The Thrill of You Read online

  He makes her feel like the most desirable woman in the world…

  Sexy, magnetic Florida business owner and philanthropist Mikhail Coles is wrong for Cyanna Dupres in every way. And he’s the one man who can give her what she wants. Seducing the commitment-wary bachelor is the easy part. But once Cyanna wants a lifetime connection, will she lose the lover who makes her feel like the world’s most desirable woman?

  Formerly Special Forces, Mikhail is haunted by demons he can’t shake. But Cyanna’s passion is taking him to thrilling new heights where anything is possible…even love. Called in on one final search-and-rescue operation—to find Cyanna’s missing brother—Mikhail realizes he wants more than a fleeting affair. Can he succeed in his mission and keep Cyanna safe so they can become the family she’s always wanted?

  “Come here,” he whispered.

  She took a deep breath and tentatively walked toward him. He smiled then reached up and touched her lower lip with the soft pad of his finger. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes. “Did you know that the lips and fingertips are the most sensitive parts of the human body?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Yeah, they are. The lips and fingertips are areas that have the highest amount of touch receptors. So when I touch your lips with my finger like this, our sensitivity levels are spiking.”

  He leaned down and tipped her chin upward. Scorching, searing, burning heat embraced her as their lips touched. Her stomach fluttered and her heart thundered wildly. He cupped the back of her head and pressed closer, pinning her against the open door frame. The kiss deepened as his tongue slipped between her parted lips. She nearly fainted as their bodies connected and she felt the result of his desire.

  She knew exactly what he could do to her willing body between the sheets. She pushed in closer, needing to feel more of him against her body. The kiss was need and passion and want all wrapped up together. She was near mindless and quickly losing control.

  Books by Celeste O. Norfleet

  Harlequin Kimani Romance

  Sultry Storm

  When It Feels So Right

  Cross My Heart

  Flirting with Destiny

  Come Away with Me

  Just One Touch

  Just One Taste

  Mine at Last

  The Thrill of You

  CELESTE O. NORFLEET

  a native Philadelphian, has always been artistic, but now her artistic imagination flows through the computer keys instead of a paintbrush. She is a prolific writer for the Kimani Arabesque and Kimani Romance lines. Her

  romance novels, realistic with a touch of humor, depict strong sexy characters with unpredictable plots and exciting story lines. With an impressive backlist, she continues to win rave reviews and critical acclaim for her spicy sexy romances that scintillate, as well as entertain. Celeste also lends her talent to the Kimani TRU young-adult line. Her young-adult novels are dramatic fiction, reflecting current issues facing all teens. Celeste has been nominated and is the winner of numerous awards. Celeste lives in Virginia with family. You can visit her website or contact her at [email protected] or P.O. Box 7346, Woodbridge, VA 22195-7346 www.celesteonorfleet.wordpress.com.

  Celeste O. Norfleet

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for taking this wonderful journey with me. It has been a true pleasure to create memorable characters that live on well after the story ends. I truly appreciate all of your support over the years and I will continue to write and bring you exciting, entertaining and sensuous romances.

  In Sultry Storm, Cross My Heart, Just One Touch, Just One Taste and Mine at Last, you met the Coles and read about love inspired, love overcome and seen love touch the hearts of an entire family. Now, in this compelling novel, I introduce you to Mikhail Coles. His dynamic and charismatic charm is formidable. But when he meets the determined Cyanna Dupres, nothing else matters. Together they find undeniable passion and a forever love that will not be denied. This is the sixth and final story in the Coles family series. Enjoy!

  Or do you want more?

  Blessings & peace,

  Celeste

  www.celesteonorfleet.wordpress.com

  To Fate & Fortune

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Prologue

  Mikhail Coles had one hard-and-fast rule—he never allowed his personal feelings to interfere with an assignment. And once the assignment was complete, he always walked away. But this time it wasn’t just any ordinary assignment. The request came from high up, and he knew going in that it wasn’t going to be easy.

  She was asking too many questions, and her friends were connected well enough to begin getting attention, something no one wanted. He’d been asked to control the situation. This time he did his job too well. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the note. She had asked him to stay and wait for her. He couldn’t.

  Instead Mikhail purchased a ticket to see her perform that evening. Granted, he wasn’t a big fan of classical music, yet he sat in a center-aisle seat in the orchestra section of the Avery Fisher Hall in the Lincoln Center. The New York Philharmonic performed, but his eyes were riveted to a single figure standing by the conductor with a small piece of wood at her chin.

  He watched and listened, in awe of the magical, mystical music she played. The audience, like him, was mesmerized and captivated by her flawless performance. A slow admiring smile spread across his lips. This was the same woman who had cried in his arms and who he had made love to just hours earlier. Now she was enchanting thousands with her music.

