Jacquelin Thomas - Return To Me

For the love of family...

The DuGrandpres of Charleston

Austin DuGrandpre never had a relationship with his father. Determined that his son—put up for adoption without his knowledge—won’t suffer the same fate, he tracks the young boy to Charleston...and to the home of his sister’s beautiful best friend Bree Collins. The all-consuming attraction is unexpected, but when Bree learns Austin’s true motives she faces potential heartbreak and difficult decisions.

JACQUELIN THOMAS is an award-winning, bestselling author with more than fifty-five books in print. When not writing, she is busy catching up on her reading, attending sporting events and spoiling her grandchildren. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

Also By Jacquelin Thomas

Five Star Attraction

Five Star Temptation

Legal Attraction

Five Star Romance

Five Star Seduction

Styles of Seduction

Wrangling Wes

Five Star Desire

Forever My Baby

Only for You

Return to Me

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Return to Me

Jacquelin Thomas

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08479-6

RETURN TO ME

© 2018 Jacquelin Thomas

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“Bree?”

She gasped at the sound of her name and turned from the window.

Austin stood naked except for his pajama pants, which rode low on his hips, looking sexier than he had earlier that night.

“Yes?”

“Why aren’t you in bed?”

His masculine scent reached out to Bree, sending her entire body into a heated tailspin.

“I thought you were sleeping,” she said, trying to stay in control.

A slow smile touched his lips and her body tingled in response.

The erratic pounding in her chest returned.

Had it truly ever left?

“I couldn’t sleep.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “You should probably try to get some rest. We have an early flight in the morning.”

Bree glanced down at her empty cup and came up with the perfect excuse to leave the living room. “I’ve finished my tea. Maybe sleep will come now.”

When she walked past him, Austin reached out, taking the cup from her hand and placing it on the end table before wrapping a strong arm around her waist and pulling her to him.

His head lowered to hers.

Dear Reader,

For unmarried biological fathers, having the right to consent or object to the adoption of one’s child is a huge issue. Imagine not knowing about that child until after the fact. In Return to Me, Austin DuGrandpre moves to Charleston for two reasons: to build a relationship with his father and to find his son.

My inspiration for this story was born out of an article I read about fathers in certain states having to prove paternity if they are not married to the mother.

I hope you will enjoy reading Austin and Bree’s story in the third installment of The DuGrandpres of Charleston.

I love hearing from my readers, so please visit me on the following:

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/jacquelinthomas

Web: www.jacquelin-thomas.com

Email: jacquelinthomas@gmail.com

Blessings to you,

Jacquelin Thomas

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Prologue

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

Extract

About the Publisher

Prologue

“I wish I’d never met you,” she muttered as she ripped clothes from hangers, tossing them into a tattered suitcase.

“Jasmine, I’m sorry you feel that way,” Austin DuGrandpre responded. “The truth is that we’re toxic together, so it’s best to end things now.”

A cold, congested expression settled on her face as she hurled a string of profanity back at him.

Jasmine was leaving town with her best friend, and Austin thought it was a good idea. They needed some separation. They had dated for two years and the relationship was tumultuous at best. For the past month, Jasmine had been pressuring Austin for a marriage proposal. When nothing came of it, she decided to give him an ultimatum—marry her or she would leave town and find a new man.

Austin chose the latter. Jasmine was free to start over with someone new. Perhaps she’d be much happier.

Her mouth took on an unpleasant twist as she shot daggers toward him with her eyes. “I can’t believe I wasted all this time with you. I should’ve known better than to get involved with someone like you...”

Austin opened his mouth to utter a retort, but remained silent. He would not allow himself to be baited into another argument with Jasmine.

“Did you ever love me?”

“That wasn’t the problem.”