A Los Angeles Rendezvous Read online

  The woman he’s never considered...

  Might be the only one he’ll ever need

  Jada Allen’s Christmas wishlist is simple: her gorgeous boss. A-list talent agent Max Moore counts on Jada to handle his life—and help him get through to his tween daughter. Yet workaholic Max never really notices her until a makeover reveals the vibrant woman he’s taken for granted. Will one hot night shatter their working relationship or lead to something far sweeter?

  “Good job sending those holiday gift baskets to Brielle and Felicity,” Max praised, his voice filled with awe. “The ladies called me this afternoon, gushing about how thoughtful I am, and it’s all thanks to you.”

  “It’s no biggie, Max. I was just doing my job.”

  “No, as usual, you went above and beyond the call of duty, and it’s greatly appreciated. You’re a godsend, Jada. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Jada returned his smile, taking a moment to admire his chiseled facial features and his stylish gray suit. A self-proclaimed ladies’ man with a penchant for European models, Max was working his way through the lingerie catalog roster, and often joked about eloping with a centerfold. Every time he did, Jada felt a profound sense of sadness. Max was everything her father had warned her to stay away from, but it didn’t stop Jada from crushing on her dreamy boss. Jada was attracted to scholarly types, men who loved to discuss literature and world history, but everything about Max appealed to her—his lopsided grin, his devil-may-care attitude, the thousand-dollar Cuban cigars he smoked in his office at the end of the workday—and over the years her feelings for him had grown.

  Dear Reader,

  Have you ever had a crush on someone but was scared to tell them the truth? Was it your boss? That’s the predicament Jada Allen finds herself in in A Los Angeles Rendezvous. They come from two different worlds—Maximillian “Max” Moore was raised in the lap of luxury and Jada’s from the wrong side of the tracks—but Jada can’t help but desire her sinfully sexy boss with the devilish grin. And when Max kisses her at the office Christmas party, Jada wonders if her dreams have finally come true.

  Max has a lot on his plate. He’s at odds with Taylor (his feisty ten-year-old daughter), his ex-wife hates him, his business rival is gunning for him and his dad is battling a terminal illness. Thank God he can rely on Jada. After Jada gets a sizzling holiday makeover, Max sees his administrative assistant in a new light. A romantic weekend in Maui sets his heart—and his libido—on fire, and Max sets out to prove to Jada he is worthy of her love.

  If you enjoyed the Millionaire Moguls series, spread the word and connect with me at [email protected], or on my social media pages.

  All the best in life and love,

  Pamela Yaye

  A Los Angeles Rendezvous

  Pamela Yaye

  Pamela Yaye has a bachelor’s degree in Christian education. Her love for African American fiction prompted her to pursue a career in writing romance. When she’s not working on her latest novel, this busy wife, mother and teacher is watching basketball, cooking or planning her next vacation. Pamela lives in Alberta, Canada, with her gorgeous husband and adorable, but mischievous, son and daughter.

  Books by Pamela Yaye

  Harlequin Kimani Romance

  Seduced by the Playboy

  Seduced by the CEO

  Seduced by the Heir

  Seduced by Mr. Right

  Heat of Passion

  Seduced by the Hero

  Seduced by the Mogul

  Mocha Pleasures

  Seduced by the Bachelor

  Secret Miami Nights

  Seduced by the Tycoon at Christmas

  Pleasure in His Kiss

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010002

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Excerpt from Another Chance with You by Jacquelin Thomas

  Chapter 1

  “Good afternoon, Millennium Talent Agency,” Jada Allen chirped, pressing the headset closer to her ear so she could hear the caller over the noise in the reception area. She’d worked at the agency for two years, as an administrative assistant to Maximillian “Max” Moore—one of the most successful Hollywood talent agents in the business—and the only thing the twenty-seven-year-old Inglewood native loved more than her job was cheesecake. “How may I help you?”

  “Is Max in? I’ve been texting him all day, but he hasn’t responded, and I’m worried...”

  Jada recognized the high-pitched voice with the Spanish accent. She couldn’t believe the actress was calling again—the third time in thirty minutes. Max didn’t want a serious relationship with the Mexican beauty, and had broken things off with the TV sitcom star days earlier. Jada should know. She’d sent the “breakup” flowers to the actress’s Beverly Hills condo, with a Hallmark card, but every time the brunette called the office she sounded more upset, almost hysterical. Jada adored Max and was proud to be his assistant, but his favorite hobby seemed to be breaking hearts, and she worried one day he’d mess with the wrong woman and pay the price.

  A chilling thought came to mind. What if the Mexican beauty came after Max? Sought revenge? What if he got hurt? Max was all about the chase, but once he slept with the object of his affection he lost interest, every single time. Jada only hoped his womanizing ways wouldn’t get him in trouble.

  “I need to talk to him... It’s important...”

  “I’m sorry, but Mr. Moore isn’t available right now. He stepped out,” Jada lied. The truth was, Max was in his office, alone, but Jada didn’t want the actress to show up at the agency unannounced and cause a scene.

  “Tell him Josefina Acosta called. I need to speak to him ASAP. It’s an emergency...”

