Seduced in San Diego Read online

  Jordan pressed his eyes closed and shook his head. “Then why do we never talk of her? As if she never existed?”

  “We don’t do that for us, son. We’ve always done it for you.” She wiped away tears. “You’ve always carried around this huge sack of guilt over your sister’s death. We were trying to protect you. But in doing so, it seems we’ve caused more harm than good. For that, I’m sorry.”

  They sat in silence, drinking their tea. Finally, she turned to him.

  “Jordan, I know you feel badly about what happened to your sister, but you can’t keep behaving as if you don’t deserve love and happiness. Jeanette wouldn’t have wanted that. She adored you, and she’d want you to be happy. Deep down you know that, but you’re scared.”

  He turned away, studying the skyline. Fighting back the emotion that burned his eyes and his throat.

  It’d been his fault. He was the one who’d wanted to swim out too far that fateful day. He called his sister a chicken when she hadn’t wanted to do it.

  Jeanette was pulled under by a wicked undertow. He’d dived under again and again, searching for her. Determined to find her or die trying. Finally, lifeguards had dragged him from the water, kicking and screaming because he refused to leave her alone out there. They recovered his sister’s body the next day.

  “What if I’m a dreadful partner? I don’t want to ruin another life. Especially not Sasha’s. She deserves someone who can truly love her. Not someone who’s trying to figure it all out.”

  His mother squeezed his arm. “Talk to her, son. Tell her how you feel. She’s a smart, capable woman. Give her the dignity of deciding for herself whether she’s willing to take the risk.”

  “She is pretty special, isn’t she? And she knows how to handle Dad. That’s a definite plus.”

  They both laughed.

  “A woman like that doesn’t come along every day, son. So, if you love her, don’t let her go. You’ll always regret it.”

  He did love her.

  And now that he’d had Sasha in his life, his world felt painfully empty without her.

  Chapter 15

  Sasha had opted to work from home all week, just in case Christopher Marland decided to play his hand. The two partners at her firm that she’d apprised of her dilemma had been understanding.

  They didn’t want to lose her, nor did they want her reputation within the firm to be tainted unnecessarily. So they opted to keep the situation to themselves, only sharing the news with the other partners if it became necessary.

  Sasha padded across the floor in her bare feet, glad that her work wear for the day consisted of a pair of gray yoga pants and a pink racer-back tank.

  While she was officially off of Jordan’s account, it had yet to be assigned to someone else. So she kept a watchful eye over his social media accounts, ensuring that the scheduled posts went live at their appointed times.

  She worked on a few of her other accounts and did a little laundry.

  The doorman buzzed her and informed her that she had a visitor.

  Jordan Jace.

  After debating whether to change clothes, she decided against it. Sasha opened the door, determined that Jordan wouldn’t have any effect on her. But when she was greeted by the handsome face and broad smile that haunted her dreams, her footing didn’t feel as sure.

  “Jordan, what are you doing here? You’ve never been here before.”

  It wasn’t an accusation, it was simply a fact. But from the furrowing of his brows, he seemed to take it that way.

  “You’re right, and I’m sorry. About a lot of things.” Jordan shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “May I come in? I promise what I came to say won’t take long.”

  Sasha nodded reluctantly and let him inside. She moved the lap desk with her computer and mouse off the couch.

  “I’m working from home this week,” she said by way of apology for the piles of papers on her couch. She was glad there wasn’t room on the couch for both of them. It would be better if she kept Jordan at a safe distance.

  He sat in the chair she indicated, and she sat on the couch, her legs folded in a yoga easy pose.

  Jordan looked uncomfortable or perhaps ill. Finally, he slid forward in his chair and swallowed hard.

  “Sasha, I don’t know what to say except... I need you. Please, don’t walk away.”

  The account. Of course.

  She tried to hide her disappointment that he’d only come to ask her to stay on his account.

  “I know it’ll be an adjustment at first, but it’ll be fine. Whoever takes over the account is going to follow the same plan we discussed.”

  He looked puzzled at first, but then he shook his head. Jordan moved to sit on the table in front of her.

  “No, you don’t understand. I don’t care about the account...well, I do...but that’s not why I’m here.”

  He held her hand in both of his. “I’m here to tell you I’m sorry I was such a coward. That I was afraid of how you made me feel. I’m trying, rather badly, to tell you... I love you, Sasha.”

  “You...you love me?” Sasha blinked back the tears that stung her eyes. “Since when?”

  He smiled, cradling her cheek. “From the moment you concocted that phony interpretation of my sculpture. We’d known each other less than five minutes, and it felt like we were old friends straightaway. I knew you were a woman who’d challenge me. And that you wouldn’t let me take myself too seriously.”

  “You didn’t.” She couldn’t help laughing, though her vision was blurred with tears.

  “I did. I just didn’t understand what I was feeling. But the moment I knew you were someone I should never let go of is when I learned you stuck up for me with my father—the man who was signing your checks. I thought, this woman is fearless and ride-or-die loyal.”

