Читать онлайн книгу «Model Attraction» автора Sharon Cooper

Model Attraction
Sharon C. Cooper
Desire is more than skin deep…When an international modeling opportunity called, Janna Morgan answered. The past nine years have brought her fame, fortune and supermodel status, but they haven’t lessened her regret at leaving her high school sweetheart behind. A chance encounter proves that Austin Reynolds definitely hasn’t forgiven her. But it also becomes clear that some flames just grow hotter with time…The handsome real estate mogul has one broken engagement on his résumé, but Janna was the only one to ever steal his heart. Their incredible connection reignites an undeniable passion in them both, and workaholic Austin rediscovers his lighter side. But soon another can’t-refuse offer beckons Janna overseas. Will it be déjà vu…or is their love finally ready for the spotlight?


Desire is more than skin deep...
When an international modeling opportunity called, Janna Morgan answered. The past nine years have brought her fame, fortune and supermodel status, but they haven’t lessened her regret at leaving her high school sweetheart behind. A chance encounter proves that Austin Reynolds definitely hasn’t forgiven her. But it also becomes clear that some flames just grow hotter with time...
The handsome real estate mogul has one broken engagement on his résumé, but Janna was the only one to ever steal his heart. Their incredible connection reignites an undeniable passion in them both, and workaholic Austin rediscovers his lighter side. But soon another can’t-refuse offer beckons Janna overseas. Will it be déjà vu...or is their love finally ready for the spotlight?
She turned, and before Austin could form his next thought, she stepped in front of him. Her hands rested on his chest, and her mouth covered his.
Sweet. Soft. Potent. Her kiss was everything he remembered. All rational thought fled his mind and, as if on autopilot, one of his hands went to the back of her neck, the other to the small of her back. He pulled her against his body and his tongue explored the inner recesses of her mouth, tasting champagne. How many times had he dreamed of touching her, holding her, kissing her?
She moaned into his mouth, spurring him to deepen their kiss. The heady scent of her perfume was even more captivating now that her body was molded against his. Her arms eased around his waist, stoking the fire the kiss had started. She still fit perfectly in his arms.
Some sane part of his mind screamed, Danger! Stop and slowly back away. He couldn’t. He couldn’t stop the heat that soared through his body as their tongues tangled. He couldn’t stop the desire that singed every nerve ending, making him want so much more than a kiss. He couldn’t stop the possessive thought—mine—that floated to the forefront of his mind.
He knew at that moment that he would never really be free of her. She would always hold a part of his heart.
Dear Reader (#ulink_c77ef8be-2bf6-5531-b340-84018c3f0cf8),
After Legal Seduction, many of you contacted me asking if Iris’s sisters (Macy & Janna) would get stories. Well, in October (2015) I gave you Macy’s story, A Dose of Passion, and now here’s Janna’s story!
Model Attraction was a fun project for me and I really enjoyed telling Janna and Austin’s story. I think most of us have regrets regarding some past relationships, thinking we should have handled certain aspects differently. Well, Janna is no different, and when she gets the chance to make things right with Austin, she takes it. After a spilled latte, a surprised kiss and some other heated moments, Janna and Austin soon realize the passion they shared years ago is stronger than ever!
Enjoy their story, and let me hear from you at sharoncooper.net (http://sharoncooper.net)!
Sharon C. Cooper

Model Attraction
Sharon C. Cooper

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Award-winning and bestselling author SHARON C. COOPER spent ten years as a sheet metal worker. And while enjoying that unique line of work, she attended college in the evening and obtained her BA in business management with an emphasis in communication. Sharon is a romance-a-holic—loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies or real life. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense, and she enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance, of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit sharoncooper.net (http://www.sharoncooper.net).
To my hero, Mr. Cooper,
thank you for being the sunshine in my life!
I love you more than words could ever express!
Acknowledgments (#ulink_4ff33e05-7ddf-5880-922d-28aee8743a51)
Special thanks to my faithful readers for all the love and support! You make me want to keep writing! Much love to all of you!
Contents
Cover (#u162d3beb-fa88-596c-a133-9c3bf8c7cece)
Back Cover Text (#u9b5f7fcb-9d62-558f-a7bd-50c49b50dcbb)
Introduction (#u1a521203-28b8-57a9-a1ac-5f1b283b7fc6)
Dear Reader (#u162a88b7-3149-5db2-874b-a439b3e09706)
Title Page (#uf1a13551-2bd1-5a00-8dd9-51d0a5be97d9)
About the Author (#u7b8cef93-2a2e-5553-8a0a-f00abcd7444c)
Dedication (#u29ed6b22-4cd2-54c1-9b85-1715d9c4b0fc)
Acknowledgments (#ue6a3a67e-dc74-5596-99d9-56023752cef2)
Chapter 1 (#u305f4f60-86c3-57a8-bb46-d3fa87820dbc)
Chapter 2 (#ua1f52154-5562-556a-a386-ae21178dd210)
Chapter 3 (#u7029ffaf-e7f5-5464-bc04-27d272d205f6)
Chapter 4 (#u7da17285-9c35-5b61-981e-f966dcedaad5)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_34b0c8b7-3679-5b5f-93ba-2690d83b943c)
“I can’t marry you.”
Austin Reynolds jerked his head toward his open office door, where his fiancée, Zoe Davis, stood. He took in her appearance. She was one of those women who never left the house unless she was totally pulled together, and today was no different. But what he didn’t like seeing was the stress lines across her forehead.
“Mom, let me talk to you later,” Austin said into his cell phone, his gaze steady on Zoe. “And yes, I’ll pick up the cake for you after my meeting.” He disconnected and set his cell on the desk.
“Austin, I’m sorry to just burst in here like this, but I can’t—”
“Excuse me,” Beverly, his secretary, said, her hand on the doorknob. “I’m going to close this, if you don’t mind.” She shut the door, not waiting for either of them to respond. Austin had an open-door policy, but he was pretty sure this was going to be one of those conversations he’d prefer to have in private.
Sighing, he wiped his hand over his mouth and down his chin before returning his attention to his fiancée. He walked around his desk, digging deep within himself for patience.
“Why don’t you tell me what this is all about, Zoe?” He draped his arm over her shoulders and guided her to the navy-blue leather sofa that took up a large part of the sitting area in his office.
She set her large Prada bag on the coffee table. “I thought I could go through with this, but I can’t marry you. I can’t be with a man who isn’t in love with me.”
Austin sat next to her. “What are you talking about? We’ve known each other for years. You know I love you. I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me if I didn’t.”
Clearly frustrated, Zoe let her shoulders droop, and the pensive lines on her forehead reappeared. She sat back on the sofa and crossed her long bare legs, her short dress sliding up slightly, showing off shapely thighs.
“I’m not saying that you don’t love me. I know you do, and I love you, too, but we both know that you’re not in love with me.”
Instead of denying her comment, he asked, “Where is this coming from?”
“I have always felt something was missing between us, but thought... I don’t know what I thought. I guess, after dating for a year, when you asked me to marry you, I was excited. We were finally taking our relationship to the next level. But lately I’ve had my doubts. We’ve been engaged for six months and you won’t agree on a wedding date. It’s clear you’re not ready.”
