Harlequin Desire January 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Maisey Yates (inspirational books .TXT) 📗

performing in church. Her father was the son of practical-minded Haitian immigrants, who dreamed of writing poetry. Nina’s mother had never encouraged her writing; it was the one obvious trait she’d inherited from her father.

The timing of the text was suspect. Her cousin lived somewhere in South Florida—that much Nina knew. If she’d kept up with celebrity gossip this past weekend, it was possible that she’d spotted Nina in a viral video or two.

Enough! Just answer the message!

Nina had the terrible habit of overthinking everything. It was just a text, and Valerie had always been friendly. Nina thought of an appropriate answer and riddled it with exclamation points. Hey there! All is good!! Happy holiday weekend!!!

The response came quick.

I know it’s a difficult time for you… With the anniversary and all.

Nina read the message a few times. It was possible that her cousin was checking in out of sincere concern. Why hadn’t she considered that? Her eyes glazed with tears as she punched a response. Yes… Thank you.

Of course! We’re family. Call me whenever. Okay?

Nina set the phone aside and gazed down at the pool, seeing it for the first time without the hordes of partygoers. The word pool was deceptive, evoking the smoke of coal barbecues, overcooked burgers and cheap beer. This wasn’t so much a pool but the fountain of youth hidden in a garden of tropical flowers. The morning sun beat down on the diamond-clear surface. The surrounding grounds were immaculate. Grassy patches were cut into geometric shapes and laid out like stained glass. Where vegetation lacked it was hand-painted onto the walls. A half a dozen guests were lounging half-naked on sun beds, working off hangovers or working on their tans. The men came in all shapes, colors and sizes. The women were uniformly slim. They offered their bikini-clad bodies to the sun but kept their faces hidden under wide-brimmed hats. There were no kids among them. Sand Castle had a no-child policy, solidifying its reputation as an adult playground.

Nina hummed a tune. Heaven. I’m in heaven.

A man peeled himself off a bed and made his way to the edge of the pool. He dived in and swam a lap in slow, smooth strokes. He moved freely, as if he didn’t feel the weight of the eyes pinned on him, and climbed out the other end. Water swirled down his broad back and golden-brown limbs.

Something short-circuited in Nina’s mind.

She got up from the table, approached the deck rail and watched, transfixed, as Julian grabbed a towel off the back of a chair and wiped himself down. He dropped the rumpled towel in a basket and stood still a moment, hands on narrow hips, head back, face offered to the sun.

Heaven. I’m in hell.

Nina’s breath went shallow as need and want coiled inside her. She ran through the not my type argument one more time. Some women preferred men who could change a flat tire or handle power tools. Nina didn’t own a car, plus she had a competent handyman on speed dial. She liked brainy guys, the type who could review her tax returns, give her investment advice or draft a cease-and-desist letter in a pinch. Practical stuff. And there was one more thing: she didn’t date actors. Never had. Never would. She had a lot of respect for the profession; that was the truth. To get sucked into that world again, all that drama, she’d sooner jump out of a plane just for kicks. But Julian… Oh, God, Julian… Was he worth it? Was she overthinking it? Their future together was capped to the five nights she had left on this vacation. Then it was back home to a life that did not include buff movie stars splashing around in pools.

Now the buff actor was staring up at her, grinning and waving, doing his best to grab her attention. It was cute because he didn’t have to work so hard. He had all her attention, all the time.

* * *

Moments later, he joined her on the deck. She stood and smoothed down her linen shirtdress.

“Don’t move,” he said. “Sit.”

She eased back into the chair and watched him drop his gym bag to the ground, pull out a camera and raise it to his eyes. “What are you doing?”

“You are so beautiful in the morning. I want you to see what I see.”

Nina laughed off the extravagant compliment. While he snapped a few photos, she lost herself, watching him. He had a healthy post-workout glow. He wore a loose T-shirt, but his muscles were taut and glistening from his swim.

“Sit down. I ordered breakfast,” she said. “Want anything?”

“I’ll grab a protein shake,” he said.

“Of course you will.”

“Believe it or not,” he said, “maintaining this body requires discipline and sacrifice.”

Julian was not as bulky as in his films. She imagined that physique required months of intense training to achieve and the discipline of a pro wrestler to maintain. He kept to a strict diet and workout regime. As a result, he was lean and toned to an inch of his life. Generally, Nina avoided this type of guy, jocks and gym rats and the like. She wanted her man fit but miraculously so. Maybe he played ball with his friends on weekends. Maybe he built muscle chopping firewood or whatnot. Either way, he ate real food, didn’t obsess over protein powders or stock up on power bars.

That was before she met Julian.

The rooftop attendant arrived with her food. She’d selected the Cuban breakfast, consisting of scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, pico de gallo and crusty bread. Julian eyed her plate lustfully. Still, he ordered a protein shake with added greens.

“Any preference of greens, Mr. Knight?”

“No preference. Just toss everything in.”

“Yes, Mr. Knight.”

“Mmm.” Nina patted her belly. “Sounds delicious.”

He flashed a smile, displaying a row of perfect white teeth. “Don’t mock me, Nina.”

She grabbed her fork and loaded it with eggs and avocado. “Try this,” she said, holding it up to his lips.

“Don’t tempt me, Nina,” he said. “I’m