Red Rose

Designing Love By Yvonne Nicolas

2  

Dedication To my mother, for the gift of writing and to my loving husband, for his support.

3  

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the DXWKRU¶VLPDJLQDWLRQ or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Designing Love by Yvonne Nicolas Red RRVHŒ3XEOLVKLQJ 3XEOLVKLQJZLWKDWRXFKRI&ODVVŒ 7KHV\PERORIWKH5HG5RVHDQG5HG5RVHLVDWUDGHPDUNRI5HG5RVHŒ3XEOLVKLQJ 5HG5RVHŒ3XEOLVKLQJ Copyright© 2009 Yvonne Nicolas ISBN: 978-1-60435-628-1 Cover Artist: TD McKinney Editor: Carrie Ro Line Editor: Jami Hodo All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Due to copyright laws you cannot trade, sell or give any ebooks away. This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. 5HG5RVHŒ3XEOLVKLQJ www.redrosepublishing.com Forestport, NY 13338 7KDQN\RXIRUSXUFKDVLQJDERRNIURP5HG5RVHŒ3ublishing where publishing comes with a touch of Class!

4  

Designing Love By Yvonne Nicolas

5  

Chapter One Something Blue

´,QRZSURQRXQFH\RXPDQDQGZLIH
6  

her delighted bridesmaids surrounded her. Squeals and cheers of glee erupted from them. Devon winced. Damn bridesmaids. He could think of a thousand other SODFHVKH·GUDWKHUEHWKDQVWDQGLQJWKHUHZDWFKLQJWKHZRPDQKHORYHGEHDPLQJ with happiness at being married to another man. But he had to be there. He was, after all, the best man. ´$Z PDQ ,·P WKH OXFNLHVW VRQ-‐of-‐ELWFK LQ WKH ZRUOGµ 5RODQG \DQNHG KLP into a back-‐slapping hug. Returning the manly embrace, Devon recalled him shouting those same words while cuddled up with three sex-‐GUDLQHG VWULSSHUV ODVW QLJKW ,W ZDVQ·W D surprise to him aW DOO 'HYRQ NQHZ KLV IULHQG RI HLJKWHHQ \HDUV ZRXOG·YH WDNHQ D taste of the women as soon as they sashayed into the hotel room. Two blondes and one brunette, all prepared to give Roland, the super model, a happy send-‐off into the bonds of matrimony, all thanks to Kevin, his fraternity brother who set up the whole shindig. ´'HY,ZDQWWRWKDQN\RXIRUFRPLQJRXWWREHP\EHVWPDQ,FRXOGQ·WKDYH GRQHLWZLWKRXW\RXµKHSUDLVHGKRQHVWHPRWLRQVEHKLQGKLVJOD]HGJUH\H\HV Yeah, thank me for pulling your ass out of bed with three strange women and getting you into the shower to wash the scent of pussy off you, so you could make it to your wedding on time. 7KDQNPHIRUPL[LQJXSWKHFRQFRFWLRQWRVREHU\RXUDVVXSVR\RXZRXOGQ·WSDVVRXWDWWKHDOWDU

7  

while marring my ex-‐girlfriend, whom I happen to still love. Yeah, dude, you owe me a big ass thank you. +H JODQFHG RYHU 5RODQG·V VKRXOGHU 6WDF\ $QQ ZDV ZDWFKLQJ WKHP ZLWK anxiety in her deep blue-‐green eyes and her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. ProbaEO\ZRUULHGKH·GPDNHDVFHQH+HOOKHFRXOGQ·WHYHQSXWLWSDVWKLPVHOI7KH thought of getting pissy ass drunk and confessing his undying love for her in front RI WKH ZHGGLQJ SDUW\ KDG DFWXDOO\ FURVVHG KLV PLQG EXW KH ZDVQ·W SDUWLDO WR humiliation, so the thought was quickly dismissed. ´+H\PDQWKHWZREORQGHVZDQWHG\RXbadµ5RODQGZKLVSHUHG´7KH\ZHUH GLVDSSRLQWHG\RXGLGQ·WMRLQLQµ ´1H[WWLPHEXGG\«µ'HYRQGUHZEDFNDQGJULSSHGKLVIULHQG·VVKRXOGHUWR PRYH KLP LQ SRVLWLRQ WR WDNH KLV QHZ ZLIH·V DUP ´1H[W WLPHµ KH ILQLVKHG RQ D mumble beneath his breath. 6XUHKHFRXOG·YHWROGKHUVKHZDVPDNLQJWKHELJJHVWPLVWDNHLQKLVWRU\E\ PDUU\LQJ5RODQG+DQNVEXWKHNQHZKLVZRUGVZRXOGEHLQHIIHFWXDO6KH·GHLWKHU hate him for revealing the truth or accuse him of being jealous and resentful. Either ZD\KH·GORVH Devon held his arm out to Kimberly, the maid of honor, so they could take their positions to follow the groom and bride.

8  

%HDPLQJXSDWKLPVKHWRRNKLVDUPDQGZKLVSHUHG´'HYRQ\RXVKRXOd be the one standing next to her as the groom. Yeah, he may be a big time celebrity and DOOEXWKHFDQ·WFRPSDUHWR\RX
9  

dissension between them. The first month with her had been magical. He spent every waking hour doing for her, pleasing her, cherishing her. Then the beautiful minx somehow talked him into taking her in, sharing his home with her. Like a dummy, he complied. )RUWZR\HDUVWKH\·GDUJXHGRYHUKLVGHGLFDWLRQWRKLVZRUN7ZHQW\-‐four PRQWKVVKHGHPDQGHG WLPH KH ZDVQ·W UHDG\ WR JLYH$QG LWWRRNKLP D KXQGUHG and four weeks to realize he and this woman were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Nevertheless, he loved her. He still loved her. Even after their final fight, which cost him the love of his life, Devon passed out false forgiveness. He forgave Roland, of course after he dropped to his knees and begged for it. He forgave Stacy, even after she came to him, a month ago with news of her engagement to his best friend. Forgiveness. That same day, she mounted Devon, and cooed words filled with erotic promises, and loved him hard and long, for closure. But she left him with an open gaping wound in his heart. As they gradually moved along the terrace, Devon felt the eyes studying him intensely. It was almost as if he was getting more attention than the married

10  

couple in front of him. Scanning the area, he saw the eager women ogling him. He almost laughed. Yes, he was the single friend who every woman with an itch wanted a piece of. Even an elderly woman, who stood aside, batted her eyes at him. He could do nothing but flash a tight-‐lipped smile at her. Now that was just wrong. She was VRPHRQH·VJUDQGPRWKHU Finally, they made it to the reception hall where they took their assigned VHDWV DW WKH QHZO\ PDUULHG FRXSOH·V WDEOH 7KH ZHGGLQJ FRRUGLQDWRU UXVKHG XS behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. ´3OHDVHWHOOPH\RXKDYHDVSHHFKUHDG\µ ´'RQ·W QHHG RQHµ Ke murmured, watching the guest file into the sizeable room. ´
 

11  

(YHU\RQH·V DWWHQWLRQ VKLIWHG WR KLP ZKHQ KH WDSSHG WKH FKDPSDJQH JODVV with his fork. Glancing at Stacy Ann and Roland, he slowly stood. ´)RUWKRVHRI\RXZKRGRQ·WNQRZ«µ He heard Stacy taking in small sips of air. This was the time in the ceremony where he was supposed to screw things up. ´5RODQG DQG , KDYH EHHQ IULHQGV IRU HLJKWHHQ \HDUVµ %XW KH ZRXOGQ·W GDUH screw up their perfect wedding day, even if he hated himself at the moment. Devon plastered on a phony smile as he went on to spill out false words about the strength of his everlasting brotherhood with the groom to the crowd of RQORRNHUVZKRSUREDEO\GLGQ·WJLYHDGDPQ/LJKWHQLQJWKHPRRGRIWKH evening, he told jokes, which were funnier to the women than men. Naturally so, since they were all trying to get his attention. Finally, he ended his Oscar-‐winning performance by lifting his champagne glass. ´7RWKHFRROHVWJX\,NQRZ³P\EURWKHUµ+HWXUned his gaze to Stacy Ann, who looked up at him with tear-‐ILOOHGH\HV´)RUILQDOO\ILQGLQJWKHORYHRIKLVOLIH 0D\\RXWZRFKHULVKRQHDQRWKHUXQWLOWKHHQGRIWLPHµ End of performance. Everyone applauded. Roland shot to his feet and pulled him into a bear hug. 2YHU5RODQG·VVKRXOGHUKHVWDUHGDWWKHZRPDQZKRVWLOORZQHGKLVKHDUW

12  

´7KDQN\RXµVKHPRXWKHGJLYLQJKLPDVPLOHWKDWQHDUO\VHQWKLPRYHUWKH edge. Kim stood to give her I think Stacy Ann is so awesome speech, but Devon was too flustered to stay and listen. Retaining his happy façade, he moved from the table, navigated the outskirts of the hall to make his way to the back of the building, and then slipped into the bathroom. .LP·V FKHHUIXO YRLFH IROORZHG KLP LQWR WKH KDQGLFDS VWDOO +LV KHDUW raced and stomach hurled. Sickened, he leaned over the commode and brought up the IRRGKH·GHDWHQHDUOLHU At that moment, he was utterly disgusted with himself. How could he have let this happen? How could he have let Roland talk him into coming to the wedding, and being the best man at that? What the fuck! +HVKRXOG·YHFDVWWKHPERWKRXWRIKLVOLIHWKHPRPHQWKHIRXQGRXWDERXW WKHLU ORYH DIIDLU +H VKRXOG·YH EXUQHG HYHU\WKLQJ 6WDF\ $QQ KDG OHIWLQ KLVKRXVH LQVWHDGRISUHWHQGLQJVKH·GQHYHUOHIW:KDWWKHIXFNZDVKLVSUREOHP"+H·GQHYHU let anyone run circles around him. So why was he doing it now? He pushed out a hard breath and shook his head. Idiot! Spitting out the last bit of his pride, he moved over to the sink. He triggered the sensor beneath the faucet, filled his cupped hands with water, tossed it in his

13  

mouth, gargled, and then spat it out. Sighing, he filled his hands again and doused his face. Reluctantly, he stared at his reflection in the mirror, wishing for the power to transport elsewhere. Another round of applause blared through the ceiling speakers as Kim concluded her speech. With sadness clouding his blue eyes, he watched the droplets of water drip from his face. He dreaded having to go back out into the pit of shame. If only he could just linger indefinitely in the bathroom. ´
14  

´1R\RX·UHLQWKHULJKWSODFHµ+HUH\HVURDPHGGHVLUDEO\RYHUKLP Something recklessly dangerous and erotic sparked within her gaze. He nearly snatched her from where she stood to pin her to the wall. That would be ULFK IXFNLQJ VRPH UDQGRP FKLFN LQ WKH EDWKURRP GXULQJ KLV IULHQG·V ZHGGLQJ celebration. %XWLWZRXOGQ·WKDSSHQ1RWWRGD\+HZDVWRRGDPQGLVWUDXJKWWRDFWRQ such an exotic fantasy. Offering her a sheepish grin, he moved past her to exit the stall, grazing his fingertips across her belly in the process. She quivered against his soft touch. +HOHDQHGLQXQWLOKLVOLSVZHUHDOPRVWWRXFKLQJKHUHDU´)RUWKHUHFRUG, usually like to pursue my lRYHUVQRWWKHRWKHUZD\DURXQGµ The air from her shaky sigh tickled the side of his face. He inhaled the scent of her sweet perfume, and stepped away, leaving her speechless. Suddenly eager to get out of restroom with the promiscuous nymph, he headed toward the exit. +H·GVHHQZRPHQGRVRPHSUHWW\LQWHUHVWLQJWKLQJVWRJHWKLVDWWHQWLRQEXW following him into the restroom was a little extreme. Holding the door open for her, he watched her saunter across the tile like she was on a cat-‐ZDON´
15  

At her bold words, his cock stirred to life as she brushed past him. He smiled, raked his hands through his hair, and watched her behind sway provocatively. Although her approach was a bit off putting, her raw sensuality gradually drew him out of his doleful mood. He looked out onto the dance floor to see the celebration was well on its way. Baby got back from Sir Mix A Lot blared from the speakers while several people, without back, gyrated and jerked on the platform in the center of the room. Chuckling beneath his breath, he shifted his eyes back to the redhead to catch her watching him. $PXVHG KH PRYHG WR KHU VLGH ´, FDQ·W ILJXUH RXW IRU WKH OLIH RI PH ZK\ people with no ass feel the neeGWRGDQFHWRWKLVVRQJµ :LWKODXJKWHUGDQFLQJLQKHUH\HVVKHVQLFNHUHG´0\VHQWLPHQWVH[DFWO\ WKDW·VZK\,·PQRWRXWRQWKHGDQFHIORRUµ6KHORRNHGRXWWRWKHFURZGDQGVLGOHG FORVHUWRKLP´6RZKDW·VLWJRLQJWREHKDQGVRPH"$UH\RXJRLQJWRWDNH me back WR \RXU SODFH RU DUH \RX JRLQJ WR FRQWLQXH WR DFW OLNH \RX GRQ·W ZDQW D SLHFH RI PH"µ A half smile curved his lips. Should I? Devon looked across the packed hall at the head table. Stacy Ann watched him intently. To her right, Roland slapped high fives and joked with his

16  

groomsmen. The champagne was already taking affect on his wild friend. After a swift perusal of the scene, he locked eyes with Stacy Ann. ´'RQ·W OHW WKH ORRNV IRRO \RX GDUOLQJµ KH VDLG WR WKH UHGKHDG ZLWKRXW wavering from Stacy AQQ·VJD]H´,·PGDPDJHGJRRGVµ ´$UHQ·WZHDOO"-XVWLQFDVH\RXKDYHQ·WILJXUHGLWRXW\HW,ZDQW\RXUERG\ QRW\RXUKHDUWµ Smiling more to himself than at the gorgeous bride staring at him from across the room, he slid his gaze to the eager beauty to KLVVLGH:K\VKRXOGQ·WKH have a piece of her? Hell, it was a lot better than sitting around lapping at his wounded heart. From his peripheral, he saw Stacy Ann stand and leave the table. ´:KDW·V\RXUQDPH"µ+HJHQWO\FXSSHGKHUHOERZ ´&DUPHQµVKHEUHDWhed out as if his touch had her at a loss for breath. +HXVKHUHGKHUWRZDUGWKHH[LW´1LFHWRPHHW\RX&DUPHQµ ´'HYRQµ He turned his head toward the strident call of his name. There stood Stacy in her lovely wedding gown, her hands planted on her hips. ´$UH \RX WU\LQJ WR VQHDNRXW'HYRQ"µVKHDVNHGGDUWLQJKHUH\HVDW&DUPHQ ´1R,ZDVQ·WVQHDNLQJDQ\ZKHUH,ZDVVLPSO\OHDYLQJµ ´
17  

´:DLW'HYRQ7KDW·VQRWULJKW
18  

Guests moved about on the dance floor, too focused on their own steps to SD\WKHPDQ\DWWHQWLRQZKLFKVXLWHGKLPEHFDXVHKHZDVQ·WLQWKHPRRGWREHLQ the spotlight. He glanced to his left to see Roland clumsily twirling Kim about while she tittered like a schoolgirl. The sight briefly brought a smile to his face. *LJJOLQJ 6WDF\ $QQ EHDPHG XS DW KLP ´
19  

´$JDLQ,VKRXOGFDUHDERXWWKLVEHFDXVH"µ6PRRWKO\KHGLSSHGKHUIRUWKH cameras. ´
20  

´/RRNWKLVLVDWHUULEOHSRVLWLRQIRUPHDQGLW·VMXVWJRLQJWRWDNHPHDZKLOH to get used to the idea of you being with someone else. Like I said, I still love you, EXWDWWKHVDPHWLPH,ORYH5RODQGWRRµ Devon turned to pull away from her, but she held on tight to his jacket. ´3DUWRIPHVWLOOEHORQJVWR\RX'HYRQ
21  

wanted to have children. Now all of a sudden she wanted to create a family, with another man? 2IDOOWKHWKLQJVVKHFRXOG·YHGRQHWRULSKLVKHDUWRXWWKLVZDVDWWKHWRSRI WKHOLVWEXWEHOLHYHLWRUQRWKHFRXOGQ·WWXUQKHUGRZQ+H·GQHYHUWXUQGRZQDQ offer to do what he loved, even if it was offered by two people who seemed like they wanted to destroy him. ´([FXVHPHµKHFKRNHGRXWEDFNLQJDZD\IURPKHU After bowing politely, he turned and moved swiftly off the dance floor. He GDUWHG WR WKH EDFN RI WKH KDOO JUDEEHG &DUPHQ·V KDQG DQG SXVKHG WKURXJK WKH double doors without looking back. Fuck the promise! He needed someone to distract him from fucking hanging himself. +LVLQQHUYRLFHWROGKLPQRWWRGRLWEXWKH·GDOUHDG\VHWLQKLVPLQGWKDWKH ZRXOG+HZRXOGGHVLJQWKHLUGUHDPKRXVH+H·GGHVLJQRQHVR VSHFWDFXODUWKH\·G QHYHUZDQWWROHDYHLWRQFHEXLOW%XWWRGRVRKH·GQHHGVHYHUDOERWWOHVRIVFRWFK and many nights of mind-‐numbing sex with a beautiful stranger.

22  

Chapter Two From Love to War

Drifting in and out of sleep, Josephine felt the blanket being drawn from her body. The ceiling fan stirred the air lazily above the bed. Cool air wafted over her bare behind and legs like a breezy caress by loving fingers. The weight of her dreads was brushed from her back and replaced with warm kisses. &KXFNOLQJVKHGUDJJHGKHUH\HVRSHQ´0RUQLQJERRµVKHEUHDWKHGRXWRQD yawn. ´0RUQLQJEHDXWLIXOµ+HPRYHGRYHUKHUZDUPLQJKHUERG\ZLWKWKHOHQJWK of his. She wet her lips and wiggled her butt against his groin. He shifted slightly, and placed his knees between her legs to spread her thighs. The length of his shaft rested along the cleft of her ass, rousing her need for sensual release. She reached back and grazed her fingertips from the crown to the base of his throbbing member. Her seductive manner made sure the required latex sheath was in place. Satisfied with what ran beneath the pads of her fingers, she widened her thighs and pushed her ass up to him. He drew up on his knees, grabbed her butt

23  

cheeks and spread them. The breeze circulating the room lapped at her desire dampened flesh. The bed moved as he slid down her body to place kisses down the center of her back and over her backside. He teased the sensitive area between her cheeks until, his tongue found her tight passage. She arched her back as far it would curve to receive more of the enticing sensation of his hardened tongue rolling around her hole. Moaning softly, she slipped her hand between her thighs and caressed her moist clit. Delicious sounds of him enjoying his feast tangled with her gratified moans. Oh yes. His tongue pushed into the opening of her rear, causing her harsh breathing to catch and abruptly release in a sultry moan. Josephine rolled her hips back and forth; billows of pleasure drew her closer to climax. But, she needed WRIHHOKLPLQVLGHRIKHU´&RPHRQ7HUU\µ Terry moved over her and slipped his thumb into her tight anus. She gasped and bristled against him. Hello! ´5HOD[EDE\,·PQRWJRLQJWRKXUW\RX,NQRZ\RXDUHQ·WUHDG\\HWµ She took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and willed her rigid body to UHOD[/DWHO\KH·GEHHQVSHQGLQJDORWRIWLPHKRYHULQJRYHUKHUDVVSURELQJKHU DQGGLQLQJRQKHU6KHZDVQ·WFRPSODLQLQJDOWKRXJKDOLWWOHFXULRXVWRZKHUHWKLV sudden urge came from. Probably porn.

24  

This was obviously his way of prepping her for the big invasion, something KH·G EHHQ DQ[LRXV WR GR DQG LQ D ZLFNHG OLWWOH ZD\ VR ZDV VKH 7KDQNIXOO\ KH ZDVQ·WLQWRRPXFKRIDUXVKRUKHUWLJKWDVVKROHZRXOGEHLQWURXEOH ´2K\HDKWKLVDVVLVJRLQJWREHUHDG\IRUPHUHDOVRRQ2KEDE\,·PJRLQJWR WHDULWXSµ But not today. She pushed out a long relieved breath and tried not tense up when he delved in a little deeper. He slipped his forearm beneath her waist, lifted the lower half of her body, and propped her up on her knees. A plush pillow slid beneath her belly. Gradually, he moved his pulsating shaft between her folds and pushed his thumb deeper into her ass. Her insides fluttered, and her head swam. He retracted his thumb, stuck two fingers in his mouth to glaze them with his oral lube, and then thrust them inside of her puckered rosette. A pleasurable sigh seeped from her lips, as she arched her body further. He slowly stroked her slippery nub with the head of his cock, while probing her tight hole at the same pace. Her muscles became putty under the double assault of pleasure. ´
25  

Groaning, he gripped her hips and quickened his pace. With her body hanging on the edge of a sweet orgasm, she clutched the sheets, and held back to extend the erotic sensation. He pushed his fingers all the way in and she let go of her liquid lust. As her cry lit up the room, he drove deep inside of her pussy, hard and fast, triggering another orgasm. Choking on the scream caught in her throat, she pushed up on her arms and threw her head back. Her dreads whirled and whipped against her back. ´2K*RG
26  

Terry rammed harder into her as if the sound of the phone had shifted his gears into overdrive. She arched her back, taking the full force of his relentless pounding. His shaft pulsated erratically within the clasp of her sensitive tissues, bringing about the flow of her cream. Mewling like a feline in heat, she reached back, grabbed a hand full of his locks, and tugged on them. Husky yowls surged from his throat. He stabbed deeper into her and EUDQGHGKHUWKLJKVZLWKKLVWLJKWJULS´6ZHHW-HVXVµ+LVERG\TXDNHGDJDLQVWKHU and his engorged cock emptied its seed into the latex barrier. Winded, they fell onto their sides. The zephyr from the ceiling fan chilled the thin film of sweat on her skin. A shudder rippled down her spine in the aftermath of the numbing release. She giggled. ´:KDW"µKHPRDQHGJUD]LQJKLVILQJHUVRYHUKHUKLS 3OD\IXOO\VKHSRNHGKLPWKHFKHVWZLWKKHUHOERZ´
27  

The chime of her phone caused her to perk up. She reached out to answer it, EXW7HUU\JUDEEHGKHUZULVW´1Rµ ´, KDYH WR DQVZHU LWµ 6KH WULHG WR SXOO RXW RI KLV WLJKW JULS ´,W·V WKH RIILFH FDOOLQJSUREDEO\3HWHµ ´,W·V \RXU IXFNLQJ GD\ RII /HW LW JR WR YRLFH PDLOµ +H ZUDSSHG KLV DUP around her, pulled her back down, and spooned against her. 5HOXFWDQWO\VKHSXVKHGRXWRIKLVKROGDQGLQFKHGWRZDUGWKHSKRQH´
28  

,JQRULQJKHUFUD]\IULHQG·VEDQWHUVKHJDYH7HUU\DQDUURZHGH\HJODre and FRYHUHGWKHUHFHLYHURIWKHSKRQH´,QHYHUGLVUHVSHFW\RXUIULHQGV7HUU\'RQ·WEH UXGHWRPLQHµVKHZKLVSHUHGKDUVKO\ He pushed air sharply through his teeth and gave her his back to look at. ´:KDW·V XS 3HWH\"µ VKH PXUPXUHG EXUQLQJ D KROH WKUough the back of 7HUU\·VKHDGZLWKKHUJODUH 7KH VRXQGV RI 3HWH·V 'XFDWL PRQVWHU FUHZ UHYYLQJ WKHLU HQJLQHV ILOOHG KHU HDUV 6KH FRXOG DOPRVW SLFWXUH 3HWH·V WDOO IUDPH GHFNHG RXW LQ KLV OHDWKHU JHDU straddling his bike, aka dragon, a dew rag holding his long, curly hair down and the ball of his tongue ring poked out the side of his sexy smile. ´2ND\ JLUO ,·P VXSSRVHG WR ZDLW ¶WLO 0RQGD\ WR WHOO \RX WKLV EXW , FDQ·Wµ Pete blurted with excitement once the noise died down. ´:KDW KDSSHQHG" 7HOO PH 7HOO PHµ VKH VKRXWHG UHVSRQGLQJ WR KLV H[FLWHPHQWDQGLJQRULQJ7HUU\·VRYHUWKHVKRXOGHUVFRZO ´2K P\ *RG JLUO \RX·UH JRLQJ WR FUHDP DOO RYHU \RXUVHOI ZKHQ , WHOO \RX WKLVµ ´6WRSVWDOOLQJDQGWHOOPHGDPQLWµ Terry mumbled something under his breath, stalked into the bathroom, and slammed the door, hard.

29  

´2ND\ RND\ KHUH·V WKH QHZV IODVK ZDLW -‐ is the homophobic bitch still VWDULQJDW\RX"µ ´3HWH,VZHDUWR*RG,·PJRLQJWRKDQJXSWKLVSKRQHµ ´$OOULJKW-D\GDPQµ+HFOHDUHGKLVWKURDWDQGVLJKHGas if he was going to PDNH WKH ELJJHVW DQQRXQFHPHQW RI KLV OLIH ´2ND\ \RX UHPHPEHU 6WDF\ $QQ /DUVRQWKHFKLFN\RXZHQWWRKLJKVFKRROZLWK"µ ´
30  

´2K QR ERR $VKWRQ .XWFKHU LVQ·W FRPLQJ RXW RQ WKLV RQH 7KLV LV WKH UHDO GHDOµ Her heart began to thump furiouVO\´
31  

She grabbed the phone and took a deep breath before putting it to her ear. ´
32  

+HFKXFNOHG´2ND\ZKLOH\RX·UHWDNLQJLWLQVWDUWSDFNLQJDQGUHPHPEHU WREHVXUSULVHGZKHQWKH\WHOO\RXRQ0RQGD\,GRQ·WZDQWWRJHWP\DVVFKHZHG RXWIRUGURSSLQJWKHQHZVWRRVRRQµ Nodding, as if he could see her, she closed the phone and dropped it on the bed. In the midst of trying to catch her breath, she squealed excitedly, hopped off the bed, and headed to the bathroom. Quiet murmurs floated from behind the door before she turned the knob and pushed it open. Sitting on the closed toilet with a towel wrapped around his waist, Terry HQGHGKLVFDOODQGFORVHGKLVSKRQH+HJODQFHGDWKHUZLWKVRPHWKLQJVKHFRXOGQ·W quite place outlining his face. Apparently, he was still pissed at her for answering 3HWH·VSKRQe call. Too stirred by excitement to allow his attitude to bother her, she grabbed her robe from behind the door and slipped it over her naked body. ´:KDW·GWKHKRPRZDQW"µ $ VFRZO DOPRVW UHSODFHG KHU VPLOH EXW VKH ZDVQ·W DERXW WR OHW KLV LQVXOW toward PeWHSKDVHKHU´6WDF\$QQ/DUVRQMXVWFRQWUDFWHGPHWKURXJKWKHILUPWR do a huge MREIRUKHUµ5HVWLQJKHUEHKLQGDJDLQVWWKHFRXQWHUVKHVLJKHGDQGWKHQ JLJJOHG ´$QG JHW WKLV ,·OO EH ZRUNLQJ ZLWK D KHDY\ KLWWHU RQ WKLV RQH 'HYRQ 6SDUNVµVKHILQLVKHGwith an eager grin.

33  

Visually unmoved by her wonderful news, he stood and quietly walked out of the bathroom. After a moment of pondering if she should even try to get some sort of reaction from him, she lazily went after him. She folded her arms over her breast, leaned against the dresser and stared at his back as he stood focused out the window. A gorgeous mane of dreads hung down to the center of his back. With the towel resting low on his hips, he placed his hands on either side of the window and allowed the sun to highlight his beautiful umber skin. ´6R OHW PH JXHVV 7KLV KXJH MRE PHDQV DQRWKHU EXVLQHVV WULS IRU \RXµ KH grumbled. And here we go again. ´%DEHWKLVLV DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ RI D OLIHWLPH 3OHDVHIHHO KRZ GHHS WKLVLV IRU PHµVKHEHJJHGPRYLQJ FORVHUWRKLP´7KLVLVZKDW,·YHEHHQZRUNLQJVRKDUGIRU so I can be really QRWLFHGIRUP\VNLOOVµ ´$QGZKHUHGRHVWKDWOHDYHXVKXK"µKHVKRXWHGWXUQLQJIURPWKHZLQGRZ ´
34  

Josephine opened her mouth to fire back but clenched her teeth instead. Having this argument every time she had to go away for business was getting UHDOO\ROG´,·PQRW«µ6KHGURSSHGKHUKDQGVDQGVKRRNKHUKHDG´7HUU\FDQ,JHWD OLWWOHVXSSRUWIURP\RXKHUH",W·VDOO,DVN-XVWVRPHWKLQJWRVKRZPH\RX·UHRQP\ VLGHµ ´
35  

And get stuck at the office doing paperwork. Hell to the no! She loved traveling and doing live installs. It was what being a designer was all about. ´7HUU\µ VKH KXIIHG ORRNLQJ WR WKH FHLOLQJ LQ DJJUDYDWLRQ ´, MXVW GRQ·W JHW you. We go through this over and over again, yet you travel all the time and I never JLYH\RXVKLWDERXWLWµ ´7KDW·VEXOOVKLWµ ´%XOOVKLW"µ 6KH VWDUHG DW KLP ZLGH H\HG ´7KUHH PRQWKV DJR \RX ZHUH LQ Rome for six weeks with your artist friends. Thirty-‐five days of those six weeks, I FRXOGQ·W HYHQJHW DIXFNLQJ SKRQHFDOODQG ,GLGQ·W VD\ VKLWWR \RXZKHQ\RX JRW KRPHµ He sucked his teeth, snatched the towel off his hips, and tossed it on the bed DVVKHSHUVLVWHG´$PRQWKEHIRUHWKDW\RXZHUHLQ)UDQFHIRUtwo weeks. How many WLPHVGLG\RXFDOOPH7HUU\"µ Continuing to ignore her, he yanked a pair of boxers from the drawer and stepped into them. ´7ZR WLPHVµ6KH WKUXVW RXW WZR ILQJHUV ´$QG RQH RI WKRVH WLPHV \RXKDG the audacity to call me with some French bitch giggling in the back ground. I had the right WR JR RII RQ \RXU DVV EXW , GLGQ·W , GRQ·W IXVV DW \RX ZKHQ \RX WHOO PH \RX·UH JRLQJ DZD\ IRU ZHHNV DW D WLPH WR GR \RXU DUWLVW WKLQJ -‐ to sell your paintings. Speaking of which, half of my damn clients have your work up on their

36  

walls. I support you, back you up, and give you no shit for what you love to do, yet here you are giving me a hard time when you know ,ORYHP\FDUHHUµ ´
37  

+HPRYHGXSRQKHUVRTXLFNO\VKHZDVWHPSWHGWRVWHSEDFNEXWGLGQ·W She stood her ground. Even when his eyes darkened in anger and his jaw clenched IXULRXVO\VKHGLGQ·WIOLWFK Matching his glare, she planted her hands on her hips and cocked her head, FKDOOHQJLQJKLVLQWHQW´%DFN8S2II0Hµ He stepped back and looked her up and down like he was sizing her up for DQDWWDFN´,I,ILQGRXW\RX·UHIXFNLQJDURXQGRQPH³µ ´%URWKHU SOHDVHµ 6KH KHOG KHUKDQG XS LQ KLVIDFH ´$VPXFKDV\RX·YHSXW me through -‐ \RX·UHOXFN\,·PVWLOOKHUHµ He stood there glowering, clutching his fists. When he finally realized his DWWHPSW DW LQWLPLGDWLRQ ZDVQ·W JRLQJ WR ZRUN KH EOHZ DLU WKUHZ KLV QRVH OLNH D raging bull and pushed passed her. She watched dispassionately as he quickly threw on a pair of jeans and T-‐shirt, slipped on the pair of hundred dollar shoes, that she bought him, and then left without uttering another word. Josephine sucked her teeth in aggravation when she heard the door slam VKXW6KHNQHZWKLVPRYHYHU\ZHOO+H·GVWD\RXWDOOGD\GRLQJ*RGNQRZVZKDW and come back late tonight, fuck her like he hated her, then fall asleep, cradling her in his arms. It seemed like a never-‐ending battle. Was she a fool for trying to make it work?

38  

Chapter Three Beautiful Distraction

´+H\WKHUHVH[\\RX·UHRXWRIVKDPSRRµ Devon peered over the top of the monitor. Carmen stood in the stairway of his home office, with nothing but a thick, cotton towel covering her slender frame and her wet, fiery red hair draped over her tanned shoulders. The sun poured through the glass wall structure of his home, highlighting her splendor. His beautiful distraction. +H·G EHHQ OLWHUDOO\ IXFNLQJ WKH JLUO VHQVHOHVV HYHU VLQFH WKH ZHGGing, two months ago. Between her creamy thighs, he drowned his sorrows and pain. Once KH DUULYHG KRPH IURP WKH UHFHSWLRQ WKDW GD\ KH·G UHFHLYHG QXPHURXV FDOOV IURP 6WDF\$QQEHJJLQJKLPQRWWRGRZKDWKH·GDOUHDG\GRQHVHYHUDOWLPHV+H·GWDNHQ her twice in the car, once on the side of the road, and twice in the foyer of his house. (YHU\WLPH6WDF\$QQ·VVRIWSOHDVIORDWHGIURPWKHYRLFHPHVVDJHVLWLQIXVHG him with lust and anger, and the beautiful Carmen took the brunt of his agony. ´8QGHUWKHVLQNµKe mumbled, dropping his eyes back to the screen. +H DQG WKH \RXQJPLQ[ GLGQ·W WDONPXFK EHFDXVHLQDOO KRQHVW\ WKH\KDG nothing to say to one another. It was a mutual agreement, which he preferred. As

39  

much as he hated to admit it, the only time he wanted to hear her voice was when she was screaming his name during exhausting sex, or when she offered sexual favors. ´,·PKXQJU\µVKHFRRHGIURPDFURVVWKHURRP´$UH\RXJRLQJWRIHHGPH"µ He attempted to tuck away the smirk tugging at his lips. Devilishly, he eyed her over the monitor. Smiling, she untied the towel and let it fall to the floor. She eased over to him with the mesmerizing undulation of a snake, walking so smoothly it seemed she glided across the hardwood floor. Her hips swaying in a sultry manner, she lowered onto her hands and knees, and crawled under his desk. Taking her time, she ran her hands up the length of his legs. &DUPHQ·V HURWLF WHDVLQJ ZDV HQMR\DEOH EXW QRW QHDUO\ HQRXJK WR IXOO\ capture his attention. He was distracted with other things. Stacy Ann. He never WKRXJKW KH·G EH LQ WKH SRVLWLRQ ZKHUH KH·G KDWH DQG ORYH KHU VLPXOWDQHRXVO\ ,W confused him. Part of him wanted to hold her, love her, be there for her, whether she was married to his friend or not. But then, part of him wanted to choke the shit out of her for breaking his heart. The two extreme emotions had turned him into somebody he no longer recognized.

