Inevitable
Cover & Excerpt Reveal

When my dad asked me to intern for his best friend, I knew I should've said no. 

I had my own plans for the summer. 
Ones that didn't include revisiting my childhood crush. 

Sleeping with the boss? 
Probably not what my dad had in mind when he asked for my help. 

But from the moment I step foot in the office, I can think of little else. 
I still want Jonathan. 

Am I willing to gamble my relationship with my dad and my heart?

Excerpt

The door to my office swung open, and I smiled, expecting to see the same little girl I’d known since she was born. My best friend’s daughter. A shy girl with a sweet smile and pigtails. Later, a teen blossoming before my eyes. But in walked a woman with confidence and curves. A woman who made my mouth water and my eyes bulge.

Surely this wasn’t the same girl. I hadn’t seen her since she was nearly seventeen. But it couldn’t be…

“Sumner?” I asked.

My mouth went dry as I scanned her figure. Her black hair fell in waves that caressed the tops of her breasts. Full and perky, they made me want to peel off her shirt and bury my head in them. Her suit nipped in at her waist before flaring out over a pair of luscious hips. I continued my perusal until I met her eyes and realized she was scanning me too, likely cataloguing the changes to my appearance.

“It’s good to see you, Jonathan,” she said, stepping into me and wrapping her arms around me. Even though she’d been shy with others as a child, she’d always been very affectionate with me. We’d always had an easy familiarity, and I’d assumed we’d slip back into it.

But nothing about this felt easy or familiar. It was as if my entire world had tipped on its axis. Sumner wasn’t the girl I’d watched grow up; she was all woman. And holy fucking shit, she smelled amazing. The feel of her in my arms… There was no way to describe it other than to say it felt right, like coming home.

Like coming home? What the hell is wrong with you? I cleared my throat and put some space between us.

“Please, take a seat.” I gestured to the two empty chairs in front of my desk, while I rested my hip against the edge. “So…” I cleared my throat. “Your dad tells me you enjoyed your time at MIT.”

She smiled. “I did, though I was ready for a change. Ready to return to California. I missed the beach.”

I nodded, laughing to myself as I rubbed a hand over my chin. How many summers had we spent together on the beach? Her parents and her. My flavor of the month and me. And who would’ve guessed she’d grow up to be such a bombshell.

She’d always been pretty as a little girl—raven hair, jade eyes that appeared gray in certain lights, kindhearted. But the woman before me was fucking stunning. If she were anyone else—and we were anywhere else—I wouldn’t have hesitated to make a move. But she was my best friend’s daughter and my new intern.

Even so, a memory came to me unbidden. She tilted her head to the side, a smile playing at her lips. “Something amusing?”

“You know… I can remember days at the beach, you flinging off your swimsuit and wiggling your cute little butt around. Then you’d march down to the water’s edge buck naked.”

Her cheeks reddened, turning the most beautiful hue, and I wondered what she’d look like now—naked on the beach. Naked in my bed.

“I don’t remember that,” she said in a soft voice.

“It was years ago. Hell, I’m sure you barely remember me.”

“Barely remember you?” It was said softly, her head dipped as if to conceal her expression from me. “How could I ever forget someone like you?”

I arched a brow, intrigued by her response. I couldn’t help but feel gratified by her reaction.

She cleared her throat. “I mean, you always were part of the family.”

I groaned inwardly. Of course she remembers you…like she would a lovable uncle.

I stood, turning toward the window so I wouldn’t stare at her delicate neck or study the flutter of her eyelashes. This was Sumner Gray. She was my best friend’s daughter. I’d always promised to protect her, watch out for her, not lust after her.

I squeezed my eyes shut briefly. If Ian knew I was thinking about his baby girl this way… I cringed. He’d kill me—and rightfully so. Let alone the head of my HR department. Talk about a sexual harassment nightmare.

I turned back to her, forcing myself to focus as I sank down in the chair beside her. Get a fucking grip.

Sumner was here to learn, gain experience. Not be ogled by a man nearly twice her age. A man old enough to be her father.

“So, brain and cognitive sciences for undergrad. MBA in the fall. How does this summer fit in with your plans? What are you hoping to learn during your time at the Wolfe Group?” Standard question. A safe question, putting us back on solid footing.

Her legs were crossed at the ankles, both her demeanor and dress poised and professional. If only I could keep my thoughts on a more professional plane. But every time I looked at her, I found something new and intriguing to study. It was like rereading a favorite book and discovering even more things to love. More hidden gems and favorite passages to underline.

“I hope to gain from your insight and expertise so I can one day leverage my business degree to create a business of my own.”

I leaned back, crossing my arms over my chest. As far as elevator pitches went, it wasn’t half bad. But it lacked heat, passion. I sensed she was capable of so much more. That she wanted so much more. Or maybe I was projecting my own yearning onto her.

“Let’s try that again.”

