Reese Ryan - Playing With Temptation

Encouraged, Kendra continued. “We were so young then, Nate. I handled my feelings poorly. But I’ve never been anything but supportive of your career, and I’ve proven that I’m willing to go to bat for you. Who was it that convinced those arena football teams to give you a shot? Who sent your arena highlight clips to pro teams until the Marauders invited you to try out?”

“You.” He rubbed his chin. “I owe my entire career to you.”

“Our relationship may have ended, but my support of your career hasn’t. No consultant will fight for your career harder than I will. Deep down, I think you know that.”

Nate kneaded the back of his neck. “Okay, fine.”

“Really?”

“Just until we secure my new contract.”

Her buzz was quickly doused—like a too-short candlewick. The muscles of her face strained to maintain her smile. “Of course.”

“We’ll make it a six-month contract. You’ll be well paid and Marcus will give you references, contacts...anything you need to rebrand your business. All right?”

“It’s a generous offer, thank you. I accept.”

* * *

“All right then.” Nate inhaled Kendra’s sweet scent: a gentle breeze wafting through a summer garden bursting with jasmine and gardenias. He pretended not to notice the disappointment on her face. It tugged at his heart and made him want to promise her the world just to see a genuine smile light those brown eyes. “I’ll call Marcus tonight and have him draw up the contract.”

“Great, I’ll have my lawyer review it and we can go from there.”

“How is your brother doing?” Nate sipped his beer, amused by how formally Kendra referred to her brother, Dashon, a contract law attorney.

Kendra shrugged. “He’s still Dash. Being himself and doing his own thing.”

“New York must be treating him well. I hear he rarely returns to Pleasure Cove.” Nate carved into his prime rib covered with a creamy mushroom and lobster sauce—one of Nadine’s specialties.

Kendra’s mouth twisted. He’d obviously touched a nerve. He wouldn’t pry further. They didn’t need to be best friends. Just have a personable working relationship. “He comes home about as often as Quincy.”

Touché. His globe-trotting younger brother was quickly making a name for himself as a photographer. His shadow rarely darkened the Johnston family’s doorstep.

Nate contemplated the quiet look of concern that furrowed Kendra’s brows. “Did I say something wrong?”

She stopped pushing the food around her plate and put down her fork. “No, but there’s something we need to address, so I’m just going to say it.”

He put down his utensils and sat back warily. “I’m listening.”

“What happened between us in Memphis—”

“Which time?” Nate couldn’t help the smirk that tightened his mouth when he remembered how an argument between them had descended into hot, angry sex on two different occasions.

“Both.” Kendra clearly wasn’t amused. Nor did she seem to have the same fond memories of those occasions. “That can’t happen again.”

“I was hoping it would be one of the amenities you’d throw into the deal.” He held back a grin as he drained the last of his beer.

She pointed one of her painted fingernails at him. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. If this is going to work, you have to take me seriously.”

“Oh, I took what we did very seriously.” He raised an eyebrow and resumed eating his meal.

She let out a frustrated sigh and settled back in her seat. “This is your career we’re talking about here, Nate. I need to maintain my focus, and I can’t stay focused on cleaning up your rep if I’m thinking about...” Her words trailed off and there was a deep flush in her cheeks beneath her smooth brown skin. She shook her head, as if trying to shake off the memories. “Neither of us can afford the distraction.”

“Agreed.” He adjusted in his chair, his own body reacting to the memories. Her scent. Her taste. The sound of her soft pleas. “Though it worries me that my media consultant can’t multitask.”

They dissolved into laughter, and for a moment, it felt like old times. It was the first time either of them seemed relaxed since he’d arrived.

Nate smiled, relishing the sound of her laughter. One of the countless details about her he missed. “Okay, Ms. Media Consultant, where do we begin?”

Chapter 3

“This sounds like a great opportunity.” Maya Alvarez, Kendra’s half sister, sipped her mocha latte as they sat at the breakfast bar in the gorgeous penthouse Maya shared with her fiancé, hotelier Liam Westbrook. “So why aren’t you excited about it?”

Kendra took a sip of the frothy peppermint mocha her sister made for her and let out an appreciative moan. “I am, but what if I’m jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire?”

“It’s a tricky situation. I certainly couldn’t work with the girls’ dad. Not for all the money in the world.” Maya placed a hand on Kendra’s in response to her fallen expression. “But it’s different with you and Nate.”

“How? Carlos walked out on you, just like I walked out on Nate. The only difference was you and Carlos were married.” Kendra drank more of her coffee. “He feels the same way you do. Honestly, I can’t blame him.”

“You’ve maintained an amicable relationship. Friendly enough that you two hooked up.” Maya peered over her coffee cup, her dark eyes dancing with amusement.

“Shut. Up.” Kendra pointed a finger at her giggling sister. “I shouldn’t have told you that. I still can’t believe it happened. Twice.”

“Are we talking instances or the actual amount of times you guys—”

“Stop it, Maya!” Kendra’s face and neck warmed. “Everyone knows you’re not supposed to hold the things your sister says when she’s drunk against her.”

“All right, fine.” Maya was still giggling. “I’m just saying, things can’t be that bad between you. Besides, Nate’s a terrific guy, and we both know you still have feelings for him.”

“Of course I care about him. That doesn’t mean we should be together.” It was too quiet without the children around. Nothing to distract her from a conversation she’d rather not have. Liam had taken them to see the aquariums he’d just had installed at his family’s luxury resort so she and Maya could talk. “Things between us are...complicated.”

“Things were complicated for us, too. Every day I’m grateful Liam recognized that what we have was worth fighting for, despite the complications.” Maya’s face glowed when she spoke of Liam.

Kendra missed that feeling—the infinite joy of being in love with a man who adored her. She ignored the growing sense of envy that felt like a boulder tethered to her ankle, threatening to drown her in a sea of self-pity. She forced a smile. “I’m happy for you. You’re perfect together, and Liam is so good with the kids.”

“Sofie and Ella adore him.”

“So does Kai. He talks about his Uncle Liam all the time. You’d think he was a superhero or something. He’s making the Johnston men jealous.”

“Liam has really taken to Kai, too.” A warm smile lit Maya’s eyes like a candle lighting a paper lantern from within.

No matter how many times Kendra saw that smile—and it was often in the weeks since Liam and Maya had gotten engaged—she couldn’t stop her reaction to it. Intense joy for her sister, followed by deep sorrow for herself.

Maya seemed to recognize her pain. Her brows furrowed with concern. “I’m glad you accepted the offer, but I’m a little worried, too. Are you sure you’re going to be okay with this? Six months is a long time.”

“This is my shot to finally build the kind of clientele I’ve always wanted. I’m not going to blow it. Besides, Nate needs my help. I know it won’t make up for how I hurt him, but at least it’s something.”