Zuri Day - Decadent Desire

The reunion they’ve been dreaming of

The youngest heir to a legendary Northern California dynasty is back in the family fold, gearing up to open his own therapy practice. Life’s perfect—except for the miles that separate psychologist Julian Drake from his longtime love Nicki Long. So when the Broadway dancer makes a visit to their idyllic town, Julian is beyond thrilled. Desire reignites as he and Nicki reaffirm their commitment, ready more than ever for their happy ending.

Relocating to New York was the toughest decision of Nicki’s life—even if it meant realizing a childhood dream. Now she’s finally reunited with the man she loves, but there’s trouble in Paradise Cove. The danger that has followed Nicki west threatens everyone she cherishes most, including the seemingly untouchable Drake clan. With Julian’s career—and her own life—at risk, Nicki’s up against a deadly adversary that could end her future with the Drake of her dreams...

A half hour later, Nicki and Julian returned to their suite. Tired yet exhilarated after the whirlwind day, she hopped over to the bed and fell back on it.

“Julian!”

“Yes, baby.”

“Get over here.”

He walked over and sat on the bed, reached down and untied his shoes before crawling on the bed beside her. “Yes, my love.”

“Have I told you lately that I love you?”

“I don’t remember hearing that lately, no.”

“Well, I do. You are amazing. I don’t know how you pulled this trip together so quickly, but I can’t thank you enough. I’ve never had an experience like this in my entire life. You made me feel like a princess in a fairy tale.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled his lips toward hers. “Thank you.” The first kiss was light, wispy, cushy lips brushing against each other like a whispered promise.

Dear Reader,

This letter is bittersweet, as it’s for the last story in the Drakes of California series. As you’ve gotten to know them, you’ve gotten to know me better, as well. Many of the career choices, locations and story lines were inspired by experiences in my life. Living in Temecula sparked my love for wine country and the southern Drakes’ vineyard and spa. Having grandparents who lived on a large farm in the South made it easy for me to hear the elder Drake voices and convey their love for the land. Griff, the old codger and horse lover in Solid Gold Seduction, was patterned after my grandfather, my dear Papa Nash. All of those years spent visiting him and my grandmother Amanda—whom he affectionately called “Pot’na,” his partner for life—gave me an appreciation for country living.

I equally love bright lights, big city and New York is one of my favorites. Like London, I dabbled in the world of fashion. Like Nicki, I once had my sights set on Broadway. Like the women in this series, I dreamed of life with a man who embodied the kinds of qualities that make the Drake men so desirable. It is fitting that while bringing you Julian’s story, my dream came true. Life imitated art. I got my real-life hero and am headed for my own happily-ever-after. In a sense, it all feels like Divine Order. I couldn’t have written a better ending.

Zuri Day

Decadent Desire

Zuri Day

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ZURI DAY is the national bestselling author of almost two dozen novels, including the popular Drakes of California series. Her books have earned her a coveted Publishers Weekly starred review and a Top Ten Pick out of all the romances featured in PW Spring 2014. Day is a winner of EMMA and AALAS (African American Literary Awards Show) Best Romance Awards, among others, and a multiple RT Book Reviews Best Multicultural Fiction finalist. Drakes of California book six, Crystal Caress, was voted Book of the Year and garnered her yet another EMMA Award in 2016. Her work has been featured in several national publications including RT Book Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Sheen, Juicy and USA TODAY. She loves interacting with her fans, the DayDreamers, and when she sees them in person gives out free hugs! Contact her and find out more at zuriday.com.

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For Gabriel Ken Robinson, my real-life hero.

Acknowledgments

I am blessed to work with Glenda Howard, who has made bringing the Drakes of California to life a total joy. Love you! The ever-supportive, classy Shannon Criss. You rock! Keyla Hernandez, amid a slew of story lines and schedules, you help keep me organized. Thanks bunches! The devil is in the details and copy editors edit the hell out of a manuscript. LOL. Thanks for being great at what you do. To the Kimani family, especially Nicki Night, Sheryl Lister, Wayne Jordan, A.C. Arthur, Deborah Mello, Cheris Hodges, Patricia Sargeant, Sherelle Green and Martha Kennerson. Y’all make my heart happy. Write on! To the romance queens, the BJs: Brenda Jackson and Beverly Jenkins. Thank you...for everything. To the DayDreamers, my wonderful readers, who have grown to love the Drake family as much as I do. I’ll love you forever and appreciate your support. Remember...don’t quit your daydream!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Anyone passing by Walter and Claire Drake’s vast farm property in the Louisiana countryside just east of New Orleans would have thought a public festival was in full swing. Or maybe that a mini carnival had been set up for the Fourth of July holiday. A few excited would-be patrons had, in fact, been turned away from the private event by security manning the gated entrance.

Only those related to or invited by a Drake family member could attend the family’s twenty-fifth biennial reunion, where descendants of former slaves and the owners who held them came together to honor their shared heritage and the enduring legacy of friendship between the slave Nicodemus Drake and his owner, Pierre. The story that forever bonded them had been passed down for generations.

The two men had grown up together, more like brothers than anything else. While making the journey to relocate from New Orleans to California, Pierre had fallen ill. Nicodemus’s knowledge of herbal remedies and holistic healing had saved his life. Pierre was forever indebted to Nicodemus. In his will, Pierre deeded over to his lifelong friend more than a hundred acres of pristine land in tony Temecula, California—Southern California’s wine country. He’d also stipulated that upon his death, Nicodemus and his immediate family would be given their freedom. This indeed occurred, and while the families dispersed across the United States—including Nicodemus’s son who settled in Northern California—the ties that bound them, black and white alike, remained strong. In 1967, amid social unrest and war protests, Walter’s grandparents had joined with Pierre’s side of the family and held the first Drake reunion. Fifty years later, they still reunited every two years—bigger and stronger than ever.