He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. No matter what, I believe our business is the best thing I’d ever done with my life, and I did it all with you.”

  “I love you,” I said quickly. The words were easy because it was true.

  His shoulders and body relaxed, and he opened his arms for a hug as he said, “I love you too.”

  I bounced on my feet. It was on me. I nodded and hugged him tightly. “I want us to work.”

  I wasn’t sure, but it seemed like he shed a tear. He quickly wiped his eyes. “Thank you for giving me a second chance. I’ll prove myself to you.”

  “There is nothing to prove,” I said as I cried. He had proven himself, and I had hurt him.

  Then I pressed my lips to his, and he kissed me.

  Warren was everything I ever wanted. His kiss made me forget it all.

  A ring in the air brought me back to reality. He picked up his phone and said, “Jeff’s calling.”

  I held it in my hand. “It’s late.”

  “He was working on your case.”

  I’d left my phone in the other room. I picked it up, and we greeted one another with fast hellos. Then I jumped in and said, “I thought you needed till tomorrow.”

  “I had the judge review your case and showed the video from the gossip site.”

  My heart lifted. I’d never had so much help so fast. “And?”

  I held Warren’s hand. With him, I was truly free. His gaze made me warm as his brother droned on. “The order was rescinded under false documentation, and your ex is being questioned on why he went to such lengths,” Jeff said.

  I tensed and lifted my chin. “I don’t care what happens to Romeo, but I don’t wish him harm. I just want him gone for good.”

  “I can safely say you’re fine now,” Jeff said.

  I listened as he said goodbye. We were done. I hung up and gave Warren back his phone.

  He kissed my forehead. “So what do you want to do?”

  Our life together was my choice and no one else’s. I cupped his face. “I want you to come to bed and hold me.”

  “Anything.” He walked with me back to that bedroom.

  Together, we weren’t alone. He loved me, and I loved him. It was enough.

  47

  Warren

  Kerry slept, but when the sun rose, I realized how much I needed to show her that I needed her in my life.

  She’d forgiven me and was there with me, and I needed to prove to her that I meant what I said.

  So I called a jeweler downstairs who often worked with my mother, and she brought me exactly what I described. I went for a star cut because she was my angel.

  Then I made her breakfast, including coffee. I wasn’t a good chef, but the eggs weren’t too bad.

  The jeweler rang, and I buzzed her in. I met her at the door and signed for the ring.

  As I closed the door, Kerry walked over and pointed to the bag.

  I tensed. I’d intended to set up a bigger proposal, but she asked, “What’s this?”

  I handed her the bag, as I wasn’t sure what else to do. “An engagement ring.”

  She opened the bag. “Are you serious?”

  I nodded. “We can go as fast or as slow as you want, but my parents are dying to meet you, and I want to take you to Italy.”

  She laughed. “All of that before coffee?”

  My heart lifted as I realized she hadn’t said no. “I have that here for you too.”

  “You’re sweet.” She took the cup I handed her.

  It was now or never. I went down on one knee and glanced up at her, taking the ring back as I said, “I want to spend every second of every day with you, and I want that to start right now.”

  She laughed and brushed my cheek. “My mother isn’t going to believe me.”

  My gaze narrowed. I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  She tugged me to get up then threw her arms around me. “Doesn’t matter, though. What matters is that we’re together. I can’t wait to marry you, Warren.”

  Then she kissed me. My heart was hers for forever.

  48

  Gerard

  The bouncy brunette with wild curls was exactly who I’d pictured for Warren. Her smile matched his own noble one. Truthfully, it was as if the head of our football team had just fallen for the cheerleader.

  They fed each other and spoke without words as they circled the room.

  The bride-to-be came over to me, and I put my wine down to say, “I’m happy to meet you, Kerry.”

  She shook my hand. “Likewise. You’re Gerard?”

  I nodded. “In the flesh. I hope my calls didn’t interrupt too much.”

  “Don’t be silly.” She laughed.

  I saw the ring on her hand, so I whistled and said, “Congrats.”

  She put her hand down and bounced on her feet. “I’m in shock.”

  Maman waved at Kerry, so she patted my shoulder and left my side.

  Kir, who was officially a pilot and who seemed to ignore his heritage, too, despite looking exactly like our Pedar with darker skin and hair, asked, “Did you have to rearrange your life to be here too?”

  Right. He was probably controlled by someone else’s schedule that day. I shrugged and watched our family. “No. I quit my job today.”

  Kir blinked. “You own the company.”

  My relations were a mess. My last girlfriend thought she could move in and I wouldn’t notice. And it was true—I flew around the world and stayed in hotels as I ran my company.

  I was done avoiding. I hated to be gloomy at a festive engagement party, so I said, “I set up a new board and hired a CEO.”

  Kir shrugged. “So you’re letting go.”

  Our parents were happy. Warren, the most righteous and moral of us, had a bride.

  Maman was right that family mattered.

