by Dani Wade
It all sounded so good, but Willow had been burned before by him. “You said you can’t live with the deceit.”
“And when are you going to figure out the lie I told to protect myself? You’re too smart for that.” He set the glass down on the windowsill. His fists clenched and released as if he wanted to reach for her, but he kept his distance. “Claiming you deliberately deceived me was an excuse in the heat of the moment. Your actions disappointed me, so I lashed out, but I know you, Willow. You’re nothing like my parents or my grandparents. If it wasn’t for you pushing my boundaries, nothing would’ve ever changed.”
“I know,” she said.
“And now, so do I.” His look held such longing, Willow felt tears prick her eyes. “I’m not going to pretend I don’t have a lot of faults. We both know I do. But you bring out the best in me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t take the chance that you could love me, at least a little.”
Goodness, she’d have trouble holding back the waterworks if he kept talking like this. “Oh, I think I can manage a little more than that.”
One step at a time he came to her, until he could finally bury his hands in her hair and study her face up close. “You really mean that?” he asked.
“Hasn’t anything I’ve done convinced you?”
His kiss was sure, with a touch of reverence like Willow had never felt before.
“I promise to stop living in the past,” he murmured. “I want a future, Willow. But the only future worth having is with you.”
“We’ll make it together, Tate. I promise.”
“Your life will never be the same, buddy,” Royce yelled out the kitchen window.
Tate and Willow turned to see a handful of faces on the other side of the curtains. She’d completely forgotten about her family, and she wanted to laugh. Eavesdropping was something she should have expected of them. But she glanced up to see Tate’s eyes go wide. At first she thought he had a problem. Then she realized he was actually nervous. That was a new look for the forceful man she was used to seeing.
“Might as well get used to it,” Willow warned. “We come as a package deal. You’re stuck with them now.”
He seemed to swallow down his nerves and nodded resolutely. “A new future. A new family. With you right at the center. Sounds like everything I didn’t know I wanted. Now I can’t imagine living without any of it.”
“You won’t. Not if you’re smart.” And she knew he was, or else he’d have never gotten this far. “But don’t worry, they’ll love you just as much as I do. As much as Murdoch does. All you have to do is let them.”
Tate nodded. “I will.”
It wouldn’t be easy for him, not after all he’d been through, but she knew they’d get there.
Probably time to address the elephant on their front porch before Willow got too emotional. “How did you get here? Did someone bring you?” She glanced around for a taxi.
Tate took a few steps back and gestured to the Jeep parked along the curb. One she should have recognized, but didn’t at first, just as she’d never expected Tate on her doorstep... “I drove.”
“You what?” she whispered, shock still rocketing through her.
“I needed to see you,” he said with a shrug. The explanation was so simple, but oh so profound. “Right then. I couldn’t wait.”
He grinned, that sexy, mysterious smile that sent shivers down her spine. On that night months ago when he’d caught her on the stairs of Sabatini House, she’d never imagined she’d be on the receiving end of something so special.
“Besides, you don’t have a landing strip in your backyard, I’m guessing.”
Willow laughed. “No. No, we don’t.”
“We might have to remedy that.”
* * * * *
If you loved this story,
don’t miss the first SAVANNAH SISTERS novel,
A FAMILY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE
Then pick up these other passionate, Southern reads from Dani Wade!
HIS BY DESIGN
A BRIDE’S TANGLED VOWS
THE BLACKSTONE HEIR
THE RENEGADE RETURNS
REINING IN THE BILLIONAIRE
Available now from Harlequin Desire!
***
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Keep reading for an excerpt from SAVANNAH’S SECRETS by Reese Ryan.
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Savannah's Secrets
by Reese Ryan
One
Blake Abbott rubbed his forehead and groaned. He’d rather be walking the floor of the distillery, preparing for their new product launch, instead of reviewing market research data. Out there on the floor was where the magic of making their world-renowned bourbon happened.
His assistant, Daisy, knocked on his open office door. “Blake, don’t forget the interview for the new event manager position… It’s in fifteen minutes.”
Blake cursed under his breath. His brother Max had asked him to handle the interview. The new position fell under Max’s charge as marketing VP. But he was at a trade show in Vegas. Probably partying and getting laid while Blake worked his ass off back at the office.
Their mother—who usually handled their special events—was in Florida helping her sister recover from surgery.
Tag, I’m it.
But Blake had more pressing matters to deal with. Production was two weeks behind on the limited-edition moonshines they were rolling out to commemorate the upcoming fiftieth anniversary of King’s Finest Distillery. Once an illegal moonshine operation started by his great-grandfather in the hills of Tennessee, his grandfather had established the company as a legal distiller of premium spirits.
