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       “ I want a real marriage .”

      Rico wanted to marry her. For real. “Why?”

      “Because I want a son. An heir.”

      Sick disappointment churned in Danielle’s stomach. “You misled me. Deliberately. Do you know how much that really pains me?”

      “Pain?” He spoke so softly she strained to hear him. “I know about real pain. And all because of your father.”

      “I can’t give you a real marriage.”

      “Because you’re a Sinclair? A princess? And I’m a peasant?”

      “No, I don’t want to marry anyone because – ”

      She froze as he placed his hands on the sofa back, trapping her between his arms, and lowered his face to hers. “You’re going to give me a son in exchange for all I’ve lost at the hands of your family.”

      The Executive’s Vengeful Seduction

      MAXINE SULLIVAN

      Rich Man’s Revenge

      TESSA RADLEY

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      THE EXECUTIVE’S VENGEFUL SEDUVUION

      by

      Maxine Sullivan

       MAXINE SULLIVAN

      credits her mother for her lifelong love of romance novels, so it was a natural extension to want to write her own romances for her own and others’ enjoyment. She’s very excited about seeing her work in print and is thrilled to be the second Australian to write for the Desire™ line.

      Maxine lives in Melbourne, Australia, but over the years has travelled to New Zealand, the UK and the USA. In her own backyard, her husband’s job ensured they saw the diversity of the countryside, including spending many years in Darwin in the tropical north. She is married to Geoff, who has proven his hero status many times over the years. They have two handsome sons and an assortment of much-loved, previously abandoned animals.

      Maxine would love to hear from you and can be contacted through her website at www.maxinesullivan.com.

      Dear Reader,

      This is my third book about Australian millionaires, and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it’s been to write for the Desire™ line. I love writing stories where the hero is rich and compelling and the heroine gorgeous and feisty.

      And like my first two books, this story is set in Darwin, in the torrid zone north of Australia, where I lived for many years. How fitting it seems, then, to have my heroine, Gabrielle, return home to Darwin after a long absence. Despite hiding a tragic secret, Gabrielle falls in love all over again with Damien, and it proves to be just what she needs. She realises she has come home in more ways than one.

      I trust you will enjoy this story of a prodigal daughter and a powerful executive, who find each other as difficult to resist as this city in the heart of the tropics. I see it as a fitting end to this set of books and I hope you do, too.

      Happy reading!

       Maxine

      To Kaz Delaney and Sandra Allan

      Firm friends, wonderful writers.

       Thanks for the laughs, ladies.

      One

      Damien Trent acknowledged two things when Gabrielle Kane stepped from the elevator and walked along the corridor toward her office.

      She was even more gorgeous than he remembered.

      And he’d been a fool to let her go.

      “Hello, Gabrielle,” he said, straightening away from the wall, his gaze sliding over the soft gray material of her pantsuit that hugged her breasts and clung to her hips, down to the matching strappy sandals. She’d never looked more elegant and feminine than she did right now.

      Her blond head shot up from searching through her purse, and her steps faltered. She paled. “My God! Damien?”

      “You remembered?” he drawled, then felt something shift inside his chest when those blue eyes met his fullon. For a split second time reversed itself to five years ago. She’d walked into that business function with her father, and their eyes had met across the room, jolting him, making him want her.

      Just like they were doing now.

      She moistened her mouth, then appeared to pull herself together. “How could I forget?”

      “That’s something we have in common, then.” He moved closer, pleased to see two spots of color rush into her smooth cheeks. “You’ve grown very beautiful, Gabrielle.”

      Her delicate chin angled. “Is this a social visit, Damien? You’re a long way from home.”

      He mentally pulled back from wanting her. He was here for a reason. “We need to talk.”

      “After five years?”

      His mouth tightened. She’d been the one to leave him. “It’s important, Gabrielle.”

      Alarm flashed in her eyes, then was banked. “It’s my father, isn’t it?” she said, her tone without inflection now, but he’d seen her immediate reaction. She still cared for the father who’d cut her off after she’d walked out.

      He cupped her elbow. “Let’s go into your office,” he said, feeling the slenderness beneath his palm, conceding that he’d missed touching her.

      She turned away and with a shaky hand that was a dead giveaway she unlocked the door to a suite of offices with a sign reading Events by Eileen—The Events Organizer.

      He followed her through the main reception area and into another office, taking in the plush carpet and quality furniture and fittings. “You seem to have done well for yourself.”

      She walked around the desk and stood with her back to the large glass window, a breathtaking view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House behind her. “Let’s not pretend you don’t already know all about me, Damien. I’m sure whatever report you had done on me must have told you what I do and who I work for.” She crossed her arms, her face closed. “Just say what you have to say.”

      So. She was going to play it cool now, was she? It didn’t surprise him. She’d always been a mixture

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