Austin sat forward, his elbows on his knees as he stared down at the floor. When he had asked Zoe to be his wife, it seemed like the next logical step, but lately he wasn’t so sure.
“Why did you ask me to marry you?” she asked. “What changed? For years, you claimed you weren’t ready for marriage, and then all of a sudden you popped the question. Why?”
He glanced at her over his shoulder. “Because we’re great together. When we went from friends to lovers, you made it clear that you wanted to marry and have a family one day. I felt like I was ready, and I already knew you were ready.”
Zoe moved closer to him and slipped her arm through his, resting her head against his shoulder. “I guess those are good reasons, but you didn’t include the most important thing. Love.”
“I didn’t think I had to mention that again.”
“But you’re not in love with me.”
Austin remained quiet. What could he say? If he had to be honest with himself, she was right. There was a part of himself...a part of his heart that no one would ever be able to claim. But he was in his late twenties and thinking more about his future. He had reached his financial goals and the only thing left to do was get married and have a family. Though he wanted the type of marriage his parents had, he was willing to sacrifice being in love for being with someone he liked. Austin didn’t trust easily, and the fact that he’d let Zoe get this close had been a miracle.
“Most engaged people can’t keep their hands off each other. Yet the last couple of months you’ve been traveling, and when you are home, you’re emotionally unavailable. What am I supposed to think? You have found every excuse to keep me at bay. I wake up thinking about you, and you’re the person I think about before I fall asleep at night. But I have a feeling I’m not the one who consumes your thoughts. Austin, I need more than a chivalrous man trying to do right by me.”
He hesitated. Again, Zoe was right. Despite being ready to settle down and have a family, he didn’t want to do anything to hurt her. He knew now that if they had gone through with this marriage, that’s exactly what would have happened.
“Zoe, I—”
“You don’t have to say anything. You’re an amazing guy and I appreciate your willingness to give up your bachelorhood in order to give me the life I’ve always dreamed of. I know you would make a wonderful husband in some ways, but I need more than you’re willing or able to give.”
She placed her hand on his thigh and his gaze went to that spot. He felt nothing. No tingling. No sparks. Nothing. She was such a beautiful woman inside and out. But he hadn’t touched her intimately in almost two months. Like her, he recognized something had been missing. He just chose to ignore it.
“We were good friends before we got engaged,” Zoe said, interrupting his thoughts. “I hope we can remain friends.”
“Always.” He placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, not surprised at how well she was taking all of this. She was independent, low-key, and he couldn’t even recall ever having an argument with her.
She held the sparkling diamond out to him. As a self-made millionaire who’d made his first million investing in the stock market while attending college, Austin thought by now he’d have a wife and family to shower his wealth on. Instead, he had more money than he could ever spend in a lifetime, a huge house meant to be filled with children and a broken engagement. And the only woman he had ever loved had left him years ago without looking back.
He glanced at the ring again. “Keep it.” He folded her hand around the expensive jewelry and pulled her to him. “I’m sorry...for everything. If you ever need anything, you know all you have to do is call me.”
“I know. But there’s something I have to know.”
“And what’s that?”
“Who is she?”
Austin leaned away from her and frowned. “Who is who?”
“You have suppressed issues that you have never dealt with, and I can’t help but think that they have something to do with a woman in your past. Talk to me. I can—”
“Dammit, Zoe.” He pulled out of the light hold she had on his arm. “The last thing I need right now is for you to try and psychoanalyze me.” He’d been doing enough of that himself, especially over the last few months. As a psychologist, she had tried, more than once, to use some of her techniques to figure out what made him tick.
“Who is she, Austin?” Zoe sat unfazed by his outburst. “Who is this woman that has your heart?”
Austin stood suddenly and walked to one of the windows of his Atlanta office staring down at the busy traffic on Peachtree Street. He and Zoe might have been the best of friends, but there was no way he was going to discuss another woman with her. Assuming there was one. Okay, maybe there was.
Almost ten years now, and there was a woman who was never far from his thoughts. A woman who had walked out of his life and hadn’t looked back, taking a chunk of his heart with her. The same woman he had seen from a distance six months ago and had been dreaming about ever since.
Janna Morgan.
* * *
“Okay, Iris, I have to get off this phone. I’m standing outside Cupcakes Allure,” Janna said to her sister Iris. Janna had arrived in Atlanta an hour ago and couldn’t wait to indulge in one of her guilty pleasures—a cupcake.
“I don’t know how you can eat that stuff and not gain a pound. Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to fit into one of those ridiculously skimpy outfits the designers insist you wear?”
As a supermodel, maintaining her weight and her dimensions was always at the forefront of Janna’s mind.
“For the last two weeks, I have added a few extra workouts to my routine specifically for this occasion. There’s a chocolate swirl cupcake loaded with chocolate chips and coconut with an obscene amount of chocolate fudge frosting on top that has my name on it.” To make sure, she had called Iona, the bakery owner, to place her order.
“Well, enjoy all of that chocolate. Are you coming to our house once you leave there? Ms. D has the guest room ready for you.”
Ms. Dalton, her sister and brother-in-law’s live-in housekeeper, was actually more like family.
“She’s so sweet, but I’m staying in a hotel during this trip.”
“What? For three weeks? You know we have more than enough room.”
“I know. Macy said the same thing about their place.” Iris and their other sister, Macy, always insisted that she stay with one of them. “Though I appreciate the offers from both of you, I think it’ll be better for me to stay in the hotel. Besides, I already have a reservation.”
“Cancel it.”
Janna didn’t want to. This vacation was about more than just spending time with her family. She also planned to think about her future. She loved modeling but was ready to expand her brand and clean up her image. Being seen with some of the country’s sexiest A-listers and music moguls was intended to keep her visible to the public, but lately the media had turned innocent situations into juicy gossip. She was ready for the world to see her as more than just a pretty face. If her future plans panned out, they would also see her as a businesswoman.
“So, how are the boys?” Janna asked of her twin nephews, Stephen and Trevon.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice how you changed the subject, but the boys are great. They’re busier than ever. Not even two yet and they’re getting into everything. But I love my little angels.”
“Yeah, the angels that got kicked out of heaven,” Janna mumbled.
“I heard that.” Her sister laughed, knowing she couldn’t argue the fact that at times they were out of control. “Is that why you don’t want to stay here, because of the boys?”
“That’s part of it.”
Janna explained her goal for this trip to her sister and stepped out of the way when several women headed up the walkway to the bakery. She wore a pink baseball cap to match her outfit and a large pair of designer sunglasses to shield her identity, in hopes no one would recognize her. Today she just wanted to be a normal person who was taking her first vacation in months.
Janna glanced at her watch. “Listen, sis. I really do need to get off this phone. I’ve been standing out here for almost ten minutes and my driver is waiting. I’ll be there for dinner.”
They talked for a few minutes longer before Janna disconnected. Dropping her cell into her Birkin handbag, she hurried into the bakery, glad to see it had temporarily cleared out.
