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Playing With Temptation
Reese Ryan
A love for all timeNorth Carolina pro-footballer Nate Johnston built his reputation on talent, drive, and good sportsmanship. But a devastating recent loss derails his team’s shot of winning the championship . . . and Nate’s career when a compromising video goes viral. In need of a miracle, the star wide receiver feels ambushed when his brother enlists media consultant Kendra Williams to do damage control. The reignited desire for the woman he once wanted to spend forever with can only cause Nate deeper heartache.Walking away from the man she loved seven years ago is the biggest regret of Kendra’s life. Now her son needs a closer relationship with his father. . . and Kendra needs to win back Nate’s trust. After breaking his heart, repairing his career is the least she could do to help save his dream. Powerful passion still smolders between them, tempting the former lovers to move beyond their painful past. Will the emergence of a jealous ex with a vicious revenge scheme sabotage their second chance at a future and family that’s almost within reach?
A love for all time
North Carolina pro footballer Nate Johnston built his reputation on talent, drive and good sportsmanship. But a devastating recent loss derails his team’s shot at winning the championship...and Nate’s career when a compromising video goes viral. In need of a miracle, the star wide receiver feels ambushed when his brother enlists media consultant Kendra Williams to do damage control. The reignited desire for the woman he once wanted to spend forever with can only cause Nate deeper heartache.
Walking away from the man she loved seven years ago is the biggest regret of Kendra’s life. Now her son needs a closer relationship with his father...and Kendra needs to win back Nate’s trust. After breaking his heart, repairing his career is the least she can do to help save his dream. Powerful passion still smolders between them, tempting the former lovers to move beyond their painful past. Will the emergence of a jealous ex with a vicious revenge scheme sabotage their second chance at a future and a family that’s almost within reach?
“Let me take you to lunch, if you don’t have any plans.”
Kendra’s heart beat faster. Her mouth felt dry as she stared into his warm eyes. “Sure. Why? Did you want to go over the appearances scheduled for next week?”
“No, I’d like to talk about us. I know you asked me not to.” He countered her objection before she could make it. “And while I respect your feelings, I don’t believe you’re being honest about how you feel or what you want.”
Nate cupped her face in his strong hand, lifting her chin so her eyes met his.
Kendra backed up until her back pressed against the wall. Her heart beat so quickly she was sure he could hear it. She stared at him, unable to speak. Her chest was heavy with all the things she wanted to say, and her head was spinning, reminding her of all the reasons she shouldn’t say them.
He captured her mouth in a kiss. Slow and sweet. Filled with warmth, affection and desire. Her hands slipped beneath his jacket, pressing into his back. Her body softened against his.
Dear Reader (#u02b632ad-eecd-52c2-9177-94e46c892a32),
Reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen as a young girl changed my life. It ignited a desire to weave stories that make readers laugh, cry and swoon.
Elements of that story subconsciously weave themselves into the fabric of every story I write. Unconventional heroines, family drama, crises of self-identity, the revealing of devastating secrets—all are present in my Pleasure Cove series.
The Johnstons and Williamses—two polar-opposite families—lie at the heart of the series.
In Playing with Temptation, we become intimately acquainted with both families. Passionate and driven—on and off the football field—Nate Johnston’s propensity for unfiltered honesty jeopardizes his future, forcing him to entrust that future to the woman who destroyed it seven years ago—his ex, Kendra Williams.
Enjoy your visit to Pleasure Cove. Then, for series news, reader giveaways and more, visit reeseryan.com (http://www.reeseryan.com/).
Happy reading,
Reese Ryan
Playing with Temptation
Reese Ryan
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
REESE RYAN writes sexy, contemporary romance featuring colorful characters and sinfully sweet romances. She challenges her heroines with family and career drama, reformed bad boys, revealed secrets and the occasional identity crisis, but always rewards them with a well-earned happy ending.
A native of The Land (Cleveland, Ohio), Reese resides in North Carolina, where she carefully treads the line between being a Southerner and a Yankee, despite her insistence on calling soda “pop.” She gauges her progress by the number of “bless your lil’ hearts” she receives each week. She is currently down to two.
Reese is an avid reader with a to-be-read stack that resembles a small skyscraper, and a music lover with a serious thing for brilliant singer/songwriters and an incurable addiction to Broadway soundtracks and film scores. Connect with Reese via Instagram, Facebook or reeseryan.com (http://www.reeseryan.com/).
Dedicated to self-sacrificing single mothers
like my mother and paternal grandmother.
And to devoted fathers like my husband.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to author Michele Summers for driving out to the boonies for an into-the-wee-hours brainstorming session for this story.
Thank you to my good friend and beta reader Lani Bennett for allowing me to bounce ideas off you for this story and others.
To Shannon Criss, Keyla Hernandez and the rest of the Kimani editorial team, thank you for providing insight and feedback that made the story stronger while also allowing me to remain true to my vision.
Contents
Cover (#u36377200-0f10-57bf-9902-676f2159d465)
Back Cover Text (#u75cb6788-719d-5338-8713-7a1b9e01fcd0)
Introduction (#uc9402444-9ccd-5289-95c3-2cf66a328731)
Dear Reader (#u8974dfce-4e3e-53bb-bf40-62dda0bc9960)
Title Page (#u5c41ede5-3a35-5740-a73a-bc084a18e62e)
About the Author (#u051d0b73-2b68-566a-b324-2761ae7a73d2)
Dedication (#u9fc163a9-73a5-5bd7-b467-15aa7858042d)
Chapter 1 (#uf59a9659-8e9b-516a-91b8-1380ae16fbde)
Chapter 2 (#ub2c267d7-ba33-5796-aa96-377630fa61c0)
Chapter 3 (#ue06c2436-8eb8-59de-b8ed-d4d2e8cee290)
Chapter 4 (#u750ab94a-3adc-50b6-b094-b1764c992ae7)
Chapter 5 (#uf0b96704-291b-5c23-9724-cbae6ffd8fe4)
Chapter 6 (#ua45ba711-69d1-51af-8443-c8c5b15aed02)
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)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u02b632ad-eecd-52c2-9177-94e46c892a32)
Nate Johnston entered the private dining room at his favorite seafood restaurant and froze, his expensive Italian loafers rooted to the floor.
