Marry me.
Hell do anything to save his son...
After high school, TJ Bauer and Sage Costas went their separate ways. Now a life-and-death crisis reunites the international banker with the woman who kept their child a secret for a decade. But TJ wont be a part-time father. Marriage is the only solution...until reignited desire for his wife in name only completely changes the stakes.
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author BARBARA DUNLOP has written more than forty novels for Mills & Boon, including the acclaimed Chicago Sons series for Mills & Boon Desire. Her sexy, lighthearted stories regularly hit bestseller lists. Barbara is a threetime finalist for the Romance Writers of Americas RITA® Award.
Also available by Barbara Dunlop
Sex, Lies and the CEO
Seduced by the CEO
A Bargain with the Boss
His Stolen Bride
From Temptation to Twins
Twelve Nights of Temptation
Visit millsandboon.co.uk for more information
His Temptation, Her Secret
Barbara Dunlop
www.millsandboon.co.uk
HIS TEMPTATION, HER SECRET
© 2018 Barbara Dunlop
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a Licensed Device) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
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Version: 2020-03-02
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For CJ Carmichael
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
About the Author
Booklist
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Extract
Extract
One
As the bride and groom whirled into the first dance at the sumptuously decorated Beacon Hill Crystal Club, TJ Bauer struggled to block memories of his own wedding. It had been more than two years since Lauren had died, and there were days when he was at relative peace with her loss. But there were also days like this when the ache was so acute that his chest balled into a painful knot of loneliness.
Doing okay? Caleb Watford approached, handing TJ a glass of single malt, one ice cube, just the way TJ liked it.
Im fine.
Liar.
TJ had no intention of getting into it, so he nodded to the dance floor instead. Matts one lucky man.
Caleb watched TJs expression closely, as if he was debating whether or not to let the topic drop. Ill agree to that.
It was touch and go there for a while. TJ forced his mind away from the memory of Lauren, reliving his good friend Matt Emersons frantic, ring-less marriage proposal to Tasha, her packed suitcases at her feet. I thought she was going to say no.
Caleb cracked a grin. It all turned out in the end.
TJ found his own smile for Matts good fortune. He was genuinely happy that his friend had found love. Tasha was smart, beautiful and completely down-to-earth. She was exactly what Matt needed in his life.
Caleb clapped a hand on TJs shoulder. Youll be next.
Not. The cloud moved back over TJs emotions.
You need to keep an open mind.
Would you replace Jules?
The question brought silence.
TJ took a swallow of his drink. Thats what I thought.
Its easy to say never when shes right here in front of me.
Both men shifted their gazes to Calebs wife, Jules. She was radiant following the birth of her twin girls three months ago. Right now, she laughed at something her brother-in-law Noah said.
Its hard to get past the never part, TJ said, struggling to put his feelings into words. He liked facts, not emotions. Emotions always tripped him up. Its not that Im not trying. I am. But it always cycles back to Lauren.
I get it, Caleb said. At least I think I get it. I know I cant possibly understand.
If I could flip a switch... TJ let the sentence drop.
Intellectually, he knew Lauren wasnt coming back. He even knew shed want him to move on. But she was his true love, his one and only. He couldnt imagine anyone taking her place.
Give it some more time, Caleb said.
Its not like I have a choice, TJ responded, hearing the irony in his own tone. Time would march along no matter what he did or didnt do.
The strains of the song wound down to an end, and Matt and Tasha moved toward them, all smiles. Her graceful tulle skirt floated over the polished floor. TJ never thought hed see the tomboyish marine mechanic in full bridal attire. When she wore a dress instead of coveralls, she was quite stunningly beautiful.
Come and dance with the bride, she said to him, a tinkling laugh in her tone as she linked her arm with his.
It would be an honor. As the best man, he put a smile on his face and set down his drink, determined to keep his melancholy thoughts to himself.
Is everything okay? she asked as they swung onto the dance floor.
Other couples joined them, and the dance floor filled as the music swelled.
Everything is great, he said.
I saw your expression when you were talking to Caleb.
Where did you learn to dance like this? TJ appreciated her concern, but this was her day. She didnt need to be worrying about him.
Whats going on, TJ?
Nothing. Well, one thing. Im a little jealous of Matt.
Now, thats a big fat lie.
He drew back slightly. Look at yourself, Tasha. Every guy here is jealous of Matt.
She shook her head and laughed.
Except for Caleb, TJ felt honor-bound to add. And the other married guys... Well, some of them, anyway.
Now she looked amused. That was a very carefully constructed compliment.
It really went off the rails there, didnt it?
You just kept getting deeper and deeper.
What I mean, he said, is that you make a radiant bride.
Its a very time-limited thing, she said.
It was his turn to laugh.
She put on a frown. I can barely breathe in the corset, never mind walk in these heels. If theres an emergency, somebodys going to have to carry me out of here.
Im sure Matt will be happy to carry you anywhere you need to go.
She cast a glance at her new husband, and her expression turned to adoration. TJ felt a surge of envy at their obvious devotion to each other.
Your mother seems delighted by the posh event, he said, switching his focus.
Im doing my duty as a daughter. But Ive warned Matt, this may be the last time he sees me in a dress.
Youre going out on a high note.
TJs phone vibrated in his tux pocket. He had it on silent, but Tasha obviously heard the low buzz.
You can get that, she said.
Theres nobody I need to talk to right now.
What if its one of your investors?
Its Saturday night.
Its Sunday morning in Australia. Tasha was aware of TJs investment companys global reach.
So, its not a workday there either. He had no intention of interrupting the wedding reception with business.
The buzzing stopped.
See? he told her. It went away.
It always goes away when you dont pick up.
The phone buzzed again.
She stopped dancing. You need to get that, TJ.
No, I dont. He gently urged her to move.
At least see who it is.
Its nobody more important than you and Matt.
It could be an emergency.
Fine. He wasnt about to stand in the middle of the dance floor and argue with the bride.
He discreetly withdrew his phone and started dancing again.
Apparently appeased, she matched his movements.
Glancing down, he was surprised to see the call was from Seattles St. Beas Hospital. His company was a longtime contributor to Highside Hospital near his home in Whiskey Bay. But there was no affiliation with St. Beas. He supposed someone could be soliciting a donation.
Who is it? Tasha asked.
He realized hed stopped dancing again.
St. Beas Hospital.
A look of concern came over her face. Someone could be hurt.
I dont know why theyd take them to St. Beas.
He was acquainted with a few people in Seattle, but most of his friends were in Whiskey Bay or Washingtons capital city, Olympia, which was the closest major city. Even in Olympia, there was nobody whod have him listed as an emergency contact.
The ringing stopped again.
You better call them back, Tasha said. She linked her arm with his, steering him off the dance floor.
Tasha, he protested.
Humor me, or Ill worry.
If thats what it takes. He hated being the cause of a disruption.
Thats what it takes.
At the edge of the floor, she moved away, giving him privacy.
TJ kept walking to the foyer, where the sound of the band was blocked, so it was quieter. He hit the callback button.
St. Beas Hospital, Oncology, a crisp female voice answered.
Oncology? Someone had cancer? This is Travis Bauer. Im returning a call from this number.
Yes, Mr. Bauer. Let me put you through to Dr. Stannis.
What is this TJ stopped talking when the line clicked and went silent.
He waited a few moments, not sure whether to be anxious or simply curious.