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Her Tender Touch
Dara Girard
Satisfaction guaranteed… The software empire Jason Ward built from scratch is his best revenge against the tragic past he wants to forget. But when a business rival seizes his company, he discovers he has to reinvent his ruthless reputation. Hiring Abby Baylor to give him a polished edge with investors is a brilliant business move. Until she unleashes a desire that has Jason aching to show the gorgeous etiquette coach a few maneuvers of his own.Still reeling from a messy divorce, Abby's steering clear of romance, especially with her fiery-tempered new client. But the seductive entrepreneur is tempting her to mix business and pleasure with a passion that soon melts her resolve. However, when secrets from Jason's past threaten both their futures and their lives, is Abby ready to gamble everything on love–the biggest game-changer of all?
Satisfaction guaranteed…
The software empire Jason Ward built from scratch is his best revenge against the tragic past he wants to forget. But when a business rival seizes his company, he discovers he has to reinvent his ruthless reputation. Hiring Abby Baylor to give him a polished edge with investors is a brilliant business move. Until she unleashes a desire that has Jason aching to show the gorgeous etiquette coach a few maneuvers of his own.
Still reeling from a messy divorce, Abby’s steering clear of romance, especially with her fiery-tempered new client. But the seductive entrepreneur is tempting her to mix business and pleasure with a passion that soon melts her resolve. However, when secrets from Jason’s past threaten both their futures and their lives, is Abby ready to gamble everything on love—the biggest game-changer of all?
She shook her head. “I can’t risk it.”
“What?”
“Anything more than a personal relationship with you.” She shook her head again. “I mean professional.”
He grinned, pleased she was flustered. “You were right the first time.”
“No, I wasn’t. I can help you, but not if you’re going to play games.”
His grin fell. “I’m not playing games.”
“What happens if you’re disappointed?”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“What if I let you kiss me right now and it’s awful?”
“It won’t be.”
“Will you stop working with me?” she continued. “Or will that satisfy your curiosity enough to let you realize that—”
Jason didn’t hear the rest of her words. Only one important thing echoed in his mind. “You’re going to let me kiss you?”
Abby threw up her hands. “Were you listening to a word I said? I said there are con—”
She didn’t get to finish before his mouth covered hers. Abby felt herself sinking into sweet ecstasy as his mouth claimed hers and he crushed her body to him. His demanding lips caressed hers, his large hands exploring the hollows of her back. She now knew—not just imagined—what he felt like. He fumbled behind her, opened the door to an empty room and pulled her inside.
DARA GIRARD
fell in love with storytelling at an early age. Her romance writing career happened by chance when she discovered the power of a happy ending. She is an award-winning author whose novels are known for their sense of humor, interesting plot twists and witty dialogue. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spring mornings and autumn afternoons, French pastries, dancing to the latest hits and long drives.
Dara loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at contactdara@daragirard.com or P.O Box 10345, Silver Spring, MD 20914.
Her Tender Touch
Dara Girard
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Dear Reader (#ulink_cdd621e0-48c1-5f3d-92fb-c4bd3d40a120),
“I saw a woman in a kimono and she was completely naked underneath. When she bent over, it was just wrong….”
I heard this comment in a news clip featuring an etiquette coach and knew what career I wanted for Abby Baylor. A career rife with story potential got me thinking: What if a corporate etiquette coach is hired by a man with a traumatic past and a terrible temper? Enter Jason Ward.
However, Jason isn’t the only one with a lesson to learn. For all his ruthlessness and rude ways, he had a tender side I didn’t expect. And Abby had a harder edge that surprised me.
Fortunately, in spite of their ups and downs, the holiday season adds a nice touch to their roller-coaster romance.
Enjoy,
Dara Girard
To my rock (you know who you are) and my support. Thanks!
Contents
Cover (#u95282a09-c62f-53b6-befa-a6630168accb)
Back Cover Text (#u174f4750-db8a-5f32-a797-521f51d6b65f)
Introduction (#u26dde677-ba7a-593e-894a-0a9a5997108a)
About the Author (#u77ab3871-1a64-5194-9961-da4833da9ab4)
Title Page (#u6b5c259d-3a47-5d19-ad0a-a211d19ddde8)
Dear Reader (#ulink_42b852e8-18ec-5643-9edf-9601053caae1)
Dedication (#u1a9699a6-015a-5407-a502-e592b2d62f8b)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_939c4d9a-58ef-5e05-b923-7e5541c29ee0)
Chapter 2 (#ulink_9c1339a9-9c7f-5f62-8f57-0986bae0f587)
Chapter 3 (#ulink_297b5e84-90ea-553b-9d70-d15bd8c39dc3)
Chapter 4 (#ulink_7b1a59fc-9ec2-59c3-9ed6-bcf91f7968e7)
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)
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)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_f119e5cb-bc4e-593e-9ffc-e765c4e50d3b)
Her hands were going where they didn’t belong, but they’d been doing that all evening. Jason Ward did his best to move away, but if he moved any farther, he’d fall out of his seat.