  He was a firm believer in cause and effect. Nothing happened by accident. There was a reason and motivation behind everything. To every action there was a reaction. That was the rule of the universe. Given that, how he’d wound up naked in Cyanna’s apartment in her bed the day after her brother’s memorial service was a complete mystery to him. He had held her in his arms all night and all day. They had talked, they had made love and they had talked some more.

  Hours later he’d awoken to an empty bed and a note on the nightstand. He’d opened and read it. She had thanked him for his kindness and the affection he had shown her when she’d needed it most. She’d said she had to go but would be back and for him to please stay and wait for her.

  She’d wanted him to stay, but he’d known he couldn’t. He was already feeling way more than he should. He’d gotten up and quickly showered, dressed and left. They had spent the night together; that was it. He had comforted her when she’d needed someone—end of story. But in his heart he already knew better. In those brief hours together they had made a connection, and it had nothing to do with their physical attraction.

  Now, in the muted darkness surrounded by thousands, he thought about the note he’d left her on the nightstand. He’d told her he couldn’t stay but that if there was anything he could ever do for her to please let him know.

  Moments later the audience stood and applauded. He stood also. She bowed her head appreciatively, and smiled as warmly as she could. He knew she was still mourning the loss of her brother. The last t
hing he wanted to do was add to her pain. He stepped into the empty aisle and left her a second time.

  Chapter 1

  This was her last attempt. Cyanna Dupres pulled into the lot and parked her car in what had become her usual space. She turned off the ignition and got out. It was August. The weather was hot and balmy, the breeze was nearly nonexistent and the smell and taste of salt water was everywhere. She squinted and braced her hand above her eyes as a shield. Even with her dark sunglasses on, there was still a bright glare from the intense sunshine. She looked around. Of course nothing had changed since yesterday.

  The same boats and yachts sat in their marina slips, and the same large sign hung overhead: MC Private Marina & Boat Rentals. An arrow pointed to the left directing all traffic toward the main office. She turned to the right. Farther down the dock path, another more understated sign hung off to the side warning off tourists and unwelcome guests. She ignored it just like she had done the past few days. But there was something different this time—there was no one around to stop her from proceeding farther down to the private dock area. She smiled and kept walking. She was on a mission and hoped this was finally the day.

  This wasn’t her first time there. She had visited Key West two months ago, last month and now this time. But this was the first time she had actually stayed more than one day. She’d been there for the past five days, and everything about it took her breath away. Over the years she had lived in a number of other places, including New York, Paris and London, but she’d never felt the instant warmth and acceptance she’d felt in Key West. She’d never allowed herself to. She was a gypsy by nature, never settling down in one place for long.

  But she knew that life had changed the moment she got word about her brother’s helicopter going down. It was time to take a break and settle down. She had worked hard, practiced relentlessly, performed and toured nonstop all her adult life. If the past few days had showed her anything, it was that she needed to stress less and relax more. Coming here was the best idea she’d had in a long time.

  Key West had style and panache. The island was alive with the rich flavor of numerous cultures. From the people to the scenery to the homes, the ambience was a kaleidoscope of multicultural delight. Everywhere she looked, she saw the thrill of excitement and life. It was a far cry from her quiet, stagnant world of polished manners and the refined poise of cultured concert halls. This place was real, and the people were real. This was just what she was looking for, and it was totally unlike what she was used to.

  Of course it wasn’t perfect. In the past five days she’d found that it was hot, really hot, and like most coastal cities it rained a lot. It was crowded with tourists and cruise ship vacationers, and there was always a festival going on where people partied twenty-four hours a day. But none of that mattered. First things first, she was there for a reason, and she certainly wasn’t leaving until she got exactly what she wanted. This was where Mikhail Coles lived, and that meant she needed to be there, too.

  She didn’t really know a lot about Mikhail. But what she knew she liked. He was attractive—tall, muscular but not overdone, perfectly fit and incredibly toned. His facial features were strong with an angular jaw, high cheekbones, full, kissable lips and mesmerizing light-tinted eyes that seemed to pierce right through your soul. But most important he was a friend of her brother’s and he’d been kind and caring at her brother’s memorial service months ago. The moment she’d seen him, she’d known he was the one.

  He owned this small private marina and the patch of land beside it. Both looked as if they had seen better days. They weren’t exactly run-down, but a serious cash infusion wouldn’t go amiss. She hoped she was correct in assuming that his finances were lacking. Money was always a good incentive, and hopefully it would work on him. It wasn’t that much to ask. Just a small donation on his part and he’d never have to see her again. And he was going to agree. Once she’d made up her mind that he was the one, she was adamant.

  So, on the fifth day she continued down the empty dock. There were a number of large expensive yachts in the slips, but still no one was around. It was like the boats just appeared overnight and the occupants vanished. Then she saw the gated and closed-off section farther back beyond the dock area with a number of bungalows and small cabins. She assumed the people who owned the yachts stayed there. She also figured that’s where Mikhail lived.

