Lisa Watson - Love Contract

There are no deals when it comes to love…

The charismatic force behind one of Chicago’s leading real-estate companies, Adrian Anderson leads a charmed life. With his pick of the town’s most eligible women, the last thing the sought-after bachelor needs is another set-up. Until Milán Dixon walks into his office. Sent by his persistent mother, the fiery, outspoken beauty is tempting Adrian to give matchmaking one last chance.

Milán came to Anderson Realty for a business opportunity, not to meet the most arrogant, egotistical…irresistible man ever. Giving in to her desire for Adrian could be the biggest mistake she’s ever made. But if it’s so wrong for them to be together why does their passion feel so right?

Adrian is determined to prove to Milán that he’s her perfect match…until a shocking discovery threatens his business and their future together. Will love seal the deal or break both their hearts?

He leaned back against his desk and crossed his arms in front of his chest. The smile he wore conveyed his admiration.

“Interesting. Smart, fiery, yet still able to retain your composure in tense situations. I’m truly impressed. I must say, my mother really outdid herself. Do me a favor…the next time you see Norma Jean, and she asks how her ingenious plan went, tell her this for me.” His arms snaked out and yanked Milán to him. He held her in an unyielding embrace as his lips clamped down on hers.

He felt Milán try to wrench herself free, but she was no match against his strength, or his irritation. He would teach his mother a lesson once and for all, and if he had to use her latest protégé to ram that point home so be it. With adept movements, Adrian slid one of his hands up and into her hair at the base of her neck to hold her steady. His other arm moved to encircle her back. He leaned over her, tilting her body backward in order to deepen the kiss. Time slowed and then screeched to a halt as he continued the onslaught on Milán’s mouth with deft precision.

The kiss ended unhurriedly. He took his time unlocking his lips from hers. Unable to help himself, he gave one final nibble to her bottom lip before moving his hand to her face. She tasted like nectarines. His thumb that caressed the swollen flesh was slightly unsteady. “Tell my mother I said ‘nice try,’” he spoke in a voice thick with emotion, “and Lord knows I do mean nice.”

Lisa Watson

is a native of Washington, D.C. Her romantic imagination is fed by the city’s historic and political backdrop. Her hobbies are as eclectic as her music collection, but what Lisa loves the most is writing strong, positive characters that are memorable to the reader and fun. Lisa is enamored with scenic beauty, and the picturesque locales she visits always seem to find a way into her latest novels. An asset-management analyst, Lisa is a subcontractor to ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), and the copublicist for the RT Book Reviews annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She helps promote the bestselling national and international authors that attend the conference via local media outlets. Lisa has been married for sixteen years and lives in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, with her husband, two teenagers and Maltipoo, Brinkley.

Want to connect with Lisa? Contact her at lywatson007@hotmail.com, on Facebook ( NCLisaWatson) or Twitter ( @lywatson007).

Love Contract

Lisa Watson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

What fun I had creating the characters in this novel! Beforehand, I imagined the confusion and humor that could arise from a mother’s matchmaking plans gone awry. Norma Jean Anderson’s son, Adrian, is livid at her scheme to set him up on yet another blind date. But, when he first lays eyes on the smart and fiery Milán Dixon, their chemistry is explosive. I wanted them each to leave an indelible impression on the other, but for totally different reasons. Milán sees a missed job opportunity. Adrian sees red! His ex-fiancée’s infidelity makes him resist giving his heart away again, much to his mother’s dismay.

I hope you enjoy reading my debut Harlequin Kimani Romance. I’ll be working on the next story in The Match Broker series soon, so stay tuned to see who Norma Jean will match up next!

Be inspired….

Lisa

For Leslie Esdaile Banks, my literary friend,

and sister “Glamazon.” Thanks for the laughs, sage advice

and friendship. Rest in peace.

Thanks to Kimberly Weeter of Kimberlys-Kreations.com. One of my best friends, and real-life staging and

interior design expert.

To LBJM—Thanks for always making me laugh.

To Halden Lopez-Llizo for making sure I got my thoughts right—in Spanish!

Contents

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

Chapter 31

Chapter 1

Adrian Anderson surveyed the array of suits in his walk-in closet. With a critical eye, he chose a dark gray Armani with a double-breasted jacket. His selection included a crisp white shirt and patterned silk tie. He was picking out shoes when his telephone rang. He padded across the floor of his master suite and checked his phone. Mom. Sighing, he tried his best to channel what little patience he had left as he picked up his cell phone. “Good morning, Mother,” he said as upbeat as he could manage.

“I said I was sorry,” she began without preamble. “How long do you plan on staying annoyed with me?”

“That would depend. How long do you plan on fixing me up with mental patients?”

“Sweetheart, I know you’re upset, but there’s no way I could’ve known she was in therapy.”

“Mom, please. Therapy I can handle, but this chick called her doctor all through dinner. Do you know how weird that was?”

“Adrian, don’t dramatize it,” his mother admonished.

“You weren’t there.” Adrian sighed. “Let’s not go over this again, okay? You pleaded your case last night—several times I might add. When are you going to get the point and stop matchmaking?”

“When you find the right woman and settle down,” his mother huffed. “Which would be sooner than later if you wouldn’t fight me at every turn.”

Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. His mother was driving him as crazy as his date, Cynthia. He’d dubbed her the Cyber Stalker. She’d called his cell phone and left numerous texts since their disastrous date.

It was always the same. Any date orchestrated by Norma Jean Anderson—also known as the Love Broker by all his close friends—ended in disaster.

Each time he got wrangled into one of his mother’s hookups, he would add the woman to his contact list. If the date ended badly, the woman in question would get a nickname that easily stood out on his phone. This trick ensured he didn’t answer a call by mistake. So far, this system worked like a charm. Now, if he could get his mother to find another hobby.

“Mom, you’ve been at this longer than I’ve been in business.”

“And look how successful that’s been. You’re doing well for yourself, honey. Business is thriving, you’re a pillar to the community, handsome and smart. All you need is a wife to share your life with.”