Christmas in Da Conti's Bed

Christmas in Da Conti's Bed
Sharon Kendrik

A Christmas gift she can’t refuse…Billionaire Niccolo Da Conti has everything a man could want – the money, the cars, the business empire – but seeing the unbearably enticing Alannah Collins again has sparked his possessive streak. He’ll hire her, seduce her, and cross her off his wish list once and for all!Alannah knows the danger of working too closely with the sensual Sicilian but she’d be a fool to refuse his help launching her business. Now, with Niccolo ruthlessly trying to seduce her under the mistletoe, her every defence is threatened. Can she stop him from unwrapping the truths she’s fought to conceal?Christmas In Da Conti’s Bed 4 ½ * RT Book ReviewKendrick’s romance is a war of wills between her charismatic hero and infamous, insecure heroine. Set in the lavish laps of New York and London, her mesmerizing narrative epitomizes raw powerful emotions. The seductive Italian words used for wooing are awesome!No one does Christmas like Kendrick! Passion, power, and seduction all beautifully wrapped up within the pages of a book that will be the most enjoyable, delightful Christmas present you could get! Gorgeous brooding heroes meet fabulous fiery heroines in an explosion of intense desire that will make it almost impossible to put her books down!Follow Sharon on twitter for her latest news: @Sharon KendrickPraise for Sharon KendrickThe Greek’s Marriage Bargain – 4 ½ * RT TOP PICK Book ReviewKendrick’s couple radiates combative emotion and plays their roles well, and the ultimate opulent backdrop drips wealth as her beautiful and visual writing tells a marvelous tale. A Scandal, a Secret, a Baby – 4 1/2 * RT Book Review:It’s fun to watch these two dynamic personalities fall in love again in Kendrick’s emotionally explosive second-chance romance, filled with hot love scenes and lots of drama.Add a fabulous Sharon Kendrick book to your collection!

‘Whoops!’ A cool voice cut into his angry tirade and Niccolò turned to see Alannah Collins strolling into the room without bothering to knock. Suddenly his words were forgotten.

If somebody had asked him his name right then he thought he might have had trouble remembering it. And yet for a moment he almost didn’t recognise her—because in his memory she was wearing very little, and the woman in front of him had barely an inch of flesh on show. It was the sound of her naturally sultry voice which had kick-started his memory and his libido. But it didn’t take long for his eyes to reacquaint themselves with her magnificent body—nor to acknowledge the natural sensuality which seemed to shimmer from it in almost tangible waves.

Niccolò swallowed. He had forgotten the pale creaminess of her complexion and the rosiness of her lips. As she moved he could see the glitter of a little blue dragonfly brooch gleaming on her shirt-collar. It matched the amazing colour of her eyes. And even though he despised her he could do nothing about the leap of desire which made his body grow tense. She made him think of things he’d rather not think about—but mostly she made him think about sex.

Dear Reader (#uf254b902-496b-597c-8017-34bdf8b76b69),

One hundred. Doesn’t matter how many times I say it, I still can’t believe that’s how many books I’ve written. It’s a fabulous feeling but more fabulous still is the news that Mills & Boon are issuing every single one of my backlist as digital titles. Wow. I can’t wait to share all my stories with you - which are as vivid to me now as when I wrote them.

There’s BOUGHT FOR HER HUSBAND, with its outrageously macho Greek hero and A SCANDAL, A SECRET AND A BABY featuring a very sexy Tuscan. THE SHEIKH’S HEIR proved so popular with readers that it spent two weeks on the USA Today charts and…well, I could go on, but I’ll leave you to discover them for yourselves.

I remember the first line of my very first book: “So you’ve come to Australia looking for a husband?” Actually, the heroine had gone to Australia to escape men, but guess what? She found a husband all the same! The man who inspired that book rang me up recently and when I told him I was beginning my 100

story and couldn’t decide what to write, he said, “Why don’t you go back to where it all started?”

So I did. And that’s how A ROYAL VOW OF CONVENIENCE was born. It opens in beautiful Queensland and moves to England and New York. It’s about a runaway princess and the enigmatic billionaire who is infuriated by her, yet who winds up rescuing her. But then, she goes and rescues him… Wouldn’t you know it?

I’ll end by saying how very grateful I am to have a career I love, and to thank each and every one of you who has supported me along the way. You really are very dear readers.

Love,

Sharon xxx

Mills & Boon are proud to present a thrilling digital collection of all Sharon Kendrick’s novels and novellas for us to celebrate the publication of her amazing and awesome 100th book! Sharon is known worldwide for her likeable, spirited heroines and her gorgeous, utterly masculine heroes.

SHARON KENDRICK once won a national writing competition, describing her ideal date: being flown to an exotic island by a gorgeous and powerful man. Little did she realise that she’d just wandered into her dream job! Today she writes for Mills & Boon, featuring her often stubborn but always to-die-for heroes and the women who bring them to their knees. She believes that the best books are those you never want to end. Just like life …

Christmas in Da Conti’s Bed

Sharon Kendrick

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

This book lovingly acknowledges the feisty and wonderful McCormick women—and most especially Joan and Eileen.

Contents

Cover (#u152985b6-90f6-580a-8d0f-da9cd7e926fb)

Introduction (#ue0bd467d-a16e-5734-9089-c72f7b2c04ac)

Dear Reader (#u02296332-e778-51fd-a2ef-610d4a56869b)

About the Author (#ua4b4815b-fa4e-5ef9-80a1-a543c7bd341c)

Title Page (#u0da5fb55-ba5f-5b05-b0c9-e59aa550af0f)

Dedication (#uf9508506-c796-5be7-be48-dadd8c1e6017)

CHAPTER ONE (#u32dd3101-dfea-5aeb-aac2-2f9ff58e3d3f)

CHAPTER TWO (#u7a1615f6-12ef-5385-801e-68e94d1515d9)

CHAPTER THREE (#u297aa00f-fa42-5f84-ad68-b81abe712485)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE (#uf254b902-496b-597c-8017-34bdf8b76b69)

NICCOLÒ DA CONTI hated marriage, Christmas and love—but most of all he hated it when people didn’t do what he wanted them to.

An unfamiliar feeling of frustration made him bite back a graphic expletive as he paced the floor of the vast New York hotel suite. Outside, skyscrapers and stars glittered against the deepening indigo sky, though not nearly as brightly as the Christmas lights which were already adorning the city.

But Niccolò was oblivious to the party atmosphere, or even to the onset of this most hated time of year. All he could think about was his only sister and wondering why she was being so damned disobedient.

‘I do not want,’ he said, sucking in a ragged breath in an attempt to control his rapidly spiralling temper, ‘some tacky topless model acting as your bridesmaid. I have worked long and hard to establish a degree of respectability in your life, Michela. Do you understand what I’m saying? It cannot be allowed to happen, and what is more—I will not allow it to happen.’

From the other side of the glitzy New York hotel penthouse suite, Michela’s expression remained unchanged as she looked at him.

‘But you can’t stop me from having her, Niccolò,’ she said stubbornly. ‘I’m the bride and it’s my decision. That’s the thing.’

‘You think so?’ His mouth hardened and he felt another hot flicker of rage. ‘I could refuse to pay for this wedding for a start.’

‘But the man I’m marrying is rich enough to carry the cost of the marriage if you decide to take such drastic action.’ Michela hesitated. ‘Though I’m sure you wouldn’t want the world to know that Niccolò da Conti had refused to finance his only sister’s wedding, just because he doesn’t approve of her choice of bridesmaid. Wouldn’t that be a step too far in the modern world—even for a man as old-fashioned as you?’