Love's Reward Series by Robyn Donald

She'd been taught never to trust anyone Wealthy socialite Cathy Durrant had grown up in a family where the ability to dominate was regarded as an art. Eventually her acquired ruthlessness had led to a failed marriage and wreaked havoc with innocent lives. But after five remorse-filled years, Cathy had changed. Try telling that to New Zealand playwright Jake Ferrers, though... moreShe'd been taught never to trust anyone Wealthy socialite Cathy Durrant had grown up in a family where the ability to dominate was regarded as an art. Eventually her acquired ruthlessness had led to a failed marriage and wreaked havoc with innocent lives. But after five remorse-filled years, Cathy had changed. Try telling that to New Zealand playwright Jake Ferrers, though. He was sure she was still a predatory siren--and bent on destroying his sister's marriage to a childhood friend of Cathy's. Faced with Jake's suspicions, Cathy was distressed by the sizzling currents flowing between them. She knew that she and Jake were scarred souls for whom trust would come slowly-- if ever . less

He was wrong in his assessment of her Completely wrong. But as far as Leon venetos was concerned, there was no smoke without fire. The scandalmongers had branded Alexa as the mistress of wealthy financier Sam Darcy and that was enough for Leon. "Women like you are easily bought for the price of a few jewels," he told her contemptuously. That was why Alexa fought so hard against the attraction that drew her inexorably toward him. A man who could never offer her what she really wanted....

"You're running scared, Laurel." And according to Alick Forsythe, she didn't even know what she was really running from. Wrong. Laurel knew all too well. Alick was exciting but dangerous, and that kind of potent attraction in a man had led to her disastrous marriage--an experience she never wanted to repeat. Alick, however, made it quite clear that he didn't intend to take no for an answer... more"You're running scared, Laurel." And according to Alick Forsythe, she didn't even know what she was really running from. Wrong. Laurel knew all too well. Alick was exciting but dangerous, and that kind of potent attraction in a man had led to her disastrous marriage--an experience she never wanted to repeat. Alick, however, made it quite clear that he didn't intend to take no for an answer. Laurel thought about trying to get away--but, for some reason, she knew that submitting to the inevitable would be so much easier.... less