“Well, there she is,” Iona crooned the moment Janna removed her sunglasses. “I was starting to wonder if you weren’t going to make it.” Iona walked around the counter and pulled Janna in for a tight hug.
“It’s so good seeing you again. I’m sorry I’m late. I got stuck on the phone with my sister.”
“Not a problem. I have your treat ready for you. And it’s low in calories and low in fat, just the way you like it.” Iona winked. She and Janna shared a laugh, knowing there were easily five hundred calories in the cute little pink-and-brown box Iona placed on the counter. “Oh, and did you want your soy latte today?”
“Definitely. If I’m going to ruin my diet, I might as well make it worth my while.”
Unable to resist, Janna opened the small box and licked the top of the cupcake. A sweet peace settled in her soul and her eyes drifted closed as the chocolate frosting melted on her tongue. This little bit of heaven was so worth the wait.
Janna talked with Iona for a few minutes until more customers started showing up.
“I’m going to head out, since you guys are getting busy. I can’t wait to eat my cupcake.” She held the box up as she turned to leave.
“Oh, wait! Don’t forget your drink,” Iona said and hurried to make Janna’s latte.
While she was standing off to the side waiting, Janna’s cell phone rang. Normally she wouldn’t have taken the call inside the bakery, but it was her manager and she’d been expecting his call.
“Hey, Nelson. I hope you have some good news for me.”
“Let’s just say that you picked the perfect time to be in Atlanta. Philanthropist Blake Dresden agreed to a meeting with you.”
Yes! Janna tried to keep from doing a happy dance in the semicrowded bakery. Instead, she retrieved her latte from Iona and bade her farewell before heading toward the entrance. She had identified several people to pitch an idea she had to start a nonprofit for teens aging out of foster care to adulthood. Unlike her, many foster children didn’t have a loving family to depend on once they turned eighteen. For those individuals, she wanted them to have a safe place to stay that would not only provide a roof over their heads, but also an environment that would support them as they transitioned into adulthood. This cause was very personal to her and she couldn’t wait to speak with Mr. Dresden.
Juggling her boxed cupcake and her drink, Janna wove through the small crowd in order to get to the door.
“Nelson, thank you so much for making this happen.”
“My pleasure, doll. There is one catch, though.”
Distracted and tuning out her manager, Janna slowed to reposition her cell, holding it to her ear with her shoulder. She pushed against the door, but someone yanked it open at the same time.
“Oh, crap!” Her cell phone slipped from her ear and her drink went flying when she lost her balance. Her baseball cap and sunglasses—gone. Trying to catch the cupcake box, she would have fallen face-first had it not been for the strong hands gripping her arm.
Face-to-face with the front of a man’s suit jacket, she realized where her latte had landed.
“Oh, no, no, no.” She wiped her hands feverishly down the guy’s jacket until he took a step back out of her reach. Janna pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and stood upright.
“I’m so sor...” Her words lodged in her throat and her breath caught when she met the gaze of the fine specimen standing before her. It couldn’t be. “Au-Austin?”
At five-eleven, wearing three-inch wedge heels, she was taller than most women, but he still towered over her by at least three or four inches. Prior to seeing him from a distance six months earlier, she hadn’t seen Austin Reynolds in almost ten years. Not since she had left Edison, New Jersey, to pursue a modeling career in Milan. They had both been so young then, but a quick perusal of the guy standing before her showed that he had grown into an extremely handsome man.
Tall, with dark eyes and chiseled features, he had a wide chest and broad shoulders, and he knew how to dress. Austin was clothed in what felt like virgin wool twill, and the jacket, tapered to enhance his athletic build, had high peaked lapels and a single-button closure. The expensive garment looked as if it had been made specifically for him. And she’d bet her last check that it was Armani. If she didn’t know anything else, she knew her materials and designers.
“Janna,” he finally said.
Her eyes met his, and chill bumps scurried up her bare arms at the coldness behind the one word. Not even the deep, raspy voice that she’d once loved could hide the fact that he was less than thrilled to see her. But who could blame him? One of the decisions she had regretted most in her life was the way she’d left him behind. And by the glare in his intense brown eyes, he hadn’t forgiven or forgotten.
Chapter 2 (#ulink_d10b5830-db88-568e-82a3-79478eee0b97)
Austin’s heart slammed against his chest. Janna. Seeing her standing in front of him didn’t seem real. The moment reminded him of six months ago when he had caught a glimpse of her at the grand opening of a new medical complex there in Atlanta. He’d been caught off guard then, too.
Judging by her wide eyes and her mouth hanging open, she was just as shocked. She wore that same sweet, girl-next-door expression on her face that he had fallen in love with years ago. Her big, innocent eyes were free of the major makeup he’d seen in many of her photos, and her cinnamon-brown complexion was as vibrant as her personality. Assuming she was still the free-spirited, fun-loving person she once was. And those lips. Lips that used to be so soft that he looked forward to kissing her so that he could taste the strawberry lip gloss she’d always worn when she was in high school.
As she stood there, accepting his perusal, her features softened even more. Her long, thick hair with auburn highlights flowed in waves over her shoulders, a few strands flying into her face. His gaze went lower, to her perky breasts hiding behind a pink tank top, and even lower, to her tiny waist that flared out slightly into curvaceous hips. The jeans that hugged her body like a second skin stopped at her ankles, forcing attention to her sexy high heels, showing off pretty feet with painted toenails.
His shaft twitched at the once-over and he cursed under his breath. Damn his body for responding. He didn’t want to like what he saw. He didn’t want to be attracted to her.
Austin tried to look away, but he couldn’t. Gone was the tall, skinny girl who used to wear ponytails on top of her head and get into all types of mischief. Instead before him was an incredibly sexy woman with curves in all the right places.
Anger bounced around in his gut. How could he still be attracted to her after the way she had disappeared from his life?
Besides saying her name a moment ago, no other words formed, especially since he was fighting against some type of magnetic pull. A pull that he’d only ever experienced with her. A pull that made him want to move closer and wrap her in his arms. A pull that could almost make him forget the hell he went through when she left him.
His gaze went to her mouth again. Were her lips as soft and sweet as they once were?
“It’s nice seeing you again, Austin.”
It was as if someone poured a bucket of ice water over his head. Tension gripped his body and his heart rate picked up.
“I wish I could say the same.”
She flinched, and he immediately regretted his words. He could be angry without being a jerk.
“I’m sorry about your jacket.” Her apology snagged his attention when she nodded toward the huge wet spot on his suit coat, tie and dress shirt. “I feel awful.”
You should was what he wanted to say, but he remained silent. Cell phones might be one of the greatest inventions, but there were times when he hated them. Had she not been talking into the device, maybe she would have been paying attention to what she was doing.
He snatched his pocket square and cringed as he cleaned up the mess the best he could, glad he didn’t have any more meetings for the rest of the day.
His attention returned to Janna when she quickly picked up her cell phone, hat and sunglasses strewn on the ground around them. Normally a gentleman, Austin was still in too much shock and hadn’t even thought to retrieve her items and hand them to her.
Once his mind cleared, he bent down and picked up the cup that once held her drink, and tossed it in a nearby trash can.
