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It Takes Two
It Takes Two Read online
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The Wild Rose Press
www.thewildrosepress.com
Copyright ©
First published in 2010
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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CONTENTS
Praise for Sheridon Smythe
It Takes Two
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
A word about the author...
More Sheridon Smythe titles
MY VALENTINE (American Rose)
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She cocked her hip against the kitchen counter and crossed her ankles.
The robe parted, revealing a length of smooth, curvy leg. Zack's mouth watered. He firmly forced his gaze to return to her face. Of course she wasn't teasing him. She probably had no idea the robe had come open—
"Now, where would the fun be in that?” She looked him up and down with those gold tiger eyes of hers, fanning the blaze in his gut.
What had she been thinking, to tease him this way as if nothing had changed between them? Justine stumbled back as he came forward. With a half laugh, half scream, she turned and headed for the safety of her room at a dead run.
Dear God, if he touched her she would ignite!
He caught her before she could get the door closed, pushing it open with little effort. Strong arms circled her waist and lifted her against him; she gasped as she felt the rough hair from his thighs prickle her bare skin. Her nervous giggles died away as shock waves of need, long suppressed but not forgotten, slammed into her. Zack, her body cried out in joyful recognition. Her arms came around his neck of their own accord; her mouth turned unerringly to his the exact moment he sought her lips.
It was heaven and hell.
Praise for Sheridon Smythe
MR. COMPLETE: “Sprinkled liberally with laugh-out-loud scenes, and not one but several yummy hunks, this fast-paced story will keep you engrossed to the last page."
~Romantic Times
"MR. COMPLETE is absolutely, positively HOT. Sheridon Smythe has written another sexy, hilarious romance that will keep you laughing out loud and have the windows fogging up. From the sexy characters to a definitely unique plot, this book is a perfect 10 all the way around."
~Romance Reviews Today
"An engaging romance... For a thoroughly entertaining read, I recommend HOT NUMBER."
~Romance Reviews Today
THOSE BABY BLUES: (A Romantic Times Top Pick!) “A compelling, sexy romp that leaves you smiling!"
~Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author
"The interaction between the characters is first rate and highly entertaining...a fast, fun and tender story sure to touch the reader's heart."
~Romance Reviews Today
A PERFECT FIT: “Lots of good chuckles and a modern relationship that goes from zero to racing speed in seconds flat."
~Romantic Times
MR. HYDE'S ASSETS: “A warmhearted and charming tale of secrets, lies and true love."
~Romantic Times
[Back to Table of Contents]
It Takes Two
by
Sheridon Smythe
[Back to Table of Contents]
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
It Takes Two
COPYRIGHT (C)2009 by Sherrie Kelley and Donna Smith
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Cover Art by Angela Anderson
The Wild Rose Press
PO Box 708
Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706
Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com
Publishing History:
Previously published by Berkley Jove, 2000
First Faery Rose Edition, 2010
Print ISBN 1-60154-647-5
Published in the United States of America
[Back to Table of Contents]
Prologue
"Mini, that cat has been staring at me for an hour."
Her husband's fearful whisper jarred Mini out of a light doze. She lifted her head and blinked, following his line of vision to a cage strapped onto a shelf built into the wall of the transport truck. Huddled in a corner of the cage crouched a tiny black and white kitten, its eyes a marvelous emerald green. The poor thing looked terrified.
"It's just a kitten, Reuben."
"But look at the way she's staring at me!” Reuben persisted. “I get the distinct impression she'd like to eat me."
Mini couldn't resist teasing him. “Well, we are birds, darling. You know how the food chain goes.” After two hundred years of marriage, Mini still couldn't understand his unreasonable fear of animals, especially cats. She suspected she was the only witch alive who didn't own at least one cat.
Reuben blinked his beady eyes, offended by his wife's amusement. “It's not funny. I still haven't forgiven you for turning me into a bird, and I'm especially displeased about this latest stunt you've pulled.” He flapped his wings to emphasize his point. “You should have discussed it with me first."
"You would have said no."
"Precisely!” Reuben cried.
"Which is why I didn't consult you, birdbrain!” Mini could feel her patience running out. “You were driving me crazy—I had to do something."
"So you agreed to this assignment without a thought for my feelings."
"On the contrary, it was you I was thinking of,” Mini argued. “If we succeed in getting Justine and Zachary together, the Peacemaker agreed to reduce our sentence. I, for one, will be glad to get out of these feathers and back into my witch's robe."