40  

+H JODQFHG DW &DUPHQ·V ORQJ ILQJHUV XQEXWWRQLQJ KLV MHDQV .HHSLQJ KHU perky nipples in his peripheral vision, he reached for the mouse and clicked open his inbox. An umpteen number of emails from Stacy Ann popped up. Scrolling down, he ignored subject matters such as, I thought we were friends, you made me a promise, or \RX·UHQRWEHLQJIDLU. He stopped scrolling once he came to the line that read, I hired an interior designer to work with you on our house. Noted; our house was in parenthesis. The woman was incorrigible! $VLIKHUEHWUD\DOKDGQ·WEHHQWKHZRUVWWKLQJVKHFRXOG·YHGRQHWRKLPVKH had to go and hire some interior designer to loom over him while he worked? Absolutely not! +HZRXOGQ·WWROHUDWHLW+H·GEHHQGHVLJQLQJVWUXFWXUHVVLQFHKHZDVWHQDQG GLGQ·WQHHGVRPHVHOI-‐serving decorator, who thought their opinion mattered when it came to his designs, ruining his creativity. He worked alone and that was the end of it. His groan of frustration simmered to a moan of pleasure. He looked down to VHH&DUPHQ·VKDQGZUDSSHGWLJKWO\DURXQGKLVVHPL-‐hard shaft. ´+H\WKHUHELJER\µVKHZKLVSHUHGDJDLQVWWKHFURZQRIKLVVtirring length. Sighing, he closed his eyes and dug his fingers into her damp hair. Her hot mouth captured the head of his cock and sent sparks of bliss spiraling through his

41  

groin. He widened his legs and slid his hips to the edge of the chair, giving her better access. Hungrily, she engulfed him, slurping and moaning as she attempted to take him all in. His head fell back against the headrest of the leather chair. He tapped the button on the mouse to open the message. Josephine Burnett. Why did her name sound so familiar? Along with the name, Stacy Ann provided him with the information of the hotel where the decorator would be staying and a list of her qualifications. From the email, Devon could tell Stacy Ann was trying her hardest to sell the idea of worNLQJ ZLWK WKLV ZRPDQ 6XUSULVLQJO\ KH·G DFWXDOO\ FRQVLGHUHG WKH LGHD 7KDW was until he read the line stating Miss Burnett was an old high school buddy of hers. Figured. The screen became blurry, or had his eyes crossed because of the sensation coming from his groin? Stroking the base of his cock, Carmen sucked him closer to climax. He fisted her hair, involuntarily moving his hips to the rhythm of her bobbing head. His breath came out in short pants. He blinked rapidly for focus. He leaned in sideways, closer to the screen, straining to see the words. There was an additional message at the bottom of the email.

42  

:HOO VLQFH \RX·UH QRW FDOOLQJ PH EDFN RU DQVZHULQJ P\ HPDLOV , hope you get this message in time. Josephine will be at your house at eleven am to go over the logistics of the project. Please make yourself available! His eyes shifted to the time. Ten fifty am. And before he could utter a word of disapproval, he caught sight of a cab pulling into his driveway from his third story office window. Shit!

Briefcase in hand, Josephine handed the cab-‐driver her fare, and then stepped out of the car. She stared up at three levels of the most stunning, FRQWHPSRUDU\ VWUXFWXUH VKH·G HYHU ODLG H\HV RQ 7KH JODVV ZDOOV GLVSOD\HG DQ DOO wood interior, rimmed with steel accents. Retro Deco. 6KHFRXOGQ·WZDLWWRJHWLQVLGH As she appraised the house, she noticed the third level glass walls, which was cantilevered a few feet pass the rest of the building, was shaded with platinum tint. ´+PP ZK\ WLQW WKH WKLUG IORRU DQG QRW WKH RWKHUVµ VKH PXUPXUHG WR herself, climbing up the concrete steps.

43  

The closer she got the door, the more her anxiety rose. Deep breaths. She brushed her hand over her locks and smoothed down the skirt of her suit. She noted her reflection in the glass paneled double doors. The cream-‐ colored jacket fit nicely against her curvaceous frame. The matching skirt stopped just below her knees, and a pair Manolo pumps accentuated the business ensemble. She felt fabulous and damn sure looked it, too. Anxiously, she nibbled her lower lip and rang the door-‐bell. Moments passed and no one answered the door. She glanced at her watch, then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. Looking up, she caught sight of a tall woman gliding down the stairs in a snug red dress. The woman moved like D JUDFHIXO IHOLQH DQG KHU H\HV JOLWWHUHG ZLWK D KXQJHU -RVHSKLQH GLGQ·W IDLO WR UHFRJQL]H7KLVZDVWKHW\SHRIFKLFN\RX·GNHHSDZD\IURP\RXUPDQ$IOLUWDWLRXV JULQSOD\HGRQWKHHQFKDQWUHVV·VIDFHZKHQVKHSXOOHGWhe door open. ´+H\WKHUHµVKHVXQJIOLSSLQJKHUILHU\UHGKDLUIURPKHUVKRXOGHU ´+HOOR,·P-RVHSKLQH%XUQHWWµ)ODVKLQJKHUEXVLQHVVVPLOHVKHRIIHUHGKHU hand for the formal handshake.

44  

Giggling, the redhead took her hand and swiftly drew her into the house. Josephine almost lost her footing with the abrupt forward motion. She stared wide-‐eyed at the playful nymph and righted her suit. ´2ND\µZDVDOO-RVHSKLQHFRXOGPDQDJHWRXWWHU ´$Z KRQH\ \RX GRQ·W KDYH WR EH IRUPDO ZLWK PH ,·P QRW WKH ODG\ RI the KRXVH,·PMXVWWKHSOD\EXQQ\µVKHILQLVKHGZLWKDZLQN ´7DNHWKHVWDLUVDOOWKHZD\XSWRWKHWKLUGIORRUDQG\RX·OOILQGKLPµ%HIRUH grabbing a small red purse off the foyer table, the woman eyed her up and down with a curious glint in her emeralGJD]H´:DUQLQJKH·VLQDFUXGG\PRRG,WULHG WRPDNHLWEHWWHUEXWQRWKXPEVXSµ6KHUDQKHUWRQJXHRYHUKHUOLSVVXJJHVWLYHO\ ´0D\EH,·OOKDYHEHWWHUOXFNWRPRUURZµ Josephine quirked a brow. It was terribly difficult to keep a stoic expression on her face when the woman had no shame in her game. ´,·PJRLQJWRKHDGXSVWDLUVQRZ,WZDVDSOHDVXUHPHHWLQJ\RXµ4XLFNO\ she climbed the glass treads, trying to erase the visual the brazen woman left in her mind. ´
45  

toned walls, warm Maplewood flooring, and a glass staircase lined with a rich cream marble railing led up to an open landing. It showcased a clear view down LQWRWKHILUVWIORRU·VJUHDWURRP The interior of the house was magnificent, but lacking one thing: her touch. From the landing, she allowed the railing to guide her up the next set of stairs, leading to the third floor. The urge to break away from the directions given to explore more of his spacious house was tempting. There was so much potential. Her innovative style would really make this place pop. Shaking away the idea of working on a house not part of her contract, she moved quickly up the second staircase. She stepped up onto the third floor landing and walked into his spacious office. Vaulted ceilings with tinted skylights and the all glass vastness of the room took her by surprise. No wonder he tinted the third floor; this level was open to the sunlight. And wow, what a marvelous view! One side of the spectacular panorama displayed a mouth-‐dropping ocean view in the distance, while the other side disclosed a luxuriant green landscape, a JROIHU·VGUHDP7RRDVWRQLVKHGIRUZRUGVVKHVORZO\PRYHGWKURXJKWKHRIILFH7KH design of the building made the third floor seem like it floated on air.

46  

Darting her gaze over the space, she took in the efficiently set up office. A glass partition separated an area that held five drawing tables cluttered with rolls of paper. Next to it was an area designated for the computers. Three twenty-‐four inch monitors sat atop of an oak desk that was shaped like a half octagon and facing the ocean. She stepped over a roll of drawings and headed toward Devon Sparks, who sat at his desk hidden behind a large monitor, clicking furiously on the mouse. $SSDUHQWO\KHZDVQ·WDZDUHRIKHUSUHVHQFHEHFDXVHKHKDGQ·WDFknowledged the fact she was in the office. The man must be deaf because even she noticed the clacking of her heels on the hardwood floor. 6KHFOHDUHGKHUWKURDW´+L0U6SDUNV,·P-RVHSK³µ ´,NQRZZKR\RXDUHµKHVQDSSHGDVLIKHUYRLFHLUULWDWHGKLP Holding onto her tight-‐lipped smile, she stopped. Cruddy mood indeed. She brushed her hand nervously over her locks and blinked rapidly. ´'LG, catch you at a bad time? :RXOG\RXOLNHWRUHVFKHGXOHWKLVPHHWLQJIRUDQRWKHU"µ ´,·GOLNH\RXWRVWRSWDONLQJµ She staggered back. What? Stop talking? Stunned by his unwarranted rudeness, she contemplated walking out, but FRXOGQ·W6KHKDGDMREWRGRDQGZDVQ·WJRLQJWROHWVRPHDVVKROHDUFKLWHFWVWRS her from doing it.

47  

)LQHKHZDQWHGVLOHQFH"7KDW·VZKDWKH·d get. Without another word, she squeezed the handle of her leather briefcase, thrust her chin forward, and walked across the office toward an empty table. Yanking her notes out of her briefcase, she glared across the room at the back of his monitor. The paper rustled loudly through the silence of the office. Not once did he glance at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but instead buried the need to curse him out, and turned to look out the window. Gradually, her anger subsided. The view of the zephyr lightly brushing across the ocean afar filled her with serenity. How in the world could he have a view like this and ever be angry? She shook her head and sighed. The sunsets and sunrises from this place had to be amazing. ´$UH\RXJRLQJWRVWDUHDWWKHRFHDQDOOGD\"µKHDVNHGDORWFORVHUWKDQKH was a moment ago. She spun around and her heart jumped up in her throat. Immediately, her HPRWLRQVZHUHVFDWWHUHG6KHGLGQ·WNQRZZKHWKHUWRIHHODQJU\VWDUWOHGRUMXVW plain old turned on. He towered at least six-‐three tall, wearing a pair of navy blue pants, and white button down shirt, which fit closely to his physique. Slightly curly, jet black

48  

hair, framed his exotic features, giving him a boyish appeal. His eyes were like pools of cobalt blue staring right into her soul. A floor plan was clasped between his long fingers. He raked his hair back just to have it fall back into place. His visage softened, if only for a second. ´7KLVLVWKHILUVWIORRUµ+HVOLGWKHSODQDFURVVWKHGHVN´,·PVWLOOZRUNLQJRQ the VHFRQGµ For a still moment, she could do nothing but stand there and return his stare. How a man this gorgeous could be such an asshole baffled her. She cleared her throat, as if it would help her current state of horniness, and averted her eyes. She pulled out a rolling chair, and quickly sat down to examine the plan. +HGLGQ·WPRYHDQGVKHGLGQ·WERWKHUWRORRNXSDWKLP Lord knew another look into those dangerously sexy blue eyes would send KHURYHUWKHWRSDQGVKHZDVQ·WDERXWWRJLYHKLPWKHVDWLVIDction of knowing he turned her on, especially after he just basically told her to shut the hell up. Motionless, he stood there for the longest time, staring a hole into the top of her head. She could only assume he wanted to say something, and was waiting until he had her undivided attention. Sorry buddy. Not going to do it. ,JQRULQJKLVSUHVHQFHMXVWDVKH·GGRQHWRKHUHDUOLHUVKHSXOOHGKHUQRWHV next to the plan and started choosing room themes.

49  

Finally, he sighed heavily, spun on his heels, and walked away from the table. Smiling inwardly, she slowly looked up to catch a glimpse of his swagger. She wet her lips, tilted her head, and zoned in on his nice ass, one fit for grabbing. As she ran her eyes down his backside, she noticed he wore socks. So thaW·V how he snuck up on her so smooth-‐like. She looked down at her pumps. Maybe VKHVKRXOG·YHUHPRYHGKHUVKRHV,WFRXOG·YHEHHQWKHUHDVRQZD\KHZDVVRYH[HG The clack of heels in a quiet space while trying to concentrate could definitely be a bit aggravating. ´,KDYHWKHURRPQDPHVLI\RXQHHGWKHPµKHSURFODLPHGRQFHVHWWOHGEDFN behind his desk. She retrieved her laptop from her briefcase and avoided looking across the URRPDWKLP´7KDW·GEHQLFHµ6KHWULHGWRFRQWUROWKHVQLSSLQHVVLQKHUYRLFHEut LW FDPH RXW FU\VWDO FOHDU 7R NHHS WKH PRRG OLJKW VKH IROORZHG XS ZLWK ´
50  

´:HOO H[FXVH PH VLUµ VKH UHWRUWHG QDUURZLQJ KHU H\HV ´,I \RX ZHUHQ·W acting like such a dickhead WKHQPD\EH,ZRXOGQ·WEHLQFOLQHGWRXVHVXFKODQJXDJH in your presence." He moved from behind his desk, leaned against it, and folded his arms over his chest, causing his pecs to bulge through the thin white material. An austere H[SUHVVLRQOLQHGKLVKDQGVRPHIDFH6KHGLGQ·WNQRZLILWZDVPHDQWWRLQWLPLGDWH KHURUQRWHLWKHUZD\VKHZDVQ·WDERXWWROHWKLPUDWWOHKHU ,W GLGQ·W HYHQ PDWWHU ZKR KH ZDV RU KRZ PDQ\ IDEXORXV EXLOGLQJV KH·G designed. At this moment, he was just another run-‐of-‐the-‐mill architect who thought he had the right to treat people like shit. ´
51  

DQG\RXGRQ·WKDYHWROLNHPHEXWLI\RXH[SHFWWREHWUHDWHGZLWKDQ\DPRXQWRI UHVSHFW\RX·GEHWWHUEHSUHSDUHGWRUHWXUQWKHIDYRUµ His cRXQWHQDQFHWXUQHGFROG´
Devon closed his eyes and listened to her heels click-‐clack down the stairs, through the foyer, and out the door. Sighing wearily, he walked around his desk, leaned his forearm against the glass, and watched her pace back and forth in his driveway. A reluctant grin of admiration flitted across his face. She was a feisty one, and an extremely lovely one at that. His breath had gotten caught in his throat when she was standing by the window, gazing at the ocean. Her shiny, deep brown locks with a touch of auburn hung just below the small of her back. Shapely calves displayed her flawless chestnut skin tone, which contrasted beautifully with the cream suit. $QGWKHQZKHQVKHWXUQHGDURXQG«:RZ He sucked in a shaky breath at the recent memory. Big hazel eyes framed with long black eyelashes, a pouting pair of luscious lips accented with

52  

shimmering lip gloss and high cheekbones left him speechless, for a moment. The woman was absolutely stunning. Even her voluptuous figure had him nearly SDQWLQJ,QDOOKRQHVW\ZRPHQZLWKKHDY\FXUYHVGLGQ·WXVXDOO\WXUQKLVKHDd, but she carried it so well, and in all of the right places. Pressing his forehead to the glass, he traced his finger along the path she SDFHGEHORZKLP+HUSURYRFDWLYHEHDXW\ZRXOGQ·WEHHQRXJKWRPDNHKLPEXGJH RQ KLV GHFLVLRQ +H ZDVQ·W JRLQJ WR EH FURZGHG E\ DQ\RQH DQG KH GLGQ·W FDUH whether Stacy Ann liked it or not. Hiring an interior designer without consulting him first was one thing, but sending her to his house without at least waiting for a reply on the matter, was another. He turned from the window and plopped down in the chair. He hated that KHZDVVXFKDQDVVWR-RVHSKLQHEXWWKLVZKROHVLWXDWLRQKDGKLPRQHGJH+H·G once again allowed Stacy Ann to manipulate him and to get under his skin. His own stupidity, under the circumstances, irritated the hell out of him. He clicked WKHFRPSXWHU·VPRXVHDQGOHWWKHVFUHHQVDYHUIDGHDZD\WREULQJXSWKHILOHRQWKH second level plan, in progress. He groaned. Too flustered to concentrate, he pushed out of the chair and walked across the office where Josephine was several moments ago. An alluring aroma lingered in her wake. Unconsciously inhaling the scent, he glanced down. In her haste to

53  

leave, she left a few of her sketches scattered across the table. He retrieved one of the finely drawn interior drafts and studied it.

´+RWGRJH[SUHVVµ3HWHDQVZHUHGRQWKHILUVWULQJ -RVHSKLQHFRXOGQ·WHYHQFUDFNDVPLOHDWKHUIULHQG·VIDPLOLDUKXPRU´,QHHG \RXWRVZLWFKZLWKPHµVKHUXVKHGRXWSDFLQJIXULRXVO\DORQJWKHGULYHZD\ ´6ZLWFK ZLWK \RX" *LUO ZKat the hell are you talking about? Where are \RX"µ ´,·PRXWVLGHDickhead Sparks KRXVHZDLWLQJIRUDFDEµVKHKLVVHGUXQQLQJKHU hand roughly over her dreads. He busted out laughing. ´3XW LQ IRU WKH VZLWFK 3HWH ,·P FRPLQJ KRPH ILUVW WKLQJ WRPRUURZ morQLQJµ ´:KRDZKRDZDLWDPLQXWHQRZµ+LVODXJKWHUIDGHGWRQHUYRXVFKXFNOHV ´/HW·VQRWGRDQ\WKLQJGUDVWLF&DOPGRZQDQGWHOOPHZKDWKDSSHQHGµ ´1R,GRQ·WZDQWWRWDONDERXWLWRND\$OO\RXQHHGWRNQRZLVWKHUH·VQR ZD\LQKHOO,·PZRUNLQJZLWKWKDWPDQ,ZDQWWRFRPHKRPHµ ´-D\ \RX QHHG WR WDNH D GHHS EUHDWK DQG WKLQN DERXW ZKDW \RX·UH VD\LQJ
54  

´,NQRZ7KDW·VZK\,·PEHJJLQJ\RXWRSXWLQIRUDVZLWFK3HWH&RPHRQ PDQGRWKLVIRUPHµ ´*LUO\RX·UHWU\LQJWRJHWPHLQWURXEOH
55  

a sweet ass looking throne. Boy you should see this house; it is, damn! Know what, LWGRHVQ·WHYHQPDWWHU,·PQRWDERXWWRVLWDURXQGDQGOHWVRPHERG\WDONWRPHDQ\ NLQGRIZD\µ 3HWHSXVKHGRXWDORQJVLJK´-D\OLVWHQWRPH,FDQ·WSXWLQIRUDVZLWFKEXW I can ask if I could come out WKHUH WR KHOS\RXZKLFK WKH\·OO PRVW OLNHO\ GHFOLQH VLQFHWKLVLVRQO\WKHSUHOLPLQDU\VWDJH7KH\·OOVHQGPHZKHQLW·VWLPHWRLQVWDOO ZKLFKLVDORQJZD\VDZD\µ Craning her neck for a better view, she caught sight of the yellow taxi coming down the rRDG´,WKLQNWKHFDE·VKHUHµ ´2ND\ZK\GRQ·W\RXJREDFNWRWKHKRWHODQGWKLQNRQWKLVRYHUIRUDIHZ KRXUV'RQ·WWKURZWKLVMREWRWKHZLQGJLUO-XVWLPDJLQHKRZPDQ\SHRSOH0UV Rich Bitch are going to show her house off to, not to mention how many photos are going to be taken, and more importantly the magazines those photos are going WREHLQ7KH\¶OOEHOLNHRK5LFK%LWFK\RXUGpFRULVIDE:KRGLGLWIRU\RX"µKH TXLSSHGLQDVTXHDN\WRQHPDNLQJKHUVPLOHDJDLQVWKHUZLOO´$QGZKRVHQDPHGR \RXWKLQNLVJRLQJWRVOLSRXWRIKHUPRXWK"µ Good point. He voiced the main reason she should stay, but her pride ZRXOGQ·WDOORZKHUWR*RLQJEDFNWRWKHKRWHOWRVLPPHUGRZQZDVWKHEHVWWKLQJ to do at this point, because if she stayed and he continued WR EH D GLFN VKH·G probably say or do something that would put her out of her dream job.

56  

´
57  

´&DUHWRWU\WKLVDJDLQ"µKHDVNHGUDNLQg his hands through his hair after the cab was no longer in view. ´7KDWVRXQGVOLNHVRPHZKDWRIDQDSRORJ\µ3HWHVDLG´)RUJLYHKLPJLUO$W OHDVWKH·VWU\LQJµ ,JQRULQJKHUIULHQGVKHQDUURZHGKHUJD]H´:HOO\RXOHIWPHZLWKQRRWKHU option, since you VHQWP\FDEDZD\µ A quirky smile played on his face. He stepped to her and took her briefcase. The quick brush of his finger against hers sent a tremor up her arm. ´&RPLQJ"µ+HKHOGKHUZLWKKLVJD]HIRUDPRPHQWORQJHUWKHQWXUQHGDQG headed to the house. )OXVWHUHGVKHWXFNHGDZD\DJULQDVVKHZDWFKHGKLPDPEOHDZD\´3HWH,·OO FDOO\RXEDFNµ

58  

Chapter Four The Real Devon Sparks

Josephine quietly followed Devon up the staircase. She drew her lower lip between her teeth, and watched the muscles in his thighs and butt flex under the pressed fabric of his pants. ´:DQWVRPHFRIIHH"µKHDVNHGRQFHWKH\HQWHUHGWKHRIILFH ´1RWKDQN\RXµ6KHH\HGKLPWDNLQJLQKLVIOXLGPRYHPHQWV+HVDXQWHUHG across the office and placed her briefcase near the computers. ´:HOOMXVWLQFDVH\RXFKDQJH\RXUPLQGWKHUH·VDSDUWLDONLWFKHQULJKWRYHU WKHUHµ +H JHVWXUHG WRZDUG WKH NLWFKHQHWWH LQ WKH FRUQHU HQFORVHG LQ JODVV SDUWLWLRQV ´7KHUH LV QRWKLQJ LQ WKLV RIILFH WKDW·V RII-‐limits to you. I see you have your laptop, but if you prefer working on a desktop, I have three here, that are HTXLSSHGZLWKDQ\GHVLJQSURJUDP\RXFDQWKLQNRI7KHUH·VSOHQW\RISDSHURYHU WKHUHDQGDOOWKHIUHHKDQGGUDZLQJWRROVRYHUWKHUH,GRQ·WKDYHDQ\GpFRUERRNV or magazines, bHFDXVHKRQHVWO\,GRQ·WXVHWKHPEXWLI\RXQHHGVRPH,FDQRUGHU WKHP$Q\TXHVWLRQV"µ 6KHVXFNHGKHUOLSVLQDQGUHOD[HGKHUSRVWXUH´5HVWURRP"µ

59  

´6HFRQGIORRURQWKH ULJKW,·OO WDNH\RXRQDIRUPDOWRXURIWKHKRXVHODWHU today. Right now, I need to work off some steam, so³µ ´
60  

Maybe it was the way he walked or the slight slant in his deep blue eyes. Whatever it was, the boy had her daydreaming about stepping outside of her comfort zone. Damn, not going to get any work done with the gorgeous architect on the brain. The sudden need for coffee had her gliding across the wood floor toward the kitchenette. It was equipped with a bar sink, microwave, small refrigerator, and of course, a coffee maker. She flipped the lid up to the coffee device, took out the old filter and tossed it in the trash can. As she searched through the cabinets for the ground coffee, curiosity had her mind drifting. She wondered if he and the spicy redhead had sex in this office. Nibbling on her inner lip, she glanced around. Hell yeah, they had sex up here. How could they not? With the fantastic view and the illusion of floating on air in a glass structure, it was the perfect visual aphrodisiac. The man probably got laid up here plenty of times. He had the look of a smooth, playboy type, someone who could make a broad drop her panties with a simple wink. She snorted in amusement and wandered over to his retro styled glass desk. Brushing her fingers across the glass, she leisurely moved to the staircase and eased down the crystallized treads, actually enjoying the cold surface beneath her bare feet. As she moved along the second floor, she envisioned vases sprouting

61  

a decorative array of artificial plants, and candle sconces mounting the walls, which shed a warm glow in an earth tone gold. Exotic paintings would give the corridor a bit of flair. She eyed the plain walls, wishing his house was a part of her FRQWUDFW0D\EHLIKHFDPHGRZQRIIKLVKLJKKRUVHVKH·GPDNHDQHIIRUWWRWDON him into it. She came to a door, which was ajar. Giving into her nosy nature, she pushed the door open. She gasped, but not in astonishment. Someone had tried to decorate the room, in a trendy décor at that, and failed miserably. The choice of furniture, the wall color, and the accessories were all wrong. 7KLV ZDV GHILQLWHO\ QRW 'HYRQ·V GRLQJ +H GLGQ·W DSSHDU WR EH WKH W\SH ZKR·GWDNHWKHWLPHWo decorate a room so tastelessly. She was one hundred and ten percent sure a woman did this. 6KHVKRRNKHUKHDGDQGFORVHGWKHGRRU´
62  

Through sheer silver curtains adjacent to the bed, she could see double-‐glass doors leading out to a balcony. Hesitantly, she stepped in, then quickly spun back DURXQGDQGOHIWWKHURRP6KH·GDOUHDG\JRQHIDUHQRXJKLQWRWKLVPDQ·VKRXVHD man she hardly knew. Going into his bedroom was way passed nosiness. It was a breach of his personal space, something she had no business doing. Skipping down the stairs, she wandered through the great room and swept past the impressively large kitchen, but not before giving it a swift appraisal. Afterward, she crept through the lengthy corridor and froze. Before her stood two large etched glass doors, framing a state of the art work-‐out facility. Equipment for toning every muscle was set strategically on a rubberized floor. Three flat screens were mounted on the mirror-‐paneled walls. In awe, she moved closer and pressed her hand against the glass. Then, there he was. Sweat dripped off Devon, soaking into his loose fitting shorts, and muscle shirt. With his head dipped and his taped hands balled into tight fist, his body swayed. Bolted to the ceiling, a punching bag swung lazily before him. His biceps flexed as he reared back and struck the bag, then again with the other fist. Without pause, he repeatedly punched the sand filled pouch with angry force. Perspiration popped off his muscles, creating a glistening sheen of moisture over his skin.

63  

Her mouth went dry just watching him go at the bag, like it owed him money. Everything flexed and contracted. Heat flared up between her thighs as her pearl quivered erratically. Blinking rapidly, she grabbed onto the door handle and sucked LQDVKDN\EUHDWK0D\EHVKHVKRXOG·YHUHMHFWHGKLVSURSRVDODQGJRQHEDFN to the hotel to think things through. Seeing him like this would only make it harder to concentrate. Time to retreat. She kept her eyes fixed on his tantalizing frame and stepped back from the door. Suddenly, his head snapped up and turned in her direction. Gasping like VKH·G EHHQ FDXJKW VWHDOLQJ VKH VSXQ DURXQG DQG TXLFNO\ ZDONHG IURP WKH GRRU Hard rock music shattered the stillness of the corridor. The door had been opened. Without turning around or thinking, she started to run like the boogey man ZDVFKDVLQJKHUDQGZRXOG·YHVFUHDPHGLIKHUEUHDWKZDVQ·WFDXJKWLQKHUWKURDW Only steps from the great room, she quickened her pace and then heard the FDOORIKHUQDPH´-RVHSKLQHµ She stopped in her tracks. ´:K\DUH\RXUXQQLQJ"µ+XPRUODFHGKLVYRLFH´-HVXVZRPDQ\RX·GWKLQN, ZDVDQD[HPXUGHUHURUVRPHWKLQJ$P,WKDWVFDU\"µ Embarrassed, she sluggishly turned and regretted it as soon as she looked at him. Just above his eyes lids, his damp hair stuck to his forehead. He gradually

64  

soaked up the sweat from his neck with a small towel, as he neared her. His calm azure gaze slid down her body to her feet. Smiling, he took his time bringing his eyes back to hers. ´,XK«µ6KHVZDOORZHGKDUGWKHQEDFNHGDZD\IURPKLP´,GLGQ·WZDQWWR interrupt you so I³µ ´6R\RXWKRXJKWLI\RXUDQ,·GIRUJHWWKDW,VDZ\RXVWDQGLQJWKHUH"µ+HUDQ KLVILQJHUVWKURXJKKLVVZHDWVRDNHGKDLU´
65  

Ripping her gaze from hiV VKH WRRN DQRWKHU VWHS EDFN ´8P-‐I was just, ORRNLQJDURXQGDQG«µ'DPQLWVKH·GDOZD\VEHHQTXLFNZLWKWKHWRQJXHQRZVKH FRXOGQ·WHYHQWKLQNRIZKDWWRVD\WRLURQRXWWKLVLQFUHGLEO\DZNZDUGVLWXDWLRQ ´
66  

´5HIULJHUDWRUµKHZKLVSHUHGORZHULQJKLVKHDGWRKHUV Swallowing hard, she scurried away from him and nearly tripped over the ILUVWWUHDG´
Josephine squeezed her thighs together repeatedly and made an effort to do ZKDWVKHFDPHWR'HYRQ·VKRXVHWRGRLQWKHILUVWSODFHher job%XWVKHKDGQ·WEHHQ able to concentrate on anything other than what almost happened down stairs. He tried to kiss her.

67  

Breathing deeply, she rubbed her clammy hands over her skirt. ´&RQFHQWUDWHµ6KHIRUFHGKHUVHOIWRORRNDWWKHIORRUSODQDQGKHUVNHWFKHGQRWHV ´&RQ-‐cen-‐WUDWHµ+HUKRUPRQHVZHUHDOORXWRIZKDFNRYHUWKLVPDQ She pushed out of the chair and walked over to the small kitchen. Steadying her nervous hands, she retrieved a filter and the container of French vanilla coffee from the refrigerator. After placing the filter in the maker, she leveled off two scoops and dumped them in. Trying her best to get her mind back on track, she filled the pitcher with six cups of water and poured it in. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Devon come up the stairs, appearing a bit more relaxed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a fitted T-‐shirt advertising the Bahamas. Her heart thumped erratically. He cast a quick glance her way, nodded, and then crossed the room to settle behind his desk. She turned her back to him and watched the coffee maker. Of all the awkward situations to be put in, why did this man have to affect her like this? She sucked in deep breaths and pushed them out very slowly. She imagined 'HYRQZDVQ·WVLWWLQJOHVVWKDQWZHQW\IHHWIURPKHUVWDULQJDVHDULQJKROHLQKHU EDFN+HZDVQ·WDWWUDFWLYHWRKHUDWDOO$VDPDWWHURIIDFWKHZDVJURWHVTXH+H ZDVWKHVDPHDVVKROHZKR·GWRld her to shut up earlier, and she should treat him as VXFK,IVKHFRXOGMXVWNHHSWKHVH WKRXJKWVDWWKHIRUHIURQWRI KHUPLQGVKH·GEH okay.

68  

´,VLWUHDG\"µ *DVSLQJVKHZKLSSHGDURXQGDQGJODUHGDWKLP$VLIKHKDGQ·WMXVWVFDUHG the piss out of her, he leaned casually against the counter, folded his arms over his chest, and smiled. The refreshing scent of Ivory soap trailed off him like a light perfume. ´6WRSVQHDNLQJXSRQPHµ6KHGLGQ·WPHDQWR\HOOEXWKHUQHUYHVZHUHVWLOO jumping all over the place. ´6RUU\GLGQ·WUHDOL]H,ZDVWKDWVQHDN\µ +HZDVIXOORILW+HSUREDEO\GLGWKDWWRSHRSOHDOOWKHWLPH´:HOO\RXDUHµ To avoid getting caught up in his sexy gaze, she turned back to the coffee, and cursed to herself when she realized it had finished brewing. There was nothing to stare at now. From the corner of her eye, she watched him retrieve two mugs and the creamer from the fridge. He dropped two cubes of sugar in each cup then paused. ´'R\RXOLNHFUHDPLQ\RXUFRIIHH"µ A double meaning sat behind his softly spoken words, or was she just going crazy? ´6XUHµ+HUUHVSRQVHFDPHRXWQRQFKDODQWZKHQWUXWKZDVVKHZDVQRWKLQJ but a bag of nerves at the moment.