She furrowed her brows, and it was fucking adorable. “Was there something wrong with what I said?”

“It was…” I debated my word choice briefly. “A bit too rehearsed. Too stiff. Where’s your passion? Whether you want to work in this field or be an entrepreneur—if you’re serious about being successful, you’re going to need to have some fire.”

She flattened her lips, and I wondered if I’d pushed too far. Still, I kept going, sensing I was getting somewhere. I wanted to see that spark. The passion.

“Come on.” I uncrossed my arms, leaning in. “Why are you really here?”

“To learn from the best.” It was a shit answer, intended to appease my vanity without offering anything of substance. And judging from the expression on her face, she knew it.

“I agreed to do this as a favor to your father, but I’m not willing to waste both our time. If you can’t give me some insight into your motivations, then—” I lifted my hand “—there’s the door.”

I held my employees to high standards—some might have said impossible ones. But it was part of the reason I’d been so successful. I hired the best and expected the best from them. And I paid them handsomely.

With Sumner, I felt the need to hold her to an even higher level. She’d been smart and well-spoken; she still was. I’d always seen the potential in her, and I wanted her to achieve her wildest dreams.

“I don’t need you to do me a favor.” Her voice was strong, resolute. “I graduated top of my class. I was on the dean’s list every semester. I—”

“Yes. You’re brilliant and have the credentials to prove it. But there are others who are just as smart. Just as capable. What sets you apart? What makes you special?”

I knew, or at least sensed I did. But I wanted her to know it. To say it. To fucking own it.

Her head dropped, shoulders sagging. “Because…” Her lips parted, and then she shook her head and grabbed her purse. “You know what? Never mind. I didn’t even want this job, and I never should’ve agreed to it.”

I grabbed her elbow before she reached the door, my grip gentle yet firm. She could leave any time, but I got the feeling she didn’t want to. She stared at my hand on her skin before slowly lifting her head to meet my eyes. Her breathing was labored, the tension growing thick between us. I didn’t have any right to pry, to push her like I was, but I couldn’t seem to help myself when it came to this woman.

“What are you talking about, agreed to this job? Your dad asked me to bring you on as a favor.”

She laughed, though it lacked mirth. “That’s funny. He told me the same thing.”

I jerked my head back. This didn’t make any sense. “Sumner, why did you take this job if you don’t want to be here?”

She straightened. “It’s not that I don’t want to be here.” She blew out a breath, still not meeting my eyes. “It’s just—I…” she stammered.

“What is it?” This close, her eyes were almost gray, the light hitting them in such a way that they became a pale green like jade. She blinked rapidly, and I could remember her doing that as a child. A million memories came flooding back in that instant, and I knew she was lying. It was her tell. “You can trust me. You know that. I’ve always said you can tell me anything.”

“I know.” She smiled, and I suspected she’d joined me for her own stroll down memory lane.

But then she shook her head, raven-colored waves curtaining her face from view. “I-I shouldn’t have said anything. Please just drop it.”

Drop it? Was she kidding? I was alarmed by her tone and her words, so I guided her over to the chair, taking a seat next to her. “You’re lying to me. I want to know why.”

She twisted her hands in her lap. Blew out a breath. “My dad and Lea are worried about you.”

A muscle twitched in my jaw even as I attempted to maintain a calm façade. “And what were you going to do? Come to work, keep an eye on me, then report back to them?”

She scowled. “No. I guess I—” She glanced toward the windows briefly then back at me. “It’s not like I didn’t have other plans this summer, but maybe I wanted to know you were okay. Maybe I missed you.”

I scoffed, but then the way she leaned forward, her expression so earnest, made me realize she was serious.

We’d always had a connection, and though it had been years since I’d seen her, it burned just as strong, even if it was different now. I still wanted to protect her, sure. Wanted to make her laugh. But now there was another layer—attraction, burning hot and bright like a poker. 

This was going to be a long summer. But not for the reasons I’d expected.

About the Author

Jenna Hartley writes romance about strong women and the men who dare to love them. Her stories feature sexy, sweet, and laughable moments that reflect real love. 

When she's not reading or writing, Jenna is chasing after her daughter or enjoying another episode of the Great British Bake Off with her husband. She lives in Texas with her family and loves nothing more than a good book and good chocolate.

Other Books in the Love in LA Series

• Perspective: an age gap, art professor/student romance that’s about being brave and taking risks—in art and in life.

• Unexpected: a fresh take on the nanny/single parent story that will have you swooning.

• Irresistible is a reverse age gap romance. Can they follow the rules, or will they break each other’s hearts?

• Unpredictable is an age gap romance featuring a wedding planner and the father of the bride! It’s a story of love after loss, second chances, and hope.

• Unwritten is an opposites-attract romance between a former navy SEAL and a bookworm. It’s a crossover between my Love in LA Series and Corinne Michaels’ best-selling Salvation Series.

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