Excerpt!
Awareness crackled over Nicholas’s skin as Anika stood up, her slim form clad in a billowing yellow silk top and beige slacks that hugged her legs. With her hair pulled into an updo, he could see every line of her face, the long slender curve of her neck. Her mouth twisted into a small but devilish smile as she accepted a microphone from a conference worker. Anticipation flowed through him.
“You mention creating a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests by utilizing resources in the communities where your hotels exist, yes?”
“That’s right.”
“What happens when people in those communities don’t like what your hotel is doing?”
He arched a brow in silent acknowledgment of the gauntlet she’d just thrown down.
“An excellent question. Understandably, not everyone is a fan of a world-renowned resort opening its doors.” He added the slightest bit of emphasis to his words, savoring her narrowed eyes. “The biggest detractors are often other hotels concerned that we’ll take away business.”
“Don’t you?”
Some people in the audience stirred, surprised by the unknown woman’s audacity, but settled back down when Nicholas just smiled. God, she was glorious, standing there in sunshine yellow with lightning in her eyes.
“While it’s inevitable that there will be some competition, the Hotel Lassard prides itself on community relations. That includes maintaining a team that travels ahead to any site prior to the beginning of construction and liaises with local hotel owners and managers. We strive to collaborate with them as much as possible.”
“But what do you do when the interests of your hotel conflict with someone in the community? What then?”
If it had been just the two of them, he would have stood and applauded. She had him right where she wanted him, on the chopping block in front of hundreds of people. Her boldness excited him. Her daring impressed him.
And that beautifully haughty smile on her face made him want to pull the pins from her hair, tangle his fingers in the silky threads and kiss her senseless.
“It rarely happens. But in the event it does, we explore every possible avenue for collaboration. Not only is it not in our brand’s interest to make enemies, but if we don’t believe something is the right thing to do, we don’t do it. You might argue,” he continued as she parted her lips to do just that, “that we only do the right thing because the public is watching. And yes, especially in today’s media-focused environment, the public is always watching. But we also do the right thing because it’s the right thing.”
“And what if the right thing is walking away?”
Challenge vibrated in her voice. The rest of the ballroom fell away as they stared at each other, two people at odds in every way except for the passion that had just flared from a simmer into a blazing inferno.
“The professional in me acknowledges that sometimes the right thing to do is walk away. But personally,” he added with a wicked grin, “I don’t lose.”
Emmy's interest in romance can be traced back to her love of Nancy Drew books, when she tried to solve the mysteries of her favorite detective while rereading the romantic chapters with Ned Nickerson. Fast-forward a few years when she discovered a worn copy of "A Rose in Winter" by Kathleen Woodiwiss on her mother's bookshelf, and she was hooked. Over 20 years later, Harlequin Presents made her dream come true by offering her a contract for her first book.
Tough negotiations turn to tempestuous nights in this surprise-baby romance by Emmy Grayson.
Claiming his baby…
after one hot Hawaiian night!
Anika Pierce refuses to have her family hotel swallowed into tycoon Nicholas Lassard’s property portfolio, despite his offers. Their heated negotiations in Hawaii lead them to his penthouse. One electrifying encounter won’t change Anika’s mind…but discovering she’s pregnant might!
Nicholas never planned to be a father. Yet, on hearing Anika’s bombshell, he vows to give his child the happy upbringing he never had—which means winning over the woman who challenges him at every turn. Except to do that, he must admit that their connection runs far deeper than their scorching passion…
From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
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