Love Over Time

By Diana A. Hicks

Con artist Nikki Swift swore she'd never return to her hometown. But a promise she made is long overdue. Fifteen years after her sister went to prison for a murder she didn't commit, Nikki finally has a way to set things right. She will do whatever it takes to bring her sister home, including living in a condemned hotel with hot-as-hell Henry.
Architect by day, poker player by night, Henry Cavalier wants nothing to do with bombshell Nikki—last he saw her, she skipped town with his money. But after his family disowned him, Nikki's particular skill set is exactly what he needs to rescue his mom and steal his fortune back.
To keep her promise to her sister, Nikki will have to come out of retirement and swindle one last time. But can Henry trust the thief who broke his heart once upon a time with a con that means everything?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Nov 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781509226849

Diana A. Hicks

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and science fiction. Her latest release LOVE OVER LATTES, Book 1 in her Desert Monsoon Series, was shortlisted for the 2018 Chatelaine Book Awards. When Diana is not writing, she enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta, and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases. Follow her on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/diana-a-hicks Follow her blog: https://dianahicksbooks.com/ Like her Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianaHicksAuthor/ Join her reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DianaSexyReaders/ Follow her on Twitter: @diana_hicks

Book preview

encouragement…

Chapter One

The Cavalier Hotel

Nikki

I laid on the horn again, and the ten cars in front of me did the same. Oddly enough, that didn’t help. Up ahead at the end of the street, or what used to be the end of the street, a construction worker held up a stop sign. When I rolled down the window to get his attention, a puff of hot air mixed with gas fumes and dust hit me square in the face. Yeah, welcome to fucking Paradise Creek, Arizona, home of the biggest steak burrito and the worst years of my life.

I’m Nikki Swift, not some stupid kid too scared to stand up for herself.

I gripped the steering wheel and blew out a breath. No matter what this place threw at me, I could handle it. So what if the entire block was under construction? I needed to get to my hotel, take a hot bath, and mark one more day off the calendar. By this time next month, I’d be in Paris, eating crepes and sipping mochas with my sister. No more cons, no more spoiled millionaires.

I checked my makeup in the rearview mirror and climbed out of the car. Not two steps in, I stopped when a construction worker who’d been drilling in the middle of the traffic circle blew a kiss in my direction.

I love you, he said.

I returned the sentiment with a meek smile. Maybe leaving my car wasn’t the best idea ever, but First Street was the only road into old downtown that wasn’t blocked. I strutted toward the guy holding up the sign. He had his back to me. His white T-shirt stuck to his torso and hung loose just above an ass that belonged on the spread of a fashion magazine. His over six-foot frame stood tall, covered in sweaty, sun-kissed muscles. I opened my mouth to get his attention, but he beat me to it.

Russ, he called out, his voice deep and full of confidence. I need you on traffic duty.

Yeah, boss. A stocky guy with soot smeared on the side of his face fell to the ground from the back of a crane. He froze when he saw me. After a couple of quick blinks, he flashed me a toothy grin.

I braced both hands on my hips. How much longer? You can’t keep us here all morning.

Hot construction guy spun around and treated me to a dark stare. As far as intimidating glares went, this one was pretty good, but I wasn’t his average girl. I’d been trained to handle men, all kinds of men. Okay, more like self-taught. But still. He pressed his lips together and stepped toward me, raking a hand through his hair, biceps bulging.

Ma’am, get back in your car. This is a hard-hat area. It isn’t safe.

Ma’am? I lowered my gaze, plastered a smile on my face, and read him quickly—I didn’t have time to deal with his remodeling problems—hot guy, tall, dark hair, darker eyes, and sexy full lips. Yeah, this guy was used to women drooling all over him. They did whatever he asked either because they were intimidated by him or because they wanted to get in his pants.

When I glanced up, I changed my tone to low and sweet. Darling, it’s a million degrees out here. Please, I need help getting to my hotel. I pointed to the other side of the road.

Russ sprang into action and grabbed one of the barricades blocking my access to the hotel. Hot guy put his large hand out and stopped Russ in his tracks. Grab a sign and start rerouting cars out of here.

But she needs help.

I’ll take care of that. He took his time setting his silly sign against the tailgate of his truck, muscles straining under his forearms.

