Tempting The Heiress

A seduction worth waiting for...

Back in med school, Felicia Blake couldn’t help being impressed by Griffin Kaile’s physique, as well as his intellect. The youngest of the accomplished Blake triplets, Felicia has put aside dating to focus on her career as a research scientist. She may have fantasized about Griffin—now a renowned cardiovascular surgeon. But that didn’t include discovering that he’s the biological father of the baby girl she’s been asked to raise.

Even in scrubs, Felicia is the most stunning woman Griffin has ever known. Now that the daughter he never knew about has brought them together, he’s eager to explore their romantic potential. But ambitious Felicia is reluctant to jump from passion to instant family. Which leaves Griffin only one choice—to somehow show her that this kind of breathtaking chemistry occurs only once in a lifetime...

Felicia slowly opened her eyes to find Griffin staring at her, specifically her mouth.

“Sorry. I’ve got a thing for good food,” she explained as she took another bite.

“I think I have a thing for watching you enjoy it.” His voice had taken on a husky tone.

Their eyes collided. Griffin put down his fork, pushed back his chair and stood. Felicia’s gaze followed his every movement. He came to stand next to her. “Put your fork down,” he ordered. Felicia complied, trembling slightly with anticipation.

Griffin pulled back her chair, took Felicia’s hand and drew her in his arms. The sudden movement made her grip his broad shoulders as she raised her head slightly to maintain eye contact.

“You are simply breathtaking, and I can’t wait a second longer to do this.”

Griffin leaned forward slowly, keeping his eyes on Felicia’s as he ran his tongue across her lips before capturing them in a passionate kiss.

The kiss whipped Felicia’s body into a raging, out-of-control inferno, an overwhelmingly unique experience for her.

Dear Reader,

I can hardly believe we’ve come to the end of this exciting voyage. When I started The Blake Sisters series, I wanted to introduce the world to three dynamic women. I’m so very pleased that the first two sisters have been so well received. You’ve seen glimpses of the third sister, and now it’s time to bring you her full story.

In Tempting the Heiress, old medical-school friends Felicia and Griffin struggle to determine the best way to raise the child that has suddenly been placed in their care, all while fighting their long-buried desire for each other. Watching these friends struggle to become parents and lovers is exhilarating.

I love interacting with readers, so please let me know how you enjoyed Felicia and Griffin’s story. You can contact me on Facebook or Twitter. I hope to bring you more exciting and very sexy stories in the near future.

Until then,

Martha

MARTHA KENNERSON’S love of reading and writing is a significant part of who she is, and she uses both to create the kinds of stories that touch your heart. Martha lives with her family in League City, Texas, and believes her current blessings are only matched by the struggle it took to achieve such happiness. To find out more about Martha and her journey, check out her website at marthakennerson.com.

Tempting the Heiress

Martha Kennerson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is dedicated to all the readers who have traveled this journey with me and love the Blake sisters as much as I do. You’re all amazing, and I really appreciate your unyielding support.

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank my husband for his willingness to share me with so many crazy characters. Love you, honey.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

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 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Epilogue

Copyright

Chapter 1

After a long day of traveling, an exhausted Dr. Felicia Blake, wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt, her long, curly hair up in a messy bun, made her way through the busy Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As the third-born of the beautiful, highly accomplished Blake triplets and heir to her family’s billion-dollar international security firm, Felicia was one of the brilliant physicians working for the CIA as a medical research scientist specializing in biochemistry.

Felicia often found herself traveling the world, chasing down many different types of deadly diseases to learn their origin. While Felicia loved the time she spent working in South Korea, she was happy to be back in the United States.

Felicia had just cleared customs and was waiting to collect her bag when she overheard two young women talking. The taller of the two said, “Girl, I’m telling you he’s got to be.”

“How do you know he’s a celebrity?” her friend replied, giving her the side-eye.

“Celebrities love coming to the ATL,” she said, snapping her fingers twice in the air. “Look at the way he’s dressed. Anyway, he’s too fine not to be famous.”

Both women laughed.

Felicia’s natural curiosity got the best of the good doctor. She raised her head and scanned the area where the two women were staring. Felicia’s eyes collided with a uniquely stunning but very familiar set of gray eyes. “Griffin,” she murmured. Felicia stood staring at the only man that had ever touched her heart but never knew it. He’d challenged Felicia to go beyond her own perceived limits, while making the shy young woman feel safe enough to open up and let others get to know her. Griffin had taught Felicia how to manage different types of relationships, and that growth had helped her become a better doctor. Felicia hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed their friendship until now. Felicia’s mind flashed back to the first moment they’d met...

