Tempting Kate Page 17

  Scott flashed in her mind—his look of sympathy as she’d escaped the ballroom. His look of desperation in her hotel room as he’d waited for her to say something he could cling to. But she hadn’t. In the wake of the death of her career, she hadn’t been able to say the words she longed to say. Hadn’t been able to trust herself or him enough to at least salvage one thing that she so desperately wanted.

  And since walking out on him the week before, she hadn’t heard from him. The crickets spoke volumes.

  Let go and move on. She repeated her new life motto several times, the heaviness in her chest only getting worse.

  “Are you heading out now?” she asked, coming around the desk to hug Janet.

  “Yes. Unless you need help...” Her gaze fell to the trash and she bent to retrieve the book. “I’ll take this. It’s a bestseller,” she said, tearing up again.

  “You don’t need it. When you find love, real love, you won’t need a how-to manual,” Kate said, taking the book and tossing it back into the trash. She remembered Derek’s words from the wedding and she swallowed the emotions rising to choke her. He and Liz had a real love, and she’d almost ruined it.

  She didn’t deserve to be a wedding planner anymore.

  Janet nodded, wiping her tears. “Okay, then...if you change your mind about Haute Couture...”

  “I won’t.”

  Alone in her office moments later, Kate sat against the wall, surveying the boxes of ten years of hard work, determination, sweat and blood...all for nothing. Where did she go from here?

  * * *

  THE TWENTY-MINUTE FLIGHT from Big Bear to Los Angeles had never felt so long. The last seven days had been hell.

  He’d lost count of the number of times he’d hit Send, then canceled before the call could connect or how many times he’d told himself that he didn’t need Kate Hartley.

  It was a lie each and every time. He did need her. More than that, he loved her.

  While her career might have taken a nosedive after the wedding, her outburst had done nothing to hinder the resort. That week his reservation lines had been lit up constantly with wedding guests rebooking future stays and people looking for quotes for events of their own.

  He’d barely slept that week, hardly leaving his office as he’d rehired the staff he’d had to let go and helped Cameron answer the phones.

  Based on the resort’s instant popularity, he projected profits for the following year. He had all the success he hadn’t even realized was important to him, but none of it mattered without Kate. He had his freedom, the thing he’d always claimed was most important, but it came at a cost—a big one.

  Turning his Jeep onto the highway, he headed toward the woman he loved. The success of the resort was all because of her, and there were a lot of things they needed to discuss. He’d seen the headlines in the newspaper entertainment section destroying her reputation further, and his heart ached for her. She’d worked so hard to rebuild her career, and he felt responsible for taking that away from her.

  The last thing he’d ever wanted was to hurt her by playing a part in destroying her career. The last thing he’d ever expected was to love her so much.

  And now he had to convince her of both and hope she was willing to give them a shot.

  This was one battle he wasn’t prepared to lose to Kate Hartley.

  * * *

  “KNOCK, KNOCK.”

  The sound of Scott’s voice made her jump. She stood, stumbling slightly on her heels. She’d been sitting there contemplating her future for so long, the sun had started to set outside. “What are you doing here?”

  “Was in the neighborhood,” he said.

  Right. Her heart raced at seeing him there among her unraveling life. Yet he was calm, cool, sexy as hell and breaking her heart even more. “Well, I’m just heading out.” She picked up a box, but he strode toward her and took it from her, placing it back on the desk.

  Then his arms went around her, and he pulled her into his chest.

  Every instinct told her to push him away.

  Let go and move on.

  Screw that. She rested her head against his chest, feeling safe in his arms. Savoring the familiar outdoorsy smell she’d missed the past week. Wanting desperately to find comfort in a man she was in love with.

  “Sorry I didn’t come sooner,” he whispered against her hair.

  “I didn’t expect you to come at all,” she said, forcing her voice steady as she glanced up at him. She didn’t dare try to guess why he was there now.

  “I couldn’t get away. My reservation line is ringing off the hook day and night because of the wedding and the live-streaming.”

  So his business was thriving while hers was in tatters. Great. Turned out he won after all. Her heart immediately put up barriers as she took a step back. Was that why he was there? To gloat? “That’s wonderful. Glad I was able to help,” she said tightly, embarrassed that he was there seeing her dismantled office, embarrassed that she’d immediately shown weakness.

  He nodded. “You did help. So much so that I’ve received three offers on the resort this week. Each one willing to pay more than the last.”

  Was he trying to kill her? She folded her arms across her chest. “Perfect. Happy for you. Now, I really have to go.”

