Blossoms Of Love

Her love may be the ultimate prize...

Greer Courtland and her family have been designing floats for Pasadena’s Rose Parade all her life—but have rarely had a client as determined as Daniel Torres. The talk show host intends to win the prize for best float in a much-publicized charity wager. As they spend time together, he makes it clear that he intends to win Greer, too. But the former Rose Parade queen isn’t dazzled by wealth and fame—even when delivered in a sexy and sensual package.

From the moment he invites her on his show, Daniel is enthralled by Greer. Beautiful, effervescent and talented, she keeps him grounded in a way no one ever has before. But as their relationship becomes tabloid fodder, Greer backs away. And unless he’s willing to be vulnerable and expose his heart, Daniel risks letting wonderful possibilities of forever float away...

“Did you know that flowers speak their own language?”

When he gave her a look, she explained, “For instance, the red rose means beauty and love,” which was probably why she loved red roses the best.

“What about yellow?” Daniel asked.

“Jealousy and envy. And daisies stand for innocence,” she added.

“How do you know this?”

“A book called The Language of Flowers. It was published in the 1800s. My mother has a copy.” Greer adored the book. She’d spent many a drama-filled, teenaged evenings reading the poetry and studying the meanings.

“Remind me to check with you before I send you flowers.”

“Are you planning on sending me flowers?”

He grinned at her. “Maybe.”

She smiled happily. Despite her years designing and decorating floats, she’d never gotten over her love of flowers. She inhaled their scent and turned to him, and he surprised her by sliding his arms around her and pulling her close for a kiss.

His lips were warm and seductive against hers. And for a second she was too surprised to respond.

Dear Reader,

Greer Courtland has been designing Rose Parade floats since high school. When Daniel Torres enters into a friendly wager with a friend on who could win the best trophy, she does her best to provide him with the winning float design. Little did they know that this competition would lead to a lifetime of love and happiness. Join Greer and Daniel as they march through the twists and turns of passion and create their own little parade with the language of love.

The Rose Parade on New Year’s Day is one of America’s grandest traditions. With dozens of floats decorated in flowers, marching bands and drill teams, it’s an incredible spectacle. Viewers camp out on Colorado Boulevard to get the best curbside seats while knowledgeable TV commentators provide background information. This year, Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards, who have been the cornerstones of the parade commentary for over thirty years, announced their retirement. Their witty, intelligent comments will be much missed.

Much love,

Miriam and Jackie

Blossoms of Love

J.M. Jeffries

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JACKIE AND MIRIAM live in Southern California. When they aren’t writing, Jackie is trying to take a nap and Miriam plays with her grandchildren. Jackie thought she wanted to be a lawyer until she met Miriam and decided to be a writer instead. Miriam always wanted to be a writer from her earliest childhood when she taught herself to read at age four. Both are avid readers and can usually be found with their noses in a book, or, now that it’s the twenty-first century, an e-reader. Check out their blog at jmjeffries.com.

To all the loyal volunteers who show up year after year to help decorate the floats for the Rose Parade. They put in long hours, and the rewards are seeing their chosen floats drive down Colorado Boulevard. Who else can say, “I helped decorate that float”?

Acknowledgments

Jackie: For Miriam, because she puts up with me even though she doesn’t have regular mayonnaise in the house.

Miriam: For Jackie. I like mayo made with olive oil. It’s healthy and doesn’t taste as nasty as she says.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Copyright

Prologue

Daniel Torres sat in his parents’ large family room, his brothers situated around him, along with his best friend, Logan Pierce. The room had been the center of his life since birth, large enough to accommodate Daniel, his four brothers and two sisters. Today, as was tradition, they were all there, except for Nina, who, with her new husband, had decided to stay in Reno. His other sister, Lola, was sick and comfortably ensconced in her childhood bedroom so their mom could take care of her.

As a child, Daniel and his friends used to camp out in this room, and he had fond memories of making popcorn, sharing a stolen beer and watching movies. These days it looked different. Several years ago, his parents installed a whole-wall entertainment system with a superlarge TV, surround sound and two rows of home-theater recliners. Off to one side was a tiny galley kitchen, where his mother bustled about, making sure everyone had enough food. As though anyone would starve in this house.