The man could wear a T-shirt. I had to give him that. Wait. Was I staring?

Make them stare. That’s my move. I slid my hands up to my waist, twins out.

Russ coughed, as if he’d tried to swallow and it went down the wrong way. He tipped his hat at me and scurried to the other side of the street.

His boss placed his hands on his hips, tapping a long index finger on his utility belt. Was he mocking me? Ma’am.

I cringed. The word was like a jackhammer hitting metal. At twenty-five, I wasn’t old enough to be a ma’am. I inhaled slowly, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

He smiled at the ground before he spoke again. Like I said, it isn’t safe here. Get back in your car. Russ will show you the detour route.

It’d been a long day. Hell, it’d been a long summer. I gripped my hip bone. All I wanted was to get to a shower and a bed and start working on a plan that would get me out of this godforsaken place before the end of the month.

But my hotel is right there. A detour would take me away from it. I couldn’t see the building, but I’d been through this street a thousand times. The Cavalier Hotel was just around the corner. I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.

It’s Henry.

His voice deepened when he said it, as if it was supposed to mean something to me. Well, it didn’t. Nothing in this town meant anything to me anymore. It hadn’t for a long time. I’d spent the last ten years making myself forget everything I went through when I’d lived here.

Do you have a last name, Henry? I let his name linger on my tongue.

He swallowed, and a tinge of red touched the apples of his cheeks. Now we were getting somewhere. It’s just Henry, he deadpanned, looking behind him toward the blocked-off section with a deep scowl on his face.

Was there something wrong with the hotel?

Okay. Just Henry. I’m Just Nikki. Nice to meet you. Maybe a little cute humor would thaw that frozen heart of his. I offered him my hand.

He gave it a quick shake and let it go. Most men normally used this opportunity to get closer or try a cheesy line. Instead, he glared at me.

What? I asked.

Ma’am, please—

Stop calling me that. I stomped my foot. My four-inch heel scraped the concrete to remind me how out of place I was in this town. The sweet act wasn’t working. This whole day wasn’t working. Behind me, the first car rolled away from us, going in the opposite direction I needed to go. Just let me through.

He squinted at me as if he couldn’t believe my words. Look, I’m not being a hard-ass here. A pipe burst just a few hours ago. We still don’t know what kind of damage it did to the foundation. If his sharp tone was any indication, he was done dealing with me.

I clenched my jaw. Men were, for the most part, more susceptible than this—bat an eyelash, flash a sweet smile, and they’d do anything. Why was it not working on him? Oh, see, why is he allowed through? Sounding like a whiny child, I pointed at a truck driving through the barricades. This guy put me on edge, and I didn’t like it. Also, I was running out of tactics.

Henry glanced up toward the scorching sun and blinked once. He cocked his head, raising an eyebrow at me. He’s one of my guys, and unlike you, he knows what the hell he’s doing. I don’t have time for this, lady.

Well, that makes two of us, doesn’t it?

The sound he made was something between a groan and a huff. In a single stride, he was next to me. He gripped my elbow and pulled me toward my car. Now unless you want that little Mercedes of yours to be turned to scrap metal, I suggest you follow Russ’s directions out of here and find a different hotel. This entire block is condemned anyway. Why do you think we’re here?

Wait, what? I freed my arm and turned around to face him but instead slammed into his chest. My mouth went dry. That was a really hard chest—and wide. Did I squeeze a little? Maybe. This close, I could see he was definitely taller than six feet. Six four, maybe? I swallowed, ignoring the rush I felt. Sweat ran down my back and made my silk top stick to my skin. Surely, that had nothing to do with him or his warm breath brushing my cheek. What the hell was wrong with me?

"What are you talking about? My hotel is what?"

"Your what? He furrowed his brow and shook his head. Listen, this entire area is being renovated." He wrapped his long fingers around mine and peeled my hand off his chest, glaring at it like it was covered in something toxic. Judging by the deep creases on his forehead, he wasn’t interested in me.

Really? I was so off my game today. I blamed it on this town. Nothing good ever came out of this place. He grabbed my elbow again. Half-running after him, I did my best to keep myself from falling flat on my face.

Please get in your goddamn car and leave.

