Pleasure at Midnight ; His Pick for Passion Read online

  PLEASURE AT MIDNIGHT

  Sent to Madrid to talk his firm’s top client out of canceling her tour, Roderick Drake quickly realizes pop star Geneviève Harris isn’t the diva he pictured. In fact, she’s irresistible. Geneviève wants a life away from the paparazzi—shared with the gorgeous lawyer who fulfills her in every way. Faced with devastating betrayal, can she trust her emotions and the sensual music they make together?

  HIS PICK FOR PASSION

  On and off the court, professional basketball player Will Hampton scores easily. Then he’s dared to seduce his sister’s best friend—the only woman who’s never fallen for his game. Marketing exec Erin Fry has transformed from tomboy to stunning beauty, but she doubts Will can change his ways. One mind-blowing night puts their hearts in play, but can Erin let her guard down—and let love in?

  Pamela Yaye

  and

  Synithia Williams

  Pleasure at Midnight & His Pick for Passion

  Table of Contents

  Pleasure at Midnight by Pamela Yaye

  His Pick for Passion by Synithia Williams

  Excerpt from Journey to My Heart by Terra Little

  Pleasure at Midnight

  Pamela Yaye

  “My job seems glamorous, but it’s not. It’s a tough business involving ridiculous amounts of money, people with tremendous egos, extreme stress and short deadlines,” he explained.

  Geneviève wore a thoughtful expression on her face. “Then why do you do it?”

  “Because when I was in high school an entertainment attorney came to speak to my class for career day, and the moment she started talking I was sold. I knew it was all I wanted to do. Some people enjoy reading magazines, but I enjoy studying law books and old court transcripts, and after seven years of practicing law I’m still eager to learn more.”

  And I enjoy studying you, Geneviève thought, admiring his face over the rim of her cocktail glass.

  For the first time in months, Geneviève felt relaxed, at ease, and she was in no rush to return to the hotel. Roderick was the most fascinating man she’d ever met, and if she didn’t have a six o’clock interview at a local radio station she’d spend the rest of the day with him.

  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

  Pleasure at Midnight

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

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  Dear Reader,

  Anyone who knows me knows I’m a music aficionado who enjoys watching iconic videos and documentaries and reading biographies about legendary singers. The idea for Pleasure at Midnight came to me last summer while attending a music festival. The artists gave thrilling, exciting performances, but as I watched fans demand autographs and pictures, I wondered about the downsides of fame. What happens when an artist gets sick of the business? Can they quit without repercussions? Or would they lose everything they’d worked so hard for if they walked away?

  Jennifer “Geneviève” Harris is a superstar whose fun, catchy pop songs are burning up the charts. After decades of being in the spotlight, Geneviève needs a break, but her record label won’t hear of it. Roderick Drake comes to her aid just in the nick of time. The entertainment attorney with the chiseled features is more than just a handsome face. He’s sincere and loyal, and after several sightseeing excursions around Madrid, Geneviève loves the idea of escaping with him forever.

  As you’ve already figured out, I enjoy writing novels with glitz and glamour set in exotic locales, and Pleasure at Midnight has everything you’ve come to expect from my Kimani romances. I’d love to hear from you, so connect with me at [email protected] or on my social media pages. Happy reading, friends!

  All the best in life and love,

  Pamela Yaye

  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

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 1

  Entertainment attorney Roderick Drake stood in front of the bathroom mirror inside his eighteenth-floor hotel suite at the legendary Hotel du Lugo in Madrid, Spain, rehearsing his speech. Speaking in a quiet, soothing voice—the one he reserved for his most difficult clients—he smiled and nodded, as if he were addressing a room full of people rather than his reflection. His boss, Vincent Welker, didn’t call him “The Closer” for nothing, and Roderick wanted to live up to his reputation.

  Carefully inspecting his attire, he adjusted his metallic gray tie. Hired fresh out of law school at Welker, Bradford and Davidson, Roderick had had a seven-year career full of memorable moments. Visiting the White House during Obama’s tenure, attending the Super Bowl with the senior partners and delivering the commencement speech at his alma mater were cherished memories, and Roderick felt fortunate to be working at the prestigious Manhattan law firm. Determined to become partner at Welker, Bradford and Davidson, he’d do anything to achieve his goals, and wasn’t above breaking the rules to make it happen.

  Grinning at the thought, Roderick leveled a hand over the lapel of his tailored Hugo Boss suit. He looked sharp in his designer attire, and there was no doubt in his mind that he’d get the job done. And once he did, he was heading back to New York. Roderick had a meeting with a rock band next week, and if he wanted to convince them to sign with Welker, Bradford and Davidson, he had to prepare. He had ten days to fix Geneviève’s problems, and he would, no matter what.

