The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion (Entangled Indulgence) by Christine Glover

vases—more than she could count and all filled with colorful gerbera daisies—crowded the suite’s interior. Daisies were her favorite. She’d always preferred simple flowers above the opulence of roses.
    He’d brought her spring. Her number one rated season. A season for new beginnings. New life. New hope.
    “What’s all this?” she asked.
    “You asked for romance.” Zach lifted a champagne bottle out of the silver bucket on the counter and deftly popped the cork. With typical flare, he didn’t lose a drop of the expensive bubbles. “I’m giving you romance.”
    The setting sun in the distance cast a golden glow in the room, illuminating his light chestnut hair, the fine cut of his chiseled jawline, and the sensual shape of his mouth. His very kissable and sexy mouth.
    Kennedy glided through the valley of bright yellows, vivid corals, shocking pinks, dazzling turquoise, and lustrous red petals. “You certainly know how to impress a girl,” she said when she reached his side.
    He poured the effervescent liquid into crystal champagne flutes, then indicated the strawberries, green grapes, and apple slices. “I thought you’d need a pick me up before we went out tonight. I know how much you love spring.”
    “They’re beautiful.” She took the champagne glass and his fingertips brushed hers, sparking desire. “This is just what I needed.” Her voice rang a low and sultry bell in her ears. His generosity took her breath away.
    As did the man standing across from her.
    His broad shoulders and muscular physique overwhelmed the hotel suite. The final beams of the setting sun cast light and shadows over his handsome face. She inhaled his clean, masculine scent. He smelled delicious and decadent. He was beautiful, beyond refined, and tantalizingly male.
    He plated a serving of fruit. “Eat before your blood sugar plummets and changes you from Cinderella to Groucherina.”
    A muscle twitched in his cheek. A rough, gravelly tone undercut his attempt at humor. Kennedy suppressed a nervous giggle and nibbled on the fruit.
    “How was your afternoon?” she asked.
    “Grueling.” He swirled the liquid in his glass. “Michael’s difficult to keep in the dark. I spent the better part of the day redirecting his attention to Sweetbriar Springs and our renovations. Yours?”
    “Hannah needed the break.” She lifted a strawberry off the platter. “I’m glad I could make her laugh.” Deflection. Humor. She’d used it all to keep things light for her friend. “I asked her to manage the resort’s wellness spa when it opens.”
    “She agree?”
    “Yes,” Kennedy said. “Hannah’s ready to come home where she can spend more time with the people who matter instead of the people who don’t.”
    “She’s a good sister.”
    “She’s a good friend, too.” But something had happened to Hannah in Los Angeles, something dark that haunted her eyes whenever Hannah didn’t think Kennedy was paying attention. “I’m happy she’s here even if it is hard to lie to her.”
    Zach scrubbed his hand through his hair. “Don’t I know it.”
    Kennedy wanted to slip her free hand under the tuxedo jacket and caress his waist, turn into his arms and end their mutual stress with her touch. But she’d asked Zach for more than a physical release, wanting to find a way to bridge the gap between them without risking her heart. If they could have friendship again, maybe they could move on without carrying all the guilt and pain of their loss.
    “Hannah told me all Michael cares about is saving Sweetbriar Springs and raising research money to discover a cure for ALS,” she said softly. “And of course, making sure we’re all one big happy group again.”
    Zach nodded. “Yeah. Can’t fault him for wanting to recapture the good old days when you consider what he’s facing. Hell, I miss those days, too. I want him to fight for his health.”
    “He’s always been tough,” Kennedy said. “I guess that’s why it took so