69  

Once he added the desired amount of creamer, she grabbed the glass pot and began to pour the coffee. ´-RVHSKLQHµ7KHZKLVSHURIKHUQDPHVQDSSHGKHUDWWHQWLRQWRKLVH\HVDQG QRZ VKH ZDV FDXJKW LQ KLV ZHE ´, RZH \RX DQ DSRORJ\ , VKRXOGQ·W KDYH³µ Without breaking his hypnotic hold on her, he wrapped his hands around hers and pulled the pot upright. 6KH ORRNHG GRZQ DW KLV KDQG DQG UHDOL]HG VKH·G QHDUO\ RYHUILOOHG WKH FXS ´2KVRUU\µ Quickly, she slipped her hand from beneath the warmth of his and took a step back. He filled the other cup, and placed the pot back on the burner. For the sake of her sanity, she kept her eyes down. Even when he handed her the mug of coffee, she refused to look up. ´7KDQN\RXµ$FKLOGLVKWDFWLF\HVEXWLWZDVWKHRQO\WKLQJVKHFRXOGWKLQN of to keep herself out of trouble with this man. ´$P,VRXJO\\RXFDQ·WHYHQORRNDWPH"µ +HVLWDQWO\VKHEURXJKWKHUH\HVXSWRPHHWZLWKKLVVSDUNOLQJEOXHJD]H´, WKLQN , QHHG WR VD\ VRPHWKLQJ EHIRUH ZH JR DQ\ IXUWKHUµ VKH VDLG LQ KHU FRRO businesslike tone. She leaned against the glass wall to put a little distance between WKHP´,·PJODG\RX·UHJLYLQJPHDQRWKHUFKDQFHWRZRUNZLWK\RXDQGWUXWKIXOO\ ,·PKRQRUHG,ZDVWKHRQHFKRVHQIRUWKLVSURMHFWEXW,WKLQNLW·VYHU\LPSRUWDQW

70  

for us to remain on a leveled playing field when it comes to our business relationVKLSµ +LVH[SUHVVLRQZDVVXGGHQO\DXVWHUH´0HDQLQJ"µ ´0HDQLQJµVKHIDOWHUHG´,GRQ·WNQRZKRZHOVHWRVD\LW0U6SDUNV«µ ´
71  

they left everything up to you and you gave them a dream. Why did you choose those specific design thHPHVIRUWKHLUKRXVH"µ )RU D PRPHQW VKH ZDV VKRFNHG +H·G UHVHDUFKHG KHU ZRUN *LYHQ KLV UHSXWDWLRQDQG WKH IDFWKH·G QHYHU KHDUGRI KHU KH SUREDEO\ KDG WR ´:HOO IURP what I can remember, Mr. and Mrs. Shodner fell in love in Paris, and I wanted to recapture that memory in the accents and designs throughout their house, so I went through a few pictures given to me by Mrs. Shodner, and I brought Paris to WKHPµ +HORRNHGDZD\IURPKHUDQGVWXGLHGWKHFUHDP\OLTXLGLQKLVPXJ´7KHLU daughter, do you remePEHUKRZ\RXGHFRUDWHGKHUURRP"µ His question struck her as odd for some reason, but she answered anyway. ´
72  

´2ND\ZKHZQRZWKDWZH·YHJRWWKHEXVLQHVVSDUWRXWRIWKHZD\WDNHD GHHSEUHDWKµ+HVKRXOGHUVURVHDVKHWRRNDGHHSEUHDWKDQGPRWLRQHGIRUKHUWR do the same, but she jXVWJDZNHGDWKLPOLNHKHZDVFUD]\´7HOOPHZKDW·VRQ\RXU PLQG-RVHSKLQHµ 6KHVWDUHGDWKLPIRUDPRPHQWQRWVXUH ZKDWWRVD\´,GRQ·WXQGHUVWDQG ZKHUH\RX·UHJRLQJZLWKWKLVµ ´:RXOG\RXOLNHWRNQRZZK\,WULHGWRNLVV\RXGRZQVWDLUV"µ Her mouth fell open. How did they go from discussing a project to the almost kiss"´,³,GRQRW0U6SDUNVWKLVLVDYHU\XQFRPIRUWDEOHVXEMHFWIRUPH,·G like to just³µ 'LSSLQJ KLV KHDG EDFN KH SXVKHG RXW D KDUG VLJK ´-XVW GURS LW IRU D moment, the business thing. Let me have it like you did before when you stormed RXWRIP\RIILFHHDUOLHURUEHWWHU\HWWDONWRPHDVLI,·PDIULHQGRUVRPHWKLQJµ ´$IULHQG"µ He pushed off the edge of the counter, set his mug down, and raked his hair. ´
73  

He pressed his palms together and rested his fingers over his lips ´3OHDVH SUHWW\SOHDVH,WZLOOKHOSHDVHWKLVWHQVLRQKDQJLQJEHWZHHQXV$QGLIZH·UHJRLQJ WRZRUNWRJHWKHU,EHOLHYHZH·UHJRLQJWRKDYHWRHOLPLQDWHWKDWVRWDNHWKDWGHHS EUHDWKDQGOHWPHKDYHLWµ ´/HW\RXKDYHLW":KDW":RXOG\RXOLNHPHWRKandcuff you and whip you WRR"µVKHDVNHGVDUFDVWLFDOO\ His face lit up in excitement. Holding his wrists together, he offered them to KHU´
74  

´,NQRZ7KDW·VWKHFUD]\WKLQJDERXWLWµ+LVYRLFHGLSSHGWRDFURRQDQGKLV OLGVORZHUHGWRDKRRGHGJD]H´,W·VLQH[SOLFDEOH
75  

6KH VOLFHG KLP D VLGHORQJ JODQFH DQG FRFNHG KHU KHDG ´Darling? Hold up. When did we get here, to this place where you feel the need to address me by anything other than my name? And, my name is Ms. %XUQHWW E\ WKH ZD\µ 6KH almost giggled at her effort to be serious with him, because he made it especially difficult with that, yeah right you know you want me all over you, JULQ RQ KLV IDFH ´, PHDQGDPQZH·YHRQO\NQRZQHDFKRWKHUIRUDQKRXURUWZRDQG\RX·YHJRWPH GRLQJWKLVVLOO\UROHSOD\LQJWKLQJ7KLVLVULGLFXORXV:KRDUH\RX"
76  

6KH QRGGHG DQG RQFH DJDLQ VOLSSHG KHU KDQG IURP KLV ´1RZ ZLWK WKH IRUPDOLWLHVDVLGHPD\,VD\WKDW\RX·UHDORRQ\ELUG"µ +HJULQQHG´:HOODWOHDVW,·PQRWDQDVVKROHDQ\PRUHµ ´:H·OOMXVWKDYHWRVHHDERXWWKDWµ He stepped aside and waved her path out of the small kitchen like she was a TXHHQ´0LODG\VKDOOZHJHWGRZQWREXVLQHVVQRZ"µ 6KHUROOHGKHUH\HVDQGVPLOHG´/HW·Vµ

77  

Chapter Five Tuscany

Devon sat across from Josephine, watching her place quarter inch furniture templates on his floor plan. Her dainty fingers arranged and rearranged the SODFHPHQWRIWKHIXUQLVKLQJVDVVKHSHULRGLFDOO\PXUPXUHGWRKHUVHOI´7XVFDQ\µ 2QFHWKHVHOHFWHGWKHPHOHIWKHUOLSVVKH·GSLFNXSKHUSHQFLODQGVNHWFKD three dimensional design of the room. He loved the fact she did everything freehand first. Most interior decorators he knew had to do their designing on a computer program. For hours, she continued to impress him. She was fast, very precise, and incredibly skilled at what she did. Her confidence in her abilities was justified. Consequently, some of her ideas presented him with ways of finishing the second IORRUZKLFKZDVZKDWKHVKRXOG·YHEHHQZRUNLQJRQEXWKHFRXOGQ·WWDNHKLVH\HV off her long enough to move to his desk and get it done. He found himself captivated with everything she did, but most of all on how she wiggled her toes when a thought came to her. Glancing at her milk chocolate legs through the transparent table, he swallowed a groan. To add to his agony, she swung her crossed leg back and forth, causing the cream skirt to rise further and further up her voluptuous thighs.

78  

His cock stirred feverishly making it impossible to remain still. Shifting sounds emitted from the chair and gave away his disturbed disposition. She glDQFHG XS DW KLP D FR\ JOHDP LQ KHU EHDXWLIXO KD]HO H\HV ´:LOO \RX VWRS"µ Studying her, he continued to swivel back and forth. How in the world a woman this passionate about her work became friends with Stacy Ann, whose only passion was her self, was a mystery to him. Hell, Josephine even remembered WKH QDPHVRI FOLHQWV VKHKDG ZHOO RYHU D \HDU DJR ZKHQ 6WDF\ $QQ FRXOGQ·W HYHQ UHPHPEHUKHURZQQLHFH·VQDPH ´7HOOPHVRPHWKLQJKRZGLG\RXDQG6WDF\$QQEHFRPHIULHQGV"µ 8QFHUWDLQW\FORXGHGKHUIDFH´$KK\HDKµ ´$KK\HDK"7KDW·VWHOOLQJPHDORWµ 6KHSXUVHGKHUOLSV´6KHGDWHGP\EURWKHUIRUDFRXSOHRIZHHNVµ ´&RXSOHRIZHHNV"µ ´8KKXKµ +HOHDQHGEDFNLQWKHFKDLUDQGFURVVHGKLVDQNOHV´6R\RXWZRKDYHEHHQ %))VHYHUVLQFHWKHQKXK"µ 6KH GLGQ·W DQVwer. She just continued to shift templates around on the diagram. ´:K\ZHUHQ·W\RXDWWKHZHGGLQJ"µ

79  

+HU KHDG VQDSSHG XS ´6KH GDWHG P\ EURWKHU IRU WZR ZHHNV 7KDW·V DOO , NQRZDERXW6WDF\$QQRND\"µ6KHZHQWEDFNWRKHUZRUN ´5LJKW RND\µ 1RZ KH really liked Josephine and damn sure wanted to NQRZPRUHDERXWKHU´6WDF\$QQKDGPHXQGHUWKHLPSUHVVLRQ\RXWZRDUHJRRG IULHQGVZKLFKLVZK\VKHSUHWW\PXFKVKRYHG\RXUVHUYLFHVGRZQP\WKURDWµ 6KHVORZO\ORRNHGXSIURPWKHGLDJUDPKHUEURZVIXUURZHG´6Koved down your throat? If my presence here is that much of an imposition, I can work from WKHKRWHOµ ´1RQR,·PRND\ZLWKLWQRZEXW,·PQRW«µ+HSDXVHGWRFKRRVHKLVZRUGV FDUHIXOO\´,·PDORQHJXQQHU,GRQ·WOLNHWRRPDQ\SHRSOHORRPLQJRYHUPHZKen ,·P ZRUNLQJ 8QGHUVWDQG" 3HRSOH VWDUW WKURZLQJ LQ WKHLU RZQ RSLQLRQV DQG P\ creativity goes out the window. You see, Devon Sparks and interior designers GRQ·WXVXDOO\JHWDORQJµ 6KH QRGGHG ´, IHHO \RX ,·YH UXQ LQWR P\ IDLU VKDUH RI EXWW-‐head architects who thinks they can tell me how to do my job, or think their opinion matters when it comes to my visionµ ´0\VHQWLPHQWVH[DFWO\µ ´$QG ZKHQ \RX WKLQN DERXW LW LW VKRXOGQ·W HYHQ EH WKDW FRPSOLFDWHG Architects do the outside, designers work on the insiGH:KDW·VWKHSUREOHP"%XW if you add engineers in the mix, goodness, it can become a mess. I had one architect

80  

WHOOPH,GRQ·WUHVSHFWthe code and then he had the nerve to get mad at me because I WULHGWRVSUXFHXSKLVXJO\GHVLJQµ Devon found himself snickering as Josephine ranted. ´,PHDQ,·PRQO\GRLQJZKDWWKHFOLHQWZDQWV,I\RXGLGQ·WZDQWPHWRXVH exterior sconces on the face of your structure, why would you design the building with stone veneer going halfway up, with foam lining to top it off? I mean, really. Then, he used boring, cement plaster the rest of the way up to the ugly, shingled roof. Why would you use that when the side of the building is all stone? It looked ULGLFXORXV'DPQULJKW ,·P JRLQJ WR DGG VRPHWKLQJ WR LWµ +HU EHDXWLIXO face was FRQWRUWHGLQDQJHU´$QG\RXNQRZZKDWHOVHSLVVHVPHRII"µ ´:KDWHOVHSLVVHV\RXRIIGDUOLQJ"µKHFRXQWHUHGVPLOLQJLQDPXVHPHQW ´+RZ VRPH DUFKLWHFWV WU\ WR EODPH WKH FRQWUDFWRU IRU WKHLU VFUHZHG XS design. If the client has anything negative WRVD\DERXWLWWKHQLW·V¶2KZHOOWKDW·V QRWWKHZD\,GHVLJQHGLWWKHFRQWUDFWRUVGLGQ·WIROORZP\SODQV·µVKHPLPLFNHG LQ D GHHS YRLFH ´7KDW·V EXOOVKLW DQG WKH\ NQRZ LW 7KH VDPH VWXSLG EXLOGLQJ GHVLJQ\RX·UHORRNLQJDWLVWKHVDPHVWXSLGEXLOGLQJ \RXGHVLJQHG'RQ·WWU\WRSXW WKHEODPHRQVRPHRQHHOVHEHFDXVH\RX·UHMXVWDFUDSS\DUFKLWHFWµ +HFRXOGQ·WKHOSEXWFKXFNOH´:HOOGRQ·WKROGEDFNWHOOPHKRZ\RXUHDOO\ IHHOµ

81  

6PLOLQJVKHGURSSHGKHUH\HVEDFNWRGUDZLQJ´6RUU\,GLGQ·WPHDQWRWake P\DJJUDYDWLRQRXWRQ\RX,·YHEHHQKROGLQJLWLQIRUDFRXSOHRIPRQWKVµ +H QRGGHG ´, XQGHUVWDQG ,W·V GLIIHUHQW ZKHQ \RX KHDU LW IURP WKH RWKHU VLGH:H·UHDOLNHLQDORWRIZD\V\RXNQRZµ ´
82  

´:KDWDUH\RXDIUDLGRI",WZRXOGEHIXQWLPHVDQGLQQRFHQWFRQYHUVDWLRQµ ´:RXOGLW"µ6KHGURSSHGKHUSHQFLODQGVWDUHGDWKLP´0U6SDUNV"µ ´'HYRQµKHFRUUHFWHGKROGLQJKHUJD]H ´Devon ,·P IODWWHUHG \RX ZRXOG ZDQW WR VSHQG DQ\ RI \RXU important time JHWWLQJ WRNQRZPH EXWLQDOOKRQHVW\,·PQRWKHUHWR JHWDFTXDLQWHGZLWK\RX ,·PKHUHWRGRDMREµ ´7KDW·VIDLUHQRXJKEXW,WKLQNZH·OOJHWPXFKPRUHDFFRPSOLVKHGLIZHSHHO away WKHZDOO\RXKDYHHUHFWHGEHWZHHQXV,W·VMXVWGLQQHUµ ´1RLW·GEHPRUHWKDQGLQQHUDQG\RXNQRZLWµ ´1RZ,WKLQNZH·UHJHWWLQJVRPHZKHUHµ+HOHDQHGLQWRWKHWDEOHDQGKHOG KHUJD]H´(QOLJKWHQPH7HOOPHZK\\RXWKLQNLW·GEHmore WKDQGLQQHUµ ShHFDXJKWKHUERWWRPOLSVEHWZHHQKHUWHHWKDQGVKRRNKHUKHDG´,·PQRW JRLQJWRSOD\WKLVJDPHZLWK\RXDJDLQµ ´2ND\OHW·VWU\WKLVµ ´*RRGQHVVGR\RXHYHUZRUN"µ ´,·PJRLQJWRDGPLWVRPHWKLQJWR\RXVRPHWKLQJ,·GXVXDOO\NHHSWRP\VHOI in this type oIVLWXDWLRQµ ´,·PQRWJRLQJWRGRWKLV,·PVHULRXVµ ´$QGWKHQLQUHWXUQ\RXDGPLWVRPHWKLQJWRPHµ+HWRRNDGUDPDWLFGHHS EUHDWK´2ND\KHUH,JRµ

83  

´,·PQRWOLVWHQLQJµVKHPXWWHUHGKHUKDQGVRYHUKHUHDUV ´-RVHSKLQH%XUQHWW,WKLQN\RXDUHDVWunning woman with amazing talents, DQG,KDYHQ·WEHHQDEOHWRWDNHP\H\HVRII\RXVLQFH,FDXJKWVLJKWRI\RXVWDQGLQJ DWWKHZLQGRZORRNLQJRXWDWWKHRFHDQ2ND\\RXUWXUQµ Her hands slowly fell from her ears and she stared, her mouth slightly parted+HMXVWZDQWHGWRKHDUKHUVD\LWWKDWVKHZDVDWWUDFWHGWRKLPWRR,IVKH·G MXVWVD\LWKHZRXOGQ·WIHHOOLNHVXFKDIRROIRUZDQWLQJDZRPDQKHEDUHO\NQHZVR damn badly. ´,W·VRND\\RXFDQVD\LW,ZRQ·WWHOODQ\RQH,SURPLVHµ Her lips twisted ´
84  

´7KDW·V QRW ZKDW ,·P WU\LQJ WR GR -RVHSKLQH ,·P D JRRG JX\ DQG DOO ,·P DVNLQJLVWKDW\RXOHWPHWRSURYHWKDWWR\RXµ 1HUYRXVO\ VKH ILQJHUHG WKH ORFN RI KDLU UHVWLQJ RYHU KHU EUHDVW ´,·P QRW LQWHUHVWHGµ 6XUH VKH ZDV +H·G MXVW KDYH WR WKLQN RI D ZD\ WR JHW KHU WR VKRZ LW +H prRSSHGKLVHOERZRQWKHGHVNDQGUHVWHGKLVKHDGLQWKHSDOPRIKLVKDQG´
85  

´7KDW ZD\ , FDQ FRQWLQXH WKH 7XVFan style right out through here, to this spacious patio. I already have the outdoor furniture in mind for this to bring out WKHWKHPHµ ´-RVHSKLQHSOHDVHGRQ·WLJQRUHPHµ ´$QGVLQFHRXUFOLHQWKDVDWKLQJIRUJROGDQGVXPSWXRXVGpFRU,ILJXUHG we woulGJRZLWKD9HQHWLDQSODVWHUWUHDWPHQWLQWKHJUHDWURRPWKHQ,·OOOD\HULW with a metallic gold to add depth to the accessories I have in mind. I also have the perfect furniture³µ Devon slapped his hand on the floor plan and sent it sailing across the table, where it, along with her templates and sketch notes, floated to the floor. ´-XVW RQH GLQQHUµ KH VDLG VRIWO\ ZLWKRXW WDNLQJ KLV H\HV IURP KHU VKRFNHG stare. She lowered her lids slightly and pinned him with a lusty glare that made his insides twitch. ´2K\HDKWKDWZDVUHDOPDWXUHµ+XIILQJVKHSXVKHGRXWRIKHU chair. ´,·OOGRZKDWHYHULWWDNHVWRJHW\RXUDWWHQWLRQµ+HOSOHVVO\KHZDWFKHGWKH sway of her round apple shaped bottom as she went to retrieve the fallen papers. ´
86  

Suddenly, something uncontrollable took hold of him, like it did when they were down stairs. A strong need to be close to her trampled over logic and reason, and without thought he went into action. He shot out of the chair, darted around the table in two long strides, caught her arms before she could bend to clean his mess, and gently drew her up against him. Her feet shuffled over the paper with her gasp of disbelief echoing through the office. ´:KDW WKH²? 'HYRQ ,·P²,·P QRW JRLQJ WR GR WKLV FUD]\ PDQµ VKH stammered, staring up at him wide-‐H\HG´
87  

Those big beautiful eyes searched his, almost pleading with him to release her, but to take her at the same time. She seemed confused, astounded even, and that alone made him want her more. ´:KDW LV LW DERXW \RXµ KH ZKLVSHUHG KRDUVHO\ IRFXVLQJ RQ KHU SDUWO\ RSHQHGPRXWK´WKDWPDNHVPHWKURZDOOUHDVRQRXWWKHZLQGRZ"µ Exploring his frame, her hands eased up his arms, over his shoulders, to the QDSH RI KLV QHFN ´,², GRQ·W NQRZµ VKH ZKLVSHUHG ´7KLV LV QRW ULJKW :H VKRXOGQ·WEHGRLQJWKLVµ ´1R ZH VKRXOGQ·Wµ KH FURRQHG IDOOLQJ FDSWLYH WR KHU VZHHW WRXFK as he ORZHUHGKLVKHDGWRKHUV´%XW,MXVWKDYHWRµ His hand slipped around her waist, and the other got lost in her soft locks. He pulled her harder into him and claimed her mouth. Careful not to deepen the kiss too quickly, he tenderly caressed her lips with his, absorbing the softness. She breathed out his name. Gently, he pulled her lower lip into his mouth and sucked on it. The muffled moans coming from them filled the room. Burrowing into him, she melted within his embrace. He shuddered when she ran the tip of her tongue along his upper lip and held it captive between hers. His breath hitched in his throat. His body pressed against hers, moving them until her back was against the glass wall.

88  

Aching to deepen the passion, he cradled her face. But she abruptly broke the kiss. Before he could regain himself, she slipped out of his embrace, dropped to the floor, crawled over to the scattered mess, and gathered her templates and notes. Chilled without her body close to his, he made stilt movements toward her, wanting to pull her back into his arms. She left him needing her more than his next breath. He licked his lips, savoring the taste of her. He kneeled down to help her collect the drawings and tried to make eye contact with her, but she refused to look at him. ´-RVHSKLQHµ he said barely above a whisper. ´,·PVRUU\EXW,FRXOGQ·W help³µ ´6RPHRQH·VKHUHµVKHUXVKHGRXW And as soon as the words left her mouth, he looked up to see Stacy Ann sashay up the staircase.        

89  

Chapter Six Triangle ´:KHZ,IRUJRWKRZWLULQJWKRVHVWDLUVFDQEHµ6WDF\$QQSURFODLPHGZLWK her famous canned smile. Josephine gathered the last of the fallen templates from the floor and glanced at Devon. Stuck in place, he stared at Stacy Ann. His demeanor changed dramatically. His lids lowered into a glower, shading the beautiful cobalt blue of his eyes. Josephine rubbed her hands down her skirt as she stood back up. She tried not to think about the kiss that made every nerve in her body tingle. She turned her back to him, shivering from the need to be in his arms again. *RRGQHVVZK\·GKHKDYHWRIHHOVRJRRG"$QGZK\GLGKHKDYHWREHVXFKD good kisser? She forced all thoughts of the forbidden kiss out of her mind and plastered on a cool smile. Stacy Ann approached at a snaLO·V SDFH OLNH WLPH ZDV XQLPSRUWDQW WR KHU The former cheerleader was still the same size two blonde, from high school, only a lot fancier. The fitted violet silk of her dress hugged her small curves and played a

90  

few inches past her knees. Her hips swayed flirtatiously as her cream Prada heels clacked sharply on the hardwood floor. Stacy Ann casually removed her wide brimmed hat and shook her hair loose. ´7KHGRRUZDVRSHQVR,MXVWOHWP\VHOILQµ ´2EYLRXVO\µ'HYRQJUXPEOHG Uh oh, the asshole was back. ´6KRHV2IIµKHEDUNHGDW6WDF\$QQ Shocked, Josephine turned and cut her eyes at him. He glared at Stacy Ann OLNHVKH·GNLOOHGKLVPRWKHU Smiling carelessly, Stacy Ann flipped off her heels then placed her hand on her hip like she wanted to say, happy now? ´1RZ GRQ·W JHW DOO VRXU LQ IURQW RI -RVHSKLQH 6KH·V P\ ROG KLJK VFKRRO EXGG\\RXNQRZµ ´6R ,·YH KHDUGµ KH GHFODUHG D KLQW RI VDUFDVP LQ KLV WRQH ´%))·V IRU OLIH ULJKW"µ +HDWIODVKHGRYHU-RVHSKLQH·VIDFH6KHIHOWVWXSLGIRUUHYHDOLQJWKHWUXth to him. Even though Stacy Ann had, for some odd reason, made up this friendship EHWZHHQWKHPVKHGLGQ·WPHDQWRPDNHKHURXWWREHDOLDU Stacy Ann walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. For a second, -RVHSKLQH GLGQ·W NQRZ ZKDW WR GR EXW WKHQ she remembered that the woman

91  

HPEUDFLQJKHUZDVWKHULFKFOLHQW,WGLGQ·WPDWWHULIWKH\ZHUHIULHQGVRUQRWEDFN in the day. Mrs. Stacy Ann Hanks paid a lot of money for her services and if it was a hug she wanted, a hug is what she would get. ´0H DQG -RVLH GLG HYHU\WKLQJ WRJHWKHU EDFN WKHQ GLGQ·W ZH"µ 6WDF\ $QQ tugged on her shoulders. Why in the world was this woman making this stuff up? $PXVHPHQWOLQHG'HYRQ·VEHDXWLIXOIDFHDVKHZDONHGSDVWKHU´Josie, KXK"µ ´
92  

-RVHSKLQH·VVPLOHZLGHQHG6WDF\$QQZDVERXQGWRDVNDERXWKHUEURWKHU GXULQJWKLVPHHWLQJVKHMXVWGLGQ·WWKLQNLWZRXOGEHWKLVVRRQ ´2K \HDK KH·V GHILQLWHO\ VWLOO D PHQDFHµ VKH FKRUWOHG ´, GRQ·W WKLQN KH·V HYHUJRLQJWRJURZRXWRIWKDW+HPRYHGWR*HRUJLDODVW\HDUµ ´,VKHVWLOOZLWK%HWKDQ\"µ7KHIDNHVPLOHGZLQGOHGDOLWWOHIURP6WDF\$QQ·V IDFHZKHQKHUFRPSHWLWLRQ·VQDPHOHIWKHUPRXWK From what Josephine could remember, Jackson was the only man to leave Stacy Ann whipped, defeated, and pissed off. Her brother hooked up with the captain of cheerleader squad, got between her legs, and then moved on. His interests switched to another cheerleader, Bethany tied him down and brought his days of hooking up with other cheerleaders to an end. ´
93  

´:HOO WKRVH H[WUD SRXQGV VFRUHG KHU D WZR \HDU FRQWUDFW ZLWK RQH RI WKH biggest modeling agencies in the country. And I doubt it my brother will be going anywhere soon. One thing has changed since high school, he prefers his woman ZLWK VRPH PHDW RQ KHU ERQHVµ 6KH FRXOGQ·W EH VXUH EXW VKH WKRXJKW VKH KHDUG Devon snicker. Stacy Ann looked like she wanted to sneer, but she tossed her hair from her VKRXOGHUDQGJULQQHGLQVWHDG´,VHH\RXQHYHUORVWDQ\RIWKHZHLJKW\RXFDUULHGLQ KLJKVFKRRO7KHUH·VDJUHDWSURJUDPDWWKHJ\P,DWWHQG,WFDQWDNHFDUHRIWKDW ORRVHFKDQJH\RXKDYHZKLOH\RX·UHKHUHµ Josephine bit her tongue. Loose change? She ran her hand across her taut belly. Yeah, she was big boned, but she was VROLGDQGWLJKWIURPKHDGWRWRH6KHPLJKWQRWEHDVL]HWZREXWLWGLGQ·WPHDQ VKHZDVQ·WDQDWWUDFWLYHZRPDQ She glanced over at Devon, then slyly down at herself. Suddenly, she had a twinge of insecurity and it heightened when Devon loudly cleared his throat. Was it because he was annoyed? Or maybe he agreed with Stacy Ann, and thought she could stand lose a few pounds. Why did it even matter what he thought? 6WDF\$QQVWHSSHGEDFNDQGORRNHGKHUXSDQGGRZQ´
94  

´([FXVH PHµ 'HYRQ EDUNHG IURP KLV GHVN ´,I \RX·UH GRQH LQVXOWLQJ 0V %XUQHWWFDQZHJHWGRZQWREXVLQHVV"µ Stacy Ann cocked her head in his direction, but Josephine kept her eyes on her. ´'HYRQ,ZDVQ·WLQVXOWLQJKHU,·PMXVWWU\LQJWRKHOSµ ´'LGVKHDVNIRU\RXUKHOS"µ 7KDQN*RGKH·GLntervened, and even though his method was a bit brutal, she was still the client. -RVHSKLQHFOHDUHGKHUWKURDWPRUHIRUKHUVHOIWKDQWKHEUHZLQJDUJXPHQW´, MRWWHG RXW D IHZ VNHWFKHV 0D\EH \RX VKRXOG WDNH D ORRN DW WKHPµ -RVHSKLQH rushed out, retrievinJ KHU QRWHV IURP WKH WDEOH ´, WKLQN \RX·OO EH TXLWH SOHDVHG ZLWKD7XVFDQLQVSLUHGWKHPHDVDVWDUWµ 6WDF\ $QQ IORDWHG SDVW KHU DQG DFURVV WKH RIILFH WRZDUG 'HYRQ ´'HYRQ GDUOLQJGRQ·WEHVRMXGJPHQWDO
95  

Stacy Ann saunter over to him, like a lioness on the prowl. The expression on 'HYRQ·VIDFHVRIWHQHGZLWKHDFKVWULGH Josephine bristled. Why did it suddenl\ IHHO OLNH VKH·G EHHQ FDXJKW LQ WKH middle of some weird love affair? Stacy Ann slinked around the desk and rubbed her hands from the base of his back to his bunched shoulders. He planted his hands on the desk and dipped his head like the weight of world rested on him. The more he relaxed under her sensual touch, the harder it became to watch. Stacy Ann leaned down, slid her fingers into his raven hair, whispered something in his ear then kissed his lobe. +HVLJKHGDQGVKRRNKLVKHDG´6WDF\µ+LVYRLFHZDs soft, just as soft as it KDGEHHQZKHQKH·GNLVVHGKHUDIHZPRPHQWVDJR $ OXPS IRUPHG LQ -RVHSKLQH·V WKURDW DV WKH WUXWK FDPH DERXW 7KH\ ZHUH lovers. Devon was having an affair with a married woman. 'RHVQ·W LW ILJXUH! The smooth moves, his boyish charms; he was a modern day player. *URXQGLQJKHUWHHWKVKHVKRRNKHUORFNVIURPKHUVKRXOGHUV6KHFRXOGQ·W stand there for another moment. She clenched her hands into fists. The paper crackled in her grasp. God, how could she have let him kiss her? While they were distracted with one another, Josephine quickly and quietly JUDEEHG KHU EULHIFDVH DQG LQFKHG WRZDUG WKH VWDLUZD\ 6KH GLGQ·W NQRZ ZKDW SLVVHGKHURIIWKHPRVW:KHWKHULWZDV6WDF\$QQ·VDELOLW\WRVWLOOJHWDQ\PDQVKH

96  

wanted, or because Devon wDV VR GLYHUWHG E\ WKH IRUPHU FKHHUOHDGHU KH KDGQ·W even noticed she stood by the stairway about to leave. She slipped into her heels and tried to seem oblivious to their open show of affection, by forcing a pleasant smile. Stepping down on the first tread VKHDOORZHG KHU KHHOVWR FODFNORXGO\ ´, WKLQN,KDYHHQRXJKLQIRUPDWLRQWRZRUNZLWK,·PJRLQJWRWDNHZKDW,KDYHEDFN WRWKHKRWHODQGFRPHXSZLWKVRPHPRUHRSWLRQVµ ´:DLWµ'HYRQ SXVKHG DZD\IURP6WDF\ $QQ DQG FDPH WRZDUG KHU ´7KHUH are a few other things I think we should discuss about the³µ ´,GRQ·WWKLQNWKDW·VQHFHVVDU\:HZRQ·WEHDEOHWRPRYHIRUZDUGXQWLOWKH VHFRQG OHYHO LV FRPSOHWH DQ\ZD\µ 7KDW ZDV D EXQFK RI EXOOVKLW EXW VKH ZDVQ·W about to spend another moment with this playboy, not today. She had to go back WRWKHKRWHODQGJHWKHUPLQGULJKW´%HVLGHV\RXVHHPDELWVWUHVVHGµ She cut her eyes at him, delivering a scowl without dropping her smile. He stopped dead in his tracks. 7KDW·V ULJKW SOD\HU \RX EHWWHU EDFN XS LI \RX NQRZ ZKDW·V JRRG IRU \RX ´, ZRXOGQ·W ZDQWWRERJ\RXGRZQZLWKDOORIWKLVGHVLJQVWXIIULJKWQRZµ ´$ZZKRZ WKRXJKWIXO -RVHSKLQHµ 6WDF\$QQ JXVKHG ZLWKD JULQ´+HKDV EHHQDELWVWUHVVHGODWHO\µ7KHUHZDVREYLRXVKLGGHQPHDQLQJEHKLQGKHUZRUGV

97  

Devon stared at Josephine, his eyes pleading and his lips quivering. There was so much emotion in his face, she had to look away. ´, VKRXOG KDYH D IHZ RSWLRQV IRU \RX WRPRUURZµ 6KH ORRNHG SDVW KLP WR 6WDF\ $QQ ´,·OO GURS E\ D IHZ VWRUHV KDYH VRPH WKLQJV VHW DVLGH for you. Then, when you have some time, you and I can go accessory shopping to mend our ideas on³µ ´0D\EH,VKRXOGJRZLWK\RXµKHRIIHUHGTXLFNO\WDNLQJORQJVWULGHVLQKHU GLUHFWLRQ´-XVWOHWPHJHWP\NH\V³µ ´1RWKDQN\RX$WWKLVHDUO\VWDJH,GRQ·WWKLQN\RXUDVVLVWDQFHLVQHHGHG Perhaps you can tag along when Mrs. Hanks DQG,JRWRJHWKHUµ ´-RVHSKLQHµ 6KHQDUURZHGDWKLP´6HH\RXWRPRUURZ0U6SDUNVµ7KHQVKHIODVKHGD VPLOHDW6WDF\$QQ´$QGMrs. Hanks LW·VZRQGHUIXOWRVHH\RXDJDLQ,Oook forward WRZRUNLQJZLWK\RXPRUHRQWKLVSURMHFWµ%DFNVWLIIZLWKDQJHUVKHWXUQHGDQG marched down the steps without looking back at the jerk she knew stared after her.

Staring down the stairs, Devon listened to Josephine leave his house yet agaiQ +H FRQWHPSODWHG JRLQJ DIWHU KHU IRU D VHFRQG WLPH EXW FRXOGQ·W PDNH D move with Stacy Ann here. Shit.

