Played by the Billionaire Page 17

  She laughed. “Tell you what. I’ll draft an addendum to the contract, allowing you access to the property during my stay if you tell me twice a day you love me.”

  “Only twice? I can accept those terms.”

  He swung her into his arms and headed for the house.

  …

  “I don’t believe it,” Liam said. He strode over to where Lorelei sat on one of the wingback chairs by the window. She had one of Marcus’s books open in her lap, and a cup of coffee cooling on the table. She glanced up as he spoke, and the love that filled her eyes made him catch his breath. They’d been back in San Francisco for three weeks now, and the warm flood of well-being that swept through him every time he looked on her gorgeous face had only increased.

  “What?” She put down the novel and took a sip of her coffee.

  “It’s a letter from Marcus. According to the cover note from his editor, Marcus wrote it before he died and asked that it be forward it to me after I’d submitted the manuscript. Evidently, the editor almost forgot about it, only finding it when he was looking for something else.”

  “What did Marcus say?”

  Liam toyed with the long white envelope, flipping it over several times in his hand.

  “I haven’t opened it yet.” He stared at the sloppy handwriting, so clearly Marcus’s. It was as though his brother was reaching out one last time from beyond the grave. He sat on the chair opposite and held the letter out to Lorelei. “You read it.”

  She stared at his face for a moment before she took the envelope. Opening it, she scanned the contents. He watched her lips move as she tried to decipher his brother’s scrawl. A tear escaped the corner of her eye as she held out the letter.

  “Well, that’s a surprise,” she said. Leaning forward, she put her hand on his where it rested on the arm of his chair.

  “Read it to me, please.”

  Her soft voice, full of emotion, filled the air between them:

  Liam,

  I bet you’re pissed with me for making you write the book when I’d already finished it. Sorry about that (well, not really), but I had to find a way to get you to step away from your computers and live in the real world for a while.

  I hope you followed my instructions and found a real woman, not one of those plastic versions you usually go for. I loved you from the moment Mom brought you home. But now it’s someone else’s turn. Let them love you, Liam. You deserve it. And be brave, love her back. You can do it!

  Marcus

  PS. Writing’s a hell of a lot harder than it seems, isn’t it?

  Lorelei handed him the letter to read for himself.

  “The bastard!”

  Lorelei sat back at his abrupt expletive. “I thought it was funny.”

  Liam stood and paced the floor between the chair and the sofa. “He set me up. He’d already finished the novel and sent it to his publisher, but pretended he hadn’t so I would have to follow his idiotic instructions and stop working to find…you. Damned if he wasn’t always the smarter one.”

  Lorelei stood up, pulled the letter from his hands, and tossed it onto the table with her book. She put a gentle hand on his face and caressed his cheek. Instantly his aggravation flowed away, leaving only warmth and contentment. He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her fragrant hair.

  “He may have left you the instructions, but you made the choices, and pretty smart ones, if you ask me. Are you unhappy with the way it turned out?”

  “Nope. Things are looking pretty good from where I stand.”

  Liam kissed her until she went limp against him, her breathing ragged. His own pulse rate was through the roof. Even after three weeks of daily loving, he still couldn’t get enough of Lorelei. He doubted he ever would. Bending down, he lifted her into his arms and strode toward the bedroom. As he rounded the sofa, a noise halted them. David’s head popped around the door.

  “Again? You guys are worse than rabbits. I’m going to have to find someplace else to hang out.” With that dire pronouncement he slammed the door.

  “We’re going to have to get him a woman,” Lorelei said as Liam carried her into the bedroom. “And while we’re at it, a new man for Helen, seeing as Jason and Mandy are full-on in love.”

  “And how do you suggest we go about that? I’m banned from cracking dating sites, and fresh out of ideas.”

  He bounced her on the bed before pulling off his T-shirt. Her eyes blazed with passion and he could feel the heat of her gaze on his naked torso. Amazing how she could set him on fire with just a look.

  “Maybe you could write another book, a hacker’s guide to love.”

  “Nope, my writing career is over. I’ve found something much better to do with my time.”

  “Oh, and what’s that?” Her question ended on a moan as he joined her on the bed and worked his hand under her shirt.

  “Show you every day how much I love you,” he whispered against her lips, before proceeding to do just that.

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  Acknowledgments

  This book would not have been possible without the advice from, and support of, the wonderful editors at Entangled, especially Alethea, Rima and Tara. Thanks for talking me off the ledge, and taking the scissors from me when I was running.

  I would also like to acknowledge the amazing encouragement of my fellow authors, most of whom I’ve never met in person, who sent virtual chocolate and wine when I was stuck in the editing cave.

  Finally, my thanks go to readers, because really, if it wasn’t for you, what’s the point?

  About the Author

  Alexia once traveled the world, meeting new people, experiencing new sights and tastes. She’s lived in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, and France, as well as spent time in Panama and Russia. When life demanded that she stay rooted in one place, she took to vicarious voyages through the characters she created in her romance novels. To discover other books written by Alexia or read her blog on inspirational destinations, Journey to Love, go to http://Alexia-Adams.com or follow her on Twitter @AlexiaAdamsAuth.

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