Scandalous Heroes Box Set (22 page)

“Did I say something wrong?” Kyra chuckled.

“No. I wanted to talk to you alone, about Renaldo,” Mirabella said bluntly.

Kyra’s stomach clenched. She was still hurt and confused by the lack of contact she received from her lover over the past few months. Not even a letter. “Okay?”

“I know what happened in America. I’m so glad you were able to recover.”

“Thank you,” Kyra said.

Mirabella sighed. “My husband is a complicated man. And the men that work with him are… complicated,” she said. Mirabella stood. “Renaldo is a very good man, Kyra. But he leads a very dangerous life. He wanted to reach out to you. To see if you were well, but my husband forbade it.”

“He did?” Kyra asked. She felt a sense of relief that it wasn’t Renaldo who refused to call her. “Why?”

Mirabella smiled. “Giovanni addresses things in his own way. So do I. It took some convincing but he and I finally were able to agree. This is why I made sure you were brought into the family and given the opportunity you deserved. And it’s why I sent for you.” Mirabella walked away. “Stay for dinner, or the night if you wish. Don’t worry about a change of clothes. I’m a fashion designer, I have plenty,” Mirabella winked. She walked out. Kyra sat there confused until the door opened again and Renaldo walked in.

She stood.

He closed the door. His gaze swung over to her. “
Ciao,
Kyra,” he said.

Unable to speak she walked toward him, ran toward him, leapt into his arms. Renaldo held her to his tall frame. She hugged him tightly. She burst into tears. She was so relieved to see him again. To feel him. She pretended with Jamie that it didn’t matter to her, what became of them. But she missed Renaldo every day, every night. “I thought you didn’t want to see me. After…”

“Shh, I’m sorry, Kyra.” He took her face in his hands. “I could not. I broke rules in the family. Took a man’s life without the blessing of my Don. It had to be dealt with. But I paid the price gladly, because you’re worth it.” He kissed her. She had never heard his English come across so flawless. Never felt so cherished by a kiss. She blinked away her tears when his mouth drew away.

“
Ti desidero. Io sono tua,”
he said. “I want you. I am yours. If you will have me.”

She nodded. “I want to be with you. Is this why she offered me a job in Milan? So we can be together?”

“The Donna is a good woman. She made sure we had the chance to decide,” he said.

“Then I choose you, Renaldo. I choose Italy. I choose this life!” she grinned.

Renaldo lifted her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She held tightly to him. She had no idea what the future with him meant. But as long as he was her future she was ready for everything…

Battaglia Mafia Series

Discover the passion, murder, mayhem, and intrigue of the Battaglia Mafia Series from the beginning. A dark romance set in southern Italy explores the taboo love between a Sicilian Don and his African American wife. The Battaglia Series is an epic tale of family ties, uncharted romance, and ruthless treachery. This saga continues after
Rallenti
with book five, Amore, which is scheduled to be released winter of 2014. If you want to know more about the Battaglia family meet the Don and Donna of Romance in Destino—book one.

Book One

Destino
by Sienna Mynx

Book Two

Ti Amo by Sienna Mynx

Book Three

La Sposa by Sienna Mynx

Book Four

La Famiglia by Sienna Mynx

Novella

Rallenti by Sienna Mynx

Book Five

Amore by Sienna Mynx (Winter 2014)

Sienna Mynx – The Author

Do you like strong, sensual, alpha bad boys forced to humble themselves for the women they love? Me too. I am Sienna Mynx, the naughty writer of over thirty contemporary and historical romances. My stories have often been accused of sweeping readers away in heart racing decadence that can provoke laughter, soft sighs and even gratifying tears.

In 2010 Romantic Times nominated me for Erotic Romance E-book Writer of the Year Award, for a fast-paced exciting read about a young black hooch dancer in a travelling carnival during the Great Depression who meets a Sicilian bootlegger and goes on a Bonnie and Clyde ride of passion and freedom in Mexico.

After a two-week tour of Italy in 2012 I released the first three books in an epic series known as The Battaglia Mafia. All three Books (Destino, Ti Amo, La Sposa) have held the Amazon #1 Best Seller spot for Multicultural Romance, and African American romance.

Currently you'll find me in the deep south under the shade of a magnolia tree with a ladies fan, sipping pink lemonade and dreaming up my next sensual romantic fantasy! To learn more about my work be sure to visit the website
http://thedivaspen.com

Raw Exposure

Aliyah Burke

Published by: Sensual Romance Publishing

Copyright © 2014 by Aliyah Burke

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher or author. The unauthorized replication or allocation of any copyrighted work is illegal. File sharing
is
an international crime, prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice and the United States Border Patrol, Division of Cyber Crimes, in partnership with Interpol. Copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by up to five years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 per reported instance, and seizure of computers.

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

Editor:  Jessica Bimberg

Cover Artist: MMJ Designs

Dedication

To all the readers who’ve waited patiently for Reeve and Affrica, this one is for you. I do hope you enjoy his journey in learning how to be who he is meant to be. Enjoy the revisits with the members of the Megalodon Team. To my husband, my own hero, thank you for your eternal belief in my ability to succeed. To the men and women who serve,
thank you
!

