Yahrah John - Formula for Passion

Can he be her everything…

As the beautiful public face of her family’s legendary cosmetics empire, Courtney Adams lives a life of privilege and glamour. But her hectic schedule leaves no time for pleasure. Until her latest commercial shoot takes her to the Dominican Republic, where she meets a sexy, soul-stirring stranger.

…when he’s not the man she thinks he is?

Alone together in their exotic idyll, Jasper Jackson can’t get enough of the stunning Atlanta heiress. And when a family emergency sends her rushing home, he knows he can’t let her go. But what happens when Courtney discovers that her island lover is really one of Atlanta’s most powerful developers—and the son of her family’s long-standing enemy? With sabotage looming, will it be the end of two towering dynasties…or a new beginning for a man and a woman who have become everything to each other?

Jasper slid onto the barstool next to hers.

“I thought you were too busy with errands to join me.”

“I finished up early.”

“And decided to grace me with your presence? How generous of you.”

“I figured I couldn’t allow a woman as beautiful and sexy as you to sit alone at a resort bar,” Jasper replied smoothly. “The vultures would be circling.” He eyed the rest of the men at the bar who were giving him the evil eye.

“So you think I’m sexy?”

Jasper eyed her up and down. “In that dress, hell yeah.” He laughed. “But then again, you were pretty hot in those skimpy shorts and top earlier.”

She gave him a sideways glance. “I thought you hadn’t noticed.”

“I’d be dead not to.” Jasper sipped on his beer.

“So we’ve established that you find me attractive,” Courtney replied and spun around to face him. The chemistry between them was palpable. She was sure everyone else had to feel their sizzling connection. “So what now?”

There was a lot of innuendo behind Courtney’s remark, but Jasper opted to be good, for now. “How about we start with names? Mine’s Jasper. And yours?”

“Courtney.”

Jasper held up his drink. “To having a good time.”

“To a good time.” Courtney clicked her glass against his.

YAHRAH ST. JOHN

is the author of ten books and numerous short stories. A graduate of Hyde Park Career Academy, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northwestern University. Her books have garnered four-star ratings from RT Book Reviews, Rawsistaz Reviewers, Romance in Color and numerous book clubs. In 2012, St. John was nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Series Romance. A member of Romance Writers of America, St. John is an avid reader of all genres. She enjoys the arts, cooking, traveling, basketball and adventure sports, but her true passion remains writing. St. John lives in sunny Orlando, the City Beautiful.

Formula for Passion

Yahrah St. John

Dedicated to Beatrice Astwood for her love and support and making me feel like a daughter.

Dear Reader,

Formula for Passion concludes the Adams Affair trilogy with Courtney Adams falling for Jasper Jackson, the son of her family’s mortal enemy.

Courtney and Jasper are strangers who embark on a no-strings-attached tryst in the Dominican Republic but soon realize love is on the menu. Life gets complicated when family loyalty seeks to supersede their romance. Expect to see Jasper’s father, Andrew Jackson of Jax Cosmetics, take center stage in the drama.

I hope you will find it a satisfying conclusion as I give closure to the Adams and Jackson feud once and for all, while you catch up on your favorite characters: Kayla and Ethan Graham and Shane and Gabrielle Adams.

Visit my website at yahrahstjohn.comfor the latest updates and details on my next book, expected in spring 2013. Or contact me via email at Yahrah@yahrahstjohn.com.

Warm regards,

Yahrah St. John

A heartfelt thanks to my friends and family for their faith and encouragement. My utmost gratitude to my readers for their continued loyalty. And to Freddie Blackman…for all the love and inspiration.

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

Epilogue

Chapter 1

“A trip to the Dominican Republic? Sounds fabulous!” Courtney Adams was overjoyed at the prospect of leaving the chilly January weather of Atlanta. As a spokesmodel for Adams Cosmetics, she really did have better perks than her older sister, Kayla, the CEO, and brother, Shane Adams, vice president and head chemist. She’d been in Milan for New Year’s Eve for a fashion show, and now no more than two weeks later, she was off to the Caribbean.

“This is not a vacation, Courtney,” said her brother-in-law, Ethan Graham, part owner of Adams Cosmetics. “You would be there for Bliss’s new campaign.” Bliss was the company’s third fragrance.

“I’m well aware of that.” They’d all been summoned to the conference room for a mandatory board meeting. It was a new-year, new-start sort of thing. “I’m just saying that it’s a welcome change after all the drama with Ecstasy’s debut.” Ecstasy was their previous perfume that, thanks to the machinations of their competitor Jax Cosmetics, had a rocky start in the marketplace. But in the end, Ecstasy’s revenues surpassed the knockoff Jax Cosmetics had produced.

“We’re looking to capture the clean, modern and oceanic quality to Bliss,” Shane added. “And what better way than on the beach? Gabrielle and I—” he smiled over at his fiancée, who’d joined Adams Cosmetics last year “—went

there a month ago and we were so impressed that we thought it would be the perfect location for the ad campaign. And once they saw the pictures, Kayla and Ethan agreed.”

“Well, I’m there,” Courtney responded. “When do I leave?”

“Myra is finalizing your travel arrangements,” Kayla said. She’d just finished feeding her five-month-old son, Alexander, and returned from the employee day-care center.

“We’d like you to leave by the end of the week.”

“You’ll love Sea Breeze Resorts,” Gabrielle said. “Shane and I found the resort to be first class. The staff is so warm and friendly you’ll hate to leave.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Courtney replied. She needed a break from all the lovey-dovey in the air. First Kayla and Ethan had gotten married over a year ago and then Shane and Gabby had gotten engaged. And although she’d orchestrated her brother’s union, she still felt like the odd man out. Her mother, Elizabeth, was in full mother-hen mode and eager to fix Courtney up with any number of eligible Atlanta bachelors. It was time for her to make like a ghost.

“I’m so excited for this trip,” Courtney told Kayla once their meeting adjourned. “I need to get away.”

“You have been a little restless these days,” Kayla noted. Courtney was usually full speed on all cylinders, but since Ecstasy’s campaign had died down, it had been quiet on the home front. Her little sister had seemed content helping plan Shane and Gabrielle’s wedding, but Kayla knew better. Courtney craved excitement.

“I’ve been still for too long,” Courtney agreed. “I’m used to having too much to do and now I don’t have enough.”

“Are you looking for more responsibility in the company?” Kayla inquired.