  “After Ashley, I need to go and figure out what I want next,” I said.

  Kir rubbed his chin as we waved at Arman, who was about to come show off his infant daughter. Kir quickly asked, “So what do you intend to do?”

  I held out my arms to hold the baby. Next time I saw her, she would be bigger. I kissed her cheek and said, “I want… to disappear on my yacht for a while and figure out what I want to do next.”

  Arman had no idea what we were discussing, but he took his daughter back. “Have fun. I think Maman wanted Christmas in Hawaii, anyhow.”

  I glanced at both of them. We had grown up together but were all so different. They had brighter futures than I did. “Let’s go toast the couple so I can get their wedding date on my calendar.”

  It was time for me to change my life, and maybe that would begin with drinking on my yacht and not giving a thought to my problems for a while. Maybe I would stumble on an answer. I had to wonder, though, what would fill my empty heart.

  I hope you loved Sugar Pie as Warren and Kerry were fun to write. Next up is Gerard’s story on the high seas and falls for Ali in Dream Boat.

  Dream Boat Preview

  Un-edited preview

  Gerard

  Most of my brothers were already in the house and the evening garden party was going. Wine was flowing, laughter drifted through the windows, and the night sky was thickening. A storm was brewing.

  My yacht had staff and was docked so I’d not stress about rain.

  I belonged here, with the only family I’d ever known, despite being abandoned and then adopted from the hospital.

  Their happiness was all that mattered in the end.

  My chest was still tense as I headed to my ship alone. Once the storm passed I’d be out to sea and hopefully with only the blue waters all around me, I’d learn to breathe again.

  Staff was tying up the sails and I jumped to help.

  Soon it would just be me and them.

  And hard work was a relief.

  Once we finished, I reminded them there are rooms for them on the estate.

  Norouzi’s treat everyone with kindness.

  Even me.

  Unlike the rest of them inside every second of every day was a struggle to prove I belonged. And it wasn’t them. They loved me unconditionally.

  I headed downstairs to grab my cell phone. I wasn’t expecting any calls, but not having it attached to me was a struggle.

  For five years I ran and pushed and proved to myself over and over again I was a winner.

  Losing was never an option. But at twenty-seven my forehead had permanent wrinkles and my hair was thinning because I never slept or stopped working. I needed rest. The only reprieve I’d had for a while was working out which worked to clear my mind and get in shape for ocean life.

  My parents encouraged me to let go and live my life and sailing had always been my first love.

  The last straw was when I realized how much I was away making deals for my oil company and exercising in different gyms around the world.

  I’d sold out because I wanted to stop.

  Tonight my body was tense again at the memory but then I remembered how that moment was my precipice to change.

  Inside the party was meant to celebrate my freedom and the start of me quest to see the world. The world was mine to enjoy and it was time to start..

  But even as I walked onto my ship, my mind raced with the question I needed to face. What happened to me when I stopped having to make a deal.

  My muscles were on pins and needles, but I was determined to go through with the plan. One year of nothing but ocean would hopefully reconnect my heart, body, and soul.

  Cyrus, one of my twelve brothers stepped off his yacht and then waved at me. He was olive skinned and Mideastern like the only parents I’d ever known as he was their natural born son.

  I’d always wished I had more of his looks to be honest though with every tattoo on my arm as a college kid, I knew I was rebelling and accepting I’d never be perfect like the rest of them.

  Once my brother was on board, he clapped my on the back of my shoulder and said, “Congrats.”

  I shook my head but then we both settled in seats that overlooked the bay as I said, “This is your night Cyrus, not mine.”

  He laughed. “You just made a two point two-billion-dollar deal. You’re definitely pedar’s favorite.”

  No. I’d never earn enough to prove myself. I winced at the thought, that I logically knew wasn’t true. The trillion-dollar inheritance was mine as far as Pedar was concerned, without strings, but the money was more pressure on my shoulders. I lifted my chin and kept my thoughts to myself as I said, “We both know that’s not true. Besides today is your day. You’re engaged.”

  “That party’s tomorrow night. The gathering in there is for you.” His eyes gazed at me like he saw right through me. “So what are you going to do?”

  He saw the map. I had a captain, his first mate, and soon a steward to all accompany me on my sail around the world plan. I shrugged and said, “My yacht is being stocked.”

  “And your food blog?”

  My one point two million followers had no idea who I really was.

  Online I spoke about food and wine.

  And my reviews had become renowned as I was often in a new city, new continent and writing about my dinners was almost grounding when I had no family near

  I shrugged and said, “No one reads that anyhow except maybe that gossip site fishing for information. When I get to some ports, I’ll taste the local fare and leave my reviews.”

  Our brother, Warren, recently had warned some of the gossip had almost ruined his happiness with his fiancée. They were fine and would soon tell me their confirmed wedding dates. So the only things on my schedule for the next year was that I’d promised to fly to New York in May, port, or Fly into Hawaii in June, and to join the family in December on a private island to ensure I hadn’t missed a family wedding. This meant I had to park the yacht a few times and shave.

