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It Started In Paradise
Nicki Night
Two rivals. One desire.Stunning, sensual Puerto Rico is the perfect place to combine business with pleasure. Yet Chloe Chandler can’t indulge her attraction to Donovan Rivers when they cross paths at a convention. Heir to an exclusive Long Island venue, Donovan is vying to host the same A-list gala that her parents’ restaurant hopes to gain. And as events director for her family’s empire, Chloe’s loyalty is being tested by an intense longing for a man who’s determined to win both her…and the client.An in-demand bachelor who plays by his own rules, Donovan never stops until he gets what he wants. Falling for his beautiful competitor will anger their families, but Chloe has already sacrificed too much to please others. Now Donovan intends to show her everything she’s been missing—including the heat of his embrace. But when the competition comes between them, will their ambitions force them to lose out on love?
Two rivals. One desire.
Stunning, sensual Puerto Rico is the perfect place to combine business with pleasure. Yet Chloe Chandler can’t indulge her attraction to Donovan Rivers when they cross paths at a convention. Heir to an exclusive Long Island venue, Donovan is vying to host the same A-list gala that her parents’ restaurant hopes to gain. And as events director for her family’s empire, Chloe and her loyalty are being tested by an intense longing for a man who’s determined to win both her...and the client.
An in-demand bachelor who plays by his own rules, Donovan never stops until he gets what he wants. Falling for his beautiful competitor will anger their families, but Chloe has already sacrificed too much to please others. Now Donovan intends to show her everything she’s been missing—including the heat of his embrace. But when the competition comes between them, will their ambitions force them to lose out on love?
Holding her hand, Donovan led the way to the balcony, welcoming the cooling ocean breeze. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Am I?” Chloe asked breathlessly, wiping her brow once again. “I haven’t had this much fun in so long. Thanks.”
Donovan’s response was a smile. He looked out over the water, listening to the sound of the waves. Still holding her hand, they stood silently on the terrace, allowing the gentle wind to lick away the sweat generated from their sensual dance. Rays of moonlight bobbled on the water, inviting Donovan to the shore.
“Let’s go,” he whispered to Chloe, then he paid the bill and led her through the restaurant to the exit facing the sea. Donovan removed his shoes and rolled the hem of his pants to just above his ankles. Chloe followed suit, removing her sandals and knotting the end of her dress below her knees. Hand in hand, they walked to where the water met the sand. Chloe’s hand felt good in his, as if it belonged. They stopped walking, still holding hands, and turned to watch the evening’s light dance across the ripples in the midnight blue water.
Dear Reader (#u31e36d9c-0fb0-5d42-99a7-1ae874060ddc),
I hope you truly enjoy taking this romantic and somewhat bumpy journey with Chloe Chandler and Donovan Rivers in my new series about the Chandler family. Could you ever imagine falling for the one person that your family could never accept? Chloe and Donovan seem to do just that. Donovan coaxes a side of Chloe to the surface that she had buried long ago. She starts to enjoy exploring her new self and sexy Donovan Rivers. Their affair begins as a fun little rendezvous in a lush, tropical setting in Puerto Rico, but desire follows them back to New York, where there’s much at stake, like family loyalty and business contracts. Donovan doesn’t only rock her world, he steals her heart, and now Chloe has to determine if she’s going to please her family or please her heart and become Donovan’s lady.
Enjoy the ride.
Ciao,
Nicki
It Started in Paradise
Nicki Night
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
NICKI NIGHT is an edgy hopeless romantic who enjoys creating stories of love and new possibilities. Nicki has a penchant for adventure and is currently working on penning her next romantic escapade. Nicki resides in the city dreams are made of, but occasionally travels to her treasured seaside hideaway to write in seclusion. She enjoys hearing from readers and can be contacted on Facebook, through her website at nickinight.com (http://nickinight.com/), or via email at nickinightwrites@gmail.com.
This book is dedicated to my hero, Les Flagler.
I love the way you love me, Sunshine.
Acknowledgments
As always, I begin by thanking my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him, there wouldn’t be any books, readers, contracts, writing...anything. I’m so grateful for this journey.
I offer up a special shout-out to my squad at Harlequin Kimani, Glenda Howard and Keyla Hernandez, for all you do. To Sara Camilli, agent extraordinaire, thanks for great conversation, guidance and for always having my back.
Thank you to my family, who doesn’t mind sharing me with my dreams. I appreciate you Les, Lil Les, Milan (Hollywood) and Laila (Suga Mama). To the Daniels clan and my gals, thank you for your continued support.
To my sisters and brothers in the craft, I adore and respect you. Let’s do this!
My mentors, Beverly Jenkins and Beverly Jackson, I appreciate that you don’t mind pouring into me. You are amazing women.
To my street team, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thanks for all you do.
Reviewers, bloggers, readers...you completely ROCK! That’s it and that’s all.
