’s cousin, who was now stumbling toward the men’s room. Free to watch the show, Daniel turned to the stage. A tall woman was asking for volunteers. She and another performer with great comic timing did a parody of a magic act, full of tricks that “failed” and innuendo-laden explanations.
It wasn’t long before his undisciplined gaze scanned the crowd for the dark-haired waitress bustling between thirsty guests and the bar. He still hadn’t caught a clear look at her face, but her curves were evident even in the dim lighting. Black shorts cupped a generous ass, and although she was probably only average height, the seamed fishnet stockings she wore with sparkly stilettos made her legs appear endless. Anxious to see the purple brocade corset she wore from the front, he considered walking to the bar just to cross her path.
Don’t be sleazy. Let the woman do her job.
But then he saw Terrence approach her on unsteady feet. Daniel bolted toward them as Eli’s cousin gripped her elbow. Everyone else’s attention was on the stage. As Daniel got closer, he heard the man remark in slurred speech on how cold she must be in her outfit and offer a vulgar suggestion of how he could keep her warm.
“If my choices were you or frostbite,” the woman said in a low, don’t-fuck-with-me tone, “I’d happily freeze to death. Now let go of me before I knee you so hard your dentist will be giving you your next prostate exam.”
Daniel was struck by shock and recognition. “Mia?”
Copyright © 2016 by Tanya Michna
ISBN-13: 9781488010859
Daring in the City
Copyright © 2016 by Jolie Kramer
All rights r
eserved. 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.
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
