Chapter One

Nicole Collins pitched her voice low in the elegant hotel restaurant. Still, she managed to interrupt the introductions between her literary agent, Denise Maitland, and the two men who stood in front of their table.

Malcolm Bryant turned toward her, a wariness in his cocoa eyes. His chiseled brown face hadn't changed much in the past four years. Perhaps it was even more appealing now, as was his six-foot-plus frame. No, appealing was the wrong word. The writer in her searched her mental thesaurus for something more appropriate. Compelling, she decided. He was more compelling and more confident. A self-assured stranger in a tailored, dark blue suit.

"I co-own the company that optioned for the movie rights to your book." His deep-sea voice washed over her. It still had the power to sweep her away.

"You own the production company?" She spoke through numb lips.

"Co-own." He inclined his head toward the tall, well-dressed man beside him. "This is my partner, Tyrone Austin."

Nicole glanced at the smiling stranger before returning her attention to the man in front of her, and the memories of broken vows and tragic loss. She folded her hands in her lap, hoping that would stop their shaking.

"Nicky, what's wrong?" Denise asked.

She turned toward her agent. "Did you know he owned the company?"

"Of course." Denise regarded her with a confused expression on her dark, round face. "Does it matter?"

"It matters." If she had known Malcolm was Celestial Productions, she wouldn't be here.

Nicole scanned the room. Coupl