  For the past week, the gate had been closed. Today she saw that it was wide-open. She walked back cautiously, expecting to be tossed out at any minute. She spotted someone kneeling down beside one of the boats doing something with a rope. From past experience she knew there were at least three men who worked there.

  The older man, named Jumper, was crotchety and grouchy with a perpetual scowl on his face. The other man, Cisco, seemed to be in his early thirties. He was tall, dark and definitely handsome. He was also distant and closed off and was just as no-nonsense as Jumper although not quite as ill-tempered. Getting a pleasant word from either of them was like pulling the back teeth from a charging lion. As soon as they saw her they had ushered her out and the older one would grumble about visitors not being allowed past the front gate and nosey women knowing their place.

  The third man, the youngest of the three, looked to be in his early twenties. She had no idea what his name was. He was usually quiet and scruffy and dressed like he’d just rolled off the set of the reality show Survivor. Always unshaved, he wore a colorful scarf on his head and a sleeveless T-shirt and baggy shorts with sneakers. Luckily it was the youngest of the three men here today.

  “Good afternoon,” Cyanna said, walking up behind him as he continued fiddling with the rope in the water.

  He jumped, turned and looked up at her. He stood, quickly stretching his tall, lanky body to its full height. Then he took an awkward step back, looking around anxiously. “What, wait—you’re not supposed to be back here,” he said quickly.

  “Oh, really?” Cyanna feigned innocence. “My mistake. Hi. I’m looking for—”

  He shook his head and frowned. “Yeah, yeah, I know who you’re looking for. Man, you’re definitely more persistent than the others. I give you that much. But no, sorry, I haven’t seen him.”

  “Of course not,” she muttered under her breath. “No one has.”

  “Excuse me?” he asked.

  She smiled brightly again, something she did often when the occasion called for honey rather than vinegar and she wanted to get her way. “Nothing, it’s just that I’ve been here for the past five days and I really need to—”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know—I’ve seen you. But like Jumper said those other times, we ain’t seen him. He owns the place and he’s not beholding to us about when he comes and goes.”

  “Yes, of course, and I do apologize for being a pest, but I really need to speak with him. It’s important.”

  “I know, I know. It’s always important.”

  “Look, I promise you I’m not some crazy stalker. I actually know Mikhail. He’s a friend.”

  “Yeah, we get that a lot, too.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you do.”

  “I can’t tell you anything,” he said.

  “I understand,” she said softly.

  “He’s my boss.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “It’s my job if anybody even saw me talking to you right now.”

  She nodded sadly. “Then I’d better go. I don’t want to get you in any trouble with the others,” she said, seeing him beginning to weaken in his resolve. “Thank you. I appreciate your time.” She turned to leave, and then, as expected, he called out to her.

  “Hey, look, uh, you didn’t hear it from me,” he began, then looked around at the empty dock. “But I heard Jumper and Fannie talking last night. The boss is planning a long fishing trip in the next few days. That means he’s got to come back here to get his boat
. Now, I’m not promising anything, and I don’t even know if he’s really coming, but since you’re so persistent I figure you got some important business with him, so you can come again later. He might be here or he might not.”

  She nodded her head and smiled. “Thank you for your help. What’s your name?”

  “Luther.”

  “Thank you, Luther. My name is Cyanna.”

  “Now, remember, I’m not promising you anything, so don’t come back at me if he doesn’t show up.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  He glanced over her shoulder and saw Jumper walking down the dock. “Oh no, Jumper’s coming. Damn, I’m fired.”

  “No, you’re not. But I suggest you start yelling at me to leave,” she whispered emphatically. “Like right now.”

  He caught on instantly and began yelling at her. She turned in a huff and started walking away quickly. “Okay, okay, I said I’m going. You don’t have to yell.” She hurried off toward the gate and watched Jumper walk down the dock toward them. “Why do your people have to be so mean? I said I was going. He didn’t have to keep yelling like that.”

  Jumper smiled righteously. He was obviously proud of Luther’s stern eviction. “He’s absolutely right to yell. You shouldn’t be back in this part of the dock anyway.”

  Jumper huffed proudly as they passed. He was a man of few words. He did, however, grumble a lot. Cyanna smiled as she continued to her rental car. She got in and pulled out of the lot. It was over; today was her last day there. She couldn’t afford to waste any more time trying to chase Mikhail down. She needed to go back to New York and figure something else out. It was almost one o’clock in the afternoon. Her flight wasn’t until eight. She had time to kill. Having shopped and browsed for the past few days, she wasn’t in the mood to do more, so she just headed back to the Key West Gateway Hotel.

  When she walked into her suite, she tossed her purse on the bed and stepped out onto the balcony. She had given it five days and now time was up. She walked back inside, pulled out her suitcases and called down to the front desk to make arrangements to check out.