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Her Unexpected Valentine
Sherelle Green
His rules of engagementMiami’s steamy fashion and beauty scene is finally taking notice of Nicole LeBlanc. And she’s just landed a coveted gig as lead make-up artist and hair stylist on a series of Valentine’s Day commercials being shot in Hollywood. Once she locks eyes with the seriously sexy creative director, she’s certain he could fulfill her own secret romantic fantasies. Too bad Kendrick Burrstone doesn’t do relationships, despite their over-the-top chemistry.After being burned by love, Kendrick lives by two unbreakable rules: dodge cupid’s arrow and never mix business with pleasure. But both on and off set, Nicole’s fiery touch is tempting Kendrick to take another chance. Until a vindictive ex and a nasty extortion plot ignite a media frenzy that could end his rising career… and cost him the heart of the sweetest and most passionate woman he’s ever met.
His rules of engagement
Miami’s steamy fashion and beauty scene is finally taking notice of Nicole LeBlanc. She’s just landed a coveted gig as lead makeup artist and hairstylist on a series of Valentine’s Day commercials being shot in Hollywood. And once she locks eyes with the seriously sexy creative director, she’s certain he could fulfill her own secret romantic fantasies. Too bad Kendrick Burrstone doesn’t do relationships, despite their over-the-top chemistry.
After being burned by love, Kendrick lives by two unbreakable rules: dodge Cupid’s arrow and never mix business with pleasure. But both on and off the set, Nicole’s fiery touch is tempting Kendrick to take another chance. Until a vindictive ex and a nasty extortion plot ignite a media frenzy that could end his rising career...and cost him the heart of the sweetest and most passionate woman he’s ever met.
SHERELLE GREEN is a Chicago native with a dynamic imagination and a passion for reading and writing. She enjoys composing emotionally driven stories that are steamy, edgy and touch on real-life issues. Her overall goal is to create relatable and fierce heroines who are flawed just like the strong and sexy heroes who fight so hard to win their hearts. There’s no such thing as a perfect person...but when you find that person who is perfect for you, the possibilities are endless. Nothing satisfies her more than writing stories filled with compelling love affairs, multifaceted characters and intriguing relationships.
Also By Sherelle Green (#ue7ca70ca-2be2-527b-b728-d7d0622e299d)
A Tempting Proposal
If Only for Tonight
Red Velvet Kisses
Beautiful Surrender
Enticing Winter
Wrapped in Red (with Nana Malone)
Falling for Autumn
Waiting for Summer
Nights of Fantasy
A Miami Affair
Her Unexpected Valentine
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Her Unexpected Valentine
Sherelle Green
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08072-9
HER UNEXPECTED VALENTINE
© 2018 Sherelle Green
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)
“We crossed paths at the bar for a reason,” he said to her when they neared what he assumed was her apartment complex.
“I know,” she said with a smile. “We are meant to help one another in some capacity. We just have to figure out what capacity that is.”
His eyes dropped to her red-colored lips of their own accord. Per usual, they looked appetizing and very suckable.
“You’re not going to ask me what flavor I’m wearing?”
Kendrick blinked a couple times. “Uh, flavored what?”
She giggled. “Your mind is in the gutter. I was talking about my lipstick. It’s cherry, in case you were wondering.”
“I love cherry-flavored anything,” he said, his eyes dropping to her lips again.
“Good to know.”
They both grew silent again, each staring at the other with a newfound curiosity that Kendrick hoped they’d explore one day. Kendrick, don’t forget that you work together. He’d had good reason for not dating—or kissing—coworkers, but at the moment, he could care less what that reason was.
Dear Reader (#ue7ca70ca-2be2-527b-b728-d7d0622e299d),
I’m excited for you to get to know Nicole LeBlanc and Kendrick Burrstone. You originally met Nicole in Waiting for Summer. However, what you may find interesting is that Kendrick is the cousin of Imani, Cydney and Lex (the heroines of my Elite Events series).
Both Nicole and Kendrick have been unlucky in love, but it’s their unfortunate circumstances that make them more compatible than they think. Sometimes, love finds us when we least expect it, and no matter how hard we try to avoid it, fate always wins in the end.
I hope you enjoy Nicole and Kendrick’s Valentine’s story as the Bare Sophistication ladies take on Los Angeles, California!
Much love,
Sherelle
authorsherellegreen@gmail.com
To my friend Kaysha for inspiring the character of Nicole. One of the things that I’ve always admired about you is that when you love, you put your all into it. Whether it be friendships or relationships, you are constantly proving that you are someone who lets her heart be her guide. More importantly, you’re a great friend and we always have so much fun together. You also have the ability to style your natural hair better than anyone I know. We’ve known each other for more than fourteen years, and I’m grateful to have you in my life! Thank you for always being a supportive and amazing friend!
