Kianna Alexander - A Love Like This

‘Tis the season for everlasting love...

All Devon Granger wants for Christmas is a peaceful, low-key escape to his North Carolina coastal hometown far from LA. But how is the injured Hollywood action star supposed to rest with Hadley Monroe tending to his every need? His caring childhood friend has blossomed into a stunning, self-possessed woman who’s making her amorous feelings known...and lighting a fire Devon has no interest in putting out.

As the youngest in a family of overprotective brothers, Hadley has to work twice as hard to prove herself. The heiress to the Monroe real estate dynasty plans to transform Sapphire Shores while preserving its small-town charm—a vision she shares with Devon. Until the media and Hollywood camera crews descend on the beachfront community, putting their love to the ultimate test. With suspicion and mistrust dividing them, will Hadley and Devon ring in the New Year...together?

He placed his palms on her arms. Though she was encased in the dress, his touch seemed to penetrate the fabric, as if her skin was laid bare to his caress.

“There won’t be any shortcuts with me and you. I want to get to know you, and I want to take my time doing it.” He leaned low, his face mere inches from hers. “No shortcuts.”

“Mmm.” It was the only sound she could manage. She looked into his hazel eyes and felt her insides melt.

Hooking his finger beneath her chin, he whispered, “Can I?”

She didn’t need an explanation to know what he was asking. “Please do.”

She saw him smile as he tilted her face to an angle more to his liking. Seconds later, his lips touched hers, and her eyes closed as the sweetness spread through her like wildfire. His lips were soft, and she relished the feeling of them. None of her fantasies had matched this sweet, fiery reality. He kissed her solidly, yet gently, lingering for a few long moments before easing away.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up a copy of A Love Like This. I’m so glad you decided to join me as I embark on this new series, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. The creative process can be a funny thing, and I had to do a lot of untangling to reach the final product, but the results were totally worth it.

When I was creating the island of Sapphire Shores, I took inspiration from the region of North Carolina known as the Crystal Coast, and the barrier islands. Places like Wrightsville Beach (where I often retreat for vacation or to catch up on writing), Atlantic Beach and Ocracoke Island inspired the beautiful scenery you’re about to explore. Devon and Hadley’s romance is the perfect start to this series, and I hope you’ll love their story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I love hearing from readers, so feel free to let me know what you think. Reach out to me on Twitter, @KiannaWrites, or Facebook.com/kiannawrites.

All the best,

Kianna

A Love Like This

Kianna Alexander

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KIANNA ALEXANDER, like any good Southern belle, wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister and gabbing girlfriend. She’s a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the Tar Heel state, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids and a collection of well-loved vintage ’80s Barbie dolls. You can keep up with Kianna’s releases and appearances by signing up for her mailing list at www.authorkiannaalexander.com/sign-up.

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In memory of Rev. Dr. L. E. Davis. My pastor through childhood, he performed my marriage and became my friend in adulthood. Your smile is lighting up heaven now, Rev.

Acknowledgments

To my Destin Divas, you have been my rock and my support through it all as I travel this sometimes bumpy road. Your love, wisdom and kindness are a balm to my soul. Thank you all for being the queens you are.

To Jennifer and the ladies of the Royal Kourt, thank you for your efforts. You rock!

To my readers, thank you so much for your support. Some of you have been with me since the beginning and some of you are new, but you are all special to me.

To my sister, Erica, I may not say so, but your praise of my writing and my mothering means a lot to me. I love you, Crazy.

To my children, I love you so much. Mommy slays these words every day so you can have a good life.

And to my husband, Keith, you are the best and brightest thing in my life. I couldn’t do what I do without you, not just because of your unwavering support, but because you show me just how deep love can be every single day. I love you endlessly.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Hadley Monroe leaned against the window seat in the living room of rental unit seven, a clipboard in hand. Her eyes swept the room as she took in the flurry of activity going on around her. As office manager and resident jill-of-all-trades at her family’s real estate company, Monroe Holdings, she often oversaw the preparation of a vacation property for a client. Today, however, was a bit different.

She glanced over her shoulder briefly, taking in the scenery outside. The bright sunlight streaming through the sheer white curtains gave no clue to the mid-December chill hanging in the air. Less than a half mile from the grassy lawn fronting the two-story town house the frothy waves of the Atlantic lapped at the sandy shore. She smiled as she turned back to the work at hand, reminded once again why she’d chosen to remain in Sapphire Shores after graduation. Her small island hometown just off the coast of North Carolina possessed gorgeous scenery and a close-knit community she doubted she’d find elsewhere.

Stifling a yawn, Hadley shifted her weight and scanned the room for the familiar face of her friend.

Belinda Quick, owner of Quick Transformations, rushed around the room with a clipboard of her own. Dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a red T-shirt emblazoned with her logo, she stood out among the purple T-shirts worn by her employees. It was Belinda’s staff that tackled the responsibility of readying MHI’s rental properties between clients. Belinda’s business handled a bevy of tasks, from general cleaning to decorating, and their efficiency had proven a godsend for Hadley on more than one occasion. Having known Belinda since high school, Hadley placed the utmost trust in her.

Her sneakers squeaking against the recently polished hardwood floor, Belinda sidled up to Hadley. “What do you think? Are we almost there?”