Contents
Cover (#u4378db2e-64c7-5280-a167-09e054271e72)
Back Cover Text (#u7e30b28e-6a4b-5155-a175-92907c443ef6)
Introduction (#u85783406-b30e-5883-b7e8-811164f492ed)
Dear Reader (#ua2f24741-8e52-5a1f-bbad-35b6a181b836)
Title Page (#ua7394aff-adc5-55e2-a5fa-21ee86f60654)
About the Author (#u16818b13-c6d8-5a46-a903-9cadfd44e5b9)
Dedication (#u548f578c-a7f2-5ace-909c-eada33bcb2da)
Chapter 1 (#u4840f903-f3ab-524a-85dd-f4d59c1e161d)
Chapter 2 (#ued2f5509-530c-589d-95d7-a7b82c1f29d9)
Chapter 3 (#u20632187-ca3e-5426-899a-5d5c4cf81ddb)
Chapter 4 (#uda30a89e-b0ef-5008-86de-7c105671984b)
Chapter 5 (#u2c111b6d-ffe0-5b92-a775-65140a4f85e0)
Chapter 6 (#u62d6647a-03ef-531e-bc86-15b1965483e3)
Chapter 7 (#u5775fb19-84ac-5ba7-bb0a-63574f1a14b2)
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 27 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 28 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 29 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u31e36d9c-0fb0-5d42-99a7-1ae874060ddc)
“I saw you looking at him,” Jewel Chandler teased her older sister, sipped her cocktail and then lay back on her lounge chair.
Chloe Chandler choked back a laugh. “I wasn’t looking at anyone.” Turning her head in the other direction, she shielded her eyes from the glaring sun. She’d seen him all right. All six feet four inches of his muscular frame draped in skin so rich and smooth, it could have been dripping from a fondue pot.
“Humph! Whatever you say, Sissy.” Jewel waved her off. “There’s never been anything wrong with looking. It’s the touching that gets people in trouble! But who am I to tell you to play by anybody’s rules?”
“Exactly. Now hush!” Chloe laughed. As the oldest, she’d always been careful to set a good example. Not that it helped at all. All three of her younger siblings were rebels in their own rights.
Donovan Rivers jumped into the hotel’s Olympic-size pool, sliced through the water as smoothly as a knife cutting ice cream and popped up on the opposite side. The water cascading down his taut back made Chloe hiss.
Jewel sat up, lifted her wide-brimmed hat meant to block the sun and tilted her sunglasses downward. “You’re a liar if you tell me you didn’t see that gorgeousness rise from that water like a Greek god.” Jewel sat back and chuckled.
Chloe couldn’t help but laugh with her. “No one wants Donovan.”
“And there’s another lie.”
“Jewel!”
Jewel twisted her lips at Chloe. “Plenty of women want him. I happen to know a few of them rather well and so do you. Humph! A woman would be crazy not to want a man like him or his brother.”
“You know our mother would have an emotional breakdown if one of us were to mess around with one of those Rivers boys.” Chloe lay back on her lounger, closed her eyes and crossed her feet.
“And that is just what makes it so much fun. Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest!” Jewel snickered.
Chloe sat up. “What?”
She laughed full out this time.
Chloe’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “Have you messed around with one of those Rivers men?” Chloe wouldn’t put it past her sister.
“Sure did, and it was good and so much fun!”
“And you never told me?” Still seated, Chloe parked her hands on her hips.
“Nope!” Jewel pursed her lips.
Offended, Chloe gasped. There were never any secrets among the sisters. “When?”
“Last summer, and I never said anything because you would have told me not to do it.” Jewel swung her legs over the deck chair and faced Chloe. “I wanted to do it. I did it and I liked it—a lot!” She squealed. “It only lasted a few delicious weeks but then we moved on. It was more like...” Jewel thought for a moment “...an extended fling, but it certainly was fun while it lasted.”
Chloe squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “I can’t believe you! Was it Donovan?”
“No. It was Dayton.” Jewel closed her eyes and moaned as if she’d eaten a decadent bite of dessert.
Chloe giggled, despite feeling snubbed. The talk about the forbidden rendezvous made her giddy. Her sisters lived much riskier lives than she ever had. One day she’d take a page from their book. “I still can’t believe you hid that juicy little tidbit from me.” Chloe tossed her towel at Jewel. She blocked it.
“I’m sorry.” Jewel pouted. “Do you forgive me?”
“Of course I do, but don’t ever leave me out of the loop again.”
“Good. I won’t. I promise,” Jewel said before standing. “You need to get yourself a piece of forbidden action someday, too. You won’t believe how delightful it can be.” Jewel slid her arms through her sheer white cover-up. “Perhaps Donovan could be the perfect candidate.”
“Oh no!” Chloe wagged her finger. “I don’t think so.”
Jewel flashed a sly smile. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
Chloe rolled her eyes toward the sky. “I’m not indulging in this foolishness.” She stood too, grabbed her cell phone and the magazine she’d intended to read at the poolside but never opened. “Let’s go get ready for our dinner meeting.”
“I’m going to get you to loosen up one of these days, Sissy. You can’t be all work and no play all the time.”
“I have plenty of fun.” Chloe headed toward the hotel but stopped when she sensed that Jewel wasn’t walking with her.
She looked back to find Jewel with her hand propped on her hip, lips twisted and head tilted. She obviously didn’t agree with Chloe.