* * *

Thinking she was running late to her first medical school lecture, Felicia ran down the hall and into the room only to find the most handsome, bronze-skinned man she’d ever seen. He was sitting in the front row, slouched in a theater-style chair, long legs stretched out before him, his eyes closed. His finely trimmed beard, short hair and perfect physique reminded her of someone that belonged in the pages of GQ magazine instead of a classroom for those who aspired to become doctors.

“Excuse me, I don’t mean to disturb you, but is this Dr. Jacobson’s microbiology class?”

“Yes,” he responded without moving or opening his eyes.

“Then where is everyone?” Felicia asked, scanning the empty room, wondering if she’d missed something.

The gorgeous man sighed deeply, tilted his head toward her and slowly opened his eyes. Felicia offered what she hoped was a friendly smile.

The man sat up slowly as his gaze roamed her body while still not bothering to answer the question.

“This is Dr. Jacobson’s Tuesday microbiology class, right?” Felicia asked again, checking the schedule she held. His open stare caused her to look down at her outfit to ensure she hadn’t worn the wrong color scrubs or wonder if her messy, high ponytail might have been too much so.

He nodded and Felicia shifted her weight from one leg to the other and bit her bottom lip, a habit she was trying to break. “The class got pushed back by forty-five minutes. Didn’t you get the text?”

Felicia rummaged in her backpack, came up empty, shook her head. “I left my phone in my room.”

“I’m Griffin Kaile, by the way,” he said, standing and walking slowly toward her. “Third year.”

Felicia’s breath caught and her heart skipped several beats with each step he took. “I—I’m...I’m Felicia Blake, first year,” she replied, offering her hand and staring up into a beautiful set of gray eyes. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Trust me, the pleasure is all mine,” he said, holding her gaze as he took her hand and gave it a small shake.

The moment he touched her, a charge went through Felicia’s body unlike anything she’d ever felt before...

* * *

The women’s laughter brought Felicia back to the present, where she stood and stared at the gorgeous figure from her past. A dazzlingly handsome blend of his African-American and Chinese-American heritages, he was the only man who would have been capable of making Felicia reconsider where she would be starting her career after medical school.

* * *

Dr. Griffin Kaile Jr., a tall, athletically built, outstandingly gifted cardiovascular surgeon and sole heir to his family’s billion-dollar multimedia conglomerates, stood with his arms folded across his chest in front of the baggage carousel, wearing a black suit that was cut perfectly for his frame, when his cell phone rang. He reached into his jacket pocket, retrieved the phone and read the screen.

“Kaile,” Griffin answered.

“Kaile, it’s Mel. You back in town?”

“Just. What’s up?” Griffin asked.

“You headed home?” Mel inquired.

“After I stop by the hospital.”

“Cool, I just have a few test results I need you to take a look at,” Mel said.

“Anything urgent?” Griffin asked.

“Really? Don’t you trust that your brilliant physician’s assistant would hit you up if there were something critical for you to handle?”

“Of course I do. Otherwise you wouldn’t be my brilliant physician’s assistant,” Griffin replied, his tone flat.

No matter how necessary it may have been or how talented his team members were, Griffin struggled with delegating anything he believed was ultimately his responsibility. As an only child, Griffin had never mastered the art of sharing.

“How did it go? Did you get to meet with everyone?” Mel’s voice escalated slightly.

“Yes, and they all seem extremely capable,” Griffin confirmed.

“Capable? Those are some of the best fellows in the country and they’re all chomping at the bit to come work for you, and you call them capable,” he said, laughing. “Have you decided which two you’re going to pick?”

“Not yet. I’ll decide by the end of the week. See you in a while.”

Griffin was putting away his phone when he felt a pair of eyes on him. The child of successful public figures who were also media moguls, he was used to often-unwanted attention; only this time something felt different. Griffin’s eyes snapped up and lased in on his target. His heart raced as his eyes were held captive by the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “Can’t be,” Griffin whispered to himself.

Griffin stood staring at the only woman he’d ever really wanted but could never have. The woman he often thought about—still fantasized about...and compared others to—was standing mere feet away. As if he’d been polarized by a magnet, Griffin felt himself being drawn forward. She was a physically fit, olive-skinned beauty with high cheekbones, luxuriously long jet-black hair and a heart-shaped face bestowed on her by her parents—an Italian mother and African-American and Hispanic father.

* * *

“Felicia... Felicia Blake,” she heard a baritone voice call, her heart skipping several beats. Felicia bit her bottom lip and nodded slowly. Still not sure she wasn’t imagining that her long-lost love was coming toward her, Felicia looked to the two women standing next to her for confirmation. Their wide and flirtatious smiles were all the affirmation she needed.

First, Felicia was summoned to Atlanta to receive some mysterious bequest from her late best friend from medical school, and now she came face-to-face with her favorite lab partner and secret crush.

