A Contract Seduction (Southern Secrets Series Book 2) by Janice Maynard

Author:Janice Maynard [Maynard, Janice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Sensual Story Theme, Hearts Desire, Lifetime Love, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Romantic Schemes, Beautiful & Feisty, Love-Family & Forever, Small Town & Rural Area, Southern Secrets Series, Charleston South Carolina, Limited Life Diagnose, Marriage Bargain, Convenient & Practical Marriage, Dedicated Assistant, Family Business, Charleston Heir, Contract Marriage, Ultimated Test
Publisher: Harlequin Desire; Original edition
Published: 2019-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

Jonathan spun around. All the blood in his body rushed to his groin in a painful arousal that left him unsteady on his feet. “Lizzy,” he muttered. “You’re here.” Her tentative smile dazzled him. Why had he ever thought of her as average? Now that they were on intimate terms, her subtle, understated beauty caught him by the throat and wouldn’t let go.

She was wearing some kind of sultry dress that was designed to make a man drool and stutter. It clung to her stellar breasts and slid over her body like a raw caress. Was she naked underneath? The possibility consumed him.

The maid appeared at exactly the wrong time. Jonathan wanted to curse at her and send her away, but the tray she carried was laden with culinary delights that made his stomach rumble even in the midst of his desperate desire for his bride.

The table was situated so that both parties had an unobstructed view of the ocean. He held Lizzy’s chair and waited for her to be seated. Her hair brushed her bare shoulders. He wanted to run his fingers through it.

Instead, he took his place across from her and listened with half an ear as the maid/cook explained each dish. There were fried plantains and local grouper with pineapple chutney. Toast points with a Creole dipping sauce and a beautiful key lime pie.

Lisette chatted animatedly with the older local woman, at last coaxing a smile from her dour, expressionless face. Jonathan was struck suddenly by how different he and Lizzy were in temperament. She opened herself up to everyone, while Jonathan kept himself in check.

His recent diagnosis had only exacerbated his instinct to hide behind his CEO persona. Even so—sweet, generous, compassionate Lisette had agreed to his outlandish plan. Perhaps unconsciously, he had known she would. Which made him an opportunist and a user.

The realization shamed him, because it was too late for second thoughts.

Once the maid was assured that Jonathan and Lisette had everything they needed, she disappeared, leaving the newlyweds to their private wedding-night feast.

Jonathan forced himself to eat and talk and smile. Everything a normal groom would do. Some of his turmoil subsided, winnowed away by the sheer magic of a tropical night.

Lisette leaned back in her chair, meal forgotten, when the sun neared the horizon. “I can’t imagine this would ever get old,” she whispered. She reached across the table and took his hand. “Watch it with me,” she said. “And make a wish.”

He gripped her fingers, feeling how slender and delicate they were in contrast to his larger hand. “I don’t think that’s a real thing. Isn’t it only shooting stars?”

“It can be whatever we want it to be. Look,” she said urgently. The sun seemed to sink more quickly now. The bottom rim kissed the ocean. The sun melted into a fatter, wider ball, and then it was gone.

Jonathan stared at the colors swirling on the horizon. How many more sunsets would he live to see?

He cleared his throat.

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