Rita Estrada - Million Dollar Valentine

Blake’s voice was low, growling at her.

Tension filled every atom of Crystal’s body. “Are you asking for marriage?”

“No,” he replied.

She relaxed. Even though she knew it sounded wrong, she had to do what was best for her. No one else would. “You and I both know we’re not meant for marriage. But there’s this chemistry thing…”

“Let me get this straight,” he said. “After last night, you’re saying you like me for a stud, but not for the long term.”

“That’s a coarse way of putting it, but yes.”

His slow grin was as wolfish as it was sexy. “Well, then—” He pulled her toward him. “You can’t complain if I take my job seriously.”

With her hands on his nape she drew his mouth down to hers. “Okay, but you’d better be good, Blake. We’ve only got four more weeks until I go back to Santa Fe, so we have to make this relationship very memorable.”

Rita Clay Estrada is a vibrant fixture in the world of romance writing. Not only has she written thirty-five novels to date, she created and co-founded the Romance Writers of America, the only organization of its kind in the world.

Early on, Rita established herself as a bestselling Harlequin Temptation author. Her stories always seem to strike the right emotional chord and fans won’t be disappointed by Million Dollar Valentine. Newcomers to Rita Clay Estrada’s work and loyal readers alike will welcome another “keeper” to the shelf.

Throughout her almost two decades as a prolific writer, Rita has also worked at a dizzying array of jobs. This year, she’s studying to become an insurance appraiser on disaster sites! Rita raised her family in Texas and still lives in Houston.

HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION

450—ONE MORE TIME

474—THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER

500—FORMS OF LOVE

518—THE TWELVE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS

573—THE STORMCHASER

595—LOVE ME, LOVE MY BED

634—WISHES

687—DREAMS

713—EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM

733—ONE WILD WEEKEND

Million Dollar Valentine

Rita Clay Estrada

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

FROM THE expensive suit and the way he carried himself, the good-looking guy could have been a millionaire. From the frown, he looked like an uptight CEO. But, from the intense gaze of his penetrating deep-blue eyes, he resembled a lover.

An interesting…contradiction.

Clutching the to-do list her aunt had instructed her to follow before opening the flower and gift shop door, Crystal Tynan watched intently as he approached the shop’s front door.

He stopped in the doorway, his very presence blocking all light. His suit was light-gray with a fine thread of blue woven through the material. His sandy-brown hair was thick and well cut. He had a strong face; nice cheekbones, a well-sculpted mouth and a great chin. His shoulders were broad, and the rest of him was just plain easy on the eyes, as Crystal’s Aunt Helen would say. From her aunt’s description, Crystal bet this was Blake Wright, manager of the Granite Run Mall just outside of Flagstaff, Arizona.

His midnight-blue eyes stared back, assessing and evaluating her just as intently. Although he wasn’t returning her smile, he was interested, too, or he wouldn’t be so focused. Either that or he was even more uptight than she’d first assumed.

It was two days after New Year’s Day, and the mall would soon be as packed with shoppers as it had been during the holiday season—no doubt because of the after-holiday sales. This was Crystal’s first day of filling in for her Aunt Helen and so far she hadn’t accomplished more than two things on the list. Thank goodness the other employee—the one who knew how to run the store—would be in soon.

She placed the sheaf of papers on top of the glass showcase filled with small silver and gold trinkets, and held out her hand. “Hello, Blake Wright. It’s so nice to meet the man my Aunt Helen loves.”

He blinked twice, obviously not expecting that greeting. “I beg your pardon?”

Certainly he didn’t take her literally. “Don’t you manage this mall?”

“Yes.” He sounded cautious as he took a few steps into the shop and faced her.

He was the right guy. She relaxed again. “Well, my aunt talks about you all the time.”

Those wonderful blue eyes narrowed. Still no smile.

Obviously her aunt didn’t talk about Crystal as much as she talked about him. Or—maybe he didn’t understand her. After all, she did have a rather heavy East Texas drawl. “I’m Crystal Tynan,” she said slowly and distinctly. “I’m here to manage the shop until Valentine’s Day, while Aunt Helen recuperates from her broken arm.”

Finally, recognition turned his eyes an iridescent blue. He took her hand in his. The tight look on his face slowly receded. “I’m glad you could make it,” he said. “She was worried you wouldn’t be able to get away from your, uh, job.”

Crystal gave a light laugh, intrigued by the man. When his expression eased, he seemed like a different person. Although, if he was close enough to Aunt Helen to know Crystal had to get a release from her job to be here, he also knew what she did for a living. Some people were funny about masseuses. Occasionally, male clients came looking for more than just a massage, and she set them straight but fast.

Crystal smiled, pretending she had no doubts that he thought she was an upstanding citizen. “Since I’m a massage therapist, much of my income is based upon tips. I couldn’t afford to lose out. Luckily, when my aunt broke her arm, the season was ending.”

“I didn’t know there was a season for massages.” There was a dryness to his tone, but she ignored that, too. This time.

“There aren’t for some. However, I work for a lodge during the ski season and that’s very seasonal. And when the ski season is over, and before the spring tourist season begins, there are four or five dead weeks.” She scraped back another strand of her hair, letting the full length of it fall over her shoulder and down her back. “Although, last year Santa Fe didn’t have the normal lull between one season and the other. Everyone wants to visit.”

“It’s a beautiful city.”

“And a very wealthy city,” she added.

“Wealthy,” he said slowly, paying such close attention to her mouth that her skin tingled. “Is that important?”

“Only if you’re poor,” she said with a straight face. Was he kidding? Usually only the wealthy asked silly questions like that…. “You don’t happen to own this mall, do you?” she asked, pretending innocence.

He stayed serious. “No. Would it matter?”

She couldn’t keep her smile away. “Probably a lot—to you.”

Finally, Blake Wright smiled, too, and it was as if warm sunshine had flooded the flower shop. “I don’t know about that. I don’t have time to sit around and feel jealous for those who have more than I do. I enjoy what I have.”

Her eyes widened. “I thank the powers that be for everything I have, too. But I’m certainly not silly enough to turn down more blessings—or money.”

If she thought his smile was enticing, it was only because she hadn’t heard his laughter—until now. It was deep and rich and wonderful, dancing down her spine and awakening each and every nerve in her body.

He really was a very handsome man. Out of her league, though. Darn.