98  

The way Josephine glared at him before she left could stop a heart. He could only imagine what went through her mind after he turned to putty under Stacy $QQ·VFDUHVV7KDWZDVIRROLVKQRWWRPHQWLRQHPEDUUDVVLQJ ´6KHVHHPHGDOLWWOHSHHYHGDW\RX:KDWGLG\RXVD\WRKHU'HYRQ"µ ,QWKHSDVW6WDF\$QQ·VYRLFHZDVDFRROEUHH]HRQDKRWVXPPHUGD\EXW now it raked like nails across a chalk-‐ERDUG´, have to go. I have some engineers to PHHWZLWKµ+HGDUWHGRYHUWRKLVGHVNWRUHWULHYHKLVNH\VEXW6WDF\$QQJRWWR WKHPILUVW1RWLQPRRGIRUJDPHVKHJORZHUHGDWKHU´*LYHPHP\NH\VZRPDQµ he demanded, his hand out. She slid onto his desk, and KLNHGKHUGUHVVSDUWO\XSKHUWKLJKV´
99  

´:KDW DUH \RX OLNH VL[WHHQ" , GRQ·W JLYH D VKLW ZKDW VKH·V WHOOLQJ SHRSOH 1RZJLYHPHP\GDPQNH\Vµ ´:K\DUH\RXEHLQJVRPHDQWRPH"µ +HVQRUWHGVRPHZKDWDPXVHG´$UH\RXIXFNLQJVHULRXV"µ ´
100  

He fisted his hands to restrain from grabbing her neck and squeezing the life RXW RI KHU ´%XOOVKLW 6WDF\
101  

distraught emotions. She fondled him, adding pressure to her caress. Nothing. His body had already shunned her. 7XUQLQJ WR IDFH KHU KH WRRN KROG RI KHU ZULVW DQG UHDFKHG IRU KLV NH\V ´, ZDQW\RXWROHDYHµKHUHLWHUDWHGVRIWO\ Anxiety in her eyes, she snatched her hand away from him, keeping his keys at bay. Had it been his inability to sexually react to her giving her this hint of despair? She placed his keys behind her on the desk, lifted her dress over her head, and tossed it to the floor. Sexy cream-‐colored lingerie hugged her petite curves. He scratched his head and tucked away a grin. This was desperation at its ILQHVW´6WDF\$QQZKDWDUH\RXGRLQJ"µ 6KHHDVHGWRZDUGKLP´7KHUHDUHVRPHWKLQJVRQO\\RXFDQGRµ6KHFXSSHG her breaVWV DQG UXEEHG KHU KDQGV GRZQ KHU WRUVR ´'HYRQ P\ ERG\ KDVQ·W EHHQ VDWLVILHG VLQFH WKH ODVW WLPH ZH PDGH ORYHµ 6KH ORZHUHG WKH ODFH FRYHULQJ KHU breasts to display her hardened pink nipples. Pressing her perky mounds to his chest, she caressed his shoulGHUV 7KH VFHQW RI KHU SHUIXPH WLFNOHG KLVQRVH ´+H GRHVQ·W NLVV PH OLNH \RX GR +H GRHVQ·W WRXFK PH OLNH \RX GR , QHHG UHOHDVH GDUOLQJVRPHWKLQJRQO\\RXFDQJLYH3OHDVHµ

102  

´
103  

Chapter Seven The Truth

:K\FRXOGQ·WVKHVWRSWKLQNLQJDERXWKLP" Frustrated, Josephine stalked into the suite, slammed the door, and dropped her briefcase on the desk. She unzipped the back of her skirt and let it fall to the floor. After the bullshit spiel about being a good guy, he had the audacity to kiss her! She slipped out of her heels and into her bedroom slippers, then yanked her suit jacket from over her shoulders and down her arms. She tossed the jacket on the bed, marched into the bathroom, squirted a few drops of face wash in her hand, and scrubbed her skin, starting with her lips. Cocky bastard! She splashed a handful of water on her face. Damn him! After drying her face, she brushed the straps of the fitted silk slip from her shoulders, strolled out of the bathroom, and plopped onto the bed. Lazily, she reached for her phone.

104  

1RFDOOVIURP7HUU\6KHVKRXOGQ·WEHVXUSULVHG+HZDVVWLOOSLVVHGRIIDERXW WKHSURMHFW%HIRUHVKH·Gleft this morning, he called her selfish, and reiterated she was only concerned about her career and not their relationship. +LV LUULWDWLRQ ZRXOG EH XQGHUVWDQGDEOH LI VKH ZDVQ·W GRLQJ KHU MRE DV KLV woman. She washed his clothes, fed him, kept the house clean, and never denied him sex, all while maintaining her career. But, the more he argued with her, the more she realized he would never respect her gift for design. Their relationship was one-‐sided, and it made her wonder whether her efforts to keep trying with him were useless. Josephine pressed the number to speed dial his cell phone. Voice mail´+H\ 7HUU\,KDYHQ·WKHDUGIURP\RX,KRSH\RX·UHQRWVWLOOPDG&DOOPHEDFNEDEH, QHHGWRKHDU\RXUYRLFHµ 6KHVRXQGHGVRSDWKHWLF6KHVKRXOGQ·WKDYHWR beg him to call her. As her man, he should be blowing up her phone to make sure she arrived okay, but he preferred to sulk. She shook her head and tossed the small device to the other side of the bed. It rang. She scrambled across the slippery comforter and grabbed it. It was Pete. ´6RDUHZHJRLQJWRVXFNLQRXUSULGHDQGJHWWKHMREGRQHRUZDONRXWRQ RXUFDUHHU"µ

105  

6KHVPLOHGLQZDUGO\DWWKHVRXQGRI3HWH·VFKLSSHUWRQH´,·YHDOUHDG\VXFNHG LQP\SULGHµIn more ways than one. ´*UHDW $QG \RX·YH SUREably already come up with a design plan, so fax WKHPXSKHUHDQG,·OOGUDZXSWKHQXPEHUVIRU\RXUSURSRVDO+RZGLGWKLQJVJR ZLWK0U6SDUNV"'LG\D·OONLVVDQGPDNHXS"µ 6KHVWLIIHQHGWKHQJURDQHG´'R\RXKDYHWRXVHWKDWSKUDVH"µ ´:KDW".LVVDQGPDNH XS":KDW·VZURQJZLWKWKDW"µ+HVQLFNHUHG´,W·VQRW OLNH\RXUHDOO\NLVVHGKLPRUDQ\WKLQJµ Oh God. His words brought back the image of her locking lips with Devon. A tingle rippled down her spine. She shook her head and pushed up from the bed. ´$Q\ZD\V ,·P DERXW WR KLW WKH RXWOHW DQG VHH LI , FDQ SXW D KROG RQ VRPH LWHPV IRU RXU FOLHQWµ 6KH FRXOGQ·W WHOO 3HWH DERXW WKH NLVV 1RW RQO\ ZDV LW XQSURIHVVLRQDOLWZDVWKHDFWRIDORRVH ZRPDQZKLFKVKHZDVQRW´,PHWZLWK Mrs. Hanks, to go over the preliPLQDULHV DQG VKH·V SUHWW\ PXFK OHIW DOO RI WKH GHFLVLRQVXSWRPHµBecause she was too busy smooching with that two-‐timing, no good son-‐ of-‐a-‐bitch. ´,·OOVWRSE\WKHKRWHO·VRIILFHDQGJHWWKHVHVNHWFKHVWR\RX,I\RXKDYH any advice on how to better the design³µ ´:K\GR\RXVRXQGVRSLVVHGRII-D\"µ She bit her bottom lip and stared out the glass doors of the patio, RYHUORRNLQJWKHGRZQWRZQDUHD´1RUHDVRQ,SUREDEO\MXVWQHHGDGDPQGULQNµ

106  

´'LG6SDUNVVD\VRPHWKLQJHOVHWRJHWXQGHU\RXUVNLQ"µ Pete had known her too long and knew when something was clearly wrong, ZKLFK ZDV ZK\ LW ZDV XVHOHVV WR HYHQ WU\ WR OLH DERXW LW ´7HUU\ DQG , KDG D ULGLFXORXVILJKWEHIRUH,OHIWDQGQRZKH·VQRWDQVZHULQJP\FDOOV+HKDVQ·WHYHQ tried to contact me to make VXUH,JRWKHUHRND\FDQ\RXEHOLHYHWKDW"µ $VLJKRIDQQR\DQFHILOWHUHGWKURXJKWKHUHFHLYHU´,XVXDOO\GRQ·WOLNHWRJHW LQWRDGLVFXVVLRQDERXWKLPEHFDXVH,WKLQNKH·VDZDVWHRI\RXUIDEXORXVWLPHEXW seeing how you had a pretty tough day so far³µ ´,NQRZZKDW\RX·UHJRLQJWRVD\µ ´$SSDUHQWO\QRWEHFDXVH\RXEURXJKWKLPXSµ ´:HOO\RXDVNHGPHZK\,·PXSVHWµ ´1R,DVNHG\RXLI6SDUNVVDLGDQ\WKLQJHOVHWR\RX
107  

6KH WXUQHG IURP WKH ZLQGRZ WKUHZ KHU KDQG LQ WKH DLU WKHQ EOXUWHG ´+H NLVVHGPH,OLNHGLWDQG,·PDQJU\DVDOOKHOODERXWLWEHFDXVHKH·VDFKHDWDQGD OLDUµ 7KHUHZDVDORQJSDXVH´$OULJKWELWFKLI\RXZDQWWRNHHSVHFUHWVILQH6HQG WKH VNHWFKHV DQG FDOO PH ZKHQ \RX JHW EDFN IURP WKH RXWOHWµ +H GLVFRQQHFWHG before she had a chance to say anything. Baffled, Josephine stood there staring at the phone.

Posted in the parking lot of the hotel, Devon tapped his steering wheel to the sounds of the rock band Deftones. He kept his sights fixed on the hotel entrance. For the last forty-‐ILYHPLQXWHVKH·GEHHQWU\LQJWRZRUNXSHQRXJKQHUYH to get out of his SUV and go up to her room, or at least call her. But he was too chicken shit to do either. +H·GSDUNHGDWWKHIDUHQGRIWKHORW&ORVHHQRXJKWRVHHWKHHQWUDQFHEXW far enough away so the door-‐PDQZRXOGQ·WTXHVWLRQZK\KHVDWLQKLV/DQG5RYHU loitering, like a stalker. Josephine was pissed at him and had every right to be. Something magical happened between them before Stacy Ann showed up. Josephine made his heart beat a little faster; his loins tug harder. They hardly knew one another, but that would cKDQJH +H·G PDNH VXUH RI LW +H ZRXOG ILQG RXW HYHU\WKLQJ WKHUH ZDV WR

108  

know about Josephine Burnett, from her favorite color, to the screaming sweet spots on her body. He moaned at the thought. He turned up the volume when the singer bellowed out a meaningful verse from one of his favorite songs, Passenger. Falling back against the seat, he ran his hand through his hair and huffed. +H KDGQ·W HYHQWKRXJKWDERXWZKDWKHZRXOG VD\ WR KHU if she agreed to talk to him. All he knew was he had to clear his name. And kiss those plush lips again. ´7DNHPHWRWKHHGJHµKHZKLVSHUHGZLWKWKHVLQJHUDWWKHHQGRIWKHVRQJ It was damn near impossible to get their kiss off his mind. The softness of her lips held the promise of sweet, slow loving. He bit his bottom lip, leaned his head back against the headrest, and palmed his hardening cock. The thought of her locking her shapely thighs around his waist and grinding her hips against him appeared as a seductive image in his mind. He ached to clutch her round, ample backside and lower her onto his stiff shaft to plunge deeply inside of her, while she filled his mouth with her plump breast. He slid further down in his seat and fought the need to release his cock, to run his hand across pumping veins. A violent shudder ripped through him, forcing his eyes open.

109  

There she was, walking out the building, attitude in her steps, and a sassy sway in her hips. A pair of strappy heels accentuated her feet, khaki capris hugged her curves, and a peach blouse rested lightly along her top. She said a few words to the door-‐man. Smiling, he responded and pointed toward the highway. She nodded, patted his arm, and headed to a cab. Once she slid into the taxi, Devon slapped on his shades and started his ignition. ,FDQ·WEHOLHYH,·PGRLQJWhis. Careful to stay at least three cars behind, he trailed the yellow vehicle, his heart thumping in anticipation of looking into her eyes again. They moved onto the highway and rode about half an hour. After exiting the freeway, they went down a road, which seemed deserted, and then arrived at a shabby warehouse. He parked next to a large SUV at the corner of the building, watched her get out of the cab, hand the driver her fare, and walk into the warehouse. Pushing the frame of his shades further up the bridge of his nose, he exited the Land Rover. He hurried around the building and eased through the open doors. The worn down exterior was deceptive. The huge space was decorated lavishly and contained rows upon rows of interior design accessories and furniWXUHDGHFRUDWRU·VIDQWDV\:K\GLGQ·WKHNQRZDERXWWKLVSODFH"

110  

Without taking his eyes off Josephine, he pushed his shades atop his head, and ducked behind an armoire to keep out of her sight. He felt ridiculous, because he wanted to talk to her, but diGQ·WZDQWKHUWRNQRZKH·GIROORZHGKHU +H·GEHFRPHDIUHDNLQJVWDONHU She disappeared between the aisles of lighting fixtures. He was about to close in the distance separating them, when someone touched his arm. He spun around and came face to face with $QJHOHDWKHVH[\%UD]LOLDQSOD\PDWHKH·GKDGD few fun nights with in Vegas before he met Stacy Ann. Of all the times she could pop up. ´'HYRQ ZKDW DUH \RX GRLQJ KHUH"µ +HU VWDUU\ EURZQ H\HV RJOHG XS DQG down his body. He glanced back at the lighting fixtures and cursed beneath his breath. A forced smile curled his lips as he drew the doe-‐eyed beauty into the embrace. ´$ OLWWOH VKRSSLQJµ KH PXUPXUHG JLYLQJ KHU D TXLFN SHFN RQ KHU WHPSOH ´+RZ·YH\RXEHHQ$QJHO"µ She blew out a shaky breath and ran hand along the side of her neck, VRPHWKLQJVKHGLGZKHQVKHZDVKRWDVILUH´,·YHEHHQPLVVLQJ\RXµ Chuckling lazily, he shoved his hands in his pocket. The half top snuggling her perky, cocoa B cups was calling to him, but he kept his eyes on her face. Thoughts of the crazy sex they had back then filtered through his mind. She was a

111  

natural born cowgirl, and had the skills to prove it, but sadly, that was pretty much all he remembered about her. ´
112  

´'RQ·W DSRORJL]H :H XVHG WR KDYH WKH EHVW VH[ LQ SXEOLF SODFHV 'R \RX UHPHPEHUORYHU"µ +HSXWPRUHGLVWDQFHEHWZHHQWKHP´/RRN$QJHO,-‐I have some business to WHQG WR ,W ZDV JUHDW VHHLQJ \RXµ +H EUXVKHG WKH HGJH RI KHU FKLQ ZLQNHG DQG made off after Josephine. ´:DLWµ $QJHOHD WRRN KROG RI KLV DUP LQ DFW RI GHVSHUDWLRQ WR JDLQ KLV DWWHQWLRQ´:KDWDUH\RXGRLQJWRQLJKW"6LQFH\RX·UHDIUHHPDQQRZ,ILJXUHGZH can get to³µ ´,·PEXV\$QJHO,KDYHDELJSURMHFW,·YHEHHQZRUNLQJRQµ JoVHSKLQH·V YRLFH IORDWHG WKURXJK WKH HFKRLF EXLOGLQJ 6KH ZDV KDYLQJ D conversation, but not with the man gawking at her ass. Damn, he wanted to punch that guy in the face. There was a tinge of irritation in her voice. She went down the rows of carpets and he headed her way. ´'HYRQ"µ ´/DWHU$QJHO,·OOWDONWR\RXODWHUµKHPXWWHUHGZLWKRXWORRNLQJEDFN +H UXVKHG GRZQ WKH ORQJ OHQJWK RI WKH EXLOGLQJ WRZDUG -RVHSKLQH·V YRLFH After darting around the awkwardly noticeable carpet sign, which stuck out way too far, he went down the aisle and stopped. Josephine desperately reached for an area rug at the top of a pile. The pervert behind her held on to her waist, pretending to help search out the selected

113  

LWHP +HDW FUHSW XS EHQHDWK 'HYRQ·V VNLQ +H EDOOHG KLV Kands in his fists and PDUFKHGWRZDUGWKHP,IVKHKDGQ·WEHHQVRGLVWUDFWHGE\WKHDUJXPHQWVKHZDV KDYLQJRQWKHSKRQHVKHZRXOG·YHQRWLFHGWKHJX\ZDVJURSLQJKHU Her voice strained as she pushed up on her toes to reach higher and the JX\·VKDQGORZHUHGWRKHUKLS´,FDQ·WEHOLHYH\RX7HUU\3HWH·VQRWHYHQKHUH
114  

WKHSKRQHEXGIURPKHUHDUDQGGURSSHGLWLQKHUKDQGEDJ´:KHUHLQWKHZRUOG GLGFRPHIURP0U6SDUNV"µ Devon turned to the guy, who raked him up and down with a harsh glare. ´4XHVWLRQIRU\RXSDOGR\RXZDQWWRNHHS\RXUMREKHUHRUQRW"µ+HVWDUHGWKH guy down until he got the hint and walked away. When the man vanished through a set of swinging doors, Devon turned to Josephine. She stared at him, her brows furrowed and her hands planted on her KLSV +H FRXOGQ·W KHOS EXW QRWLFH WKH JODVV\ ILOP RYHU KHU H\HV DQG WKH VOLJKW puffiness around them. ´:KDWLV\RXUSUREOHP"µ ´7KDWJX\ZDVIHHOLQJ\RXXS-RVHSKLQHµ ´0V %XUQHWWµ VKH EDUNHG RYHU KHU VKRXOGHU DV she spun on her heel and VWURGHGRZQDQRWKHUDLVOH+HIROORZHG´+HZDVQRWIHHOLQJPHXS+HZDVWU\LQJ WR KHOS PH JHW WKH FDUSHW VR , FRXOG JHW D FORVHU ORRN DW LWµ 6KH UHWULHYHG D ZDOO sconce and studied it. ´3OHDVH , ZDWFKHG KLP JDZN DW \RXU DVV WKe whole time he was following \RX'RQ·WEHVREOLQGµ ,QKLVIDFHLQDKHDUWEHDWVKHVQHHUHG´%OLQG"
115  

6KHMHUNHGDZD\IURPKLPDQGVKXIIOHGEDFN´.HHS\RXUKDQGVWR\Rurself. 'RQ·W PDNH PH VD\ WKDW DJDLQ :K\ DUH \RX HYHQ KHUH" , WROG \RX LW ZDVQ·W necessary³µ6KHVODQWHGKHUKHDGDQGORRNHGDWKLPDZNZDUGO\´'LG\RXIROORZ PHKHUH"µ ´1Rµ+LVDQVZHUFDPHRXWVKDUS+HKDGWRKDQJRQWRDVOLYHURIKLVGLJQLW\ ´/LDUµ 6KH VXFNHG KHU WHHWK DQG VKRRN KHU KHDG LQ GLVJXVW ´%XW , JXHVV , VKRXOGQ·W EH VXUSULVHG
116  

KRXVH IRU WKHP HYHQ WKRXJK WKH\ VFUHZHG PH RYHUµ KH UDPEOHG RQ ´
117  

+H FOHDUHG KLV WKURDW DQG WRRN D GHHS EUHDWK WR FDOP KLPVHOI ´&RXOG \RX SOHDVHWDONWRPH",·PQRWJRLQJWRJRDZD\,I\RXZDQWPHWRJHWRQP\NQHHVDQG EHJIRU\RXUDWWHQWLRQ,·OOGRWKDWµ She tuUQHGWRIDFHKLPDQGVODSSHGKHUKDQGRQKHUKLS´:KDWH[DFWO\GR \RXZDQWPHWRVD\"µ ´6RPHWKLQJDQ\WKLQJWROHWPHNQRZ\RXKHDUG³µ ´,KHDUGHYHU\WKLQJ\RXVDLG'HYRQµ ´$QG\RXGRQ·WZDQWWRWDONDERXWLW"µ ´*RGPDQ:K\"µ ´,GRQ·WNQRZZK\,MXVW need to know how you feel. I need some show of HPRWLRQWROHWPHNQRZ,·PQRWLQWKLVE\P\VHOIµ ´$OULJKWRND\\HDKLWERWKHUHGPHWRVHH\RXZLWK6WDF\$QQOLNHWKDW'LG it make me think less of you? Yes, it sure as hell did. There you have it, my feelings RQWKHPDWWHU$UH\RXKDSS\QRZ"µ ´1R,·PQRWµ Strained silence hovered between them, lingering for several fraught PLQXWHV)LQDOO\VKHKXIIHGZHDULO\DQGVKRRNKHUKHDG´,GRQ·WZDQWWRGRWKLV ZLWK\RX'HYRQµ ´%XW,ZDQWWRGRWKLVZLWK \RXDQ\WKLQJZLWK\RX,W·VWKHUHLQ\RXUH\HV, NQRZ\RXZDQWWRDVNVROHWLWIO\1ROLHVRQO\WKHWUXWK/HWPHKDYHLWµ

118  

/LSVWZLVWHGVKHSXVKHGDKDUGEUHDWKWKURXJKKHUWHHWK´+DYH\RXVOHSW ZLWKKHUVLQFHVKH·VEHHQPDUULHG"µ ´1Rµ ´'LG\RXVOHHSZLWKKHUZKLOHVKHZDVHQJDJHGWR\RXUEHVWIULHQG"µ ´
119  

+HSRQGHUHGDPRPHQWRQKLVDQVZHUKLVH\HVQRWOHDYLQJKHUV´,WKLQN,·P VRPHZKHUHLQEHWZHHQORYHDQGKDWHULJKWQRZµKHDGPLWWHGFORVLQJLQD bit of the space that separated them. Apparently determined to keep the space between them, she tottered back DQGSUHWHQGHGWREHGLVWUDFWHGE\DQLWHPRQWKHRWKHUURZRIDFFHVVRULHV´7KDW·V DGDQJHURXVFRPELQDWLRQµ ´,QGHHGLWLVµ ´,GRQ·WJHWLW+RZ does she get guys like you wrapped around her finger? ,W·VEHHQWKHVDPHWKLQJIRUKHUVLQFHKLJKVFKRRO6KHVWUDSVGRZQWKHKRWWHVWJX\ in school then leaves him with his balls in his hand, looking like a straight fool. 6KH·VDELWFKDQG\RXJX\VNHHSIDOOLQJLQWRKHUZHE:K\"µ +H JURDQHG 6R KH·G EHHQ MXVW DQRWKHU YLFWLP" ,W KDGQ·W RFFXUUHG WR KLP VKH·GEHHQDEODFNZLGRZVLQFHKLJKVFKRRO+HVWDUWHGWRIHHOOLNHOHVVRIDPDQ The fact the woman he was utterly captivated with pointed out his mishap was truly embarrassing. ´,PXVWORRNOLNHDSLWLIXOFDVHWR\RXµ 6KHRIIHUHGKLPDVPDOOVPLOH´1RWDVPXFKDV\RX·GWKLQNµ +HJULQQHG´7RXFKpµ 7DNLQJKHUJD]HIURPKLVVKHVKLIWHGIURPRQHOHJWRWKHRWKHU´:HOO,KDYH a few more things I want to FKHFN RXW DQG WKHQ ,·P JRLQJ WR FDOO LW D GD\ ,·YH

120  

already faxed the proposals to the office, so this is going to go quicker than H[SHFWHG
121  

´,·P LQ DFRPPLWWHG UHODWLRQVKLS'HYRQ DQG ,·OO EHDGXOW HQRXJK WR DGPLW WKHUHLVVRPHWKLQJJRLQJRQKHUHEXWLWQHHGVWRHQGQRZ,GRQ·WZDQWWRJHWLQWR anything that will screw up what I have at home. PlHDVHUHVSHFWWKDWµ From the sound of things, her relationship was already screwed up, but he ZRXOGQ·WSRLQWLWRXWWRKHU He held her gaze, curling and uncurling his hands to the rapid rhythm of his KHDUWEHDW´,ZLOOtry WRUHVSHFWLWµKHKHDUGKLPVHOIPXWWHU´,·OOEHRXWVLGHZDLWLQJ IRU\RXZKHQ\RX·UHGRQHµ

               

122  

Chapter Eight Honeymooners

The pounding beat of the hard rock music did little to diffuse the fire-‐storm raging within her core. Josephine continually clutched her thighs together and shifted in the leather seat, hoping to God the feeling would go away, but the longer she sat there, the worse it became. He smelled so good, like a delicious man-‐meal on a platter. His cologne combined with his natural scent enticed her senses. She kept taking involuntary glances at his masculine hands and long fingers. She wrung her hands feverishly in her lap, fighting the need to slip her fingers between her thighs to heal the ache dangling on the edge of her clit. Huffing, she turned to stare out the window. ´
123  

a heat of passion. Damn him ,W ZDVQ·W IDLU KH KDG WKLV NLQG RI HIIHFW RQ KHU especially when she tried to stay on the right path. ´+HUHZHJRµ7KH\SXOOHGXSWRWKHHQWUDQFH ´7KDQNVIRUWKHULGHµVKe uttered quickly. Swiftly, she grabbed the handle in an attempt to make a run for it. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, forcing her to turn and look at him. His inky hair had fallen over his forehead, enhancing his sex appeal. ´,NQRZWKLVJRHVDJDLQVt what we discussed at the outlet, but³I just want WRVSHQGWLPHZLWK\RXJHWWRNQRZ\RX$QGZKHUHZHJRIURPWKHUHOHW·V³OHW·V MXVW OHDYH LW WR IDWH , OLNH \RX D ORW -RVHSKLQH DQG ,·P KRSLQJ \RX IHHO WKH VDPH DERXWPHµ His eyes were so sincere, so hopeful. Damn it, she had almost made it out of the vehicle. She closed her eyes for a brief moment to steady her thoughts, to think RIVRPHWKLQJWRVD\WKDWGLGQ·WLQYROYHWKHZRUGVfuck me, please. ´'RQ·W PDNH WKLV DQ\ KDUGHU WKDQ LW DOUHDG\ LV /LNH , VDLG EHIRUH ,·P LQ D relationship and this would only³,MXVWFDQ·Wµ6KHJHQWO\XQIXUOHGKLVKDQGIURP DURXQGKHUZULVW´,·OOVHH\RXWRPRUURZPRUQLQJµ She turned from him and darted out of the vehicle, leaving his alluring scent behind. He called after her, but she dared not turn around. The fever he engendered rolled down her body and she broke out in a cold sweat. Without

124  

hailing the door-‐man, she ran up the entrance steps, through the open glass doors, DQGWRWKHHOHYDWRUEXWVKHGLGQ·WHQWHUZKHQWhe sliding barriers opened. I need a damn drink! Quickly walking from the bank of elevators, she retraced her steps then made a sharp right turn to the bar. Neon lights haloed the handsome bartender like he was a God. ´6DSSKLUH PDUWLQL QR WZR VKRWV 9DQLlla cognac, no wait, better yet, hook me up with a glass of Johnnie Walker Blue, on the rocks. Josephine Burnett, room (LJKW IRXUWHHQ &KDUJH LW SOHDVHµ 6KH UDPEOHG RQ VR IDVW VKH FRXOG KDUGO\ FDWFK herself. ´
125  

This was crazy. She loved Terry and would never cheat on him. Never! He was her first and only man. No one had ever touched her body but him, and no one else would! 0D\EHLIVKHFDOOHGDQGKHDUGKLVYRLFHLW·GVQDSKHURXWRIWKLVFUD]LQHVV She looked to her side for her trusty handbag to seek out her phone, but it ZDVQ·WWKHUH´6KLWµ,QKDVWHWRIOHHVKH·GOHIWKHUEDJLQKLV/DQG5RYHU'RXEOH shit! Before she could shoot from the booth to run outside to go catch him, her Louis Vuitton bag was placed on the table in front of her. Reluctantly, she looked up to meet those metallic blue eyes. His lids half-‐ mast and chest heaving, he stared down at her. Everything blurred around him. She plastered her hand across her erratically thumping heart, and dropped her eyes to his hand, which still clutched the handle of her purse tightly. His fingers slowly unfurled. The same fingers she wanted stroking her skin, teasing her clit, thrusting deep inside of her dewy tunnel. She bristled and shook her head. It was too late; the images were there. ´'DPQLW'HYRQµshe pushed out on a heavy sigh. +LVDXGLEOHJXOSVOLFHGWKURXJKWKHFODPRURIWKHEDU´
126  

her knee. She rested her hand on top of his and fought the urge to drag it up her thigh to her aching spot. ´,VWKHUHVRPHWKLQJ\RXZDQWWRWHOOPH-RVHSKLQH"µ 3OHDVH\RXEHDXWLIXOVH[\PDQGRQ·WPDNHPHVD\LW, she begged with her eyes. ApparentlyVKH·GSLFNHGXSWHOHSDWK\VRPHZKHUHDORQJWKHZD\EHFDXVHKH VLPSO\VPLOHGDQGUDLVHGKLVNH\V´/HWPHWXUQP\5RYHURYHUWRWKHYDOHW,·OOEH ULJKWEDFNµ She offered a small smile of relief, before he stood and walked away. When he returned, he slid LQWRWKHERRWKRSSRVLWHRIKHUDQGWRRNKHUKDQG´-RVLHPD\, FDOO\RX-RVLH"µ Holding her lower lip between her teeth, she gave him a faint nod. ´:KDWFDQ,JHWIRU\RXVLU"µ$SHUN\ZDLWUHVVVHHPHGWRHPHUJHIURPRXWRI nowhere. Josephine subconsciousO\ UHPRYHG KHU KDQG IURP 'HYRQ·V JUDVS DQG snapped her eyes up at the petite woman. Clearly flirting with him, she twirled her finger around her loose blond curls and batted her eyes as she offered him a list of special drinks in her deep southern drawl. 1RW ERWKHUHG E\ WKH ZRPDQ·V GLVUHJDUG -RVHSKLQH QRQFKDODQWO\ ORRNHG past her, for the sake of avoiding her coquettish display. That was when she

127  

noticed something out of the ordinary. Almost every woman in the bar had their eyes fixed on Devon. The man waVLQVDQHO\JRUJHRXVZLWKRXWDGRXEWEXWGDPQ« She shifted her gaze back to him to meet his unwavering stare, which in turn made her feel awkward, considering he was the main attraction of the evening. He reached across the table, retrieved her glass, took a quick whiff, and then, to her surprise, he tasted the elixir. His eyes smiled over the rim of the glass. ´-RKQQLH:DONHU1LFHµ5XQQLQJWKHWLSRIKLVWRQJXHRYHUKLVWRSOLSKHUHWXUQHG KHUJODVV´,·OOKDYHZKDWVKH·VKDYLQJµ Disgruntled, the girl raked her with a curt glare then strolled off to fill his order. Josephine took a deep breath, ran a hand over her dreads, and then shook them back from her shoulders. Adding to her restlessness, Devon watched her intently, his elbows resting on the table and his hands clasped before his mouth. ´,QWHUHVWLQJ,QHYHUVDZ\RXDVWKHW\SHRIZRPDQWRSDUWDNHLQVFRWFKµ ´:HOOµ6KHWXUQHGWKHGULQNDURXQGH\HGWKHVSRWZKHUHKLVOLSVWRXFKHG the glass, and kissed him from afar as she sipped from the same plDFH´*LYHQWKH circumstances, it was needed. Did you realize that you have a lot of admirers?
128  

+LV H\HV QDUURZHG ´6ZHHWKHDUW WKH RQO\ DGPLUHU , ZDQW LV VLWWLQJ DFURVV IURPPHµ She cleared her throat and took another sip´7KLVLVFUD]\µ ´:K\"µ ´'HYRQWKLVWKLQJWKDW·VKDSSHQLQJEHWZHHQXV³ZHGRQ·WHYHQUHDOO\NQRZ HDFKRWKHUµ ´'RHV WKH IDFW \RXGRQ·W NQRZPH FKDQJH WKH ZD\ \RX IHHO" ,W VXUH DVKHOO GRHVQ·WIRUPHµ ´,·PDIUDLGWRDQVZHUWKDWµ ´7KHQGRQ·W,·PQRWKHUHWRSUHVVXUH\RXIRUDQ\WKLQJµ She nibbled on her bottom lip and ran her thumb along the edge of the glass. ´,KDYHEHHQZLWKWKHVDPHPDQIRUWKDWODVWILYH\HDUVKDSSLO\³well somewhat. I KDYH QHYHU HYHQ ORRNHG DQRWKHU PDQ·V ZD\ ZHOO H[FHSW IRU 'HQ]Hl Washington. +H·V WKH RQO\ H[FHSWLRQ ,JXHVV ZKDW ,·P WU\LQJ WR VD\ LV WKLVSODFH EHWZHHQ PH DQG\RXLVXQIDPLOLDUWHUULWRU\,JRWKHUHWRRGDPQIDVWµ ´We JRWKHUHIDVW,W·VQRWMXVW\RX-RVLHµ ´
129  


130  

´:DVLWOLNHWKLVZKHQ\RXPHW6WDF\$QQ"µ7KHTXHVWLRQZDVPHDQWDVDQ inner thought, but somehow found its way to her lips. ´1RLWZDVQRWKLQJOLNHWKLV0D\,VLWQH[WWR\RX",WKLQNZH·OOKHDUHDFK other better if we GRQ·WKDYHWRWDONDFURVVWKHWDEOHµ She could hear him just fine, and knew he heard her just as well, yet she found herself scooting across the seat, inviting him into that cozy domain called her personal space. He easily shifted over to her side. But then, he did something unexpected. Once situated, he scooped his forearm under her knees and looped her legs RYHU KLV RSHQ WKLJK IRUFLQJ KHU LQWR D SRVLWLRQ ZKHUH VKH GLGQ·W KDYH WR WXUQ WR look at him. +LV WRXFK ZDV QR ORQJHU IRUHLJQ WR KHU DQG VKH GLGQ·t feel uncomfortable with her legs slung over him, like he was her man. His arm lay loosely over her thighs. His fingertips caressed her hip and in return, she ran her hand over his beautiful sculptured arm, stifling the need to slip beneath the light fabric of his button down shirt to explore the beginnings of his muscular physique. ´
131  

His cheVWURVHZLWKDGHHSEUHDWKDVKHUDNHGKLVKDLU´6WDF\$QQDQG,PHW at the hospital a little over two years ago. My father suffered a stroke and was bed ridden for a few months after the fact. His doctors intimated there was the strong possibility he could have another stroke and it would most likely be fatal the next time, so my sister and I took precautions. Stacy was his nurse, and when the hospital released him, we hired her to take care of him. My mother is sickly and could only do so much, and since Desiree and I both have demanding jobs, we FRXOGQ·W GR PXFK HLWKHUµ +H SDXVHG ´:KDW DWWUDFWHG PH WR 6WDF\ $QQ ZDV KHU compassion for my father. She read to him, gave him comfort, cooked when my PRWKHUFRXOGQ·WDQGKHOGKLVKDQGZKHQLWZDVQHHGHG,DSSUHFLDWHGKHUIRUWKDWµ ´$QG\RXVWLOODSSUHFLDWHKHUIRUWKDWµVKHPXUPXUHG ,WVHHPHGWRKHUOLNH6WDF\$QQXVHGKLVIDWKHU·VGLVDELOLW\WRZHDVHOKHUZD\ LQWR WKH ULFK VWXG·V OLIH ZKHQ KH ZDV YXOQHUDEOH ,W ZDV D VKDPH KH KDGQ·W VHHQ that. Stacy Ann put up a sweet façade to win his heart and boy did she hit the MDFNSRW$SSDUHQWO\LWZDVQ·WHQRXJK6KHKDGWREHQRWLFHGE\WKHZRUOGVRVKH sunk her nails into the one man who could get her that fame: Roland Hanks, UHJUHWWDEO\'HYRQ·VEHVWIULHQG Still the same old Stacy Ann.

