Heart's Paradise Read Online Free

a wilderness guide, and with her looks and killer body, I think Jonathon will be all over her within hours.”
    Shawna eyed a photo of Phoebe in a modest two-piece swimsuit and lifejacket as she paddled a canoe through rapids. Definitely physically fit. Shawna nearly drooled with the idea of how audiences would eat her up. And if things worked out, so would Jonathon.
    Mark took her cellphone, studying the photos closely. “It looks like she’s single, I’m not seeing a ring in any of these pics. And we’ll hope she’s into guys.” He played with the phone for another minute. “I can’t dig up much on the internet outside of a few released baby pics and her business website.”
    Shawna dug a notepad out of her lucky handbag and jotted down a bunch of notes. “Let’s get started on specifics. Title for the series, location, etcetera.”
    “I like an island myself, a paradise. Beautiful tropical sunsets always have a positive effect on the libido,” Mark said.
    Shawna put it down on her list. “But we can’t make it easy. How about we dump the two on different parts of the island, and leave them a map instructing them to the first day camp location. Only then will they know of the other person. It’ll be a huge surprise for them both.”
    “Wonderful.” Her partner rubbed his hands together, and his face lit up in a wicked way. “And we’ll stick them on the island in only their underwear.”
    Shawna laughed. “Oh, you’re an evil man, Mark. This just gets better and better.”
    * * * *
    “Cheer up, friend,” Jonathon Breck said. “Down a couple more of those then go shake a leg on the dance floor.”
    His longtime buddy, Nicholas DeLuca, sat nearby, staring at his beer with a dark look on his face. Beyond them laughter filled the artfully decorated outdoor space. A wedding had taken place, a political match which had, as usual, drawn his father in. And when his father wanted to collect new friends of influence he always insisted Jonathon go. Being the dutiful son, he had made his perfunctory appearance—with Madison and Chrissy as his dates. Identical twins who happened to be runway models.
    His father had nearly choked on his champagne when the three of them had shown up, arm in arm. The friends he was hoping to make had given Jonathon looks mixed with astonishment and disgust. Except for one old man who’d given him a sly grin and salute.
    Nicholas remained mute, even when his sister, Natalie, rejoined him. Jonathon couldn’t blame the guy for being depressed. Though tight-lipped about his situation, the gossip hounds had spread the truth. He’d gotten strapped with a kid from some short-term fling. The woman had denied him visitation rights one day, then dumped the kid on his door the next and disappeared.
    Damn, I couldn’t do it. Jonathon shook his head. The last thing he wanted was to be tied down. Especially to a five-year-old boy with emotional issues. He gave his friend one final pat on the shoulder, nodded to Natalie, and took his two dates to the dance floor.
    High-end champagne flowed through intoxicated guests like water, while waiters offered nibbles of caviar and escargot on tiny, tasteless crackers. Why rich people always insisted on eating salty fish eggs and snails was beyond Jonathon. He preferred a good American cheeseburger at a greasy spoon. Though, admittedly, when he had the craving he’d been known to fly to London just to have fish and chips at an out-of-the-way shop by the Thames. The owner’s daughter had a charming accent and an even more charming way of—
    “Jonny, let’s go somewhere else.” Chrissy giggled and leaned heavily on his arm. “I think I’m a bit drunk, and I can’t dance in these shoes.”
    “Of course you’re drunk,” Madison snapped, glaring at her flushed sister. “You ruin every event like this we go to.”
    “Ladies, ladies, let’s be civil now,” Jonathon interrupted, wrapping one arm around Chrissy’s waist to keep her upright and