Joanne Rock - The Magnate's Marriage Merger

The matchmaker meets her match...in one very persistent tycoon!

Secretive matchmaker to the rich and famous, Lydia Whitney prefers to stay behind the scenes. But after one mistake, rich resort developer Ian McNeill is hot on her trail, and he’s more attractive—and persistent—than ever before.

Ian can’t believe it when he figures out who’s messing with his family: a woman who has deceived—and seduced—him before. What’s her agenda? And why can’t he resist her? He’ll get the answers to all his questions, if Lydia agrees to his convenient marriage proposal. But once she’s in his arms again, will he let her go?

The Magnate’s Marriage Merger is part of The McNeill Magnates trilogy.

“I get to kiss you on two occasions.”

Kisses. Just kisses. But when had they ever been able to stop at just kisses?

She should protest. End this now.

Instead, Lydia breathed in the feel of having Ian this close to her. So close she caught a hint of his sandalwood aftershave that had occasionally clung to her skin after a night in his bed.

“When would those kisses happen?” Her eyes tracked his. “On what occasions?”

“Once on our wedding day. And once to seal the deal.”

“As in...now?” She would not lick her lips even though her mouth went chalk-dry at the thought.

“Right now.” His hand found the center of her back, his palm an electric warmth through the mesh fabric of her cover-up. “Do we have a deal, Lydia? One year together and I’ll honor all of your terms.”

Bad idea. Bad idea . Her brain chanted it as if to urge the words out of her mouth.

She nodded her assent.

* * *

The Magnate’s Marriage Mergeris part of the McNeill Magnates trilogy: Those McNeill men just have a way with women.

The Magnate’s Marriage Merger

Joanne Rock

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Four-time RITA® Award nominee JOANNE ROCKhas penned over seventy stories for Mills & Boon. An optimist by nature and a perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly—love is worth fighting for. A former Golden Heart® Award recipient, she has won numerous awards for her stories. Learn more about Joanne’s imaginative Muse by visiting her website, www.joannerock.com, or following @joannerock6on Twitter.

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For Heather Kerzner, who inspires everyone she knows. I miss seeing you in person, my friend, but I smile to think of all the people you meet who benefit from having you in their lives. Thank you for being a bright light!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The matchmaker meets her match...in one very persistent tycoon! Secretive matchmaker to the rich and famous, Lydia Whitney prefers to stay behind the scenes. But after one mistake, rich resort developer Ian McNeill is hot on her trail, and he’s more attractive—and persistent—than ever before. Ian can’t believe it when he figures out who’s messing with his family: a woman who has deceived—and seduced—him before. What’s her agenda? And why can’t he resist her? He’ll get the answers to all his questions, if Lydia agrees to his convenient marriage proposal. But once she’s in his arms again, will he let her go? The Magnate’s Marriage Merger is part of The McNeill Magnates trilogy.

Introduction “I get to kiss you on two occasions.” Kisses. Just kisses. But when had they ever been able to stop at just kisses? She should protest. End this now. Instead, Lydia breathed in the feel of having Ian this close to her. So close she caught a hint of his sandalwood aftershave that had occasionally clung to her skin after a night in his bed. “When would those kisses happen?” Her eyes tracked his. “On what occasions?” “Once on our wedding day. And once to seal the deal.” “As in...now?” She would not lick her lips even though her mouth went chalk-dry at the thought. “Right now.” His hand found the center of her back, his palm an electric warmth through the mesh fabric of her cover-up. “Do we have a deal, Lydia? One year together and I’ll honor all of your terms.” Bad idea. Bad idea . Her brain chanted it as if to urge the words out of her mouth. She nodded her assent. * * * The Magnate’s Marriage Merger is part of the McNeill Magnates trilogy: Those McNeill men just have a way with women.

Title Page The Magnate’s Marriage Merger Joanne Rock www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Four-time RITA® Award nominee JOANNE ROCK has penned over seventy stories for Mills & Boon. An optimist by nature and a perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly—love is worth fighting for. A former Golden Heart® Award recipient, she has won numerous awards for her stories. Learn more about Joanne’s imaginative Muse by visiting her website, www.joannerock.com , or following @joannerock6 on Twitter.

Dedication For Heather Kerzner, who inspires everyone she knows. I miss seeing you in person, my friend, but I smile to think of all the people you meet who benefit from having you in their lives. Thank you for being a bright light!

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Thirteen

Extract

Copyright

One

“You found her?” Ensconced in his office at the McNeill Resorts headquarters in New York’s Financial District, Ian McNeill glanced up from the file folder on his desk at the private investigator standing before him.

Ian had been back stateside for less than twenty-four hours when he’d gotten the message that the PI he’d hired two months ago had news for him. Ian’s older brother, Quinn, had asked for his help to locate an anonymous Manhattan matchmaker who’d tried to pair their younger brother, Cameron, with a renowned ballerina. While that sounded harmless enough on the surface, the potential “bride” had had no knowledge she was supposed to meet Cameron, and it had caused a public scandal.

Bad enough in itself.

Except then the next day, the matchmaker responsible had closed up shop. Ian discovered within the week that the woman had been using a fake name and an assistant as a front to do most of her work. But despite a few leads, he hadn’t had any luck finding the woman.

Until now.

“That’s her.” The investigator, Bentley, pointed to the closed file folder on Ian’s desk. The guy was a former college roommate and someone he trusted. Bentley’s specialty was digital forensics, but he took the occasional job outside the office if the case was interesting enough or, as in Ian’s case, if the work was for a friend. With his clean-shaven face, wire-rimmed glasses and a faded pair of camo pants, Bentley looked more like a teenage gamer geek than a successful entrepreneur. “It’s no wonder she used an alias for her matchmaking business. She’s certainly well-known in Manhattan by her real name.”