Scandalous

Scandalous
Donna Hill

Virginia State assemblywoman Vaughn Hamilton is only a heartbeat away from her lifelong dream of winning a coveted congressional seat. Yet few know the desperate secret that has haunted her for so many years…a secret that her powerful family will do anything to keep hidden forever.When Vaughn meets business tycoon Justin Montgomery at a Washington D.C., fundraiser, the desire that flares between them soon sweeps her into a passionate and reckless love affair. But the liaison ends abruptly when Justin decides to run against her in the election. Shattered by his betrayal, Vaughn vows never to let a man into her life…and her heart…again. What she doesn't know is that Justin unwittingly holds the key to her past, and to the love that binds them together….

Scandalous

Scandalous

Donna Hill

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To my three beautiful children, Nichole, Dawne and Matthew, who teach me every day what hard work and true love are all about. And my incredible grandkids, Mahlik, Mikayla and Caylib. You guys rock!

Dear Reader,

You are about to embark on a sexy, passionate, suspenseful, life-affirming journey with Vaughn Hamilton and Justin Montgomery. This novel gave me an opportunity to tap into the world of politics, family secrets, suspense and an unquenchable love story—not to mention a few surprising twists. I am thrilled that Harlequin has reissued what was certainly one of my most popular novels. So if you are joining me for the first time, I thank you. For those who have taken the ride before, welcome back. And do be sure to look for the steamy sequel, A Scandalous Affair, coming soon.

The wonderful team of editors at Harlequin talked me into writing a new family series. This will be a first for me and I am thrilled about the upcoming story of the Lawson family of Louisiana. The first novel will debut in February 2011, and I’m eager to hear what readers have to say. Many of you may have already met the sexy, dashing, playboy Rafe Lawson, who made an appearance in my Arabesque title Heart’s Reward, this past August. If not, you are in for a treat.

Well, don’t let me keep you from diving into this juicy story. I love hearing from you. And you can find me online at www.donnahill.com, or follow me at twitter.com/donnahill and on Facebook.

Until next time,

Donna

www.dhfanclub.ning.com

www.donnahill.com

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

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Tiny beads of moisture clung to Vaughn’s nude body as though unwilling to relinquish the hold of her satiny ebony skin. She stepped out of the shower and padded into her bedroom, allowing the warm spring breeze to finish the work her towel had missed.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, she took an almost sensual pleasure in languidly smoothing scented body oil over her damp skin. It was one of the few luxuries she allowed herself. With her grueling schedule as assembly woman for the State of Virginia, Vaughn Hamilton found that leisure time was a rare commodity.

Completing the ritual, she stood in front of the full-length mirror, critically assessing her reflection. As a young girl, she’d always been overly sensitive about her dark complexion. Her father, on the other hand, had always called her his “ebony princess.” But back in the old days, ebony was not the thing to be. And the old chant “the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice” didn’t ease the pain from the taunts she’d received as a child. She’d grown up longing for the fair skin and long, silky hair preferred by society. As a result, she’d tried to overcompensate in every other area of her life by being the very best at everything she did, as though that would somehow make people overlook how dark she was. Fortunately, with maturity, she’d grown to be proud of her ebony coloring and had long ago dismissed the notion that to be light was right.