What better way to celebrate their golden anniversary as a legitimate enterprise than to reproduce the hooch that gave them their start?
Getting the project back on track took precedence over hiring an overpriced party planner.
Blake grunted, his eyes on the screen. “Too late to reschedule?”
“Technically? No,” a slightly husky voice with an unfamiliar Southern drawl responded. “But then, I am already here.”
Blake’s attention snapped to the source of the voice. His temperature climbed instantly when he encountered the woman’s sly smile and hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
Her dark wavy hair was pulled into a low bun. If sh
e’d worn the sensible gray suit to downplay her gorgeous features, it was a spectacular fail.
“Blake, I’m sorry.” Daisy’s cheeks flushed. Her gaze shifted from him to the woman. “I should’ve—”
“It’s okay, Daisy.” Blake held back a grin. He crossed the room, holding the woman’s gaze. “I’ll take it from here, thanks.”
Daisy shoved a folder into his hands. “Her résumé. In case you can’t find the copy I gave you earlier.”
Blake thanked his assistant. She knew him well and was unbothered by his occasional testiness. It was one of the reasons he went to great lengths to keep her happy.
“Well, Miss—”
“Carlisle.” The woman extended her hand. “But please, call me Savannah.”
Blake shook her hand and was struck by the contrast of the softness of her skin against his rough palm. Electricity sparked on his fingertips. He withdrew his hand and shoved it in his pocket.
“Miss… Savannah, please, have a seat.” He indicated the chair opposite his desk.
She complied. One side of her mouth pulled into a slight grin, drawing his attention to her pink lips.
Were they as soft and luscious as they looked? He swallowed hard, fighting back his curiosity about the flavor of her gloss.
Blake sank into the chair behind his desk, thankful for the solid expanse between them.
He was the one with the authority. So why did it seem that she was assessing him?
Relax. Stay focused.
He was behaving as if he hadn’t seen a stunningly beautiful woman before.
“Tell me about yourself, Savannah.”
It was a standard opening. But he genuinely wanted to learn everything there was to know about this woman.
Savannah crossed one long, lean leg over the other. Her skirt shifted higher, grazing the top of her knee and exposing more of her golden-brown skin.
“I’m from West Virginia. I’ve lived there my entire life. I spent the past ten years working my way up the ranks, first at a small family-owned banquet hall. Then at a midsize chain hotel. In both positions, I doubled the special events revenue. My recommendation letters will confirm that.”
She was confident and matter-of-fact about her accomplishments.
“Impressive.” Regardless of how attractive Savannah Carlisle was, he would only hire her if she was right for the job. “You’re a long way from West Virginia. What brings you to our little town of Magnolia Lake?”
“Honestly? I moved here because of this opportunity.”
When Blake narrowed his gaze in response, she laughed. It was a sweet sound he wouldn’t mind hearing again. Preferably while they were in closer proximity than his desk would allow.
“That wasn’t an attempt to sweet-talk you into hiring me. Unless, of course, it works,” she added with a smile. “This position is the perfect intersection of my talents and interests.”
“How so?” Blake was intrigued.
“I’ve been fascinated by distilleries and small breweries since I worked at a local craft brewery my senior year of college. I led group tours.”
Blake leaned forward, hands pressed to the desk. “And if you don’t get the position?”
“Then I’ll work my way up to it.”
Blake tried not to betray how pleased he was with her unwavering conviction. “There are lots of other distilleries. Why not apply for a similar position elsewhere?”
“I believe in your products. Not that I’m a huge drinker,” she added with a nervous laugh. “But as an event professional, King’s Finest is my go-to. I also happen to think you have one of the smoothest finishes out there.”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he allowed a bit of awkward silence to settle over them, which was a device he often employed. Give a candidate just enough rope to hog-tie themselves, and see what they’d do with it.
“That’s only part of the reason I want to work for King’s Finest. I like that you’re family-owned. And I was drawn to the story of how your grandfather converted your great-grandfather’s moonshine operation into a legitimate business to create a legacy for his family.”
She wasn’t the first job candidate to gush about the company history in an attempt to ingratiate herself with him. But something in her eyes indicated deep admiration. Perhaps even reverence.
“You’ve done your homework, and you know our history.” Blake sat back in his leather chair. “But my primary concern is what’s on the horizon. How will you impact the future of King’s Finest?”
“Excellent question.” Savannah produced a leather portfolio from her large tote. “One I’m prepared to answer. Let’s talk about the upcoming jubilee celebration. It’s the perfect convergence of the company’s past and present.”