Reuben began to pace on the perch, his fear of the cat forgotten for the moment. “I'll be glad to return to my warlock status as well, but I want you to promise me you'll never do this again.” He slanted her a warning look, ruffling his feathers in an effort to look imposing. “The next time you lose your temper, point that witchy finger of yours elsewhere. The Peacemaker warned us that she won't tolerate another embarrassing display. We're setting a bad example for other witches and warlocks with our domestic squabbles."
"I've apologized a hundred times,” Mini said stiffly. “How many more will it take to convince you that it won't happen again? I don't like being a bird anymore than you do."
"I don't agree. Justine and Zachary belong together. You saw for yourself how perfectly matched they were when they met on the cruise ship."
"That was over a year ago. People change, Mini."
Ignoring his pessimistic outlook, Mini lifted her foot and studied her claws, idly wondering if the mortals would notice if she zapped on a light coat of paint.
Sadly aware that Reuben wouldn't recognize romance if it slapped him on his beak, she pointed out, “They're both still single. That should tell you something, darling. After a year of trying to forget each other, at least one of them should have had a serious relationship. Instead, Justine spent her free time cleaning cages and feeding fish at her pet shop, and until Zack came to his senses, he had immersed himself in his father's business."
Reuben tried to wiggle his eyebrows before he remembered that he didn't have any. “Yes, but when he does date—wow! I have to admit that his taste in women—"
"Reuben!” Mini bristled, glaring accusingly at her husband. “Have you been using my crystal ball when I'm not around?"
"Ah, no, dear—"
The transport truck hit a pothole, sending the cages clanging against each other. Mini and Reuben were momentarily distracted as they scrambled for a foothold on the perch. The entire trip had been bumpy, further agitating their frayed tempers.
"I don't believe you!” Mini screeched, startling the kitten. It hissed and spit, batting at the bars of the cage as if to counter an attack.
Reuben stared at the frightened cat in horror. Slowly, he crumpled to the cage floor.
Beak open in shock, Mini hopped down to where her husband lay. “Why, the silly warlock's fainted,” she muttered. “What in the world will he do when he sees the snakes?"
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter One
"Won't you at least consider it? Chris can manage the store for a week, can't he? He's been working here long enough to know the business."
Submerged to the elbows in fishy water, Justine Diamond tried to ignore her badgering sister-in-law and concentrate on catching the elusive Betta splenden. Finally, she trapped the slippery fish against the glass and scooped him into the net.
The patchy area marring the deep red of his skin confirmed her worst fears. “It's Ick all right,” Justine announced grimly. She brought the tiny net closer to the light hanging above the aquarium. The Betta splenden, a Siamese fighting fish well known for its aggressive behavior, squirmed helplessly in the net. “There's a slim chance the others aren't contaminated since he's had his own little corner of the aquarium.” If she could only get so lucky. The last time she had lost an entire tank of expensive tropical fish to the dreaded affliction.
Beatrice Diamond folded her arms and refused to budge as Justine attempted to pass her in the narrow aisle. “Ignoring me won't make me go away,” she warned. “You need this vacation, and so do I! Clay can't go because of that silly trial coming up, so that leaves you. It's been over a year since your last vacation, Justine. I know how hard you work and it just isn't healthy for a woman your age."
Justine cupped her hand beneath the dripping net. She faced Bea with a calm, serene expression that she knew drove her sister-in-law nuts. Hopefully Bea wouldn't guess how much she was trembling inside at the mere mention of a cruise ship. “He won't last much longer out of water, Bea. I have to put him in the quarantine tank."
With an explosive, exasperated sigh, Beatrice moved aside. But Justine knew her well enough to know she wasn't about to admit defeat. With Bea on her heels, she made for a small isolation tank and carefully lowered the Betta into the water.
She turned to find Bea glaring at her. When anger didn't work, Bea would plead, which would be harder to ignore. Justine hesitated. She could end the entire discussion by telling Bea why she would never go on another cruise, but even after a year she couldn't bring herself to confide in Bea. The memory of her stupidity still made her cringe.
"This is a free vacation, Justine. They drew Clay's name at the Christmas party last year. A free seven day cruise to the Bahamas, meals included."
"I know.” In fact, Justine could recite the entire vacation package by heart, thanks to Bea.
"I'll handle the extras, so you won't be out a single penny."
"I can't."
"I'll buy you a new wardrobe, too,” Bea promised recklessly.
"No, thanks.” Mildly amused, Justine wondered if her brother had suffered the same relentless attack before he convinced her he couldn't go. “Why don't you take Jennifer?” Jennifer was Bea's best friend. She was single, childless, and operated a beauty shop down the street. In Justine's eyes, she would be the obvious choice.
Bea grimaced. “She doesn't trust any of the girls to watch the shop."
