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Love by Design
Lisa Watson
Her design scheme didn't include him! Struggling interior designer Rosa Franco and her twin brother, Cy, are bent on transforming the timeworn Pelican Inn into the jewel of the California coast, even if it kills them. And it will kill Rosa if they fail. Their business, and her future, depend on winning the Great Escapes Magazine design contest that lured them back to the town where some of her best–and worst–memories were forged. Memories like those of Pike Matthews, the innkeeper's nephew, her high school heartthrob turned humiliator, now infiltrating himself into every aspect of the project. Is he purposely frustrating her efforts? Behind that killer smile is he carrying a grudge…or a torch?
He lost her once. Is this their second chance?
Transforming a vision for Belle Cove Resorts into reality is a breakout move that could take Dakota Carson’s image specialist company to the next level. But it means teaming up with the man who broke her heart. Soon enough, Dakota’s overwhelming desire for the gorgeous entrepreneur reawakens. But giving in to passion could cost her way too much.
Years ago, Logan Montague walked away from everything, including the woman he loved. Now CEO of his family’s international resort chain, he won’t risk losing Dakota another time. With his matchmaking aunt’s blessing, he and Dakota are united in business—and pleasure. And so Logan embarks on his scheme of seduction, sweeping Dakota away to an exotic Jamaican hideaway. With both their professional and personal futures on the line, can they learn to trust and love each other…again?
“What am I going to do with you?”
He held her face between his hands and gently kissed her. “I have some ideas.”
Logan kissed Dakota on her neck, letting his hands roam over her body. He moved around to stand behind her. His fingers poised over her dress zipper. “May I?”
She leaned into his touch. “Please do.”
Expecting to feel a little nervous, Dakota was not prepared for the rush of longing that infused her when he undid her dress. His hand slid inside the garment to touch her back and caress her skin with soft, circular strokes. After a few moments, he used both hands to ease her dress off her shoulders before kissing her right shoulder blade.
Dakota turned around and then wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him again before lowering her hands to his shirt and unbuttoning it. “My turn,” she said, easing the material away from his body.
Unable to help herself, her fingers fluttered across his chest. The muscles underneath were hard and firm. Next, her fingers moved to the buckle on his pants. Soon they were standing together in their underwear. Emboldened, Dakota reached around and unhooked her bra. She was completely nude before he had uttered a word.
“You’re the sexiest best friend I’ve ever had.”
She lay back on the bed, motioning for him to follow. “I feel the same way.”
Logan lay down beside her. He traced the lines of her body with his hands as though committing every curve to memory. When he was done with his exploration, he rested the palm of his hand on her heart.
LISA WATSON
is a native of Washington, D.C., and writes multicultural novels. Having her debut novel nominated for Best Contemporary Fiction inspired Lisa to continue creating engaging story lines and strong characters with universal appeal and a keen sense of humor. Lisa also loves traveling, so weaving beautiful destinations into the pages of her novels as lush backdrops or as the heritage of her characters is not uncommon.
Lisa’s first series for Harlequin Kimani Romance, The Match Broker series, introduced readers to matchmaking guru Norma Jean Anderson, aka The Love Broker. Her goal is to have her son, Adrian, and everyone in his immediate circle of friends happily married—period.
Lisa works at a technology consulting firm and is the copublicist for the RT Book Reviews annual RT Booklovers Conventions.
Married for eighteen years, with two teenagers and a Maltipoo, Brinkley, Lisa lives outside Raleigh, N.C., and is avidly working on her next series. Visit her website: www.lisawatson.com (http://www.lisawatson.com).
Love by Design
Lisa Watson
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Dear Reader (#ulink_9cdb28b1-d760-566a-af81-70eca8a4b6eb),
Can a first love be rekindled after years of silence? That’s what Dakota Carson has to decide when Logan Montague returns with a business proposition she can’t refuse. It’s an emotional time for Dakota—Logan was her best childhood friend and the only man she’s ever loved. When he left, she was devastated. His return wreaks havoc, and despite Dakota’s protestations of indifference, it’s an adjustment.
Logan’s never stopped loving Dakota. While familial obligations caused him to leave, it’s not the whole story.
I hope you enjoy this Mills & Boon Kimani Romance story. It’s my favorite in the series, and I know you’ll enjoy these characters as much as I do!
Be inspired…
Lisa
For Dalen… Your guidance is invaluable.
Thanks to Lisa Lanier. Your keen eye is so invaluable to me. You are a wonderful beta reader, and I’m so grateful for your flashes of inspiration!
To Pat Simmons, my literary partner-in-crime and a great storyteller. You excel at keeping me on deadline—and word count!
To Renee Bernard, the newest link in my armor and an amazing author. Thank you so much for all your sage advice and support. The stars definitely aligned the day we met! I’ll be eternally grateful that I took a “detour”!
