Savannah's Secrets Read online

  Falling for the boss, or taking him down?

  Savannah Carlisle had the perfect plan. By infiltrating the Abbott family’s Tennessee bourbon empire as their events manager, she’d be one step closer to claiming half of the business they stole from her grandfather. Now she’s not so sure. Because sexy Blake Abbott, heir to it all, is simply intoxicating. He’s supposed to be the enemy. But after one long, stormy weekend, she’s pregnant with his child...

  “Why’d you really come to Magnolia Lake?”

  It was a question he’d wanted to ask since he learned she’d moved to town prior to being offered the position. He couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to the story than she’d told him that day.

  “Because I belong at King’s Finest.” Something resembling anger flashed in her eyes. As if she were perturbed by the implication of his question. “It’s like I told you in the interview. I was compelled by the company’s origin story. I knew I wanted to be part of its future.” She sipped her bourbon and returned the glass to the table. “Now you. Truth or dare?”

  “Truth.” He studied her expressive face. Tried to ignore the shadow of something there. Anger or perhaps pain that she was trying desperately to hide.

  “Okay.” She shifted in her seat. ”If you could be doing anything in the world right now, what would it be?”

  “This.” Blake leaned in and pressed his open mouth to hers.

  * * *

  Savannah’s Secrets is part of the Bourbon Brothers series from Reese Ryan!

  Dear Reader,

  I’m thrilled to join the Desire family and to introduce you to my brand-new series, The Bourbon Brothers, set in the tiny fictional town of Magnolia Lake, Tennessee.

  The Bourbon Brothers series follows the drama-filled, romantic adventures of the five Abbott siblings—four of whom help run the world-renowned King’s Finest Distillery. With its roots in black-market moonshine made in backwoods stills, King’s Finest Distillery has been in the Abbott family for three generations.

  Immersed in the business of making premium bourbon and preoccupied with family, these five siblings have little time for serious relationships. But one by one, they will encounter the person they were meant to be with.

  In Savannah’s Secrets, eldest brother Blake Abbott breaks the rules when he falls for Savannah Carlisle, the fiery new event manager. But Savannah isn’t exactly who she seems. She’s come to King’s Finest on a covert mission. Blake’s family stole everything from hers. Now she’ll do whatever it takes to get it back.

  Thank you for joining me for this first journey into the passion, secrets and drama of my Bourbon Brothers series. Got a question or comment about this series or others? Visit me at reeseryan.com/desirereaders and drop me a line. For series news, reader giveaways and more, be sure to join my VIP Readers list.

  Until the next adventure,

  Reese Ryan

  Reese Ryan

  Savannah’s Secrets

  Reese Ryan writes sinfully sweet romance. She challenges her characters with family and career drama and life-changing secrets while treating readers to an emotional love story filled with unexpected twists.

  Born and raised in the Midwest, Reese has deep Tennessee roots. She endured many long, hot car trips to family reunions in Memphis via a tiny clown car loaded with cousins. Connect with Reese via Instagram, Facebook or at reeseryan.com.

  Books by Reese Ryan

  Harlequin Desire

  The Bourbon Brothers

  Savannah’s Secrets

  Harlequin Kimani Romance

  Playing with Desire

  Playing with Temptation

  Never Christmas Without You (with Nana Malone)

  Playing with Seduction

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010002

  To my parents, who instilled a love of reading in me at an early age. To the teachers who fostered that love. To my childhood friends who felt reading was as cool as I did—both then and now. To my husband and family, who sacrifice precious time with Babe/Mom/Nonni so that I can share the stories in my head with the world. And to the amazing readers who are kind enough to come along for the ride. Thank you, all.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Married for His Heir by Sara Orwig

  Excerpt from Best Laid Plans by Brenda Jackson

  One

  Blake Abbott rubbed his forehead and groaned. He’d rather be walking the floor of the distillery, preparing for their new product launch, instead of reviewing market research data. Out there on the floor was where the magic of making their world-renowned bourbon happened.

  His assistant, Daisy, knocked on his open office door. “Blake, don’t forget the interview for the new event manager position... It’s in fifteen minutes.”

  Blake cursed under his breath. His brother Max had asked him to handle the interview. The new position fell under Max’s charge as marketing VP. But he was at a trade show in Vegas. Probably partying and getting laid while Blake worked his ass off back at the office.

  Their mother—who usually handled their special events—was in Florida helping her sister recover from surgery.

  Tag, I’m it.

  But Blake had more pressing matters to deal with. Production was two weeks behind on the limited-edition moonshines they were rolling out to commemorate the upcoming fiftieth anniversary of King’s Finest Distillery. Once an illegal moonshine operation started by his great-grandfather in the hills of Tennessee, his grandfather had established the company as a legal distiller of premium spirits.

