CHANGING THE PAST, a contemporary romance novel by USA Today Bestselling Author Shawna Delacorte, from The Wild Rose Press www/wildrosepress.com

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Successful freelance photojournalist Meg Wainwright is offered the assignment of her dreams—photographing and writing a new line of travel books for a publisher in the UK. But when she arrives, she learns she'll be working for the man who walked out on her ten years ago without an explanation and left her heartbroken.

Blaine Reeves regrets leaving the only woman he ever loved. Luring her to London without revealing his involvement might not be his best plan. He can only hope it's not too late to change the past.

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Meg sat across the desk from Dennis as they engaged in casual conversation. He suddenly diverted his gaze toward his office door behind her. "Ah, here comes our intrepid publisher now."

She turned in her chair, anxious to meet the man responsible for the success of this young but very dynamic company.

Meg's heart skipped a beat and her breath froze in her lungs as Blaine Reeves strode confidently into the office. It had been ten years. An uncontrollable surge of a too long pent-up desire raced through her body. A barely audible gasp escaped her throat. A feeling of joy danced inside her ever so briefly before being quickly replaced by ten years of pain, anger, and emotional turmoil. She narrowed her eyes on him.

Blaine halted in mid stride, struck breathless by the sight of her. It had been ten years. The beautiful twenty-two-year-old he once knew had blossomed into a stunning, sophisticated woman. He had difficulty comprehending how she could be even more beautiful than the memory he had carried for all these years.

It took all his control to keep from reaching out to touch her, pulling her into his arms, and smothering her with kisses. It took all his willpower to maintain his ground as the scent of her perfume wafted across his nostrils, causing them to flare slightly while evoking memories more profound than any others in his life. It had been a time of blissful contentment and a happiness he thought would never end.

Then he had totally destroyed the best thing that had ever happened to him. Every day since then had been just one more day to endure. And now he had a chance to recapture what he should never have walked away from. Something momentarily flickered in her eyes, but it became lost to her anger before he could read it.

"Meg, luv," Dennis' voice intruded into the moment. "I'd like to introduce our publisher, Blaine--"

"I already know Mr. Reeves." Her sharp tone cut through the air like a knife. The muscles in her face tightened as her body stiffened.

Her voice contained a hard, cold edge as she hurled angry words at Blaine. "Is this your idea of a joke? Because if it is, it's definitely a sick one."

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A sudden thought brightened Blaine's dismal mood. He sat up straight. The answer to his immediate problem with Meg? His sister. He would buy Crista a plane ticket and have her come for a visit. He checked his watch to determine the time in New York, then reached for the phone and dialed her number.

"Crista, it's Blaine. What would you say to dropping everything and coming to London for a month? I can use your help with something."

"What's the matter?

"It's Meg."

"Meg?" Crista's genuine shock raced along the phone connection.

"Yes. She's here. I hired her to photograph and write a new travel book, and, uh, well..." The proper words to explain his plight refused to materialize, words he hoped wouldn't make it sound as manipulative as the reality of the situation.

"Let me guess. You thought you'd get her to London—she probably didn't even know it was your company--and the moment she saw you she would magically fall into your arms and forgive you for everything that happened. Things would be just the way they were ten years ago before you screwed it up big time. Am I close?"

A combination of irritation and embarrassment forced the words out of his mouth. "Dammit, Crista. It's bad enough that you can usually read me like a book. At least let me tell it my own way." A sigh of resignation escaped his throat. "You are, of course, right."

"So, what's your problem?"

"Well, first of all she hasn't been in a forgiving mood. Second, there's Dennis Mallory."

"What's Dennis have to do with this?"

"You know Dennis. He tries to get every woman who crosses his path into his bed. He has taken Meg out to dinner a couple of times, and they're going out again tonight. He has his sights set on her."

"And just what do you think I can do about that?"

"I want you to keep an eye on Meg. See that Dennis doesn't take advantage of her. Right now, she's in a very vulnerable state, and I, uh, might even have to accept a little bit of responsibility for that." He cleared his throat. "Just a little while ago I asked her to cancel her date with Dennis for tonight."

"And?"

"Let's just say she didn't take kindly to my suggestion." Blaine took a steadying breath in an attempt to calm his rising panic. "That's why I need you here, Crista. Help me make sure Dennis doesn't seduce her, that she'll be safe. Will you come? Right away? Like tonight?"

"This whole thing, tricking Meg into being there…" Crista's tone conveyed her thoughts as clearly as her words. "This is, without a doubt, the dumbest thing you have ever done with the single exception of when you walked out on her originally."