  “I decided not to sell.”

  She sighed. “Great, Scott. But quite honestly, I don’t care. I’m glad things worked out for you. For Liz and Derek.” For everyone but her. “But my life is kinda up in the air at the moment, so if you could gloat elsewhere...”

  He took her hands and drew her toward him. “I’m not here to gloat. I’m here to tell you that I need you.”

  Her breath caught. Need. Not love. She waited.

  “I’ve had three event bookings this morning alone. I need an on-site event planner. Not just for weddings, but everything—family reunions, birthday parties...”

  Her mouth gaped. He wanted to offer her a job at his resort in Big Bear? That was what he thought she’d want from him? And—what? They’d work together and have sex on the side? She shook her head. “I’m not interested. I’m done with event planning.”

  “Really? Because of one little hiccup?”

  Had he not read the articles destroying her reputation and credibility? “Hardly a little hiccup. My career is over.” She turned off the lights and removed the office key from her key ring.

  “Not according to the people requesting your services at my resort.”

  She paused, not entirely believing him. “People want me to plan their events?”

  “Yes.” He smiled.

  His deep, gorgeous dimples buckled her knees, and for half a second she thought she could accept his offer of employment and casual sex... She shook her head. “I can’t, Scott. Thank you, but no.” He was only saying these things because he felt sorry for her. She didn’t want his sympathy—she wanted his love.

  “Okay, fine. Then move to Big Bear because you love me.”

  Her eyes widened. “I didn’t say I love you... I don’t...what are you... I don’t love you.” The lie was like tar rolling off her tongue.

  “All right.” He stepped toward her and, gripping her hips, he pulled her into him.

  “Move to Big Bear because I love you,” he said.

  She blinked. The smell of his soft cologne was making her dizzy, and she wanted so badly to believe the words, but she wasn’t sure she could ever fully trust her own heart again.

 
“Kate, I love you. And I think I can live with the fact that you don’t love me—”

  She stared up at him. “I do love you,” she whispered, knowing full well she was opening herself up to another heartache, but willing to take the chance now. Having no other choice than to take the chance. He was everything she wanted.

  He grinned. “I knew it.”

  She punched his shoulder, then, standing on tiptoes she kissed him. Long and hard, feeling all the love he had for her in the kiss. Feeling the love she had for him being returned a million times over as their mouths and bodies connected.

  “So you’ll accept my job offer...and my love?” he whispered against her lips, breaking away slightly.

  “I’ll accept your love...and I’ll think about your job offer.”

  “Always have to be difficult, huh?”

  She beamed at him, kissing him again. Softly at first, then harder, more desperately, clinging to the man she’d never thought she’d be so head over heels in love with, a man offering her so much more than just her life back. She took a step back and, all business, she extended a hand. “Okay. I’ve thought about it and I accept.”

  He nodded. “Good.” He shook her hand.

  “But first things first—we get a damn website.”

  He kissed her hand, pulling her back toward him. “No. First things first—we get naked.”

  She pretended to think, then she slid her arms around his neck again and stared into the eyes she could get lost in forever. “For once, you’ll get no argument from me.”

  * * * * *

  If you loved this book, look for more

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  HER HOLIDAY FLING

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  Beyond the Limits

  by Katherine Garbera

  1

  AT SIX FOOT ONE, Antonio “Playboy” Curzon immediately drew the eye. Isabelle Wolsten tried to look at him objectively. His muscles rippled and bulged with each upward motion of the weight bar he was bench-pressing, while a low, gravelly grunt captured way more than just her gaze. His short, spiky hair was drenched with sweat and stood up away from a perfectly formed scalp. He had a day’s worth of stubble on his jaw and his dark brown eyes were intense as he continued his workout.

  Aggravated with herself for even noticing, she pushed the button on the AlterG treadmill she was working out on to increase her bone density. She was one of eight women in the Cronus candidate class, and she was determined not lose her head over a pretty face.

  But, damn, Playboy was more than a pretty face. He was a sexy, muscled, rock-hard body with a drawling Spanish accent. He was all the things her mother had warned her to watch out for and everything that her secret self wanted.

  But could she really want him as much as she wanted to go to space?

  Her snarky inner voice had been her guiding star all these years. Getting into NASA had been hard. At five foot two she was at the bottom end of the height requirement. She was wicked smart—no sense in denying it—and had been determined to make her mom’s sacrifices count. Her mom had been sure that Izzy was meant for great things. She’d worked hard—an administrative assistant by day and an exotic dancer by night—and she’d saved every penny. Made sure they lived in the right neighborhoods and that Izzy went to the best schools. Her mom had endured all kinds of snide remarks so Izzy could be where she was today.