  The music from the house changed and Cyrus smiled and said, “You could tell Pedar that you’re going to follow your passion and write your blog about foods. He’d be fine.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not that easy for me. I was adopted.”

  “You were one of us since the day you were born. We all love you.”

  Their love was the pressure inside my chest. It wasn’t physical as I’d taken every medical exam out there, not that anyone knew that as I said, “I still have this desire to prove myself worthy which is why I’ll take the next CEO that’s offered after the merger next year.”

  His phone rang. Cyrus stood but said, “You know all maman and pedar want is for you to settle down and be happy.”

  And if I didn’t show up soon, maman would search for me. I stood as well and said, “We’re not all lucky like you where your true love just appears in your life.”

  Cyrus waved. ”She will in time. For now, let’s head in.”

  I nodded, but said, “I’ll meet you in the house.”

  I lifted my chin and made a fast decision. “I’m going to go into town to pick up something, but I’ll be back in an hour.”

  “Don’t make Maman send out a search party.”

  He said and walked back inside to his fiancée and infant. Maybe that was the secret to life. I’d have to learn how to share with a good woman.

  I’d not be used again.

  So I hopped in my Porsche Panamera 4S as I’d downsized everything for my world trip and decided a quick drive to the store might clear my head.

  The rain started as I left the estate. The car automatically turned on the washers and adjusted lights for night driving in the rain.

  Suddenly I turned a corner and saw a woman walking on the side of the road wearing a blue vest. I had a sudden burning energy to speak to her that washed through me, despite how I couldn’t even see her face or much of her in the storm. I slowed the car and rolled down my windows and heard her call out to the rain, “Anything else you want to throw at me tonight?”

  I coughed and asked, “Are you all right Miss?”

  She wiped the water off her face and my heart stopped. Despite the mess of her fake red hair, she was stunning.

  And it wasn’t just her big brown eyes.

  It was something in the gleam of eyes as she stared at me. It was feisty and hateful and determined all mixed together as she said, “I’m… I’ll be fine.”

  She took a few steps like she was done, though the rain storm thundered.

  Leaving her like this wasn’t an option. I moved forward and said, “I’m one of the Norouzi’s from the mansion on the hill. Look, can I give you a ride?”

  She gazed at the puddle filled road and then back at me. “It’s not far. I work down the road.”

  Her blue vest was waterlogged but I said, “I recognize the uniform and I’m heading there myself.”

  She took a deep breath and then slipped inside. Once she was in, my entire body buzzed with awareness. She jumped at the doors auto lock.

  I pointed to the seat heater so she might dry off and asked, “Do you usually walk to work?”

  She shook her head and for a second closed her eyes. Then she let out a sigh and said, “No, but my car was stolen earlier today.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  We made it to the store. She reached for the lock and said, “Don’t be. You’re type knows nothing about life. Goodbye.”

  She jerked to open the door and leave, but the door didn’t budge. I unlocked it for her with the button and she slid out.

  My plan to leave here meant I’d never see her again.

  Then I parked the car and decided to check on her one more time, inside the store as it sounded like she had a horrible day.

  Order Dream Boat now.

  Also by Victoria Pinder

  Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)

  The House of Morgan

  Secret Crush

  Secret Baby

  Secret Bet

  Secret Wish

  Secret Dad

  Secret Heir

  Secret Tryst

  Secret Date

  Secret Romeo

  Secret Caress

  Secret Match

  Secret Bridesmaid

  Secret Admirer

  Secret Cowboy

  Secret Mistress

  Secret Cinderella

  Secret Lover (NEW)

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 7-9

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 10-12

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 13-15

  Virgin Cove

  Honey Bun

  Handsome

  Sugar Pie

  Steel Series

  Rocking Player

  Ruthless Financier

  Wicked Cowboy

  Powerful Prince

  Cocky M.D.

  Scottish Seducer

  Legendary Rock Star

  Charming Boyfriend

  Fierce Fighter

  Treasured

  Sexy Scots

  Scottish Wedding Date

  A Scot for Christmas

  Scottish Second Chance

  Scottish New Year Bride

  Decadent Dawes

  Steamy Risk

  Steamy Dare

  Steamy Gamble

  Steamy Daddy

  Princes of Avce (scandals)

  Forbidden Crown

  Forbidden Prince

  Forbidden Royal

  Forbidden King

  Forbidden Bastard

  Titled in Avce (No politics, no surprise, just men who must marry before they turn 30)

  Falling for the Duke

  Falling for the Earl

  Falling for the Monsieur

  Falling for the Marquis

  Falling for the Count

  Falling for the Noble

  Falling for the Lord

  Avce Order

  Princes of Avce 1-3

  Princes of Avce 4-6

  Princes of Avce 7-9