Owner of a Broken Heart Read online

  “I love you so much,” Clinton whispered as he brushed his fingers across her cheek.

  “Me too.”

  Sheldon smiled at the couple, silently wishing them happiness for the rest of their lives. After the entire Richardson clan gave Nina away and then sweet vows were spoken, Clinton took Nina into his arms and kissed her with a passion that made her knees quake, and everyone cheered. Their lips parted and Nina looked into her husband’s eyes.

  “Promise me we’re going to be this happy forever.”

  “Easiest promise I’ll ever make.”

  DON’T MISS

  Tempted at Midnight

  For hopeless romantic Sylvie Gates, there’s nothing quite as magical as a New Year’s Eve kiss. So as the clock nears midnight at her best friend’s party, Sylvie makes a beeline for the sexiest guy in the room....

  Newly appointed CEO of troubled Jordan Industries Erik Jordan expects New Year’s Eve is the last night off he’ll have all year—and he plans to make the most of it. Locking lips with gorgeous Sylvie is just the beginning of an unforgettably steamy night together....

  Available wherever books are sold

  Enjoy the following excerpt from

  Tempted at Midnight . . .

  Chapter 1

  Ten!

  Sylvie hated the countdown to a New Year. Especially in a crowd of couples. Everybody would be kissing in nine seconds and she was standing there with her third glass of champagne. Sylvie didn’t even like champagne, but as the room celebrated the engagement of her best friend, Olivia Brown, and her man, LJ, she had to drink the swill. The ballroom was buzzing with excitement, though. Everyone wanted a look at Olivia’s ring and the portrait LJ, a renowned artist who’d just finished a family portrait for the former first family, had painted of his future wife. It was beautiful. The night was romantic. Sylvie was bored.

  Glancing around the room, she locked eyes with the only other guy who looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but there.

  Nine!

  That man is fine! she thought as she set her empty glass on the edge of a table. Maybe she was tipsy and that’s why she started walking toward Mr. Sex Appeal.

  Eight!

  Sylvie heard the voice of reason telling her to stop, pump her breaks, and don’t head over to this stranger. It wasn’t as if she had a right to expect a midnight kiss from him. But her feet wouldn’t stop, especially when their eyes met.

  His golden-brown eyes reminded her of warm honey, and his slow once-over heated her body like a rocket ready to explode. Maybe he wanted this kiss as much as she needed it.

  Seven!

  His lips were delectable looking. Full. Thick. Hopefully they were as soft as they looked from across the room. But he wasn’t across the room anymore. She was just a few more steps away from him. She grabbed another glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray and kept walking.

  Six!

  It was now or never. She could turn back or take two more steps. Sylvie thought about the year she’d had. Her business partner had left her high and dry, forcing Sylvie to have to finish fifteen decorating jobs alone. Though she’d gotten the work done, made a great name for herself and lined up some exclusive clients, including Jordan Industries, one of the largest cosmetic companies in the Southeast, she was tired and needed a release.

  Five!

  At least she could pretend she was there to share a toast with him if the kiss thing didn’t work out.

  Four!

  She was standing in front of him. “Hi.”

  “Hello, beautiful,” he replied. His voice was just as sexy as he was. Deep. Low. Hypnotic.

  “Happy New Year.” Sylvie held out the glass of champagne to him. Their fingers touched as he took the glass from her hand.

  “Thanks for the drink. Maybe I should’ve thought of bringing you one earlier.”

  “Well, it seems as if we’re the only people who came without dates tonight.”

  “And that’s a good thing. Stealing you away from another man wouldn’t have been a great way to start the New Year.”

  “Trust and believe, I can’t be stolen.”

  “Is that so?”

  She slapped her hand on her shapely hip. “Do I look like a piece of property?”

  Three!

  “You look beautiful, actually. The prettiest woman in the room.”

  Sylvie’s cheeks heated, but she reminded herself to be cool. “Where’s your date tonight?”

  “I just met her. I’m Erik, by the way.”

  “Sylvie.”

  Two!

  Erik’s eyes drank in the curvaceous Sylvie. Long legs, thick thighs that he wanted wrapped around his waist. Then his stare fell on her lips. Full. Kissable and painted his favorite color—red. She ran her tongue across her bottom lip and his dick stood at attention.

  Erik noticed Sylvie when she’d walked into the ballroom. His plan had been to skip the party, but Logan, his younger brother, told him about his plan to propose to his lovely girlfriend. As much as Erik wanted Logan to be a part of the company as more than just a board member, he supported and applauded this brother’s artistic endeavors. Logan made a name for himself with his murals and gallery shows. Erik knew Logan was going to Paris after the board meeting. He knew his brother was going to be just fine; he wasn’t so sure about the company.

  Happy New Year!

  Balloons fell around Sylvie and Erik as the chords of “Auld Lang Syne” began playing. Sylvie took one step closer to Erik and brought her hand to his cheek. Their lips touched gently, then Sylvie went in for a real kiss.

  Erik was taken aback by the sweet forcefulness of her kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. Her tongue danced with his, tango, lambada, and disco. She stroked the back of his neck. Erik moaned as she pressed her body against his and their kiss deepened.