A wealthy playboy and a down-to-earth freelance photographer, will they ever see eye to eye?

Reeve Leighton has just met the one woman who isn't the least bit impressed by his money. Affrica O'Shea can't ignore how he turns her head but she has no use for a man who lives like he does. Reeve is used to getting what he wants. He wants her and not even her Navy SEAL brother—or his—will keep them apart.

Chapter One

“What the hell do you think you’re doing in here?”

Affrica O’Shea almost dropped the antique dish in her hand when the loud, masculine voice reverberated through the room. As it was, she still saw it wobble a bit before she regained control of it as she lifted her gaze up to the man towering over her from her crouched position by the cabinet.

She allowed her eyes to move over him while she thought up a proper response. He was tall, about as tall as her brother. Unlike her brother, however, this man was Caucasian, with chocolaty brown hair. Mirrored sunglasses covered his eyes. The Romanesque nose and firm lips were not unpleasant to look at despite the scowl they currently portrayed. An arrogant chin.

He wore tailored clothes she had no doubt were more expensive than anything she had in her closet. His silver-blue shirt, unbuttoned at the top, allowed her to see that there was a slight natural tan on his skin. Dark gray pants clung to his hips, the black belt accentuating their leanness.

“I asked you a question.” The scorn-laden voice filled the room.

Her fingers tightened around the crystal platter in her hand. Eyes narrowing, she opened her mouth to respond when another voice broke in, “Did you find it? Oh, Reeve, hi. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Hey, Lex. I just stopped by and am glad I did. I found—”

Alexis Leighton moved around the corner of the island and smiled down at Affrica. “Oh, perfect, you did find it. Great. Come on.” Her gaze moved back and forth between the other two in the room. “You know each other?”

Rising up from the floor, she smiled at Lex and shook her head. “No, I’ve nae had the pleasure o’ meeting him. I believe he was about to make an introduction.” An Irish lilt highlighted her voice.

The man offered his hand, no hint of the earlier animosity visible. “Reeve Leighton.”

Holding the serving platter with both hands, she ignored his outstretched one. “Affrica.” She knew her eyes shone with distaste as she looked at him but they softened as she looked over to Lex. “Sorry it took me so long.”

“No problem,” Lex said, obviously recognizing but not understanding the hostility between the two. “We should go. Reeve, you are more than welcome to stay. We have plenty of food.”

Reeve reached for a glass and filled it with ice and water from the fridge door. “I may, thanks, Lex.”

The two women left him alone in the large open kitchen.

Charleston Reeve Kirkland Leighton watched them leave. Well, one more than the other, but Lex
was
his sister-in-law, and his brother would kill him for ogling her. Taking a drink, he ran over what had just occurred.

As usual, he had shown up uninvited at his eldest brother’s house. Part of him was a bit perturbed that neither he nor any of the rest of his family had been invited to the festivities that were obviously happening.

So he had walked in unannounced and gone to the kitchen for a drink. Hearing a noise, he’d moved closer, thinking he could surprise someone. He hadn’t been prepared for the sight that met him.

An unknown woman had been pulling out some crystal from a bottom cabinet. So he had yelled at her, assuming the worst. After, of course, his eyes had wandered over the picture she offered.

Black slacks drew tightly over her rounded derriere as she bent over. A moss green shirt stood out against the smooth darkness of her skin. Her hair was full of ringlets that looked soft and inviting to the touch. There was fire raging in her eyes as she opened her mouth to say something. Then, Lex had shown up.

The amount of anger in her eyes shocked Reeve—at first—yet he understood. He had assumed the worst of her without allowing explanation. However, by ignoring his outstretched hand, she’d stepped on his ego.

Tossing back the rest of the water, he left the glass on the counter and headed to the backyard. At the door, he paused and turned back, placing the glass into the dishwasher instead, knowing that Lex would be on him if he didn’t. Then, with an arrogant push to his sunglasses, Reeve went to find out who the hell Ms. Affrica thought she was.

The backyard was loud. Music. Conversation. Children. It was just loud. And surrounding the whole thing was a familial aura that made him almost feel like an outsider.

“Hey, Reeve!” Scott yelled over the commotion. “Didn’t know you were here. Grab some food.”

Reeve waved back at his brother even while his obscured gaze searched the beautiful women for the one he had encountered earlier. She stood with another woman Reeve had met once before, Jayde Kincade, wife to the second-in-command of the SEAL Team. Jayde held his niece and on one hip, Affrica held a baby. He didn’t know who that was either, but he hadn’t gotten all these children down with their respective families yet.

His gut churned with an unfamiliar feeling as she looked at him and laughed at something the woman beside her said. A smile that transformed her face into a stunning portrait. The contrast between her teeth and skin was astounding. Beautiful.

Some of that glow left her as her gaze hardened before she looked away from him, tilting her head down to the baby in her arms and brushing away a bubble from the small mouth.

Still, he pretended indifference as he moved down toward the tables laden with food, filled a plate and mingled with the members of his brother’s SEAL team and their families.

“That man sure has your attention, Affrica,” Jayde teased as she fed Lex’s daughter another small bite of fruit.

“That
man
is hardly deserving to be called that,” she snapped. “
Bastart
!”