132  

´,V \RXU IDWKHU RND\"µ +LV H\HV JOD]HG RYHU LQ VDGQHVV +H UHDFKHG IRU KLV drink and took a big swallow. He looked at her, about to speak and she pressed KHUILQJHUVRYHUKLVOLSV´'RQ·WDQVZHUWKDWµ Before he took her hand in hiV KLV OLSV SXFNHUHG XQGHU KHU WRXFK ´:DQW DQRWKHUGULQN"µ 6KHKDGQ·WHYHQUHDOL]HGKHUJODVVZDVHPSW\7KHHIIHFWRIWKHDOFRKROZDV smooth and slightly intoxicating, but being a woman known to drink most men under the table, she was nowhere near drunk. However, if she partook in another, given the company and her particular mood at the moment, it would probably shut down her brain giving total control to her body. ´,SUREDEO\VKRXOGQ·Wµ ´
133  

´)RU WKH ORQJHVW , IHOW IRROLVK IRU DOORZLQJ myself to be put in a situation ZKHUH,FRXOGQ·WFRQWUROP\IHHOLQJV6WDF\$QQZDVQ·WULJKWIRUPH,NQHZLWEXW , FRQWLQXHG WR WU\ WR PDNH WKH UHODWLRQVKLS ZRUN :H GLGQ·W VKDUH WKH VDPH interests or have the same outlook on the world. Total opposites in every way, VKDSHDQGIRUPµ ´2SSRVLWHVDWWUDFWµVKHZKLVSHUHGWDNLQJZKLIIVRIKLVKDLU+LVVRIWUDYHQ ORFNVKHOGDVZHHWIORUDOVFHQWDQGWLFNOHGKHUOLSVDQGQRVH´,WKRXJKW7HUU\DQG, were alike. When we met, we both had the same determination to get ahead and push it to the limit. But, within five years, something changed. He started to resent P\SDVVLRQIRUP\ZRUNDQGIRUWKHODVWWKUHH\HDUVKH·VEHHQSXVKLQJDJDLQVWPH trying to make me choose between our relationship and my career. It·V QRW IDLU EHFDXVH,ORYHZKDW,GRµ His fluttering eyelash lightly stroked her chin and his lips brushed her WKURDW´,KDYHDTXHVWLRQDQGSOHDVHGRQ·WEHRIIHQGHGE\LWEXWKRZWKHKHOOKDV this man been with you for five years and not put a ring on \RXUILQJHU\HW"µ Good fucking question! Every time she brought up the subject of marriage, Terry would avoid it at DQ\FRVW5LGLFXORXVUHDVRQXSRQUHDVRQILOOHGKHUHDUVDERXWZK\WKH\VKRXOGQ·W WLHWKHNQRW7KHERWWRPOLQHKHMXVWGLGQ·WZDQWWRPDUUy and was too scared to VD\VR:DVQ·WVKHWKHIRROIRUVWLFNLQJDURXQG"

134  

Sighing, she leaned back to look into his face. His eyes sparkled through the GLPOLJKW´,JXHVVZH·UHERWKIRROVKXK"µ ´/RRNVOLNHLWµ Her eyes zoned in on his succulent lips. They were parted, saying something WRKHUEXWVKHFRXOGQ·WKHDUDQGVKHGLGQ·WZDQWWR6KHRQO\ZDQWHGWRIHHO6KH leaned in and latched onto his bottom lip. The kiss was slow, yet restrained, and utterly delightful. His embrace tightened and the tip of his tongue probed between her lips, then retracted. That small sample of him drove her wild. Losing her hands in his hair, she slanted her mouth over his and entered his hot orifice in search of his teasing member. Feverishly, their tongues fondled and stroked one another. He groaned under her sensual assault, his cock steadily hardening under her thigh. His hips moved beneath her, stirring up that infectious desire. She started to whimper like a puppy, needing him desperately to fill the empty void between her legs. ´*HWDURRPµVRPHRQHVKRXWHGMRNLQJO\ And then the reality of the moment hit her. They were two adults, tongue wrestling in a crowded bar like two horny teenagers. ´2KP\JRRGQHVVµ6KHLQFKHGRXWRIKLVHPEUDFHDQGVOLGRIIKLVODS Chuckling, KHVKRRNKLVKHDG´,WROG\RXZHVKRXOGSUREDEO\JRµ

135  

His lips were slightly swollen from her aggressive kiss. He tossed back the refreshed drink and she did the same. They chortled at one another when they both grimaced from the burn. After slapping a few bills on the table, Devon grabbed her purse and her hand then they high-‐tailed it out of the bar. By the elevator, Devon cradled her face, kissed her again and gently bit her neck. She stifled a moan and shivered uncontrollably when he stepped away from her to stab the up button repeatedly, as if that would make it arrive quicker. Finally, the doors slid open. He rushed in, pulling her in behind him. Her back met the elevator wall and his mouth crushed hers. Her temperature shot up to blazing inferno. The sliding barriers enclosed them in the small space and started to move up. Hungrily, they kissed, their tongues intertwining in a passionate dance. 7KH\ VZDOORZHG HDFK RWKHU·V UDYHQRXV PRDQV PHOWLQJ ZLWKLQ D PRPHQW RI rapture. Her mind screamed his name over and over, begging him to stop and continue at the same time. The sane part of her repeatedly nudged her, attempting to bring her back to reality, but the need to explore the fantasy created by his embrace overruled that part. The taste of him and the texture of his tongue charmed her. His mere HVVHQFH DQG IUDJUDQFH VWDPSHG LQWR KHU PLQG 6KH·G QHYHU IRUJHW WKLV PRPHQW

136  

ever. Even without penetration, he was inside of her, pulling her under, going deeper and deeper, suffocating her in his sea of ecstasy. It was almost too much to handle. While one hand circled her waist, the other reached out to slam the emergency stop button. The box of lust drew to a shuddering halt. He lifted one of her legs to his waist and then the other. Clasping her arms around his neck, she locked them around him. His fingers bit into her thighs as he pushed his erection against her throbbing clit. The heat of his body melted through their clothes and attacked her flesh. 6KHEURNHWKHNLVVWRFU\RXW´2K*RG'RQ·WVWRSµ This man in her arms had taken total control of her. His quickened heartbeat matched hers and the rhythm shot down her body to her center. God, he was working her hard and knew exactly what to do to push her to that level of insane pleasure. Oh Jesus, yes! Groaning, he nipped and lapped at the flesh of her neck. He ground his length along her starving slit, rolling his hips to bring about laborious moans. Her head pressed back on the wall as she rotated her pelvis in unison with his steady strokes. He mumbled something in crook of her neck, but she was too far gone to make out the words.

137  

Handling her with ease, he slipped his hand around her hip and delved into her pants. The skin-‐to-‐skin contact arched her back. His fingers wedged deeply between her butt cheeks and then he bucked against her to apply the final blow to her aching pearl. She came undone. The walls of her sheath contracted and let loose her milky flow to soak into her thin panties. She sucked in a gasping breath and released a husky moan. He made a wet trail from her neck, over her chin, to her mouth. The kiss, which was deep and unrelenting moments ago, was now soft and explorative. He slowly caressed her tongue and she caressed his. His deep moans made her insides flutter. Between his teeth, he caught the tip of her tongue and nipped at it gently. Her whole damn body became a ball of sensitized nerves. She craved more of him, his hands and mouth all over her. 6XGGHQO\DEURNHQ´8KKXPµVOLFHGWKURXJKWKHLUVH[XDOVSHOO Gasping, she unlocked her legs and clumsily got her feet beneath her. Devon turned around and a short older, white couple stared at them wide eyed with huge grins on their blushing faces. And now she was beyond embarrassed. 6RPHERG\·VJUDQGSDUHQWVMXVWZDWFKHGWKHPGU\KXPSLQDSXElic elevator. It was just one abashing moment after the other. ´2K*RRGQHVVµ-RVHSKLQHFRYHUHGKHUIDFHDQGWXUQHGKHUEDFNWRWKHPWR shed her shame in the corner, as the elevator started its ascent again.

138  

´2KP\VLQFHUHVWDSRORJLHVµ'HYRQH[SUHVVHG ´:HOO\RXWZRPXVWEHKRQH\PRRQHUV,W·VDOOULJKW'RQ·WEHHPEDUUDVVHG 0HDQGP\KXVEDQGZHUH\RXQJDQGLQORYHRQFHµ ´1RZ ZH·UH MXVW ROG DQG LQ ORYHµ WKH HOGHU PDQ VQLFNHUHG ´:H ZHUH supposed to get off at the lobby, but when you two zipped on in here, whoohaµ ´$QGZHGLGQ·WZDQWWRLQWHUUXSW\RXNQRZXQWLO\RXZHUHGRQHEXWZH IRUJRWDV\RXQJVWHUV\RXFDQJRRQDQGRQDQGRQµ Josephine pressed herself further into the corner, wishing she could GLVDSSHDU 7KH ZDUPWK RI 'HYRQ·V ERG\ SUHVVHG LQWR hers. Her hair was swept EDFNIURPKHUHDUWKHQWKHZKLVSHURIKLVEUHDWKIOLWWHUHGDJDLQVWLW´6ZHHWKHDUW ZKDWIORRUDUH\RXRQ"µ ´(LJKWµVKHPXPEOHG :KHQ WKH\ DUULYHG WR WKH HLJKWK IORRU -RVHSKLQH GLGQ·W WXUQ DURXQG XQWLO she heard the doors open. 7KHZRPDQSDWWHGKHUDUPEHIRUHVKHH[LWHG´
139  

ZKHQWKHROGPDQSRNHGKLVKHDGRXWWKHHOHYDWRUDQGVKRXWHG´.HHSXSWKHJRRG ZRUN\RXQJPDQDQGWKDQNVIRUWKHVKRZµ

                   

 

140  

Chapter Nine To the Edge

Josephine plopped down on the bed and stared at the gorgeous man standing in the doorway of her suite. The lights were dimmed. Moonlight shone WKURXJKWKHRSHQFXUWDLQVDQGHQKDQFHGWKHURRP·VJORZ ´7KLVLVWKHPRVWHPEDUUDVVLQg night ever. First down in the bar, then in the elevator³,PHDQWKDWZDVVRPHRQH·VJUDQGSDUHQWVZDWFKLQJXVµ +HFKXFNOHG´:RXOG\RX·YHSUHIHUUHGLIWKH\ZHUH\RXUV"µ$IWHUFORVLQJWKH door behind him, he swaggered into the room and placed her purse on the nightstand. ´+HOO QRµ 6KH ORRNHG DURXQG IRU VRPHWKLQJ WR WKURZ DW KLP ´6KXW XS 'HYRQ,·PWU\LQJWRXQGHUVWDQGKRZ\RXFDQEHVRFDOPDERXWWKLVµ /RZHULQJWRRQHNQHHKHOLIWHGKHUIRRWWRUHVWRQKLVWKLJK´,W·VQRWOLNHZH had actual sex in frRQWRIWKHPµ ´'DPQQHDUµ +HHDVHGKLVZDUPKDQGVXSKHUFDOIDQGXQWLHGWKHVWUDSWRKHUVKRH´7KLV may be a little disconcerting to you, but I think there is something wonderfully H[FLWLQJ DQG VHQVXDO DERXW EHLQJ ZDWFKHG ZKLOH PDNLQJ ORYHµ 6ORZO\ KH unwrapped the straps from her ankle and pulled the three inch stiletto from her

141  

IRRW´(VSHFLDOO\LQDSXEOLFSODFH7KHUHLVWKHWKULOORISRVVLEO\JHWWLQJFDXJKWDQG the reaction of the person or persons once they catch you. Will they retreat or just waWFK" ,W PDNHV WKH H[SHULHQFH DOO WKH PRUH SOHDVXUDEOHµ KH ILQLVKHG ZLWK D seductive whisper. That was some kind of confession. She swallowed hard when he removed WKHRWKHUVKRHDQGNLVVHGWKHWRSRIKHUIRRW´'LG\RXNQRZWKHUHZHUHSHRSOHLQ the elevatoUZLWKXV"µ +HVPLOHG´,WROG\RX,GLGQ·WWKLQNZHZHUHDORQHµ ´
142  

The thought of her naked legs enfolding him as he pounded into her gushing pussy made her moan and anchor her thighs around him. +HVTXHH]HGKHUWKLJKDQGQX]]OHGWKHFURRNRIKHUQHFN´7HOOPH-RVLHµ ´
143  

´,ZDQWWRVHH\RXUIDFHZKHQ,VD\WKLV3OHDVHORRNDWPHµ 5HOXFWDQWO\VKHPHWKLVUHTXHVW´3OHDVHGRQ·WGRWKLVWRPH-Xst get up and OHDYHRND\µ He softly pressed his lips to hers. He slipped his arms beneath her and held her tightly against him. In response, she hugged his neck. His embrace was so warm and loving. How could she push him away? How the hell could she resist him when KH·GDOUHDG\WDNHQFODLPRQKHUERG\"7KHUHZDVQRhow about it, she had to. Josephine knew what had to be done, but her body fought viciously to oppose her. Effortlessly, he drew her down into that sea again, diluting her mind with lust. His fRUHKHDG PHW KHUV ´, GRQ·W EHORQJ WR 6WDF\ $QQ $W RQH WLPH , GLG , ZRQ·WGHQ\WKDWEXWQRZ,GRQ·WµKHFRQFHGHGKLVYRLFHVWHUQ 6KHZLJJOHGEHQHDWKKLPZKLFKFRPSHOOHGKLPWRWLJKWHQKLVKROG´3OHDVH Devon, you and I both know your dick is doing tKHWDONLQJULJKWQRZµ ´,VWKDWZKDW\RXWKLQN"µ+LVOLSVEUXVKHGDFURVVKHUVWRWKHFRUQHURIKHU PRXWK´6ZHHWKHDUWEHOLHYHPHLIP\GLFNZDVGRLQJWKHWDONLQJ,·GKDYHDOOWHQ LQFKHVVKRYHGLQVLGHRI\RXULJKWQRZµ Oh shit! She clutched the back of his shirt when her pussy jumped at his FRQIHVVLRQ´7HQGDPQLQFKHV"-HVXV'HYRQWKDWLVDORWRIGLFNµ

144  

+LV GHHS FKXFNOH PDGH KLV ERG\ UXPEOH ´:K\ FDQ·W WKLV EH HDVLHU" :K\ FDQ·W,EHORQJWR\RX-RVHSKLQH"µ Her mouth dropped open as she fought back rising tears. This was way too deep and happening way too fast. How? How could she be falling for someone she GLGQ·WHYHQNQRZ" ´&RPHRQ'HYRQWKDW·VFUD]\:H·YHRQO\NQRZQHDFKRWKHUIRUDGD\DQG QRWHYHQDQHQWLUHGD\LI\RXWKLQNDERXWLWµ ´
145  

´6WRSILJKWLQJµKHZKLVSHUHGKLVEUHDWKFDUHVVLQJKHUQHFN´,WZRXOGNLOO me to walk out that door needing you as much as I do. Let me take care of you. All I want is WRVDWLVI\\RXDQGLI\RXVWLOOZDQWWRSXVKPHDZD\DIWHUWKLVWKHQ,·OO FRPSO\µ+HOLIWHGWRORRNLQKHUH\HV´)RUJLYHPHEXW,KDYHWRVHH\RXQDNHGµ 6KHVWLIIHQHG´:KD-‐ZDLWQRµ+HUILQJHUVFXUOHGDURXQGKLVVWURQJELFHSV to hold him in place. ´,·P QRW FRPIRUWDEOH ZLWKWKDW ,·YH RQO\ EHHQ ZLWKRQH-‐no one has ever seen me-‐SOHDVHGRQ·Wµ :KDW LI KH GLGQ·W OLNH ZKDW KH VDZ" 6KH ZDV FXUYDFHRXV QRW VRPH OHDQ skinny petite woman like Stacy Ann and the sassy redhead. Between his teeth, he gently caught her quivering lower lip and then reached behind him and unhooked her ankles. Her legs collapsed by his sides. She was now a shuddering mess beneath him. His diligent fingers slipped higher under her shirt and bra and sought out her nipple. Whimpers seeped from her on each breath. Round and round, he teased the perky peak with the pad of his thumb then caused her whole damn body to arch when he gently pinched it. At that moment, any lingering resistance she had melted away. The cotton fabric of her blouse left her body. The draft from the air conditioning feathered her torso and arms. He ran kisses down the side of her neck, leaving a wet tattoo of his passion everywhere his lips touched. Over her

146  

collarbone, he lapped at her simmering skin. He brushed his lips over her tight, upright buds through the lacy fabric of her brassiere, slowly going from one to the other, while his hands roamed over her hips, just beneath her unbuttoned pants. With gentle adroitness, he inched her capris down, stripping her naked, slow and easy, without a word spoken. He locked eyes with her and looped an index finger around the front clasp of her bra. He then paused. This was her out, her moment to stop him and truly send him on his way, the call for sanity. ´:DQWPHWRVWRS"µKe asked his voice hoarse and breathless. 6KHVKRRNKHUKHDG´1Rµ %LWLQJKLVERWWRPOLSKHWXJJHGRQWKHEUDFODVSDQGLWIHOODSDUW´$UH\RX VXUHVZHHWKHDUW"%HFDXVH,·PJRLQJWRWHOO\RXULJKWQRZRQFH,VHH\RX,PHDQ UHDOO\VHH\RXLW·VJRLQJWR take a hell of a lot more than a few VWRS·VZDLW·VQR·V and GRQ·WV WRPDNHPHFHDVHDQGGHVLVW2QFH,XQODWFKWKHFDJHWKDW·VLWµ ,QRWKHUZRUGVKHZDVDIXFNLQJEHDVWLQWKHEHGURRPDQGWKHUHZRXOGQ·W be a thing she could do to stop him once he got started. The thought was slightly disturbing, yet sexy as all get out. ´&RQGRPV"µVKHDVNHGLQDZKLVSHUWKUHDGLQJKHUKDQGVWKURXJKKLVKDLUDV he buried his face into her cleavage to bathe her flesh with his tongue.

147  

´1Rµ KH PXPEOHG SHHOLQJ WKH ODFe away to expose her full pronounced PRXQGVDQGKDUGHQHGQLSSOHV´&RQGRPVDUHQRWQHHGHGIRUZKDW,·PJRLQJWRGR WR\RX2QHVWHSDWDWLPHGDUOLQJµ7KHKRWKDYHQRIKLVPRXWKFRYHUHGKHUEXG and sent a ribbon of sensational tingles from her breasts to the bundle of nerves between her thighs. She writhed helplessly, clasping onto his head.

Latching onto her engorged mound of flesh, Devon adored her soft needy moans. She intoxicated him. Everything about her made him lose himself; her scent, the sounds she made, and, he knew deep in his heart, the taste of her would GULYHKLPWRLQVDQLW\+H·GQHYHUEHHQLQWKHPLGVWRIIDOOLQJWKLVKDUGIRUDQ\RQH VRTXLFNO\QRWHYHQ6WDF\$QQDQGVKH·GVXSSRVHGO\EHHQWKHORYHRIKLVOLIH As he took in more of her soft areola, he flicked his tongue around her flesh while kneading her other globe. Her delicious sounds of tantalizing pleasure escalated. He caught her peak between his thumb and forefinger and added just enough pressure to make her body tremble as he lightly nibbled on the other. She called his name in urgency. His moans of ecstasy mingled with hers. He took both breasts in his hands and pushed them together. His cock jutted hard against the material of his jeans.

148  

He took his time and tasted one, then the other, suckling, nipping, licking, drawing her body into the perfect arch beneath him. Her hips shuddered against his pelvis. Feeling her pleasure tipped him over the edge. He filled his mouth with her soft mound to muffle the symphony of his release. HHDOPRVWODXJKHGDWKLPVHOI,W·GEHHQDORQJWLPHVLQFHKHJRWRIIE\VLPSO\ making a woman come. 7KHUH ZDV D PXIIOHG ULQJLQJ RII LQ WKH GLVWDQFH +H FRXOGQ·W SODFH LW DQG GLGQ·WUHDOO\ZDQWWR+LVPLQGKDGEHHQFORXGHGIURPWKHRXWVLGHZRUOGDQGWKH only thing he could clearly hear was her sensuous pleas and moans. In agonizing slow movements, he slid down her body, placing hot kisses on her exposed skin. He got where her pants were bunched over her hip and stopped to take a good whiff of her arousal. She smelled so sweet! He rose up on his knees and looked down at her. Not bothering to fumble with the buttons, he yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it to the other side of the bed. Her mouth agape, she pushed up on her elbows and ran a hot gaze over his bare chest.

149  

+HVOLSSHGRIIWKHEHGJUDEEHGKHUKLSVDQGSXOOHGKHUWRKLP´7RXFK\RXU EUHDVWVµ KH FRPPDQGHG LQ D WKURDW\ ZKLVSHU ´, ZDQW WR VHH \RX SOHDVXUH \RXUVHOIµ With a shaky hand, she palmed her globes and massaged them from the base to the tip, pinching at her nipples ever so lightly. Fixated with the sight, he kneeled at the end of the bed and curled his fingers through the belt loops of her pants to ease them down her smooth legs. Josephine continued to fondle her breasts, making his cock stir like a caged beast. Her lids lowered and her breaths came out in short spurts. Soon, she slid a hand down her stomach to creep beneath the waistband of her damp panties. Whimpering, she wiggled her hips against her touch. Careful not to interrupt her, he worked her panties down over her hips and legs. Once she was completely naked, he stared in awe. Her body was a dream-‐ ample breasts, flat belly, curvy hips, full powerful thighs, and smooth legs; not to mention her captivating, deep, reddish brown skin tone. Her knees were partially open, obstructing his view of her fingers gliding over her clit. Still, she was a little self-‐conscious about her body. Well, that ZRXOGQ·W GR +H NLVVHG DQG WLFNOHG KHU NQHHV ZLWK WKH WLS RI KLV WRQJXH ZKLOH rubbing his hands along the length of her thighs, until her legs fell apart.

150  

Her chocolate blossom open up to him, baring her glistening nubbin and pink dewy passage. He bit his bottom lip to stifle a groan but when she cupped a breast and tongued her nipple, he thRXJKWKH·GORVHLW,WWRRNDJUHDWGHDORIZLOO power to stay planted on the floor, appraising her beauty. How would he be able to get through the night without burying his cock deep inside of this stunning flower? From where he kneeled, it seemed nearly impossible. He looped her leg over his shoulder, hugged her thigh, and drew her ass to the edge of the bed. As her delicate fingers caressed her glossy bump, he tilted his head and studied every little detail of her womanhood. Call him crazy, but he enjoyed staring at his meal before he dined. 7KDQNIXOO\ VKH ZDV VR ZUDSSHG XS LQ SOHDVXULQJ KHUVHOI VKHGLGQ·W QRWLFH him eyeing her. He gently stroked her plump shaven folds. She flinched and her dewy opening visibly pulsated. He took swipes at her middle finger with his tongue. She began to feverishly circle her clitoris. ´2K\HDKWKDW·VLW&RPHIRUPHDJDLQVZHHWKHDUWµ He lapped, kissed, and nibbled at the smooth flesh of her inner thighs, coaxing her to let loose. Her hips heaved. She whispered and gasped, then stiffened before releasing a loud husky moan. His control went out the window.

151  

Devon anxiously smacked her hand away like he was scolding a child, locked his lips around her gushing hole and shoved his tongue inside of her. His name flew out of her mouth in a scream of rapture. He gripped her ass and reamed her pussy, moaning with each drop of her sweetness. She fisted his hair and ground her crease against the strokes of his oral member, riding his mouth, feeding him more and more. Her body sputtered, rolled, stilled, and then quaked violently. God, he loved the way this woman came. ´2KRKKKRK\HVIHHOVVR³Devon, please³µ The taste of her was unique and extreme to his taste buds: lemon drop, honey, so bittersweet, and addictive. He steadied her bucking hips and dragged his tongue up the short length of her slit to her quivering pebble and latched on. With her sharp intake of air, he slid two fingers into her snug cavern. Slowly, he plunged in and out of her, relishing the sounds of her wetness sucking his digits. He started to convulse against his will. Groaning uncontrollably, he flicked his tongue over and around her tasty morsel, then sucked it intensely, drawing her hips in the air. She fisted the comforter and yanked at it. He quickened the pace of his probing fingers, turned them upward and crooked them to trigger her g-‐spot. When her inner muscles clutched and she released a high-‐pitch cry on every gasping breath she took, he knew he had her.

152  

The moment she freed her spurting bliss, so did KHEXWKHFRXOGQ·WSXOOXS IURP EHWZHHQ KHU WKLJKV IRU WKH OLIH RI KLP +H FRXOGQ·W VWRS WDNLQJ LQ WKH sweetness of her essence. Even when she stopped squirting milky goodness down his tongue, he wanted more. ´1REDE\ZDLWQR2K*RGZDLW,FDQ·WWDNH DQ\PRUHµ-RVHSKLQHSXVKHG away from him and attempted to scramble across the king-‐VL]HGFXVKLRQ´,W·VWRR PXFKµ /LNHDOLRQLQSXUVXLWKHFOLPEHGRQWKHEHGDQGZHQWDIWHUKHU´'LGQ·W,WHOO \RX WKDW ZRXOGQ·W ZRUN"µ 7KHUH ZDV D VSDUN RI IHDU LQ KHU eyes but even that ZRXOGQ·WVWRSKLP ´,·P VHULRXV 'HYRQµ VKH ZDUQHG RQ KDUVK EUHDWKV RQH KDQG FRYHULQJ KHU slit and the other thrust out against his advance. +HOLFNHGKLVOLSV´6RDP,µ Taking both her hands, he crawled on top of her and pinned them above her head. Before she could say another word of protest, he took her mouth. Her kiss started out resentful, but soon simmered to a ravenous hunger. ´'R\RXOLNHWKHZD\\RXWDVWH"µKHPXPEOHGDJDLQVWKHUOLSV ´8K-‐KXKµVKHPRDQHG

153  

As he took her agile tongue between his lips, his hand ran along something long and rubbery shoved under the pillow. He grabbed it and pulled back to see what it was. A wobbly, pink imitation cock stared back at him. ´$GLOGR"µ (PEDUUDVVPHQW IOLWWHG DFURVV KHU IDFH ´, XK³that was a gift from my friend, Pete, and I just brought it because³RKP\JRRGQHVVµ 6KHIUDQWLFDOO\UHDFKHGIRULWEXWKHKHOGLWRXWRIKHUUHDFK´+DYH\RXXVHG LW"µ KH DVNHG EUXVKLQJ LW E\ KLV QRVH WR JHW KLV DQVZHU +H VPLOHG ´:KHQ"µ +H caught heUZULVWZKHQVKHWULHGWRFRYHUKHUIDFH´:KHQGLG\RXXVHLW"µ 6KHEULHIO\FDXJKWKHUORZHUOLSEHWZHHQKHUWHHWK´%HIRUH,OHIWWRJRWRWKH RXWOHWµVKHDQVZHUHGEDVKIXOO\ ´$QGZKDWZHUH\RXWKLQNLQJRIZKHQ\RXZHUHSOHDVLQJ\RXUVHOI"µ ´
154  

His mouth fell open. Just the thought of those luscious lips on his cock ² ´,·PQRWGRQHZLWK\RX\HWµ ´:HOOµ$YHLORf timidity fell over her lovely face, as she ran her fingers along WKHVLOLFRQHVKDIW´
155  

crème appeared on his crown. The tip of her sexy oral muscle caught the drop and wiggled between his slit. +H GLSSHG KLV KHDG EDFN DQG JDVSHG RXW D PRDQ ´Ohh Josie, that feels so goddamn good³RKKVKLWµ The head of his python disappeared and fell victim to the warmth of her mouth. Her tongue caressed his glans along the rim. He clasped her head and jerked his hips forward, plowing further into her mouth. Vibrations from her moans traveled through his veins and tugged at his sac. He had to lean into the mattress to prevent from falling. Grabbing his hips, she scooted back and pulled him forward to kneel on the bed. He wanted so badly to snatch her up, kiss her lips, and to make love to her, EXW KH KDG WR VWLFN ZLWK KLV YRZ WR WDNH WKLQJV DW D VORZHU SDFH WKDQ KH·G OLNH Patience was a virtue. Without releasing his cock, she twisted her body and spread her legs. While rubbing her inner thigh, he kept his eyes zoned in on her skillful mouth. 5HSHDWHGO\KHUOLSVJOLGHGRYHUKLPWRWKHFHQWHURIKLVFRFNWKHQVKH·GGUDZEDFN just to roll her tongue around the crown. It damn near made him delirious. Grunting with her slow strokes, he reached across her body and grabbed the artificial cock. As she suckled him closer to climax, he teased her clit with the novelty object. She whined and whimpered, heaving her hips toward the pleasure.

156  

´'DPQGDUOLQJ\RX·UHVRVH[\µ Her legs trembled and she began to suck him faster. He rested the tip of the shaft at the mouth of her channel. She tried to thrust her pussy forward to swallow it, but he held it back out of her reach to sweeten the deal. ´:DQWPHWRIXFN\RX"µ ´8K-‐huh, uh-‐KXKµVKHPXPEOHGLQXUJHQF\ ´7KHQ,ZDQWWRKHDU\RXVD\LWµKHFRPPDQGHGLQDWKURDW\ZKLVSHU She rolled her perfect lips from his length, slurping along the way and ORRNHGXSDWKLPKHUKD]HOH\HVGDUNHQLQJ´)XFNPH'HYRQ)XFNPHXQWLO,FDQ·W WDNH DQ\ PRUHµ 6KH VWXFN KHU WRQJXH RXW DQG VODSSHd his cock on it, before slipping it back into her hot mouth. Grinning, he added pressure to the translucent member to bury it deep inside of her cozy cavern. She released him to gasp, and then started plunging herself onto it. He wanted to set the pace, assist in her pleasure, and fuck her as she requested, but watching her thrust her hips was so goddamn erotic, he FRXOGQ·W PRYH +H FRXOG RQO\ PDQDJH WR KROG LW LQ SODFH DQG VWDUH DW KHU LQ astonishment. The muscles in her stomach and thighs came forth as her hips rolled, popped, and gyrated. Oh my Jesus! The way she worked her body³ ´
157  

+HU PXIIOHG ZDLOV ERXQFHG RII WKH URRP·V ZDOOV 7KH MDUULQJ VSDVP VKRW through her, causing her body to tremble as she creamed all over the shaft. He extracted the faux penis and licked her honeyed juices from it like a VWDUYHGDQLPDO+HZDVQ·WLQWKHKDELWRIOLFNLQJLPLWDWLRQFRFNVRUFRFNVDWDOOIRU WKDWPDWWHUEXWKHZRXOGQ·WOHWQRWRQHGURSRIKHUHVVHQFHJRWRZDVWH Suddenly, the tug on his groin became profound as her nimble fingers curled around his sac. He looked down and she damn near had his full length down her throat. Oh my God! He began to pant. With ass muscles tightened, his eyes crossed and his thighs convulsed, he grabbed a handful of her dreads. Then a wave of bliss washed upon him closely followed by another. Spiraling heat darted through his cock and erupted from the tip. She whimpered and groaned with every spurt, milking him for more. Her fingers slid over his scrotum, between his thighs, and backside to press his puckered hole. Unbelievable! ´+RO\*RG-RVHSKLQH³what are you doing³ah shitµKHJURZOHGKLVERG\ MXWWLQJLQWRDILWRILQYROXQWDU\PXVFOHVSDVPV´-HVXV&KULVWZRPDQµ Hips lurching, body vibrating, he found himself bent over her, plunging his cock into her mouth. Her nails bit into his ass cheeks, urging his feverish downward movements. His usually husky moans had shot up an octave. ´2KVKLWRKVKLWRKVKLWµ

158  

Her muffled cries sent tremors up the length of his staff to the base of his loins as her diligent finger circled his anus. The tip of her digit slipped beneath the surface. She slowly pushed it all the way in. Head-‐spinning delight bowed his back and emptied his rod. He drew up, sung to ceiling in high, embarrassing tones, fell back, and toppled off the bed.

                                   

159  

Chapter Ten Regret

The irritating chime of her cell phone jarred her from a sound sleep. -RVHSKLQH GLGQ·W ZDQW WR RSHQ KHU H\HV EXW WKH WKUREELQJ DZDUHQHVV RI WKH familiar ache between her thighs pulled her lids open. She shot up and the warmth of the covers fell from her naked breasts. ´2KP\*RGµ She looked to the other side of the bed. The sheets were crumbled and held an indentation where a body had lain. She twisted around, buried her face into pillow, and inhaled deeply. The scent of him was all over it. Her heart thumped hard. Devon. 6RLWZDVQ·WMXVWDKRWDQGVWHDP\GUHDPVKHDFWXDOO\GLGDOORIWKRVHZLFNHG things with him. Oh God, no! She threw the covers back from her legs, hopped up, and ran to the bathroom. Her mouth agape, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Along with the extra sated gleam in her skin, there was a small passion mark on her neck, a few across her collarbone, and a whole damn mess of them around her breasts.

