Afternoon Delight

Afternoon Delight
Mia Zachary

“What’s wrong?”

In the faint light of the bedroom, Chris’s expression looked sheepish. “Uh, we need to stop. In my rush to get here, I didn’t have a chance to take care of things.”

He wanted to stop? What for…? Oh.

“It’s okay,” Rei assured him. “I have protection in my purse.”

Chris grinned at her. “You really did think I was a sure thing, didn’t you?”

She shrugged while returning his smile. “I was feeling unusually confident when I called you, so…”

“So hurry up and get that condom.”

Rei rolled off the bed and scrambled for her handbag. Within seconds she’d returned to the bed and tossed several strips of foil packages onto the comforter. Chris looked at her, then at the dozen condoms and back at her.

“Your confidence is going to kill me for sure.”

Responding to the humor in his voice, she laughed. “Maybe. But what a way to go, huh?”

Dear Reader,

The original title of this story was You’ve Got Male because I wanted to explore the phenomenon of e-mail communication and online dating. But, as often happens to me, the lighthearted romp I had in mind segued into an exploration of how to find and accept love.

Neither Rei Davis nor Chris London believes in love. They don’t trust that it will last, and think “happily ever after” is only for other people. At least, until they find each other. With the help of instant messages, a fantasy brought to life and a few leaps of faith, both of their wishes will come true, because love and forgiveness have the power to heal.

I wish you happy reading and I wish you joy,

Mia

P.S. You can contact me via my Web site,

www.miazachary.com. I’d love to hear from you.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

A portion of my royalties from sales of this book will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Afternoon Delight

Mia Zachary

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

To Wayne

Heartfelt gratitude goes to my creative writing partner, Melissa James. Thank you for helping me open the door to the past and for holding my hand while I walked through it.

Contents

Chapter 1 (#ue156af0e-3271-598c-bcea-0a289f873902)

Chapter 2 (#uaf2b7cbe-1ed9-5012-9a56-9891b3b08537)

Chapter 3 (#u8e3bd712-6926-541b-b97d-99d283591188)

Chapter 4 (#u7529c9f6-8440-5602-9e7a-e2cf52db4304)

Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

1

TO: Rei Davis <RL_Davis@UFC.sf.gov>

FR: Phoebe J. Hollinger <PJH@hhfs.com>

RE: Are you busy?

If you don’t already have plans with Darren tonight, do you want to get together?

P.J.

Hollinger/Hansen: San Francisco, Tokyo, London, New York

Diversified Financial Services, Individual Client Commitment

TO: Phoebe J. Hollinger <PJH@hhfs.com>

FR: Rei Davis <RL_Davis@UFC.sf.gov>