  Pleased with his appearance, Roderick turned off the light and stalked into the living room. Decked out in scrumptious furnishings, gilded chandeliers and mirrors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered striking views of the city, the Grand Prestige quarters were worth every dime, and after his meeting, he was going to take advantage of the in-suite massage service. Last night, at his boss’s request, he’d boarded the private company jet for Madrid, and although he’d napped during the eight-hour flight from New York, he was still exhausted.

  That’s what I get for partying with my family on New Year’s Eve, Roderick thought, yawning. Three days later, he was still beat, bu
t duty called, and he wasn’t going to let his boss down. Proud to be a senior attorney at one of the oldest and most successful law firms in the state, Roderick gave 100 percent to his clients.

  Noting the time on the bronze clock hanging on the alabaster wall, Roderick put on his leather shoes, then grabbed his briefcase off the chestnut desk. He had a lot riding on his one o’clock meeting with Jennifer “Geneviève” Harris, and hoped the pop star would be receptive to what he had to say. The former child star and award-winning singer was one of the greatest voices of the twenty-first century. Blessed with remarkable talent, Geneviève had six platinum-selling albums, more endorsement deals than an NBA superstar and avid followers. The total package, she had an angelic voice and a fun-loving personality people couldn’t get enough of. Everyone from Drake to the royals were huge fans of her music, and these days Geneviève couldn’t go anywhere without being mobbed.

  A troubling thought came to mind. What if, despite his best efforts, he couldn’t reach a settlement agreement with the injured fan? What if Geneviève made good on her threat to cancel the rest of her European tour, and returned to Philly in the morning? Roderick feared what would happen if he blew it. Millions of dollars would be lost, the media—and her fans—would turn against her and Roderick could kiss his promotion goodbye.

  Roderick gazed out the window. When he’d arrived at the hotel that afternoon, he’d been shocked to see hundreds of reporters, photographers and locals camped outside on the sidewalk, chanting Geneviève’s name. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Not after what happened on New Year’s Day. A video had surfaced online of Geneviève slapping a young man outside Madrid-Barajas International Airport, and the damning footage had gone viral. The “fan” claimed he was emotionally, physically and mentally scarred, and the twenty-eight-year-old singer was being crucified by the local media for being an “Ugly American.” Upset about the negative attention, Geneviève had lashed out at her critics, and threatened to cancel the rest of her tour. Mr. Welker had asked Roderick to travel to Madrid to meet with the fan and offer him a cash settlement.

  And that wasn’t all. His boss wanted him to persuade Geneviève to finish her lucrative, blockbuster tour. Inwardly seething, Roderick had gritted his teeth. He’d rather have a root canal than travel four thousand miles to babysit a spoiled pop star. Sure, he’d worked successfully with Geneviève in the past, but he preferred working with athletes, not entertainers. In fact, Roderick wanted to be transferred to the LA office in March to manage the athletic division. Working with the biggest names in sports would increase his profile and popularity, and he loved the idea of representing his favorite athletes. He’d started to suggest his boss send one of the associate attorneys to Madrid, but Mr. Welker had interrupted him.

  “The Diversity Committee wants to elect an African American partner this year, and I think you’re the perfect person for the job,” he’d said, with an earnest expression on his round, wrinkled face. “You’re a brilliant attorney, and I have high hopes for you.”

  Eager to hear more, Roderick had leaned forward in his leather-padded chair.

  “Geneviève makes this firm truckloads of money every year, and if you persuade her to finish her European tour, I’ll personally put forth your name for partner in May,” he’d promised, nodding his shiny, bald head. “I have faith in you, Roderick. You can do it. I know it.”

  Fired up, Roderick had returned to his Hamptons bachelor pad, packed a suitcase and headed to the airport. He had to turn things around on Geneviève’s world tour, aptly named Total Drama, before the pop star made good on her threat and skipped town. The Philadelphia native was a handful, and if she wasn’t the firm’s richest and most famous client, he’d drop her from his caseload. Welker, Bradford and Davidson provided legal counsel on business, corporate and entertainment issues, and was the first and only law firm in the nation to report a billion dollars in annual revenue. Heralded as the “Gold Standard for Law,” employees prided themselves on always being available to their clients, and although Roderick had initially balked at traveling to Madrid, he was glad he’d made the trip.

  Pocketing his cell phone, Roderick left the suite. He strode through the corridor, greeting everyone he passed with a broad smile. Life was good, and it was about to get better. There was no doubt in his mind he’d be named partner in May, and just thinking about the life-changing opportunity made his chest puff up with pride.

  Roderick stopped in front of suite 1812, knocked and waited for someone to answer. Geneviève and her team had booked twelve rooms on the eighteenth floor, and the hotel manager had let it slip that the group was a loud, rowdy bunch. Said that other guests had repeatedly complained about the noise. Roderick wanted to speak to Geneviève alone, without any interruptions, and hoped he wouldn’t have to compete with her entourage for her attention.

