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Tender Kisses
Sheryl Lister
What he’ll do for loveSiobhan Gray has had it with men who view her as a stepping stone to a career with her family’s successful home-safety company. Even when a sexy stranger sweeps her onto the dance floor at a gala awards event, the twice-burned PR director vows not to let down her guard. Siobhan doesn’t count on Justin Cartwright’s persistence as he dissolves her doubts and slowly wins her trust with a passion that tempts her to believe in love again.Justin is a man with a plan: partner with Gray Home Safety to deliver his new cutting-edge product to the market. But the tall, sensual beauty is derailing all his best intentions. Then he discovers who she really is. Now he stands to lose everything…unless he can convince Siobhan that nothing matters more than their blossoming relationship—and the future they can build together.
What he’ll do for love
Siobhan Gray has had it with men who view her as a stepping stone to a career with her family’s successful home-safety company. Even when a sexy stranger sweeps her onto the dance floor at a gala awards event, the twice-burned PR director vows not to let down her guard. Siobhan doesn’t count on Justin Cartwright’s persistence as he dissolves her doubts and slowly wins her trust with a passion that tempts her to believe in love again.
Justin is a man with a plan: partner with Gray Home Safety to deliver his new cutting-edge product to the market. But the tall, sensual beauty is derailing all his best intentions. Then he discovers who she really is. Now he stands to lose everything...unless he can convince Siobhan that nothing matters more than their blossoming relationship—and the future they can build together.
“Dance with me,” Justin said when another ballad came on.
Siobhan followed him back out to the dance floor and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m glad they’re playing a lot of slow songs, because I like holding you in my arms.”
“I like it, too.”
A slow grin curved Justin’s lips. “Then we’ll need to do it more often.” He touched his mouth to hers.
“Every chance we get,” he whispered.
They danced through every slow song that played, and by the time he took her home, her body and mind were in a jumble.
“Thank you, again, for coming to the party with me,” she said as they stood in her entryway.
“I enjoyed myself.”
She leaned up, intending to give him a quick kiss, but as soon as their lips touched and he swept his hot tongue into her mouth, all rational thoughts went out the window. Justin deepened the kiss, thoroughly exploring every inch of her mouth.
He broke it off and rested his forehead against hers. “I’d better leave while I still can.”
Siobhan nodded, though she wasn’t sure she really wanted him to leave. He kissed her once more and slipped out the door.
She closed her eyes and leaned against it, her breathing still ragged. She hadn’t planned on meeting a man like him and didn’t know how long she would be able to keep her guard up.
Dear Reader (#ulink_82779bb5-98e8-5791-8dbb-a03d67a00957),
I’m excited to introduce you to The Grays of Los Angeles. Nolan and DeAnna Gray have worked hard to build a legacy for their children. But their most fervent desire is for each of them to experience the joy of an enduring love.
First is Siobhan Gray, the oldest of five, dynamic PR director and a certified control freak. Spontaneous isn’t in her vocabulary...until she meets Justin Cartwright. Justin is just the man to show her how to have a little fun because, frankly, he’s forgotten, too. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them learn to balance work, fun and falling in love. I hope you do, as well.
I appreciate your emails and messages. I love hearing from you!
Baby sister Morgan Gray takes center stage next, and I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store for her. Fast cars, football and, just maybe, love.
Much love,
Sheryl
Website: SherylLister.com (http://www.SherylLister.com) Email: sheryllister@gmail.com Facebook: Author Sheryl Lister (http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherylLister)
Tender Kisses
Sheryl Lister
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
SHERYL LISTER has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She writes contemporary and inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Her first novel, Just to Be with You, earned her a 2015 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Debut Author of the Year. When she’s not reading, writing or playing chauffeur, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-size desserts. Sheryl resides in California and is a wife and a mother of three daughters and a son-in-love. She’s also a grandmother to a very special little boy.
To my husband, Lance, my children, family and friends for your continued support. I appreciate and love you!
Acknowledgments (#ulink_f7361313-8228-5219-9685-d21edc651bf7)
My Heavenly Father, thank You for my life.
A special thank you to the readers and authors I’ve met on this journey. You’ve enriched my life in more ways than you know.
Special thank you to my editor, Rachel Burkot, for your editorial guidance and support. I’ll miss you!
A very special thank you to my agent, Sarah E. Younger. I appreciate you more than words can say.
