When Beauty Met the Beast
Vandervilles #1
by Khardine GrayGenre: Romantic Suspense
With wealth, power, and beauty in abundance their dominant name prevails.
But trouble is about to come their way and throw their lives into turmoil.
One man consumed with the quest for revenge seeks to ruin their lives and destroy them one by one.
Witness the brilliantly vindictive plan to bring down Benjamin Vanderville, the deceitful precarious States Attorney of California and his wife Regina, reigning queen of the fashion world.
Fall in love with the warmth of romance that blossoms between Wade Vanderville and Chloe Matthews.
And walk the road of betrayal as Taylor Vanderville discovers where loyalties lie.
The riveting tale of When Beauty Met the Beast will grip you and captivate you right from the start...
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Secrets and Lies
Vandervilles #2
Simmering secrets and lies burst into a tempestuous roil in Secrets and Lies.
Discover who gets burned and who, if anyone, makes it through unscathed.
Stability Rocked
As Wade’s whirlwind romance with Chloe starts to stabilize, his ex-girlfriend turns up desperate to destroy what firm ground the two have forged. Wade’s love for Chloe has grown so deep that he’ll do anything to protect what he has with her – even if it means spinning a new web of lies.
The Agony of Betrayal
Still reeling from the double betrayal of her father and lover, Taylor barely regains her feet... only to fall in love all over again with her cheating lover. The attraction is so strong she can’t stop herself, even though she knows she must.
Matriarch and Mother
Seeing her daughter suffering is breaking Regina’s heart. She yearns to give all the help she can but... Ben is scheming to use Runway to financially back his bid for Governor. Will her struggles to keep her family safe come at the expense of her daughter?
Murder!
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Into the Rabbit Hole
Vandervilles #3
Chaos Reigns
Wade’s been arrested, a killer is on the loose, and Ben’s crimes are catching up with him. Will anyone in this family emerge from the chaos unscathed?
Murder Mystery
Chloe and Wesley dig deep to discover what is really going on and to prove Wade’s innocence. The deeper they dig the more the shocking truth becomes visible. Will they discover the man behind the drama? What happens if they do?
No Longer Hidden
The light finally shines of the crimes that Ben has committed, but unleashes more trouble. As always Regina is caught in the middle, but this time it’s worse. She doesn’t know where she’ll begin to fix things.
Forgive and Forget?
Can Taylor forgive, forget, and finally move on? Will she be able to see the world with the fresh clear eyes that only forgiveness of a betrayal can give? Will she be able to trust again?
Kiss and Make Up
Can Chloe accept Wade’s past and all the chaos ebb to allow the deep, romantic love they so richly deserve?
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I proceeded into the room and walked to where I knew she was, and
like the trusted sun that came up every morning, there Chloe Matthews was,
unloading clothes from one of the plastic crates. She placed them over her
forearm with care.
Good, she was by herself. Everyone else seemed to have gone to
lunch and a handful of women milled about at the far end, near the other
entrance.
I stopped by the archway and looked at her. The last time I was
here she was only a fashion assistant assisting the creative team. Now she was
part of it. Taylor had filled me in on her little friend's achievements,
oblivious to my fascination with Chloe.
I allowed myself a moment to appreciate her wild beauty that
always captivated me. My eyes roamed leisurely over her figure, making up for
the five years I missed out on. She looked better than I remembered, with her
dainty features, flawless bronze skin, slender body, and slim hips.
I'd always loved her rich, golden blonde locks and had had the
privilege of seeing it at different lengths and in a variety of styles over the
years. It was long now, just the way I liked it, and hung in graceful curves
over her shoulders. The wall lights bounced off it making the smooth strands
look like lustrous glass tumbling carelessly down her back. I could see myself
happily spending the day running my fingers through it.
She was the only woman I'd ever fantasized about, and I didn't
fantasize about anyone or anything. When I wanted something, I took it; I
didn't yearn for it or wonder what it would feel like to have it. I usually
skipped past all of that and took whatever it was I desired, whether it was a
woman or a thing.
