Page 6 of Playing with Temptation

“Agreed.” He adjusted in his chair, his own body reacting to the memories. Her scent. Her taste. The sound of her soft pleas. “Though it worries me that my media consultant can’t multitask.”

They dissolved into laughter, and for a moment, it felt like old times. It was the first time either of them seemed relaxed since he’d arrived.

Nate smiled, relishing the sound of her laughter. One of the countless details about her he missed. “Okay, Ms. Media Consultant, where do we begin?”

CHAPTER 3

“This sounds like a great opportunity.” Maya Alvarez, Kendra’s half sister, sipped her mocha latte as they sat at the breakfast bar in the gorgeous penthouse Maya shared with her fiancé, hotelier Liam Westbrook. “So why aren’t you excited about it?”

Kendra took a sip of the frothy peppermint mocha her sister made for her and let out an appreciative moan. “I am, but what if I’m jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire?”

“It’s a tricky situation. I certainly couldn’t work with the girls’ dad. Not for all the money in the world.” Maya placed a hand on Kendra’s in response to her fallen expression. “But it’s different with you and Nate.”

“How? Carlos walked out on you, just like I walked out on Nate. The only difference was you and Carlos were married.” Kendra drank more of her coffee. “He feels the same way you do. Honestly, I can’t blame him.”

“You’ve maintained an amicable relationship. Friendly enough that you two hooked up.” Maya peered over her coffee cup, her dark eyes dancing with amusement.

“Shut. Up.” Kendra pointed a finger at her giggling sister. “I shouldn’t have told you that. I still can’t believe it happened. Twice.”

“Are we talking instances or the actual amount of times you guys—”

“Stop it, Maya!” Kendra’s face and neck warmed. “Everyone knows you’re not supposed to hold the things your sister says when she’s drunk against her.”

“All right, fine.” Maya was still giggling. “I’m just saying, things can’t be that bad between you. Besides, Nate’s a terrific guy, and we both know you still have feelings for him.”

“Of course I care about him. That doesn’t mean we should be together.” It was too quiet without the children around. Nothing to distract her from a conversation she’d rather not have. Liam had taken them to see the aquariums he’d just had installed at his family’s luxury resort so she and Maya could talk. “Things between us are…complicated.”

“Things were complicated for us, too. Every day I’m grateful Liam recognized that what we have was worth fighting for, despite the complications.” Maya’s face glowed when she spoke of Liam.

Kendra missed that feeling—the infinite joy of being in love with a man who adored her. She ignored the growing sense of envy that felt like a boulder tethered to her ankle, threatening to drown her in a sea of self-pity. She forced a smile. “I’m happy for you. You’re perfect together, and Liam is so good with the kids.”

“Sofie and Ella adore him.”

“So does Kai. He talks about his Uncle Liam all the time. You’d think he was a superhero or something. He’s making the Johnston men jealous.”

“Liam has really taken to Kai, too.” A warm smile lit Maya’s eyes like a candle lighting a paper lantern from within.

No matter how many times Kendra saw that smile—and it was often in the weeks since Liam and Maya had gotten engaged—she couldn’t stop her reaction to it. Intense joy for her sister, followed by deep sorrow for herself.

Maya seemed to recognize her pain. Her brows furrowed with concern. “I’m glad you accepted the offer, but I’m a little worried, too. Are you sure you’re going to be okay with this? Six months is a long time.”

“This is my shot to finally build the kind of clientele I’ve always wanted. I’m not going to blow it. Besides, Nate needs my help. I know it won’t make up for how I hurt him, but at least it’s something.”

“When is your first meeting?”

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