“Dr. Griffin Kaile,” Felicia said, pulling herself together. “It’s been a while... Six years.”

“Yes, it has, and you haven’t changed a bit. You look amazing,” he said, smiling.

Felicia looked down at her outfit and frowned. “Not really, but thanks. You look...professional.”

Griffin smirked. “Thanks.”

Professional. Really, Felicia? “How have you been?” she asked, breaking eye contact when she spied the gift from her sisters—red Valextra Avietta luggage—making its way down the carousel’s runway. Felicia reached for the large wheeled trolley.

“I got it,” Griffin said, placing his hand over hers.

Griffin’s touch sent a charge through her body that she’d only felt one other time before, delivered by the same man. Felicia quickly pulled her hand from his and took a step back. “I’m doing well.” Griffin picked up the large bag and placed it next to Felicia before reaching for his own leather suitcase.

“What a gentleman,” Felicia heard the two women say.

“Thanks,” Felicia said, smiling up at Griffin.

“Last I heard, you were working somewhere overseas,” Griffin said.

Felicia nodded. “I’ve spent the last year working in Asia.”

“Wow, I bet that was an adventure. Are you in town long? We should get together...catch up,” Griffin suggested, the corners of his mouth rising slowly.

“I...I’d really like that, but I’m only in town for the day. Unexpected and urgent business I have to tend to.”

“I can’t convince you to extend your trip?” Griffin asked, offering her a wide smile.

“You can convince me of anything,” the shorter of the two women offered, not bothering to hide her eavesdropping.

Felicia smirked at the unsolicited commentary. “I wish I could, but my family is sending the plane for me right after my meeting. If I’m not on it, there will be hell to pay. I haven’t seen them in a while.”

“I understand. Do you have a card?” Griffin asked, reaching into his pocket and pulling out one of his own. “Here is mine. It has my home number on it, too.”

“Sorry, I haven’t had much use for cards in the last year,” she said, accepting his.

“Well—”

“Excuse me, sir,” a tall man dressed in hospital scrubs interrupted. “The car is here.”

“Thanks, Doug. I’ll be right there,” Griffin replied before turning his attention back to Felicia. “When you get settled, give me a call. I’d really like to hear what you’ve been up to,” he reiterated.

“Sure.”

“It really was great seeing you again.” Griffin smiled, picked up his bag and headed toward the exit.

“‘Sure’? Could you be a bigger geek?” Felicia chastised herself.

“Nope,” the two women said, laughing as they left with their bags in hand.

Felicia’s shoulders dropped. Even after all these years and her many accomplishments, Griffin could still turn Felicia’s brain to mush and make her weak in the knees. Griffin was one of the few people Felicia had been closest to during her tenure at medical school. While Felicia had been the youngest in their group of friends, a twenty-year-old first-year student, he’d never treated her as though she was lesser in any way, and she would always be grateful for that.

Running into Griffin today of all days was such a real, serendipitous moment that Felicia couldn’t help but wonder if it might mean something. She extended the handle on her travel trolley and made her way toward the exit. Felicia spotted a driver holding a sign with her name on it. “Excuse me, I’m Dr. Felicia Blake.”

The driver removed his hat and offered up a quick nod. “I’m Jeff from Atlanta Limousine Express,” he said, introducing himself before reaching for her bag. “Follow me. We’re right outside.”

Jeff led Felicia through a set of double glass doors and she was immediately hit by the bright sunlight. She reached into her purse and removed another must-have gift from her sisters—a pair of Chanel sunglasses. “Do you know where we’re going?” Felicia asked, placing the glasses over her squinted eyes.

“Yes, ma’am. The downtown law offices of McCormick and Associates,” he recited.

Felicia stopped at the sight of the large black vehicle. “What in the world...”

“The person requesting the car asked for the Sprinter Limo Coach,” he explained.

Felicia’s forehead creased. “The what?”

“A limousine-style van. I was told you’d need privacy and room to change.” Jeff’s eyes scanned her attire.

“Farrah.” Felicia looked down at herself again. “I guess I should freshen up a bit.”

“Yes, ma’am. We’ll be there in about thirty minutes,” he explained, helping her into the van.

Chapter 2

“Welcome back,” Mel greeted, entering the executive doctor’s lounge holding an electronic tablet, where he found Griffin standing in the kitchenette, staring down into his coffee cup, obviously lost in his thoughts.

I can’t believe she was standing right in front of me and I actually let her get away...again. But it’s not like I had much of a choice. Why couldn’t she give me one day? She’s not married. Maybe she’s seeing someone. Get a grip. Why are you tripping over someone you haven’t seen in years who’s still not interested?