  It always is, Jada thought, adjusting her oval-shaped eyeglasses. Hanging up, she turned back to her computer screen. Logging on to the internet, she checked the Outlook calendar for Monday’s meeting, appointments and conference calls. Jada made a mental note to confirm Max’s travel plans for his business trip to New York before she left for the day.

  The desk phone rang. A female was on the line, demanding to speak to Max, but Jada took a message and hung up. All day, she’d been fielding phone calls from women who were eager to speak to Max, but it didn’t surprise her. It was Friday, and his “girlfriends” were busy making plans for the weekend. They wanted to spend their free time with him, and it was evident by the desperation in their voices that they were willing to do anything to make it happen.

  Of course they were desperate for him. Everyone was—including Jada. It was hard to find something about him she didn’t like. Max was the kind of man people gravitated toward and instantly hit it off with. Charismatic and drop-dead handsome, he had dozens of A-list clients, knew everyone who mattered in LA and was invited to the hottest parties in town. He was a well-known, highly respected agent, who n egotiated multimillion-dollar contracts for his clients. And not only did Max have a remarkable eye for talent, he had a knack for pitching ideas to television and movie executives. Was so good at it he had a production deal with an LA studio. Max pushed himself to be the best, and everyone who mattered thought he was.

  For the second time in minutes, Jada admired the framed photographs hanging on the vibrant blue walls in the reception area. In every picture, the twenty-eight-year-old talent agent looked confident, and was grinning from ear to ear. Max lived for his work. He schmoozed. He networked. He wheeled and dealed. He charmed and seduced. He was known for being a ruthless negotiator, and his keen deal-making skills had helped make him—and his clients—filthy rich. Millennium Talent Agency was a prestigious boutique agency, and the business awards prominently displayed on the glass shelf proved how hard Max worked.

  Jada picked up her mug and tasted her peppermint tea. It was her favorite time of year, and everything about the holiday season made her smile. Christmas was several weeks away, and Jada was looking forward to the holiday festivities in LA. There was the Christmas Ball at the Sheraton Hotel, Cocktails under the Mistletoe at a popular jazz lounge in Santa Monica and several exclusive Prescott George events, as well. Prescott George was a national organization for African-American millionaires, founded in the 1940s, and Max was a proud, card-carrying member. The club was as discreet as it was powerful; members couldn’t buy their way in—they had to be invited. The Moguls were more than just wealthy businessmen with yachts, mansions and private planes: they did good work. For decades, they’d provided college scholarships to needy students, funding to inner-city organizations and million-dollar donations to local charities. Every year, Max invited his staff to the Prescott George charity bash on Christmas Eve, and Jada wouldn’t miss the celebrity-filled party for anything in the world.

  Jada’s ears perked up. Leaning forward in her chair, she listened to the college interns as they strode through the lobby, praising the chic holiday decor throughout the main floor. Beaming, she watched the trio snap selfies in front of the ten-foot evergreen tree positioned in the corner of the room. To make the reception area look festive, she’d hung up velvet stockings and mistletoe around the room, sprinkled garland on the leafy potted plants and taped oversize red ribbons to the windows. All week, several female staff had tried to get Max under the mistletoe, but he was always on the move and would rather hang out in his office, making calls and reading scripts, than in the reception area.

  “I asked you to make me look good, and you delivered...”

  Peppermint tea sloshed over the side of Jada’s mug and splashed onto her gray pencil skirt, creating a damp spot. At the sound of Max’s voice, lust filled her body. His silky-smooth baritone was the sexiest thing her ears had ever heard, and when Jada glanced away from her computer screen and spotted Max standing in the doorway of his office, her mouth watered. Her boss was one of the most eligible and desirable bachelors in LA, and for good reason. Six feet tall, with buttery brown skin, soulful eyes and a body that was pure perfection, he was every woman’s dream. If Hollywood had a Sexiest Man award, Max Moore would win it every year. Jada had been working for the UCLA graduate for years, but every time he looked at her she felt light-headed, out of it, as if she suddenly had no control over her body.

  It was a miracle he even hired me, she thought, cringing at the memory that flashed in her mind. She’d been so nervous during their thirty-minute interview that she’d stuttered and stumbled over her words. If not for her stellar résumé and references, Max probably would have shown her the door, and she would have missed out on working at the popular talent agency. Located only a few blocks from the iconic Kodak Theater on a busy, tree-lined street, Millennium Talent Agency was filled with plush furniture, exotic plants, contemporary artwork and a marble wet bar. Sophisticated and überposh, the office had a tranquil ambience, and Jada made sure everyone who walked through the front doors—whether it was an aspiring actress, a D-list actor or an up-and-coming boy band—received VIP service.

  “Good job sending those personalized gift baskets to Brielle and Felicity,” Max praised, his voice filled with awe. “Both ladies called me this afternoon, gushing about how sweet and thoughtful I am, and it’s all thanks to you.”

  “It’s no biggie, Max. I was just doing my job.”

