Match Made In Paradise by Barbara Dunlop (black female authors TXT) 📕

kissed the top of her shoulder. “It doesn’t matter.”

She could fill in the blanks. “Oh, how I love being a scandal.”

He gently nudged her. “You’re a whole lot more than a scandal.”

“Well, I’m not sure how to take that.” But she was joking and relaxed against him, crooking her knee onto his thigh.

He smoothed her hair. “What will you do once you win?”

“Figure out who’s loyal.” She hated the thought of undertaking a witch-hunt, but she couldn’t run a company where people were secretly plotting against her.

“What about the threats?”

She was hoping they’d calm down once the estate was settled. According to Marnie, a few signs were pointing that way already, and surely having the law on her side would count for something.

“I hope the trolls will find something else to do. I might have to sell the house, move to a secret location.”

“Would you do that?”

“Yes.” She might think about it, anyway. “I don’t need a house that big. I could buy a condo near the office; less upkeep. And I don’t need a staff of seven.”

“You have a staff of seven?”

“The house is big, and the gardens take a lot of maintenance. And there’s the cooking and the cleaning, especially when we entertained. I shared Alastair’s event manager.”

“That must have been a sacrifice.”

She pressed her elbow into his ribs. “Don’t mock me.”

“You have a staff of seven, how can I not mock you?”

“They’re not here.”

“Well, thank goodness for that.” He nuzzled her neck. “I don’t need help.”

She smiled warmly at his joke.

“There’s a very roomy shower in the ensuite,” he said, his kisses meandering.

“Yeah?” The idea sounded interesting.

“Multiple nozzles, scented soaps, loads of hot water. You in?”

She was definitely in.

Chapter Ten

Silas accepted the morning delivery of coffee and waffles with all the trimmings. It was the least Cornelia could do. He tipped the waiter, closed the door behind the man and went first for the coffee urn and a white stoneware mug.

He intended to bring Mia a cup in bed, but she appeared in the doorway wrapped in a white fluffy robe. He knew it was her job to look gorgeous, but she still took his breath away. Her blond hair was prettily mussed, framing her face. Her cheeks were pink, lips red, eyes sparkling blue. You could snap a photo right here and now and put her straight on a magazine cover.

“Coffee?” he asked.

“Yum.” She gave him a wide smile as she came forward.

“Anything in it?”

“Just coffee.” Their fingertips touched as he handed her the mug.

“Morning,” she said, taking her time in drawing back her hands.

“Morning,” he answered. He couldn’t resist her mouth, so he gave her a gentle kiss.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For a kiss?” He’d be happy to give her another. If they’d had time, he’d have been happy to give her a whole lot more than that.

“For the best night of my life.”

Silas was stunned by the compliment. Last night had been spectacular for him too, off the charts amazing, and . . . well . . . yeah, he supposed it was probably the best night of his life.

“You are one sexy man,” she said, running her fingertips down his chest. “Buff, fit, handsome and . . . well, you know.”

“Say it anyway,” he teased, liking her mood a whole lot.

“You first.”

“Sure. You rocked my world.”

“I, Captain Burke, was also rocked.” She took a sip of her coffee. “And now I’m hungry.”

“We have waffles,” he said, moving to pour himself a cup of the fragrant coffee.

“Excellent. I didn’t do many carbs before I came to Alaska. But now I’m a fan.”

“Waffles have carbs?”

She curled into one of the dining chairs. “Waffles are pure carbs.”

“Then I like carbs too.” He set his coffee down and moved a big covered platter from the trolley to the center of the dining table.

Mia lifted off the cover to reveal half a dozen waffles, bacon, sausages and scrambled eggs while Silas set out their plates and napkin-wrapped utensils.

Orange juice, berries and whipped cream completed the meal.

She speared a waffle and spooned on some berries. “I seem to burn off more calories here.”

He took two waffles and added a side of bacon. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never counted a calorie.”

“I hate you, you know that.”

He grinned at her. “I could tell.”

“I guess when you’ve lived the outdoorsy lifestyle in Alaska and Colorado, it’s easier to stay active.”

“Are you saying I’m lucky to get my exercise naturally?” He went for both the berries and the whipped cream.

“I am. I wish there were more naturally fun ways to stay fit, instead of schlepping myself to the gym all the time. How long have you lived in Alaska?”

“Five years.”

“Where’d you grow up?”

“At the base of Mount Mettridge, outside Salsa Springs.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Neither has anyone else. I met Brodie when we both took a mountain flying course in the Rockies. At the end of it, he offered me a job.”

“Did you hesitate, moving so far away?”

“I liked bush flying.” Silas took a sip of his coffee. “As you can imagine, there wasn’t much to leave behind in Salsa Springs.”

“Your family?”

“Mom left when I was a kid. Dad, well, he eventually stopped caring about much beyond his next bottle of whiskey. He died a couple of years ago.”

There was understanding in Mia’s eyes. “Where was your mom?”

“I don’t know. Salsa Springs wasn’t her idea of a happening place, and my dad wasn’t enough to keep her there.”

The understanding in Mia’s eyes turned to compassion.

But Silas wasn’t looking for pity. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what? That’s a sad story.”

He wasn’t going to let his history change the mood. “It was a long time ago, and it has a happy ending.”

“It does?”

“Yes. Last night was the best night of my life.”

She smiled at that, and his chest tightened in reaction.

“Plus these,” she said, taking a slow bite of her waffle.

“You don’t want to try the bacon?” He made a show of taking a bite of it and looking rapturously satisfied.

“You’re the devil.”

“Are there carbs in bacon too?”

“Not really;