  His body responded to her sensual kiss, his erection pressed against her thighs, and she didn’t seem to mind at all. Did she just thrust her hips into his?

  Yes. She. Did. Erik cupped her behind and it was soft. Very soft. Squeezing her cheeks, he thought about holding her ass tight while they were naked.

  Their lips parted and her bright red lipstick was smeared across her beautiful mouth. “Want to get out of here?”

  Sylvie nodded. He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to his Maserati.

  * * *

  Sylvie watched this man with a lustful gaze. He moved with the confidence of a panther, stalking his prey. His tailored shirt didn’t hide his broad shoulders and muscular arms. In fact, that white shirt seemed to make him look more appealing. Like a meal from a fine restaurant that she wanted to slowly devour. Sylvie licked her bottom lip. What in the hell was she doing? She didn’t know this man from Adam’s alley cat. But good lord, those lips. She’d heard of being kissed senseless, but she’d never felt it until now. And maybe that was why she’d climbed into this Gran Turismo with a man whose last name she didn’t even know.

  She watched him as he slid into the driver’s seat. This car seemed to mold to his body. She wanted to be embraced by his amazing body, lips pressed against his and him buried deep inside her love-starved body. But wait. Would it be worth it? Suppose he was all talk and very little action?

  Sylvie turned her head away from Erik.

  “Second thoughts?”

  “Not at all.” She faced him as she nibbled on her bottom lip. He placed his hot hand on her thigh, stroking her gently. Then he shifted the car into gear and took off like a bullet. The way he handled the car, she wondered if he would ride her curves the same way. This clearly wasn’t going to be a waste of time.

  Tonight, she could be wild and free because tomorrow she’d never see him again.

  * * *

  Erik parked his car and struggled to keep his hormones under control as he looked at Sylvie’s thighs. Her dress had risen above her knees as they pulled into the parking deck. He wanted to drive between those thighs, wanted to see if she was as s
weet down there as her mouth was.

  “What?” she asked when they locked eyes. “Are you having second thoughts?”

  “Just wondering how sweet you are all over.”

  He leaned over and popped the seat back. “And I have no patience. I need to know now.”

  “Really?”

  Erik’s answer was to slide her dress up and slip his hands between her thighs. She was wearing thigh-high stockings with the lace tops that he loved. And she wasn’t wearing any panties.

  “Damn,” he whispered as he stroked her wet slit. “Beautiful yoni.”

  “Mmm,” she moaned as he continued to stroke her. Sylvie’s hips followed his rhythm as he pressed in and out of her. Pulling his finger from her honey pot, Erik licked his finger. She was so sweet.

  “Just as delicious as I thought you would be.”

  “Your hands are magical, but I need more.”

  “Let me give you what you need and get everything I want.”

  “And what about what I want?”

  “You’re going to get everything you want.” Smiling, Erik opened the driver’s-side door and crossed over to Sylvie’s side of the car. “Before we go inside, I need another sample.” He opened the door and spread her legs. Erik silently thanked the universe again for her being panty-less as his tongue lashed her throbbing pearl. Sylvie cried out in pleasure as he licked and sucked. Her thighs trembled as she felt herself about to come. And just when he saw she was about to explode, Erik stopped.

  “Really?” she purred. “You’re just going to crank me up and leave me like this?”

  Erik winked at her. “Sorry, not sorry.”

  Sylvie took his hand and got out of the car. Soft. Her hands were smooth like silk. Erik wanted her hands roaming his body, finding his hot spots and giving him pleasure.

  She pressed her body against his as they stood in the parking lot. “I’m going to make you pay.” She brushed her lips against his, as Erik gripped her hips.

  “You’re making it hard for me to move.”

  “Payback is a mother.”

  He scooped her up in his arms. “Let’s go.” Erik nearly ran up to the elevator and pressed the button with vigor. Sylvie licked the side of his neck as the doors to the elevator opened. Shivering, he nearly dropped her because of the tingles running through his body.

  “Stop, stop,” he moaned.

  “I told you I was going to get you back.”

  “The night is still young and I can give as good as I get.”

  “We’ll see. My mother always said talk is cheap.” Sylvie winked at him.

  Once they arrived at the suite, Erik made short work of opening the door and pressing Sylvie against the wall.

  “What was that about talk being cheap?” Erik captured her mouth in a hot, wet kiss. Sylvie moaned in delight as the kiss deepened and he slid the straps of her dress down her shoulders. She pressed her hand against his chest.

  “Slow down, cowboy, we have all night.”

  “Is that so?”

  She ran her tongue across his bottom lip. “All night long.”

  Erik took her hand and placed it on his waistband. Sylvie made short work of unbuttoning and unzipping his slacks. She pulled his pants down his thighs. His boxer briefs did little to hide his growing desire and Sylvie was happy to see that he was every inch of what she’d hoped he’d be—maybe even more.

