Last Chance Marriage

Rosemary Gibson

KIDS & KISSESA brief encounter…and a second chance!For Clemency Adams, one disastrous marriage was enough. She'd decided to focus on her career in the future, and that meant trying to ignore the instinctive attraction she felt for the man next door–an attraction that started with a brief encounter five long years ago.For Joshua Harrington, one wife who had chosen her career over her family was more than enough. He'd decided to concentrate on his four-year-old twin sons, rather than pursue the woman next door who had awakened some compelling memories in him.It looked as though they were destined to throw away their last chance of happiness. Until two adorable little boys decided they wanted their father to get to know Clemency–a lot better!Kids & Kisses–Where kids and romance go hand in hand

“No strings.” His eyes moved over her face. “No commitment.” (#u91e6d06c-69b5-58f0-81d3-d0abf1f94cb8)About the Author (#u1a1f6dbf-3a38-54d0-81bb-4bdd37fe8eed)Title Page (#u040f7545-cebd-5517-ad40-dcd87ecdfd46)CHAPTER ONE (#ucb6ce45f-da49-5df1-ba9d-f742d50d71bf)CHAPTER TWO (#u429c6290-3a58-5c95-bcd2-9a07b01c216c)CHAPTER THREE (#u0a39a336-3635-5eef-894f-66a094f88754)CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

“No strings.” His eyes moved over her face. “No commitment.”

He didn’t have to keep spelling it out as if she were some dewy-eyed teenager. She hadn’t thought for one moment that he felt anything more for her than a transitory physical desire.

“You haven’t slept with anyone since Simon, have you?”

“That is none of your damn business!” Regardless of her response, he was the one who had instigated the kiss, not her. And he was the one who had drawn back first, a taunting little voice reminded her.

“No, it isn’t,” he agreed. “Would you like your strawberries now?” He glanced over a broad shoulder. “I’ve some ice cream in the freezer.”

“Give mine to the twins,” she said curtly.

“What do you want me to do?” he said quietly, his eyes moving over her rigid face. “Apologize for kissing you?”

“Don’t be so ridiculous.”

“Or apologize for not taking you to bed?”

“I don’t want a casual, meaningless affair with you, and I certainly don’t want anything more, if that’s what you’re so terrified of,” she said steadily, her eyes never wavering from his. “But I had hoped we might be friends. I was wrong,” she concluded simply, and started to walk toward the door.

Rosemary Gibson was born in Egypt. She spent the early part of her childhood in Greece and Vietnam, and now lives in the New Forest. She has had numerous jobs, ranging from working with handicapped children and collecting litter, to being a gas-station attendant and airline ground hostess, but she has always wanted to be a writer. She was lucky enough to have her first short story accepted eight years ago and now writes full-time. She enjoys swimming, playing hockey, gardening and traveling.

Last Chance Marriage

Rosemary Gibson

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

CHAPTER ONE

WEED or seedling? Trowel in her hand, Clemency crouched over the green shoots with thoughtful grey eyes. She’d scattered a packet of mixed annuals around about here in a fit of horticultural zeal last October, she recalled. Leave them alone and see what happens, she decided tranquilly, the spring sunshine glinting on her short copper curls multiplying the smattering of tiny freckles across her neat, straight nose. It was hotter than she’d realised. Dropping the trowel, she picked up the wide-brimmed sun hat that she’d discarded earlier and placed it firmly back on her head.

‘Dammit all, I moved down here to the country for some peace and quiet!’

Startled, Clemency rocked back on her heels and then realised that the deep, vehement male voice wasn’t addressing her, but issuing from the other side of the thick, high boundary hedge.

‘Peace!’ There was a loud,