It was her. He knew it was her.
The honey-blond hair was longer and pulled into a ponytail, but it was her. He felt more than visualized her, and his body quickened in response even after all these months.
Then she turned and presented her profile, and he felt every ounce of blood drain from his face.
What the ever-loving hell?
There was no mistaking the full curve of her belly. Kelly was pregnant. Very pregnant.
Dread took hold of his throat and squeezed until his nostrils twitched with the effort of drawing air.
There was a possibility it was his child.
Or his brotherâs.
Dear Reader,
I love when a story grabs me by the throat and has so much emotion and angst in it that I get that knot, and it just stays there as I hold my breath waiting to see how the hero and heroine are going to make it past seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Wanted by Her Lost Love was just such a story for me. I wrote it with an ache in my chest because I hurt for both Kelly and Ryan and I was anxious to give them the happily ever after they deserve.
So much of their story is about moving past mistakes and learning to forgive. But mostly itâs about a heroine who stands up for herself and decides that she deserves more after sheâs been badly misjudged and mistreated by the people around her. Her emotional journey is one of my favorites and I hope youâre rooting for her right alongside me as you turn the pages.
Maya Banks
MAYA BANKS has loved romance novels from a very (very) early age, and almost from the start, she dreamed of writing them, as well. In her teens she filled countless notebooks with overdramatic stories of love and passion. Today her stories are only slightly less dramatic, but no less romantic.
She lives in Texas with her husband and three children and wouldnât contemplate living anywhere other than the South. When sheâs not writing, sheâs usually hunting, fishing or playing poker. She loves to hear from her readers, and she can be found on Facebook or you can follow her on Twitter (www.twitter.com/maya_banks). Her website, www.mayabanks.com, is where you can find up-to-date information on all of Mayaâs current and upcoming releases.
Donât miss a single book in this series by New YorkTimes and USA TODAY bestselling author Maya Banks!
Pregnancy & Passion When irresistible tycoons face the consequences of temptationâ¦
Enticed by His Forgotten LoverWanted by Her Lost LoveTempted by Her Innocent KissUndone by Her Tender Touch
âAlmost enough to make you believe in the fine institution of marriage, isnât it?â Ryan Beardsley said as he watched his friend, Raphael de Luca, dance with his radiant new bride, Bryony.
The reception was taking place inside Moon Islandâs small, nondescript municipal building. It wasnât exactly where Ryan imagined any of his friends would host a wedding reception, but he supposed it was fitting that Rafe and Bryony would marry here on the island where so much of their relationship had been forged.
The bride positively glowed, and the swell of her belly added to her beauty. They stood in the middle of the makeshift dance floor, Bryony tucked into Rafeâs protective hold, and they were so focused on each other that Ryan doubted the world around them existed. Rafe looked like heâd been handed the universe, and maybe he had.
âThey look disgustingly happy,â Devon Carter said next to him.
Ryan chuckled and looked up to see Dev holding a glass of wine in one hand, his other shoved into the pocket of his slacks.
âYeah, they do.â
Devâs mouth twisted in annoyance and Ryan chuckled again. Devon himself wasnât very far away from a trip down the aisle, and he wasnât taking it with good grace. Still, he couldnât resist needling his friend.
âCopeland still putting the screws to you?â
âAnd how,â Devon muttered. âHeâs determined for me to marry Ashley. He wonât budge on the deal unless I agree. And now that weâve relocated the resort and begun construction, Iâm ready to get on with the next step. I donât want him to lose confidence over this blown deal. Problem is, heâs insisted on a dating period. He wants Ashley to be comfortable around me. I swear I think the man believes he lives in the eighteen hundreds. Who the hell arranges a marriage for their daughter anymore? And why the hell would you make marriage a condition of business? I canât wrap my head around it.â
âThere are worse women to marry, Iâm sure,â Ryan said, thinking of his own narrow escape.
Devon winced in sympathy. âStill no word on Kelly?â
Ryan frowned and shook his head. âNo. But I only just started looking. Sheâll turn up.â
âWhy are you looking for her, man? Why would you even want to go back down that road? Forget about her. Move on. Youâre better off without her. Youâre out of your mind for pursuing this.â
Ryan curled his lip and turned to look at his friend. âI have no doubt Iâm better off. Iâm not looking for her so I can welcome her back into my life.â