Carole Mortimer - The Redemption of Darius Sterne

‘Have dinner with me tomorrow night,’ Darius prompted abruptly as he turned to place a restraining hand on her arm before they could reach the table where her sister and brother-in-law were waiting for her.

‘I—What—? No!’ Miranda looked totally flustered by the invitation.

‘Why on earth not?’ He scowled darkly.

She gave an impatient shake of her head. ‘As I said, I’m grateful to you for inviting us up to your club, and—and everything else. It’s made my birthday even more special. I just—This—You and me—It isn’t going anywhere.’

‘I only invited you out to dinner, Miranda, not to become the mother of my children,’ he pointed out dryly.

The colour deepened in her cheeks. ‘And when was the last time you invited a woman out to dinner without the expectation of taking her to bed at the end of the evening?’ Her pointed chin rose challengingly as she looked up at him.

‘And what makes you so sure that isn’t going to happen?’ he purred.

Miranda wasn’t sure of anything in regard to her undeniable and unexpected attraction to this man—that was the problem!

Twin billionaire brothers—one dark and brooding, one blond and charming—which would you choose?

Billionaire brothers Darius and Xander Sterne have it all—power, wealth, and the world at their beck and call. Never challenged, always triumphant— nothing is unattainable when you own the world, and they’ve enjoyed every indulgence their affluent status affords.

Until now.

Because these twin tycoons are about to learn that there are some things money and power can’t buy … And that the greatest challenges net the most satisfying rewards.

Find out what happens in:

THE REDEMPTION OF DARIUS STERNE February 2015

THE TAMING OF XANDER STERNE March 2015

The Redemption

of Darius Sterne

Carole Mortimer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CAROLE MORTIMER was born and lives in the UK. She is married to Peter and they have six sons. She has been writing for Mills & Boon ®since 1978, and has written almost 200 books. She writes for the Modern Romance™ line, and also Regency romances for Mills & Boon ®Historical. Carole is a USA TODAY bestselling author, and in 2012 was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for her ‘outstanding contribution to literature’.

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For Peter, as always.

Contents

Cover

Excerpt The sexual tension between the two of them had been palpable downstairs in the restaurant earlier, and it was even deeper now that they had actually talked and then danced together. ‘Have dinner with me tomorrow night,’ Darius prompted abruptly as he turned to place a restraining hand on her arm before they could reach the table where her sister and brother-in-law were waiting for her. ‘I—What—? No!’ Miranda looked totally flustered by the invitation. ‘Why on earth not?’ He scowled darkly. She gave an impatient shake of her head. ‘As I said, I’m grateful to you for inviting us up to your club, and—and everything else. It’s made my birthday even more special. I just—This—You and me—It isn’t going anywhere.’ ‘I only invited you out to dinner, Miranda, not to become the mother of my children,’ he pointed out dryly. The colour deepened in her cheeks. ‘And when was the last time you invited a woman out to dinner without the expectation of taking her to bed at the end of the evening?’ Her pointed chin rose challengingly as she looked up at him. ‘And what makes you so sure that isn’t going to happen?’ he purred. Miranda wasn’t sure of anything in regard to her undeniable and unexpected attraction to this man—that was the problem!

The Twin Tycoons THE TWIN TYCOONS Twin billionaire brothers—one dark and brooding, one blond and charming—which would you choose? Billionaire brothers Darius and Xander Sterne have it all—power, wealth, and the world at their beck and call. Never challenged, always triumphant— nothing is unattainable when you own the world, and they’ve enjoyed every indulgence their affluent status affords. Until now. Because these twin tycoons are about to learn that there are some things money and power can’t buy … And that the greatest challenges net the most satisfying rewards. Find out what happens in: THE REDEMPTION OF DARIUS STERNE February 2015 THE TAMING OF XANDER STERNE March 2015

Title Page The Redemption of Darius Sterne Carole Mortimer www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CAROLE MORTIMER was born and lives in the UK. She is married to Peter and they have six sons. She has been writing for Mills & Boon ® since 1978, and has written almost 200 books. She writes for the Modern Romance™ line, and also Regency romances for Mills & Boon ® Historical. Carole is a USA TODAY bestselling author, and in 2012 was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for her ‘outstanding contribution to literature’.

Dedication For Peter, as always.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

‘WHO IS THAT?’ Andy exclaimed as she glanced towards the doorway of the exclusive restaurant and bar, Midas, in which she was currently celebrating with her sister and brother-in-law.

Her glass of champagne raised halfway to her lips, Andy openly stared across the elegant restaurant at the man standing just inside the doorway. Tall and grimly unsmiling, he removed his dark outer coat, before handing it off to the waiting maître d’ .

Andy estimated him to be in his early to mid-thirties, and he was so dark and arrestingly handsome that Andy couldn’t have looked away if her life had depended on it.

Everything about the man was dark, she noted as she continued to watch him.

The elegant black suit and the shirt and tie he wore under it, the perfect tailoring emphasising rather than hiding the muscled perfection of his well over six feet height.

His tousled hair gleamed the colour of dark mahogany under the light of the overhead crystal chandeliers.

His complexion was olive.

As for his expression...

The longer she stared at him, the more Andy realised that grim didn’t even begin to describe the look on that hard and chiselled face. He had a high, intelligent forehead, glowering dark brows over narrowed eyes, blades for cheekbones, a sculptured and firmly unsmiling mouth, his jaw square and arrogant.

Overall the combined effect was best described as electrifying.

There really was no other word that quite described the man as he now glanced disinterestedly about the elegant restaurant, while at the same time continuing his conversation with the man accompanying him. A piercing glance, which now moved over and past Andy, and then slowly moved back again, before stopping.