Love in the fast lane
In the five years since Alana Sharp Dumond lost her husband, she has remodeled her life. Her vintage car company, Custom Classics, is raking in money. She owns her own home and she has top-of-the-line friends. If she misses the feel of a mans arms around her, shed never admit it. The shadows from her past are nobodys business but her own.
Worldly restaurateur Roland Casey has had his eye on Alana for months, but and now he wants to speed up put their relationship. With his tall, muscled build and cognac-brown eyes, hes never had any trouble romancing a womanuntil now. Sultry Alana keeps putting the brakes on all his moves. Roland has no doubt that he can send her temperature racing, but can he mend her once-broken heart?
He wanted to tell her that she was living her late husbands dreams, not hers.
But he didnt want to come across all preachy and fatherlike, because she hadnt asked for his advice, just his listening ear. He asked her to talk to him, to confide in him and thats what shed done. What came next had to be up to her.
What can I do to help, Alana? I dont want you to feel like youre alone anymore, he said. He tilted her chin up so that their eyes met. Youve been handling a whole lot of things by yourself, from what I can tell, and its time for that to be over. Its time for a new life for you.
They leaned into each other at the same time and the resulting kiss started out tender and binding, but it soon turned hot and passionate. Her hands slid up his broad shoulders and she locked her arms around his neck, while his went down her body, sliding under the soft sweater until she could feel him against her bare skin. She moved against him urgently, changing positions until she was straddling him and they were beginning to get lost in each other. Alana managed to slow down, gently pulling away from his lips.
Stay with me, Roland. Stay with me tonight, she whispered.
MELANIE SCHUSTER
started reading when she was four and believes thats why shes a writer today. She was always fascinated with books and loved telling stories. From the time she was very small she wanted to be a writer. She fell in love with romances when she began reading the ones her mother would bring home. She would go to any store that sold paperbacks and load up! When she had a spare moment she was reading. Schuster loves romance because its always so hopeful. Despite the harsh realities of life, romance always brings to mind the wonderful, exciting adventure of falling in love and meeting your soul mate. She believes in love and romance with all her heart. She finds fulfillment in writing stories about compelling couples who find true, lasting love in the face of all the obstacles out there. She hopes all of her readers find their true love. If theyve already been lucky enough to find love, she hopes that they never forget what it felt like to fall in love.
Let Me Hold You
Melanie Schuster
www.millsandboon.co.uk
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Dear Reader,
Thanks for coming on another Friends & Lovers adventure. I hope you all enjoyed Alana and Rolands story. So many of us have given up on the idea of finding love; we think its never going to happen, or we wont let it happen because of past experiences. Let Me Hold You is all about love and second chances and what can happen when you follow your heart. Maybe it will inspire you to give love another chance.
Im so happy that the Sharp sisters, Alexis, Alana, Adrienne and Ava, have captured your interest. The next sister to find love will be Adrienne, and if you thought there were complications with Alexis and Alana, just wait until you read Adriennes story, which will be out next year.
Until then,
Stay blessed and keep reading!
Melanie
To my readers, who as always support me and encourage me. It always means a lot to me, but even more when I was down for the count!
Thanks also to Dr. Minoo Khetarpal and Dr. Gavin Awerbuch for getting me well.
And a special thanks to Pam and Joyce for all your help; I never would have made it without you!
This is dedicated with sincere appreciation to my editor, Tracy Sherrod,
for her encouragement, her expertise and above all, her patience.
She put up with a lot during the creation of this book and I thank her
from the bottom of my heart. Her support meant the world to me.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 1
This is the best party Ive been to since you got married, Alana Sharp Dumond announced. She raised her flute of champagne to her sister, Alexis Sharp VanBuren. Alexis had married her true love, Jared VanBuren, in a fabulous Valentines Day wedding and now, the Saturday before Christmas, they were at the reception of Sherri Stratton and Lucas VanBuren, Jareds younger brother.
Alexis took a sip of her alcohol-free spumante and smiled at her older sister. She wasnt drinking because she and Jared were expecting their first baby. We started off the year with a wedding and were ending it with one. Perfect symmetry, Id say.
A great way to end the year, Alana agreed. Yes, Id love some more, she added happily to the waiter who was offering to refill her glass.
Alexis raised a carefully groomed eyebrow as Alana took a rather healthy swallow of her drink. You better slow down, sister. Youve had quite a bit of that tonight.
Alana grinned to show that she didnt take offense at her younger sisters words of caution. Im drinking for two since you cant have any. Dont worry, Im fine. Ive eaten enough food for two linebackers and its soaking up all the alcohol very nicely. Now I want to dance, she said cheerfully.
They were sitting at the long table set up for the wedding party, which was being held at Seven-Seventeen, the stylish and successful upscale restaurant owned by the VanBuren brothers and their friend, Roland Casey. The VanBurens were chefs and restaurateurs and Roland was their partner. The table was mostly empty at the moment, since the bride and groom were out on the dance floor looking at each other with the eyes of love. Jared and Roland were outside smoking expensive cigars while most of the other attendants were either dancing or taking funny pictures in the photo booth that had been rented for the occasion.
Alana could sense Alexis getting ready to continue the conversation about her intake of Moet and she beckoned to David Stratton, Sherris brother.