Oh, well, how could I not when you ask so politely? I sneered at him, climbed in my car, and slammed the door.

He rubbed his temple and turned his attention to the other workers. Just like that, he was done with me. I rammed the palm of my hand on the horn. The loud honk made Henry spin toward me and glare. He pointed at me, saying something to Russ, who grinned before he rushed to my car. Good, someone I could handle.

I’m sorry, miss, but Henry needs…

I leaned forward and let my blouse hang a little lower. His mouth fell open as his eyes roamed my face and my cleavage.

Darling, be a sport and let me through. I’m staying at the Cavalier Hotel. I know it’s just around the corner. Isn’t it? I bit my bottom lip and let it tremble for good measure. How that sappy act worked on men I’d never know.

Oh…ok-ka-ay, he stammered. Just this once, Miss…um? His gaze darted from his boss to the barricade. Wait here just a second. I won’t take long.

I leaned back on my seat, smiling at Henry’s back, his snug jeans, and that round ass. What was his deal? Maybe blondes weren’t his thing. Not that I cared. Besides, I already had a mark, and he wasn’t it. And even if I didn’t have one, he was definitely not mark material. First of all, he was a construction worker, and most important of all, he didn’t have millions to spare. I was here to help my sister Lisa—not to fool around with a hot-as-all-hell construction guy. I’d promised her, and this time, I couldn’t fail her.

As if he’d felt my eyes on him, he turned around and met my gaze. My heart pounded hard in my ears, making my face warm. Definitely need to stay away from that one.

Russ knocked on the passenger window and gestured for me to go on.

Thank you, I said. He shrugged, waving me through, chest out as if he’d done some heroic deed.

Jesus, Russ, Henry called out. If his eyes could shoot daggers, they would’ve.

I winked at him as I drove away past the barricades. He stomped after me, but it was too late. I’d won this round. I leaned back on the seat and laughed with a satisfaction I hadn’t felt in years.

Half a mile down, I hung a left on Main Street, and my stomach sank. Every building on the entire block was closed down, windows boarded—just as Henry had said. Bending over the steering wheel, I glanced up. Two streets up the road, a second construction crew had the access barricaded. What the hell had happened here? The place looked like the set of a zombie-apocalypse movie. A burning smell lingered in the air, but there was no evidence of fire. Not that I could see anyway.

I let the car roll to a stop in front of the Cavalier Hotel. My car tires crunched over gravel and broken glass. This was a nightmare. It had to be. I squeezed my eyes shut…one, two, three… Maybe I’d wake up in a fancy hotel in Paris, wrapped in soft, cool sheets. I opened them. No such luck. I was still here in freaking Paradise Creek, which had once again managed to not meet my incredibly low expectations of it.

It’ll be like when we were kids. Like a vacation, my sister, Lisa, had said. A vacation, my ass. I swallowed my tears, shaking out my hands. I owed her this. Lisa had always been there for me. It was my turn to take care of her. She’d waited long enough.

I climbed out of the car. My pulse spiked when I reached the place that held so many memories. The sunrays bounced off the double-glass doors of the hotel and prickled my bare shoulders. This was the worst idea. I pushed on the wood panel, using my shoulder and body weight. Shards of glass scuffed across the marble floors as the door creaked open just enough to let me through. I placed a hand over my mouth while a sinking feeling swirled in my stomach. Lisa, what have you done? I wasted half of my life savings for this hole in the wall?

This wasn’t the fancy boutique hotel I remembered, with red velvet sofas in the lobby and a grand staircase going up to the second level. Lisa and I had snuck into this place countless times to spy on the grown-ups while they danced the night away at yet another Cavalier lavish shindig. My favorite party was the Cavalier’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. Lisa and I would spend hours hidden in the coat closet, watching through a crack in the door as guests danced in their expensive clothes and toasted with champagne at midnight. How quickly everything had ended when our parents died. It all seemed like a lifetime ago. I wiped my face with the back of my hand. My chest hurt with the usual ghost pain of an old wound. Seeing all this brought back memories I’d hoped never to face again.

