Secret Paradise

Secret Paradise
Dara Girard

Nikki Dupree feels like the luckiest designer in the world. She's just been commissioned to reinvent the magnificent island home of wealthy recluse Lucian Kontos.From the moment the private plane he sends for Nikki touches down, she's enchanted by the breathtaking sunsets over the shimmering blue waters of the Mediterranean. But all bets are off when Nikki meets her insufferably arrogant alpha employer….After his world was scarred by fire, Lucian thought his life was over. But Nikki could be his second chance. With her sensual beauty and passion for life, she's slowly healing his heart. In her arms, the smoldering secrets of the past are consumed by the desire burning between them. Can Nikki see beyond the past of a wounded man who wants to spend the rest of his days loving her?

Paradise just got a lot hotter

Nikki Dupree feels like the luckiest designer in the world.

She’s just been commissioned to reinvent the magnificent island home of wealthy recluse Lucian Kontos. From the moment the private plane he sends for Nikki touches down, she’s enchanted by the breathtaking sunsets over the shimmering blue waters of the Mediterranean. But all bets are off when Nikki meets her insufferably arrogant alpha employer….

After his world was scarred by fire, Lucian thought his life was over. But Nikki could be his second chance. With her sensual beauty and passion for life, she’s slowly healing his heart. In her arms, the smoldering secrets of the past are consumed by the desire burning between them. Can Nikki see beyond the past of a wounded man who wants to spend the rest of his days loving her?

“You’ve bewitched me.

“You sit there quietly watching me with those eyes of yours unafraid, but also unsure. I can see a cascade of emotions crossing your face, but I can’t read them. You intrigue me even when I don’t want you to. I can’t afford to. But it feels good because you make me forget—” He gripped his hand into a fist. “You make me forget things I have no right to.” He brushed the flower against the hollow of her neck, his gaze trailing behind it like a slow, sensual caress. “Perhaps I’m wrong. You’re not a goddess, you’re a sorceress.”

“No,” Nikki said, breathless and tense lest she do or say anything to break the invisible bond between them. “I have no magic in me.”

“That I find hard to believe.” Lucian lifted Nikki to her feet and his mouth covered hers. The touch and taste of his lips were even better than she’d remembered. Her entire body came alive at his touch. The air felt more fragrant, the breeze cooler and his body solid and as hot as volcanic fire. She surrendered to the demanding mastery of his hands and the practiced persuasion of his mouth. Every fiber of her body went weak at his touch.

He pulled away, his eyes smoldering with fire, but his voice cool. “I didn’t expect this.”

“Neither did I.”

“I shouldn’t let this happen.”

“Then blame me,” Nikki said, bold and impulsive. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

DARA GIRARD

fell in love with storytelling at an early age. Her romance writing career happened by chance when she discovered the power of a happy ending. She is an award-winning author whose novels are known for their sense of humor, interesting plot twists and witty dialogue.

When she’s not writing she enjoys spring mornings and autumn afternoons, French pastries, dancing to the latest hits and long drives.

Dara loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at contactdara@daragirard.com or P.O. Box 10345, Silver Spring, MD 20914.

Secret Paradise

Dara Girard

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Dear Reader,

Have you ever wanted to get away from it all? The obligations, the job that no longer excites you, the on-again, off-again boyfriend you should have broken up with months ago? That’s exactly how Nikki Dupree feels when she impulsively takes an assignment to redesign the house of the reclusive Lucian Kontos.

Initially, I thought Nikki would have fun with JD’s brother from All I Want Is You. But they were having too much fun and nothing was happening so I had to go with someone who could prove a challenge to her. Enter JD’s friend Lucian.

Immediately, an electricity ignites between them that seems to expand to everything and everyone around them. An attraction so powerful that even the gods and goddesses of myth seem to take a hand in it.…

So, my dear reader, here is another tale I hope you enjoy.

Dara Girard

Contents

Prologue (#uab9cd516-c7d8-548d-b28f-763418be746d)

Chapter 1 (#ud2461b16-55fb-54c2-a1bd-d5564d8f710d)

Chapter 2 (#uf43d2846-c585-5d33-bbc8-3364cbb9a634)

Chapter 3 (#ub3785cb9-f441-55e9-aab8-469d5ccac917)

Chapter 4 (#uc1c6270b-e0b9-5951-9611-c6de3eb9c4b7)

Chapter 5 (#u6a5039e8-97a9-599b-a166-4933f21124dc)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)