  Sasha smiled at the memories, moved by the sincerity of his words. Tears brimmed in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

  Jordan frowned, wiping away the dampness on her face with his thumb. “Sorry I didn’t tell you then, love. I wasn’t ready, but I am now. I don’t want to lose you, Sasha. Stay, please. My world isn’t the same without you in it.”

  “I want to believe you, Jordan. I honestly do. But I couldn’t bear it if you were only saying what you think I want to hear.”

  “Sweetheart, I promised I’d tell you the truth. That hasn’t changed. I’m not saying what you want to hear, I’m telling you how I feel. I’m telling you what I was afraid to say before. I love you, Sasha Charles. And I want to be with you, and only you. But I need to know how you feel about me, and if you still want to give this relationship a chance.”

  Her heart, impossibly full, expanded inside her chest. She couldn’t form the words she needed to say, so she nodded, then pressed her lips to his.

  * * *

  “Yes, you love me? Or yes, you’ll stay?” Jordan asked when he finally dragged his mouth from hers.

  Sasha grinned, tears staining her cheeks. “Both.”

  Jordan heaved a sigh of relief. “There’s one other thing you need to know... I’m totally new at this love thing. I know it won’t always be easy, but I’m a fast learner. I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy, Sasha.” He kissed the palm of her hand. “Just be patient with me and stay by my side, and I swear, I will always be there for you, for better or worse. Because I want to wake up to you every single day for the rest of my life.”

  “Wait, are you saying that you want to—”

  “Marry you? Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. I finally found the woman I want to be with for the rest of my life.”

  “Oh my God. Jordan, are you sure about this? I mean, for a guy who’s new at this love thing, you catch on pretty quick.”

  “Had a little help seeing the light.” He squeezed her hand. “Apparently, the cosmos w
asn’t working fast enough.”

  “Then yes.” Sasha’s smile lit her brown eyes and ignited a fire inside his chest. An undying flame that ushered warmth and light into the recesses of his heart, driving away the cold and darkness he’d held on to for so long. “I don’t ever want to go back to life without you again.”

  Jordan pulled her into his arms and kissed her as tears slid down her cheeks.

  The raging, jumble of emotions he felt for this woman were unmistakable.

  It was pure, unadulterated love.

  Epilogue

  Sasha lay out on the deck of the private sailboat, soaking up the warmth of the sun. She and Jordan were exhausted and in need of some quiet time alone.

  The previous day had been marvelous. She and Jordan had spent the entire day with his parents and brothers; her best friend Miranda and her husband, Vaughn; Sasha’s family; and several members of the local chapter of Prescott George.

  They’d commemorated the life of Jordan’s twin sister, Jeanette, with laughter and love during a festive, community dedication ceremony for his sculpture. The public art piece was a stunning tribute to Jeanette, dedicated on the twentieth anniversary of the day they’d lost her.

  It wasn’t a sad occasion. The Jaces spent the day recounting heartwarming memories of the daughter and sister who’d touched them all. And thanks to the generosity of Jace Investments and the Prescott George San Diego Chapter, the sculpture had been installed at the future location of the Jeanette Jace public park.

  Then in eight weeks, Jordan and Sasha would spend six months traveling to galleries in Britain, France, Greece, Spain and Germany with a large, curated collection of Jordan’s work.

  Sasha couldn’t have been any prouder of him. And Jonathan, Eva and Jordan’s brothers had been telling everyone they knew about Jordan’s European art show.

  “Hungry, love?” Jordan placed a tray on the table beside Sasha. His bare chest glistened with a sheen of sweat in the midday sun.

  “Are we talking about another serving of you or the food?” Beneath the cover of her sunglasses, she scanned the tall, dark glass of sexiness she got to come home to at the end of every night.

  The ridge beneath his swim shorts indicated that he was probably scanning her body, too. Most of it exposed in her tiny, white floral bikini.

  “Let’s start with the food and see where things go.” He winked. His generous smile still made her heart beat faster every time he flashed it at her.

  “Fair enough. What are we having, handsome?”

  Jordan had insisted on packing and preparing their lunch and dinner himself. He lifted the lid of the silver warmer with a flourish. “Steak, baked potatoes, salad and lemon meringue pie, milady.”

  “Everything looks fantastic.” Sasha spread out her napkin. “My compliments to the chef.”

  Jordan nodded as he sat across from her. He poured two glasses of Brut Rose Ace of Spades Champagne and handed her one.

  “Fancy.” She sipped her Champagne. “What’s the special occasion?”

  Jordan didn’t respond, but the sunlight sparkled off of something in the bottom of her glass.

  Sasha gasped, tears burning her eyes as she got a closer look. She fished the ring out of the glass with her fork.

  She recognized the huge, radiant-cut diamond engagement ring set in platinum. She’d admired it when she and Miranda were out shopping a couple of weeks earlier.