I ran my hand across the exposed red brick. Though everything was still here—the furniture, the art, area rugs—half of it was covered in spider webs. The other half lay under a pile of rubble. I walked past the stairs and sat at an old barstool near the leather-upholstered bar. I wiped a finger across the counter and frowned. It was clean or at least not layered in inches of dust. Overhead, a sparkly chandelier hung off-center. Someone had cleaned it recently. Someone had also brought down the wall separating the bar from the main lobby. I couldn’t tell whether that’d happened before or after the building was abandoned.

Sweat ran down my back as I climbed the stairs. With every step, shuffling noises scattered along the walls. Great. We had rats. I went into the first room on the left and let out a sigh. It had a bed, desk, chest of drawers, and even curtains. Not horrible. A good cleaning and fresh windowpanes could make the room livable. I moved on to survey the other twenty rooms. Overall, the upstairs was in fair condition, even if most of the scattered furniture was covered in droppings. How long had the hotel been like this? I’d only been gone for ten years. I shook my head, rubbing my temple. Did Lisa know?

Every muscle in my body quivered. Home sweet home. My voice echoed on the opposite end of the building and sent tiny feet scurrying across the floor again. I cursed, burying my head in my hands. So much for a hot bath and a warm bed.

Fuck my life. I stomped to the bar, picked up the counter stool, and slung it against the mirror covering most of the moldy wallpaper. We should be in Paris. As a family, together. Just as we’d always planned.

Holy shit, Lisa. What did you get me into?

Chapter Two

Two Deeds, Two Owners

Henry

Jesus, Russ. I clenched my jaw as the incredibly hot blonde winked at me. I’d met women like that before, women who thought they owned the world, who thought they could get men to bend to their will. If Russ had just a smidgen of self-control, he would’ve seen through her goddamn charade of damsel in distress.

Sorry. Russ kneaded the nape of his neck as if waking up from some sort of spell. I didn’t think there’d be any harm in her going through. She’s just going to her hotel.

I rubbed the stubble on my cheek. Russ. What fucking hotel? The only hotel on Main Street is condemned. We just blew up the entire block, remember? We spent all week evacuating people because it isn’t safe.

The survey is as good as done. The foundation held up.

We’d taken weeks to plan this operation. The thing about dealing with explosives was that we couldn’t know what part of the road wasn’t up to spec or recorded accurately. Until every inch is inspected, the survey is not done. I threw my hat in the back of my truck and took off.

Where you going? Russ asked.

"Just going up the road for a few minutes. I’d like to know why the fuck there’s a woman in town thinking my hotel is hers." I stomped away from the construction site with city hall in my line of sight.

Oh. I thought that was odd she said that.

I snorted and turned to face him. You were thinking? It certainly didn’t look like it from where I was standing.

He adjusted his pants, ears red. I’d never seen a woman like her, is all. It’s not just me, right? You saw her?

Yeah, I saw her, smelled her, felt her. But if a couple of her fingers tapping on my chest could make me want to forget about everything, I was in deep trouble. No, I’d come this far. I couldn’t let some blonde bombshell with the face of an angel ruin my plans. I didn’t care how tight those skinny jeans were. She was trouble, and she couldn’t stay. Get back to work. I’ll be back in a bit.

Two blocks down, I climbed the steps to city hall and went straight to the mayor’s office. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with that sleazeball, but the hotel situation couldn’t wait.

Good morning, Patty. I smiled at his receptionist. I need a word with the mayor.

She smoothed out her skirt and pulled at her top before she scurried around her desk to stand between the door to the mayor’s office and me. I’m sorry, Henry. He’s in a meeting.

Through the glass panel, our honorable mayor sat at his desk, stuffing his face with donut holes. I raked a hand over my face and hair. I met Patty’s gaze, and her cheeks flushed. She offered an apologetic one-shoulder shrug and continued to hold her ground.

I stepped toward her, cocking my head so we were eye to eye. I need to talk to him. And we both know he’s not in a meeting. That would actually make him productive.

She swallowed, making a sound like she was gasping for air. Fudge. Okay, but—

Thanks. You’re a lifesaver. I sidestepped her and marched into the office. Behind me, Patty said something about knocking first. Please. It wasn’t as if the asshole couldn’t see us out here.

Mayor Jonathan Cavalier looked up from his box of donuts and slumped back in his chair. What do you want? He blinked slowly as he smoothed the thinning hair on top of his head.

