From one nightâ¦to forever?
With a successful boutique in Charlotte and plans to open another exclusive one in Aspen, Alythia Duffy feels as if sheâs finally arrived. Then a wild week in the Caribbean at her best friendâs bachelorette celebration threatens to ruin everything, though Alythia doesnât regret her passionate idyll with a sensual stranger.
Self-made developer Gage Vincent learned long ago not to believe the words of a beautiful woman. He thought Alythia was different. Yet, how can he trust her after he finds out that she is bidding for space in his hot new skyscraper? Will Alythia be able to prove to him that she is the special woman meant to share his life?
âI think my suggestion should come with a peace offering.â
Aly saw the straps of her sandals dangling from his index and middle fingers. âHmph, good thing I didnât get more comfortable.â
âMmm-hmm.â Whatever interest Gage had in talking seemed to have vanished, for he suddenly pushed off the door frame and advanced.
Alythia was opening her mouth to thank him for returning her shoes. He never gave her the chance, and for the second time that day, her body reacted to the delicious sensation of his mouth on hers. Again, he began with a tentative exploration that quickly blossomed into a sensuous entwining of their tongues.
Gage withdrew from the kiss to outline the curve of her cheek, brush the sensitive skin behind her ear and trail his nose along her neck.
âGage?â
âMmmâ¦â
âDo you kiss all women you know so soon after you meet them?â
He nipped at her earlobe. âWould you believe that Iâve forgotten every other woman Iâve ever met?â
âNo,â she gasped, still enraptured by his touch and feeling the vibration of laughter through his body.
âYou really know how to hurt a man.â
âItâs not out of habit.â Aly felt her sandals bumping her bottom when he switched them to his other hand while he held her. âSo what do I have to do to get my shoes back?â she murmured against his jaw, wanting his mouth on hers.
ALTONYA WASHINGTON
has been a romance novelist for nine years. Her 2012 Mills & Boon Kimani Romance title His Texas Touch, second in the Lone Star Seduction series, was nominated for the RT Reviewersâ Choice Award in the Best Series Romance category. The author began 2013 with her Mills & Boon Kimani Romance book Provocative Territory.
Dear Reader,
Thanks for curling up with my latest novel. Trust In Us features Gage Vincent and Alythia Duffy, and brings with it many of the reasons why I love writing romance. In addition to vibrant settings, the attraction between Gage and Alythia is greatly affected by assorted dramas that emphasize how very much this couple wants to be together.
You guys know I love my heroes, and Gage was a treat to create. Hereâs a little of what I shared about him in a recent blog: âWhen I craft that hero of mine, heâs the only oneâ¦in spite of all the others whoâve come before him or the ones that I know will come after him. When Iâm writing that guy, heâs the epitome, the showstopper.⦠So which hero inspired this particular blog? His name is Gage Vincent.â
I hope youâll enjoy this treat.â¦
Toodles,
Al
To my mom and dad, Alphonso and Carolyn Washington. Thanks for being the leaders of the best support team any author could ask for!
Chapter 1
âItâd be real nice of you to have this all wrapped up by the time I get back.â
âNow, you know Iâm good, boss. But even I wonât boast that I could make that happen in a couple of days.â
Gage Vincent kept his eyes fixed on the open folder, which had been hoarding his attention for the past ten minutes. The response from his assistant commanded a smile that accentuated his words with imminent laughter when he finally spoke.
âJay wants ten days, Iâm giving him ten days,â Gage told the young man who occupied the paper-littered sofa on the other side of the office suite.
Webb Reeseâs chuckle was a touch muffled behind the papers he held close to his attractive, heavily bearded face. âYou taking a ten-day break? Thatâll be a first.â
Gageâs face held a stony yet sly expression.
In a show of defense, Webb raised his hands, sending the papers sprinkling down onto the black suede of the sofa. âJust sayinâ,â he sang.
Gage returned his focus to the folder, shut it and gave it a wave in Webbâs direction. âTime to start earning that insane salary Iâm paying you.â
Webbâs nod was brief. His earlier playfulness had now adopted a more solemn element. âYouâre really leaving it all up to me?â
Gageâs lone dimple made a quick appearance when he smiled that time. âYouâve earned it.â He watched Webb come forward to claim the file.
âThis is a big deal, boss.â Webb emphasized the reminder by giving the folder a deliberate shake.