160  

´0\JRRGQHVVµ:DVWKHUHDQ\ZKHUHKLVOLSVKDGQ·WWRXFKHG" $QGGDPQLWLIWKHPDQGLGQ·WNQRZDOORIKHUVZHHWVSRWV+H]RQHGULJKW in on them as if she had a beacon flashing on each one. How the hell did he do that? And her G-‐spot³it took Terry damn near three years to find it and this man found it on their first encounter? She was in trouble. She reached for an elastic band to tie her hair back and spotted her pink toy. It rested on a folded towel at the corner of the counter, water droplets still clinging to it. She ran her fingers along it, remembering Devon holding it and licking her juices from it as he spilled his delicious nectar down her throat. A bout of emotional discomfort accompanied with embarrassment spread guiltily through her. Her stomach lurched and her heart ached. He must have WKRXJKWVKHZDVDZKRUH,WKDGWREHZK\KHOHIW+HSUREDEO\FRXOGQ·WVWDQGWR ORRNDWKHUDIWHUWKHIUHDN\VKLWVKH·GGRQHZLWKKLP )XFNPH'HYRQ)XFNPHXQWLO,FDQ·WWDNHDQ\PRUHHer erotic pleas echoed in her brain. Disgusted with herself, she rushed to the shower and suffered the punishing spray of the icy cold water. It ran over her face and down her heated body. Her actions the night before played over and over in her mind, as if it were happening at that very moment. Even though she felt like less of the woman she was raised to

161  

be, she wanted him, again and again, deep inside, thrusting her core with that long, juicy shaft of his. Her stomach churned harder. Five years of loving RQO\ RQH PDQ DQG QRZ VKH·G VWHSSHG RXWVLGH RI HYHU\WKLQJVKHEHOLHYHGLQDQGFKHDWHGRQ7HUU\6KH·GUHDOO\IXFNHGXS +RZ FRXOG VKH ZRUN ZLWK 'HYRQ QRZ NQRZLQJ VKH·G GRQH VRPHWKLQJ VR immoral? Or knowing he would never look at her the same way again? DDPQ-RVHSKLQH\RX·UHVRVH[\ His breathless croon and the desire in his eyes had her going last night, big time. Her mom used to say, a man would do and say anything he could to get a ZRPDQ WR RSHQ KHU OHJV WKHQ KH·G VKRZ KLV WUXH FRORUV WKH QH[W PRUQLng. His absence said enough. She stepped out of the shower and slipped on a terry robe. Digging deeply inside of her shameful soul, she searched for some remnant of her dignity. She found a sliver and wanted to hang on to it, so she needed some time away from Devon to get her shit together, to put on that night never happened face. She trudged over to her purse to retrieve her cell phone. Surprisingly, Terry had called five times and as badly as she wanted to return his phone call, she FRXOGQ·W+HUYRLFHDlone would give away her indiscretions.

162  

3HWHRQWKHRWKHUKDQGKDGFDOOHGOLNHWZHQW\WLPHV1RZVKH·GGHILQLWHO\ return his call, but first things first. She would call Devon and leave a message that VKH·GEHZRUNLQJIURPWKHURRPWRGD\ After she fished out his cell number, she stared at the card for a moment then bravely dialed the number. The voice mail beeped for a message and all she FRXOGGREUHDWKHLQWRWKHUHFHLYHU7KHZRUGVMXVWZRXOGQ·WFRPHWRKHU)LQDOO\ she just hung up and cursed herself for being such an idiot. Before she could set the phone down, it rang. Hesitantly, she glanced at the caller ID. Pete. She answered with a hard sigh. ´*LUO,·YHEHHQWU\LQJWRFDOO\RXDOOQLJKW:KHUHWKHKHOOKDYH\RXEHHQ"µ ´,³I was here. I just³,·P VRUU\3HWH,JXHVV,GLGQ·WKHDUWKHSKRQHµ2UKHU mind blocked it out because she had some gorgeous architect between her thighs sucking the hell out of her pussy. Her clit jumped and she cringed. 3HWHFOXFNHGKLVWRQJXHLQDQQR\DQFHDQGJUXPEOHG´2NDy, out with it, and LI\RXWHOOPHVRPHEXOOVKLWOLNH\RXGLG\HVWHUGD\,·PJRLQJWRFRPHRXWWKHUHMXVW WREHDW\RXUDVVµ Restraining the unshed tears of shame, she roughly raked her hands over her GUHDGV ´3HWH , GLG VRPHWKLQJ UHDOO\ IXFNHG XS ODVW QLght. I mean, it could MHRSDUGL]HWKLVSURMHFWµ ´-XVWVD\LWJLUOµ

163  

´,ZHOOPHDQG'HY³µ Suddenly, she heard the electronic lock to the room door unlatch and in walked her dangerous fantasy, sporting one of those captivating smiles. Her heart raced. The phone slipped from her hand and fell to the bed. His inky hair was tousled, his smooth skin flushed, and his shoulders UHOD[HG´$UH\RXGHFHQW"µKHDVNHGKROGLQJWKHGRRUDMDU She responded with the slight nod, pulling the soft cozy robe closer to her breasts. $PDQHQWHUHGDKXJHJULQSODVWHUHGRQKLVFKXEE\IDFH´0DGDPµ7KHPDQ nodded formally. In tow, was a cart holding a tray with a silver dome. He snatched WKH FRYHU IURP WKH WUD\ OLNH KH·G GRQH D PDJLF WULFN DQG DQQRXQFHG ´Voilaµ +H bowed earnestly before he disappeared from the room. Trying to keep her breaths steady, she stared at the tray, mostly because she GLGQ·WZDQWWRPDNHH\HFRQWDFWZLWK'HYRQEXWSDUWO\EHFDXVHVKHZDVKXQJU\DV hell. There was a scrumptious looking omelet, blanketed in chopped tomatoes. On the side there was bacon, sausage, house potatoes, a basket of biscuits, a carafe, which she assumed was filled with coffee, and a large glass of orange juice. ´,KRSH\RXGRQ·WPLQG,WRRN\RXUFDUGNH\WRJHWEDFNLQ,ZDVKRSLQJ,·G JHWEDFNEHIRUH\RXZRNHXSµ+HSXOOHGWKHWUD\LQIURQWWRKHUSRXUHGKHUDFXS

164  

of coffee, and then seasoned it with her desired amount of sugar and creamer, LQIRUPDWLRQKH·GVRPHKRZDFTXLUHGZLWKRXWHYHQKDYLQJWRDVN With trembling hands, she took the cup of coffee offered and took a sip. ´7KDQN \RXµ VKH XWWHUHG EHQHDWK D ZKLVSHU ´$QG IRU EUHDNIDVW WRR 7KDW ZDV UHDOO\VZHHWRI\RXµ The heat from his unwavering stare seared her skin but she remained distant and kept her eyes fixed on her delicious coffee in her cup. The odd silence was suffocating, but what could she say? ´,JRW\RXUYRLFHPDLOµKHVDLGDKLQWRIQHUYRXVQHVVEHKLQGDFKXFNOH´$V PXFKDV,ORYHWRKHDU\RXEUHDWKHLWZDVDOLWWOHFUHHS\µ She offered him an indirect tight-‐lipped smile. It was a cute way to sever the WHQVLRQEHWZHHQWKHPEXWZDVQ·WQHDUO\HQRXJKWRHDVHKHUGLVFRPIRUW ´-RVLHµKHVLJKHG´,GRQ·WZDQWWKLVWREHZHLUGµ 6KHVKRRNKHUKHDGDQGPXUPXUHG´7RRODWHLWDOUHDG\LVµ On the tray, he flipped a cloth from a small, silver container filled with ice DQGWZRVSRRQV´,WGRHVQ·WKDYHWREHµ He retrieved one of the spoons, gently brushed aside the robe over her chest, DQGSUHVVHGLWWRRQHRIWKHVPDOOSDVVLRQPDUNVKH·GOHIWRQKHU6KHVKXGGHUHG not from the icy chill of the silver utensil, but from the need to feel his lips on her skin again.

165  

´6RUU\,GLGQ·WUHDOL]H\RXEUXLVHVRHDVLO\µ 6KHORRNHGGRZQDQGEUXVKHGKHUILQJHUWLSVDORQJKLVKDQG´,GRQ·WWKLQN WKDW·VJRLQJWRZRUN'HYRQµ ´6XUHLWZLOOµ He removed the spoon, and surprisingly, the bruise was already fading. He leaned in and lightly blew on it. She curled her fingers into her palms to refrain from grabbing his ears and smashing his head between her breasts. ´
166  

inside of her before he collapsed. All of the freaky shit she shoulGQ·WEHFRQFHUQHG with. ´, ZDQW \RX -RVHSKLQH %XUQHWWµ KH FURRQHG JUD]LQJ KLV ILQJHUV DORQJ KHU thigh. ´'HYRQ , UHDOO\ GRQ·W ZDQW WR JR GRZQ WKLV URDG ZLWK \RX &DQ ZH MXVW pretend like³"µ ´:KDW"/LNHLWQHYHUKDSSHQHG"µ7KHKLQWRIIUXVWUDWLRQLQKLVvoice was not ORVW RQ KHU ´&DQ \RX GR WKDW" 6KLW FDOO PH KXPDQ RU D PDQ ZLWK WRR PXFK VHQWLPHQWDOLW\EXW,FDQ·WGRWKDWQRWZLWK\RXµ ´7KDW·VQRWZKDW,·PVD\LQJ³µ ´, NQRZ H[DFWO\ ZKDW \RX·UH VD\LQJ
167  

Angry, but suffering the pangs of her hunger, she started stuffing food in her mouth. Who the hell does he think he is? +HGLGQ·WNQRZDQ\WKLQJDERXWKHUEXWKDG the audacity to speak about her relationship. ´
168  

´7KHQZKDWGR\RXZDQWPHWRGR-RVLH",W·V\RXUFDOOµ 6KHVZDOORZHGKDUG´:HQHHGWRVWRSWKLVQRZEHIRUHLWJHWVWRRGHHSµ +HUHVKHZDVWDONLQJOLNHLW·GEHa piece of cake to delete last night from her memory when the truth was that incredible, hot session with him was next to perfect and could never be forgotten. What scared her most about this was when VKHJRWKRPHZRXOGKHUERG\VKXQ7HUU\·VDQGEHIRUHYHU\HDUQLQJRYHU'HYRQ·V skillful mouth and hands, not to mention his mouth-‐watering cock? Goodness. ´6R\RXZDQWPHWREDFNRII"µ ´'HYRQµ6KHGUDJJHGKHUKDQGVGRZQKHUIDFH´
169  

6KHZDVOHIWVKDNHQDQGEDIIOHG+HUOLSVVWXQJIRUDQRWKHUWDVWH´%DVWDUGµ she growled through clenched teeth, trying to tame the raging fire within her core. She spotted her phone on the bed. She grabbed it and was about to call Pete back, when she looked at it and realized the call was still connected. Pete had heard everything. She gasped and quickly hit the end button. Seconds later, the SKRQHOLWXSZLWK3HWH·VQDPHVFreaming at her from the small screen. She gulped back the lump in her throat and answered it with a shaky, ´+HOOR"µ ´2KP\*RG\RXGLGQRWµ Freaking out, she stabbed the end button again then ran into the bathroom as if the phone would chase her. Several seconds passed before it rang again. She leaned against the door frame and stare at it. There was no way around this. She had to talk to him about it. She briefly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and answered. ´+DQJXSRQPHDJDLQDQGVHHZKDWKDSSHQVµ3HWHZDUQHGKLVYRLFHORZLQ DQJHU´*RDKHDG,GDUH\RXELWFK,GRXEOHGRJGDUH\RXµ ´,·PVRUU\,GLGQ·WNQRZ\RXZHUHVWLOOFRQQHFWHGDQG,IUHDNHGRXWµ ´:KDWHYHU+RZFRXOG\RXOHWKLPOHDYH":KDW·VZURQJZLWK\RX"7DONLQJ about, we need to stop this now before it gets too deepµ KH PRFNHG LQ WKLV KLJK-‐pitch

170  

DQQR\LQJYRLFH´$QGKHJDYH\RXDFKDQFHWRWDNHWKDWVKLWEDFN
171  

´3HWHKH·VFRQIXVHGRND\+LVKHDUWLVVWLOOZUDSSHGXSLQVRPHRQHHOVH+H RQO\ WKLQNV KH ZDQWV PH EHFDXVH ,·P IUHVK PHDW VRPHWKLQJ QHZ , PHDQ EH serious here, the man has no problem what so ever with getting women, as I found RXWILUVWKDQG,EHWLQVL[PRQWKVKHZRQ·WHYHQUHPHPEHUP\GDPQQDPHDQGLI KHGRHV,·PQRWWU\LQJWREHKLVMXPSRIIµ ´6KLW\RXNQRZKRZPDQ\ZRPHQZLVKWKH\ZHUHKLVMXPSRII+HOO,ZLVK ,ZDVKLVMXPSRIIµ+HVQLFNHUHG´,I,FRXOGKDYHWKHERWKRI\D·OODWWKHVDPHWLPH like I could be the meat of the sandwich³µ ´8KXKER\,NQRZ\RXGLGQ·WMXVWVD\WKDWµ ´,·GEHLQKHDYHQ:KLOH,·PIXFNLQJ\RXKH·GEHIXFNLQJPH³µ ´:LOO\RXSOHDVHVWRSWDONLQJFUD]\µ +H ODXJKHG K\VWHULFDOO\ ´$Q\ZD\ ,·P QRW KHDULQJ DOO WKDW FUDS \RX·UH talking over there. That man did not sound confused, at all. I will say this though: I JXDUDQWHH LI \RX NHHS WKURZLQJ WKDW VZHHW ERG\ RI \RXUV DW KLP KH·OO KDYH D GLDPRQGRQ\RXUILQJHUZLWKLQWKUHHPRQWKVµ ´,WROG\RX ZH·UHQRWGRLQJthat DQGEHVLGHVLW·VQRWWKDWGHHSµ ´,WPD\QRWEHWKDWGHHSIRU\RX)RUVRPHUHDVRQ\RXVHHPWRWKLQN\RX·UH WKHRQO\RQHZLWKIHHOLQJV-D\+HZDVULJKW\D·OOQHHGWRVLWGRZQDQGWDONDERXW it, because baby, let me tell you this, when you see him with another woman and notice the emphasis on the word when\RX·UHJRLQJWRUHJUHWWKHPRPHQW\RXOHW

172  

him walk away. You may not do it today, or tomorrow, but you need to talk to him EHIRUH\RXOHDYHµ +HU KHDUW WLJKWHQHG DW KLVZRUGV ´
173  

´:DQWLQJLVRQO\KDOIWKHEDWWOHµ+HFKXFNOHG´,DPIUHDNLQJRXWRYHUKHUH Jay. I cannot believe you got down and dirty with Devon Sparks. Damn girl. Now, tell big daddy what happen with that sexy ass architect and you better not leave RXWRQHMXLF\GHWDLOµ

A red Audi convertible was parked along his driveway when he got home. Carmen stepped out in pair of fitted boy shorts that displayed the bottom of her rosy cheeks, a fitted red tank top, and a pair of patent leather, thigh-‐high boots. The sunlight emphasized her bright red mane. Strutting like cameras were on her, she flipped her hair from her shoulders and arched her body in a seductive pose. ´:HOOKH\WKHUHELJVH[\ZKHUH\RXEHHQ"µ ´2XWµKHJUXIIO\DQVZHUHG ´+H\ \RX NLQG RI ORRN OLNH \RX·YH EHHQ EXUQLQJ WKH FDQGOHV DW ERWK HQGV EXGG\" 2K , VHH \RX·YH KDG DQ DOO-‐QLJKWHUµ 6KH IROORZHG KLP LQ WKH KRXVH ´6R ZKRLVP\UHSODFHPHQW"µVKHDVNHGLQDIOLUWDWLRXVWRQH $WWKHIRRWRIWKHVWDLUVKHWXUQHGWRIDFHKHU´:KDWLVWKLV"µ ´:KDWLVZKDW"µ ´$OORIWKHVHTXHVWLRQVµ ´,FDQ·WDVN\RXTXHVWLRQV"µ

174  

´, WKRXJKW ZH DJUHHG QRW WR GR WKLV &DUPHQ 5HPHPEHU" 1R personal TXHVWLRQV-XVWVH[ZKHQLW·VQHFHVVDU\
175  

´&DUPHQµKHVLJKHG´,·PQRW³,·PUHDOO\QRWLQWKHPRRGIRUWKLVµ 7KH WKRXJKW RI ZKDW VKH ZDV DERXW WR GR EURXJKW LPDJHV RI -RVHSKLQH·V beautiful mouth swallowing the head of his cock to the forefront of his mind. His knees weakened and his head spun at the invasion. The sensation of her tongue gliding across his tender glans, the vibrations of her moans sparking his sensitive nerves, and the erotic glaze from her hooded eyes when she came made his sac tighten. *RGKHZDQWHGKHUVRGDPQEDG+HVKRXOGQ·WKDYHZDONHGRXWEXWKHOOKH GLGQ·WZDQWWRFRPSletely push her away by pressuring her. ´
176  

RQWKHEHGDQGZDYHGKHUILQJHUDWKLP´2K\RXVO\GRJ\RX,EHWVKHZDVDWRQRI fun in the sack and WDVW\WRRµ ´
177  

´
178  

He shuddered, flexed his hips, and thrust back and forth. Familiar moans entered his ears and filtered with the mewls playing in his mind. Josephine. ,Q HDV\ VWHDG\ VWURNHV KH PDVVDJHG &DUPHQ·V RIIHUHG VOLW SXVKLQJ KHU further toward the apex. She bucked into him, expressing the need to be fucked. Once he tipped her over the edge, she moaned in a fit of rapture. The scent that ILOOHG KLV QRVWULOV ZDV QRW WKDW RI -RVHSKLQH·V HVVHQFH DQG GLGQ·W FRPH FORVH WR being as affective. Carmen reached around, yanked the soaked crotch of her shorts to the side, revealing her fluttering dewiness and yHOOHG ´*HW WKH FRQGRP RXW RI WKH GUDZHU QRZ,FDQ·WWDNHDQ\PRUH)XFNPH'HYRQKDUGDQGIDVWµ 3DUW RI KLP UHDOO\ ZDQWHG WR EXW LW ZRXOGQ·W VDWH KLV QHHG +H ZDQWHG Josephine. +HVODSSHGKHURQWKHDVVDQGVWHSSHGEDFN´*RKRPH&DUPHQµ ´:KDW"µ6KHVSXQDURXQGDQGSXQFKHGKLPLQWKHFKHVW´
179  

+HUKDQGVGURSSHGWRUHYHDOKHUJULQQLQJIDFH´
180  

+HVKRRNKLVKHDG´7KHRSSRUWXQLW\KDVFRPHDQGJRQH&DUPHn. She made it very clear she wants to eliminate any physical attraction between us two and NHHSLWVWULFWO\EXVLQHVV6R,KDYHQRFKRLFHEXWWREDFNRIIµ Besides, the tears in her eyes yesterday told him her boyfriend laid some emotional stress on her. 'HYRQGLGQ·WZDQWWRDGGWRKHUSDLQE\SUHVVXULQJKHURU trying to woo her when she was in a state of mental confusion. ´:HOO,KRSHVKHZDNHVXSDQGVPHOOWKHURVHVVRRQEHFDXVH\RX·UHDKHOORI DFDWFKµ +H VLJKHG DQG VOLG WR WKH IORRU ´:K\ GR \RX HYen care, Carmen? If I UHPHPEHU FRUUHFWO\ \RX VDLG \RX GLGQ·W JLYH D VKLW DERXW ZKDW KDSSHQV LQ P\ SHUVRQDOOLIHDVORQJDV\RXDQG,FRQWLQXHWRVOHHSWRJHWKHUµ ´7KDW·V EHIRUH , JRW WR NQRZ \RX LGLRW 6KRRW D ZRPDQ FDQ FKDQJH KHU mind. Stacy Ann made it sound like you were some pompous rich bastard who ZDVJUHDWLQEHGEXWGLGQ·WJLYHDFUDSDERXWDQ\WKLQJEXW\RXUSUHFLRXVGHVLJQV %XWHYHUVLQFHZH·YHEHHQGRLQJRXUWKLQJ\RX·YHGURSSHGWKDWWRXJKH[WHULRUDQG have shown me the real you. Granted, it came out after rough angry sex, but still, I VDZLW$QG,VHHZKDWP\FRXVLQGLGWR\RXZKDWVKH·VVWLOOGRLQJWR\RX,PLJKW be an off the wall W\SHRIFKLFNZKRORYHVWRIXFNEXW,·YHJURZQIRQGRI\RXDQG, ZDQW\RXWREHKDSS\µ

181  

As odd as it was WR DGPLWKHIHOWWKHVDPHZD\DERXWKHU´/RYHVWRIXFN KXK",KRSH\RX·UHQRWJHWWLQJDURXQGWRRPXFK,·OOKDYHWRJLYH$VKOH\DFDOOµ ´2KSOHDVH'HYRQ
182  

&DUPHQ·V FKHHU\ YRLFH ILOWHUHG WKURXJK WKH VRXQG RI WKH VSUD\LQJ ZDWHU ´
         

183  

Chapter Eleven Persuasion

Josephine took a moment to steady her breathing before she stepped out of the taxi. Somewhere from deep within, she had to dredge up the strength to face him. 3ULRUWRFDWFKLQJWKHFDEFXULRVLW\ZDONHGKHULQWRWKHKRWHO·VFRQYHQLHQFH store where she purchased the April issue of GQ. On page one twenty-‐six began a seven page spread on the talented and provocative Devon Sparks. The text praising his work blurred as she flipped the pages because all she saw were the seven captivating photos of Devon. Tasteful and dazzling, the photos represented his powerful and innovative designs. The image that really set her on fire was in stark black and white. In the background of the photograph a piano shimmered like pearls. Poised beside the remarkable instrument, Devon was draped in an all white suit, black button down shirt, and a white tie, which held an eye-‐catching black and grey pattern. Along with a pair of shiny white shoes, a white fedora, accented with a black band set off WKHHQVHPEOH%XWWKDWZDVQ·WZKDWPDGHKHUSXVV\ZHW7KHKat dipped slightly

184  

over his eyes, giving you but a glimpse of his heart-‐stopping gaze, the same gaze KH·GSLQQHGKHUZLWKVHYHUDOWLPHVODVWQLJKW Lord have mercy, the man was infectious, even from the pages in a magazine! As she stared at the photos, she FRXOGQ·W EHOLHYH WKLV ZDV WKH PDQ ZKR shared a bed with her last night, whose mouth crept over sensitive parts of her body, leaving her trembling and begging for more. The memories played in her mind like a fantasy, like it never really happened, but it so did. She clutched her briefcase and marched to the door. After ringing the doorbell several times with no answer, Josephine dared to grab the handle and turn. It was open. Carefully, she stepped over the threshold and locked the door behind her. ´+HOORµ 6KH ZDLWHG WKHQ FDOOHG RXW DJDLQ ´'HYRQ DUH \RX KHUHµ 6WLOO QR answer. Either he was ignoring her or he was in a part of the house where he FRXOGQ·WKHDUKHU0D\EHKHZDVZRUNLQJRXW+HUVNLQWLQJOHGDWWKHWKRXJKW She deliberately avoided the corridor leading to the gym and hurried up the stairway. Once she stepped on the landing in the third floor office, she froze. Little Miss Green-‐eyed pussycat was perched on the work table, legs crossed, holding a mug, looking like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman with a pair of fierce thigh high boots on.

185  

´,PDGHFRIIHH+RSH\RXOLNHDPDUHWWRµ -RVHSKLQHVWRRGWKHUHKHUIHHOLQJVVRPL[HGXSVKHFRXOGQ·WPRYH7KHZD\ she was dressed³she came to his house for one thing and most likely got it. There ZDVQ·WDPDQ alive who could turn her down. Not that it mattered to her if he did RUQRW'DPQVKHZLVKHGLWGLGQ·WPDWWHU ´$UH \RX JRLQJ WR MXVW VWDQG WKHUH RU FRPH RYHU DQG WDNH D VLS RI P\ GHOLFLRXVFRIIHH"&UHDPHUULJKW"µ Smoothing a hand over her locks, Josephine stepped out of her heels and trudged across the office. The closer she got to the smiling redhead, the more XQFRPIRUWDEOHVKHEHFDPH´8KZKHUH·V0U6SDUNV"µ 7KHZRPDQJLJJOHGMHVWLQJO\´
186  

Her make-‐up was flawless, from the deep charcoal eyeliner to the bronze shadow accentuating her sparkling emerald eyes. The golden glow of her skin glistened in the natural light shining through the glass walls. Josephine could easily see why Devon kept her around. ´
187  

´&DUPHQµVKHGUDZOHG ´,NQRZ,GRQ·WKDYHWKHDXWKRULW\WRWHOO\RXWROHDYH0U6SDUNV·KRPHEXW I can tell you to leave me aloQH,·PVRUU\LIWKLVFRPHVRIIDVUXGHEXW,UHDOO\GRQ·W want you to say anything else to me and if you touch me again, we may have a SUREOHPµ Pouting like a little girl, Carmen poked her bottom lip out and folded her DUPV ´:HOO \RX GRQ·W KDYH WR EH VR PHDQ +HUH LW LV ,·P EHLQJ QLFH WR \RX DQG you³,PDGH \RXFRIIHH ,GRQ·W PDNHFRIIHHIRU MXVW DQ\RQHµ VKH ZKLQHG ´,MXVW ZDQWHGWRILQGRXWLI\RXOLNHG'HYRQDVPXFKDVKHOLNHV\RXµ 8QEHOLHYDEOH:KHUHWKHKHOOGLG'HYRQILQGWKLVFUD]\ZRPDQ"´$nd that requires you to violate my personal space? Could you please get your ass off of my ZRUN"µ ´2K ,·P VRUU\µ 7KH YL[HQ VWRRG DQG SXOOHG WKH FOLQJLQJ VNHWFK IURP KHU H[SRVHGDVV´0\EDGµ When she sauntered to the other side of the table, Josephine pushed the ass sketch to the far right of the table with the ball of the eraser and went back to her documents. ´
188  

6KHJUXQWHG´,·PQRW\RXUFRPSHWLWLRQ-RVHSKLQH,·PMXVWKLVIULHQGµ ´:LWK EHQHILWV ULJKW"µ ,W ZDV PHDQW WR EH DQ LQQHU WKRXJKW EXW PDGH LWV way out of her mouth. ´
189  

possible to get this woman to leave her alone and yet she was still here talking about shit way off her interest list. %XW &DUPHQFRQWLQXHG DVLI VKHZDVQ·W JHWWLQJ VHDUHG E\ KHUKRW DQQR\HG JODUH ´$VKOH\ DQG , KDYH EHHQ GDWLQJ VWHDGLO\ IRU DERXW WKUHH \HDUV QRZ 6KH·V ZRQGHUIXO DQG , GRQ·W ZDQW WR ORVH KHU EXW ,·P JRLQJ WKURXJK WKLV WUDQVLWLRQ SHULRGµ ´2K\HDK"+RZ·VWKDWZRUNLQJRXWIRU\RX"µ-RVHSKLQHVQHHUHG ´, GRQ·W NQRZµ VKH EUHDWKHG RXW OD\LQJ KHU OHDQ ERG\ DFURVs the table. ´3K\VLFDO FRQWDFW ZLWK D PDQ LV FHUWDLQO\ VRPHWKLQJ WR EH WUHDVXUHG EXW , VWLOO SUHIHU ZRPHQµ 6KH FURVVHG KHU ORQJ OHJV DQG ILQJHUHG KHU EULJKW UHG WUHVVHV ´7KHUHLVQRWKLQJWRFRPSDUHWRWKHWRXFKRIDZRPDQDQGQRERG\WXUQVP\NQREV like AVKOH\µ -RVHSKLQH SXVKHG RXW D KDUG VLJK DQG UROOHG KHU H\HV ´/RRN LI VKH·V VR wonderful and you love her, than you need to stop cheating on her with men or DQ\RQHHOVHIRUWKDWPDWWHUµ &DUPHQ·VH\HV]RQHGLQRQKHUV´1RWKHUHDUHQRmen. There is just one manµ ´2Kµ -RVHSKLQH ORRNHG DZD\ KDWLQJ WKH IDFW 'HYRQ·V VH[XDO UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWKWKHPLQ[ERWKHUHGKHU´'RHVVKHNQRZDERXW³"µ ´'HYRQ"
190  

´$QG\RXGRQ·WIHHOOLNHDELWFKIRUGRLQJWKDWWRKHU"
191  

QHYHUFURVVHG\RXUPLQGµ7KHUHZDVDQLPSLVKJORZLQKHr lusty hooded gaze as she approached. -RVHSKLQHVWLUUHG´+HOOQR1HYHU,ORYHPHQDQGZLOOGLHORYLQJPHQµ ´2K,KDYHQRGRXEWDERXWWKDWKRQH\EXW,WKLQN\RX·OOEHVXUSULVHGKRZ IDU\RX·OOJRZKHQSOHDVXUHLVLQYROYHGµ6KHZDONHGULJKWXSWRKHUchair. 6KDNLQJKHUKHDG-RVHSKLQHVFRRWHGEDFNDQGVKRWRXWRIWKHFKDLU´8K-‐uh, JLUO,GRQ·WWKLQNVR,GRQ·WZDQW\RXZLWKLQDUP·VUHDFKRIPHRUZHDUHJRLQJWR FRPHWREORZV,·PVHULRXVµ ´:K\VRGHIHQVLYH"
192  

Squinting suspiciously, Josephine watched her for a second more before complying with her command. ´7DNH D GHHS EUHDWK DQG MXVW LPDJLQH ,PDJLQH \RX RSHQ \RXU H\HV DQG \RX·UHVWDQGLQJLQDURRPZKHUHHYHU\WKLQJLVZhite. The walls, the furniture, all ZKLWH 7KHUH·V DQ DPELDQFH RI SXULW\ DOO DURXQG \RX DQG LW PDNHV \RX IHHO VDIH 6XGGHQO\ VRPHWKLQJ FDWFKHV \RXU H\H
193  

MRLQWKHPLQEHGEXW\RXFDQ·WEHFDXVH\RX·UHORRNLQJIRUVRPHRQH
194  

-RVHSKLQH·VEUHDWKFDPHRXWLQVKRUWVSXUWVDVDSDLURIVRIWOLSVUDQGRZQ her neck. Her nipples tightened under the gentle massage. She pressed her chest into the hand fondling her breast, her body begging for more. Explorative fingers drew her thighs further apart then a hand cupped her aching slit. ´2K*RG-RVLHµ'HYRQ·VWKURDW\JURDQPDGHKHUFOLWMXPS 6KHGLSSHGKHUKHDGEDFN´
195  

Devon stared after Josephine, then whipped around to pin Carmen with a JODUH´:KDWWKHKHOOLVZURQJZLWK\RX&DUPHQ"µ ´:KDWWKHKHOOLVZURQJZLWK\RXMr. Sparks*RDIWHUKHUµ ´*HW RXW P\ GDPQ KRXVHµ KH JUXPEOHG OLPSLQJ GRZQ WKH VWDLUV ´, FDQ·W believe you did that WRKHU7KDWZDVIXFNHGXSµ ´1R
196  

´6HH\RXODWHURKDQG'HYRQ"µ ´
197  

KH·G HUXSW ULJKW WKHUH RQ WKH VSRW $QG WKH SLFWXUH &DUPHQ SDLQWHG GLGQ·W KHlp matters. Yes, he heard the emerald-‐eyed minx seducing Josephine when he stepped out of his room, but he had no idea Josephine would let it go that far. Once in the kitchen, he gathered two cups of ice, pulled his jeans out, held his breath, and dumped iW LQ ,W WRRN D VHFRQG IRU KLP WR UHDOL]H KH·G GRQH something extremely stupid. ´$KKKK6KLWµ +HEDQJHGRQWKHFRXQWHUWU\LQJWRZLWKVWDQGWKHSDLQEXWLWMXVWZRXOGQ·W do. It felt like a million icy needles were pricking at his cock. He thought he would blackout. It was excruciating and became even more unbearable when Josephine rushed into the kitchen. ´:KDW KDSSHQHG" 2K P\ *RG DUH \RX RND\« LV WKDW LFH LQ \RXU SDQWV" *RRGQHVV'HYRQµ6KHJUDEEHGWKHIURQWRIKLVMHDQVSXOOHGKLPRYHUWRWKHVLQN anGVWDUWHGVKRYHOLQJWKHLFHRXW´2IDOOWKHFUD]\WKLQJVIRU\RXWRGRµ ´'RQ·WWRXFKLWGRQ·WWRXFKLWµ ´
198  

´7KDW ZDVD VKLWW\ WKLQJ \RXGLGVHQGLQJ \RXU SHW SXVV\FDW DIWHUPH MXVW EHFDXVH,GLGQ·WZDQWWRWDONDERXWODVWQLJKWµ ´-RVLH,VZHDUWR\RX,KDGQRWKLQJWRGRZLWKWKDWµ ´,I \RX ZDQW WR KDYH VRPH IUHDN\ WKUHHVRPH WKHQ FDOO RQH RI \RXU RWKHU SOD\PDWHVµ ´/LVWHQVZHHWKHDUW,GLGQ·WNQRZVKHZDVVWLOOKHUHµ ´2K\RXGLGQ·WNQRZVKHZDVstill here? So what, you had sex with her then sent her on her ZD\",VWKDWWKHDJUHHPHQW\RXWZRKDYH"µ6KHIROGHGKHUDUPVDQG looked away. 'HYRQELWKLVERWWRPOLSWRWXFNDZD\KLVJULQ´,GLGQ·WKDYHVH[ZLWKKHU -RVLHµ 6KH KXJJHG KHUVHOI DQG OHDQHG DJDLQVW WKH FRXQWHU ´
199  

