High Stakes

High Stakes
Barbara Dunlop

Candice Hammond's renovation plans for the Lighthouse Restaurant are perfect– until the maddening and madly attractive number cruncher Derek Reeves steps in. They're arguing about everything right down to the last fork and it's taking all her negotiating skills to stop her interior design project from going up in smoke!Derek Reeves, international businessman and heir apparent to the family corporation, knows what to do to succeed–always stay focused, never get distracted. But the game plan goes awry once he and Candice find themselves locked up together at the job site. That's when they both have to put all their cards and their clothes on the table.…

“Would you like some more?” asked Derek

Candice shook her head and leaned away from the sparkling dinner table. “Wish I could.”

“So?”

“What?” She feigned confusion, hoping that he’d forgotten their bet of a kiss for every point out of ten that he earned with this meal.

“How many points are we talking?” He cocked an eyebrow and grinned.

“I could…give you a zero.”

“You could.” He gazed at her knowingly.

“Oh, man.” Candice closed her eyes and raised a hand to her forehead. She couldn’t believe she was about to do this. Her nemesis, her archrival, and she was going to have to…pay him a compliment, not to mention—

“Zero to ten,” Derek said softly.

“Ten,” she whispered, and puckered her lips.

Note from the editor…

An Evening To Remember… Those words evoke all kinds of emotions and memories. How do you plan a romantic evening with your guy that will help you get in touch with each other on every level?

Start with a great dinner that you cook together. Be sure to light several candles and put fresh flowers on the table. Enjoy a few glasses of wine and pick out your favorite music to set the mood. After dinner take the time to really talk to each other. Hold hands and snuggle on the sofa in front of the fireplace. And maybe take a few minutes to read aloud selected sexy scenes from your favorite Harlequin Temptation novel. After that, anything can happen….

That’s just one way to have an evening to remember. There are so many more. Write and tell us how you keep the spark in your relationship. And don’t forget to check out our Web site at www.eHarlequin.com.

Sincerely,

Birgit Davis-Todd

Executive Editor

High Stakes

Barbara Dunlop

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

Dear Reader,

Here’s the final story of the Reeves-DuCarter brothers. From the moment brother Derek appeared in Next to Nothing! to give his baby brother hell and his middle brother sage advice in Flying High, I’ve known that when Derek’s turn came, he was going to fall fast and he was going to fall hard.

Sure enough, Candice Hammond, the daughter of his archenemy, rocked Derek’s world. He’s used to being in charge, yet she challenges him at every turn. The woman is his intellectual and emotional match, and she’s going toe to toe with the millionaire entrepreneur until he gives her everything she wants. Which is also everything he wants, though he doesn’t know it yet.

I truly hope you enjoy the Reeves-DuCarter brothers. They’ve been a delight for me to live with and I’m thrilled to be able to share them. I’d love to hear from you at www.barbaradunlop.com.

Best,

Barbara Dunlop

Books by Barbara Dunlop

HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION

848—FOREVER JAKE

901—NEXT TO NOTHING!* (#litres_trial_promo)

940—TOO CLOSE TO CALL

1006—FLYING HIGH* (#litres_trial_promo)

HARLEQUIN FLIPSIDE

22—OUT OF ORDER

HARLEQUIN DUETS

54—THE MOUNTIE STEALS A WIFE

90—A GROOM IN HER STOCKING

98—THE WISH-LIST WIFE

To Dad.

With appreciation, admiration and love.

Contents

Chapter 1 (#u712c88bf-1774-50e3-9dd6-fb35561541a9)

Chapter 2 (#uafa1cfb1-a2c7-5929-9c16-b5247aa73650)

Chapter 3 (#u57841f0f-0ca9-57ba-8638-b205ee70ff87)

Chapter 4 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)