“I’ll be happy to take care of your dry cleaning. We can exchange contact info—”
“That won’t be necessary.” Unwelcome memories invaded his mind, like how perfect she’d felt in his arms the last time he had held her. That was the night before he and his family had left on vacation, days after his high school graduation. And he would never forget how soft her lips were the last time he had kissed her. Who knew that would be their last time together? Had he known that night that Janna wouldn’t be waiting for him upon his return, he wouldn’t have gone on the cruise. They would have been married with children by now. Instead, she had left him. She had taken not only a part of his heart back then, but also some of his joy.
Austin had operated on autopilot to get through that summer. It wasn’t until his parents had decided to relocate him and his brother to Atlanta that he’d finally started to move on. He’d poured himself into his schoolwork at Morehouse, where he’d double majored in business administration and finance, then had obtained his MBA. For years, he still hadn’t been able to get Janna completely out of his system. Each time he saw her angelic face or that enticing body on the cover of a magazine or on a billboard, he grew angrier, throwing himself into his work. If he were honest with himself, he would have to admit that it was probably because of her that he drove himself to become a multimillionaire at such a young age.
He turned to leave, anxious to get away from her.
“Austin,” Janna called out just before he walked into the bakery. “Can we talk? Maybe over a cup of coffee or—”
“I don’t drink coffee. Besides, we have nothing to talk about.” He stepped into the establishment, trying like hell not to look back.
There was a time when she could have asked anything of him and he would have done it. But he had moved on. Or at least he had tried.
* * *
Janna stared out the passenger window in the back of the town car as her driver headed to the hotel, her heart heavier than it had felt in years. Austin Reynolds. The man she had loved since she was sixteen. The man she had never stopped loving. It wasn’t the reunion she would have preferred, but to see him again stirred memories that she thought were buried and feelings she thought long gone.
She laid her head against the backseat and closed her eyes. Austin’s image immediately appeared. Smooth skin the color of toasted almonds, with intense eyes that seemed to look right through her. At first he’d seemed shocked to see her, but then his eyes had softened the way they used to whenever he looked at her. His slow gaze had traveled down the length of her body, as intimate as a lover’s caress. But within minutes those soft eyes had turned hard.
She hadn’t noticed a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean anything these days. Some men didn’t wear them, but knowing Austin, there was no way he wouldn’t wear one if he were married. When they were dating, he’d often talked about marriage and looked forward to being a husband.
A shiver coursed through her as she recalled how his eyes had darkened like a storm brewing. She almost hadn’t recognized him. She had always seen him as a gentle giant, one of the nicest people she’d ever known, but what had she expected? Despite the fact that she hadn’t forgotten him, of course he wouldn’t be happy to see her again.
“Ms. Morgan?”
Janna’s eyes popped open and she sat up at the sound of the driver’s voice.
“Yes?”
“We’re about fifteen minutes from your hotel. Is there any other stop that you would like to make before we arrive?”
“No. Thank you, Edward.”
She returned her attention to the downtown traffic and barely noticed the people on the sidewalks hurrying to their destinations. All she could think about was Austin. She felt awful about ruining his suit, but she couldn’t believe how cold he’d been. And it had nothing to do with the mess on his jacket. He was definitely different from the young man she had fallen in love with years ago. There was a time when he had made her feel cherished and loved. At least, until she had decided to pursue the career she had once only dreamed of having, discarding the plans that she and Austin had made for their future.
Janna sighed. In hindsight, she wished she had handled things differently back then. She shouldn’t have left town without talking with Austin first, especially since they had plans to marry after high school, but everything happened so fast. Getting contacted by one of the top modeling agencies in the world had caught her totally off guard, but accepting the offer was a no-brainer. Modeling was a dream come true, and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. She hated the way she had to leave, and knew she should have tried harder to contact him once she arrived in Milan.
Her cell phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. She had dropped it into her handbag without checking to see if it still worked.
“Hello,” she answered after seeing her manager’s name on the screen.
“Janna, what happened? One minute we were talking and the next the phone went dead. I’ve been calling ever since. Are you okay?”
“Nelson, I’m fine. I’m sorry I didn’t call you right back. I ran into an old friend.” Actually, Austin had been much more than a friend. He was the man she’d planned to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
“That’s all right. I just wanted to finish telling you about Blake Dresden.”
“I’m so glad he’s willing to meet with me.” Her plans for Precious Home, her nonprofit, weren’t totally fleshed out, but she hoped to at least share with Dresden what she had in mind so far.
“Well, before you get too excited, there’s more.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s very interested in hearing your ideas and was glad you sought him out. He’d like for you...”
Janna’s mind drifted to Austin again. She might not have done much to contact him after she had left the country, but that was going to change. Now that she had run into him, she was determined to get him to give her a chance to explain her actions. Besides, she was curious. What had he made of himself? Was he married? Did he have children? A lump formed in her chest at the last couple of thoughts.
“...maybe at his place Friday night.” Nelson’s words drifted into her subconscious.
“Hold up, wait. What?” Janna said, tuning back in to the conversation. “What did you say?”
“I said he wants you to meet his son, who is a huge fan of yours. Junior is also a businessman and might be interested in investing. But I have to admit, I think Blake Sr.’s desire for you to meet his son might not have anything to do with your business idea, but be more of a matchmaking idea.”
Janna was so tired of people trying to set her up with their sons or grandsons.
“So if I say I’m only interested in meeting with Blake Sr. and not his son, I might be shooting myself in the foot.”
“I think that’s safe to say.”
Janna thought about her plans, which were still a little rough. What she knew for sure, though, was that she only wanted to share her ideas with people who were genuinely interested.
“You know what, Nelson? Why don’t we hold off on setting up anything with Mr. Dresden?” She discussed a few more items with her manager before disconnecting.
Janna placed her cell phone back in her purse just as the driver pulled up to the hotel. She could easily get her sisters and their millionaire husbands involved, but this was a project close to her heart. She wanted to find funding on her own instead of getting them to come to the rescue. She had to show them that she could create a solid business plan and raise the initial funds herself.
For as long as Janna could remember, her sisters had been overachievers. Iris, a defense attorney, and Macy, a pediatrician, had chosen careers that helped others and, in many instances, saved lives. Though she had never said anything to either of them, she envied their selflessness and the way they poured themselves into helping other people. Unlike them, Janna had chosen a profession that was more about her, doing something she enjoyed that didn’t really benefit others. Considering how blessed she had been, it was way past time that she gave back in a big way and did something to help those less fortunate. Besides, she wanted to make a difference in someone’s life.
She couldn’t wait to get her nonprofit up and running. Just thinking about the young people she would be able to help filled a void in her life that no amount of money could.
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, Austin pulled onto his parents’ estate in Johns Creek and followed the long circular drive to their front door. His parents had purchased the house, which his mother considered her dream home, three years after moving to Atlanta, once their business started making a profit.
Austin parked his vehicle, still finding it hard to believe that he’d seen Janna. The whole experience seemed so surreal. How many times had he thought about her? Dreamed about her?
He exited the car, grabbing the cake his mother had asked him to pick up. He used his key to let himself in, still trying to shake his encounter with Janna.
