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Love For All Time
Kianna Alexander
The TV star he admired from a distance just descended on his beach town…Sapphire Shores is rolling out the red carpet for Sierra Dandridge, aka the “Ice Queen.” But real estate scion Campbell Monroe finds nothing cold about the worldly beauty. Their sizzling desire culminates in an intimate affair neither wants to end. Until a younger actress’s vicious social media campaign threatens Sierra’s career and her life…
The TV star he admired from a distance—
just descended on his beach town...
Sapphire Shores is rolling out the red carpet for Sierra Dandridge, aka the Ice Queen. But real estate scion Campbell Monroe finds nothing cold about the worldly beauty. Their sizzling desire culminates in an intimate affair neither wants to end. Until a younger actress’s vicious social media campaign threatens Sierra’s career, and her life...
KIANNA ALEXANDER, like any good Southern belle, wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister and gabbing girlfriend. She’s a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the Tar Heel state, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids and a collection of well-loved vintage ’80s Barbie dolls. You can keep up with Kianna’s releases and appearances by signing up for her mailing list at www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up (http://www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up).
Also By Kianna Alexander (#ulink_639bb59a-2720-56de-9905-b96771f7768c)
This Tender Melody
Every Beat of My Heart
A Sultry Love Song
Tempo of Love
A Love Like This
A San Diego Romance
Love for All Time
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
LOVE FOR ALL TIME
Kianna Alexander
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08602-8
LOVE FOR ALL TIME
© 2018 Eboni Manning
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
“Do you really think that? Or is this just flattery?”
“It’s the truth. Yeah, I’ll admit I feel like a teenaged boy who got pulled onstage with his favorite singer right now.” Damn. Didn’t mean to say that aloud. He ran a hand over his face. “But I meant every word I said.”
The soft smile on her face grew even bigger. “Wow.”
He smiled back, still trying to read that look in her eyes. What is she thinking right now?
A moment later, she leaned toward him. Her small hand came up to cup his jaw. “You’re quite the charmer, Campbell Monroe.”
“Not really.” He couldn’t tear his eyes away from hers. His face tingled beneath the warmth of her touch. “I’m just honest.”
She tilted her head, letting her eyes drift closed as her lips formed that unmistakable pucker shape.
He didn’t know how they’d gotten here but he wasn’t about to turn down an invitation like that. He placed a hand on her shoulder, then gently touched his lips to hers.
Dear Reader (#uc2cc61a1-a734-5991-92e7-04619660c197),
Thanks for picking up a copy of Love for All Time. I hope you enjoy returning to Sapphire Shores with me. Lots of things are changing on the island, and the characters are undergoing changes, as well. Campbell Monroe has thought himself impervious to developing feelings for a woman. Now Sierra Dandridge is going to challenge everything he thought he knew. I hope you enjoy the story, and I look forward to your feedback on social media or via my website contact form.
Best,
Kianna
For my brother Eric. May you discover the purpose that lies within you, and may your dreams become reality.
Contents
Cover (#u984ca86d-8189-5645-a63d-4365d94c88f5)
Back Cover Text (#u60949d8b-7d2a-59b0-8912-175956101a2f)
About the Author (#u9f2d46c7-2828-5b9a-b9c4-b05de612172d)
Booklist (#ulink_d0ffdf9f-64f7-54d1-9784-aba2d32e7d6e)
Title Page (#u0968fa7d-ef14-5867-9b4c-6ad35d42e263)
Copyright (#u8015de5e-273b-5dac-8608-671c43af2aeb)
Introduction (#ued49cb3c-2d0e-5c26-9998-1b04f55f65ea)
Dear Reader (#u08ad89b7-241e-5fce-9c49-562c04d82d21)
Dedication (#ueac3e884-b447-51eb-844f-7a771d89fa88)
Chapter 1 (#u2a9281b1-d8df-59d9-90c4-5bd7a1ddb4ea)
Chapter 2 (#u11a20721-e418-5af6-af59-34d508be020d)
Chapter 3 (#u42eed20e-a9a8-5bc2-9363-5bb137afc2e2)
Chapter 4 (#ua7e90a9c-3a90-56a3-90df-49973c57125b)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#uc2cc61a1-a734-5991-92e7-04619660c197)
“Do we have to film this scene today?” Sitting in the back of the chauffeur-driven sedan, Sierra Dandridge looked hopefully toward the passenger seat.
Up front, Jazmin shook her head. “I don’t even know why you asked me that, girl.” Having often said she didn’t like being chauffeured around, she always sat up front.
Sierra sighed at the inevitable response. Me, either. “It was worth a shot.”
Jazmin chuckled. “No, it wasn’t.” She turned around to look her way. “You know I sympathize with you, as a friend. But as a producer of the show, I’m gonna need you to get it together.”