´5HDOO\"$SV\FKRORJ\GHJUHH"6KH·VDPRGHOULJKW"µ ´
200  

+H UDQ KLV WKXPE DORQJ KHU FKHHN DQG ]RQHG LQ RQ KHU OLSV ´6LOO\ PH , VKRXOG·YHWULHGWKHNQREµ ´:HOOZHOO«µ He looked up with a start. Josephine stiffened and pushed out of his embrace. Propped against the wall, arms folded, Roland smiled devilishly at them, ZLJJOLQJKLVH\HEURZV´:KDWGRZHKDYHKHUHEUR"µKHDVNHGH\HLQJ-RVHSKLQH desirously. ShLW+H·GUHDOO\KDYHWRVWDUWORFNLQJKLVGRRU

 

201  

Chapter Twelve New Beginnings

´+HOOR EHDXWLIXO ,·P 5RODQG +DQNVµ 5RODQG VZDJJHUHG WRZDUG -RVHSKLQH ZLWKKLVKDQGH[WHQGHG´$QG\RXPXVWEH-RVHSKLQH%XUQHWWµ Flashing a tight-‐lipped, professional smile, she took his hand and nodded. ´$SOHDVXUHVLUµ ´1R EDE\µ +H EURXJKW KHU KDQG WR KLV OLSV DQG EROGO\ SODFHG DQ RSHQ PRXWKHGNLVVRQLW´7KHSOHDVXUHLVDOOPLQHµ Nostrils flaring, Devon stifled a growl and clenched his fists until his nails bit into his palms. To his surprise, Josephine snatched her hand away and rubbed the back of it down her jeans. ´,V0UV+DQNVKHUHZLWK\RX"µ ´1R VKH·V RII JHWWLQJ KHU QDLOV GRQH RU VRPH VKLW OLNH WKDW :K\" 'R \RX KDYHVRPHWKLQJ\RX·GOLNHWRVKRZPHVZHHWLH"µ+HVWHSSHGFORVHUWRKHUUXQQLQJ his tongue over his top lip, his attraction to her blatantly clear. Before Devon could snap, Josephine turned and headed out of the kitchen. ´,W·V0V%XUQHWWVLUµVKHFRUUHFWHGRYHUKHUVKRXOGHU´:KHQ\RX·UHUHDG\WR go RYHUSUHOLPLQDU\GHVLJQV,·OOEHXSVWDLUVLQWKHRIILFHµ

202  

´'DPQBeyonceµ5RODQGFURZHGWXUQLQJWRIROORZKHU´'RQ·WWXUQLWRQPH OLNHWKDWJLUO
203  

´5RODQG 6WRSWDONLQJ DERXWKHU OLNH WKDWµ'HYRQ UDQ KLVKDQG DURXQG WKH QDSHRIKLVQHFNDQGJURDQHG´5HVSHFWKHUGXGH6KH·VQRWMXVWDSLHFHRIDVVµ+H JXOSHGGRZQKDOIKLVEHHUDQGWXUQHGIURP5RODQG·VVNHSWLFDOJODUH ´$OULJKWVR\RX·UHVZHHWRQKHU"0y bad for not figuring that out from the door, I guess I just saw her and³,GRQ·WNQRZ6RUU\PDQµ $WILUVWKHZDQWHGWRGHQ\KLVIULHQG·VVWDWHPHQWEXWLW·GEHXVHOHVV5RODQG knew him too well, and as Devon watched his brows jump up and down, he knew the playboy was really accessing what he saw. He was more than just sweet on her. ´2KRND\µZDVDOO5RODQGFRXOGXWWHU´,W·VOLNHWKDWKXK"µ+HJODQFHGEDFN to the spot where Josephine stood a moment ago, as if he could see her still VWDQGLQJWKHUH´,XQGHUVWDQGZK\µ +H JUXQWHG LQ UHVSRQVH ´1RW D ZRUG WR 6WDF\ $QQ VRPHWKLQJ OLNH WKLV ZRXOGQ·WJRRYHUZHOOZLWKKHUHPSOR\HUVµ ´
204  

´,·P OLVWHQLQJµ 'HYRQ OHDQHG DJDLQVW WKH LVODQG DQG JDYH KLP KLV IXOO attention. ´$V\RXNQRZWKH*4SURILOHZDVDELJVXFFHVV,·PUHDOO\JODG,WDONHG\RX into it. I received a whole bunch of calls from different designers while I was in Hawaii and they want youP\IULHQGLQWKHLUVKRZVµ ´:KDWVKRZV"µ ´:KDWVKRZVGR\RXWKLQN,·PWDONLQJDERXW")DVKLRQVKRZVEURµ ´0RGHOLQJ"µKHJXIIDZHG´
205  

´$QG WKH ODGLHV RK P\ *RG WKH ODGLHV PDQ WKH\·OO HDW \RX XS 3OHDVH GR WKLV:HZLOOGRWKHVKRZWRJHWKHUµ ´5R/LVWHQ)RUWKHODVWWLPH,·PQRWDGDPQPRGHOµ Roland finished his beer, sat the bottle on the island, and grasped his shoulders. The man was relentless when he wanted things his way, which was why he and Stacy Ann were perfect together. He put on a schooled expression of understanding. ´,NQRZZKDW\RX·UHWKLQNLQJbro, and I feel your struggle. But let me assure \RX,·PQRWWU\LQJWRSXOO\RXIURP\RXUVXFFHVVIXODUFKLWHFWWKLQJ,·PMXVWWU\LQJ WRJLYH\RXDSDUWWLPHJLJZKLFKLVJXDUDQWHHGWRRSHQIXWXUHGRRUVµ ´'RHVLWORRNOLNH,QHHGDSDUWWLPHJLJ"µ ´0DQ³µ ´6HULRXVO\5Rµ 'URSSLQJ KLV KDQGV 5RODQG·V VKRXOGHUV VOXPSHG LQ GHIHDW ´
206  

For a while, Devon said nothing. He knew this day would comeEXWGLGQ·W LPDJLQHLW·GEHVRVRRQ´6RZKDWKDSSHQHG"'LG\D·OOKDYHDILJKWRUVRPHWKLQJ" :KDWEURXJKWWKLVRQ"µ ´1R QR LW·V QRWKLQJ OLNH WKDW ,W·V MXVW WKLV LVQ·W PH 0DUULDJH LV QRW P\ JDPHµ ´0DUULDJHLVQRW\RXUJDPH"'R\RXKHDUKRZVWXSLG\RXVRXQG"µ ´,NQRZPDQFRPHRQGRQ·WJHWPDGDWPH,MXVWQHHG\RXWRKHDUPHRXW, FDQ·WWDONWRDQ\RQHHOVHDERXWWKLVµ Devon finished his beer, walked across kitchen and rested his backside DJDLQVWWKHFRXQWHUWRIDFH5RODQG´5R,WKRXJKW\RXORved her. I thought this is ZKDW\RXZDQWHGµ ´1RPDQ7KLVLVZKDWshe ZDQWHGµ5RODQGZHQWWRWKHIULGJHDQGUHWULHYHG DQRWKHUEHHU´7KHELJZHGGLQJWKHSXEOLFLW\LWZDVDOOKHU,·YHEHHQIHHOLQJOLNH shit about this marriage ever since that day. I diGQ·WVD\DQ\WKLQJEHIRUHEHFDXVH, wanted to keep her happy and give her what she wanted, but when I sat down and thought about it, I realized what we have is all wrong³WKHZD\ZHJRWWRJHWKHUµ his voice faltered. Oh here it comes. ´1RGRQ·WGRWKLVGXGH:HGRQ·WKDYHWRJRGRZQWKDWSDWK DJDLQµ

207  

´%XW ZH GR :H KDYHQ·W UHDOO\ WDONHG VLQFH that shit happened. Hell, I miss ODXJKLQJZLWK\RXRYHUVWXSLGVWXII,PLVVP\IULHQGP\EURWKHUµ+HSDXVHGDQG WRRNDGHHSEUHDWK´'HYWKDWVSHHFK\RXJDYHDWWhe reception hit home and the IDFW\RXVWRRGDVP\EHVWPDQDIWHU«\RXNQRZµ+LVJUH\H\HVJOD]HGRYHUZLWK heartfelt emotion. ´2K KHOO GXGHµ 'HYRQ KHDGHG WR WKH EDU ´,·P JRLQJ WR QHHG VRPHWKLQJ VWURQJHU WKDQ EHHU IRU WKLVµ +H SRXUHG WZR JODVVHV RI Glenlivet, slid onto the barstool, and waved Roland over. 5RODQGGRZQHGKLVEHHUEHIRUHFRQWLQXLQJ´,WMXVWGRHVQ·WIHHOULJKW6KH·V DOO FDXJKWXSLQ WKLVJODPRXU OLIHPDQµ+H VOLG RQWR WKH VWRRO QH[W WR KLP ´6KH wants us to be seen everywhere together when all I want to do is chill out. You NQRZKRZ,DP,OLNHWKHOLIHVW\OHEXWZKHQ,·PQRWZRUNLQJ,GRQ·WOLNHSHRSOH in my personal space, but no³WKH ZRPDQ LV REVHVVHG ZLWK IDPH , EHOLHYH VKH·V the one calling the paparazzi when we go out. How the hell do they always know ZKHUHZH·UHJRLQJWREH"µ ´5R,KDWHWRVD\LWEXW\RXNQHZWKLVEHIRUH\RXPDUULHGKHUDQGGRQ·W\RX WKLQN\RX·UHPDNLQJWKLVGHFLVLRQDOLWWOHWRRTXLFNO\"
208  

´$QG,·YHEHHQZLWKDWOHDVW IRXUGLIIHUHQWZRPHQLQWKDWWLPH,GRQ·WZDQW WRNHHSFKHDWLQJRQKHUPDQEXW,·PDIODYRURIWKHPRQWKNLQGRIJX\\RXNQRZ and sometimes bi-‐ZHHNO\µ Devon took a gulp of the amber liquid and let it sit in his mouth for a second EHIRUHVZDOORZLQJ´,VWKDWWKHRQO\UHDVRQ"µ +HVKRRNKLVKHDG´,NQRZVKH·VVWLOOLQORYHZLWK\RXPDQDQG,NQRZ\RX still hold a torch for her. She plays on that. But who can blame her. She wants to have us both. Two money-‐making, good looking guys³HYHU\ ZRPDQ·V IDQWDV\, I JXHVVµ 'HYRQ VLJKHG ´7KH WRUFK KDV EHHQ GURSSHG DQG , FDQ QRZ VD\ WKDW , DP RYHUKHUµ+HPHW5RODQG·VXQGHUVWDQGLQJJD]H´,W WRRNDZKLOHEXW,JRWWKHUH PDQµ 5RODQGOLIWHGKLVJODVVDQGWDSSHGLWDJDLQVWKLV´1HZEHJLQQLQJVZLWKWKH chocolate fantasy upstairs, who you have apparently laid claim to? How long have \D·OONQRZQHDFKRWKHU"µ 'HYRQODXJKHGDQGKHOGXSKLVLQGH[ILQJHU´2QHGD\µ &KXFNOLQJ 5RODQG WRRN D VZLJ IURP KLV JODVV DQG QRGGHG ´$W ILUVW VLJKW huh? Well, she looks like a keHSHUµ ´$UH\RXJRLQJWRWHOO\RXUZLIHKRZ\RXIHHO"µ

209  

5RODQG EUXVKHG KLVKDQG RYHU KLV ZDY\ IDGH DQG VKUXJJHG ´
210  

´'DPQ5RWKLVLVPHVVHGXS
Josephine looked up from her work when the two men hopped up the stairs. Boy ZHUH WKH\ D SDLU %LUGV RI D IHDWKHU GHILQLWHO\ IORFNHG WRJHWKHU 5RODQG·V

211  

features were something to behold³his sculptured body, bronze complexion, and EULJKWJUH\H\HV,IKHZDVQ·WVXFKDZRPDQL]LQJSLJKH·GEHSHUIHFW They both approached her, Roland grinning from ear to ear, and Devon ORRNLQJ OLNH WKH FDW WKDW MXVW VZDOORZHG WKH FDQDU\ ´7KHUH·V JRLQJ WR EH D IHZ DOWHUDWLRQV WR WKH GHVLJQ , JDYH \RX DQG LW ZLOO PRVW OLNHO\ FKDQJH ZKDW \RX·YH GUDZQXSµ She leaned back and eyed the two gorgeous men who waited for her UHVSRQVH 6RPHWKLQJ ZDV JRLQJ RQ ´6RXQGV PDMRU +DV 0UV +DQNV FRQILUPHG WKLV"µ They both looked at each, then back to her, and shook their heads. Oh yeah, something was definitely up. She crossed her legs and noticed when both sets of eyes zoned in on them. 6KHWDSSHGKHUSHQFLORQWKHWDEOHWREULQJWKHLUDWWHQWLRQEDFNWRKHUIDFH´/RRN JX\V , GRQ·W PHDQ WR UXLQ ZKDWHYHU WKH WZR RI \RX KDYH GHFLGHG EXW GRQ·W \RX think its best we hold back on any revisions until we hear from Mrs. Hanks so ZH·UH QRW JRLQJ EDFN DQG IRUWK" ,·YH ZRUNHG ZLWK FRXSOHV EHIRUH DQG LW FDQ JHW PHVV\LIERWKFOLHQWVDUHQRWRQWKHVDPHSDJHµVKHILQLVKHGRQDQHUYRXVFKXFNOH 5RODQG·V OLSV WLJKWHQHG DQG D VKDN\ KDQG UDQ RYHU KLV ZDY\ KDLUFXW ´, understand ZKDW \RX·UH VD\LQJ DQG ,·G VD\ WKH VDPH LI , ZHUH LQ \RXU SRVLWLRQ especially since your company has only been dealing with her, but the ball is in my

212  

court now. However it may look, my signature is on the contract engaging your VHUYLFHVDQG'HYRQ·VWRR VR«µ +HGLGQ·WKDYHWRVSHOOLWRXWLWZDVWKHUHRQWKHGRWWHGOLQHDQGZKRHYHU the signature belonged to would get what they wanted. She looked at Devon. He nodded confirmation, but his eyes told her this went deeper than a few revisions on the house. ´2ND\ZHOOWKHQOHW·VWDONDERXWWKHVHFKDQJHVVKDOOZH"µ As she watched Devon draw up the revisions free hand, the truth became very clear to her. Roland had no intentions of involving Stacy Ann in the creation of this supposed dream house. All the spHFLDOSULPSLQJURRPVZKLFKVKH·GEHHQYHU\ specific about, were changed into areas like an arcade room, a basketball court, and Devon even added a small theater, which Roland was very excited about. They ZHUHEXLOGLQJDEDFKHORU·VSDGZKLFKWRWDOO\SXVKHd Stacy Ann out of the picture DQGDOVRHOLPLQDWHG-RVHSKLQH·VILUVWSURSRVDO Back to the drawing board. Hours flew by, and she and Devon were dead locked in the design zone. Roland, on the other hand, chatted softly on the phone, with someone she assumed ZDVQ·W 6WDF\ $QQ ZKLOH RFFDVLRQDOO\ ORRPLQJ RYHU WKH GUDZLQJ WDEOH giving them both thumbs up. Even though she wanted to inquire about the sudden

213  

turn about, it was none of her business. Boy, Stacy Ann had dug herself in deep this time. ,W GLGQ·W WDNH KHr long to come up with a few classy ideas she was sure Roland would like. From what she could tell in the hours spent with him, his personality was cool, zingy at times, and suave. Her designs would show that. Blacks, reds, and deep gold came to mind. He was a lover of women, so a few tasteful nude painting decorating his spot would entice him and probably add to his whore-‐mongering ways. But who was she to judge? ´:KHZ7KDWLivet JRWPHUROOLQJPDQµ5RODQGDQQRXQFHGDVKHHQGHGKLV FDOO ´7KLV LV ZK\ , GRQ·W GULQN LQ WKH PRUQLQJ
214  

When he was out of earshot, Josephine leaned into the table and tapped 'HYRQ·V SHQFLO WR JDLQ KLVDWWHQWLRQ ´, NQRZ LW·V QRQe of my business, but I just KDYHWRDVNZKDW·VJRLQJRQKHUH"µVKHZKLVSHUHG His brow arched, Devon looked up and locked eyes with her. He had the familiar glazed look of someone caught up in their creativity. She unconsciously leaned in closer, wanting to taste his partially open mouth. His features relaxed and a promising smile graced his face. ´:H·OOWDONµ For a long moment, they just stared at one other. She was sure the incident with Carmen knocked their attraction up another notch, as if it were possible. Knowing how he truly felt and visa versa made her want him more. And even WKRXJKWKH\KDGQ·WVDLGLWLWIHOWOLNHWKH\ZHUHLQDUHODWLRQVKLS,WFRXOGEHKHU lust for him tripping up her thoughts, but it was there. ´'R\D·OOZDQWPHWROHDYH"µ7KH\WXUQHGWRORRNXSLQWR5RODQG·VJULQQLQJ IDFH+HKHOGWZRPXJVRIVWHDPLQJFRIIHH´%HFDXVH,FDQJHWRXWLI\D·OOQHHGVRPH alone time to gather your thoughts RQWKLVSURMHFW.QRZZKDW,PHDQ"µ Yes, please leave! %XWGDPQLIKHGLGWKH\ZRXOGQ·Wget anything done. Chuckling, Devon went back to his work.

215  

-RVHSKLQHVDWEDFNIROGHGKHUOLSVLQDQGSXVKHGDIHZVNHWFKHV5RODQG·VZD\´,·G UDWKHUJHW\RXURSLQLRQRQWKHVHµ

After a long day of finalizing the revisions, Josephine was ready to soak in the tub and let the steamy water melt away the tightness in her shoulders. While Devon was downstairs seeing Roland out, she straightened up her work station and cleaned the kitchenette. Devon trudged back up stairs and pushed out a heavy sigh. Silently, she eyed him as he made his way to his desk to straighten up the blue prints. Moments passed and he said nothing. She honored the silence by keeping her mouth shut, but the question steadily burned away at her brain. What the hell was going on with Stacy Ann and Roland? Keeping her attention focused on the suds swirling around in the coffee pot, Josephine scrubbed away the brown stains lining the glass and tried not to let her curiosity, also known as nosiness, get the best of her. A pair of strong hands pulled her hair back and curved over shoulders. She sucked in a sharp gust of air and dipped her head forward. ´
216  

The pressure of his palms and fingers pressed the tense spots surrounding the base of her neck. As a result her shoulder joints tautened. She winced. ´5HOD[ VZHHWKHDUW 'RQ·W \RX NQRZ KRZ WR JHW D PDVVDJH"µ +H DGGHG pressure, causing the bundle of muscles to jump beneath his skillful touch. ´/HWLW JRµ Along with the pulsation of her tendons, his cock throbbed hard against the cleft of her ass. He pushed harder into her. She grabbed onto the edge of the sink and groaned. ´/HWLWJR-RVLHµ ´,WKXUWV'HYRQµVKHZKLQHG +HFKXFNOHG´
217  

His kneading fingers worked over her shoulder blades in a circular motion, forcing every muscle to flinch then loosen. As his digits rubbed the sides of her back, his thumbs pressed and stroked the tendons lining her spine. The whole top half of her body went slack. ´*RRGQHVV\RXJLYHRQHKHOORIDPDVVDJHµVKHGUDZOHG +HVOLSSHGKLVDUPVDURXQGKHUZDLVWDQGKXJJHGKHUWLJKWO\IURPEHKLQG´, JLYHEHWWHUIXOOERG\PDVVDJHVµ 6KH UHVWHG KHU DUPV RYHU KLV DQG KXJJHG KLP EDFN ´, EHW \RX GRµ 6KH VLJKHG´:KDWDUHZHGRLQJ"µ 5XEELQJ KLV QRVH DORQJ KHU VKRXOGHU KH FURRQHG ´, WKLQN LW·V FDOOHG KXJJLQJµ 6LQFH VKH·G EHHQ QDNHG XQGHU KLV GDUN EOXH DSSUDLVDO LW PDGH LW HDVLHU WR JLYHLQWRWKHLQWLPDF\HVSHFLDOO\VLQFHWKH\·GSUHWW\PXFKlaid their cards out on the table. Even with her heart straining with the thoughts of Terry and her EHWUD\DOVKHZDQWHG'HYRQWREHKHUPDQ6KHGLGQ·WZDQWWRJREDFNKRPHDQG be forced to push aside her special feelings for him. But what was she to do? Anyway you look at it, it was a fucked up situation. ´:H³ZHVKRXOGSUREDEO\VWRSµ

218  

´
219  

She covered her mouth to hide her own smile. He was undoubtedly asking her out on a date. There was no way in the world this would be a casual evening RQDEXVLQHVVRXWLQJ´,GLGQ·WEULQJDQ\IRUPDODWWLUHµ ´2K WKDW FDQ HDVLO\ EH WDNHQ FDUH RI $V D PDWWHU RI IDFW GRQ·W \RX HYHQ ZRUU\DERXWWKDW,·OOJHW\RXDJRZQµ ´%XW\RXGRQ·WHYHQNQRZP\VL]Hµ ´%UHDVWV'FXSZDLVWKLSV6R,·GVD\\RXZHDUDERXWDVL]HDQG PD\EHDURXQGWKHKLSVµ +HU PRXWK IHOO RSHQ LQ VKRFN ´'DPQ 'HYRQ ZKDW·G \RX GR" 0HDVXUH PH ZKLOH,ZDVVOHHSLQJWKLVPRUQLQJ"µ +H ODXJKHG ´0\ PRP RZQV D ERXWLTXH LQ 3DULV :KHQ , ZDV \RXQJHU , spent a lot of time there helping her clothe women with fashionable taste, so QHHGOHVVWRVD\,EHFDPHYHU\JRRGDWPHDVXULQJDZRPDQ·VILJXUHDWILUVWVLJKWRU WRXFKµ *ULQQLQJ KH UDLVHG KLV KDQGV DQG ZLJJOHG KLV ILQJHUV ´%HVLGHV WKDW VZHHWKHDUW,·PDQDUFKLWHFW0HDVXUHPHQWVDUHP\OLIHµ )RU D PRPHQW VKH GLGQ·W NQRZ ZKDW WR VD\ ´:RZ WKDW·V LPSUHVVLYH D OLWWOHFUHHS\EXWVWLOOYHU\LPSUHVVLYHµ +LVIDFHIOXVKHGUHG´6RZLOO\RXVD\\HV"µ 6KHRIIHUHGKLPDQDFFHSWLQJJULQ´:KDWWLPHGRHVWKHSDUW\VWDUW"µ

220  

Chapter Thirteen 'DG·V%HQWOH\

For two long, tortuous days she worked alongside Devon without any SK\VLFDOFRQWDFW+HGLGQ·WDWWHPSWWRLQWLPDWHO\WRXFKKHURQFHQRUKDGKHILOOHG her in on why they were designing a house more suitable for a bachelor and not a family. As expected, she had a hell of a time convincing Pete that she and Devon ZHUHWDNLQJLWHDV\DQGDQHYHQKDUGHUWLPHFRQYLQFLQJKLPWKHQHZGHVLJQVVKH·G faxed him were approved by the client. ,QWKHPHDQWLPHVKHKDGQ·WKHDUGDZRUG IURP7HUU\6KH·GFDOOHGDQGOHIW several messages,\ EXW KHDUG QRWKLQJ LQ UHWXUQ 2GGO\ VKH ZDVQ·W WKH OHDVW ELW concerned on his whereabouts, who he was with and what he was doing. Something had changed in her and it felt good, but it still meant trouble for the life waiting for her back in Texas. 7KLV ZKROH VLWXDWLRQ ZDV DOO NLQGV RI VFUHZHG XS 6KH ZDVQ·W WKH W\SH RI ZRPDQ ZKR FKHDWHG RQ KHU PDQ EXW LW FRXOGQ·W EH KHOSHG 'HYRQ ZDV LQ KHU system, and no matter how hard she fought her feelings, the attraction to him ZRXOGQ·WJRDZD\,WRQO\FRQWLQXHGWRJURZ

221  

As soon as Terry got out of his stubborn funk and actually returned her call, VKH·GWHOOKLPDERXWKHUIHHOLQJVIRU'HYRQ
6WDQGLQJ LQ WKH PLGGOH RI D JXHVW URRP LQ 'HYRQ·V KRXVH -RVHSKLQH nervously fondled her dreads while staring at the black garment bag that contained her gown for the evening. ´$UH \RX JRLQJ WR MXVW VWDQG WKHUH DQG VWDUH DW LW RU SXW LW RQ -Rsie SXVV\FDW"µ&DUPHQDVNHGIURPEHKLQGKHU $Q[LHW\ FORXGHG KHU PLQG :KDW LI WKH GUHVV GLGQ·W ILW" :KDW LI 'HYRQ GLGQ·WOLNHWKHZD\LWORRNHGRQKHU" ´+HOORHDUWKWR-RVLHµ And when the hell did she give Carmen permission to call her Josie? When she dLGQ·WVSHDNRUPRYH&DUPHQVWHSSHGDURXQGKHUDQGXQ]LSSHG the bag. The tail end of the sheer gown spilled out, displaying a scalloped pattern in silver and metallic red sequins. ´7KHGHVLJQHU·VQDPHLV5RFKHOOH'RZ5HPHPEHUWKDWEHFDXVHHYHU\ERG\·V goinJWRDVN\RXZKRFUHDWHGWKLVJRZQµ Carmen pushed the sides of the garment bag from over the dress to unveil the full length, sleeveless piece. The paillettes sparkled over the sheer black

222  

material from the neck to the hem of the gown. It was beautiful and elegant but too damn revealing for her to wear. ´'HYRQZRUH5RFKHOOH·VGHVLJQVLQWKHVSUHDGIRU*4VRVKHZDVPRUHWKDQ willing to give up a two thousand dollar piece for his special guestµ -RVHSKLQH FRXJKHG RQ D VKDUS LQWDNH RI DLU ´'LG \RX VD\ WZR thousand GROODUV"µ ´:HOO WZR WKRXVDQG HLJKW KXQGUHG WR EH H[DFWµ &DUPHQ IODVKHG D JLUOLVK JULQ´6KHDOVRVXSSOLHGWKHVKRHVHDUULQJVVKDZOKDQGSXUVHDQGDWKRQJµ ´7KRQJ"µ ´
223  

´, FDQ GUHVV P\VHOI &DUPHQµ -RVHSKLQH DUJXHG VWDULQJ ZLGH H\HG DW WKH brassy redhead, clutching the robe over her breasts. ´2IFRXUVH\RXFDQµ&DUPHQGHFODUHGZLWKWKHWZLVWRIKHUOLSV´%XW\RXU hair needs to be put up, your makeup needs to be done, and you only have thirty PLQXWHVWRGRWKLVµ 7KHUH ZDV VRIW NQRFN DW WKH GRRU ´,V HYHU\WKLQJ RND\ LQ WKHUH" +RZ·V LW ORRN"µ'HYRQDVNHGKLVYRLFHODFHGZLWKH[FLWHPHQW Panicked, Josephine snatched the thong from Carmen and stepped into it. ´8KK,·OOEHRXWOLNHLQILIWHHQPLQXWHV&RXOG\RXZDLWGRZQVWDLUVSOHDVH"µ +HFKXFNOHG´2ND\,FDQ·WZDLWWRVHH\RXµ She pulled the thin material over her hips, removed the robe, and threw it on WKHEHG´:KDWLILW GRHVQ·WILW"µVKHDVNHG&DUPHQZKRGDUWHGWRWKHRWKHUVLGHRI the room to retrieve a bottle. ´2KLW·OOILWKRQH\'HYRQJDYH5RFKHOOHWKHH[DFWGLPHQVLRQVRI\RXUERG\ and when I say exact, I mean exactµVKHFKRUWOHGVSUD\LQJKHUZLWKDFROGPLVWRIa IORUDO VFHQWHG ERG\ VSUD\ ´+RO\ VKLW JLUOIULHQG \RX DUH VPRRWK DQG VROLG IURP head to toe. I wish I carried weight like this. If I gain ten pounds, it goes straight to P\EHOO\+HUHFKHFNRXWWKLVPLVWµ Carmen side-‐stepped her toward the mirror.

224  

A light film of silver glitter sparkled on her skin. Josephine folded her lips in to hide her grin. She had to admit she looked rather sexy with nothing but a strip of sheer material covering her snatch and an artificial, iridescent glow to her skin. ´,NQRw this may seem like a bit much, but they spray this stuff on me at the IDVKLRQVKRZVDQGLWDGGVDFHUWDLQIODUHWRWKHSLHFH
225  

Open at the back, the fabric floated down over her round behind to a small train at the rear of the piece. ´:RZWKLVLV³ZRZµ ´
´-HVXV-RVHSKLQHµ'HYRQVWRRGDWWKHIRRWRIWKHVWDLUVZDWFKLQJKHUFDUHIXO GHVFHQGHGGRZQWKHVWHSVWRJUHHWKLP´
226  

Devon pulled Josephine into his arms and chuckled when she kissed his cheek. The brush of her lips on his skin sent a tremor down his spine. ´7KDQNVIRUWKHFRUVDJHµVKHZKLVSHUHGZLSLQJKHUOLSVWLFNIURPKLVVNLQ ´
227  

She smacked him in the chest for mocking her and shot across the garage to drool over the car. He bellowed out in laughter when she threw herself on the hood and hugged it. ´6KHLVVRVH[\'HYRQZRZ$UHZHUXQQLQJVXSHUODWH"0D\³may I just sit LQKHUIRUDOLWWOHELW"µ +H·G SODQQHG WR WDNH WKH /DPERUJKLQL EXW VHHLQJ KRZ H[FLWHG VKH ZDV about the Bentley, a change of plans was in order. ´6XUHVZHHWKHDUWOHWPHJRJHWWKHNH\Vµ +HKDGQ·WGULYHQLWVLQFHKLVGDGGLHGWZR\HDUVDJR(very now and then his sister, Desiree, would stop by while she was in town and drive it around to work the motor a little, but other than that, it stayed cooped up in his garage. Along with the keys, he grabbed a digital camera. When he returned, he had to swallow back a gasp. Her legs splayed on either side of the wheel, she was bent over the side of the hood, stroking it. The perfect curve of her ample ass made his FRFNWUHPEOHDVKHUILQJHUVUDQDORQJWKHYHKLFOH·VIOH[XUHVDQGEHQGV ´%R\KRZ,ZLVK\RX·GVWURNHPHOLNHWKDWµ+HTXLFNO\VQDSSHGDVKRWRI the memorable pose. This would be his screen saver. 6KHWXUQHGDQGVTXLQWHGDWKLP´'RQ·W\RXVWDUW'HYRQµVKHFKRUWOHG´,·P QRW JRLQJ WR JLYH \RXD FKDQFH WR ZRUN\RXU PDJLF RQ PH /HW·V JR ,·OO get more DFTXDLQWHGZLWKWKH%HQWOH\DQRWKHUGD\µ

228  

+H DPEOHG RYHU WR KHU KROGLQJ KHU QHUYRXV JD]H ´6R , JXHVV WDVWLQJ \RX IURPWKHEDFNLVRXWRIWKHTXHVWLRQµ 6KHEULVWOHGWXFNHGKHUOLSVLQDQGORRNHGDZD\IURPKLP´6WRSER\
229  

body in nothing but a thin layer of fabric pressed into him, along with her scent, made his blood boil and his mouth water. Goddamn it, he had to have her now! ´7XUQ DURXQG EHQG RYHU DQG VSUHDG WKRVH VH[\ OHJVµ KH GHmanded in a raspy whisper. Her chest rose and fell, her bottom lip quivered. Ignoring the plea in her eyes, he leaned in, palmed her rear end, and drew her trembling lip between his. She moaned and returned his soft kiss, teasing his upper lip with the tip of her tongue. He slanted his mouth over hers and opened to her ambitious oral muscle. 6KHVSHDUHGDQGWDQJOHGZLWKKLPXQWLOKHFRXOGQ·WKROGEDFNKLVFKHVW\JURDQ ´-XVWDOLWWOHVZHHWKHDUWµKHFURRQHGLQEHWZHHQWKHGDUWVRIKHUWRQJXH´, promise noWWRWDNH\RXDOOWKHZD\LI\RXGRQ·WZDQWPHWREXW,QHHGWKLV3OHDVH you stunning Nubian Goddess, turn around, bend over, and let me take you to that SODFHZKHUH\RXUERG\LVG\LQJWRJRµ Although reluctant to meet his request, the darkening of her eyes revealed the desire spooling within her at what he was about to do to her. She swallowed hard, wet her lips, and slowly turned within his embrace. Her backside ran across his trapped shaft and caused his next breath to get caught in his throat. She splayed her arms and legs, placed her hands on the Bentley, and bent her sweet ass over. He started at the nape of her neck and ran his fingers down her

230  

spine, into the dip of her back. Gently, he cupped her hips and slowly drew the sheer material up her legs, sucking in harsh breaths with each inch. Once he folded the bunched fabric over her behind, he stepped back to look at her. Dragging his hand over his mouth, he shook his head in amazement. The heels added delicious definition to the toned muscles in her calves, powerful WKLJKVDQGKHUDVV´2KGHDU*RGµ She peeked back at him over her shoulder, her eyes at half-‐mast, her lips parted. ´
231  

Smoothing his hands over the back of her thighs, he grabbed her right leg at the crook of her knee and pushed it up on the fender of the car. Her succulent blossom opened and her arousal tapped his senses. He inhaled deeply then lightly blew air across the dewiness along her slit. Her thighs quivered. His hands kneaded over her hips to her buttocks where he pulled her cheeks apart fully exposing her, then exhaled a soft breath across her puckered rosette. He angled his head and rubbed his lips over her juicy folds then languidly ran his tongue across her hardened pearl and along the length of her sex to her sweet hole. Honey lemon dip. ´0PPPµ His fingers pressed into her lifted thigh as he dipped the tip of his oral muscle inside and rimmed her opening. She panted and whimpered with need. Round and round he went, absorbing the crème building from her roused condition. Once he could feel her glands pulsate to his sensual assault, he lapped back up to her swelled peak and wiggled his tongue back and forth just beneath it, triggering shallow breaths and husky moans. ´2K*RG'HYRQ2RRWKDW·VP\VSRWGRQ·WVWRS\HVµ ´/LNHWKDW"µKHPXPEOHG ´0PP\HDKEDE\,ORYH\RXUPRXWKRQPHµ

232  

Her body trembled in his grasp, compelling him to deepen the kiss on her pussy. He tenderly nibbled and suckled on one of her fleshy folds, teasingly ran his tongue over the nerves inside of it, and then he moved to the other, to give it equal attention. She squirmed and jerked. Holding her steady, he slipped his lips between her petals, rolled his eager tongue around her protruding bud and flicked it, while periodically sucking on her. He allowed his slurps and hums of satisfaction to add to her stimulation. He marveled at the sounds of her being brought to the edge of climax. Painfully, his own release dangled at the edge of his cock. The slickness of her flesh fluttered against his lips and a slow, escalating moan bellowed out of her. He locked his mouth around her canal just in time to catch the light spurt of her sweet juices. She showered his taste buds with delight. Greedily, he plunged his tongue into her, reaming her soft walls for every drop, eliciting soft gasps and mewls. Her hips undulated back and forth in slow movements, working his tongue as he worked her slit. His sac tightened and wave of utter fulfillment coiled within the pit of his VWRPDFK WKHQ VSLUDOHG GRZQ KLV FRFN ´2K VZHHWKHDUW« \RX·UH VR« IXFNLQJ GHOLFLRXVµ KH JDVSHG EHWZHHQ ODSV RI KHU VZHHWQHVV DV HYLGHQFH RI KLV UHOHase soaked into his boxers.

