This stubborn tycoon isnât a family man...or is he?
When Royce Brazier hires the hottest event planner in Savannah to mastermind his charity masquerade ball, itâs just another win for his portfolio. But Jasmine Harden isnât some lackey to boss around. The dynamic single mom and her adorable little girl quickly penetrate Royceâs business-only facade...and Jasmineâs passionate kisses cast a sensual spell...
Jasmine fears falling for the most eligible bachelor in town, even as she falls into Royceâs bed. Is her billionaire bossâs bad attitude about family based on a deeper hurt? Perhaps Jasmine and her daughter are the ones to change his mind!
He couldnât think of anything he wanted more than for Jasmine to spend the rest of the night with him.
âNeed to go?â he finally asked.
Jasmine hesitated. If heâd been in her situation, he would have, too.
Covering the few steps left between them, Royce let his body act on instinct. He reached out and cupped the cool skin of her upper arms. Then he rubbed up and down, aiming to warm her. But also to fulfill his own craving to simply touch her.
She stared up at him in the dark. Beneath his touch, she shivered, then she shook her head no.
âThen come back to bed.â
That first touch of skin on skin exhilarated him. He rolled over her in the bed, covering her cool body with his warmth. Savoring the gasp of air that signaled her surrender.
* * *
A Family for the Billionaire is part of Mills & Boon Desireâs No. 1 bestselling series, Billionaires and Babies: Powerful menâ¦wrapped around their babiesâ little fingers.
To all the sisters who have enriched my travels and blessed my lifeâ
LeaAnn, Sheridan, Tammy, Hannah, Nicole, Kim, Kira, Andrea, Marilyn, Linda and LJ.
My journeys wouldnât have been the same without you...
One
âI assume this meeting is being conducted with the utmost confidentiality?â
âOf course,â Jasmine Harden said, though she had never before had to assure a potential client of that.
âThen Iâll be honest.â
She eyed Royce Brazier as he paced before her in his suit and tie. The floor-to-ceiling windows of his office overlooked the river and provided the perfect backdrop. Gorgeousâthe man and the view. As he paused for a moment, she noticed just a hint of something on his neck, right above his collar in the back. Was that a tattoo?
Quickly Jasmine dropped her gaze. She knew exactly how easy it was to read her expression, so she turned her thoughts in more businesslike directions.
âBesides,â he continued as he faced her once more, âif word got out, Iâd know where it came from, wouldnât I?â
Okay, Royce was making it a lot easier to focus on business.
âMy shipping fleet has done very well, but Iâm interested in taking my business to a new level. To that end, Iâm aiming to attract a certain family that I hope will contract extensive work from my fleet.â A frown marred Royceâs smooth forehead. She could almost see the thoughts as they took hold of him. âThis family is very altruistic and so I want to do a fund-raising event that appeals to them.â
âSo this is all about a business deal?â Though she could understand the logic Royce was working with, the conclusion was still disappointing. The hot CEO apparently didnât have a heart...
âItâs purely a business endeavor. As with other projects, Iâll write the check, you do the work.â
Wasnât that a nice attitude? Not. Though Jasmine regularly worked with high-profile businessmen in this city, sheâd never had one approach her with a proposal this cold. âWhy me?â she asked quietly.
âI did my research,â he said, turning a direct stare on her that made her uncomfortably aware of things other than business. âYouâre well known in the circles I want to attract, your clients have a very high rate of satisfaction and we use some of the same vendors, the best vendors in the city of Savannah.â
His praise should make her feel better, right?
âMy assistant received some wonderful feedback on you. You were rated the highest of star-quality event planners in the region.
âI only work with the best of the best. Thatâs how I can trust you to do the work.â
Why did he have to be so handsome? A handsome automaton. That slight peek at a tattoo on his neck had led her to expect more. A huff of laughter escaped as she imagined him as a true robot in her overactive imagination.