“Politics are bullshit.” Graham reclines on a poolside chair, the sun gentle on his hair. “It’s just one facade after another.” He takes in a deep breath. “At least my rat of a father has fled from the public eye.”

“Don’t talk about politics, love. We’re on vacation.” The warmth kisses my skin. I feel lazy and happy and safe. A revelation.

“Who’s on vacation?” Jett Brandon comes out of the villa, trailed closely behind by a waiter with a tray full of drinks. “Not you, I hope.”

“Damn right we’re on vacation,” Graham shoots back. “I’m never going back to work. Andrew’s not done putting all my people back in their places. So pathetic, stealing them for his arsenal.”

Jett laughs. “Are you still hung up on that incubator of yours? Jax, get out here. Blackpool’s not over his little business.”

“Which little business? All of his companies are tiny.” Jax steps out of the villa and proceeds directly to the pool, where he dives in, all grace and man.

“You’re an asshole,” Graham calls to him the moment he surfaces.

“I’m only being accurate,” he says, winking at me.

Yes.

This is vacation.

Graham’s friends—my friends—and an enormous villa to spend the week in. Or the month.

After three weeks alone, crisscrossing the world in Graham’s private jet, he was desperate for a party. Jett was already en route to the Virgin Islands. One thing led to another, and here we are.

I never want to go back.

But sooner or later...

“Did I tell you? I heard from my mom today.”

“What’d she say?”

“They’re lifting the sentence. Good behavior.”

Graham grins coyly.

“Oh, my god. What did you do?”

“I would never influence the judicial process. Not with my wife being such an upstanding and hot lawyer.”

“I don’t have an offer yet.” I take one of the drinks from the waiter’s silver try with murmured thanks. “So I don’t know if that counts.”

“No. You have a firm.”

I sip my drink until his words hit me like a tidal wave and I choke, coughing and sputtering. “What?”

Graham raises his sunglasses as Jett laughs. “He didn’t tell you about the firm?”

“What firm?”

My husband—my real, honest-to-god husband, beams at me. “I was saving that information for the right moment.”

“When was the right moment going to be? How do you even buy a firm? Jesus, Graham, what did you do?”

He sits up, mirroring me, and takes my free hand in his. “I didn’t buy a firm, I bought a building. And I paid someone to start collecting resumes. You’ll be in charge of staffing, though. Unless it’s too much work. All you need to do is say the word.”

My heart flutters in my chest. I thought all my dreams had come true. A life with Graham is already more than enough. But this? This?

“I don’t deserve this.”

“Are you joking? You scoured the city for jobs. I know you still get rejection emails.”

“Don’t talk about those.”

“Fine. But you know what? You’re never going to get fired if you’re the boss.”

A wave of uncertainty sweeps over me. “Graham, I can’t—I can’t do that. Run my own firm? I’m not—”

“You can do anything.” His green eyes reflect the crystal blue of the pool. “You can chase a rich and powerful and sexy man out onto the sidewalk to give him a hundred dollars he doesn’t need. You can pretend to be his fiancée to save his brother’s sorry presidential ass. And you can run your own law firm. That’s probably the easiest thing you’ll ever do.”

My throat goes tight. “You’re sweet.”

His grin turns wicked. “I’m not that sweet.”

“Why not?”

He leans in close. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted to stay at this party for a while longer.”

I laugh out loud, joy filling every available space in me. “We’ve been here three days. You’re acting like I’d have made you leave after an hour.”

“You would if I told you the rest.”

I slap him playfully on the shoulder. “Tell me the rest. Right now.”

“As you wish.” He puts a hand to his chin. “The firm won a Blackpool grant. Its purpose is to help represent women who are treated unfairly by the court system and need better lawyers.”

“A Blackpool grant? You’re kidding.”

“I’m serious. You’ll need to pay your people what they’re worth until your clients can afford to pay you. And some of them might not be able to.”

“But I don’t want your money.” The same feeling rises in my chest as when I chased him out of Capitol Bean. “It’s not right.”

“It’s so right. Think about it. You’re changing fate.”

“I’m changing your fate.” I stand up from the chair and Graham’s face falls. “Shit. Do you really want to leave?”

Jett shakes his head. “Shouldn’t have told her.”

“You told her, you unholy—”

“Hey. Mr. Blackpool.” I snap my fingers at Graham. “I need your help. Inside. In the bedroom.”

He’s by my side in an instant, bending to kiss me. It’s pure heat, pure light, pure love. Graham bends to speak directly into my ear. “Don’t snap at me like that. Or you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

“Do your worst.”

“You’re going to regret that.”

“Only one way to find out...”

“Hey lovebirds,” Jett calls. “Don’t take too long. Everybody else is going to be back from parasailing in thirty minutes, and I’ve got plans.” He looks out over the ocean. “Holy shit. Is that who I think it is? Graham, look.”

“I don’t care,” Graham calls over his shoulder. His eyes never leave mine. His voice lowers, sensuous and smooth. “I’ve got plans for you.” The shiver rocks my whole body.

Before I can say another word, he scoops me up in his arms and takes me to bed.

Right where I belong.

* * *

Need another story to sweep you off your feet? Look no further than the romance of Dayton Nash, a wounded warrior who’ll steal your heart, and Summer Sullivan, the one woman he was never supposed to love. Get it on Amazon .

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