  “No, as usual, you went above and beyond the call of duty, and it’s greatly appreciated. You’re a godsend, Jada. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Jada returned his smile. She took a moment to admire his chiseled facial features and his stylish gray suit. A self-proclaimed ladies’ man with a penchant for European models, Max was working his way through the Victoria’s Secret catalog, and often joked about eloping with a centerfold. Every time he did, Jada felt a profound sense of sadness. Max was the kind of guy her father had warned her to stay away from, but Jada couldn’t stop crushing on her dreamy boss. She was attracted to scholarly types, men who loved to discuss literature and world history, but everything about Max appealed to her—his lopsided grin, his devil-may-care attitude, the thousand-dollar Cuban cigars he smoked in his office at the end of the workday—and over the years her feelings for him had grown.

  “You’re leaving?” she asked, noticing the brown leather satchel he was holding in his right hand. “Another hot date with Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Model of the Year?”

  “I wish. Nothing beats spending the night with a beautiful, curvaceous woman.”

  He flashed a wicked grin, and desire rippled across Jada’s flesh. Dimples pinched his cheeks, and if that wasn’t bad enough, he smelled of expensive cologne, a scent that was so strong and masculine it was wreaking havoc on her body. Then Max licked his lips and a tingle shot down her spine. The moment she’d laid eyes on him it had been lust at first sight, and over the years nothing had changed. It was hard to find something about Max she didn’t like, and despite his womanizing ways, Jada still wanted him. She couldn’t imagine a better Christmas gift than making love to the eligible bachelor from Santa Monica with the killer physique.

  “I’m going to visit my dad at his estate,” he explained. “My brothers called an emergency family meeting tonight, so I canceled my business dinner with Big Ticket Movies executives and rescheduled it for first thing Monday morning.”

  Jada wore a sympathetic expression on her face. “How is Reginald doing?”

  “As well as can be expected. Despite his prognosis, he’s in good spirits.”

  “That’s great, Max. I’m glad to hear that. Is he doing chemotherapy?”

  “No, he can’t...” His voice broke, and seconds passed before he could finish his sentence. “It’s too late. His doctors said it won’t help, and suggested he get his will in order.”

  The phone buzzed in her headset, cuing Jada she had an incoming call, but she ignored it. Wanted Max to know she cared about him, and his family. Standing, Jada took off her headset, dropped it on the desk and approached him.

  “Dr. Petrov said there isn’t anything more they can do for him, but I’m not giving up hope. Hope is all I have left.”

  Jada smiled sadly. Five years ago, his mother had died from cancer, and now his father was battling the debilitating disease. Despite everything happening in his personal life, Max hadn’t lost his sense of humor and was always joking around with his staff in the break room. But yesterday, when Jada walked into his office with the day’s mail, she’d found him sitting behind his executive desk with tears streaming down his cheeks. He’d laughed it off, saying he had something in his eyes, but Jada didn’t believe him. Knew he was lying. She’d seen the anguished expression on his face, sensed his pain and couldn’t resist giving him a hug. Holding Max in her arms had been amazing, and now Jada felt closer to him than ever before. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, Max, but I’m here for you. Anything you need. Just ask, and it’s done.”

  “ Thanks, Jada. It’s great knowing I can always count on you.”

  I wish I could do more. Like kiss you—

  “Hey, did you check out that vlog I sent you?”

  Jada cleared her mind. “Yeah, but I didn’t think Kid Quentin was funny. Sorry.”

  “Are you kidding me? His celebrity impersonations are spot-on, his comedic timing is remarkable, and I almost died laughing when he flipped his skateboard in front of Times Square and chipped his front tooth.” His face lit up as he chuckled, and his mood seemed to brighten. “Mark my words—the kid’s going to be a famous child star!”

  “I believe you,” Jada said, fervently nodding her head. “You’re the one with the eye for talent, Max, not me. I’m just your lowly assistant.”

  Max spoke in a stern tone of voice. “Don’t talk like that. You’re not a lowly assistant. You’re my right-hand girl...”

  Her breath caught in her throat, and for the first time in Jada’s life she was speechless. Every morning, when she arrived at the office at seven o’clock, Max was already hard at work in his office, answering emails, reading contracts and scheduling meetings, so his words surprised her. Made her head spin and her skin warm. Max thinks I’m special? I’m important to him? I’m the best administrative assistant he’s ever had?

  Jada resisted the urge to dance around the room. Pride filled her and made her heart light. A smile teased her lips. Not bad for a girl from Inglewood, Jada thought, as bitter memories of her childhood overwhelmed her mind. Her parents, Colette and Ezekiel Allen, had split up after fifteen years of marriage, and when her mom had relocated to New York to chase her dreams of stardom on Broadway, custody of Jada and her three younger siblings had been awarded to her dad. Money had been tight, and juggling three custodian jobs left Ezekiel little time for his children, so Jada had picked up the slack in his absence. Now her family was thriving and closer than ever. Jada talked to her mom several times a year, and that was more than enough. They weren’t close, and she didn’t miss her. As a child, she’d always feared her mother’s temper and found solace in her dad’s arms. Ezekiel had been her mother and father, and Jada loved him dearly.