“The event is a few months away. Most of the plans are set. We don’t expect anyone to come in, at this late hour, and pull off a miracle. We just want the event to be special for our employees and the folks of Magnolia Lake. Something that’ll make them proud of their role in our history. Get them excited about the future.”
A wide grin spanned her lovely face. “Give me two months and I’ll turn the jubilee into a marketing bonanza that’ll get distributors and consumers excited about your brand.”
An ambitious claim, but an intriguing one.
King’s Finest award-winning bourbon sold well in the States and was making inroads overseas. However, they faced increased competition from small batch distilleries popping up across the country in recent years.
“You have my attention, Savannah Carlisle.” Blake crossed one ankle over his knee. “Wow me.”
Savannah laid out a compelling plan to revamp their jubilee celebration into an event that was as reflective of the company’s simple roots as it was elegant and forward thinking.
“I love your plan, but do you honestly think you can pull this off in two months?”
“I can, and I will.” She closed the portfolio and returned it to her bag. “If given the chance.”
Blake studied the beautiful woman sitting before him. No wonder their HR manager had recommended the woman so highly. Impressed with her after a joint telephone interview, Max and their mother had authorized him to make her an offer if she was as impressive in person.
Savannah Carlisle was clever and resourceful, everything they needed for their newly minted event manager position. There was only one problem with hiring the woman.
He was attracted to her. More than he’d been to any woman in the two years since his last relationship imploded.
Blake was genuinely excited by the possibility of seeing Savannah every day. Of knowing she occupied an office down the hall from his. But there was the little matter of their family’s unwritten rule.
No dating employees.
Problematic, since he’d spent the past half hour preoccupied with the desire to touch her skin again. But he had something far less innocent than a handshake in mind.
Blake wouldn’t hire her simply because she was attractive. And it wouldn’t be right not to hire her because of her beauty, either.
His feelings were his problem, and he’d deal with them.
“All right, Savannah Carlisle. Let’s see what you can do.”
They negotiated her salary, and then Blake sent her off to complete the requisite paperwork. His gaze followed her curvy bottom and long legs as she sashayed out of the office.
Blake shook his head and groaned. This time, he may have gotten himself in over his head.
Copyright © 2018 by Roxanne Ravenel
Notorious playboy Nolan Madaris is determined to escape his great-grandmother’s famous matchmaking schemes, but Ivy Chapman, the woman his great-grandmother has picked out for him, is nothing like he expects—and she’s got her own proposal for how to get their meddling families off their backs and out of their love lives!
Read on for a sneak peek of
BEST LAID PLANS,
the latest in New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson’s
MADARIS FAMILY SAGA!
Best Laid Plans
by Brenda Jackson
Prologue
Christmas Day
Nolan Madaris III took a sip of his beer while standing on the balcony of his condo. Leaning against the rail, he had a breathtaking view of the exclusive fifteen-story Madaris Building that was surrounded by a cluster of upscale shops, restaurants and a beautiful jogging park with a huge man-made pond. The condos where he lived were right across from the water.
The entire complex, including the condos, had been architecturally designed, engineered and constructed by the Madaris Construction Company that was owned by his cousins Blade and Slade. For the holidays, the Madaris Building and the surrounding shops, restaurants and jogging park were beautifully decorated with colorful, bright lights. It was hard to believe a new year was just a week away.
When Nolan had arrived home from his cousin Lee’s wedding, he hadn’t bothered to remove his tuxedo. Instead he’d headed straight for the refrigerator, grabbed a beer and proceeded to the balcony for a bit of mental relaxation. But all his mind could do was recall the moment his ninetysomething-year-old great-grandmother, Felicia Laverne Madaris, had finally cornered him at the reception that evening. She was a notorious matchmaker, and he’d been avoiding her all night. Her success rate was too astounding to suit him—and she had calmly warned him that he was next.
He was just as determined not to be.
Nolan, his brother, Corbin, and his cousins Reese and Lee had all been born within a fifteen-month period. They were as close as brothers and had been thick as thieves while growing up. Mama Laverne swore her goal was to marry them all off before she took her last breath. They all told her that wouldn’t happen, but then the next thing they knew, Reese had married Kenna and today Lee married Carly.
What bothered Nolan more than anything about his great-grandmother setting her schemes on him was that she of all people knew what he’d gone through with Andrea Dunmire. Specifically, the hurt, pain and humiliation she had caused him. Yes, it had been years ago and he had gotten over it, but there were some things you didn’t forget. A woman ripping your heart out of your chest was one of them.
