One Night with His Rival
Robyn Grady
Published by: Harlequin Desire
Publication date: March 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Selling his soul for a sizzling night of passion…
“Wanting something doesn’t make it good for you.”
Wealthy horse breeder Ajax Rawson can have any woman he wants. So why can’t he keep his hands off the one woman he can’t have? Beautiful, independent and passionate, Veda Darnel is the daughter of his family’s biggest competitor. Years of bad business blood makes their affair dangerous…and forbidden. But will accusations of foul play end their star-crossed romance before it even begins?
—
Ajax Rawson knows what he wants and he's used to getting it by offering little more than a heart-stopping smile. But after a scorching one night stand with Veda Darnel, he's put out to learn she's not nearly as eager as he is to get back to the bedroom.
Excerpt from ONE NIGHT WITH HIS RIVAL:
"If you want to leave, you're going the wrong way," Ajax said, tipping his head toward the house. "Cars are parked over there."
Taken aback, Veda blinked a few times before responding. "I wasn't leaving. I needed some air."
He forced a grin. "Like you needed air the night we met on that balcony a month ago."
Her knockout dress shimmered in the moonlight as she straightened. "Has it been that long?"
"Yup. That long."
After changing, Ajax had returned to the party pavilion in time to catch a flash of her lipstick red dress as Veda dashed out the back. Of course, he had followed. He wanted to make sure she was all right. And, yes, he had also seen an opportunity to broach another sensitive matter. Namely, what the hell had happened after Saratoga? Why hadn't she accepted his calls?
Clearly, Veda wanted to avoid the subject.
"So, what are you doing out here in the dark?" she asked.
Ajax slid both hands into his pants pockets. "Psyching up for party mode?"
"Well, at least you're dressed for it now."
His smile was slow. "You saw me earlier?"
Her gorgeous green eyes widened before she visibly gathered herself again and offered a cool reply. "You got changed in record time."
"I'd already showered at the office." Grinning, he propped a shoulder against a nearby oak and crossed one ankle over the other. "I don't mind the smell of hay and horse, but I'm not sure the guests would appreciate it much."
When her gaze dipped to his mouth, he remembered back to that night and words she had murmured while nuzzling him from his chest all the way down.
You smell so good. And taste even better.
As if she was remembering, too, Veda threw a glance toward the lights and music. "I should get back."
"I'll walk with you." He pushed off the oak before adding, "If that's okay."
After a second's hesitation, she made a face like it was no big deal. "Sure," she said. "Why not."
As they headed back down a lit path, he set a leisurely pace. After the flowers and phone messages-after the multiple times she had come apart in his arms that wild night-had she even considered dropping him a line?
He studied her profile-straight nose, lush lips, laser-beam focus. And then there was that jaw-dropping dress. He couldn't help but imagine sliding the fabric from her shoulders, tracing the contours of her breasts with his lips…with his tongue…
Focus, damn it.
"Did you get my messages?" he asked after clearing his throat. "I left a couple."
"I did. The flowers, too. They were lovely."
Uh-huh.
"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed our time together."
Gaze still ahead, she nodded. "Thank you."
He nodded, too, scratched his ear. "We left Saratoga on pretty good terms, wouldn't you say?"
Her heels clicked a little faster on the path. "We should get back to the party."
"I thought we could talk."
"Maybe later."
He pulled up. Maybe now.
"Is this still about your dad, Veda? Because I thought we'd worked through that."
The train of her red gown swirled as she spun back around. "We agreed to disagree. Not the same thing."
Really? "That conversation happened right before we made love again. Before you said, 'I wish we never had to leave.'"
Her nostrils flared as she crossed her arms. "If you're trying to embarrass me, it won't work."
For the love of God. "I'm trying to understand why you didn't pick up the phone."
He didn't get how she could be all prickly one second and turned on to the hilt the next. Was she an ice queen or too hot to be believed?
If you're an 'Enemies to Lovers' fan, be sure to grab a copy of my latest Harlequin Desire, ONE NIGHT WITH HIS RIVAL, hitting the shelves this month!
Author Bio:
Robyn Grady's stories have been published in 29 languages with millions of copies sold worldwide. Her books have appeared at award ceremonies including the National Readers Choice, the Booksellers Best, and Australia's prestigious Romance Book of the Year. Stories in her latest Harlequin Desire series, About That Night, will hit the shelves January and March, 2020. Stay up to date with the latest news at www.robyngrady.com.
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