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Hollington Homecoming, Volume Two: Passion Overtime
Pamela Yaye
Adrianne Byrd
TENDER TO HIS TOUCHHollington Homecoming Queen Beverly Turner is pulling out all the stops for her ten-year reunion. The trendy designer's first order of business is to let loose and have some fun. And her wish just might come true when she meets Lucius Gray. The hunky, high-powered Atlanta attorney is looking for the same thing she is: a sexy fling with no strings.Lucius needs a time-out from his workaholic life, and the chic, sensual designer more than fits the bill. Like Beverly, the single father has been burned by love. But Beverly is arousing feelings that are making him long to turn their sizzling affair into a lifetime of passion. If she'll let him, he'll give her the happy ending she deserves and prove to this unforgettable woman that there is life–and love–after college….PASSION OVERTIMEWith the homecoming festivities heating up, the last thing Kyra Dixon needs is an unwelcome blast from the past. But the PR rep has been given the plum job of helping sign hunky pro-football star Terrence Franklin as Hollington's new head coach.Kyra knows the sexy sports star…intimately. They were once engaged–until Terrence dumped her to chase dreams of glory (and groupies). Now he's back in her life–as irresistible as ever. And Kyra and Terrence have some unfinished business: the passion that's raging hotter than ever between them.After ten years of playing the field, Terrence is finally ready to settle down. Only one woman fits his fantasies of domestic bliss, but Kyra may not be ready to forgive and forget. All Terrence wants is a second chance to convince Kyra that as long as they're together, neither of them will ever lose.
Ten years. Eight grads. One weekend. The homecoming of a lifetime.
Enjoy the concluding stories in the Hollington Homecoming series, where old friends reunite…and new passions take flight….
PASSION OVERTIME, Pamela Yaye
The last thing Kyra Dixon needs is an unwelcomed blast from the past. But the PR rep has been given the job of helping sign sexy pro-football star Terrence Franklin as Hollington’s new head coach. Kyra knows Terrence…intimately. They were once engaged—until he dumped her to chase dreams. Now he’s back in her life and as irresistible as ever.
Terrence is finally ready to settle down. Only one woman fits his fantasies of bliss, but Kyra may not be ready to forgive and forget. All Terrence wants is a second chance to convince Kyra that as long as they’re together, neither of them will ever lose.
TENDER TO HIS TOUCH, Adrianne Byrd
Beverly Turner is pulling out all the stops for her reunion. The trendy designer’s first order of business is to let loose and have some fun. And her wish just might come true when she meets Lucius Gray. The hunky, high-powered attorney is looking for the same thing she is: a sexy fling with no strings.
Lucius needs a time-out from his workaholic life, and the sensual designer more than fits the bill. Like Beverly, he has once been burned by love. If she’ll let him, he’ll give her the happy ending she deserves and prove to this unforgettable woman that there is life—and love—after college….
Hollington Homecoming
Volume Two
Essence Bestselling Author
Pamela Yaye
Adrianne Byrd
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
CONTENTS
PASSION OVERTIME (#udcfe8b27-3aa4-540b-aebd-6af1dabbdd37) by Pamela Yaye
TENDER TO HIS TOUCH (#litres_trial_promo) by Adrianne Byrd
Dear Reader,
We hope that your college years were filled with fond memories—football games with tailgating parties, studying all night and meeting your roommate for the first time. Aside from these remembrances, there might also be that one love that you left behind and wondered, what if…
This Hollington Homecoming collection presents four wonderful stories that take you on an exciting adventure back to homecoming weekend. You will be reminded of what it feels like to revisit your old stomping grounds and connect with friends and lovers. Your heart will beat with nostalgia as you read these sensual class-reunion tales and are swept off your feet by the power of passion.
In Pamela Yaye’s “Passion Overtime,” PR rep and event planner Kyra Dixon has been given the plum job of helping sign hunky pro-football star Terrence Franklin as Hollington’s new head coach. But Kyra and Terrence have some unfinished business. Essence bestselling author Adrianne Byrd’s “Tender to His Touch” introduces trendy designer Beverly Turner, who wants to let loose and have some fun at her reunion. And her wish just might come true when she meets Lucius Gray.
