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Blurb:
They might both get what they want in this marriage of convenience—if they don’t kill each other first.
Annabelle Buchanan waltzes into Dante Escarra’s office with a singular goal—to persuade him to accept her audacious one-year marriage proposal. Her objective? Taking control of her father’s real estate empire. But Dante is her ex-husband, and their past is littered with hurt and anger.
Dante never once contemplated reuniting with Annabelle because she broke his heart and left him devastated years ago. But her offer is a tantalizing chance to add an iconic Houston building to his real estate portfolio—a prize he covets more than he’s willing to admit.
As they pursue their respective goals, the lines between business and heart blur. Can they make their marriage work the second time around, or will they both end up with broken hearts—again?
Synopsis:
They might both get what they want in this marriage of convenience—if they don’t kill each other first.
Annabelle Buchanan waltzes into Dante Escarra’s office with a singular goal—to persuade him to accept her audacious one-year marriage proposal. Her objective? Taking control of her father’s real estate empire. But Dante is her ex-husband, and their past is littered with hurt and anger.
Dante never once contemplated reuniting with Annabelle, because she broke his heart and left him devastated years ago. But her offer is a tantalizing chance to add an iconic Houston building to his real estate portfolio—a prize he covets more than he’s willing to admit.
As they pursue their respective goals, the lines between business and heart blur. Can they make their marriage work the second time around, or will they both end up with broken hearts—again?
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Author Bio:
Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of black romance and interracial romance in the contemporary romance and romantic suspense genres. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not busy reading or writing, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. To get sneak peeks, notices of sale prices, and find out about new releases, visit her website and join her mailing list. Enjoy free stories on her website at http://www.delaneydiamond.com.
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EXCERPTS:
Excerpt 1
“You came here for a reason. What do you want?”
“You should take a seat for this,” Annabelle said, waving toward his leather chair. She spoke in a lowered voice. Her seduction voice—low and throaty and bringing back memories that lashed his skin with heat.
His eyes narrowed in distrust. “Why do I need to sit down?”
“I’m not sure you’ll like what I’m about to say.” She gave a careless, one-shoulder shrug.
“Tell me so we can get this meeting over with, and I can go back to more important tasks, like practicing my golf swing.” He glanced at the Patel Philippe watch on his wrist. “You have sixty seconds to explain why you’re here, and then I’m calling security to escort you out.”
She let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. I have a proposition for you.”
“I cannot wait to hear it,” Dante said in a dry voice.
Another fake smile. “My father plans to step down as the CEO of Buchanan & Buchanan within the next few months.”
“Time is ticking. You have twenty-seven seconds.”
“Be patient, darling. I promise you’ll want to hear this,” she said, strolling over to the bar where he kept beverages for guests. She poured herself a glass of water and took a sip before turning to face him.
“Seventeen seconds.”
Annabelle arched an eyebrow. “When he steps down, he plans to recommend a merger to the board—a merger with his friend’s company, Strong Technology, Inc. They’re a privately owned firm specializing in smart home technology to modernize residential properties and make them more efficient. Daddy has threatened to go through with this merger for years.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Dante tapped his watch as a reminder.
“Nothing, directly.” Annabelle finished the water and carefully placed the glass on a silver tray atop the bar. “Except for the proposition I mentioned. Instead of merging the companies and having Albert Strong take over as CEO, I want Daddy to recommend me as CEO to the board, but unfortunately, he won’t because of his traditional values.”
A brief flash of pain zipped across her eyes, so fast he almost missed the emotion.
“That’s your problem. Again, what does your father’s decision have to do with me?”
She looked him squarely in the eyes. The haughty indifference disappeared, and a tough negotiator took its place. “My father admires and respects you. He thinks you’re a great businessman because of all you’ve accomplished in the ten years since our divorce. You’ve made quite a splash in the commercial real estate market. Therefore, my proposition is simple. I want to take over my father’s company, and I need you to help me make that happen. I’m proposing that you and I remarry.”
Dante cocked his head toward her in disbelief. “Excuse me, I misunderstood what you said. My English is not so good.”
“Your English is excellent. Probably better than mine at this point, so I know you understood perfectly what I said. I’m suggesting we get married again—a marriage of convenience, if you will. A mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties, you and me. My father will be happy to have you back in the family because he did like you, and now he has newfound respect for you thanks to all your accomplishments. Based on a conversation we had, I’m convinced he would recommend me for the CEO position if he thought you’d be involved in helping me with B&B, as needed. Our marriage would be temporary. Sometime after I take the reins of the company, you and I will have an amicable divorce. Not right away, of course. We want our reunion to be believable, but we simply split because we couldn’t make our marriage work for a second time.”