  “Jordan, it’s absolutely beautiful.” She held the ring up. It glimmered in the sunlight. She reluctantly dropped the ring onto Jordan’s open palm.

  He made the temporary surrender of her gorgeous engagement ring well worth it when he kneeled to the ship’s deck on one knee and asked Sasha to marry him.

  She practically screamed that she would.

  Jordan slipped the ring onto her finger and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  Sasha would thank her friend later. Right now, her only concern was giving a very special thanks to the man she was going to marry. The man she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with.

  Jordan pulled her onto her feet and kissed her. The sweet engagement kiss quickly turned into a heated, passionate affair that left them both breathless.

  Sasha pulled away and headed below deck, with Jordan on her heels, and a trail of discarded swimwear left in their wake.

  Lunch would definitely have to wait.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from STILL LOVING YOU by Sheryl Lister.

  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=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Kimani Romance.

  You dream in vibrant hues! Harlequin Kimani Romance stories feature sophisticated, soulful and sensual African-American and multicultural heroes and heroines who develop fulfilling relationships as they lead lives full of drama, glamour and passion.

  Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin Kimani Romance every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Other ways to keep in touch:

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!

  Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.

  Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice

  OR

  EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.

  Click here to join for FREE

  Or visit us online to register at

  www.HarlequinMyRewards.com

  Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.

  Still Loving You

  by Sheryl Lister

  Chapter 1

  “Are you out of your freaking mind?”

  Lauren Emerson paused in her packing and glanced over at her best friend sitting on the other side of the bed. “What? I just think it’s time to move back home. I miss my family.” She had moved to Phoenix from LA eight years ago to complete her master’s in nutrition at Arizona State and stayed after being offered a job at the hospital where she had worked as an intern. Now she had a chance to go back to LA, and with a job that most people could only dream about.

  Valencia Flores snorted. “Moving back home because ‘I miss my family’ is getting a nice job at a hospital or some other health center, not taking a job with the LA Cobras football team.” She jumped up. “This is like...like crazy.”

  “Maybe so, but I can’t pass up this opportunity.”

  “What do you think he’s going to say when he walks in and sees you?”

  Lauren resumed folding her shirts and placing them in the open suitcase. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time, and I’m sure Malcolm has forgotten all about me.”

  Valencia stared at Lauren as if she had lost her mind. “A man does not forget the woman who broke his heart. Malcolm Gray loved you and you loved him. Everybody knew it. We were all just waiting for the wedding bells.”

  Lauren tossed the top in and blew out a long breath. She had been waiting for the same thing—until she made a foolish mistake. By the time she realized it, Lauren had ruined the best thing in she had going. “I’m sure there may be a few tense moments, but we’re both adults and professionals. I plan to do my job and that’s all. Not many people get the chance to be a nutritionist for a professional football team. And this will go a long way in giving me the credibility I need to write the book on nutrition for athletes.”

  Valencia folded her arms and angled her head t
houghtfully. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you’re going?”

  “Of course.” Lauren had asked herself the same question several times over the three weeks since she’d accepted the position. Only yesterday had she finally admitted that a small part of her wanted to see Malcolm again. As a football fan, she had followed his career, and she was happy he’d been able to live the life they had talked about all those years ago. Back then, they would lie together laughing, talking and sharing their hopes and dreams.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  She glanced up to see Valencia still frowning. “I do. I’m taking advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime, and I’ll be near my family. It’s a win-win situation for me. How can that be a bad thing?” She had found a condo in Carson, a twenty-minute drive from her parents’ house, which was far enough to maintain her privacy. The modern two-bedroom end unit had an open floor plan, granite countertops in the kitchen, hardwood flooring, a separate dining room, a two-car garage with direct access to the home, a balcony and a spacious master bedroom. And although it wasn’t gated, there was twenty-four-hour security. A bonus was that the Cobras’ practice facility was only about thirty minutes away.

  Valencia viewed Lauren skeptically. “Okay, if you say so. Since you follow football, do you know if Malcolm is married or dating someone?”

  Lauren walked over to her dresser, opened a drawer and grabbed another armful of clothing. “I follow football, not his personal life, so I have no idea.” Malcolm had always been a private person when it came to his relationships, even when they dated. As a popular athlete at UCLA, he had been interviewed on a number of occasions. Whenever questions came up about his relationship with Lauren, Malcolm would give the standard “no comment” and shift the conversation back to football. Lauren did remember seeing a picture of him with a beautiful actress floating around on social media a year or two ago, with speculation about whether the two were headed to the altar. However, she never heard anything more, so she assumed it hadn’t happened. She’d seen notices of his siblings’ weddings, including that of his twin sister, Morgan. Lauren hadn’t been the least bit surprised that Morgan had married a football star and had a successful career as a sports agent. The woman was a bigger fan of the game than Lauren. “So, you are coming to visit me soon, right?”