His Hidden Desire: The Complete 5-Part Series (A Billionaire Adult Romance)

By Emma Rose

This 5-Pack includes the entire HIS HIDDEN DESIRE series by Emma Rose, formatted as a full-length novel.

Samantha’s family has always tried to play matchmaker between her and the affluent son of the neighbors next door, Porter Weston. While Porter is handsome, Samantha has always seen him as more of a friend than someone of romantic interest.

In the middle of a charity ball hosted by her family, Samantha is captivated by a mysterious and unbelievably hot masked man who casts her lustful gazes from across the room. Will Samantha follow her family’s wishes and see if Porter can be more than friends or will she reject expectations and have a fun fling with the masked man?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emma Rose
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311551320

Emma Rose

As a full-time independent author, Emma Rose delights in giving you stories that draw you in and characters who captivate your imagination.

Book preview

His Hidden Desire: The Complete Series

By

Emma Rose

Copyright © 2014 by Emma Rose

Smashwords Edition

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Crave Romance

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All characters in this book are eighteen years or older.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author except where permitted by law.

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His Hidden Desire: The Complete Series

Chapter 1

Samantha, I wish you wouldn’t be so selfish.

Nadine Covington walked into the drawing room with a sharp click of her heels against the tiled floors. Steel-gray hair up in a chic bun, her skin smooth and unlined. She stared at her daughter with what Samantha could only interpret as disappointment and a certain amount of wariness. Samantha closed her laptop and put it on the coffee table to give her mother her full attention.

She sighed, ran a hand over her tight, shoulder-length curls. But I don’t want to go to that party, Mother. I don’t see how my absence is going to affect you one way or another. She crossed her legs, braced the flat of her palms against the couch on either side of her hips.

Your presence will prompt a lot of people to come and spend their money. People love you, they want to be wherever you are. Her mother arched an eyebrow. So you being there means money.

Samantha sighed again, feeling the beginnings of capitulation. Mother, you know I already have plans to go to the monster truck rally with Jared.

Her mother made a face as if she’d passed gas at the dinner table. Nadine Covington approved of neither the monster truck rally nor the tall, rough-looking philosophy grad student she’d been forming a connection with on the UC San Diego campus.

Besides, her mother said, you know Porter is coming.

What does Porter coming to the party have to do with me? She asked the question even though she knew the answer.

Both her parents and most of their family had been trying to serve as matchmakers to her and Porter Weston since they were children. On the surface of things, it made sense. His family owned the property next to theirs. They were around the same age, with Samantha only two years older than Porter. And the Westons had been friends with the Covingtons for decades, even generations. This was the first time the families had the chance to join in marriage and deepen their relationship with each other.

But Samantha would not let her life be dictated by other people. Ever since she was born, her mother had accused her of being too stubborn for her own good. She tried running the day after she learned how to walk because she’d wanted to go faster. She went to school in England for seven years and studied the Byzantine period instead of business school like her twin brothers.

The Covington’s vast real estate holdings needed to be managed, her parents often said. She should go to business school like her brothers and help run the company. But she figured Sheldon and Simon could handle that responsibility on their own. She wanted to teach, and she wanted to live a life of her own.

Her mother made a sound of frustration. Fine, Samantha. Do whatever you want. You always do anyway. But please consider telling your friends and acquaintances about the charity so they consider donating.

Samantha smiled tiredly. I’ll tell them, Mother. And she would. San Diego Metro Children’s Charity was an organization that did a lot for the community. Samantha would help them as much as she could.

Thank you. A smile flashed across her mother’s stern mouth. Now that I’ve gotten you to commit to at least that much, tell me, if you were to go to the party, what costume would you wear? The dark eyes sparkled in her unnaturally smooth face.

Mother! Samantha sagged in the couch. I already told you I’m not going.

Ah, but you haven’t given me the chance to change your mind.

I don’t—

Samantha broke off at a sound from just outside the drawing room door. Her brothers laughing. Their feet against the tiled floors. Soon, they appeared in the doorway. First, Simon’s wild black curls, his handsome face creased with laughter. Fucking right! he threw over his shoulder. When he noticed his sister and mother in the drawing room, he stopped.

Hey, ladies! Something had put color in his cheeks and a sparkle in his eyes. What are you doing in here all shut up on such a damn nice day? He wore a black wetsuit that showed off the body he spent hours on in the gym. The sound of two male voices came from behind him. Buoyant. Happy.

Working, brother dear, Samantha said. What have you been doing?

Sheldon shoved Simon aside and tumbled into the room, exuberant in board shorts and nothing else, his bare chest damp from the water. His hair, cut almost military short, still managed to curl against his scalp, giving him a sterner look than Simon’s. Beyond them, Samantha noticed a flash of color then heard another voice, more laughter.

Work is for another day. We just came back from checking out the waves at Black’s Beach. Wicked!

Her MBA brothers.

Nice, Samantha said.

The third figure she’d noticed a moment before poked his head in the doorway. Porter. His wavy blond hair stuck up around his face, his green eyes a flash of unexpected color in his pale face. How a man managed to stay so pale in southern California was a mystery to Samantha. Fresh from the bright September afternoon with a full burning sun, he was as anemic looking as ever. With her beautiful, tanned brothers, he stood out like a worm among roses.

Afternoon, Mrs. C, he called out to her mother.

Hello, Porter. Samantha greeted him with her usual smile, aware that her mother watched her with avid eyes, looking between her and Porter to see what would happen, if anything.

Porter’s bright eyes met hers and he grinned at her, a paler flash in his pallid face. Sammie. I thought you were back at school studying under that famous anthropologist. The green eyes twinkled wickedly and Samantha felt her face flush.

I’m here for Mama’s charity ball, Samantha said, clenching her teeth against a snarl.

Her parents were always trying to get her and Porter together, but that was a losing cause for more than one reason. He seemed to have nothing but contempt for her, especially after confirming her affair with Professor Leonce, which was a damn double standard as far as Samantha was concerned. Porter fucked everyone—young, old, and in between—and no one judged him for it. She certainly didn’t.

That should be fun, Porter said. I might see you there.

Come on! Sheldon dragged at Porter’s arm. Stop flirting with my sister and let’s go. We have shit to do.

Later, Mama! the boys chorused, then tramped off down the hall.

Her mother looked at her. So now you’re going to the ball? A big smile took over her face.

Samantha rolled her eyes. I might as well, she said.

Great! I should keep Porter around just to provoke you into doing what I want.

She made a rude noise. Don’t do that. You might end up getting the opposite results.

Her mother laughed. I think I’ll take my chances. She squeezed Samantha’s shoulder, kissed the top of her curly head. Thank you, darling. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re coming.

Her mother left her alone after that. And although Samantha tried to go back to the paper she was working through on her computer, she couldn’t concentrate. She’d really wanted to go to the monster truck rally with Jared, not just for the experience of going to such a barbaric thing but because she was pretty sure he would be so hopped up on testosterone afterward that she’d be guaranteed a good round of sex before he passed out on her, like most men in her experience had. He was a new potential lover, and of just the type she preferred: smart but