Contents
Cover (#ubc743160-9f4c-54cd-a36d-88592051917f)
Back Cover Text (#ua67c5520-00f0-518f-91f7-310de80fa766)
Introduction (#u8803e8b3-5ef5-5b8b-95cc-d0291e332cef)
Dear Reader (#ulink_d465d639-ca91-5dc4-916e-58f00b3901bd)
Title Page (#udd78d00f-5213-5979-8d7d-ed8a9b219422)
About the Author (#u10135aae-4165-542a-9434-ae21f0bc9513)
Dedication (#ubd0cb06d-29df-58d3-9d57-fd05a1777c9b)
Acknowledgments (#ulink_3c23d464-707e-52a4-ae3c-b46f1032ed35)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_b2c524c8-1688-5b0d-91a2-67828ddbf466)
Chapter 2 (#ulink_ee23a7c7-7f5e-5b11-a686-7ded8ec6fc2b)
Chapter 3 (#ulink_b834c134-9552-579d-a52b-87d9b9e0ada3)
Chapter 4 (#ulink_560ed78a-378e-56c1-a83c-160433f697ac)
Chapter 5 (#ulink_4298365a-617b-5758-bd90-c336a4d8ee4f)
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)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_18028164-a0d8-5a42-9012-a49c203ca519)
I wonder if I can hold my breath for five minutes. Siobhan Gray tried to edge away and create some space between her and her dance partner. The potency of the man’s cologne—she swore he had bathed in it—had her on the verge of passing out. Instead of holding her breath, maybe she should take one big whiff and put herself out of this misery. The effect would be the same.
“You seem too young to be handling all the PR for your family’s company,” he said, breaking into her thoughts.
She pasted a smile on her face while he went on and on about Gray Home Safety. She caught the gazes of her two best friends, who stood across the room with wide grins. Siobhan rolled her eyes and groaned inwardly.
“Did you say something?” her dance partner asked.
Had that groan slipped out? “No, nothing. Just humming along with the music,” she lied. How long is this song, anyway? When it finally ended, he didn’t release her.
“Isn’t this nice?” he asked, tightening his hold.
About as nice as dancing naked in an ice storm. The move came with another gust of his cologne, and Siobhan nearly gagged. She was done. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s someone I need to speak to.” She stepped away from him so fast she stumbled, but quickly righted herself.
He caught her arm. “Are you okay?”
She gave him a tense smile. “Fine, thanks. And thank you for the dance.” She turned and started from the floor. Three steps in, she realized he was right behind her.
“Hold on a minute.” He chuckled nervously. “I was hoping, Sio—Siyo—”
“Sha-von,” she said impatiently.
“Yes, yes. It’s a nice name. What I wanted to ask, Siobhan, is do you think you can pass along my card to your father? I have this great home—”
Siobhan cut him off and ignored the business card in his hand. “Mr....”
“Benson,” he supplied.
“Mr. Benson, if you have a product, idea or anything else, you should speak directly to my father or my brother Brandon.” She pointed them out. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She stalked off without waiting for his reply and headed straight for the balcony.
Once outside, she inhaled deeply and drew in a lungful of the sweet night air. She braced her hands on the railing and tried to rein in her anger. As PR director for Gray Home Safety, it seemed as if every man in attendance at tonight’s gala thought they could sweet-talk their way into the family’s company. Siobhan had been here for only an hour and, so far, four men had approached her. The conversations started pleasantly enough but, within a few minutes, ended the same—with a pitch for the next great thing in home safety. She had heard it all, from stair lifts to heated shower chairs.
She was proud of the company her father had started upon his discharge from the army. While he had returned whole, his best friend had not. Disheartened by the difficulty in getting services and accommodations for the disabled, Nolan Gray decided to do something about it by designing them himself. Her father’s friend, Thaddeus Whitcomb, joined the company as a minor partner soon after. More than two decades later, the small company housed in their garage was now one of the largest in-home safety companies in the country. Her brother Khalil had taken the company to a new level when he designed accessible equipment for the fitness center he opened two years ago.
“Here you are, Siobhan. We wondered where you went.”
Siobhan turned from the rail to find her two best friends. “I bet you did, Cynthia.”
“We saw you dancing. Was he a nice man?” Cynthia Johnson was a die-hard romantic. From the time the three of them became best friends in fourth grade, Cynthia had been planning their happily-ever-afters. Siobhan was the only one who hadn’t found her prince.
“Of course he wasn’t,” Kendra Martin tossed out with a chuckle. “Didn’t you see her face, Cyn?”
“It couldn’t have been that bad.”
Kendra leaned close to Siobhan and wrinkled her nose. “Girl, what kind of perfume is that?”
“I’m not wearing any perfume. It must be what’s left of Mr. Benson’s cologne. I thought I was going to pass out.”
Kendra waved a hand. “That is not cologne. It smells more like toi—”
“Don’t say it,” Cynthia interrupted.
The three women looked at each other and burst out laughing. Siobhan shook her head. “He was the worst of the four men tonight.” She frowned. “I’m tired of men trying to come on to me for the sole purpose of working their way into the family business.” She had already traveled that road and had the remnants of the broken heart to prove it. And she was still trying to rebuild her bank account from the fiasco.
“Well, if you dressed like you were thirty-three, instead of seventy-three, men would be tossing you something more than their business cards,” Kendra said bluntly.
Siobhan stared down at her dress. “What’s wrong with my dress?”
“I think it’s beautiful,” Cynthia said.
Kendra rolled her eyes. “It is a beautiful dress...for my grandmother. For one thing, it’s long sleeved. For another, you’re all buttoned up like a nun. It’s all right to show a little cleavage. And, to be honest, it’s too big.”
Siobhan placed her hand on her hip. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Kendra? I’m not wearing some dress so tight I can barely walk.”
