скачать книгу бесплатно
Bet on Love
Devon Vaughn Archer
It’s the most irresistible gamble of all…Bianca Wagner knows that love’s just a fleeting fantasy on Vegas’s dazzling and seductive Strip. But hot new casino owner Tanner Long is quickly changing the jaded reporter’s mind. Yet the high-flying bachelor isn’t a man who plays for keeps, until one passionate rendezvous in London leaves Bianca with an unexpected gift.Getting Bianca to say “I do” has become Tanner’s life mission . . . especially now that he’s going to be a father. But a misunderstanding has the potential to derail their relationship forever. What will it take for Tanner to convince Bianca that he’s a changed man? That he’s ready to wager everything for the chance to be a real family with the woman he loves . . .Kimani Hotties: It’s All About Our Men
It’s the most irresistible gamble of all…
Bianca Wagner knows that love’s just a fleeting fantasy on Vegas’s dazzling and seductive strip. But hot new casino owner Tanner Long is quickly changing the jaded reporter’s mind. Yet the high-flying bachelor isn’t a man who plays for keeps…until one passionate rendezvous in London leaves Bianca with an unexpected gift.
Getting Bianca to say “I do” has become Tanner’s life mission…especially now that he’s going to be a father. But a misunderstanding has the potential to derail their relationship forever. What will it take for Tanner to convince Bianca that he’s a changed man? That he’s ready to wager everything for the chance to be a real family with the woman he loves….
Flagging down a cab, Tanner opened the door for
Bianca. He wanted to kiss her badly.
Something told him she wanted the same. Or was that merely his fantasy?
Going with his instincts, Tanner lifted her chin and gazed into Bianca’s eyes for a long moment, before tilting his head and planting a kiss on her lips. They were, as expected, soft and perfect when meshing with his. He kept the kiss going for several seconds and then pulled back, not wanting to overdo it.
“That was nice,” Bianca uttered.
“Yeah, for me, too,” he assured her.
“Good night, Tanner.”
“Good night.”
He smiled and watched her slide into the backseat before he closed the door.
As the cab drove off, Tanner watched for a moment, wishing he’d gone with her. She’d left quite an impression on him—one that he did not take lightly.
Bianca Wagner may be just the lady I’ve been looking for all my adult life, he thought. But the trick was getting her to feel the same way about him. He would work on that and not allow this gorgeous woman to slip through his fingers.
DEVON VAUGHN ARCHER
is the bestselling author of more than a dozen Harlequin romances. These include Love Is in the Air and Say It with Roses, and three stories that take place on different Hawaiian islands, including Pleasure in Hawaii, Private Luau and Aloha Fantasy.
Archer has also penned the Kimani holiday classics Christmas Diamonds and Christmas Wishes.
He was the first male author to write for Harlequin’s Kimani Arabesque line with the moving love story Love Once Again.
To keep up with his latest news and upcoming books, follow, friend or connect with Devon Vaughn Archer on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, MySpace, Goodreads, LibraryThing and www.devonvaughnarcher.com (http://www.devonvaughnarcher.com).
Bet on Love
Devon Vaughn Archer
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Dear Reader,
I am delighted to present to you my latest Harlequin Kimani Romance novel, Bet on Love, as part of the Kimani Hotties: Promise Me Forever series.
Reporter Bianca Wagner is not much of a gambler, but when she makes a connection with handsome Las Vegas Strip casino owner Tanner Long, all bets are off! Rolling the dice becomes even more challenging when Bianca becomes pregnant and wants the winning hand before she gives in to all-consuming love.
The idea for this story came from a desire to build a romance amid the glamour, glitz and gambling in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Here’s a secret about the heroine, Bianca: she is the sister of Madison Wagner, the heroine of my previous Harlequin Kimani romance, Say It with Roses, in which Bianca made an appearance.
You are sure to find this charming love story an enjoyable read from start to finish!
I also invite you to read my recent Hawaii-themed Harlequin Kimani romances, Aloha Fantasy, Private Luau and Pleasure in Hawaii.
Kind regards,
Devon Vaughn Archer
I would like to thank my wife, H. Loraine, for her diligent devotion to me and my writings. I daresay I would never be where I am today as a successful author without your encouragement and support.
I also extend appreciation to all the Harlequin editors and staff that I have worked with over the years for their professionalism and friendship.
To “Beautiful Mermaid,” the love of my life who was a sure bet as someone I wanted as my bride and best friend. Thank you for being there for what seems like forever. Our best years are still ahead of us.
And to my mother, Marjah A. Flowers, sister, Jacquelyn V. White, nieces, and other ladies who believe in the power of love and romance in the world of fiction and real life.
Contents
Chapter 1 (#u801263cb-aef9-5bde-86c2-35914cb15656)
Chapter 2 (#u52d42a41-faf0-54ec-9fae-6cf4ffa225c4)
Chapter 3 (#u26b0818a-2a19-5dfb-a276-4c84182fd6c9)
Chapter 4 (#ud7b52d25-ba4b-543d-a1e1-00950c7e65d2)
Chapter 5 (#u3d88f32e-a996-543d-91f4-7c47027c1b49)
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)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 24 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 25 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 26 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1
Bianca Wagner felt exhausted, yet invigorated, when she got back to her two-story Spanish-style Las Vegas home on Tenaya Way after an early morning jog. She had just enough time to jump in the shower, grab a quick breakfast and head to work. It was a routine Bianca had perfected, along with spending long hours at home—often alone—and less time hanging out with friends. Admittedly, she would welcome the right male companion into the equation, but since that had been hard to come by of late, she chose to focus her attention elsewhere. Such as on maintaining her health at age thirty-three, both physically and mentally.
