Page 67 of Playing with Temptation

Kendra shrugged. “Of course.”

“And whether you decide to tell my brother about me and Jase or not, there’s something I need to say.”

Kendra folded her arms, prepared to stand her ground. “What is it?”

“Nate isn’t as tough as he thinks he is. He was devastated when you walked away. I know because I was there to pick up the pieces. I won’t watch my brother go through that again.” There was anguish in Vi’s voice.

Kendra relaxed her stance, her arms at her sides. “I didn’t intend to hurt him. At the time, I thought I’d made the best decision for everyone. I was wrong. I regret that, but I can’t change the past. Because of Kai, Nate and I will always be a part of each other’s lives, whether you like it or not. I’d rather we be friends or at least not enemies.”

Vi sighed. “I promise to take it easy on you, but you have to promise me you’ll either love my brother or let him go.”

“There you are.” Kendra’s mother came around the corner. “Just making sure you got in all right.” Her gaze shifted between the two of them, then followed Vi as she returned to the kitchen. She lowered her voice. “Everything all right?”

“Nothing to worry about.” She kissed her mother on the cheek.

“Good. Then I’ll go and give Naomi and the girls a hand in the kitchen.”

Kendra made her way into the great room. The place was overflowing with the Johnston family: Naomi and Levi; Mitchell, his wife, Monique, and their adorable infant daughter, Stella; Marcus, Alison and their two boys; Vi, Sydney and their oldest brother, Drew. The only Johnston not present was their youngest brother, Quincy, a freelance photographer on a shoot in Qatar.

Liam and Maya were caught up in an animated conversation with Monique and Mitchell—Liam’s second-in-command at Pleasure Cove Luxury Resort.

Kendra sank onto the couch beside Drew and slipped her arm through his. “Thank you again for agreeing to do those interviews for the foundation. I know that went a long way in helping fix Nate’s career and increasing funding.”

“Glad I could help Nate for a change.”

Drew’s slow, crooked smile made her heart melt. He was handsome and easily the smartest of the bunch. After an attack on his unit in Fallujah, he struggled with PTSD and had been forced to retire from the military. He often opted to stay at home or called it an early night, fearful he’d have an episode.

“You’ve done so much for the family, and for our country. Don’t you dare think otherwise.”

Drew patted her hand. “Thanks, Dray. But we should be thanking you. Without you, not sure we’d be celebrating Nate’s return to the Marauders.”

“My thoughts exactly, big brother.” Nate stood in front of them, looking handsome enough to eat in a light blue sweater and a pair of charcoal-gray pants. He clinked a fork gently against his glass to get everyone’s attention, then asked them to fill their glasses.

Nate raised his glass and turned to her with a wide smile that made her heart dance.

“To Kendra Williams, the smartest, most beautiful and most talented woman I’ve ever known. You’ve given me a chance to finish out my career with the team I love and another shot at winning it all. Most important, you’ve given me the best gift I could ever ask for—our son, Kai. To Kendra.”

They clinked glasses and drank champagne, her heart overflowing with the love in the room and the love in Nate’s eyes.

After the toast, Nate grabbed her hand and led her to his office.

“Maybe you should have a seat.”

“Why, is something wrong?” She sat down, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

“Nothing’s wrong.” He sat beside her. “But I’ve invited someone here to see you.”

“Who?”

Nate pushed the intercom button and asked someone to come to his office.

“Nate, what’s going on? You’re making me really nervous now.” She studied his face, but he turned his attention to the footsteps coming down the hall and the door that slowly creaked open.

“Hello, Kendra.”

“Dad? What are you doing here?” She turned to Nate, her voice lowered. “You invited him? Why?”

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