Heated. Niobia Bryant

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      Reviews for Previous Niobia Simone Bryant Books:

      “It’s very rare that a new author writes such a great book that’s such a keeper…”

      Romance in Color, 4 stars

      “Niobia Bryant is off to a good start… a very strong three heart read… added to my Emerging Author’s list”

      Gwenn Osborne, Romance Reader, 3 of 4 hearts

      “A well-crafted story with engaging secondary characters.”

      Affaire de Coeur, 4½ stars,—ADMISSION OF LOVE

      “… this sneaky little romance heats up gradually, then sizzles until done…”

      Doubleday’s Black Expression Book Club Review—THREE TIMES A LADY

      “… a refreshing read with wonderful characters and a “true family”. A wonderful TOP PICK for the month of June!”

      Romantic Times, 4½ stars, TOP PICK—THREE TIMES A LADY

      “Heavenly Match is a wonderfully romantic story with an air of mystery and suspense that draws the reader in, encouraging them to put aside everything and everyone until they have read the book in its entirety.”

      RAWSistaz Review, 4 stars

      “‘Sexy as sin’ describes this provocative novel to a T.”

      Romantic Times Magazine, 4½ stars, TOP PICK—CAN’T GET NEXT TO YOU

      “This is a great story. There is humor, sensuality, and just great chemistry between the two main characters…. So check out this funny and sexy romance story because Niobia Bryant has written a gem.”

      Imani Book Club, 4 out of 5—CAN’T GET NEXT TO YOU

      “Run to the bookstore and pick up this delightful read. This reunion story is touching, warm, sensuous, and at times, sad. But just try to put Bryant’s book down.”

      Romantic Times Magazine, 4½ stars, TOP PICK—Let’s Do it Again

      OTHER BOOKS BY NIOBIA BRYANT

      Admission of Love ^{* †}

      Three Times a Lady

      Heavenly Match ^{* †}

      Can’t Get Next to You ^**

      Let’s Do it Again ^**

      Count on This ^**

      Heated ^†

      ANTHOLOGIES

      “You Never Know”/ Could It Be?

      Heated

      Niobia Bryant

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

       http://www.kensingtonbooks.com

      For the one who keeps me heated: Tony Holmes

      Acknowledgments

      To my family and friends, thanks for any and all support and love you have given me over the years.

      To my editor, Karen Thomas, and her assistant, Nicole Bruce, thanks for all the hard work you put into this project.

      To my agent, Claudia, thanks for being one of the best at doing what you do.

      To my sistah in the word and fellow Sagittarian, Adrianne Byrd, thank you for all the industry info and for being someone I can always be “real” with.

      To the wonderful network of African-American bookstores and book clubs, thank you for keeping me and so many other African-American writers going with your invaluable support.

      To my readers, whom I cherish, thank you for wanting to experience each and every one of my books. You all are the reason I nearly live in my office—smile.

      To the wonderful members of my book club, Niobia Bryant News, thank you for making me strive to make sure each project is better than the last.

      Love 2 Live & Live 2 Love,

      N.

      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

      Epilogue

      Dear Readers

      Reading Group Guide Questions

      About the Author

      Prologue

      Holtsville, SC

      Careful not to alert anyone to his presence, he moved in the darkness across the wild and grassy field with speed. He was nervous that he would be caught before his mission was complete. Like thunder and drums all rolled into one, his heart pounded in his chest. Sweat dampened his shirt, making it cling to his shoulders and back.

      A sudden noise echoed from the surrounding darkness. He caught his breath and held it as nerves caused his bladder to fill. He quickly dropped down, pressing his stomach and knees to the cool earth surrounded by weeds and grass that was nearly three to four feet tall.

      Holding his breath… he waited. Listening. Scared of being caught.

      He heard nothing but the normal night sounds of the country: owls hooting, frogs singing their tunes, crickets busy scratching their legs.

      Warily, he rose and moved ahead.

      When the barn—already worn and torn from age and shameful neglect—came into view, he paused. For a second he looked up at the massive structure framed by the full moonlight.

      It was almost majestic.

      Swallowing any regret, he dashed inside.

      He emerged moments later and ran as quickly as he could away from it. His feet thudded against the earth, his chest heaved with pain from his exertion.

      He dared turning around only when he was cloaked by the trees—trees that welcomed and hid him.

      The flames engulfing the barn were reflected in his ebony eyes.

      1

      Atlanta, Georgia

      “Say cheese, Dr. King.”

      Bianca smiled as instructed, posing with her glass star-shaped Woman of the Year award from Modern Women magazine held in front of her. She tried not to grimace as the flash went off several times in rapid succession.

      “Absolutely beautiful, Bianca.”

      Her smile stiffened. She knew without shifting her eyes from the camera that it was Armand Toussaint.

      “Thanks, Dr. King and congrats again,” the male photographer said, moving back into the Imperial Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel to take further photos of the social event.

      Bianca took a deep breath as she slid her circle-shaped beaded purse under her arm. She had just stepped into the hall outside the ballroom for a small reprieve from the room of people there to honor her with yet another accomplishment