Passionâs the greatest score of allâ¦
Life coach Natalie Kenyon helps her famous clients achieve happiness and lasting intimacy in their personal lives. But pro-basketball all-star Derek Lansing isnât so easy to pin down. His rags-to-riches story takes hold of Natalieâs heart and his first electric touch ignites an irresistible desire. It could be a loseâlose if she becomes the sexy playerâs next conquest.
Derek is living every athleteâs dream, surrounded by adoring fans and available women. But he still feels alone. Beneath his freewheeling playboy facade is a man yearning for redemption. As he struggles to get a slam dunk with the stunning, strong-willed Natalie, who is determined to reunite him with his family, heâs forced to relinquish his guard and show her the real man behind the celebrity. As passion brings them closer together, Derek will do what it takes to score a winâwin with the woman whoâs run off with his most valuable possessionâhis heart.
She reached over and turned his face toward hers with her palm. His breath rushed out of him with surprise. Her movements were bold, yet her touch was soft and caring.
âJust say whatâs in your heart,â she whispered.
When she released his face, his emotions were churning and he felt as if sheâd opened his eyes to what had been there all along. He just couldnât see it.
Without thinking, he cupped his hand around her neck and the world seemed to disappear as he closed his eyes and guided her lips to his. They tasted of ripe peaches, a sun-radiant burst of glorious wonder.
His movements were tentative at first. He wanted to focus on her, rather than on the intense need she drove within him.
The need to devour.
She leaned into him, kissing back unrestrained, and he wanted to shout with joy. The tip of his tongue dipped into her mouth and she groaned. Opened deeper. So he slid inside and discovered a velvety, warm place he wanted to explore forever.
Abruptly, he ended the kiss and leaned back in his seat.
âI just wanted to show you what was in my heart,â he said in a low voice.
HARMONY EVANS
loves writing sexy, emotional, contemporary love stories. Stealing Kisses is her second novel for Harlequin Kimani Romance.
Her debut novel, Lesson in Romance, received 4½ stars from RT Book Reviews. Harmony also earned two prestigious nominations in her first year of publication. She was a âDebut Author of the Yearâ finalist for the Romance Slam Jam 2013 Emma Awards. In addition, she was a 2012 RT Reviewersâ Choice Awards Double-Finalist (âFirst Series Romanceâ and âKimani Romanceâ).
Harmony is currently busy penning more novels for Harlequin Kimani. Visit her at www.harmonyevans.com, on Facebook, or follow @harmonyannevans for the latest news on upcoming releases.
Dear Reader,
Iâm fascinated by famous sports stars. Not so much whatâs written about them in the headlines, but more by whatâs left out.
Derek Lansing is living a dream life. But thereâs a price to pay for his rise to fame in the sports world. Heâs estranged from his dad and brotherâthe two people who supported him from the very beginning.
He wants to reunite with them, but pride prevents him from taking the first step. Can he let down his guard and allow life coach Natalie Kenyon help him right his past wrongs before itâs too late? Along the way, Derek and Natalie explore a passion that is powerful, rhythmic and unforgettable.
I hope you enjoy reading Stealing Kisses as much as I enjoyed writing it. Iâd love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
Be blessed,
Harmony Evans
In loving memory of Carol Butler Jackson
(April 20, 1930âJune 2, 2012)
I miss you, Mommy. You were always a star to me.
Chapter 1
For the first time in her life Natalie Kenyon wished she was late. The explosive echo of the basketball sounded like a dire warning as she stood inside the New York Skylarks practice court.
Whether it was doing her own taxes or carefully screening any man who wanted to date her, Natalie left nothing to chance, especially where her heart was concerned.
She was always on time and always in control.
The thump-thump of the basketball intensified, reminding Natalie that she was here for one reason: to change Derek Lansingâs life.
She was sure Derek would be like the rest of her clients: wildly successful, yet highly inefficient in their day-to-day lives. As a life coach she advised her A-list clientele on everything from time management and goal-setting to relationships and intimacy. She loved her job and she was good at it.
Then why was her stomach churning as it used to before a big competition? The former professional ice-skater chastised herself for being nervous.
âRidiculous,â Natalie muttered. âHeâs just another client.â
Peering around a row of seats, she caught a glimpse of the popular basketball star and clamped her hand over her mouth in shock.