“Hello,” he called out and headed to the kitchen, where he was sure he’d find his mother; it was her favorite part of the five-thousand-square-foot house.
“Hi, son.” Sheila looked up from pulling a roasted chicken out of the oven. “What happened to you?” She nodded toward the stain on the front of his shirt.
Janna Morgan is what happened was what he wanted to say, but instead he replied, “I had a little accident at the bakery.”
His family knew Janna as his high school sweetheart. When they found out that things had ended between them, his mother had been the only one who pressed him for details. She was concerned about how withdrawn he’d become. Months later, when they saw Janna on the cover of Vogue, they’d put together bits and pieces about their breakup, no one knowing just how devastated he’d been. It wasn’t until years later that he had told his older brother the whole story about how she had left, disregarding their plans in favor of her career.
“Oh, this is absolutely beautiful.” His mother gushed over the cake that he set on the center island in her state-of-the-art kitchen. A cook’s dream space, the room consisted of top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and every cooking gadget imaginable.
Austin went to the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“Don’t even think about going in there without washing your hands.”
Austin shook his head. How often had he and his brother heard those words growing up?
As he washed his hands in the sink, his mind drifted back to Janna. Long hair that he wanted to run his fingers through, seductive eyes, high cheekbones and lips that were made for kissing were at the forefront of his mind. Seeing her gorgeous face and enticing body on the covers of numerous magazines hadn’t done her justice. The woman was absolutely breathtaking. He still wondered how he’d been able to walk away from her this afternoon. Then again, he knew how. All he had to do was think about how she had tossed his love away and crushed his heart.
His high school sweetheart, she was the woman he had planned to spend the rest of his life with. Once he became a senior—a year ahead of her—they’d created a five-year plan. It included them getting married once he graduated from college and started his career. He would work while she finished her degree in fashion. Their plan had been solid, or so he’d thought.
“Austin. Austin?”
He glanced up to find his mother staring at him, concern in her eyes.
“What’s on your mind? I called your name several times. Is it work? Your dad told me the negotiations regarding that New York condominium project have been a little stressful.”
Glad to have his thoughts steered away from Janna and what should have been, Austin grabbed a bottle of water.
“Yeah, we’re getting close to an agreement, but it’ll take a trip out there to finalize everything.” As the chief financial officer for their family’s company, Reynolds Development, he was used to tough negotiations. After graduating from college, despite already being a millionaire, he had joined the family business and taken the company to the next level with his negotiating abilities.
“Please tell me this trip is not going to cause you to miss the anxiety and depression awareness benefit Saturday. I want my whole family to be there.”
“I’ll be back in Atlanta Friday evening.” He hated attending formal events, but this cause was close to his mother’s heart. Shunned and disowned by her wealthy family for marrying Austin’s father, who at the time was a carpenter, Sheila had attempted suicide when Austin was twelve. For years, she had suffered from depression. With the help of therapy, she’d grown stronger. Once they moved from New Jersey to Georgia, she became an advocate for others suffering from depression. It was her own form of healing.
“I know Zoe is looking forward to the gala. We went shopping the day before yesterday for our dresses. You’re not going to want to leave her side when you see hers,” his mother said, interrupting his thoughts.
Oh, great. Seeing Janna had made him totally forget about his broken engagement, which spoke volumes about his lack of feelings for Zoe. His mother absolutely adored her and had already considered her the daughter she’d always longed for.
“I hate to tell you this, but I guess you’re going to find out eventually. This afternoon Zoe and I called off our engagement.”
“Oh, no!” The pained expression on his mother’s face sent a stab of guilt straight to his heart.
“Why? What happened?” She set down the large spoon she was using to stir what looked to be collard greens. His mother was the only person he knew who cooked large meals at least three times per week. “No, don’t tell me. It was you again, wasn’t it? I had hoped you were finally ready to settle down. How many hearts are you going to break before you understand that you can’t go around dating a woman for years, or in this case asking a woman to marry you, when you don’t love her?”
“What’s going on?” His father, Patrick, walked into the kitchen and set his car keys on the counter before planting a kiss on Sheila’s cheek. “What’s with the scowl?” he asked her before turning his attention to Austin. He and his father were about the same height, but Patrick was a tad thicker around the waist.
“Your son...” Sheila started but stopped, her scowl growing more intense.
“I just told Mom that Zoe and I called off our engagement.”
His father shook his head and clasped a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Austin knew his dad well enough to know what he was thinking, and he knew that at some point in the very near future, probably when Sheila wasn’t around, there would be a man-to-man talk. Neither of his parents could say anything that he hadn’t already thought about. But his mother was definitely right in saying that he had to stop this. It wasn’t fair to the women involved, and it wasn’t fair to his family, especially his mother, who had worried over the years that he still wasn’t over Janna. Before today, he was able to blow off her concern. But after seeing Janna at the bakery, he wondered if she wasn’t far off in her assessment.
Chapter 3 (#ulink_562e14ba-bee5-5bda-8ef9-04259ab79d87)
Macy handed Janna a few more hairpins. “Thanks for attending the End Depression fundraiser with me since Derek couldn’t.” They were riding in a chauffeured car while Janna pinned her sister’s hair up.
“I’m glad you told me about it,” Janna said, anchoring another one of Macy’s curls in an updo.
“Me, too, especially since you were willing to donate to the silent auction.”
Janna was passionate about working with young girls and teens on self-esteem and self-care. When Macy told her about the silent auction, Janna couldn’t wait to put together a package to auction off. A theme—a day in the life of a model—immediately came to mind. The winner, between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one, would receive an opportunity to spend at least two days with Janna, who would give tips on everything from makeup to personal style. They would also receive a pampering day, including a makeover, as well as a mini shopping spree.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of bids for your donation.”
“I hope so. I love what the charity is doing, and if my small token can help them to their goal, all the better.”
Janna removed the last pin from between her lips and stuck it into her sister’s long hair, hoping they would hold the updo in place. Macy had missed her hair appointment and Janna was attempting to create a hairstyle that would show off the gorgeous jewelry her brother-in-law had bought for his wife.
“Oh, by the way, I saw that Phoenix is going to be in a made-for-TV movie with R.J. Tulane,” Macy said.
Anger boiled inside Janna at the mention of her birth mother’s name and she pushed the back of Macy’s head forward.
“Ow!” Her sister turned and glared at her. “What’s your problem?”
“Why do you always do that?”
“Do what?” Macy rubbed the back of her head.
“Ruin a conversation by mentioning that woman! We weren’t even talking about actresses and you manage to bring her up,” Janna ground out between gritted teeth. “What she does has nothing to do with me. I hate it when you and Iris mention her.”
“Janna, you have no idea how painful it was for me to find out that even after I was grown, my mother wanted nothing to do with me. You have an opportunity to—”
“No. I already know what you’re going to say. Just because Phoenix wants a relationship with me, that doesn’t mean I want anything to do with her. The day she signed away her parental rights is the day she stopped being my mother. Mama Adel is the only mother I have and the only one I need.”
