Michelle Major - A Brevia Beginning

“I’d threaten you with a sexual harassment lawsuit but you flirt with everyone at the bar except me. Why is that?”

“You’re the one pressed up against me.” He shifted, somehow drawing her closer without pulling her to him. “Who’s doing the harassing?”

He was right, but she could sense that his need matched her own. In the quiet intimacy of her apartment, it made her bold enough to ask, “Does this feel like harassment, Scott?”

“This feels like heaven,” he whispered. “But I didn’t come here for this. I’m no good for you.”

“That’s the point. I’m looking for a wild adventure and developing a new fondness for things that aren’t good for me.”

He took her arms and lifted them around his neck. Her head tilted and he brushed his lips against hers. Finally. It felt like she’d been waiting for this kiss her entire life.

And it was worth it.

A Brevia Beginning

Michelle Major

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MICHELLE MAJORgrew up in Ohio, but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

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To my grandmother, Ruth Keller,

for believing in me and my writing

from the time I was a little girl. I love you, Gram.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Extract

Chapter One

The street was deserted in the early-morning hours. Sunlight slanted over the roofs of the brick buildings as Lexi Preston huddled on the front stoop of a dark storefront. She rested her head in her hands and watched the wind swirl a small pile of autumn leaves. The air held a chill, but it felt good after being stuck in her car for the last day and a half.

Almost six months had passed since she’d set foot in Brevia, North Carolina. She couldn’t imagine the reception she’d receive, but was desperate enough not to care. Her eyes drifted shut—just for a minute, she told herself—but she must have fallen asleep. When she blinked them open again it was to the bright sun shining and someone nudging a foot against hers. She scrambled to her feet, embarrassed to be caught so off guard.

“What the hell do you want?” Julia Callahan’s voice cut through the quiet.

Lexi backed away a few steps. Yes, she was desperate, but Julia had every reason to hate her. Still, she whispered, “I need your help. I have nowhere else to go.”

Julia’s delicate eyebrows rose. Lexi wished she had the ability to communicate so much without speaking. She could almost feel the anger radiating from the other woman. But Julia’s furrowed brow and pinched lips did nothing to detract from her beauty. She was thin, blonde and several inches taller than Lexi. The epitome of the Southern prom queen grown up. Lexi knew there was more to her than that. After all, she’d spent months researching every detail of Julia Callahan’s life.

“You tried to take my son away from me.” Julia shook her head. “Why would I have any inclination to help you?”

“I made sure you kept him in the end,” Lexi said, adjusting her round glasses. “Don’t forget I was the one who gave you the information that made the Johnsons rescind their custody suit.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Julia answered. “It doesn’t explain why you’re on the doorstep of my salon. Or what kind of help you need.”

Lexi crossed her arms over her chest as her stomach began to roll. She should have stopped for breakfast on the way into town. “They found out it was me,” she continued. “Dennis and Maria Johnson fired my father’s firm as their corporate attorneys. Several of their friends followed. We lost over half our business.”

Her voice faltered as memories of her father’s rage and disappointment assaulted her. She cleared her throat. “In response, my dad made a big show of humiliating me in front of the entire firm. Then he officially fired and practically disowned me.”

Lexi had worked for her father’s firm since she graduated from law school six years ago. Following in his footsteps, doing whatever he expected, had been her overriding goal in life. She still lived in the apartment he’d paid for since college. Her eviction notice had come two days ago.

She drew a steadying breath. “He said he regretted the day I’d come into his life. That I’m nothing more than...”

“Your father is an ass.” Julia’s clear assessment almost made Lexi smile.

“True,” she agreed, blinking against the sudden moisture in her eyes. “But he’s all I have. Or had.”

“What about other family?”

“I was adopted when I was six. I was in the foster-care system and barely remember my biological mother. My dad never married. He was an only child and my grandparents died years ago.”

“Friends?”

“I have work acquaintances, country-club cliques and clients. I’m not very good at making friends.”

“It’s probably hard to be a backstabbing, underhanded, slimy lawyer and a good friend at the same time.”

Although the words hurt, Lexi couldn’t help but hear the truth in them. “I guess.”

“Sheesh. That was a joke.” Julia stepped past her and turned a key in the front door. “Lighten up, Lex.”

Lexi followed her into the empty salon, the emotional roller coaster of the past week finally sending her off the rails. “Are you kidding?” she yelled. “I just told you that my life is destroyed because I saved you and your son. I have nothing. No job. No home. No friends. No family. And you want me to lighten up?”

Julia flipped on a bank of lights and turned. “Actually, I want you to tell me how I’m supposed to help. Other than playing the tiniest violin in the world in your honor. I appreciate what you did for me. But we both know you put me through hell trying to give custody of Charlie to my ex-boyfriend’s family. That doesn’t exactly make us long-lost besties.”

“I want a fresh start.”

“So make one.”

“It’s not that easy. As ridiculous as it sounds, I’m twenty-seven years old and my father has controlled every aspect of my life. Hell, he even handpicked a personal shopper to make sure I always projected the right image. The image he chose for me. Since the moment I came to live with him, I’ve wanted to make him happy, make him believe I was worthy of his love and the money he spent on me.”

She ran her hands through her hair and began to pace between the rows of styling chairs. “I’d never done anything without his approval until I gave you that file. I don’t regret it. You’re a great mother and I feel awful about my part in the custody suit.”