The Perfect Rebound

The Perfect Rebound

by

Rebecca K. Watts

Smashwords Ebook Edition

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

PWP Romance

Passionate Writer Publishing

www.passionatewriterpublishing.com

Copyright © 2014 by Rebecca K. Watts

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Also by Rebecca K. Watts

His Stand In

Mr. Right.com

Fire and Desire

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to my editor Nicole Zoltack and my #1 Beta Reader Kathy Clemons and all my readers.

PWP Romance

From the Bestselling author of His Stand In

NBA star Evan Jordan had it all—millions in the bank, a luxury penthouse, nice cars, endless endorsement—but in one moment, his world was turned upside down. Reeling from the heartbreak of his long-term girlfriend, Evan goes on a path of sowing his wild oats. One look at the brown cinnamon beauty and he knew she held the answers to his problems.

Desperate to put the pain of receiving a wedding invitation from her ex-husband and his mistress behind her, Victoria Williams sets out for a night on the town. The sexy man whose arms she falls into is just the stress reliever she needs. The issue—he’s white, nearly a decade younger than her, and the center of media attention.

What they soon discover hidden behind their one night stand is a fiery passion that ignites and bursts into flames. With women at Evan’s disposal every waking hour, why can’t he get Victoria out of his mind? Can they overcome their obstacles and fight for their love or will the fear of Victoria being with a younger high profile white man destroy their chances forever?

The Perfect Rebound

Rebecca K. Watts

Chapter One

Victoria Williams’s hands began to tremble as the words on the expensive invitation came into focus. You are cordially invited… She didn’t need to see this. Not now. The ink wasn’t even dry on her divorce papers. He just couldn’t wait. To the union of Blake Williams and Peaches Marie Davis.

She reread the second name again. Peaches? Her real name is Peaches?

The paper fell from her hands and onto the wooden tiles of her kitchen floor, but the information had already branded itself on her cranium.

That bastard.

Her eyes welled up. She blinked, refusing to let another tear fall for Blake. How naïve had she been? Victoria glanced around her home, the five-bedroom home meant for she, him, and their future kids.

Kids. Ha.

For Blake, it had never been the right time, and then he up and got engaged to a woman with a premade starting lineup. How many years had he said not now? Wait until I get a raise, wait until I make partner, wait…wait…wait. For ten years, she did exactly that.

She’d given him her all from the day they’d met in college. Victoria had been a sophomore, and Blake was in graduate school, finishing up his law degree.

The library had been her second home. She was determined to make Dean’s List and to continue proving her idiotic high school counselor wrong. How dare he tell her she’d be better off applying for the community college or the historically black universities than the same schools her white counterparts were applying for? Her parents didn’t move out the inner city for her to attend a school in the northern metro area for nothing. They wanted her to be in predominantly white schools for a reason.

The world isn’t all black, and you need to be prepared, her father drilled into her.

He was the motivation she used in applying to Atlanta University, and she had her head buried in a book when she met Blake.

You know you can check those out, a deep voice said off to the side of her.

Victoria whipped her head in the direction of the person, ready to let who ever interrupted her studies have it. Blue eyes attached to tall, dark, and handsome stopped the words from spilling off her tongue.

Those intense eyes stayed on her. She uncomfortably brushed a loose strand from her face and swiped it behind her ear. Okay, sexy white man, you can leave now.

I know how the library works. She shifted in her seat, prepared to go back to her studying. She didn’t have time for any of the frat boys and their games. The year before, she’d been subjected to the prank of how many guys could get the black girl’s number. At first, it was cute but after she felt embarrassed from the spectacle they made her to be. Later, she found out one of the girls from their sister sorority put them up to it. Apparently, Victoria had taken her favorite seat up front in her business class.

That much I gathered. You’ve been here every day this week. He pulled out the chair next to her and spun it around. He took a seat and rocked forward, lifting the back legs off the ground. She resisted the urge to swat him back as she so often did her younger brother.

You stalking me?

If not being able to keep my eyes off a beautiful woman, then yes. He smiled, allowing all of his teeth to be on display.

Victoria was a sucker for a man with charm and a perfect smile. He had both. Too bad he was also white, which meant off limits. For girls like her, she’d only be able to live out the luxury of ogling at white men on TV. Her skin was way too dark for black men, let alone a man of another race.

Just the same, she tilted her head away from him in hopes he couldn’t tell she was blushing. You think I’m beautiful?

What man wouldn’t? He held out his hand to her. Blake Williams, your future husband.

The memory almost made her smile. He was right. They married right after Blake got hired on at his first law firm. She let out a sigh and chided herself for letting the thoughts slip in. Blake was a cocky snake who’d used her and tossed her away when he had finished with her.

Tonight would be another night with her and a bottle of ice-wine for company. Victoria put up good fight and had lost. She tossed in the towel and, next month, the home the cheater built for them as well.

She opened the refrigerator and removed her favorite drink. A weary woman looked back at her from the chrome. On reflex, her tiny brown hand went to the bags under her eye. Yes, the woman was her.

Enough. You can’t let him destroy you. She poured a glass of the sweet drink and downed half the liquid in one swallow. This is the last day of this moping around. He moved on and so shall you.

Victoria sat the glass down and started to head out of the kitchen. Thinking better of it, she grabbed the glass and the bottle and took it to her refuge in the guest room. She refused to sleep in their old bed.

Chapter Two

Evan entered his favorite lounge through the back door reserved for special visitors. He loved the place for its exclusiveness, the reason why he chose to come there tonight. Things were moving way too fast, and he needed to clear his mind away from his usual circle.

He had no doubt his crew was at their favorite spot in the heart of downtown, popping bottles with women draped over their arms, but he just wasn’t in the mood for it. Tonight, he wanted to relax and think about his future, just not at home alone. He’d sit in the V.I.P. area and watch the rest of the room enjoy themselves for a few hours.

His mind drifted back to a few years earlier when he could simply walk into a club and hardly anyone would notice. Those days were long behind him. Now, the media followed his every move. Well nearly. Tonight they’d more than likely follow the group of men rather than him going out solo.

Thanks, Maurice. He gave the manager a nod.

Freckles sprinkled the face of the smiling red-haired man. You’re always welcome here.

Evan followed him into the depth of the club. A large man—large as in mass, because Evan stood nearly five inches taller than him—blocked the entrance to another area. When they neared, he uncrossed his arms and moved to the side, making the four steps to the elevated area accessible.

The main area was packed more than normal, but his reserved section remained empty. He took up residence on a soft leather lounger and stretched out his long limbs.

What can I get you, EJ? The waitress’s eyes slowly roamed over his body. She didn’t bother hiding her interest in him, a gesture Evan was way more than accustomed to. You want your usual?

He flashed her his winning smile, further feeding into the flirtation she started. You know it.

Evan waited until she walked off before turning his attention back to the room. Everyone was enjoying themselves instead of trying their best to get him to sign an autograph or take a selfie with him. More importantly, there weren’t any woman trying to ease their way into V.I.P.

Months had passed since the breakup with Emily, and no matter how many women he’d slept with since, it didn’t take away from what he truly wanted—someone full time to share his world with.

Hanging out with the guys would have only led to some random woman flaunting her assets in front of him. In the past, he’d gladly take them up on their offer,