Bianca got dressed, put on her makeup and brushed her long blond hair with brown highlights. She grabbed a bagel and her travel coffee cup as she headed out the door and into her Subaru Legacy. She was an arts-and-entertainment reporter with the Vegas Valley Happenings newspaper. She’d taken the assignment six months ago after previously being the crime-and-courts reporter. Though she missed covering criminality in Sin City, she loved reporting on the city’s rich arts-and-entertainment scene.
Suddenly Bianca’s cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She took a quick glance and saw that it was her sister, Madison. Smiling, Bianca turned on the speakerphone.
“Hey, sis.”
“Hey,” Madison said cheerfully. “We just got back from a bike ride and I thought I’d give you a quick call.”
Bianca considered the “we” in her sister’s statement. That would be Madison and her husband of one year, Stuart. He had two lovely little twin daughters from a previous relationship, who often accompanied them on their bike rides.
Why can’t I be so lucky to have a gorgeous guy who adores me with all his heart? Bianca asked herself.
“I appreciate the call,” she told Madison. “But I’m on my way to work and the traffic is... Well, you saw how it is when you and Stuart were here last year on your honeymoon.”
“Oh, yes, I remember,” Madison said. “Call me later?”
“I will. And give the girls a big kiss for me.”
“Count on it,” Madison promised.
Bianca disconnected. She focused on the road, but couldn’t help but think that her younger sister seemed to have it all these days, which left Bianca to play catch-up.
Will I ever have everything Madison does? She could only hope. On the other hand, as a career-minded woman, would she ever truly be ready to take on the responsibilities of raising a family? Unlike Madison, maybe she simply wasn’t cut out to be a mommy.
Turning onto South Las Vegas Boulevard toward downtown, Bianca thought about the latest big news to hit the city—the upcoming opening of the Aloha Seas Hotel and Casino on the Strip. From what she’d heard, it would be like visiting the tropical paradise of Maui, with gambling and other Vegas-style entertainments as added attractions. Having been to Hawaii a couple of times, she was looking forward to the resort’s opening, both as a reporter and someone who couldn’t get enough of the islands.
The Aloha Seas’ principal owners were brothers, Tanner and Solomon Long. They were both handsome and seemed to alternate years being voted the most eligible bachelor in Las Vegas. From what Bianca had seen, they had beautiful women on their arms every other day as they enjoyed the perks of wealth, good looks and undeniable charm.
If that’s how they prefer to get their kicks, that’s their problem, she thought, while doubting either one saw it as a problem.
She had more worries than spending too much time thinking about spoiled, rich casino owners. For example, was she ever going to escape this traffic jam and get to work?
* * *
Tanner Long sat in the backseat of his limousine, talking on the phone to his brother, Solomon. As usual, they were at odds on how to do things, while trying to keep the peace as they took on their latest venture. This venture happened to be a very big one. There were only two days until the grand opening of Aloha Seas, the newest hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. As the majority owners, they had pooled their resources and gotten the right investors to roll the dice, so to speak, on making this new casino a big success.
But seeing eye to eye on the details took patience on Tanner’s part and seemingly more give than take, as he wanted this event to go without a hitch.
“You only have one grand opening, little brother,” Tanner argued in his role as chief executive officer. “And that means we need to make a splash while the attention is squarely on us.”
“I hear you,” Solomon said sharply. “And I agree. But that doesn’t mean we need to break the bank in the process. Cutting corners can be done without cutting the quality of the grand opening.”
Tanner chuckled. It seemed as if they were just going around in circles. At thirty-six, he was a year older and maybe a few years wiser than his brother. Or so he tried to convince himself. But, then again, Solomon did have an MBA and was the chief operating officer. Tanner’s degree was in hotel management with a minor in marketing. Rather than continue to bump heads, he gave in.
“All right, do whatever you think needs to be done—just don’t screw this up.”
“I won’t,” Solomon assured him. “I want this to work as much as you do, if not more.”
“I know,” Tanner conceded. Both had spent much of their lives trying to follow in the footsteps of their father, a very successful businessman. He and their mother would have been really proud to see just how much they had accomplished up to this point. I’m just glad they lived to see us receive our degrees and start building our legacy, Tanner thought.
Before he could cut the call short, the limousine suddenly shook violently and Tanner heard a loud thump as they came to a halt.
“What the hell...” The words spewed from his mouth.
He heard something similar from his driver, Johan.
“What’s going on?” Solomon asked.
“Looks like we’ve been in an accident,” Tanner said irritably.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Tanner said. “Don’t know if I can say the same about the limo, though. I’ll call you back.”
Tanner hung up. “What happened?” he asked Johan.
“The car ahead of me stopped suddenly. I slammed on the brakes, but couldn’t slow down enough.”