  What better way to celebrate their golden anniversary as a legitimate enterprise than to reproduce the hooch that gave them their start?

  Getting the project back on track took precedence over hiring an overpriced party planner.

  Blake grunted, his eyes on the screen. “Too late to reschedule?”

  “Technically? No,” a slightly husky voice with an unfamiliar Southern drawl responded. “But then, I am already here.”

  Blake’s attention snapped to the source of the voice. His temperature climbed instantly when he encountered the woman’s sly smile and hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

  Her dark wavy hair was pulled into a low bun. If she’d worn the sensible gray suit to downplay her gorgeous features, it was a spectacular fail.

  “Blake, I’m sorry.” Daisy’s cheeks flushed. Her gaze shifted from him to the woman. “I should’ve—”

  “It’s okay, Daisy.” Blake held back a grin. He crossed the room, holding the woman’s gaze. “I’ll take it from here, thanks.”

  Daisy shoved a folder into his hands. “Her résumé. In case you can’t
find the copy I gave you earlier.”

  Blake thanked his assistant. She knew him well and was unbothered by his occasional testiness. It was one of the reasons he went to great lengths to keep her happy.

  “Well, Miss—”

  “Carlisle.” The woman extended her hand. “But please, call me Savannah.”

  Blake shook her hand and was struck by the contrast of the softness of her skin against his rough palm. Electricity sparked on his fingertips. He withdrew his hand and shoved it in his pocket.

  “Miss... Savannah, please, have a seat.” He indicated the chair opposite his desk.

  She complied. One side of her mouth pulled into a slight grin, drawing his attention to her pink lips.

  Were they as soft and luscious as they looked? He swallowed hard, fighting back his curiosity about the flavor of her gloss.

  Blake sank into the chair behind his desk, thankful for the solid expanse between them.

  He was the one with the authority. So why did it seem that she was assessing him?

  Relax. Stay focused.

  He was behaving as if he hadn’t seen a stunningly beautiful woman before.

  “Tell me about yourself, Savannah.”

  It was a standard opening. But he genuinely wanted to learn everything there was to know about this woman.

  Savannah crossed one long, lean leg over the other. Her skirt shifted higher, grazing the top of her knee and exposing more of her golden-brown skin.

  “I’m from West Virginia. I’ve lived there my entire life. I spent the past ten years working my way up the ranks, first at a small family-owned banquet hall. Then at a midsize chain hotel. In both positions, I doubled the special events revenue. My recommendation letters will confirm that.”

  She was confident and matter-of-fact about her accomplishments.

  “Impressive.” Regardless of how attractive Savannah Carlisle was, he would only hire her if she was right for the job. “You’re a long way from West Virginia. What brings you to our little town of Magnolia Lake?”

  “Honestly? I moved here because of this opportunity.”

  When Blake narrowed his gaze in response, she laughed. It was a sweet sound he wouldn’t mind hearing again. Preferably while they were in closer proximity than his desk would allow.

  “That wasn’t an attempt to sweet-talk you into hiring me. Unless, of course, it works,” she added with a smile. “This position is the perfect intersection of my talents and interests.”

  “How so?” Blake was intrigued.

  “I’ve been fascinated by distilleries and small breweries since I worked at a local craft brewery my senior year of college. I led group tours.”

  Blake leaned forward, hands pressed to the desk. “And if you don’t get the position?”

  “Then I’ll work my way up to it.”

  Blake tried not to betray how pleased he was with her unwavering conviction. “There are lots of other distilleries. Why not apply for a similar position elsewhere?”

  “I believe in your products. Not that I’m a huge drinker,” she added with a nervous laugh. “But as an event professional, King’s Finest is my go-to. I also happen to think you have one of the smoothest finishes out there.”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he allowed a bit of awkward silence to settle over them, which was a device he often employed. Give a candidate just enough rope to hog-tie themselves, and see what they’d do with it.

  “That’s only part of the reason I want to work for King’s Finest. I like that you’re family-owned. And I was drawn to the story of how your grandfather converted your great-grandfather’s moonshine operation into a legitimate business to create a legacy for his family.”

  She wasn’t the first job candidate to gush about the company history in an attempt to ingratiate herself with him. But something in her eyes indicated deep admiration. Perhaps even reverence.

  “You’ve done your homework, and you know our history.” Blake sat back in his leather chair. “But my primary concern is what’s on the horizon. How will you impact the future of King’s Finest?”

  “Excellent question.” Savannah produced a leather portfolio from her large tote. “One I’m prepared to answer. Let’s talk about the upcoming jubilee celebration. It’s the perfect convergence of the company’s past and present.”