Enjoy this escape down memory lane with Hollington Homecoming, Volume Two, and look for Hollington Homecoming, Volume One, available now wherever books are sold.
Happy Reading,
Harlequin Kimani Arabesque
PASSION OVERTIME
Pamela Yaye
Acknowledgments
Jean-Claude Yaye: You are such an amazing person, and from the moment I met you, I knew you were the perfect man for me. One day soon, we’ll travel back to Korea and recreate our first date. Only this time, I won’t play hard to get! (ha ha)
Aysiah Yaye: Mommy loves you very much. You are the funniest, most interesting kid I know and I feel so blessed to be your mom.
To the best parents ever, Daniel and Gwendolyn Odidison: Writing this book made me reflect about my college years, and what stands out most are all the times we all sat around the kitchen table talking, laughing and just hanging out. I love you both with all my heart and live to make you proud in all that I do.
Bettey Odidison: You are my biggest supporter, my best friend and the perfect sister in every way. I love you and am counting down the days until our next girls-only vacation together.
Kenny Odidison: Bro, you never cease to amaze me. Not only an incredible man, you’re a loving, doting father. Kayla is truly blessed to have you as her dad. Love ya!
As always, I have to thank my agent, Sha-Shana Crichton, my critique group, my coworkers, and all my friends and family around the world who support my work. I hope you know that I appreciate you all. Thanks for everything!
Contents
Chapter One (#u3b07158f-d52c-5cfe-b5b7-ee3819e3f32a)
Chapter Two (#u4e06b8ed-8096-5dfa-9b99-4d5c5ebf1228)
Chapter Three (#u25b0d3d3-014e-524d-8f31-76a1f2eb6920)
Chapter Four (#u2288da7f-f085-5c07-9937-2a1765b9fab6)
Chapter Five (#u6b156f2e-41d0-53c1-a118-a8f660180ba6)
Chapter Six (#ub9f9ad69-7188-5790-9883-e4f0ea40a358)
Chapter Seven (#uc49ffa63-5693-5049-869e-a39260a04aeb)
Chapter Eight (#u849926b3-8953-593a-a5b2-d0ea40429a5f)
Chapter Nine (#ucc1f3ab1-8db0-5dcf-b0b7-5c9f8c23bdf3)
Chapter Ten (#uf39b8ad1-00c0-5df5-9ac5-c13e9a5b7ca1)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1
“Terrence Franklin just pulled up in a yellow Ferrari sports car!”
Kyra Dixon jumped as if she’d been zapped with a stun gun. Blistering-hot coffee sloshed over her mug and splashed onto her slingback sandals. She felt a tightening in her chest at the mention of her ex-fiancé’s name and calmed her nerves with a deep breath. Masking her annoyance, she turned and smiled grudgingly at her boss. “Good morning, Mr. Morrow.”
“Can you believe it? He’s finally here. I glanced out my office window, and there he was signing autographs and posing for pictures by the fountain.” Straightening his tie, he studied his profile in the coffeepot, a wide, goofy expression on his face. When he swung back around, his smile had doubled in length. “I asked Nikki to show Terrence into the conference room,” he explained, nodding furiously. “I wanted us to have some time to go over our game plan.”
“Our game plan?” she repeated, frowning. “Walter, I think I can handle a washed-up, ex-football player. I’ve been the public relations director at Hollington College for almost seven years. I know what I’m doing.”
“Terrence Franklin is more than just an ex-football player. He’s a living legend!” Tugging on his olive-colored suspenders, Walter rocked on the balls of his feet with gusto. “This is the biggest moment of your career, Kyra. For me, too!”
His face was flush with excitement, and he was practically slobbering on his starched white shirt. “I think you’re worrying for nothing, Walter. Terrence Franklin isn’t the superstar athlete he once was. Getting him to sign on as head coach will be a piece of cake.”
“Kyra, Kyra, Kyra.” Shaking his head in disapproval, he wagged a finger at her, as if he were scolding a wayward child. “We don’t have much time, but I’m going to give you a crash course on professional sports. Try to keep up.”