Her voice teased. "That ticket will be first class, won't it?"

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Nagging thoughts about the exact nature of the relationship between Meg and Blaine continued to push at the back of Dennis' mind as he prepared for his date with Meg.

He had to admit that of late he had been doing a bit, albeit a very small bit, of soul searching concerning his lifestyle. Lord knew he'd slept with enough women, all of them beautiful and some of them even able to carry on a simple conversation that required more knowledge than glancing at headlines on social media. But real friends? He didn't have anyone he could simply hang out with, to use one of those American expressions he had become so fond of lately. He didn't have any male friends where they were just the guys, and he certainly didn't have any platonic female friends. Well, except maybe one.

That one, surprisingly, was Blaine's sister. He had met Crista eight years ago on what turned out to be one of her many visits to see Blaine. At first, he tried to hit on her out of habit even though she was Blaine's sister, but she set him straight real quick. He appreciated her intelligence and wit, had always liked her honest, forth-right manner. No cute little games, no talking in circles, no coy gestures or mannerisms. Just straight forward statements.

Actually, he had to admit it was refreshing to spend an innocent evening with a woman. He would never do anything to compromise or hurt her. Or to damage their genuine friendship.

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"Dennis, come in. I'll just be a minute. Make yourself comfortable." Crista gestured toward the bar. "Feel free to fix yourself a drink. I'll be right back." She went into the bedroom, leaving him alone in the living room.

His gaze went immediately to the painting of Meg hanging above the fireplace. He stood staring at it for several minutes, mesmerized by the portrait.

"It's a beautiful painting, isn't it?"

He turned at the sound of Crista's voice. "It's…it's breathtaking. Where did it come from?"

"Blaine painted it."

"Blaine did this? I knew he was an artist, but I had no idea he was this talented."

"His artistic ability is how he supported himself here in London until he was able to get Pendragon off the ground, that and giving tennis lessons."

A soft chuckle escaped his throat. "I knew about the tennis. He's made me feel like a beginner on several occasions when he totally destroyed my confidence." He took another look at the portrait. "When did she pose for it?"

"She didn't. He painted it from memory shortly after Meg arrived in London. The emotions just leap off the canvas at you. Can you feel them? I can."

He continued to stare at the portrait a moment longer before managing to force out a response. "Yes, so can I. They're very powerful feelings. He loves her very much, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he does... very much."

"Has Meg seen the painting?"

"No, she doesn't even know it exists."

Dennis paused awkwardly, then asked what had been on his mind constantly since the initial confrontation between Blaine and Meg that first day in his office. "Crista..." He turned toward her. "What happened between them? Something from a long time ago? Something that hurt her very deeply?"

She gave him a long piercing look. "Why do you want to know?" Her eyes narrowed as she watched him. "This isn't some casual thing you can meddle in for your own personal gain or amusement. Anyway, this is between Blaine and Meg. It's something they will have to deal with, work out between them if they can. And if they can't..." She brightened and changed the subject. "Come on, I'm starving." She shot him a teasing grin. "At which incredibly expensive restaurant will we be dining?"

He laughed. "I'll have to check my finances to see if I can afford anything more than fish and chips." He offered her his arm. As they left the flat, he glanced back at the portrait. A flood of emotion washed over him. He sensed all of Blaine's deep feelings for Meg. And now Blaine's anger when he found the necktie made sense.

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"Blaine?"

He immediately noticed Meg's pensive expression. "What's wrong? You look like something is bothering you."

"It's probably nothing. I was just thinking... contemplating the future." She paused, her voice reflecting her uncertainty. "Blaine, what's the future for us? You orchestrated this entire situation. What did you intend to have happen? Where is this headed? Where do we go from here?"

He looked at her, searching her face for some clue to her mood, not sure how to respond. "I don't know. What would you like it to be? You once asked me what I wanted from you. Well, I don't have a clue what you want from me. What do you see for the future?" He ran his fingers through her mussed hair.

"I'll do whatever you want. I'll give you everything I can."

They looked at each other, neither one speaking.

Finally, he broke the silence. "Meg?"

"I don't know, Blaine." Her voice faltered as she hesitated, then she slowly shook her head as she took a step away from him. "I don't know. You've had me so confused, I don't know what to think or feel."

Silence surrounded them. The air had become tinged with a touch of sadness and doubt. Nothing had been resolved. The question about their future continued to hang uneasily in the air.