My thanks to fellow author Michelle Lindo-Rice for making sure my characters’ Patois was irie!
To my FB Divas, Anita Tann, Jackie Roberts and LaVerne Aslam! You ladies are always excited and supportive, and I thank you!
Contents
Cover (#uca9f4490-0b5b-5b94-904a-846c8281de29)
Back Cover Text (#udb63ff0b-60e5-512e-9bbc-928df776718a)
Introduction (#ufc3cf3c8-a94f-532d-b37a-d063c17dffb1)
About the Author (#u9b85f24c-2f05-5e5b-953a-4c1b025254b6)
Title Page (#u42f95a9f-2e27-5da0-9816-fde8a4e6fb3f)
Dear Reader (#udcf9ffb9-c4bd-5887-a4e7-ce798a341e1b)
Dedication (#ucd174929-50c2-54f2-9916-353c79620cca)
Prologue (#u936ab3d2-bb89-5498-9658-cc67857ed658)
Chapter 1 (#u8ddd812e-0a85-5c37-939d-56980ca7b5ed)
Chapter 2 (#u3d7944e5-06c3-5c20-b271-51ad8b5dff14)
Chapter 3 (#ub7ec08d5-bce5-566c-8bc1-85fcbb6172b5)
Chapter 4 (#u01681294-ef37-57ce-9786-151c72d39ee4)
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)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue (#ulink_c9bc7a73-ad5b-52ee-9cf4-8db997491fce)
“I’m going to lose her.”
Logan Montague sat on the bench in Grant Park. His world had just been blown apart, and the shards that were once his hopes and dreams scattered to the four winds. He was leaving Chicago…immediately. The timing of his parents’ decree could not have been worse. He stared down at the grass beneath his feet, but all he saw was time running out. What he wanted least in the world, working in the family business, was going to be his entire future.
He sensed the urgency in his parents, and he wished he could just ignore it and go his own way, but he could not, nor would he shirk his responsibilities to his family. He just wished things had turned out differently.
One disaster at Montague International had his family scrambling to do damage control. His father was insistent that the news of one of their directors suspected of sabotage and trying to jump ship to the competition had to remain out of the public eye at all cost. They could tell no one about it for fear of scandal and plummeting stock prices. It was bad enough having to leave, but not being able to tell Dakota Carson the truth of the situation was unacceptable.
A light of potential that had once burned bright within his heart was just extinguished. As much as it would kill him to do so, he would not tell his best friend the truth about why he was leaving. He had been in love with her for a while, but had yet to make his feelings known. He always assumed he would have time. It had just run out.
“Hey.”
Logan looked up to see her smiling down at him.
“Hey.”
Dakota sat next to him on the park bench. “Sorry I’m late. You can’t believe the amount of time it took me to finish up the chores Granny set out for me. It’s like she knew I was in a rush to come see you and found a million reasons why I had to stay.” She laughed. “But I finished, and here I am.”
Logan nodded.
“So, what did you want to do this afternoon? A movie? A walk through the park? What about a trip to Navy Pier, or a boat ride?”
“I can’t,” he replied. “I won’t be able to stay as long as I’d hoped.”
“Oh, well, that’s okay,” Dakota replied, wrapping her arm around his. “I’m glad to see you, no matter what.”
Logan closed his eyes and sighed. “Koty, there’s something I have to tell you.”
She glanced up at him. “Okay. Shoot.”
“I have to go away…to New York…for the summer. I’m…I leave in a few days.”
She sat up and faced him. “What? New York? Well, that’s not too far away. We can still see each other, right?”
He glanced away. “My father wants me to learn the family business. That’s going to take up most of my time.”
She laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
Logan shook his head. “No, Koty. I have an internship at Montague. It’s an opportunity I can’t pass up. It’ll help me when I start working there after college.”
“But…I thought you didn’t want to work for the family business? You always said it wasn’t for you.”
“I know…but things change.”
“That’s a pretty big change, Logan. I don’t understand why you’re just now telling me. You’re practically gone tomorrow, and you spring this on me now?”
“I’m sorry. I just found out about it myself. It’s all arranged.”
The hurt in Dakota’s eyes caused Logan’s heart to tighten.
“Well, this sucks.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”
Tears fell in earnest now. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know, right?” She hugged him tightly. “I’m going to miss you, Logan—more than you know.”
He breathed in her scent. She was the most important person in his life. The turmoil he felt at saying goodbye was almost more than he could bear. No, this was wrong. He had to level with her. She deserved the truth, no matter what he promised.
“Dakota, there’s something you need to know. I—”
His cell phone chirped. Logan glanced down at the screen. It was a text message from his mother.
“I’m sorry, Koty, but I have to go.”
“Oh.” She stood up, her expression crestfallen.
“I’ll call you later.” He tried to muster a smile, but failed miserably. “Let me see you home.”
“No, I want to walk for a while. I just… I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon, Logan.”