They rode in silence. Janna hated that she’d snapped, especially knowing this was a sensitive topic for Macy. The three of them might have lived in the same foster home, but their backgrounds were very different. Iris had been fourteen when her mother was killed, while Macy’s mother had been in and out of jail. She had forfeited her rights when Macy was very young. And then there was Janna. She’d been the only one of the three to actually be adopted by Mama Adel, their foster mother, after Macy and Iris had gone off to college.
“Janna, honey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Janna sighed. “I know. I shouldn’t have gone off on you. I just don’t want to talk about her.”
For the past few months, Phoenix had been showing up at different events where she knew Janna would be. So far, Janna had been able to avoid her, but she had a feeling that the rumors she’d recently heard were true. An A-list actress, Phoenix had been approached to do a reality show, and Janna had a feeling that her birth mother might try to get her involved. The media didn’t know their connection and Janna wanted to keep it that way.
“Can we forget I said anything?” Macy bumped shoulders with Janna playfully, a stupid grin on her face.
Janna shook her head and smiled. “Yeah, yeah, I guess. Let’s just go in here and have some fun.”
The car pulled up to the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown.
“Hmm, there’s a lot more media here than I expected,” Macy said when the driver opened the car door and they stepped out.
“Janna!”
“Janna, over here!” Paparazzi called out her name, snapping photo after photo.
“Why do I have a feeling they knew you were coming?” Macy murmured. “I’ll meet you inside.”
Janna stopped, smiled and posed without responding to her sister. She was sure Nelson had leaked to the press that she would be there. He never missed an opportunity to keep her in the media, claiming it was great for business. She just hoped Phoenix didn’t show up.
Turning from left to right, she indulged the small group of photographers, knowing that it was all part of the job.
“Who are you wearing this evening, Janna?”
“Valentino,” she answered a reporter who held a small recorder out to her. She glanced down at the red, one-shouldered gown, loving the way the satin material gathered on her left side and fell in waves to the floor. She responded to several additional questions regarding her jewelry and the fundraiser.
As part of her agreement with the designer of the gown, she needed to get as much exposure as possible. She had a contract with them that stated that she would wear at least three of their evening gowns this year and so far, this was gown number two.
After posing for a few more photos and signing a couple of autographs, she made her way into the building. This was her first time at the arts center, and it was as impressive inside as it was outside.
The event was being held in the galleria, the main entrance for the symphony hall. The two-level space with high ceilings and art deco fixtures looked more like a ballroom than a foyer.
“Ma’am, would you like a glass of champagne?” a waiter walking around with a tray of long stemware asked when he slowed.
“Yes, thank you.”
Janna sipped from the glass as she strolled around the open area. Round tables filled the center of the space, while the items for the silent auction were set up on eight-foot-long tables along the perimeter of the room.
“Hello, beautiful.” Janna turned to find a handsome gentleman with greenish-gray eyes and a large smile surrounded by a well-groomed mustache and goatee standing next to her. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like that model?”
Janna tried not to laugh, especially since she’d been asked that question often.
“Yes, I’ve been told that on a number of occasions.” She participated in small talk, noticing immediately that he’d had too much to drink. She discreetly looked around for her sister.
“I’m Timothy Cowden III, by the way.” He placed the glass, half-filled with a dark liquid, in his left hand and extended his right hand to her.
“Janna Morgan. Nice to meet you.”
“So you are that model. You fooled me,” he slurred and chuckled. “Can’t say tha-that I ever met a model before. Can I get you another drink? Or maybe we can take a stroll around.”
Janna startled when Timothy ran the back of his fingers along her bare arm. She jerked away from him, cringing at how creepy his touch felt.
“Excuse me. I need to go find someone.” Anyone, she thought, and walked away as quickly as her five-inch sandals would carry her. The strappy red stilettos matched her dress but definitely weren’t made for fast walking.
When it seemed she was far enough away from Timothy, she slowed and handed her empty glass to a passing waiter. Seeing Macy across the room, she headed in her direction but stopped abruptly.
“Oh, my... Janna?” The older woman’s smile quickly appeared. “It is you!”
Janna smiled and accepted a hug from the woman she hadn’t seen in years. “Mrs. Reynolds, it’s so nice to see you,” she said to Austin’s mother, feeling a little awkward but sincerely glad to see her. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has, and please call me Sheila now that you’re all grown up. You’re even lovelier than I remember.” She stepped back but didn’t release Janna’s arms. “Patrick and I are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.”
Heat rose to Janna’s cheeks. She had always liked Austin’s mother. Not just because she’d often told her how cute or sweet she was, but because she was so warm and loving. Growing up in foster care, she went through a period when she felt unlovable, especially knowing that her parents hadn’t wanted her. But Mama Adel had always made her feel cherished.
“Have you seen Austin yet?” Sheila asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Panic rioted inside Janna. She hadn’t considered that Austin would be there. When they were younger, he’d hated attending anything formal, which was one reason she had been shocked to see him in a suit the other day.
“I’m sure he would love to see you.”
Janna shook her head. “I wish I could be that sure,” she said quietly. Their last face-to-face hadn’t gone well, and she didn’t think she could take another rejection from him. “Mrs. Rey—I mean, Sheila, Austin and I didn’t part on the best of terms. I want you to know that I didn’t mean to...”
Sheila squeezed Janna’s hand; her gentle eyes and easy smile relieved her of some of her anxiousness.
“That was a long time ago. Talk to him, sweetheart.” She pulled Janna close and gave her another hug. “My son can be extremely stubborn, but you two were once very close and I think he can use a friend. Promise me that you’ll at least say hello to him.”
Janna nodded and they talked a few minutes longer before Sheila was summoned away.
Instead of catching up with Macy, Janna headed to the bar. If there was a chance that she was going to run into Austin, a little liquid courage might not hurt.
* * *
Austin roamed around the perimeter of the room, sipping from his glass of scotch as he perused the items up for bid for the silent auction. He was more of a behind-the-scenes type of guy. Events like this made him uncomfortable. But for his mother, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do. Besides, it was for a good cause. From the literature given to him when he walked in, he’d learned that more than 350 million people suffered from depression and the annual financial cost of the disorder to the US was mind-blowing. Of course he wanted to do what he could to help the cause, especially since their family had first-hand experience of the effects of the disorder.
He slowed as he approached the next table of donations. He had already bid on a 2009 cabernet and an abstract painting done by a local artist, but the item he was currently standing in front of totally caught him off guard. A Day in the Life of a Model. What surprised him even more was seeing that it had been donated by Janna.
Reading the sheet that explained the donation, Austin decided to place a bid. A friend of his had lost his wife months earlier, and their sixteen-year-old daughter was scheduled to attend prom that following weekend. With the recent loss of her mother, T’Keyah wasn’t interested in prom or much else. If he won the bid, the gift would be perfect for her.
He set his glass on the table and quickly filled out the sheet, tripling the starting bid.
Knowing that Janna had donated made him wonder if she would be attending the event. As soon as the thought popped into his head, Austin’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of her across the room speaking to his mother. She gave a whole new meaning to the term breathtaking. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room, and the red dress that hugged her hourglass figure should have come with a warning sign—Too Hot to Handle.