  She stroked him, making him moan with pleasure. Sylvie tugged at his boxer briefs, pulling them down, and marveled at the sight of his perfect erection. Her mouth watered as she inched closer to his crotch. Licking her lips, Sylvie ran her finger down the length of his dick. In a flash, she covered his hardness with her hot, wet mouth. Erik threw his head back as she took him deeper into her mouth. Suck. Lick. Deeper.

  Erik’s knees were weak as she licked the length of him, and then when she sucked the head of his erection, he was about to explode. Pulling back from her, he expelled a satisfied sigh. “That mouth of yours is magical.”

  “And that was just a small taste.” She rose to her feet and smiled. “Then again, there wasn’t nothing small about what was in my mouth.”

  Erik winked at her, then took her into his arms. “My turn to taste you again.” Laying her on the bed, he spread her thighs and smiled at those stockings. Erik stripped her dress off as he stroked her wetness. “You’re too sexy for words.”

  She thrust her hips forward. “Then stop talking.”

  He dove between her legs, his mouth watering as he slipped a finger inside her wetness. Sylvie moaned, reminding Erik of a sexy saxophone solo. Pressing deeper, he watched her face contort in pleasure as he found her erogenous spots. Erik quickly replaced his finger with his tongue. Licking her until she exploded and his face was wet with her desire. He rose from the bed and crossed over to the door, where his pants had been discarded. Sylvie watched his every move, ogling his wonderful ass.

  After he slid the condom over his erection, he crossed over to Sylvie. She reached up, propped up on her knees, and wrapped her arms around his waist. With one hand, she rubbed his dick, making him toss his head back in delight. Erik had never been known for his patience, so he grabbed her hand and pushed her back on the bed. He lifted her legs and spread them. Sylvie’s lips curled into a smile as he rubbed the tip of his dick against her pulsating lips. “Such a tease,” she moaned as he continued to rub against her.

  “Trust me, you’re going to get it real good.” Then he thrust deep into her, taking Sylvie’s breath away. She closed her eyes and moaned, then matched him hard, stroke for stroke. Gripping his shoulders, Sylvie pulled him closer in a silent plea for him to go deeper. Erik heard what she was saying and went deeper.

  “Harder,” she moaned as she arched her back. “Harder.”

  Never one to disappoint a beautiful woman, he pounded harder and she wrapped her legs around his waist and gripped him tighter.

  “Yessss.” The word came out like a hiss before she used her lower body strength to flip him over. On top of him, Sylvie bucked and rode him like he was a wild mustang in the desert. Erik relished the delight as her hotness enveloped him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, slowing her down so he could hold back on his climax. Sylvie leaned forward and licked his bottom lip. Then she took his lip between her teeth as she ground against him. Erik pumped in and out of her until she fell against his chest and howled in delight.

  Erik knew he could finally come and he did, exploding as Sylvie bounced her ass up and down against his dick. He stroked her sweaty back and closed his eyes.

  “Wow.”

  Sylvie sighed and wiggled out of his embrace. “Those were some real fireworks.” She turned over on her side and ran her hand across his chest. “That’s the way to ring in the New Year.”

  “We’re not done, Miss Lady.” Erik grabbed her wrist and flipped her on her back. “I think we have some more fireworks to pop off.”

  * * *

  Erik’s soft snore woke Sylvie, reminding her that the last few hours weren’t a sensual dream. But reality was nibbling at her conscience. She had work to do. She had to finish the designs for Jordan Industries. She’d come up with an idea she hoped they would go along with: a small museum showcasing the history of the company and her favorite lipstick.

  She always wondered why the company stopped making the Yvonne shade of lipstick. It was a bright red that her mother loved. On Saturdays, when the new shades would come out, she and Lydia would be at the mall. They’d spend the day trying on lipsticks, lip glosses, and moisturizers.

  Lydia would leave with five shades of red lipstick and something lacy. When her father would come home from work or fishing, Sylvie would be ushered out of the house for a couple hours. It wasn’t until she was older that she noticed her mother’s lipstick would be smeared and her father would have lipstick on his neck.

  Kissing was always important to Lydia. That’s why she told Sylvie that the right shade of lipstick was key to life.

  And her life was about to be
taken over by this project. No matter how good it felt lying in this man’s strong arms. She. Had. To. Go. Glancing at his sleeping frame, she drank in every inch of his ebony skin, his strong chin and curly eyelashes. Then those lips. Full and soft as pillows. She started to lean in and kiss him, but if he woke up there was no way she’d leave. Her eyes traveled down to his thick thighs. Obviously this man didn’t skip leg day. Nor did he neglect his abs. Arms either. He reminded her of a superhero. He’d probably been Chadwick Boseman’s stand-in during the filming of Black Panther.

  As questions about who this man really was started to dance in her head, Sylvie knew she had to go. They shared a New Year’s kiss, some great sex, and all she had to do was leave and move on with her life. She inched out of the bed, grabbed her purse and dress. Creeping into the bathroom, she dressed quickly and quietly.

  And because she had a flair for the dramatic, Sylvie dug a tube of drugstore lipstick out of her purse and wrote a message on the mirror. With her shoes in her hand, she crept out of the room, leaving Erik sleeping like a baby.