  One of an elite class of sixteen who were in the final running to fill out the last three spots on the first long-term Cronus mission. She was proud of that. Really, she was. Which was why she wasn’t going to let that hot body bench-pressing 250 pounds distract her.

  It didn’t matter that he smelled good. That his aftershave—probably something custom-made—had her thinking of long, sultry summer nights. She hit the off button before she lost her concentration and tripped over her own feet on the treadmill. She didn’t look his way as she walked to the refrigerator that was packed with water and electrolyte-heavy beverages. Everything at the Mick Tanner Cronus Training Facility was to enhance an astronaut’s ability to stay longer in space. They worked out for twice the amount of time the astronauts heading to the International Space Station did. They ate a diet that was rich in vitamins to enhance bone density, and they were monitored for the development of kidney stones.

  Music was blaring through the speakers, some kind of death metal that their second-in-command, Thor, had put on to get the blood pumping. Izzy had just missed out on that position, but, despite that, she still wasn’t a shoe-in for the first mission. Izzy finished her drink and moved over to the punching bags in the corner. She wrapped her hands and then put on the gloves, slowly finding her balance again. She wasn’t going to let Antonio rattle her, even if he’d earned his moniker honestly. They’d been in the same candidate training class more than eight years ago. He’d been this born-with-a-silver-spoon guy who had too much charm and had bought his way in, while she’d gone to the academy on a merit scholarship and a recommendation from her senator.

  She wasn’t being fair—she knew that. He’d always been a hard worker, but he’d had an easier path and she resented it. He’d left NASA and gone into the private sector to join Space Now, a company owned by a billionaire who was innovating outside of NASA. She’d thought she’d seen the last of him.

  Yeah, sometimes that chip on her shoulder showed itself a little more than she’d like. But she couldn’t help it. She’d worked for everything she had. Rich guys like Playboy seemed to just waltz through life like it was nothing at all.

  “Want me to hold the bag?”

  That voice. He spoke English way better than she’d ever be able to master Spanish. And his accent—well, damned if it didn’t undo all the resolve she’d just spent the last fifteen minutes shoring back up. She wasn’t going to fall for him. She’d been strong when she’d gone through basic training. Ignored his flirting then, and she’d do it again now.

  Except this time it was harder. She was more mature. Not as angry at the world as she’d once been, and Antonio...it seemed like experience had taught him a few things, too.

  “Sure,” she said.

  She didn’t say
another word, instead picturing his strong jaw and dark brown eyes right in the center of the punching bag, and just went for it. Punched down the desire for him. Made herself believe there was nothing between them but sweat and—oh, hell, why did sweat smell so good on him?

  This wasn’t working. She dropped back and let her arms, which felt like noodles from the pummeling she’d just given the bag, drop to her sides. He watched her the way he always did.

  The intensity in his stare made her feel that he could see past all her barriers. Past the workout clothes and the prickly exterior she used to keep everyone at arm’s length.

  “Why do you do that?” he asked.

  “Do what?”

  “Look at me like I’m your enemy,” he said.

  She shook her head, dropped her gaze and cursed herself inwardly. She turned away from him and used her teeth to loosen her boxing gloves. “Don’t flatter yourself, Playboy, the only thing you see in my eyes when I look at you is a desire to make sure I stay one step ahead of you.”

  Yeah, right, and not a desire to see if his potent sexuality was the real deal or just another one of those things that looked better in the window. She walked over to the tablet mounted in the wall as she got first one and then the other glove off. Congratulating herself for leaving the encounter relatively unscathed, she entered her workout information, not paying attention to the fact that Antonio had followed her. He put his hand on the wall next to the tablet.

  Even his forearm was too muscled and masculine. She doubted this man was going to have any problems with bone density. He was six feet one inch of Grade A prime male.

  “It’s not flattery, Bombshell. I know you keep watching me,” he said. “Deny it all you want.”

  * * *

  ISABELLE WOLSTEN HAD haunted his dreams for more than eight years. Her icy gray eyes and platinum-blond hair just caught his attention. Wherever he was. But he hadn’t set his sights on outer space just to be derailed by Izzy. She’d always been a distraction for him, probably because of the no-trespassing signs she kept firmly in place. So when she gave him her not interested glare, he’d respected it.