“I love a man who knows what he wants,” Stephanie Armstrong said, as she purred loudly. She reminded him of a hungry feline ready for mating season. She was an attractive older woman whose husband was a possible key investor. Jason’s partner, Dennis Collins, had put him in charge of keeping her entertained for the evening, but she only had one thing on her mind. And this wasn’t the first time. He didn’t know why the wives seemed to be drawn to him. Dennis laughed and said that, along with his good looks, he had a raw, hungry ambition their husbands lacked that sparked their interest. For a brief moment Jason thought of how he’d had to kiss up to many of them over the years, when he’d been younger and just starting out. He didn’t mind the perks that came with getting a lucrative business deal, but right now he wasn’t in the mood. He seized her wrist as it came too close to his manhood. His eyes met hers, and he saw them light up.
“I can make sure my husband gives you everything you want.” She bent forward, giving him a clear view of her ample cleavage.
He shoved her hand away. “I’m not that desperate. Excuse me.” Jason began to push his chair away. She extended her jeweled hand and placed it firmly on his forearm.
“You don’t want to make me unhappy,” she said in a low warning voice.
Jason took a napkin that was lying nearby and scribbled down a number, then handed it to her.
She grinned. “That’s more like it.”
He stood and left. Dennis saw him heading for the door and walked over to him. “Did I just see you give your phone number to that Armstrong woman?”
“No. I gave her a number, but it wasn’t mine. It’s for an escort service.”
“Does she know that?”
“She’ll find out when she calls them.”
Dennis swore. “Couldn’t you just flirt with her a little bit? I’m the brains and you’re the—”
“The what? The stud?”
“No, I’m just saying that you need to be a little more suave in your approach to people like that...”
“Who treat me like a boy toy or some kind of sex slave they’ve purchased for their private use?”
“She’s an attractive woman.”
“Just like all the others,” Jason said, bored. “You know my policy. I don’t sleep with wives.”
“No one is asking you to sleep with her.”
“You weren’t at the table—her hands were saying a lot.”
“We need this deal.”
Jason knew that. He and Dennis, his best friend, were partners in a software development firm they had created several years earlier. Due to major cost overruns they had incurred developing innovative cyber-security software they had recently launched, they had discovered that their chief financial officer had been embezzling some of the funds. He had hired his girlfriend as his bookkeeper—only at the time he didn’t let anyone know she was his girlfriend—who had fixed the books. Now the company was facing bankruptcy, but he and Dennis were the only ones who knew. To rectify what had happened, they had invited several key investors and speculators to a “wine-and-dine” weekend at a fancy golf retreat that cost them a fortune; but they were willing to spare no expense to get back on track. They had dismissed the CFO but desperately wanted to keep any knowledge of what had happened a secret, and had agreed not to file any criminal charges as long as he signed a nondisclosure agreement.
But somehow a rumor was spreading that the company was facing financial difficulty, and the two of them had decided they needed to make sure the investors were not nervous and felt secure with the direction the company was going. In order to avoid bankruptcy, Jason had recently forged a high-risk venture, which he hadn’t revealed to the board of directors yet, with hopes it would come through in time.
Jason looked around him and swore. What was he doing? He was tired of “entertaining” wives and significant others, just to get a couple of bucks. He never wanted to be like his investors. They wore their fine tailored suits along with their weak ethics and kissed up to him when it suited them, but he knew they’d drop him in an instant. It was all just business. He knew he was in a shark-infested ocean and needed to make sure to keep his teeth sharpened.
“You know, man, you make people nervous,” Dennis said.
“Are you still referring to Mrs. Armstrong?”
“No. I mean, people in general.”
Jason shrugged. “So what?”
“One day, someone may want to teach you a lesson.”
Jason tugged on the cuff of his jacket. “I’m already well schooled.”
“The company is in trouble. Bankruptcy is not something to toy around with.”
“I know why we’re here. Remember, I helped build this company with you, and I won’t see it fail.” He walked away.
