Zuri Day - Sapphire Attraction

Fire and ice...

Real estate mogul Ike Drake Jr. likes women the way he likes his cars—polished, sophisticated and reliable. Quinn Taylor, meanwhile, is as fiery and unpredictable as the red Corvette she drives. From the moment she roars into Paradise Cove, music blasting, they’re like oil and water. And when a judge rules that Quinn must work off the damages in Ike’s office after she broadsides his sedan, the tension between them escalates...before exploding into raw desire.

Quinn’s unconventional ways are ruffling feathers in this picturesque town. Yet there’s something compelling about the place—and about powerfully strong, steady Ike. Simple chemistry won’t be enough to bridge the gap between them, especially with a determined ex-girlfriend waiting in the wings. It’ll take the kind of trust that requires putting your heart on the line to secure a glittering, priceless future...

“What are you doing?” Quinn asked, the merest hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

Ike said nothing. His expression remained somber, his body taut, exuding power and raw masculinity. Suddenly she whirled around, heading for the door. A firm grasp of her arm stayed her progress. It wasn’t a move Ike had intended. Every move he made was measured and calculated, always controlled.

Yet less than five minutes alone with this fiery hellion and he was losing his cool. He began growing hotter not only under the collar, but in places farther down.

“Let go of my arm!”

He could feel her body shaking ever so slightly. Since her eyes were glaring daggers he assumed it was with rage. She surprised him by leaning forward, her lips precariously close to his. Dangerously close, even. “Let. Me. Go.”

Their eyes locked. The room faded away. Time seemed to stop, too. She blinked. He followed the movement of her long lashes, felt his heart skip a beat. An inch, maybe less, and he could satisfy his curiosity on whether or not her lips were as soft as they appeared, or tasted as sweet. Like cotton candy, he imagined. One inch and...

Dear Reader,

There’s something extra special about a person who succeeds against the odds. That’s why it will be easy to cheer for Quinn, the heroine in this book. In hindsight, she reminds me of my mom, who after five children and twenty years as a psychiatric aide, decided to finish her degree and realize her dream of becoming a nurse (interrupted by marriage and the unexpected arrival of my oldest brother). In her fifties and sixties, she received a master’s in social work and a BSN in nursing. She retired from mental health after thirty-five years, then spent another fifteen as a highly sought after and respected registered nurse.

The fact that she achieved her dreams showed me that I could, too. Hopefully this novel will inspire you. If Quinn can do it, you can do it.

One love...

Zuri

Sapphire Attraction

Zuri Day

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ZURI DAY sneaked her first Harlequin romance at the age of twelve from her older sister’s off-limits collection and was hooked from page one. Knights in shining armor and happily-ever-afters filled her teen years and spurred a lifelong love of reading. That she now creates these stories as a full-time, award-winning author is a dream come true! Splitting her time between the stunning Caribbean islands and Southern California, she’s always busy writing her next novel. Zuri makes time to connect with readers and meet with book clubs. Contact her via Facebook ( haveazuriday) or at zuri@zuriday.com.

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Sometimes, when we try to control our feelings,

We meet someone who sends our heart and mind reeling.

Life becomes dimmer, no true satisfaction,

Until we give in to the fire-hot attraction.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

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

Copyright

Chapter 1

The smooth sounds of classic jazz filled the four-door luxury sedan. Ike Drake Jr. had had a stressful weekend, and he appreciated the way Wes Montgomery’s fluid guitar licks poured over his soul like water, washing the frenzy away.

In his preteen years, Ike had temporarily eschewed the music his grandfather loved in favor of the pop and hip-hop stars who then provided the soundtrack of his life. That didn’t last long. By tenth grade, during summers spent on Walter Drake’s farm, he regained an appreciation for his elder’s favorite musicians: Miles, Ramsey, Dizzy, Charlie and Wes. He also shared Walter’s passion for fishing, golf and classic cars like the meticulously restored 1961 Ferrari Spider he now drove. His grandmother Claire had labeled him an old soul since childhood, and even way back then had affectionately called him Mr. Ike.

Ike tapped a beat on his steering wheel, focused on the music and tried to forget about why his jaws were tight and his muscles were in knots. Days of Paradise, an annual event celebrating the incorporation of Paradise Cove and held during Labor Day weekend, was always a hectic time. The Drakes were among the town’s founding families, along with one of the wealthiest and most well-known. Their company, Drake Realty Plus, had built and/or sold many of the homes and apartments in which citizens resided. Ike’s brother Niko was mayor of the city. The Drake family participation was high profile and taxing. In addition to serving as the grand marshal for this year’s parade, he was on the Days of Paradise board and had helped oversee a three-day carnival and annual charity ball. These extracurricular activities on top of being immersed in the closing of a deal costing more than a hundred million dollars brought enough anxiety to raise his blood pressure. No one would fault him for being stressed and on edge. But if he was honest with himself, he’d admit that all of these very important issues weren’t the real reason for his discomfort.

The real reason was a woman named Quinn.

She’d burst into his world on Saturday night at the fund-raiser ball. Like a tornado, she’d bowled over everyone in her path and left hearts and emotions strewn around the room. Ike’s were among them.

The soothing sound of Wes’s “Bumping on Sunset” gave way to the memories of Saturday night. Without realizing it, his relaxed shoulders tensed. He gripped the wheel.

* * *

“Who’s that?”

Ike and two of his brothers, Warren and Niko, stood near the main bar in the Paradise Cove Country Club’s ballroom. Their position afforded an unobstructed view of the room’s entrance, through which a sexy siren who had elicited Niko Drake’s question had just entered.

“I don’t know,” Warren responded, his eyes glued to the room’s sudden star attraction as he sipped a neat bourbon. “But I guarantee she won’t remain anonymous for long.”