I gripped the back of the chair facing his desk. It was the chair or his neck. How did the townspeople not see him for the creep he was? There’s a woman in town. Apparently, she’s here for my hotel. Care to explain why the fuck that is?

He flinched and looked behind me to Patty. I followed his line of sight back to the reception area, where Patty stood by her desk, staring at us with wide eyes and her fingers on the phone keypad. I flashed her a smile to ease her nerves. Hopefully, there would be no need to call the sheriff this time. I was full of patience today.

What I do with my hotel is none of your business, he said.

Spoke too soon. I’d run out of small words for Jonathan Cavalier years ago. Two queens and an ace high say the hotel is mine.

He perked up at that. His beady eyes darted toward the door before they landed on me. I pursed my lips. Everyone in town knew our esteemed mayor liked to lose money at poker. It was how I was finally the grand owner of one of the oldest buildings in town, an architect’s dream come true.

Yes. Well, about that. I think it would be best if you discuss it with my lawyer. He used his chubby index finger to page Patty. When he sat back, his white shirt showed sweat spots around his armpits. What a disgrace he was to the Cavalier family. My dad had always said so, and I agreed.

Patty rushed into the room, pen and notepad in hand. Yes, sir.

Could you schedule an appointment for Henry and—

Don’t bother. I don’t need an appointment. I had no time for appointments. I hadn’t forgotten about just Nikki, who no doubt was in the process of settling in.

Henry. Don’t do anything— Patty’s words faded behind me as I rushed out the office and took the staircase to the main level, where the mayor’s lawyer and best friend kept his office.

The lawyer’s receptionist stood when she saw me coming down the hall. I put up my hand. The mayor sent me.

Oh, Henry. Please, she said, hand over her chest.

I knocked on the door and pointed at the too-wide smile on my face that said I was playing nice. She rolled her eyes at me but other than that didn’t try to stop me.

The mayor’s legal friend had the same reaction to my presence as the mayor, except he reached for the antacids instead of the donut holes. How can I help you, Henry?

What’s going on with my hotel? I crossed my arms over my chest.

He swallowed hard, shuffling through papers. Right. So you heard?

Heard what? I asked through gritted teeth. I couldn’t lose this hotel.

Well, you see, back in 1869 when the hotel was built, or rather, renovated, um… He dug through more papers. I stepped toward him, and he put up his hand. Here it is. There are two deeds. You see, the hotel was originally two houses. After the big fire and the renovation, they were combined into what we know today as the Cavalier Hotel. See? He pushed the copies of the two deeds and the hotel blueprints toward me. My great-grandfather’s signature at the bottom caught my eye. The architectural design was his.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Two deeds, two owners. Is that what you’re telling me?

He wiped his forehead and reached for another tablet. Yes, Henry. I realize this is unconventional, but back then paperwork had a way of falling through the cracks. Who knows? Maybe this is how the Cavaliers wanted it. It’s hard to say. Either way, Mr. Cavalier had every right to sell the property as two separate entities.

Except—I squeezed the back of the chair—"the property is just one hotel." Fuck.

I’m sorry, son. He offered me a weak smile while he smoothed out his cheap suit. I spoke with Ms. Swift this morning. She’s a very nice lady. I’m sure if you ask, she’d have no problem selling you her half of the property.

Yeah, a very nice lady, indeed. Except I didn’t have the money to buy her out. He knew, didn’t he? When he gambled the deed. You know what? Forget it. I’ll handle this. His bottle of antacids rattled again when I left his office. He was a dead end.

Back at the construction site, Russ caught up to me before I reached Main Street. Hey there, boss. Got things sorted out?

Almost.

Survey’s done. Just so you know. He winced.

Out with it. I halted and turned to face him.

His eyes went wide. We’re good out here. There’s a small fracture out on Main Street, though. Right next to your hotel.

Okay. Let’s go fix it. That’s why we’re here. Fixing sewage lines beneath the street was a hassle, but we already had the entire block turned upside down. One more hole wouldn’t break the bank.

Yeah. ’Bout that. He stepped back, rubbing the back of his head. The woman—

Right. Just get her out. I turned to leave but then stopped. What if this was the thing Ms. Swift needed to realize she didn’t belong here? "On second thought,