Nancy Thompson - Fortune's Prince Charming

Fortune of the Month:Zoe (Fortune?) Robinson

Age:25

Vital statistics:She is the beautiful, sheltered daughter of computer guru Gerald Robinson— who just might be Jerome Fortune.

Claim to Fame:Zoe handles marketing for Robinson Tech. She is also a pro at “handling” some challenging family members, including her dear old dad.

Romantic prospects:She’s the boss’s daughter, which some might find highly appealing. For Joaquin Mendoza, it means she’s wearing a big sign that says Keep Off.

“They say women of my generation don’t believe in fairy tales. We are not sitting around waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince—we take care of ourselves.

“That may be true, but I still believe in love at first sight. And in recognizing your One True Love when he comes along. For me, that’s Joaquin Mendoza. He’s gorgeous and sexy, but he’s so much more. I feel as if I can see straight into his soul. He wants me, too—I just know it—and I want him to be my first. My first, my last, my only. But my strong, silent hero is holding back. Joaquin has no idea how alike we really are …”

* * *

The Fortunes of Texas: All Fortune’s Children—Money. Family. Cowboys. Meet the Austin Fortunes!

www.millsandboon.co.uk

National bestselling author NANCY ROBARDS THOMPSONholds a degree in journalism. She worked as a newspaper reporter until she realized reporting “just the facts” bored her silly. Much more content to report to her muse, Nancy loves writing women’s fiction and romance full-time. Critics have deemed her work “funny, smart and observant.” She resides in Florida with her husband and daughter. You can reach her at www.nancyrobardsthompson.comand Facebook.com/nancyrobardsthompsonbooks

This book is dedicated to Jennifer.

Never forget you’re a princess. All my love, always.

Contents

Cover

Introduction MEET THE FORTUNES Fortune of the Month: Zoe (Fortune?) Robinson Age: 25 Vital statistics: She is the beautiful, sheltered daughter of computer guru Gerald Robinson— who just might be Jerome Fortune. Claim to Fame: Zoe handles marketing for Robinson Tech. She is also a pro at “handling” some challenging family members, including her dear old dad. Romantic prospects: She’s the boss’s daughter, which some might find highly appealing. For Joaquin Mendoza, it means she’s wearing a big sign that says Keep Off. “They say women of my generation don’t believe in fairy tales. We are not sitting around waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince—we take care of ourselves. “That may be true, but I still believe in love at first sight. And in recognizing your One True Love when he comes along. For me, that’s Joaquin Mendoza. He’s gorgeous and sexy, but he’s so much more. I feel as if I can see straight into his soul. He wants me, too—I just know it—and I want him to be my first. My first, my last, my only. But my strong, silent hero is holding back. Joaquin has no idea how alike we really are …” * * * The Fortunes of Texas: All Fortune’s Children— Money. Family. Cowboys. Meet the Austin Fortunes!

Title Page Fortune’s Prince Charming Nancy Robards Thompson www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author National bestselling author NANCY ROBARDS THOMPSON holds a degree in journalism. She worked as a newspaper reporter until she realized reporting “just the facts” bored her silly. Much more content to report to her muse, Nancy loves writing women’s fiction and romance full-time. Critics have deemed her work “funny, smart and observant.” She resides in Florida with her husband and daughter. You can reach her at www.nancyrobardsthompson.com and Facebook.com/nancyrobardsthompsonbooks

Dedication This book is dedicated to Jennifer. Never forget you’re a princess. All my love, always.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Zoe Robinson, you could have your choice of any man in this restaurant. Why must you fixate on the one guy you can’t have?”

Zoe pursed her lips and tested her friend Veronica’s theory, letting her gaze do a quick sweep of the people in the Gilded Pig’s dining room. The rustic joint was jam-packed with its usual lunchtime clientele. Strains of a heartfelt country tune set the backdrop for the scene—mostly businessmen of varying ages, shapes and sizes who pushed up their shirtsleeves and tucked paper napkins into their collars to protect their white button-downs from what was arguably Austin’s finest barbecue. Even though the room contained an appetizing smorgasbord of men, not a single one in the large barn-turned-restaurant piqued her interest. Each and every one of them probably had fine qualities and was certainly worthy of someone’s love, but not a single one did anything for Zoe. Not even the cute guy who was grinning at her over his pulled pork sandwich.

As the music—Tim McGraw maybe?—asserted something about being a real bad boy who at the same time was a real good man—she flashed a noncommittal smile at the guy and turned back to Ronnie.

“Why fixate on Joaquin Mendoza? Because I can’t get him out of my mind. That’s why.”

Ronnie scrunched up her face the way she always did before she stuck a big fat reality-check pin in Zoe’s balloon of possibility. “That would be very romantic, Zoe, if only he would ask you out. Or even better, if he would talk to you about something other than business.”

Okay. So, maybe Ronnie had a point.

Still, Joaquin Mendoza had swept her off her feet from the moment he’d first walked into Robinson Tech several months ago. Actually he’d captivated her the first time she’d met him when her sister Rachel married his brother Matteo, last year. They’d been paired as maid of honor and best man, but the focus of the weekend had been on the bride and groom and, at the time, Zoe had no idea her father would end up hiring him as a programmer at Robinson Tech to work on a special project.

It wasn’t simply that he was older and tall and good-looking—no, scratch that—the guy was gorgeous. There was something about the cool way he held himself, and he had the strangest ability to put all of her senses on high alert the minute he ventured within five yards of her. It was like his superpower. Zoe had been ruined for other men since Joaquin Mendoza had walked back into her life three months ago. It was too bad he seemed more interested in work than in getting to know her better.

He hadn’t messed with her equilibrium on purpose, of course. In fact, even after all this time, he didn’t seem to recognize she was a woman who was interested in a man.

A very specific man.

“Okay, if you’re going to be stubborn, maybe you need to take things into your own hands. Who says you have to wait for him to ask you out?” Ronnie continued, straining so that her voice was heard above the music. “I mean, if you like him, maybe you’re the one who needs to break the ice—make sure he knows you’re interested in him. In the past, you’ve never had a problem with making your intentions known.”

Zoe sucked in a long, calming breath, blew it out in a measured gust and took in the Gilded Pig’s decor. A decade ago the space had housed an antiques market. Keeping true to its roots, the Pig was decorated with vintage pieces such as the ornately carved church pews that served as seats for the booths, mirrors with light-reflecting mercury glass that seemed to double the already expansive space, and old wooden chests of drawers and sideboards that held napkins, silverware, condiments, steaming coffeemakers and sweating pitchers of iced tea.