Spare me, she thought, adding another sugar cube to her coffee. Raising the mug to her lips, she listened halfheartedly as her boss spoke in a loud but reverent tone about the National Football League. Football was America’s favorite pastime. People watched it, talked about it and die-hard fans gambled on its outcomes. And, a player with the right personality could bring millions in revenue to any given city. Gesticulating wildly with his hands, his breathing grew deep and labored, like a pregnant woman on the verge of giving birth.
“Not only is the kid good-looking, he has more charm than a Hollywood movie star!” His big, bold laugh was like a blast of a trumpet. “He’s a Heisman Trophy winner, an eight-time all-star and the only running back to be voted most valuable player two consecutive seasons. And he’s here, at Hollington College!”
Her legs trembled like a toddler on stilts, but she didn’t slide to the floor like she had the morning Walter called to say her ex-fiancé was interested in the head coaching position. Even though Kyra despised Terrence and everything he stood for, she had to admit that his stats were impressive. Since being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, he’d broken long-standing records, amazed fans with his heroic plays on the field and built a cult following.
In ten seasons, he’d become the most talked about, most admired and most electrifying pro athlete. And every time Kyra turned on the TV, he was hawking the next big thing. Terrence was the golden boy of the National Football League and the media couldn’t get enough of him. Terrence had gotten injured during a nationally televised playoff game, but his coach had assured fans that he’d make a speedy recovery. Then, in a move that shocked the entire sports world, he’d announced his retirement and walked away from it all.
“Terrence is a superstar, and—” he leaned heavily on the word “—a Hollington alum. He’s given thousands to charity, and even partnered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation a few years back. Exceptional athletic ability and womanizing aside, he’s a good man, and an excellent role model for kids and teens alike.”
Kyra snorted. Big friggin’ deal. Her boss might think the former NFL running back was the salt of the earth, but she knew the real Terrence Franklin. The arrogant, showboating Casanova who didn’t have a loyal bone in his body. The one who craved the spotlight and female attention. In his third season, his off-the-field antics had tarnished his squeaky-clean image and after a wild night at a Las Vegas club Super Bowl weekend, the media had dubbed him Flash. Terrence seemed to derive great pleasure from shocking people. But what did she care? He wasn’t her problem, but if he took the head coaching position, the cavorting and partying had to stop.
“Kyra, you don’t watch football, so you don’t get how truly gifted he is.”
If he only knew. Since the day Terrence had stepped onto the field as the newest running back for the Hollington Lions, she’d watched every single one of his games. And she’d been there, along with Terrence’s family, when he was presented with the coveted Heisman Trophy. But admitting to her boss that she’d once been engaged to Terrence would only complicate things. Walter was a fair, easygoing man, who trusted her, and she didn’t want to disappoint him.
The hours were long and the accolades few, but Kyra loved working at her alma mater. And she wasn’t going to let her feelings stand in the way of doing her job. Besides, her history with Terrence wasn’t the issue. Convincing him to sign on as head coach of a losing team was going to be challenging enough without their past getting in the way. Yes, keeping mum about their relationship was definitely the way to go.
“Terrence Franklin is the fastest man ever. Carl Lewis? Maurice Green? Those guys have nothing on him. And if he ever decides to come out of retirement, the NFL and its fans will be waiting.”
“You really think so?”
He nodded fervently. “Terrence is one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game. Right up there with Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and...”
She sipped her coffee. A season ticket holder of the Atlanta Falcons for years, Kyra, and her two younger brothers had braved traffic, freaky weather and long lines every Sunday afternoon to cheer on the home team. They were there when Terrence scored his first touchdown in a Dallas Cowboys uniform. Saw him twist and spin out of tackles and shoot into the end zone like a human cannonball. And hollered feverishly when he shattered another decade-old record.
Kyra’s mind returned to that chilly afternoon ten years ago at the Georgia Dome when the Cowboys were playing the Falcons. Over the deafening roar of the crowd, she’d actually heard the thunderous beat of her heart. After celebrating with his teammates, Terrence stopped in the middle of the field, and lifted his eyes to the rafters, as if taking everything in. He’d stared up at Section A, and for a panic-stricken moment, she’d feared he would see her. It was a ludicrous thought, of course. He didn’t have extraordinary vision, after all, just lightning-quick speed. But in that moment, it was as real as her raging, out-of-control heartbeat.
