You and I

You and I
Jacquelin Thomas

They meet on a romantic Mediterranean cruise.Moonlight, open seas, kisses under the stars. It's everything Cherise Ransom ever dreamed of—and so is Steven Chambers. Passionate, driven and attentive, Steven sweeps her into a whirlwind courtship. . . and before she knows it, Cherise is engaged! But her past just might derail her chance for happiness before she makes it down the aisle. . . .Once he meets the sensual, voluptuous counselor, Steven knows his bachelor days are over. The celebrated architect has found the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Except Cherise is keeping a secret. He hopes their love is strong enough to overcome anything—but she's got to be willing to take a chance and trust in their future together. . . .

“Are you sure about this?” he wanted to know. His steady gaze bore into her in silent expectation.

In response, she led him by the hand to her bedroom. Steven swept her, weightless, into his arms and carried her to the bed.

Cherise could feel his heavy breathing on her cheek as he held her close. The touch of his hand was almost unbearable in its wanton desire. His mouth covered hers hungrily, leaving her burning with need.

Another touch of his lips on hers sent a shock wave throughout her entire body with an intensity she had never known. Steven planted kisses on her shoulders, neck and face. As he became more passionate, her own need grew stronger.

Desire pounded through her heart, chest and head, causing Cherise to breathe in deep, soul-drenching drafts. She had never felt as good as she did in this moment, and she didn’t want it to end.

Books by Jacquelin Thomas

Kimani Romance

The Pastor’s Woman Chocolate Goodies Teach Me Tonight You and I

Dear Reader,

A lot of women feel pressured to lose weight because of the way women are often portrayed in some of pop culture’s magazines, movies and television shows. Cherise Ransom has never been thin, but it isn’t until she’s an adult that she understands the importance of loving herself and being a size healthy.

My inspiration for this story was an article I read about an eleven-year-old who committed suicide after being teased by classmates because he was overweight. This tragedy prompted me to highlight Cherise’s struggles as an overweight teen and her desire to fit in with her peers, which leads to a mistake that haunts her many years later as an adult. But will it come between her and the man she falls in love with?

I hope you enjoy You and I. I am also looking forward to introducing you to the Alexander family of Beverly Hills in the coming months.

I love hearing from my readers, so please feel free to contact me on the following:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacquelinthomas

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/jacquelinthomas Web:

www.jacquelinthomas.com

Email: jacquelinthomas@yahoo.com

Blessings to you,

Jacquelin Thomas

About the Author

JACQUELIN THOMAS is an award-winning, bestselling author with more than thirty-five books in print. When she is not writing, she is busy working toward a degree in psychology. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

You And I

Jacquelin Thomas

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

Bernard, you are my best friend and the love of my life. There are no words to adequately express how honored I am to be your wife. Thank you for being my #1 fan and supporter. Other men should follow your example as a husband, father and friend.

Chapter 1

“I can’t believe you have another brother and that I have another cousin,” Cherise Ransom told Elle as they stood in line for the duck with chocolate sauce that everyone at the wedding reception had been raving about.

“I know,” Elle murmured. “It’s eleven of us now.”

“Well, we call ourselves a clan—I guess it’s true. Especially with all of the marriages and children—there’s a bunch of Ransoms running around Los Angeles.” Cherise’s gaze traveled once more to where Ransom Winters was standing with his bride, Coco, holding court.

“He’s definitely related, though,” she said. “He looks just like us. I think it’s pretty cool that his mother named him Ransom. I guess she wanted him to have his father’s name in some way.”

Cherise glanced over her shoulder at a woman standing nearby and said in a low voice, “Aunt Amanda sure seems to be taking it well.”

Elle gave a slight shrug. “He’s not hard to love at all. Ransom is a really neat guy, and he was an instant fit with the family. As for my mama, she wants to leave the past behind. Ransom was conceived when she and my dad were separated.”

“Sometimes the past definitely has a way of catching up with you,” Cherise responded, staring straight ahead, watching the bride and groom, but her mind was somewhere else, in another place and time.

Elle followed her gaze and said, “Ransom and Coco make a beautiful couple, don’t you think?”

Cherise nodded, bringing her thoughts back to the present. “I want someone to come knock me off my feet like that.”

“The right guy is going to show up when you least expect it, cousin.”

She met Elle’s smile with one of her own. “I really hope so. You and Brennen are crazy in love, and you’ve just had another baby. All of you…well, all except Ivy, are deliriously happy. To be honest with you, sometimes I get a little sad being around all the love and happiness.”

“Now you sound like Ivy,” Elle pointed out with a light chuckle.

“See, that’s who I need to start hanging out with,” Cherise said. “She and I are on the same page. We can be lonely together.”

Elle passed on the chocolate-dusted scallops with vanilla butter sauce, while Cherise decided to give them a try. “Not too much,” she told the server. “Thanks.”

Cherise made her way back to the table, following Elle. She sat down next to her.

“Girl, there’s so much chocolate at this reception, I can feel myself putting on pounds. You know that’s the last thing I need right now,” Cherise said, picking up one of the elegantly designed boxes of chocolate truffles.

“You need to stop that, Cherise,” Elle told her. “You look beautiful.”

“She sure does,” a man said from behind them.

Cherise turned around in her chair. “Hi, Daddy.” She rose to her feet to give her father a hug.

“Uncle Jules, where have you been?” Elle asked. “I tried to call you last week.”

“I was in Raleigh, North Carolina. An old friend of mine is terminally ill, and so a bunch of us decided to go up and spend some time with him.” He stroked his daughter’s shoulder. “I’ve told you about talk like that, Cherise. And look at your plate. You hardly have anything on it.”