“Wow, so that’s Janna Morgan all grown up and in the flesh, huh?” Malcolm Reynolds, Austin’s older brother by two years, said when he walked up to Austin. They both stood staring as Janna stopped and talked to a few people, even posing for a picture with a young woman. “I drove by a billboard on the way here, an advertisement for perfume. I can honestly say the picture didn’t do her justice. And considering the number of guys hovering around her, I’d say I’m not the only man who has noticed.”
Jealousy crept through Austin’s body and his hand tightened around his glass of scotch when Timothy Cowden, the son of one of their father’s colleagues, grabbed Janna by the elbow to keep her from walking away. Austin wanted to snatch the man by his shirt collar and toss his ass outside. But who could blame the guy for buzzing around her like a moth drawn to a flame when she looked that hot? Besides the fact she was dressed to the nines, her hair was piled haphazardly on top of her head with a few tendrils framing her face, making her look sexier than any woman had the right to look. And then she smiled. Damn, he’d missed that smile that lit up her entire face.
Frustration coursed through his veins and he glanced away, mentally shaking himself. He wanted to be mad at her, wanted to hate her for the way she left him without as much as a note or telephone call. The last thing he should be doing was standing there, salivating over how amazing she looked and remembering how much her smile once affected him.
When his gaze returned to where she was standing, he watched as she pulled away from Timothy, her long, graceful stride taking her to the bar.
“I know you still have some issues that you haven’t dealt with when it comes to her, but if I were you—”
“Well, you’re not me, so you can just keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself.”
“Touchy, touchy.”
“I need another drink.” Austin walked away, ignoring his brother’s laughter.
It’s going to be a long night.
Austin walked up to the bar, where Janna was now standing. Her intoxicating scent of roses and baby powder sent a jolt of awareness to a certain part of his body.
“Hello, Janna,” he said when she glanced at him, surprise in her eyes. Just as quick, something else showed. Fear? Regret? Whatever it was, he was sure it had everything to do with the way he had treated her the other day. Instead of apologizing for his rudeness, he said, “Can I get you something else to drink?” He nodded at the semi-empty glass in her hand.
“Are you sure you want to do that? The last time I was near you and had a drink in my hand, it didn’t end well,” she said, the sultriness of her voice a reminder that she was all grown up now.
He chuckled. “I’ll take my chances. What would you like?”
“Ginger ale.” Austin lifted an inquiring eyebrow. “Two alcoholic drinks, which I have already consumed, is my limit.”
“I see.” He turned to the bartender and placed their order.
Silence loomed while they waited for their drinks, and Austin’s gaze lingered to her right hand resting on the bar. The promise-me ring with the small diamond he’d given her was on her middle finger. He had worked months, saving every penny in order to purchase it before her special day. He couldn’t believe she still had it, let alone was wearing the jewelry.
He still recalled the day, her sixteenth birthday. He had taken her on a picnic in Roosevelt Park in Edison, New Jersey. The memory made him smile. It was a beautiful autumn day when the leaves on the trees were starting to change and the air was a little crisp. They’d sat huddled together near the gazebo overlooking Meadow Lake as he fed her fruit and entertained her with corny jokes, loving the fact that she’d laughed at all of them. That was also the day he had proposed marriage to her, as only a seventeen-year-old boy could do.
Austin shook his head, hoping to rid his mind of the unwelcome thoughts. He didn’t want to think about the absurdity of proposing at that age. And now realizing he had proposed marriage twice, to two different women, in the last ten years made him feel like an incompetent loser. Sure, Janna and Zoe had accepted, but he still hadn’t been able to close the deal with either, which in hindsight was lucky for him. Clearly he had a problem making good decisions when it came to matters of the heart.
“Here you go.” The bartender placed the drinks in front of them.
“Thank you.” Janna lifted her glass to Austin in a silent toast before taking a sip.
“My pleasure.”
Austin took a long drag on his beer, hoping the bitter liquid would tamp down his desire to question her decision to leave him years ago. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for her response, but a part of him needed to know.
“I like a woman who plays hard to get,” Timothy slurred when he saddled up to the other side of Janna. She rolled her eyes and groaned, moving slightly closer to Austin, but Timothy was not to be ignored. “I don’t give up easy.” He dropped his arm around her shoulder.
Austin’s protective instincts kicked in and he almost grabbed Timothy, but he stopped himself. Janna was no longer his responsibility. He kept quiet, hoping Timothy didn’t go further than a little flirting.
“What part of ‘I’m not interested’ don’t you understand?” she ground out only loud enough for those right next to them to hear. She shook his arm loose. “Besides, I’m already with someone.”
She turned, and before Austin could form his next thought, she stepped in front of him. Her hands rested on his chest, and her mouth covered his.
Sweet. Soft. Potent. Her kiss was everything he remembered. All rational thought fled his mind and, as if on autopilot, one of his hands went to the back of her neck, the other to the small of her back. He pulled her against his body and his tongue explored the inner recesses of her mouth, tasting champagne. How many times had he dreamed of touching her, holding her, kissing her?
She moaned into his mouth, spurring him to deepen their kiss. The heady scent of her perfume was even more captivating now that her body was molded against his. Her arms eased around his waist, stoking the fire the kiss had started. She still fit perfectly in his arms.
Some sane part of his mind screamed, Danger! Stop and slowly back away. He couldn’t. He couldn’t stop the heat that soared through his body as their tongues tangled. He couldn’t stop the desire that singed every nerve ending, making him want so much more than a kiss. He couldn’t stop the possessive thought—mine—that floated to the forefront of his mind.
He knew at that moment that he would never really be free of her. She would always hold a part of his heart.
* * *
Janna’s heartbeat thumped faster when Austin’s large hands moved from her body and cupped her face. She might have started the kiss, but with the demanding mastery of his lips, he had quickly taken charge. His fresh, clean scent was more potent than the alcohol on his tongue.
That peace she’d always felt in his presence settled over her like a soft silk-wool sweater. God, she had missed him. His closeness, his warmth and his hands on her felt so familiar. Like old times.
She heard herself moan.
His body stiffened.
Her heart lurched, and the wistful murmurs from people nearby penetrated the fog in her head caused by the toe-curling kiss. The last thing she wanted to do was open her eyes, but then she heard what sounded like a camera.
Her eyes flew open.
Oh, crap.
If Austin had hated her before, the scathing look in his dark eyes now said that he was beyond angry.
“Let’s go,” he growled under his breath and held her elbow, guiding them through the small crowd that had gathered. He pulled her along, using his large body to block their faces from any additional photographs, and didn’t stop moving until they were outside. “What the hell was that all about?”
“Austin, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think—”
“Yeah, that’s the problem, Janna. You never think about how your actions are going to affect someone else. You’re still the selfish, careless, impulsive person you were years ago.”
Fury rumbled inside her and she placed her hands on her hips, stepping closer to him.
“Now, you wait just a minute! You have every right to be mad at me for kissing you, but I will not stand here and let you call me names. You don’t know me!”
“And whose fault is that?”
