“You were just there,” she said. “You don’t really want to go back, do you?”
He didn’t. She could see it in his eyes, yet he looked resolute.
“I will. And to prove I’ve let go of the past I’ll go every day thereafter if you’ll come with me.” His voice resonated with earnestness as he continued, “Just like you’ve come to understand how what happened to your mother has changed the way you view her decisions and actions all these years, I finally understand what you mean. The only way I can stop letting my anger rule me is to let go of past resentment.”
“And you’re ready to do that.” It was less a question than a statement. She could see from his earnest expression that he believed he was ready to move on.
“Going to see him today was the best thing I could’ve done. I’d built him up to be this figurehead in my mind. A larger-than-life role model for me to look up to. Today, he was behind bars, and all he wanted to do was run me down.” Oliver gave a snorting laugh that held only a trace of his old bitterness. “He’s the one who’s flawed, not me.”
“I guess we expected too much from our parents,” Sammi said, her expression rueful. “They aren’t perfect or all knowing, but flawed and driven by fear like anyone else.”
Oliver nodded. “If I’d understood that when I was younger, I would’ve saved myself a whole lot of trouble.”
Sammi heard the regret in his voice and desperately wanted to make the hurt go away. “But then you wouldn’t have become the man you are. You are a diamond, formed by tremendous pressure and adversity.”
“You are the only person in this world who would look at me like a diamond,” he said, affection mingling with gratitude in his eyes. “Most everyone else sees me as a pain in the ass.”
She touched his cheek, wrapping her love around him. “That’s because you have trouble letting people in.”
“That’s the old me.” He flashed his teeth in a bright, enthusiastic grin. “Things are going to be different going forward. I’ve decided to reach out to both my brothers and fix our relationship. I also need to make peace with my mom. I’ve been too hard on her, not realizing that she was doing the best she could with what she had.” Oliver cupped Sammi’s face in his hands and kissed her gently on the lips. “But most important, I promise to be there for you and our baby. Whatever you need. I intend to live up to your trust.”
Seeing the determination in his blue eyes, Sammi’s doubts receded. She didn’t bother asking him if he was sure. One thing she learned about Oliver over the last few weeks was that he never questioned a decision once he made it. She found his decisiveness sexy. Maybe because she had such trouble making up her own mind about things.
“Before we met, I’d never imagined finding someone who made me feel safe,” she said, her heart clenching. “You’re the only man I’ve ever truly trusted.”
Oliver gathered her against him, and the last bit of stiffness in her muscles eased. She settled against his hard frame with a grateful sigh and slid one arm around his neck, taking reassurance and giving solace.
“Being with you gave me a taste of how wonderful it could be to be a couple, and one day a family, and I’m greedy for more.”
When she’d opened the door and spied him standing in the hallway, she never expected to end up in his arms. Moments before he’d arrived, she’d been gearing up to move into the studio apartment alone and suddenly he was stepping forward to confess his love.
Oliver’s transformation was a sight to behold. The sweetness she’d glimpsed beneath his sometimes gruff, often wary exterior was on full display at the moment. She hadn’t realized how many shadows blocked his soul until they were gone. Awestruck, she basked in the unabashed adoration radiating from his clear blue gaze.
“I love you, Samantha Guzman,” he declared, his whole heart in the smile he beamed at her. “Will you marry me?”
Her breath caught. Brilliant joy suffused her whole body. This was the fantasy. The perfect beginning to their family.
“Yes.” Sammi’s spirits soared. “Oh, yes.”
And as Oliver’s soft kisses turned demanding, Sammi gave herself over to the thrill of his embrace, ready for anything the future might hold with this man at her side.
Dynasties:
Seven Sins
It takes the betrayal of only one man
to destroy generations.
When a hedge fund hotshot vanishes with billions,
the high-powered families of Falling Brook
are changed forever.
Now seven heirs, shaped by his betrayal,
must reckon with the sins of the past.
Passion may be their only path to redemption.
Experience all Seven Sins!
Ruthless Pride by Naima Simone
Forbidden Lust by Karen Booth
Insatiable Hunger by Yahrah St. John
Hidden Ambition by Jules Bennett
Reckless Envy by Joss Wood
Untamed Passion by Cat Schield
Slow Burn by Janice Maynard
Available May through November 2020!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Temptation at Christmas by Maureen Child.
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Temptation at Christmas
by Maureen Child
One
Sam Buchanan hated Christmas.
Always had, but this year, he had more reason than ever to wish he could wipe the “holiday season” off the calendar for good.
“So go on a Christmas cruise,” he muttered darkly. “Good call.”
He’d known it would be hard, but he wasn’t one to step back from duty just because it was difficult. Sam had a business to take care of and he wouldn’t let the personal get in the way of that.
Didn’t mean he had to like it, though.
From the owner’s suite at the top of the Fantasy Cruise Line