Rolling her eyes, Sierra flopped against the leather seat. “I know, I know.” It wasn’t as if she disliked her role on the new drama series The Shores. Even though the show had cast her to play “to type,” and she hated being pigeonholed, she still enjoyed the role. As filming locations went, though, the island of Sapphire Shores was about as dull as it could get. “I guess we may as well get it over with.”
“Don’t worry. This is your last scene with Mia for at least a few days or so.”
“I’ll take whatever break from her you can give me.”
“I know you and Mia aren’t exactly close,” Jazmin quipped. “But she’s your colleague. I expect you two to keep it professional.”
Rolling her eyes at the mention of that name, Sierra nodded. “Always. I never mess around when it comes to my coins. But I can’t speak for Mia.”
Mia Leigh, the lead actress on The Shores, had become the bane of her existence. This season’s script had Sierra and Mia cast as “frenemies,” complete with the much younger Mia being slick at the mouth with Sierra. That would be fine with Sierra, if only Mia could keep that drama on the set. Petty as she was, Ms. Leigh seemed to have a real-life vendetta against Sierra.
“If she wants to keep this job, she’ll get her attitude together,” Jazmin declared. “Casting isn’t my department, but I won’t hesitate to go to the higher-ups if Mia insists on being the problem child.”
Sierra reached into her bag, taking out her compact. She looked at her reflection, making sure the makeup artist’s work remained intact. After running a brush through her hair and tucking it and the compact away, she turned her attention back to the passing scenery.
Despite the island’s total lack of nightlife or entertainment, it was one of the most beautiful places she’d ever worked, in terms of scenery. The day was a bit overcast, but sunlight peeked through the clouds to sparkle on the crystal surface of the Atlantic. The picturesque scene reminded her of when she’d filmed High Treason off the coast of Maine. She hoped the nice weather would hold, at least until she got back to her hotel. It was a mid-September Monday, and in the few weeks she’d been on the island, she’d noticed how quickly the weather seemed to change.
The car slowed to go over a series of speed bumps leading into the Tracemore Plaza area. As the vehicle rounded the traffic circle and moved toward an empty space in the parking lot, she could see other members of the show’s cast and crew gathered outside the entrance to Della’s Deli. The sandwich shop, one of their most used filming locations, served great food and had a lovely atmosphere. Although Mia’s attitude ruins it every time. She rolled her eyes.
The driver parked the car and walked around to open Sierra’s door. Jazmin, ever the girl-next-door, saw herself out of the passenger seat as the driver opened the back door and helped Sierra to her feet. Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she drew in a deep breath of the salty air.
She followed Jazmin toward the entrance to the deli. As her friend donned her headset and began conversing with the crew, Sierra cut through the gaggle of people, waving and acknowledging many of them, but choosing not to engage Mia. Once she made her way through, she waited by the glass doors for her cue. Leaning against the exterior wall, she contented herself with watching the camerawoman, boom operator and lighting tech ready their equipment for the scene they were about to film. Watching the cast and crew buzzing around, preparing to shoot a scene, always filled her with a sense of anticipation. She loved what she did, loved bringing each character she portrayed to life in her own special way. Each scene she filmed gave her a new opportunity to do what she loved most. A smile touched her lips.
The smile quickly faded as she noticed Mia strutting her way. She couldn’t ever remember having seen Mia just...walk. She always strutted, much like a peacock with its colors on full display. Tall and lithe, the fair-skinned, dark-eyed twentysomething was runway beautiful. That made sense; she’d parlayed her background in modeling high fashion into an acting career. She was dressed to the nines, though some of the credit for that went to the wardrobe department. Her bright red handbag stood out in contrast to her muted royal blue romper. Her close-cropped black hair, sprayed and coiffed to perfection, barely moved as she approached.
Mia’s lips spread into a plastic smile that showed most of her teeth. “Hey, Sierra.”
“Hello, Mia.” She’d spoken to her, and hoped that would be the end of their interaction.
To her chagrin, Mia continued. “So, are you ready for this scene? The script says we’re supposed to be arguing today.”
What kind of silly question is that? What, does she think I just roll up to the set without reading the damn script? Gathering her patience, she nodded. “I know, and yes, I’m ready.”
“Arguing with you isn’t that hard for me.” She looked off to the side in a dramatic fashion. “Since I don’t really like you that much.”
She sighed. “And why is that, Mia?”
Mia’s wayward gaze returned to Sierra’s face. “You’re a fading flower that refuses to acknowledge the new blossoms in the garden.” She reached up to adjust a tendril of hair by her ear.
Sierra tipped her head to one side, offering a cold smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Mia, you’re an intelligent girl. You even turn a decent metaphor. But there are a lot of things about this industry that you just don’t know.”
Folding her arms over her chest, Mia snapped, “So what? I’m young, I’ve got talent and determination, and that’s all I need.”
