Seduction by the Book

Seduction by the Book
Linda Conrad

The hurricane that imprisoned them…alone…in his island fortress was nothing compared to the storm raging within him. For two years, Nicholas Scoville had forbidden himself the pleasure of a woman, a self-imposed sentence that Annie Riley challenged with her healing hands and her infectious humor. When the lights went out, Nicholas took what he wanted, what he needed, what Annie offered.And learned he was her first.Annie deserved far better than him. She deserved Prince Charming, not some beast who'd taken her innocence after she repaired his broken body. A man with the means to give her everything but what really mattered.Then he learned about the baby.

The Worse Thing About The Storm Was Knowing He Had To Spend The Rest Of The Day… And Night…Alone With Annie.

She got under his skin and he didn’t like it one bit. He was a one-woman man and his woman had been violently taken from him. Other women, no matter how inviting, were distractions he just didn’t need.

He needed to remain frozen and apart. Distance let him maintain his emotional balance. Cold hearts didn’t feel guilt. Being numb meant keeping the pain at bay.

Nick had spent two long years keeping his distance from life, and damned if Annie didn’t bring that tempting heat right on to the island with her.

Heat and wanting.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another fabulous month of novels from Silhouette Desire. Our DYNASTIES: THE ASHTONS continuity continues with Kristi Gold’s Mistaken for a Mistress. Ford Ashton sets out to find the truth about who really murdered his grandfather and believes the answers may lie with the man’s mistress—but who is Kerry Roarke really? USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Greene is back with a stellar novel, Hot to the Touch. You’ll love this wounded veteran hero and the feisty female whose special touch heals him.

TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB: THE SECRET DIARY presents its second installment with Less-than-Innocent Invitation by Shirley Rogers. It seems this millionaire rancher has to keep tabs on his ex-girlfriend by putting her up at his Texas spread. Oh, poor girl…trapped with a sexy—wealthy—cowboy! There’s a brand-new KING OF HEARTS book by Katherine Garbera as the mysterious El Rey’s matchmaking attempts continue in Rock Me All Night. Linda Conrad begins a compelling new miniseries called THE GYPSY INHERITANCE, the first of which is Seduction by the Book. Look for the remaining two novels to follow in September and October. And finally, Laura Wright winds up her royal series with Her Royal Bed. There’s lots of revenge, royalty and romance to be enjoyed.

Thanks for choosing Silhouette Desire. In the coming months be sure to look for titles by authors Peggy Moreland, Annette Broadrick and the incomparable Diana Palmer.

Happy reading!

Melissa Jeglinski

Senior Editor

Silhouette Desire

Seduction by the Book

Linda Conrad

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

LINDA CONRAD

Award-winning author Linda Conrad was first inspired by her mother, who gave her a deep love of storytelling. “Actually, Mom told me I was the best liar she ever knew. And that’s saying something for a woman with an Irish-storyteller’s background,” Linda says. In her past life Linda was a stockbroker and certified financial planner, but she has been writing contemporary romances for six years now. Linda’s passions are her husband, her cat named Sam and finding time to read cozy mysteries and emotional love stories. She says, “Living with passion makes everything worthwhile.” Visit Linda’s Web site at www.LindaConrad.com or write to her at P.O. Box 9269, Tavernier, FL 33070.

For Captain Jeremy Steele-Perkins,

thanks for the long-distance sailing lessons!

If there are still mistakes in the terms, it’s my fault!

And my most sincere appreciation to his wife,

my dear agent Pattie, for her ultimate assistance

with this Gypsy series. She knows why.

Also, a big thanks to the great women

at the e-Harlequin Desireables monthly chats, especially

Marilyn, Bren and Emilie for all their wonderful

suggestions of Gypsy titles. Thanks again, guys!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Prologue

The smells of French pastry, boiled crayfish and scented table candles filled the sultry air. Paper lanterns, laughing couples strolling wide sidewalks and twinkling lights all made for a merry party atmosphere.

But none of it made a difference to Passionata Chagari. It was her duty to be here in the French Quarter this evening. Her duty to fulfill her father’s dying wishes.

She swung the multicolored shawl around her shoulders to protect against the crisp December night and looked down under the table to be sure the old treasure chest was safe and unseen. Her father, the late king of the gypsies, had left a chest full of bequests of magic to the young men of the prominent Steele family. Young men the king had never met. He had also directed Passionata from his grave to see the gifts delivered and used to their proper purpose.

And that she would do gladly. After all, she too owed much to the late Lucille Steele. So Lucille’s blood descendants were about to receive a boon, in payment for the ultimate act of kindness.