MEDDLING
WITH A MILLIONAIRE
Harlequin
Desire, June 2011
eISBN:
9781459205659
Emma
Montgomery wouldn't be manipulated into marriage as part of Daddy's business
deal--even if he cut off access to her trust fund until she complied. The
talented jewelry designer would just make her own way. Or go down trying. Too
bad her intended groom--maverick businessman and former crush Nathan Case--made
her stubborn stance so difficult. The heat of his touch had her nearly
betraying herself at every turn. Resisting Nathan and regaining her money were
the name of the game--but meddling with this millionaire might land her right
back in his arms!
Excerpts
Sighting
his quarry at last, Nathan Case dodged a waiter carrying a tray of champagne
and navigated around a chocolate fountain. Twenty feet ahead, Emma Montgomery
slipped through the cream of Dallas society gathered to celebrate New Year's
Eve. Ever since arriving at her father's home an hour ago, Nathan had been
searching for Emma, contemplating exactly what he intended to do when he
tracked her down.
His
options ranged from kissing her to throttling her.
He had
yet to decide which way to go.
As if
sensing the intensity of his thoughts, she glanced over her shoulder. A strand
of hair caught on her lush lips as she scanned the party guests. Delicate
fingers brushed long sable bangs back from her forehead, exposing the frown
that pulled her brows together. She looked like a wild creature caught out in
the open, unsure of where to flee. Then, her chocolate eyes locked on him.
Quick as
a rabbit, she ducked around a potted palm and disappeared.
His heartbeat
surged as he picked up his pace. He'd had women play hard to get before. The
game sweetened their ultimate surrender. But Emma had taken the maneuver to a
whole new level. If he didn't know better, he would think she was avoiding him.
Ridiculous,
given what he'd learned today.
He passed
the library where a rollicking sing-along was taking place, with two dozen
people crowded around the grand piano to belt out Sinatra tunes.
He caught
sight of Emma just before she ducked into the room and followed, glad to leave
behind the throng drinking Silas Montgomery's booze and gawking at the mansion
the oil tycoon had built as a testament to his wealth and power.
The
two-story library with its cherry paneling and wall of bookshelves was more
intimate than the colossal great hall they'd left behind, but not quiet enough
for Nathan. He intended to have Emma to himself by midnight. He had no
intention of letting anyone but him kiss her incredible mouth.
She
stopped dead as he cut off her escape route. The noise level was too high for
conversation, but Emma had little trouble communicating her impatience as he
herded her toward the piano and nudged her into a narrow space between a blonde
in a red halter dress and a short balding man whose attention was riveted on
the woman's cleavage.
Nathan
surveyed the blonde without interest. Although he appreciated a half-naked
woman as much as the next guy, he wasn't a fan of augmented breasts. He
preferred curves that jiggled. Emma's in particular.
His lips
hovered just above her ear as he softly sang the lyrics that accompanied the
romantic tune. He put his hands on the gleaming black instrument, trapping Emma
between his arms. She stepped closer to the piano to avoid contact with his
body.
With her
luscious frame calling to him, Nathan locked his elbows to prevent himself from
pressing his lower half against her round rear end. He almost groaned at the
memory of cupping those sexy curves in his palms. Desire roared in his ears,
drowning out the music. He lowered his head and inhaled her perfume. The scent
wrapped around his libido, causing momentary amnesia. Why was he angry with
her?
Then he
remembered.
In the
pause between songs, he whispered in her ear, "Your father and I had an
interesting chat this afternoon."
Emma
lifted her shoulder as a barricade. "Cody mentioned that you had a
proposition for Daddy."
Nathan
had a proposition for her as well. A proposition of a very different nature
than what he'd discussed with Silas Montgomery.
"Did
your brother tell you what we discussed?" he quizzed. "No."
"Aren't
you curious?"
"Should
I be?"
Leaning
down, Nathan nuzzled Emma's temple. "Your name came up."