  The door swung open, and a dark-skinned woman with doe-shaped eyes, red lips and honey-blond twists stared at him. For a moment, Roderick didn’t recognize her, but when she spoke he remembered Geneviève’s fun-loving kid sister with the wicked sense of humor. Not only did Demi oversee all aspects of Geneviève’s personal and professional life, she designed all the costumes for the tour, and also managed her sister’s social media accounts. Every day, her posts racked up millions of views, and Geneviève credited her sister for the staggering success of her brand and her worldwide appeal.

  “Roderick? Oh my goodness, you look like a completely different person!”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?”

  “It’s a great thing.” Whistling, Demi fanned her face. “You’ve always been handsome, but now you’re sexy as hell, and if I wasn’t head over heels in love with my boyfriend, Warner, I’d be all over you.”

  Roderick chuckled and regarded the twenty-six-year-old personal assistant with amusement. He couldn’t believe how bold she was. Demi was right; he’d changed drastically since last year. Nine months ago he’d been out of shape. Happy in love, he’d quit working out, and started partying with his fiancée, Toya Janssen, and her socialite friends. He spent thousands of dollars wining and dining the New Hampshire native, lavishing her with expensive gifts and affection. All for naught. Three months before their wedding, she’d betrayed his trust, and their engagement had imploded.

  Painful memories darkened his thoughts. He’d coped with their breakup by downing shots at his favorite bar, and things had gotten so bad his brothers had pressured him to go to rehab. Duane was a brilliant software engineer with a wife and four sons, and Morrison was an esteemed judge with a feisty fiancée, and even though they had busy lives, they’d harped on him nonstop about seeking professional help.

  To get his siblings off his back, he’d quit drinking, hired a personal trainer and adopted a healthier lifestyle. His hard work had paid off. He’d lost weight and regained his confidence, his swagger. Roderick enjoyed the Hamptons nightlife and being in the company of beautiful women, but he refused to let his mom set him up on blind dates. His father, Nathaniel, was a retired Supreme Court judge, and his mother, Viola, a talented interior designer, but Roderick often joked she should have been a professional matchmaker. His mom was obsessed with finding him Ms. Right, but Roderick didn’t want to settle down. Love sucked, and he wanted no part of it.

  “How’s life?” Demi asked with a bright smile. “Still killing it at that fancy law firm?”

  “You know it!” Roderick laughed. “How are things with you? Having fun on tour?”

  Demi groaned. “Don’t ask. These days I’m so busy I don’t know if I’m coming or going.”

  “I hear you. I was so tired I crashed as soon as I boarded my flight last night, and if the stewardess hadn’t woken me up when we landed I’d still be sleeping soundly on the plane.”

  “It sounds like this trip came at the perfect time.” Demi waved him inside, then closed the door. “I love Madrid, and you will, too. The museums
are incredible, the people are friendly, the food is to die for and the architecture is enchanting.”

  “Sounds like my kind of place.” Having done his homework, he knew Demi was one of the few people Geneviève trusted, and if he hit it off with the personal assistant, she could help his cause. In many ways, Demi reminded him of his sister. Emmanuelle had been gone for years, but not a day went by that Roderick didn’t miss her. He tried not to think about the tragic pool accident that ended Emmanuelle’s young life, only the good times, and pushed the memory of her funeral to the furthest corner of his mind. Emmanuelle’s daughter, Reagan, was a college freshman, and Roderick cherished their monthly dinner dates at the teenager’s favorite sushi restaurant in Manhattan.

  “I’m only here for a few days, but I plan to do some sightseeing before I return to New York next week. Where do you recommend?”

  “You have to check out the Royal Palace of Madrid. It’s stunning.” Her eyes lit up as she spoke about sightseeing with Geneviève the night before, and it was obvious Demi adored her older sister. “Madrid is one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited, and every time I’m here I find something new to love about the city.”

  Bubbly and energetic, Demi spoke in an animated way. Chatting with the Philly native about her favorite spots in Madrid and her new YouTube channel, he thought about his sister again. It wasn’t until she’d died that he’d realized how important his family was, and he’d vowed never to take them for granted again.

  “Roderick, can I interest you in something to drink?”

  “No, thanks.” Following Demi through the luxurious suite, he searched for Geneviève, but couldn’t find her. Hearing loud voices, his gaze strayed to the balcony, and he listened closely.

  “If you cancel the tour we’ll lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, and your reputation will be toast. Is that what you want? For people to think you’re a spoiled, ungrateful pop star who doesn’t care about her fans? Who’d rather lay around than fulfill her contractual obligations?”