  “The event is a few months away. Most of the plans are set. We don’t expect anyone to come in, at this late hour, and pull off a miracle. We just want the event to be special for our employees and the folks of Magnolia Lake. Something that’ll make them proud of their role in our history. Get them excited about the future.”

  A wide grin spanned her lovely face. “Give me two months and I’ll turn the jubilee into a marketing bonanza that’ll get distributors and consumers excited about your brand.”

  An ambitious claim, but an intriguing one.

  King’s Finest award-winning bourbon sold well in the States and was making inroads overseas. However, they faced increased competition from small batch distilleries popping up across the country in recent years.

  “You have my attention, Savannah Carlisle.” Blake crossed one ankle over his knee. “Wow me.”

  Savannah laid out a compelling plan to revamp their jubilee celebration into an event that was as reflective of the company’s simple roots as it was elegant and forward thinking.

  “I love your plan, but do you honestly think you can pull this off in two months?”

  “I can, and I will.” She closed the portfolio and returned it to her bag. “If given the chance.”

  Blake studied the beautiful woman sitting before him. No wonder their HR manager had recommended the woman so highly. Impressed with her after a joint telephone interview, Max and their mother had authorized him to make her an offer if she was as impressive in person.

  Savannah Carlisle was clever and resourceful, everything they needed for their newly minted event manager position. There was only one problem with hiring the woman.

  He was attracted to her. More than he’d been to any woman in the two years since his last relationship imploded.

  Blake was genuinely excited by the possibility of seeing Savannah every day. Of knowing she occupied an office down the hall from his. But there was the little matter of their family’s unwritten rule.

  No dating employees.

  Problematic, since he’d spent the past half hour preoccupied with the desire to touch her skin again. But he had something far less innocent than a handshake in mind.

  Blake wouldn’t hire her simply because she was attractive. And it wouldn’t be right not to hire her because of her beauty, either.

  His feelings were his problem, and he’d deal with them.

  “All right, Savannah Carlisle. Let’s see what you can do.”

  They negotiated her salary, and then Blake sent her off to complete the requisite paperwork. His gaze followed her curvy bottom and long legs as she sashayed out of the office.

  Blake shook his head and groaned. This time, he may have gotten himself in over his head.

  Two

  Savannah had never relied on sex appeal for a single, solitary thing in her life.

  But today was different.

  If her plan succeeded, it would correct the course of her family’s lives. Money wouldn’t be an issue. Not now, nor for generations to come.

  Her grandfather would get justice and the recognition he deserved. Her sister wouldn’t have to struggle under the crushing weight of student loans.

  So failure wasn’t an option. Even if it meant playing to the caveman instincts of a cretin like Blake Abbott.

  He hadn’t been obvious about it. She’d give him credit for that. But the smoldering intensity of his gaze and the sexy growl of his voice had made the interview feel a lot like a blind date.

  His warm brown gaze penetrated her
skin. Made her feel something she hadn’t expected. Something she couldn’t explain. Because despite the charm of the man she’d just met, she knew the truth about Blake Abbott and his family.

  They were thieves, plain and simple.

  The kind of folks who would cheat a man out of what was rightfully owed to him. Who didn’t have the decency or compassion to feel an ounce of regret for leaving such a man and his family twisting in the wind, floundering in poverty.

  So despite Blake’s warm smile and surprisingly pleasing demeanor, she wouldn’t forget the truth. The Abbotts were heartless and cruel.

  She would expose them for the snakes they were and reclaim her grandfather’s rightful share of the company.

  Once she’d exited the parking lot in her crappy little car, she dialed her sister, Delaney, back in West Virginia.

  “I’m in,” Savannah blurted as soon as her sister answered the phone. “I got the job.”

  Laney hesitated before offering a one-word response. “Wow.”

  “I know you don’t agree with what I’m doing, Laney, but I’m doing this for all of us. You and Harper especially.”

  “Vanna come home!” her two-year-old niece said in the background.

  “Listen to your niece. If you’re doing it for us, pack up and come home now. Because this isn’t what we want.”

  “It’s what Granddad deserves. What we all deserve.” Savannah turned onto the road that led back to town. “This will alter our family’s future. Make things better for you and Harper.”

  “This isn’t about Harper or my student loans. You’re playing to Grandpa’s pride and yours.”

  Savannah silently counted to ten. Blowing up at Laney wouldn’t get her sister on board. And deep down she wanted Laney’s reassurance she was doing the right thing.

  Their grandfather—Martin McDowell—had raised them after the deaths of their parents. He’d made sacrifices for them their entire lives. And now he was gravely ill, his kidneys failing.

  “Grandpa’s nearly ninety. Thanks to the Abbotts, his pride is all he has, besides us. So I say it’s worth fighting for.”