Karen Booth - Pregnant By The Rival Ceo

Jacob suspected the game had changed the instant Anna walked into that bar.

She was no longer a naive coed. She was a powerful businesswoman—confident, cool, in control. Formidable for her business pedigree, she came from one of the most successful entrepreneurial families in history. Other men in the bar had taken notice, too. Her beauty only upped the intimidation factor, with thick brown hair falling around her shoulders, a dancer’s grace and posture, and lips that suggested sweetness and hinted of a storm.

Anna’s lips had fallen on his once—a few scorching heartbeats still emblazoned in his memory. The way she pressed against him had resonated to his core. She’d been so eager to surrender her body, so ready to explore his. Turning her down, saying he’d betray his brotherly friendship with Adam if things went further, had been the upstanding thing to do.

He’d been raised as a gentleman and no gentleman made a move on his best friend’s sister, however tempting she might be. Anna had been astoundingly tempting.

Did he want to meet with gorgeous Anna Langford? The prospect, although ill-advised, was intriguing.

Pregnant by the Rival CEO

Karen Booth

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KAREN BOOTH is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on ’80s music, Judy Blume and the films of John Hughes. She loves to write big-city love stories. When she takes a break from the art of romance, she’s teaching her kids about good music, honing her Southern cooking skills or sweet-talking her super-supportive husband into mixing up a cocktail. You can learn more about Karen at www.karenbooth.net.

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In memory of Holly Gilliatt, brilliant author and fabulous friend. You taught me the importance of embracing the good and the sheer power of defying the bad.

Contents

Cover

Introduction Jacob suspected the game had changed the instant Anna walked into that bar. She was no longer a naive coed. She was a powerful businesswoman—confident, cool, in control. Formidable for her business pedigree, she came from one of the most successful entrepreneurial families in history. Other men in the bar had taken notice, too. Her beauty only upped the intimidation factor, with thick brown hair falling around her shoulders, a dancer’s grace and posture, and lips that suggested sweetness and hinted of a storm. Anna’s lips had fallen on his once—a few scorching heartbeats still emblazoned in his memory. The way she pressed against him had resonated to his core. She’d been so eager to surrender her body, so ready to explore his. Turning her down, saying he’d betray his brotherly friendship with Adam if things went further, had been the upstanding thing to do. He’d been raised as a gentleman and no gentleman made a move on his best friend’s sister, however tempting she might be. Anna had been astoundingly tempting. Did he want to meet with gorgeous Anna Langford? The prospect, although ill-advised, was intriguing.

Title Page Pregnant by the Rival CEO Karen Booth www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author KAREN BOOTH is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on ’80s music, Judy Blume and the films of John Hughes. She loves to write big-city love stories. When she takes a break from the art of romance, she’s teaching her kids about good music, honing her Southern cooking skills or sweet-talking her super-supportive husband into mixing up a cocktail. You can learn more about Karen at www.karenbooth.net .

Dedication In memory of Holly Gilliatt, brilliant author and fabulous friend. You taught me the importance of embracing the good and the sheer power of defying the bad.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

One

“Strangle me? Isn’t that a little harsh?” Anna Langford gaped at her friend and coworker, Holly Louis.

The pair stood in the luxe lobby of The Miami Palm Hotel, just outside the bar. Anna was preparing to see her bold business plan to fruition. If only Holly could find it in her heart to say something encouraging.

“I’ve only been in a few meetings with your brother, but he’s going to hit the roof when he finds out you want to cut a deal with Jacob Lin.”

Anna glanced back over her shoulder. The bar was humming with people, all fellow attendees of the two-day Execu-Tech conference. As Senior Director of Technology Acquisitions for LangTel, the telecom her father had started before she was born, Anna had the job of scouting out the next big thing. Her brother Adam, current LangTel CEO, had been crystal clear—he expected to be dazzled.

The company had been floundering in the months since their father’s death, and Anna had a bead on a game-changing cellphone technology, only Adam didn’t know it. She was fairly sure that LangTel’s competitors hadn’t figured it out either. Unfortunately, getting to the next big thing meant going through Jacob Lin, and he absolutely hated her brother. Adam, without a doubt, despised him right back.

“That’s him, isn’t it?” Holly asked in a whisper, nodding in Jacob’s direction. “Damn. I’ve never seen him in person before. He’s fifty times hotter than in pictures.”

Tell me about it. Anna was well acquainted with Jacob Lin and his hotness. She’d been rebuffed by him and his hotness. Six years later and it still stung.

“Does he always have that aura?” Holly swirled her hand in the air. “The one that says he’s genetically superior to every man within a fifty-mile radius?”

Anna didn’t even need to look. “Yes, and he comes by it honestly. It’s not an act.”

“Wow.” Holly patted Anna’s shoulder. “Well, good luck. I’d say you’ll need it.”

“What?” Any confidence Anna had mustered was evaporating. “Do you really think it’s going to be that bad?”

“You’re a Langford. He hates your family. So, yes. I do think it’s going to be that bad.”

“Technically, I could order you to come with me. You’re a member of my team.”

Holly shook her head so fast it made her curly hair frizz. “My job description does not include suicide missions.”

Another wave of doubt hit Anna, but she did her best to brush it off. She had to do this. If she was ever going to convince her brother that it was okay to step aside and allow her to take over as CEO, just as he’d promised her before their father died, she had to make tough decisions and dangerous moves.

Holly wasn’t wrong, though. There was no telling how Jacob would react given his history with the Langford family. “I’m telling you right now, it’s going to be great.” Anna feigned conviction. “Jacob is a money guy and I can offer him a big pile of money. And once Adam sees how huge this could be for LangTel, he’ll get past the personal stuff, too. It’s business. Nothing else.”

“So what’s your plan to approach Mr. Hottie?”