New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson

      “Brenda Jackson writes romance that sizzles and characters you fall in love with.”

      —New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lori Foster

      “Jackson’s trademark ability to weave multiple characters and side stories together makes shocking truths all the more exciting.”

       —Publishers Weekly

      “Jackson’s characters are wonderful, strong, colourful and hot enough to burn the pages.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Westmoreland’s Way

      “The kind of sizzling, heart-tugging story Brenda Jackson is famous for.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Spencer’s Forbidden Passion

      “This is entertainment at its best.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Star of His Heart

       The Proposal

       Brenda Jackson

       To Tempt a Sheikh

      Olivia Gates

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

       The Proposal

       Brenda Jackson

      Dear Reader,

      This is it! The twentieth book in THE WESTMORELANDS series and the fifth book about those Denver Westmorelands. For those two reasons alone I knew this book was special from the moment I began writing it.

      I always thought of Jason Westmoreland as the quiet storm. Of the three, Derringer, Zane and Jason, Jason was the one who didn’t have a lot to say and wouldn’t have a lot to say … until it was his time to take centre stage. Now, it is his time.

      Jason is a man who thinks he knows what he wants, but when he meets Bella Bostwick he isn’t so sure anymore. He thinks he would be happy to make Bella an offer, the ultimate proposal, one he thinks she can’t refuse. What he doesn’t count on is awakening to passion the likes of which he’s never had before. And it doesn’t take long for him to figure out that Bella is the one woman whose heart he needs to conquer.

      I present you with another Westmoreland man who has to come up with a plan to get the woman he wants. That one woman who will make his life complete. It’s going to be up to him to prove to Bella that together they can have a forever kind of love.

      Happy reading!

       Brenda Jackson

      About the Author

      BRENDA JACKSON is a die “heart” romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the “going steady” ring he gave her when she was fifteen. Because she’s always believed in the power of love, Brenda’s stories always have happy endings. In her real-life love story, Brenda and her husband of thirty-eight years live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.

      A New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy-five romance titles, Brenda is a recent retiree who now divides her time between family, writing and traveling with Gerald.

      You may write Brenda at PO Box 28267, Jacksonville, Florida 32226, USA, by e-mail at [email protected] or visit her website at www.brendajackson.net.

      Dedication

      To Gerald Jackson, Sr. My one and only.

      To all my readers who enjoy reading about the

       Westmorelands, this book is especially for you!

      To my Heavenly Father. How Great Thou Art.

      He hath made everything beautiful in his time.

      —Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV

      Prologue

      “Hello, ma’am, I’m Jason Westmoreland and I’d like to welcome you to Denver.”

      Even before she turned around, the deep, male voice had Bella Bostwick’s stomach clenching as the throaty sound vibrated across her skin. And then when she gazed up into his eyes she had to practically force oxygen into her lungs. He had to be the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.

      For a moment she couldn’t speak nor was she able to control her gaze from roaming over him and appreciating everything she saw. He was tall, way over six feet, with dark brown eyes, sculpted cheekbones and a chiseled jaw. And then there was his skin, a deep, rich chocolate-brown that had her remembering her craving for that particular treat and how delicious it was. But nothing could be more appealing than his lips and the way they were shaped. Sensuous. Sumptuous. A perfect pair for the sexy smile curving them.

      He said he was a Westmoreland and because this charity ball was given on behalf of the Westmoreland Foundation, she could only assume he was one of those Westmorelands.

      She took the hand he’d extended and wished she hadn’t when a heated sizzle rode up her spine the moment she touched it. She tried forcing the sensation away. “And I’m Elizabeth Bostwick, but I prefer just Bella.”

      The smile curving his lips widened a fraction, enough to send warm blood rushing through her veins. “Hi, Bella.”

      The way he’d pronounce her name was ultrasexy. She thought his smile was intoxicating and definitely contagious, which was the reason she could so easily return it. “Hi, Jason.”

      “First, I’d like to offer my condolences on the loss of your grandfather.”

      “Thank you.”

      “And then I’m hoping the two of us could talk about the ranch you inherited. If you decide to sell it, I’d like to put in my bid for both the ranch and Hercules.”

      Bella drew in a deep breath. Her grandfather Herman Bostwick had died last month and left his land and prized stallion to her. She had seen the horse when she’d come to town for the reading of the will and would admit he was beautiful. She had returned to Denver from Savannah only yesterday to handle more legal matters regarding her grandfather’s estate. “I haven’t decided what I plan on doing regarding the ranch or the livestock, but if I do decide to sell I will keep your interest in mind. But I need to make you aware that according to my uncle Kenneth there are others who’ve expressed the same interest.” “Yes, I’m sure there are.”

      He had barely finished his sentence when her uncle suddenly appeared at her side and spoke up. “Westmoreland.”

      “Mr. Bostwick.”

      Bella immediately picked up strong negative undercurrents radiating between the two men and the extent of it became rather obvious when her uncle said in a curt tone, “It’s time to leave, Bella.”

      She blinked. “Leave? But we just got here, Uncle Kenneth.”

      Her uncle smiled down at her as he tucked her arm underneath his. “Yes, dear, but you just arrived in town yesterday and have been quite busy since you’ve gotten here taking care of business matters.”

      She arched a brow as she stared at the grand-uncle she only discovered she had a few weeks ago. He hadn’t been concerned with how exhausted she was when he’d insisted she accompany him here tonight, saying it was her place to attend this gala in her grandfather’s stead.

      “Good night, Westmoreland. I’m taking my niece home.”

      She