Dante folded his arms over his chest. Unbelievable.
“Your plan is to remarry and trick your father into believing you and I are happily married, so he will hand over the company to you when he steps down? That’s your plan?”
She smiled brilliantly. “Yes.”
“Ah querida, t’eres loca,” Dante said.
Then he burst out laughing.
Excerpt 2
Setting down her food, Annabelle joined Dante to the right of her father.
“I won’t take too much time, but before everyone leaves, I wanted to say a few words.” Clifton clasped his hands together. “I’m so happy to have you all here tonight to celebrate the upcoming marriage of my lovely daughter, Annabelle, and her future husband, Dante Escarra. As many of you know, they were married a long time ago, much younger and in my opinion, perhaps not ready for all that marriage entailed at the time. When they separated, I was heartbroken. I had lost another son.”
Empathetic murmurs filled the room.
“But they’re back together again, and I must say I’m a very happy man. I believe this time their marriage will last because they’ve both grown and experienced life. Dante, welcome back to the family. I hope you stay for good this time.”
Laughter filled the space, and so did a chorus of “Here, here!”
A twinge of guilt filled Annabelle’s chest. She didn’t like deceiving her father, but there was no better way to accomplish her goals.
“I would like to say a few words.”
Her head snapped up at the sound of Dante’s voice.
He extended a hand. Widening her smile, Annabelle placed her hand in his warm clasp.
“What are you doing?” she asked from the corner of her mouth.
Instead of answering, he gazed at her with loving eyes that assuredly fooled everyone there except her.
“This is completely unplanned, but I feel as if it’s necessary. I arrived in this country fifteen years ago at the age of seventeen, searching for the American dream. Years later, I met this beautiful woman and was welcomed into her family. As Clifton said, perhaps Anna and I were too young at the time. I consider myself a very lucky man to have won her heart again. This time, I plan to keep it.”
Without warning, he dipped her over his arm—like a scene out of a 1950s romantic film—and stunned her with a kiss. Camera flashes went off, and cheers and whistles erupted in the night.
His warm hand splayed across her back in support, and his tongue eased apart her lips. The fiery heat of passion and desire rushed through her veins, and liquid heat pooled between her thighs.
Her heart raced. Her knees softened. With a faint whimper, Annabelle curled both arms around the back of Dante’s neck and devoured him in kind, reveling in the firm texture of chest muscles.
Finally, Dante released her lips, and straightened, and Annabelle’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t believe he had done that. She couldn’t believe she had reacted with such unfettered enthusiasm.
She smiled at the assembled crowd, her head swimming and her breathing coming in short, sharp spurts. She never denied Dante was still very attractive, but she hadn’t expected to react to him in that way.
Oh sh*t. She was in trouble.
Excerpt 3
The double doors closed for several minutes and then opened again. Music filled the air, and Dante lifted his gaze to the back of the church. Annabelle and her father appeared and started the march down the aisle. Some of the guests stood to watch their progression, while others whispered furiously to each other. There were no phones allowed, so only the videographer and photographer captured the moment.
“Damn,” Sebastian murmured beside him.
Damn indeed. Dante held his breath. Annabelle was a vision in a pearl-white dress.
Like déjà vu, he watched her come toward him, a stunning bride on her father’s arm. Over the course of their short-lived relationship, he’d called her several things—mi amor, mi princesa, querida, but no endearment fit her better than mi reina. Queen was the most apt description for a woman who moved with the grace of royalty. That was Annabelle every day and certainly today.
His stomach contracted, but not in fear or dread. No, this was something else altogether. Excitement. Fervent anticipation. He looked forward to their union in a way he hadn’t expected—all because of the vision coming toward him in a dress with an off-the-shoulder lace top and see through sleeves. The floral pattern and beadwork made the dress shimmer and shine. The long, elaborate train floated behind her as she herself seemed to float beside her father down the aisle.
“Who presents this woman to be joined with this man?” the priest asked.
“I do, her father,” Clifton said. He kissed his daughter’s cheek and then placed her hand in Dante’s.
Annabelle then joined Dante on the dais, and the ceremony began with a prayer.
When they first married, Dante and Annabelle had read unique vows to each other. Not this time. Because this time wasn’t real. They both had an ulterior motive for entering into this marriage.
One year. Then it would be over. At this moment, he wasn’t so sure that’s what he wanted.
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