Romancing Raine: Fairy Magic, #2

By Lynn LaFleur

Kaylen Montgomery is hit with instant lust when he sees Raine Bridewell outside his sister's office at The Seattle Montgomery. She's applying for the position of confernce coordinator, which means he'll have the chance to romance her into his bed. Turning on the Irish charm has always made women fall at his feet.

Not this time. Raine is recovering from a bad relationship with the son of a hotel chain's owner. Getting involved with another owner -- or the brother of one -- isn't anywhere on her to-do list.

Enter Shae, a four-inch fairy, who is sure Raine and Kaylen belong together. It's up to her to help them realize they're perfect for each other, with the help of a little Irish magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynn LaFleur
• Release date: Jul 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516331642

Lynn LaFleur

Lynn LaFleur was born and raised in a small town in Texas. After living in various places on the West Coast for twenty-one years, she is back in her hometown. Lynn also publishes with Ellora's Cave, and when she is not writing, she loves reading, sewing, gardening, and learning new things on the computer.

Book preview

Chapter One

Kaylen Montgomery stood across the street from The Seattle Montgomery and admired the sight of the magnificent building. Built fifty years ago, it had withstood the harsh, wet winters of Seattle and a few earthquakes to be one of the most beautiful and popular hotels in the Montgomery line.

The fact that his sister, Kaci, managed it made it even more special.

Kaylen breathed in the cool air deep into his lungs. A far-from-normal sunny March day had made his flight from San Francisco pleasant and almost turbulent-free. Cool enough for a jacket, yet the sun shining on him took the sting out of the breeze blowing in off Puget Sound. He should go in the hotel, find his sister, yet he wanted to enjoy the sun a bit longer.

A flash caught his attention, like the sun hitting something shiny. Kaylen turned his head to the right to see a woman walking toward the hotel’s entrance. She wore a silver metallic coat. That must have been what the sun hit to cause the flash. She walked with her head high, her steps sure, obviously confident in herself.

Kaylen thought a woman with self-confidence beyond sexy.

Dark-brown hair fell to her shoulders. Large sunglasses covered her eyes. Those plus the distance he stood from her made it difficult for him to see her face.

Dave Kasner, the doorman, touched the brim of his hat and smiled while he opened the door for her. She returned his smile as she removed her sunglasses. With her head turned, Kaylen still couldn’t make out her face.

Something about her drew him, made him want to know more about her.

Deciding he’d had enough sunshine for now, Kaylen crossed the street. Dave smiled again when their gazes met.

Welcome back, Mr. Montgomery.

Hi, Dave. How’s it hanging?

My wife doesn’t complain, so it must hang okay.

Kaylen grinned at the sixty-something man. Keep her happy and she’ll keep on keeping you happy.

That’s the plan. He touched the brim of his hat once more and opened the door for Kaylen. Have a good day.

Kaylen stepped inside the lobby and quickly scanned the area. He didn’t see a woman in a silver coat. Disappointed not to get a glimpse of the brunette again, he sighed to himself.

You’re here to visit with your sister, not chase a woman you’ll never see again.

Pep talk complete, Kaylen headed for the bank of elevators. He stopped when Deborah Frakes stepped in front of him.

Hi, Kaylen, she said with a huge smile.

Hey, Deborah. He automatically smiled back, not wanting to be rude to one of Kaci’s employees. Deborah had worked at the registration counter for over two years, and had flirted shamelessly with him every time he visited. Although sweet and very cute with the scattering of freckles across her nose, she couldn’t be over twenty-two or twenty-three. Kaylen thought that much too young for him.

Are you here to see your sister? Deborah asked.

Yes. He pointed toward the elevators. Just on my way up.

She’s interviewing for the conference coordinator position this morning. I believe she has someone with her now and other people waiting.

Kaylen had forgotten Kaci would be interviewing for Daria Hobbs’ position today. Daria planned to get married in June and had given Kaci notice of her leaving at the end of this month. I’ll go up and tell Ella I’m here. She can call me when Kaci is free.

It’s almost time for my break. We could have a cup of coffee together.

Kaylen caught himself before he winced. He’d rather cut off a finger than hurt a woman’s feelings. I think I’d better check in with my sis.

Of course. I understand.

The disappointment in her eyes caused guilt to flow through Kaylen. Damn it, he hated when a woman cared for him and he didn’t return the feelings. He’d gone through the same thing with Megan last week. He thought they’d been doing fine with dating and pleasuring each other in bed. Then she’d told him she loved him, and he’d panicked. He’d planned to visit Kaci this weekend anyway to celebrate their thirtieth birthday, but Megan’s confession gave him more of a reason to leave San Francisco for a while. He needed room to breathe, to think.

Kaylen lightly touched the back of Deborah’s hand to soften his words. Catch you later, okay?

She nodded. Sure.

He waited until she returned to her position behind the registration counter before continuing to the elevators. Two other people stopped him to chat, so it took him almost ten minutes to step inside the cubicle. Removing his wallet from his jacket pocket, he withdrew the master key card that worked in all the Montgomery hotels. He knew he would need it to access the business offices on the fifth floor since simply pushing the 5 button wouldn’t work. A person either had to use a key card, or someone on the fifth floor had to override the security.

His father believed in the best safety measures possible.

The elevator doors opened silently. Kaylen stepped out into a spacious seating area. Large windows let in the sunshine today, but lamps on the many end tables next to the overstuffed chairs burned on cloudy days, making the area comfortable no matter the weather.

Two women and one man sat in the chairs, obviously waiting their turn to speak with Kaci. Kaylen stepped up to Ella Styler’s desk. She stood with her back to him, searching for something in one of the many lateral file cabinets that lined the walls. Her light-blond hair barely touched the collar of her navy-blue suit jacket. She’d always been dressed professionally with not one hair out of place every time he’d seen her. Hey, beautiful.

She looked at him over her shoulder. Her lips widened in a smile. Kaylen! I didn’t know you’d be here today.

Now, what kind of brother would I be if I didn’t spend my birthday with my twin sister?

After laying a file folder on her desk, she rounded it and gave him a hug. Better not mention birthday to her. She isn’t happy about turning thirty.

Age is just a number.

"For men, yes. For women, birthdays that end in zero can be traumatic. Especially the three zero."

Kaylen suspected from the laugh lines around Ella’s eyes and the small wrinkles by her mouth that she must be in her forties. He’d never tell her that. You have a thirtieth birthday coming up soon, right?

She playfully slapped his shoulder. There’s no doubt you’re Irish. You are so full of blarney.

Kaylen grinned. He loved teasing her because she took it so well.