Acknowledgments (#ue7ca70ca-2be2-527b-b728-d7d0622e299d)
Thank you to my aunties, Vallerie and Cassandra, for always being there when I need you! As a young girl, I never thought about the fact that my mom’s best friends were always at my birthday parties and special events. It wasn’t until I reached adulthood that I truly began to appreciate that I had two women in my life who loved me like a niece and would do anything to support my dreams and goals. Auntie Vallerie, you and I are alike in so many ways and oftentimes, I feel like even if no one else understands how I feel, you do! Whether it’s a happy dance for no apparent reason or having so much excitement that we can’t even go to bed before a fun event, we’ve always connected on a deeper, emotional level. Auntie Cassandra, I have greatly enjoyed the conversations we’ve had throughout the years about anything from careers and politics, to food recipes and random news. It’s not often that you find someone you can literally talk to about anything under the sun and know that they are as interested in a plethora of topics as you are. You have the unique ability to mix humor with any conversation and I love your positivity.
To two women who mean so much to me, I truly appreciate the love you’ve given me throughout my life. I don’t take it for granted that I can call either one of you at any time and know that you’ll be there. That kind of support is priceless!
Contents
Cover (#u7b5651d6-a77f-565a-b27d-776c67c2800b)
Back Cover Text (#uadcc2339-ff78-5361-a3e0-43dbb613982c)
About the Author (#u525a6241-d11e-5057-a873-67cb229cbc9f)
Booklist (#ue92c3486-cd69-5254-a1af-a19636a25c39)
Title Page (#u144b0893-55ef-5fe1-a3d0-6864beafdb15)
Copyright (#u342ec1e7-4bb4-5e61-a570-dca63537a932)
Introduction (#ue2add1db-88da-51af-b532-0cd0d0104fdb)
Dear Reader (#ue9e81b46-7f81-5763-b528-e1e2a720b04c)
Dedication (#ube21d216-33e6-51d8-be34-2ef7873f6478)
Acknowledgments (#u96d4ca52-dddc-5582-8731-79ddc7c7dd6e)
Chapter 1 (#u7a8676bd-5012-5c84-81a7-da1206dd69f8)
Chapter 2 (#ucc4eb862-ee52-5bb5-9544-fc456dc86976)
Chapter 3 (#uf1584222-6c3d-5563-80aa-1afcb4f210b9)
Chapter 4 (#u94c375e3-9340-5307-880d-622f1452e7f3)
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)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ue7ca70ca-2be2-527b-b728-d7d0622e299d)
“Baby, was that an earthquake I just felt? Because when you looked my way, I swear you rocked my world.”
Nicole LeBlanc cringed when the man wearing entirely too much cologne got a little too close to her personal space. She took a step closer to her friend Aaliyah Bai, who was trying to contain her laughter.
“They call me Romeo,” the man said as he ran his tongue across his teeth.
“Of course they do,” Nicole said sarcastically.
“I bet your lips have been lonely waiting for me to walk across the bar,” he continued. “I saw the way you were looking at me.”
Nicole rolled her eyes as she downed the rest of her drink. It never ceased to amaze her that the sleaziest of men always seemed to approach her when she was out at a bar. Granted, a bar wasn’t the ideal place to find a decent man, but come on. Why did she have to attract the slimy guys?
Nicole turned to face the man. “Listen, buddy, since I’m feeling generous today, I’m going to give you five seconds as opposed to three to get the hell away from me.”
“Damn, you’re feisty.” His eyes brightened, and he placed his unwanted hand on her shoulder. “I can only imagine how you’ll be in the bedroom.”
Time’s up. “You’ll never find out,” Nicole said as she grabbed his thumb and twisted the way she’d learned in her self-defense classes.
“Shit, baby, that hurts,” he whined. Nicole twisted his thumb a little more to prove her point, satisfied when the flirtation left his eyes and was replaced with pain.
“I was just trying to give you a compliment,” he said, shaking the hurt from his thumb when she let go. “Females these days are crazy.”
When he walked away, Aaliyah finally released the laughter she’d been holding in. “It’s only our first night being in LA, and already you’ve almost brought a grown man to tears. Not sure his horrible idea of flirting was worth you almost breaking his thumb off.”
“I didn’t apply enough pressure to break off his thumb,” Nicole said. “He was just being a wimp. I mean, who calls himself Romeo anyway?”
“Oh, my goodness,” Aaliyah said. “Hollywood isn’t ready for you.”
Nicole smiled as she ordered another drink. “I hope I’m ready for Hollywood.”