However, I'd declared her off limits, unobtainable.
Until now.
I continued to watch her, appreciating the way her straight-legged
beige pants showed off her long, sculptured legs and the silky texture of the
cream-colored camisole enunciated the full curves of her breasts. I admired the
confidence she exuberated. It was the kind that radiated from someone who had
the complete package and didn't care what effect they created. Unlike most
women who used their assets to lure and charm you, Chloe didn't need to try.
Her charm and lure were just symptoms, something that came
naturally to the perfect woman who didn't have to work hard to get attention.
I didn't know how the hell I could have blown my chance with her.
How could I have rejected her willingness to be with me? How I could have said
no?
I must have been crazy, despite my good intentions.
As she turned and saw me she jumped, startled by my presence. It
made her drop the clothes.
"Jesus, what are you trying to do? Give me a heart
attack?" She frowned at me.
I looked over the delicately carved bones in her flawless oval
face, her full mouth
that displayed generously curved, parted lips, and the dusty rose of her cheeks
that grew rosier as her frown deepened.
Looking at her, I could see there was one person who wouldn't be
shedding any tears of joy for my return.
She gathered up the clothes, scooped
them over her elegant wrists, and
glowered at me with those sharp brown eyes that reminded me
of autumn. I'd only ever seen colors like that in Japan. Vibrant in the tones
and hues. Enchanting to captivate you and entice you to stare. Her lashes swept
down across her cheekbones as she narrowed her eyes at me.
"Taylor's friend," I teased. "Look at you all woman
sized." The taunt widened her eyes and seemed to infuriate her.
Ours was a relationship that was always a bit all over the place.
When she was little, she followed me around like a love-sick puppy. Literally
like she worshiped the ground I walked on.
She looked nothing like that girl now.
"Can I help you with something?" she asked.
"Oh, I just came by so you could tell me how much you missed
me."
Her brows shot up, and she pursed her sparkly pink lips together
in distaste.
"I'm sorry, did you leave? I wasn't aware," she retorted
in cold sarcasm. She was the only woman who spoke to me like that.
Chloe couldn't stand me. She was right to be on her guard. I was
the worst kind of guy for a girl like her. Always was, and while I might have
taken her infatuation with me into my own hands years ago and most assuredly
broke her poor heart, it didn't stop me from thinking about her.
Now more than ever since I'd sorted myself out. I'd never be the
candy-coated, classic-movie kind of guy I pictured her with, but I'd kicked the
bad stuff. I thought it gave me permission to see what chance I might still
have with her.
"Ouch, doll, you're hurting me." I feigned injury to my
heart and laughed. She didn't like that.
"What do you want?" Her lips puckered with annoyance.
"I just told you. Also, I was hoping for another offer to
rock my world."
Her face colored fiercely, and her eyes blazed just like they did
in the past.
"Jump up my ass, Wade," she fumed, tossing the clothes
on a nearby table and placing her hands on her hips to square off with me.
"Baby, is that an invitation? Because doll, I'd love to. Your
ass looks great today."
Her mouth dropped, and she glowered at me. "Don't speak to
me. Ever." She shook her head and walked away towards the stock room.
I laughed as I watched her storm off, and I stared shamelessly at
her fully rounded ass that looked even better than the last time I saw it. She
made me hunger to know what secrets hid inside her soft, tempting body. My
fingers yearned to touch her, and my mouth to taste her. Looking only reminded
me of when she'd twirled around for me wearing nothing but a pink lace thong.
That was a long time ago now, long enough to brush under the rug
and file as an act of youth. But I didn't want to forget.
Looked like I'd chosen the perfect time to come back. I smiled to
myself as I walked away.
Khardine Gray is a contemporary romance author who lives in England with her husband, two kids, and three crazy ferrets.
She is well traveled, cultured, and a woman with a passion for dancing and ice skating.
When not writing you can catch her shopping, indulging on pizza and hot chocolate, or hanging out with her family and friends.
No need to spend money on an airline ticket. Simply pick up one of Khardine's books to become immersed in the fascinating stories and characters she creates.
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