Cmon and dance with me, David, she said. We havent had a chance to catch up yet. Giving her sister a wink, she took his hand and they went to join the other dancers just as the music changed to something fast and jazzy.
Alexis sighed while she watched the two of them head for the dance floor. Alana was just a bit too giddy for her taste, not that her older sister would act up or make a scene. It just wasnt like her to imbibe so much, but it was such a festive occasion that who could blame her?
Jared and Roland came back to the table looking rakish and debonair in their tuxedoes with the ties loosened. Her husband sat down and pulled her chair close to his side before putting his arm around her and kissing her neck, enjoying the little purr that she always made when he did that.
Roland grinned at the two of them and said, Get a room, you two. Wheres my beautiful partner? He scanned the room looking for Alana, with whom hed been paired in the wedding.
Alexis stroked her husbands face and sighed as he took her hand and kissed the palm. Shes out on the dance floor shaking her booty, she replied.
Roland made a face of mock outrage as his eyes found Alana, who was indeed dancing in a lively but sexy fashion with David Stratton. Ill see you two scandalous people later. Im going to reclaim my woman-to-be, he announced as he took off in her direction.
Alexis laughed softly as Jared pulled her out of her chair and into his lap. Whats that about? she murmured.
Roland likes Alana, he answered. He says shes been dodging him long enough and hes about to stake his claim.
I wish him luck with that one, Alexis said dryly. Bolder men than Roland have tried to storm Fort Alana and failed. They all come home bruised and empty-handed.
Jared was busy kissing the back of her hand but he stopped long enough to answer her. You dont know Roland. My family always called him my brother from another mother because were alike in so many ways. Number one, we know our woman when we see her. And number two, the word no means try harder to us. We dont give up when we really want something and I have a feeling that Roland really wants Alana.
I wish him luck, but hes got his work cut out for him. In the meantime, I want to go be sociable with our folks and then go home. I need some alone time with my baby before our baby gets here, she said with a teasing light in her eyes.
* * *
Alana was just leaving the dance floor when a strong arm went around her waist. She looked up in surprise and then she smiled at Roland.
I take it you want to dance, she said teasingly.
I do. Youre supposed to be my partner and Ive been deprived of your company for too long, he replied.
Well, well have to make up for lost time, then.
The music was a slow number and Roland was a great dancer. Hed taken off his tuxedo jacket and the way his broad shoulders looked in his shirt was amazing. As he held her close, she could detect the sexy scent of a rich, expensive cigar and equally pricy cognac. Before she could stop herself she leaned in closer and took a deep sniff and detected the even more enticing scent of his skin. She felt his muscular chest move as he laughed softly.
Find anything you like? he asked. His voice was deep, sensual and even headier than his fragrance.
You smell good, she answered. Really, really good. Youre a good dancer, too.
She raised her eyes to his and studied him carefully. It was almost like seeing him for the first time, which was crazy. Shed met Roland months ago after he and Lucas VanBuren had moved from Chicago to Columbia to open Seven-Seventeen. Theyd been around each other quite a bit, at family gatherings and the like, but she couldnt claim to know him very well, no better than he knew her. Gazing at him now, she took in every one of his features and realized that they added up to a very compelling package.
Roland was tall, maybe even taller than Jared. He was much more muscular than Jared, though; he was built like a linebacker. His skin was a rich deep brown with red undertones, smooth as milk chocolate. His eyes were penetrating, with thick black eyebrows and lashes that were way too long and pretty for a man. With his high cheekbones and chiseled lips, he could have been almost feminine except for his strong, slightly hooked nose and his neatly trimmed goatee. His head was bald and perfectly shaped and all in all, he was an extremely handsome man.
Is there something on my face? Spinach in my teeth? Roland looked amused instead of put off, which was good.
Ive been staring at you, havent I? Sorry about that, Alana said with a crooked smile. I usually have better manners than this.
Its quite all right with me, I liked it. This is the longest youve looked at me since we met. Did you like what you see? I mean, do I pass?
You get an A-plus, she replied. An A-plus-plus, as a matter of fact.
Rolands eyes lit up and his smile was warm enough to melt a glacier. Now were getting somewhere, he said. His voice was so silky and deep it was like having a Pashmina draped over her bare shoulders.
There was something so oddly familiar about being in his arms that Alana was at a loss for words, something that no one close to her had ever witnessed. Alana always had a comeback, usually something smart and snappy. But tonight she just enjoyed the feeling of Rolands arms around her and his body next to hers as they moved to the sultry music. They had three dances and when the jazz trio took a break they drifted off the floor with their hands locked together. It was as if neither of them could think of a good reason to let go, so they didnt. They stayed together for the rest of the reception.
Roland was pleased with the new turn of events. Hed been unable to stop staring at Alana all day. It was the first time in weeks that hed been able to spend any significant time with her and he meant to take full advantage of every minute. Alana Sharp Dumond was an elusive, mysterious beauty that he wanted to get to know better and as soon as possible.
Shed looked gorgeous during the ceremony in the strapless gold brocade and chiffon dresses worn by the bridesmaids, but she looked even better at the reception. The dresses had an overskirt that his sisters informed him was a peplum with a demi-train, which was removed after the ceremony for dancing. Now he could see her beautiful long legs.