Zuri Day - Platinum Promises

Seduction in the lap of luxury…

Award-winning wines have helped Dexter Drake turn his family’s luxury resort and spa into the most successful vineyard in Southern California. Yet Dexter has another talent—his prowess with women. He is having too much fun to settle down…until he meets Faye Buckner, a guest at the vineyard’s hotel. Her act of kindness makes it impossible for him to get the beautiful doctor out of his mind.

Faye believes in making the world a better place, and has dedicated her career to saving lives. She plans to concentrate on her work. But she soon discovers that the breathtaking playboy isn’t just gorgeous—he is intelligent and compassionate, too. Should Faye remain focused solely on her career or listen to Dexter’s passionate promises…and her own heart?

“Thanks again,” Faye said, fumbling for her key card. “It was a very nice evening.”

“My pleasure,” Dexter said, his voice slightly husky as he gently removed the card from Faye’s hand, keeping his gaze locked with hers as he unlocked her door. He took a step, one that put his body within inches of hers; he was so close that she could feel his heat, imagine his “intention.”

“Okay, so, good night.” She averted her eyes and held out her hand. Please! Just give me my key card before I die!

But, no, that would have been too much like right. He had to place one hand on her shoulder and another on her chin, and turn her head ever so slightly. Then, he had to run his hand down her arm as he lowered his head and placed a kiss—soft and feathery—on her parted lips.

“Good night, Doctor,” he murmured.

“Good night.” She walked into the room, offered as best a smile as she could muster under the circumstances—keeping her knees from buckling and her heart from beating out her chest—and closed the door.

Inside the room, silence enveloped her. That…and abject loneliness unlike any she’d ever felt. She leaned against the door, took several calming breaths and asked herself the million-dollar question. What. Just. Happened?

ZURI DAY

snuck her first Harlequin romance at the age of twelve from her older sister’s off-limits collection and was hooked from page one. Knights in shining armor and happily-ever-afters filled her teen years and spurred a lifelong love of reading. That she now creates these stories as a full-time, award-winning author is a dream come true! Splitting her time between the stunning Caribbean islands and Southern California, she’s always busy writing her next novel. Zuri makes time to connect with readers and meet with book clubs. She’d love to hear from you, and personally answers every email that’s sent to Zuri@ZuriDay.com.

Platinum Promises

Zuri Day

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Dear Reader,

Platinum is one of the rarest elements on earth: exceptionally resistant and highly valuable. I believe the same can be said about the love between Dexter and Faye. Like platinum, he is lustrous—polished, dazzling—while her malleability during years spent doctoring in third-world countries has served her well. The rarity is in these two opposites attracting; the resiliency and value is a sustainable relationship formed on common ground.

Faye returns to the States from Port au Prince, Haiti, the capital city of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2010. She reminds us that all these years later, much restorative work is still desperately needed. There are several charitable organizations through which we can pitch in and help, either by offering our time and services, as Faye did, or by making monetary contributions, Dexter-style.

Either way, for both this couple and for Haiti, love wins!

Zuri Day

In love, a promise is a beautiful token

When heartfelt words are lovingly spoken

And there’s magic when a partner makes a platinum vow

So amazing that the only response is…wow!

Thanks to Glenda Howard and Harlequin’s “Team Zuri”—especially Mr. IT (wink)—for being wonderful and fabulous. Because you are…I am!

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 1

Practical, no-nonsense Dr. Faye Buckner lay in uncharted waters—literally and figuratively—feeling wanton, wicked and strangely...free. The water swirled around her body as her lover’s tongue traced circles against her heartbeat, causing flutters from her stomach to her heat. Ah, yes. The beautiful beaches of Haiti. But how did I get here with him?

“Relax.” Her lover’s voice was as soothing as the water and as warm as a summer breeze.

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. I’ll help you.” He laid a trail of kisses down her neck, over her collarbone and on her shoulder, all the while brushing feathery fingers up and down her arm. Goosebumps appeared on the upper part of her body. A furnace of passion exploded within. He captured a nipple with his teeth, pulled it inside his mouth. Not wanting to appear rude or neglectful, he slid his hand to her other nipple, pebbling it between his thumb and forefinger before moving his hand down farther...to her navel, hip and inner thigh.

A foreign feeling of losing control caused her to squeeze her legs together.

Her lover raised up on one elbow as his finger slid up and down the crease caused by her tightly clenched thighs. She closed her eyes.

“Don’t be shy,” he said with a chuckle. “Trust me.”

He leaned over and placed a soft, reverent kiss just below her navel.

Her breath came fast, and her heart beat faster.

He eased back up to her breast. Feathery kisses rained down on her dewy, soft skin, a trail of tantalizing sensations across the fleshy plains of her softness, her boyishly lean frame a perfect canvas for his oral artistry. He reached the thighs, which were still pressed against each other. He lowered himself farther, kissing, rubbing and licking the line that served as the gateway to her desire.

“Let go.”

She moaned, shaking her head from side to side. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t! But why not? She had no answer to that question. Her mind was muddled, logic elusive. How can this be happening? But it was. She could feel it, could feel him, everywhere.

“Don’t think, baby. Just feel. Give yourself to me.” His tongue stiffened, became more insistent even as he eased his hands underneath her booty, licking a wedge between her armor, causing her thighs to part of their own volition. The act was unexpected, the air against her love button a delicious friction. How is the wind blowing there? She dared open one eye and look downward. His bow-shaped lips were parted; it was he who fanned her flame. There, in the most intimate of places. Hot breath touched her feminine furnace as he spread her legs and then kissed her inner thighs. Before she could ponder the deliciousness of the way his skillful tongue felt against her sensitive skin, he moved on to an even more sensitive spot and kissed it. She gasped, taking in a mouthful of air, releasing a lifetime of inhibitions. Without waiting for instruction or permission, her hips began a circular dance, lifting up to meet his tongue. Again, her rational self tried to intervene, tried to argue that such gyrations were inappropriate, lewd, nasty.