"I don't blame her,” Justine retorted. She wiped her hands on a towel and threw it aside, waving her hand in the direction of the north wall where a long row of aquariums were shelved. “I took one day off to have my teeth cleaned and look what happened—the fish have Ick. I could lose the entire stock."
"They're just fish!"
Justine placed her hands on her hips. “Those fish are part of my bread and butter.” She also sold birds, dogs, cats, and had recently added an exotic animal section to her inventory, much to the delight of her three nephews, but the majority of her income came from selling a wide variety of tropical fish.
"Won't you even consider it?” Bea pleaded.
This was the part that Justine dreaded most. She loved her sister-in-law—considered Bea the sister she never had—and found it nearly impossible to resist her when she pleaded.
But going on another cruise was out of the question; she'd never survive the memories it would evoke.
"No, I won't consider it, Bea. I can't go.” Justine gentled her voice before adding, “And the simple truth is, I don't want to go."
"But why! You've said yourself that you had the time of your life on your last cruise.” When Justine visibly blanched, Bea's gaze narrowed with suspicion. “You did have a good time, didn't you Justine? You didn't leave anything out?"
Not for the first time, Justine was tempted to blurt out the whole ugly story. But not all of it was ugly, she amended silently, and that was the part she couldn't talk about. Unfortunately, she couldn't forget it either—or Zachary Wayne, hunk extraordinaire. In the rare moments when she allowed herself to remember, she wondered where he was and if he was still laughing at how easily she'd fallen into his arms.
In the end, she wisely changed the subject. “What about the boys?” She knew her brother put in a lot of hours at the firm and very few at home.
"Jordan and Drew are old enough to stay by themselves, and they've already agreed to keep an eye on their brother."
It seemed Bea had everything worked out, Justine thought, searching her mind for another obstacle. “And Jordan's football games? You're willing to miss those?” Her sixteen-year-old nephew was an avid player, and Bea his most fanatic fan. Justine knew that her sister-in-law taped every game Jordan played.
Bea's pleading expression suddenly underwent a startling change. She bristled, her blue eyes darkening to a stormy gray. “I haven't had an opportunity to tell you, have I?"
Bewildered, Justine shook her head. “Tell me what?"
"That Jordan's been kicked off the team!"
Justine's shock was genuine. She knew what football meant to Jordan, and what his playing meant to her brother. “You can't be serious. Why—who—"
"That new coach, that's who!” Bea snarled, effectively distracted from her mission. “Jordan made one lousy C minus and the coach gave him the boot. Says he won't allow idiots on the team."
"He actually called Jordan an idiot?"
&n
bsp; "Something like that. I mean, I know the rule book says the boys have to maintain a certain average, and I agree, but this call wasn't fair. Jordan got the flu and missed an oral test."
"Didn't his teacher give him a chance to make it up later?"
"That ‘later’ was after report cards. There was a mix-up or something, but this new coach refused to budge. He told Jordan that he could come back when he brought the grade up to par."
In the room adjacent to the main shop, a puppy began to whine and bark. Others soon followed his cue. A parrot began to call out in a nasal, whiny voice, “Hello! Hello! Hello!” His repetitive greeting, interspersed with nerve-wracking screeches, never failed to incite a riot among the other birds.
Justine hated to leave Bea so clearly upset, but it was feeding time. Soon they wouldn't be able to hear each other anyway. “There has to be something we can do,” she said, raising her voice above the din, “but right now I'm being paged."
Covering her ears with her hands, Bea shouted back, “Come by for coffee after you close! I don't intend to let Coach Wayne get away with this."
Long after she'd gone, Justine stood frozen by the counter, trying to convince herself she'd heard Bea wrong. Surely there were a thousand Waynes in the world. A million. She shook her head, firmly, then again for good measure. No, of course it wasn't the same man who had left her on a cruise ship without a word of explanation after the most memorable three days of her life.
It couldn't be, because if it was, there wouldn't be enough room in this town for the both of them.
"Hello! Hello! Hello!"
"You'd better shut him up, Mini, or I'll—"
"Okay, okay,” Mini assured her irate husband hastily. Thank the stars Justine had taken them directly to the room housing the birds before Reuben recovered from his fainting spell! He remained blissfully oblivious to the fact that only a few yards away in another small room lounged a variety of reptiles from snakes to harmless little turtles.
She didn't think it would matter to Reuben that the reptiles were safely ensconced in aquariums.
Hot Number
Mr. Hyde’s Assets
Secrets In The Shadows
A Perfect Fit
Where The Heart Is
Hero For Hire
Those Baby Blues
It Takes Two
My Valentine