Janna stared at him. Hurt flickered in his eyes, but disappeared so quickly she thought she might have imagined it. Guilt churned in her gut. He wasn’t only talking about tonight. Tension bounced off him like heat from a roaring fire as she struggled for the right words to say. So many times she had imagined what she would say to him when she had a chance to apologize. Yet nothing seemed to be good enough.
“Austin, listen.”
“No, you listen. I don’t know what that kiss was all about back there, but count me out of any games that you’re playing. You gave up your rights to kiss me on a whim years ago. Now stay the hell away from me.”
Instead of going back to the event, he stormed away along the concrete path that led around the building.
Remorse settled in her chest. She and Austin had once been so good together. He was her first love. The first person outside of Mama Adel who’d made her feel special. She had vowed back then to love him forever. Instead, she had discarded their plans for the first opportunity for fame and fortune that had come her way.
Janna toyed with the promise ring that went everywhere she did. She knew now that Austin would never listen to anything she had to say. He would never forgive her.
Chapter 4 (#ulink_7d70bb80-4764-58f3-81ea-18d31ef9e456)
Two days later, Austin sat in a meeting, half listening to the weekly report from department heads. Due to traveling, he had already missed two meetings that month and needed to be brought up to date, but he couldn’t focus. He couldn’t shake the confusing emotions left behind by that kiss Janna had planted on him. It might have been unexpected, but he would be lying if he said that he hadn’t enjoyed finding out that her lips were still cushiony soft. But damn his treacherous body for wanting more than a kiss from her.
“We’ve had to hire a different carpenter contractor for the San Jose project.” Clarence Golding, the project director, cut into Austin’s thoughts. “The one we were using is under a federal investigation, and no, it has nothing to do with Reynolds Development,” he said, as if knowing Austin or his father would ask.
“That’s good to know.” Patrick stood and walked across the room, pouring himself another cup of coffee. “How are things with...”
Austin’s mind drifted again as he stared out the conference room window, exhaustion consuming his body. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since the fundraiser. Flashbacks of the way he had spoken to Janna continued to trouble him. There was a time when he wouldn’t have even considered raising his voice to her or uttering a mean word. And after he’d told her to stay away from him, the night had gone downhill from there. He had intended to leave the event early but not before the dinner. Of course, the first call he received Sunday morning was from his mother. To say she was pissed would be an understatement. But she’d definitely gotten his attention when she pointed out his recent failures where women were con—
“Is everything all right, son?”
Austin’s gaze lifted to where his father stood near the chair at the head of the conference table, staring at him, concern in his eyes. Glancing around, Austin was surprised to see that everyone else had cleared out.
He closed the file in front of him and stood. “Yes, sir, everything is fine.”
“Then why have you been distracted since you arrived this morning? This is our third meeting of the day and you have only interjected maybe once or twice. Normally on a Monday morning, you’re full of information, bringing us all up to date on the financials for each project.”
Austin gathered his files and pen. “Sorry, Dad. I guess I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Does your lack of focus have anything to do with this?” Patrick unfolded a newspaper and dropped it in front of Austin. “Looks like you put on quite the show Saturday night. I’m not sure how your mother and I missed this.”
Austin groaned and picked up the newspaper, zoning in on the picture of him and Janna kissing.
Catwalk Queen Has a New Beau was splashed across the top of the article.
Janna Morgan has been on the arms of many leading men, music moguls and professional athletes, but this is the first time she’s been caught kissing anyone. According to our sources, the mystery man is an Atlanta business executive, Austin Reynolds. Is Reynolds just another notch in the model’s designer belt, or could this be more serious?
Austin quickly skimmed the rest of the article as anger simmered within him. For almost twenty-eight years he’d managed to stay clear of any negative publicity, and Janna showed up in town and suddenly he was top entertainment news.
Cursing under his breath, he dropped the paper on the table. How should he handle this? If he kept quiet, maybe it would just go away.
“I didn’t realize you two had reunited. I spoke briefly with Janna Saturday night and she’s as sweet as I remember, but she didn’t lead me to believe that you two were back together.”
“That’s because we’re not. That...that,” he stuttered and pointed at the photo, “shouldn’t have happened.”
“Well, you can’t tell by looking at the picture.” His father chuckled. “As a matter of fact, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you two were very much in love. A man doesn’t kiss a woman like that unless he still has feelings for her.”
Austin didn’t want to have this conversation. It had taken him weeks after Janna had left for him to even tell his parents that she’d gone to Italy to pursue a modeling career. And even then the only thing he’d told them was that they weren’t together anymore.
“Well, this is a good example of the media getting it all wrong.” Austin made a move to leave but stopped when his father called his name.
“When will I have the numbers for the Dunkin project in Alpharetta?”
Patrick and his brother had built the company from the ground up and within five years had made it into a million-dollar business. While in college, Austin had interned for his father, working six days a week while carrying a full class load. He had always had business sense, even from a very young age, and had been good with numbers. His father had groomed him to one day fill the role of chief financial officer. His BA in business and finance, as well as his MBA, enhanced what he had learned on the job.
“I had planned to have that information to you this morning, but you’ll definitely have it on your desk before I leave today.”
Austin got to the closed conference room door before his father spoke again.
“Son, I know it’s none of my business, but when are you going to let the past go?” He nodded toward the newspaper. “It’s clear you two have some unfinished business. And I have watched you the last few years, getting in and out of relationships, looking for something you apparently haven’t found. Is it possible that you’ve been looking in the wrong place? Maybe Janna is what’s missing in your life.”
“Dad.”
“Hear me out.” His father grabbed the newspaper from the table and refolded it, sticking it in the file that was in his hand. “There’s nothing I want more than for you and your brother to find women who will make you as happy as your mother has made me. But there’s something you need to understand. Getting hurt is a part of life. Staying hurt is a choice.”
Austin stood stunned. His father was an intelligent man, a man he’d always looked up to. Hearing him go deep on him was a new experience, though.
“You are never going to find what you’re looking for until you deal with whatever happened between you and Janna. You’re also not going to find it if you continue to spend every waking hour here at the office or holed up in your workshop.”
When most people went home to their families or out for drinks after work, Austin spent his spare time at home in his workshop. Since he was a kid, he’d loved working with wood and as an adult built cabinets and chests in his spare time.
“Search your heart and reevaluate your priorities. I guarantee you’ll get the life you long for.”
Silence fell between them until Austin asked, “So when did you know Mom was the one?”
His father chuckled. “The first time I kissed her. From that moment on, she was the first person I thought of when I woke up each day and the last person I thought of before I fell asleep each night.”
A sick feeling swirled around inside Austin’s chest. Hearing the same words Zoe had spoken made him realize that he hadn’t thought about her all weekend. What the heck? How could he have planned to marry someone whom he could forget that easily? The day before the fundraiser, she had flown to Tampa to check on her mother, who had taken a fall.
Shaking his head, he followed Patrick out of the conference room.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with you and Zoe, but in a way, maybe it was a blessing in disguise,” his father said before he headed down the hall toward his office.
Austin stared after him before returning to his own office, feeling the weight of his father’s words. He was right about one thing. It was time Austin put the past in the past. But how could he? Each time he saw Janna, the hurt she’d caused came back to him as if it had happened yesterday.

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