“I love this school,” Walter confessed, his eyes filled with pride, “but I’m tired of watching our guys get butchered out there on the field. Attendance is at an all-time low, players are arguing between plays and even the cheerleaders sound depressed.”
Kyra opened her mouth, but he spoke over her.
“It’s up to us to get Terrence here. Without him, the team doesn’t have a chance of winning their division. And building that new stadium would all be for naught.”
She waited patiently for him to run out of steam, but when she glimpsed the time on the clock, she decided to cut in. “We better get going,” she suggested, putting down her empty mug. “We don’t want to keep Wonder Boy waiting, now do we?”
* * *
Down the hall in a bright airy room off the main office, Terrence Franklin sent a text message to his financial adviser. Buying stocks in the auto industry sounded risky. Sure he had the money, but he hadn’t become a millionaire by making impetuous decisions. Maybe later, after his meeting with Kyra, he’d give it some more thought.
An image of Kyra, as he remembered her from their college days surfaced. Had it really been ten years since he’d seen her? It seemed like just yesterday they were walking through the halls of Hollington, hanging out in “the quad” with their friends and sharing their first explosive kiss.
He had been just another college student, juggling school, football and an active social life. Then he’d met Kyra. He knew from speaking to her sorority sister, Tamara Hodges, that she was a sheltered good girl, shielded from the temptations of the world by her minister parents. Before meeting the vibrant management student, he was a boozing, partying misfit who didn’t take his education or his future seriously. But after their first date, he realized he’d have to clean up his image if he wanted to be with a girl as special as Kyra Dixon.
Intent on having her, he’d quit drinking and stopped clubbing with the guys. A year later, he proposed. He’d been the one to break things off, but Terrence knew if it wasn’t for Kyra’s unwavering support, he never would have made it to the NFL.
Terrence turned away from his memories. He wasn’t going there. Not today. It was bad enough he’d had another dream about her. Since returning to Hollington he’d thought of nothing else but Kyra and the love they’d once shared.
Smiling ruefully, he shifted in his chair. Well, that’s a lie. She’d crossed his mind over the years, too. Times when he’d least expected it. The day he’d signed with the Cowboys. The afternoon he’d moved into his beach condo. And every time he smelled exotic fruit.
Footsteps pounded in the hallway. Then, the door swung open and a flabby, silver-haired man, who he guessed was Walter Morrow, burst into the room with more exuberance than Richard Simmons. Terrence stood, hand outstretched, game face on. He took a step forward, but his legs buckled like a folding chair.
Momentarily speechless, his gaze swept over the woman with the familiar scent. Walter welcomed him to Hollington, but Terrence didn’t respond. His eyes were glued to Kyra and the longer he stared, the harder it was to think. She had a fresh, modern look that was sexy but not overdone, and seeing her again after all these years made his heart race a hundred miles an hour. He was known to say, “You’ve seen one pretty face, you’ve seen ’em all!” But today, Terrence was prepared to eat crow. Kyra wasn’t the typical beautiful woman. She was infinitely more. More natural, more graceful, more sophisticated. There was a simplicity about her, something warm and compelling and, though it was hard to believe in this day and age, genteel.
“Terrence Franklin, the pleasure is all mine.”
He felt a sharp pop in his shoulder and snapped out of his daze. Mr. Morrow was pumping his hand so hard, his knuckles cracked.
“It’s good to be back at Hollington.” His decision to return to his alma mater had been twofold. He’d make some plans for the future and reconnect with Kyra. He’d never forgotten the sacrifices she’d made for him, and he was going to make things right with her if it killed him. Staring at her now, he said, “This school holds a lot of special memories for me.”
“That’s right. You rushed for ninety-three yards against the Wildcats in your first game!” Mr. Morrow’s face clouded with nostalgia. “I wasn’t president of Hollington back then, but I was in the bleachers that night. You were incredible and the energy in the stadium was electric!”