The ghost of relationships past.
Kendra didn’t need to turn around for him to recognize the woman he’d once shared his bed with; the mother of his six-year-old son. He sensed her presence—like something warm wiggling beneath his skin—the instant he stepped into the room.
Nate was in the midst of the biggest crisis of his eight-year-long professional football career. Why would his brother invite him to dinner with the woman who shattered his heart seven years ago?
“Glad you’re here, Nate. Have a seat.” His brother Marcus indicated the seat next to Kendra.
Nate narrowed his gaze at his brother and took the seat beside him instead. “You asked me to meet you for dinner to discuss the situation.”
As if Kendra and every other sports network viewer hadn’t seen the grainy cell phone footage of him in a club, after a few drinks, ripping his teammates to shreds following the ass-whipping they’d endured at the hands of their division rivals. A devastating loss that put the brakes on the Memphis Marauders play-off run for the third year in a row.
The video had been edited to make him look like the villain. It didn’t include him detailing how his own mistakes—a dropped pass and a costly fumble—had contributed to the loss.
“That’s why she’s here.” Marcus’s response was terse. As Nate’s sports agent, Marcus’s job had become ten times harder since the tape hit the airwaves that morning.
“Hello, Nate.” Kendra’s apologetic smile indicated she knew something he didn’t.
Nate’s attention was drawn to her expressive face. How did she manage to get more beautiful every time he saw her?
Head full of short, dark curls. Sheen on high blast. Style on point. Body-hugging knit dress in his favorite color on her—Marauders blue. The color perfectly contrasted the expanse of smooth brown skin exposed by the neckline of her dress.
An uneasy feeling crawled up his spine. Nate turned to his brother. “What do you mean that’s why she’s here?”
“It means we’ve got a ton of damage control to do, in addition to negotiating your new contract with the Marauders and trying to renew your two biggest endorsement deals. I can’t handle everything alone. I’ve asked for Kendra’s assistance.”
Marcus had every right to be pissed, and Nate expected a little brotherly payback. But Marcus was a few cans short of a six-pack if he expected him to work with the woman who left him on one knee, ring in hand.
“What’s wrong with the PR firm we’ve been using?”
“They’re great when things are good, but we’re in crisis mode. We need someone tough who’ll get ahead of this thing and change the narrative out there about you.”
“And out of all the possibilities in the free world, you believe the woman who rejected my proposal is the best person for the job?” He slid his gaze to Kendra. Her cheeks glowed beneath her warm, dark skin.
A twinge of guilt settled in his gut. It was a low blow, but so was walking out on him when he asked her to marry him seven years ago. He’d convinced himself he was over it and her. Yet the rejection still stung, especially being relegated to a part-time father.
Nate’s father had tucked him and his six siblings into bed every night. Read them stories, taught them how to fish, fix their bikes and change the brakes on a car. He was still very much part of their lives. Nate had looked forward to being the kind of father who was present in his kids’ lives every day.
Kendra had destroyed his chance of being that kind of dad to Kai.
When she’d responded to his marriage proposal by walking out, she’d left a hole in his chest where his heart had once been. Discovering the pregnancy a few weeks later, then announcing she fully intended to raise the baby on her own, had ripped out his soul and left him in a tailspin.
He still couldn’t forgive her for reducing him to a baby daddy. For being the reason he didn’t get to tuck Kai into bed most nights. Now Marcus wanted to put his future in her hands?
Oh, hell naw.
“I know she’s the best person for the job.” Marcus’s expression was unwavering.
“I understand why you’re still upset.” Kendra’s eyes conveyed the apology he’d already heard too many times. “But this isn’t about our past. It’s about ensuring your future on your terms. I can help you do that because I’m damn good at what I do. But I don’t want to be here if you don’t want me here.”
“Good, then it’s settled. What’s for dinner?” Nate picked up his menu.
Marcus pushed the menu down. “Don’t be a smart-ass, Nate. More importantly, don’t let your ego get in the way of what’s best for your career and your bank account. You’ve dug a king-size hole for yourself, little brother. It’s my job to get you back on solid ground. I can do that, but I need Dray’s help.”
Nate narrowed his gaze at Marcus. Dray? Really? They were suddenly cozy enough that his brother was using the nickname he’d called her when they were together?
He turned his attention to Kendra. Her arms were folded, inadvertently pressing her breasts higher. His heartbeat quickened and his throat suddenly felt dry.
Focus, buddy, and not on those.
He gulped water from his glass, then cleared his throat. “I don’t doubt your ability, Kendra, but given our history, working together is ill-advised. Am I the only one who gets that?”
“It’s an awkward situation,” Kendra acknowledged with a soft sigh, “but you’re Kai’s father. We’ll always have a connection. Whether you believe it or not, Nate, I want what’s best for you. That hasn’t changed.”
Nate swallowed the lump in his throat. “Let’s not pretend this is a charitable arrangement. It’s your chance to make a name for yourself.”