“Hello...” Mel waved his hand in front of Griffin’s face.

“What’s up?” Griffin frowned at Mel.

“What’s up...what’s up with you?”

“Nothing. I assume those—” he gestured at the tablet with his coffee cup “—are the charts and test results you want me to review.”

“Yes, and please tell me that’s not the last cup of English breakfast tea you’re having.”

Griffin’s eyebrows came to attention. “When have you ever seen me drink tea?” Griffin replied, tossing the empty K-cup in the trash. “What happened to the old coffeepot?”

“It’s been retired.” Mel handed Griffin the tablet and went in search of the tea K-cups.

Griffin accepted the tablet, took his coffee and avoided the leather sofa and chairs in favor of a seat at the conference table, where he started flipping through the charts.

“So...” Mel said, taking a seat across from Griffin at the conference table.

“So...what?” Griffin replied, not bothering to raise his head as he continued to read through the charts.

“Who was the woman at the airport?” he asked before taking a sip of his tea.

Griffin raised his head and frowned. “How did you...? Doug. Damn, gossip sure travels fast around this place.”

“Of course. The women at this hospital, and all the surrounding hospitals, for that matter, love chasing after you. They want to know if you’re off the market. Hell, the men around here do, too. Maybe if you are, some of these women will give the rest of us a shot,” he explained, laughing.

Griffin’s phone beeped, indicating he’d received a text. “Man, please. You get just as much attention as I do,” he reminded his friend as he checked the incoming message.

“True, but who was she?” Mel pressed.

A wide smile crawled across Griffin’s face. “Just an old friend.”

“Just. By that stupid look on your face, she’s not just anything.”

True. She could have been the one. We were perfect for each other; the best of friends. Becoming lovers was the next natural step. Too bad she couldn’t see it.

Griffin sat back in his chair and took a drink of his coffee. He knew his friend and colleague was right; Felicia wasn’t just anyone. “She’s this brilliant doctor that’s—”

“Beautiful, from what I hear.”

Griffin nodded slowly. “That she is, but she’s so much more.” He took another sip of his coffee.

Mel slid his empty cup away from him. “She coming...or going?”

“I thought Doug told you. I saw her collecting her baggage, so she was obviously coming into town.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Mel scratched his head.

“Well, what do you mean?” Griffin asked, turning his attention back to the tablet.

“Is she coming or going from your life?” Mel clarified.

Griffin met his friend’s eyes, his face void of expression. “I don’t see Mrs. Cartwright’s CT scan results here.”

Mel smirked. “Okay, I get it. It’s none of my business. Her results weren’t ready,” he said, standing. “I’ll go check again.”

“That would be great.” Once the door closed behind Mel, Griffin stood and stared out the window. He thought again about what Mel had asked and said, “That’s a damn good question.”

* * *

Felicia sat with her legs crossed at her ankles, taking in her surroundings and feeling very grateful that her sister had made arrangements so she could change into her gray pencil skirt and gray-and-white blouse, something much more appropriate for her meeting. The Andy Warhol painting and Persian rugs in the immaculately decorated lobby of the law offices of McCormick and Associates screamed sophisticated wealth.

“Dr. Blake? John McCormick.” A sandy-haired man, medium-built, introduced himself, offering his hand. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”

“No, not at all, and it’s Felicia,” she said, accepting his hand.

“All right, Felicia, and I am John. Please come in.”

Felicia followed John into his office. The large mahogany desk that was placed in the center of the room sat in front of a large window and was surrounded by wall-to-wall law books, several of which she recognized from Farrah’s office. A long leather sofa sat to the right of the desk, a wooden, glass-topped bar by its side. Felicia took a seat in one of the high-backed leather chairs that faced his desk. John took a seat behind his desk and pulled out a thick file folder from his desk drawer.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything to drink? Coffee...water?”

“No, thank you,” she replied, tamping down her impatience. “I’d just really like to know what this is all about. I don’t understand why Valerie would give me anything, let alone make me the sole beneficiary to her estate.” Her brows knit together. “We haven’t seen each other in years. Our careers went in different directions, and mine taking me halfway across the world made the Sunday brunch catch-up sessions we talked about having after graduation impossible. I haven’t even spoken to her since she and Harry got married.”

John’s face was tense. “I understand you have questions and I’ll do my best to explain as much as I can.” John exhaled. “About a year ago, Valerie came to me for help.”

Felicia leaned forward in her chair. “What kind of help?” she asked, a tad of curiosity coursing through her. “Sorry, I’ll let you finish.”

John’s mouth twisted up. “She wanted me to redraft her will. Something she’d been planning ever since she’d received that settlement from Harry after their divorce. Well, as part of that process, she told me a rather interesting story.”