233  

He moved up, once again parted her cheeks and circled her tight rosy hole, then delved two fingers deeply inside of her snug channel. Panting and pleading, she rocked her hips against his hand and probing tongue. He reveled to please her RYHU DQG RYHU DJDLQ +H FRXOGQ·W JHW HQRXJK RI KHU FULHV RU WKH VHQVXDO ZD\ VKH called his name. Her free-‐flowing honey dripped down the silver metal, leaving a trail in its wake. He became delirious, wanting so badly to unsheathe his sword and thrust it into her welcoming haven. Echoes of slippery, wet seduction sifted through the garage, as her pussy kissed, sucked, and clenched his fingers like a cock. He memorized every crook and cranny of her muscled glove before seeking out that sweet spot, which brought about sweet cries of delight. Devon tried his hardest to restrain the sexual beast stirring within, but ZKHQVKHFDPHDQGVFUHDPHG´,ZDQW\RXLQVLGHRIPHµKHNQHZWKHUHZRXOGEH no more holding back. Those words sealed the deal. He got to his feet, unconsciously unzipped his pants, released his heavy length, and dropped it on the cleft of her ass. She looked back at his rigid manhood, her eyes wide, her breathing shallow. ´/RRNDWPHµKHZKLVSHUHGUHWULHYLQJDFRQGRPIURPKLVZDOOHW

234  

Those darkened hazel eyes zoned in on his and he sucked in a harsh breath. Intently, he studied her beautiful face and waited for her to say it, that this was what she wanted. He had to hear it from her mouth, while looking into her eyes. ´3OHDVHµ6KHUHDFKed back to stroke him and he caught her wrist. ´%DE\,³µ+HSDXVHGWROLFNWUDFHVRIKHUVHFUHWLRQVIURPKLVOLSV´,QHHGWR KHDU\RXVD\LWµ Slowly, her lips parted and he held his breath. ´,ZDQW\RX'HYRQµ ´
235  

No! Never had he been in position where he wanted to erupt on the first thrust, but she felt so damn good. Her snug walls expanded and contracted around him again and again to adjust to his size. This shattered his resistance. Even as he stood motionless with the head of his cock pressed firmly against her womb, the twister, also known as the big O, worked its way up his shaft in electrifying sparks. Intense heat seeped right through the condom. ´
236  

Usually when he went this deep, the woman begged him to stop or tried to run for the hills, but not his Josie. Her body welcomed him and all the force that accompanied his unrestrained passion. With great concentration, he speared in and out her at a steady speed, savoring her smoldering desire, but then when she drew up and slammed back on him, he lost control. Extreme heated pressure rushed through his loins in billowing waves and H[SORGHGWKURXJKWKHWLSRIKLVFRFN´2K³RKVKLW-RVLHµ+LVYLVLRQZHQWEOXUU\ WKHQIRU D IHZVHFRQGVKH FRXOGQ·W EUHDWKH ´-HVXV \RX·UH DPD]LQJµ +H EUHDWKHG out on a heaving exhale as he attempted to gain control of his convulsing muscles. He wrapped his arm around her waist, drew her back against him, and propped his bent leg on the hood beneath hers to snuggle deeper within her cauldron. Moaning softly, she let her head fall back on his shoulder. A shimmer of wetness leaked out the corner of her eye. ´7DNHPHWKHUHDJDLQµVKHZKLVSHUHG ´*ODGO\µ KH FURRQHG VOLSSLQJ KLV KDQG GRZQ KHU DEGRPHQ WR KHU VOLFN honey well. He caressed her silky bud, and then within seconds his shaft was stiff and ready to go again.

237  

His hips undulated against her, kneading her insides. She circled her arm behind him and cupped the back of head, then turned her head toward him to speak. ´2K*RG'HYRQ,·P³µ He brought his nectar coated fingers to his mouth, sucked on them, allowing the sweetness of her blossom to coat his oral digit then hungrily kissed her. Whimpering like a starved feline, she sucked his tongue with unbridled passion. He dipped his hips and flexed in a forward motion to stab her spot. She ripped her mouth from his, smudged her handprints across the glass of the windshield, curved her back, and braced herself. Her body trembled violently and the whole car vibrated beneath them. ´'RQ·WKROGEDFNEDE\0DNHLWKXUWJRRGµ +H GLGQ·W ZDQW WR KXUW KHU EXW GDPQ ZKHQ VKH UHTXHVWHG LW LQ WKDW VHGXFWLYHKXVN\WRQHKHFRXOGQ·WKHOSEXWFRPSO\+HJULpped her waist, pulled out, and with the jerk of his hips, he rammed back in to fill her up. Her guttural cry bounced off the garage walls. Leaning in to melt his body against her back, he nipped at her shoulder. ´
238  

At her request, he commenced to make her scream. His cock pushed her body up and down on the car as he plunged her. Her tight cavern clutched him repeatedly, milking him toward nirvana. His harsh breaths and growls mingled with her vociferous sounds of ecstasy. ´2K*RGRK*RG2K\HV'HYRQ\HV2KP\*RGµ Exhilarated, her chants pushed him on. He handled her with tenderness, but gave her the fucking she wanted. With hard and relentless pressure, he delivered thrust after thrust. Wet sounds of pleasurable bliss added to the stimulating sensation spooling within him. ´2KVKLW,·PJRLQJWRFRPHµVKHFULHGUHDFKLQJEDFNWRJUDEKLVWKLJK´$K 'HYRQµ ´/HWLWJRVZHHWKHDUWµKHJURDQHG As she heaved back on him, surging him with such force it had him panting, KHORFNHGKLVDUPVDURXQGKHU2QHDFKWKUXVWKHYHUEDOO\ZRUVKLSHGKHU´-RVLH \RX«DUH«P\«JRGGHVVµ Gasping and wheezing, he pressed his sweaty forehead into her shoulder, closed his eyes, clutched the bunched gown, and tried to hold fast against the stream of pleasure rushing toward him. It hit like an earth-‐shattering hurricane and plunged through him. His back bowed, his eyes crossed, and every muscle in his body jolted erratically.

239  

Buried deeply inside of her, emptying everything he had, his yowl was muffled by clamping his mouth over the base of her neck. Another powerful storm slammed into him within seconds and his teeth marked her flesh. His mind was completely blown.

 

               

 

240  

Chapter Fourteen Business Outing

During the forty-‐five minutes it took to drive to the destination, Josephine refused to talk about what was still smudged along the silver beauty they rode in. 'HYRQ UHIXVHG WR FOHDQ LW RII DQG ZRXOGQ·W OHW KHU FOHDQ LW HLWKHU +H ZDV impossible! She found it hard to swallow the fact that what they did back at his KRXVHZDVQ·WVRPHZLFNHGVH[XDOGUHDP 6KH·GEHJJHGKLPWRWDNHKHUWKHUHDQGER\GLGKHFRPSO\+HZDVVRGDPQ freaky and she loved it, craved it, she never wanted it to stop. Every time the memory of her body being pushed against his hot ride, with his face buried in her ass popped into her mind, she had to fight back a whimper. Her pussy was swollen and sore. She could think of nothing else but the pounding between her thighs, which hurt so freaking good. Hopefully, the results RIWKHLUZLOGVH[GLGQ·WVKRZLQKHUVWULGH ´'DPQPDQ ZKDW WRRN\D·OO VR ORQJ"µ5RODQG EHOORZHG IURP WKH HQWUDQFH ZKHQWKH\DUULYHGDWWKHPDQVLRQ´
241  

PDQO\HPEUDFH´
242  

´,ZDVMXVWFRPSOLPHQWLQJKHUJRZQPDQ,·PJRLQJWRSXW\RXUYLROHQWDVV in some anger management classes for that uncontrolled rage you haveµ (\HVQDUURZHG'HYRQOHYHOHGDILQJHUDWKLP´'RQ·WPDNHPHNLFN\RXUDVV LQIURQWWKHVHSHRSOHµ ´$OULJKW DOULJKW 5RFN\µ )L[LQJ D SKRWRJHQLF JULQ RQ KLV IDFH 5RODQG ushered her into the building. Roland snatched a glass of champagne from a server·VWUD\DQGKDQGHGLWWR her. She downed the sweet bubbly without pause then sat the empty glass back on WKH WUD\ 6KH·G SD\ IRU WKDW ODWHU WRQLJKW EXW LW ZDV WKH RQO\ ZD\ WR GRXVH KHU uneasiness. They followed Roland up the stairs. Devon extended his arm and she subconsciously looped her arm around it, avoiding eye contact at all cost. ´
243  

No, I want some more you. ´8K\HDK³no³EHWWHU\HWFRIIHH,·PIHHOLQJDOLWWOH ORRS\µ3UREDEO\EHFDXVHVKHGRZQHGDJODVVCristal like it was water. ´-HVXV-RVLHZRXOG\RXSOHDVHORRNDWPHµKHZKLVSHUHG Tentatively, she lifted her eyes from the ceramic tile floor to meet with his admiring blue gaze. God, he was out of this world sexy with the playful curliness of his hair slicked back from his gorgeous face and his sculptured frame clad in the tailor made tuxedo. ´6XJDUDQGFUHDPHU"µ ´$VLI\RXGRQ·WNQRZµVKHUHVSRQGHGVRIWO\ ´'R,"µ He caressed the underside of her chin and she pulled away. No matter how IDU WKH\·YH JRWWHQ LQ WKHLU ORYH DIIDLU SXEOLF GLVSOD\VRI DIIHFWLRQ ZHUH RXWRI WKH question. She cleaUHG KHU WKURDW DQG VPLOHG DSRORJHWLFDOO\ ´,·P JRLQJ WR H[FXVH P\VHOIWRWKHUHVWURRPµ The moisture gathering between her thighs was hard to ignore. She had to JHWKHUWKRQJEDFN7KH\GLGQ·WFDWFKPXFKEXWDWOHDVWVKHZRXOGQ·WKDYHWRUXQ to the restroom every time he gave her that heart-‐dropping gaze. ´:DQW PH WR FRPH ZLWK \RX"µ KH DVNHG EHIRUH FDWFKLQJ KLV ERWWRP OLS between his teeth.

244  

Before she could politely respond no, Roland brought an anxious gentleman WR'HYRQ·VDWWHQWLRQ7KHPDQVKRRNKLVKDQGDJJUHVVLYHO\´$JUHDWKRQRUWRPHHW \RXVLU7KLVKRXVHLVRXWVWDQGLQJµWKHPDQH[SUHVVHG 6KH XVHG KLV GLVWUDFWLRQ WR VOLS DZD\ ,W GLGQ·W WDNH KHU ORQJ WR ILQG WKH washroom, which looked more like a small extravagantly designed bedroom. After carefully dabbing her kitty kat with a tissue, she washed her hands then took a moment to stare at her reflection in the mirror. Beneath the artificial shimmer, her VNLQ KHOG D VDWHG JORZ ,W ZDV DPD]LQJ KRZ KHU VNLQ UHDFWHG WR KHU ERG\·V fulfillment. Fumbling through the small purse, she retrieved her lipstick and face powder. Through the mirror, she watched Devon enter the restroom and lock the door. He swaggered over to her, a cup of coffee in hand, and a cup of ice in the other. Baffled, she spun around to sWDUH DW KLP ´7KLV LV WKH ODGLHV URRP 'HYRQ :KDWDUH\RXGRLQJLQKHUH"µ +LVEURZVZLJJOHGLQDPXVHPHQW´
245  

Her mouth dropped open. As bad as she wanted to feel him again, her pussy QHHGHGDOLWWOHWLPHWRUHFXSHUDWH´
246  

After placing the cup of ice in front of her snatch, he raised her right leg, set her foot in the sink, and looped tKHRWKHUOHJRYHUKLVVKRXOGHU´5HOD[DQGGULQN \RXUFRIIHHµ+HGLSSHGKLVWKXPEDQGWZRILQJHUVLQWKHLF\ZDWHU´,SODQWRJHWD IHZGDQFHVRXWRI\RXWRQLJKWDQG,FDQ·WKDYHWR\RXSUDQFLQJDURXQGWKHGDQFH IORRUOLNH\RX·YHWDNHQDvery long ride oQD&O\GHVGDOHµ An involuntary giggle rose from her chest, then the meaning of his words PHOWHGKHUVPLOHDZD\´$P,³ZDV,ZDONLQJIXQQ\"µ 6KH VQHHUHG ZKHQ KH IROGHG KLV OLSV LQ DQG VQLFNHUHG ´1R RQH HOVH ZRXOG notice but me, because I find it hard to take my eyes off of you, even when you try to get away from me. I study your every move. The way you walk, the sway of your hips, and the uncomfortable, yet adorable shuffle you do when your beautiful EORVVRPLVVRUHµ+HOLIWHGWKHFXSRIFRIIHHDQGKDQGHGLWWRKHU´7KLVZLOORQO\ WDNHDPLQXWHµ She closed her eyes to block out his enticing stare and settled back against the mirror. His gelid fingers slid over her labia then gently parted them. Her chest rose as she filled her lungs with potpourri laced air. As chilly as his touch was, it still set her body on fire. She winced and flinched when a cube of ice came in contact with her steamy, sensitive flesh. Up and down, he moved the freezing crystal until the sting faded away to numbness.

247  

Against her better judgment, she opened her eyes. His brows were curved in concentration and his eyes were fixed on her nether regions. The languid, easy strokes of the cube glided over her smooth valley. His movements were so skillful, they were hypnotic. How could she not fall for a man who was so attentive to her needs, whether they were sexual or not. His admiration for her came through loud and clear by his actions, but would his feelings for her last? That was the problem. She ZDQWHGWRWDNH3HWH·VDGYLFHDQGFRQWLQXHWRHQMR\KLPEXWVKHZDVQ·WVXUHLIKHU KHDUWFRXOGWDNHLW,I'HYRQVQDSSHGEDFNWRUHDOLW\DQGUHDOL]HGKHGLGQ·WUHDOO\ ZDQWKHUVKH·GEHOHIWZLWKKHDUWDFKH%XWKRZFRXOGVKHVWRSQRZZKHQVKHKDG fallen so deeply in love with him? As told, she took small sips of the coffee, but kept her eyes fixed on the DUWLVW DW ZRUN EHWZHHQ KHU WKLJKV ´
248  

The movement RIWKHLFHVWRSSHG´$QG,DPIRU\RXµ+HORFNHGH\HVZLWK KHUKLVH[SUHVVLRQVHWKDUG´7KHUHLVVRPHWKLQJ,PXVWWHOO\RXWRQLJKWDIWHUWKH SDUW\,ZDVJRLQJWRZDLWEXW,IHHO\RXVKRXOGNQRZVRRQHUUDWKHUWKDQODWHUµ ´'RQ·W GR WKDW 'HYRQ ,I \Ru have something to tell me, then spit it out, QRZµ A small smiled curled his lips as he began to massage her with the cube DJDLQ´1R,ZRQ·WWHOO\RXQRZ,W·OOJLYH\RXVRPHWKLQJWRORRNIRUZDUGWRµ ´:HOOLVLWJRRGRUEDG"
249  

´'R\RXUHDOO\EHOLHYHWKLVLVDIOXNH"µ ´1REXW³,GRQ·WNQRZ,NQRZ,ZDQW\RXDQG,GRQ·WZDQWWRZDONDZD\ EXWWKHUHDUHFRPSOLFDWLRQVµ ´1R 7KRVH FRPSOLFDWLRQV \RX VSHDN RI DUH RQO\ LQ KHUHµ +H WDSSHG KHU temple. Maybe he was right. She was making it complicated, but hell, what was she WR GR" 6KH FRXOGQ·W MXVW MXPS LQ WKH GHHS HQG ZLWKRXW FRQVLGHULQJ WKH FRQVHTXHQFHV´,JXHVV,·PDGLIILFXOWSHUVRQµ ´1R\RX·UHQRW
250  

PLQHµ+HMHUNHGKHULQWRKLVDUPVWRUHVWKLVOLSVDJDLQVWKHUV´$VDUH\RXQRZ FRPHZLWKPHZH·YHJRWVRPHGDQFLQJWRGRµ Somehow, Devon made her forget they were in the ladies room together, but when they exited, the women congregated by the door swiftly reminded her. He seemed to not care about the plethora of eyes on them, but she on the other hand, FRXOGQ·WEHWKDWUHOD[HG Once they cleared the crowd and made it back out to the main hall where the jazz band kicked up a jiving tune, they ran right smack into Stacy Ann. -RVHSKLQH·VZRQGHUIXOQLJKWVXGGHQO\WRRNDQRVHGLYH 'HYRQ VWRSSHG DQG VTXHH]HG -RVHSKLQH·V KDQG ZKHQ VKH WULHG WR inconspicuously slip it from his grip. Her heart stopped for a moment when Stacy $QQ·VTXHVWLRQLQJJODUHVZLWFKHGWRDVFRUQDVVKH]RQHGLQRQWKHLUORFNHGKDQGV ´6WDF\$QQµ'HYRQDFNQRZOHGJHGRIIHULQJKHUIRUPDOERZ´-RVHSKLQHDQG ,ZHUHMXVWDERXWWRMRLQWKHFURZGRQWKHGDQFHIORRUVRLI\RX·OOH[FXVH XV«µ ´:KDWLVVKHGRLQJKHUH"µ7KHGLVWDLQLQKHUYRLFHFDPHRXWORXGDQGFOHDU ´$QG\RXWZRDUHKROGLQJKDQGV³ZKDWLVJRLQJRQKHUH"µ Their affair was no longer a secret. The moment seemed like a scene out of a movie. The camera was on her and she forgot her lines. She could do nothing but stare at Stacy Ann with her mouth DJDSHSUHSDUHGWRVD\ZRUGVWKDWZRXOGQ·WFRPHWRKHU

251  

´, EURXJKW KHU KHUH DV P\ GDWHµ 'HYRQ·V YRLFH ZDV JUDYH ZLWK PDOLFH ´7KDW·VDOO\RXQHHGWRNQRZµ ´+H\ 6WDF\µ 5RODQG SRSSHG out of nowhere and looped his arms around 'HYRQDQG-RVHSKLQH·VQHFN7KHZKLIIRIDOFRKRORQKLVEUHDWKPLQJOHGZLWKKLV FRORJQH´,WKRXJKW\RXZHUHQ·WJRLQJWRPDNHLW2K\RX·UHORRNLQJH[WUDKRWLQ WKDWJRZQEDEHµ 6WDF\$QQ·VWZLVWHG VFRZOPHOWHG WRORRNRIVXUSULVHWKHQJXLOW´:KDW³ Roland? Well, I got word a few people were asking for me, so I figured, since you FRXOGQ·WPDNHLW,VKRXOGFRPHDQGUHSUHVHQWWKHERWKRIXVµ Most likely one of her girlfriends relayed the message that Devon was at the party, so she put on the sexiest gown in her closet and came out to woo her ex-‐ man back into bed with her. ´6RZKDWDUH\RXGRLQJKHUH",«,WKRXJKW\RXZHUHLQWKH0H[LFRµ 7KHUHZDVDKLQWRIDPXVHPHQWEHKLQG5RODQG·VYRLFHZKHQKHVSRNHDJDLQ ´2K, guess I forgot to tell you. They changed that shoot to next week, or the week DIWHUWKDW,GRQ·WUHPHPEHU([FXVHPHEDEH,KDYHWRVWHDO-RVHSKLQHDQG'HYRQ DZD\IURP\RX,KDYHVRPHSHRSOH,ZDQWWKHPWRPHHWµ Thank God. Roland to the rescue.

252  

´-XVW D VHFRQG -RVHSKLQH , QHHG WR VSHDN ZLWK \RX IRU D PRPHQWµ 6WDF\ Ann announced. Her expression was pleasant, but the deadly daggers in her eyes raked her harshly. ´$ERXWZKDW"µ'HYRQDQG5RODQGDVNHGLQXQLVRQ 6WDF\$QQ·VH\HVGDUWHGIURPRQHPDQWRWKe other. Her mouth opened and closed, then she plastered on a tight-‐OLSSHGVPLOH´1RWKLQJWKDWLPSRUWDQW,JXHVV , ZLOO FDOO \RX WRPRUURZ PRUQLQJ -RVHSKLQHµ 7KH SURPLVH ZDV ODFHG ZLWK animosity. ´7KLV LV QRW JRRGµ -RVHSKLQH PXUPXUHG DIWHU 6WDF\ $QQ ZKipped around and disappeared into the crowd. The woman was going to try to ruin her career. She knew it in her gut. Suddenly feeling sick to her stomach, she tried to pull away from the two hot guys who hovered over her but Devon had a death grip on her. ´-RVLHOLVWHQWRPHµ ´1R \RX OLVWHQµ VKH VQDSSHG ´7KLV LV P\ FDUHHU WKLV LV DOO , KDYH 6KH·V going to³µ ´6KH·V QRW JRLQJ WR WRXFK \RX RU \RXU FDUHHUµ 5RODQG DYHUUHG SODFLQJ D FRPIRUWLQJ KDQG RQ KHU VKRXOGHU ´'RQ·W ZRUU\ DERXW KHU , JRW WKLV RNDy. Just KDYHDGULQNµ+HJUDEEHGDIOXWHRIFKDPSDJQHIURPDSDVVLQJWUD\DQGVKRYHGLW LQ KHU KDQG ´$QG OHW P\ ER\ VKRZ \RX D JRRG WLPHµ +H VTXHH]HG 'HYRQ·V

253  

VKRXOGHU DQG VPDFNHG KLP LQ WKH EDFN ´2K DQG -RVHSKLQH EHIRUH \RX OHDYH tonight make sure yoXVHHWKHODG\RIWKHKRXVHILUVW1LFROHWWH6KH·VG\LQJWRPHHW \RX,·YHEHHQEUDJJLQJDERXW\RXDOLWWOHELWµ -RVHSKLQHGLGQ·WKDYHWRZDLWORQJ7KHlady of the house appeared at the call of her name like a genie. She was the definition of stunning. A fitted, strapless ivory gown clung to her voluptuous curves and flowed down to the floor, hiding her feet. Bouncy salt and pepper hair curled past her waist. Wrinkles accented her eyes and mouth, but failed to tarnish her beauty. She was aged to perfection. ´Bonjour. Roland, is this the beautiful lady you told me about, the one who KDVVWROHQP\ER\IULHQG·VKHDUW"µ1LFROHWWHDVNHGLQDWKLFN)UHQFKDFFHQWEHIRUH she hugged Devon and kissed his cheek. -RVHSKLQHFXWKHUH\HVDW5RODQGDQGKH JULQQHG´7ROG you I was running P\ PRXWK D OLWWOH ELW ,·P RII WR JR ILQG P\ ZLIHµ KH PXWWHUHG GLVSDVVLRQDWHO\ before dancing off. ´2K\RXNQRZ\RX·UHWKHRQO\ZRPDQIRUPH1LFROHWWHµ'HYRQIOLUWHGZLWK D ZLQN SODFLQJ KLV OLSV RQ WKH EDFN RI KHU KDQG ´/HW PH LQWURduce you to my JXHVWµ 6XGGHQO\ D VWURQJ DUP FLUFOHG -RVHSKLQH·V ZDLVW ´+H\ 6SDUNV  LI \RX DUH JRLQJWRWDNHP\1LFFLWKHQ,ZLOOKDYH\RXUZRPDQµ Josephine looked up and met with a set of stormy grey eyes.

254  

Just as beautiful as his wife, Mr. Costago laXJKHG KHDUWLO\ ´0\ P\ DUHQ·W \RXDMHZHO",·YHKDGP\H\HVRQ\RXVLQFH\RXZDONHGWKURXJKWKHGRRUVZHHWLHµ Finally able to calm the unnerved disposition Stacy Ann left her in, Josephine smiled and bowed respectively. She wanted to formally introduce herself, but could do nothing but blush. The man was utterly charming. ´+H\ JX\ GRQ·W PDNH PH ILJKW \RX IRU KHU EHFDXVH , ZLOOµ 'HYRQ VDLG SXOOLQJ 0U &RVWDJR LQWR D KXJ ´
255  

talk to you about. Roland told me of your talent for interior design and the fact 'HYRQLVZRUNLQJZLWK\RXZHOOGDUOLQJWKDW·VVD\LQJDORW
256  

´1RZQRZ1LFROHWWHµ'HYRQLQWHUMHFWHGSDWWLQJ8UEDQ·VDUPDVKHZHQW RIILQWRWKHFURZGWRFRQYHUVHZLWKKLVRWKHUJXHVW´$UH\RXWU\LQJWRVWHDO-RVLH IURPPHEHIRUH,JHWDGDQFH"µ -RVHSKLQHVQDSSHGKHUKHDGWRZDUGKLP´,XP'HYRQ,UHDOO\GRQ·WPLQGµ ´%XW , GRµ +H VTXHH]HG KHU KDQG DQG VWHSSHG LQWR KHU ´)RUJLYH P\ UXGHQHVVEXW,ZDQW\RXIRUP\VHOI0D\,EHVHOILVKMXVWIRUWRQLJKW"µ 1LFROHWWH HUXSWHG LQ GHHS ODXJKWHU ´2K P\ OHW PH QRW LQWHUIHUH ZLWK \RX WZRORYHELUGVµ For a moment, Josephine was torn. She wanted to dance with Devon for the sake of feeling his body next to hers again, but goodness, she was dying to see the UHVWRIWKH&RVWDJR·VKRXVHDQGZKDW'HYRQKDGFUHDWHG ´:HOOZHFRXOGGRDTXLFNWRXUµ 'HYRQ·VILQJHUVWUDLOHG down her spine to the base of her naked back, where he softly caressed her. She fell silent just to restrain a whimper. ´2KGRQ·WZRUU\GDUOLQJ,·OOFRQWDFW\RXUILUPDQGJHW\RXEDFNRXWKHUHRQ P\WLPHVR,FDQVWHDO\RXDZD\IURP0U6SDUNVµ6KHWDpped his cheek with her ILQJHU WKHQUDQ KHU KDQG JHQWO\ DORQJ -RVHSKLQH·V FKLQ ´7KDQN\RXIRU SXWWLQJD VPLOHEDFNRQP\PDQ·VIDFHµ6KHEOHZDNLVVWKHQVWURGHRIIWRWHQGWRKHURWKHU guest, her hips swaying to the smooth rhythm set by the band.

257  

´:RZ , ZDQW WR EH OLNH KHU ZKHQ , JURZ XSµ -RVHSKLQH FRQIHVVHG watching her charm her admirers. Suddenly, the lights lowered and the band switched to a slow groove. My Funny Valentine. :LWKRXW D ZRUG 'HYRQ WRRN KHU HPSW\ IOXWH VHW LW RQ D VHUYHU·V WUD\ relieved her of her purse, and slipped it into his pocket. He walked backward into the middle of the crowd, holding her hands, smoothly coaxing her out onto the dance floor. Snuggling couples around them blurred as the jazzy tune set a sensual melody to a romantic ambience. His eyes put her in a trance as he drew her close. He pressed his body against her and hugged her waist. Sighing, she eased her hands up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. His cheek rested against her temple and they swayed to the hypnotic rhythm. He softly sung the words of the song to her. She stifled a girlish giggle. He was an excellent dancer. He spun, dipped, and wooed her, completely taking her breath away. As she snuggled up against him, she gazed hazily at the sea of gliding bodies caught in the rapture of the music. Love was in the air.

258  

One couple stood out from the rest. They kissed heavily, petted one another, and moved sensually to the rhythm. Watching them cavort without restraint filled Josephine with urge to kiVV'HYRQ·VOLSVEXWVKHZDVQ·WWKDWEUDYH The woman had the tell tale bump of pregnancy and the man pressed up DJDLQVWKHUOLNHWKHUHZDVQ·WDGHYHORSLQJEDE\EHWZHHQWKHP Josephine almost laughed. Through the passing bodies, she kept her eyes zoned in on the two lovers, becoming intensely aroused while watching them. The woman turned in his embrace so that her back was to her partner. He slid a hand over her belly and the other beneath her breast. She turned her head and he lowered his to passionately kiss her again. There was no shame in their game, at all. There was something wonderful about displaying affection for your lover in public, as if no one was watching. How she wished she could be so uninhibited. Until she confessed her secret affair to Terr\VKHZRXOGQ·WEHFRPIRUWDEOHHQRXJK to give Devon the slight peck in front of people, but then again, he had the ability to persuade her to do otherwise. As she watched the couple, something about them made her squint. From the distance, the woman looked vaguely familiar³OLNH +HDWKHU RQH RI 7HUU\·V

259  

DUWLVWIULHQGV:LWKWKHOLJKWVGRZQORZVKHFRXOGQ·WEHVXUHEXWWKHUHVHPEODQFH was uncanny. 7KLVXQQHUYHGKHU,I+HDWKHUFDXJKWKHUZLWK'HYRQVKH·GVXUHO\UXQRIIWR tell Terry, and that would make her situation a whole lot more complicated. She had to be the one to clear the air with him, not his tattletale friend. 6RRQ+HDWKHUDQGKHUORYHU·VFDUHVVHVEHFDPHWRRKRWIRUSXEOLFDQGWKHLU kissing became downright vulgar. Then, right when Josephine thought they would strip buck naked and go at it right on the dance floor, they broke the kiss and laughed drunkenly at one another. Suddenly, her heart stopped. That unmistakable irritating cackle, that familiar wide smile. Yes indeed, the woman was Heather Edwards and the handsome man she sucked face with was none other than Terry.

 

260  

Chapter Fifteen Love Affair

Josephine wanted to run out the building and forget she ever saw Terry WRQJXLQJGRZQDQRWKHUZRPDQEXWVKHFRXOGQ·WJHWSDVWWKHVKRFN The band flipped to an upbeat tune, and the happy pair vacated the dance IORRU HQJURVVHG LQ HDFK RWKHU -RVHSKLQH VOLSSHG RXW RI 'HYRQ·V HPEUDFH DQG followed them. Her hands trembled and her heart knocked hard. Devon grabbed her arm from behind and she snatched away from him. He called her name, but she was on a mission, too damn angry to turn around and acknowledge him. So many things ran through her mind as her heart convulsed in pain. The sane part of her begged her to turn around and leave it be but the other part ZRXOGQ·WOHWLWJR7KDWZDVWKHVDPHSDUWRIKHUZKRFRPIRUWHG+HDWKHUZKHQKHU ex-‐husband had left her high and dry; that part of her who had opened her home to Heather when she had nowhere to go. Six months, the woman lived up under her roof, rent fUHHVRVKHFRXOGJHWRQKHUIHHWEHFDXVHVKHZDV7HUU\·Vgood friend. And now this?

261  

No. There was no way in hell she could turn and run away. She had to confront them. Obviously not noticing her, they went into another smooch session by the bar. Josephine walked right up on them, blazing fury. ´+L7HUU\*UHDWSDUW\LVQ·WLW"µVKHDVNHGLQDFRQWUROOHGWRQHKHUPDQQHU making light of an extremely fucked up situation. Heather whipped around and her smile melted off her face. Terry, on the other hand, looked like he was about to shit himself. -RVHSKLQHQDUURZHGKHUH\HVWRVOLWV´,VQ·WWKHFKDPSDJQHWKHEHVWHYHU"µ +LV $GDP·V DSSOH EREEHG HUUDWLFDOO\ ´-RVLH , , WKRXJKW \RX ZHUH working³ZKDWXKZKDWDUH\RXGRLQJKHUH"µ ´:KDWDP,GRLQJKHUH"7KDW·V your first words to me after I just saw you PDNLQJRXWZLWK+HDWKHU"µ His eyes glazed over in sorrow. But she knew none of that was meant for her. His ass was just sorry he got caught. ´,³µ+HSDXVHGDQGVFUDWFKHGKLVKHDG´,GLGQ·WZDQW\RXWRILQGRXW like WKLVµ ´5HDOO\"µ -RVHSKLQH SODQWHG KHU KDQGV RQ KHU KLSV DQG IRXJKW EDFN WHDUV +HU FRQWUROOHG IDoDGH ZDV IDGLQJ ´+RZ WKH KHOO ZDV , VXSSRVHG WR ILQG RXW 7HUU\"µ

262  

´
263  

6PLUNLQJ DW KHU SDLQ +HDWKHU FRQWLQXHG ´:H·YH EHHQ PDUULHG IRU WZR months now, and yes, this six month old joy in the ovHQ LV 7HUU\·V EDE\µ 6KH UXEEHGKHUSURWUXGLQJEHOO\ZLWKFRQILGHQFH´:H·YHEHHQLQORYHIRUWKHODVWWZR \HDUV +RZ FRXOG \RX QRW NQRZ" $OO WKRVH QLJKWV KH GLGQ·W FRPH KRPH KH ZDV ZLWKPHµ Terry stood behind Heather like a wounded animal, his speech apparently not in working order. A series of emotion washed across his face as Heather continued to batter her with the hurtful truth. -RVHSKLQH·VQDLOVELWLQWRKHUSDOPDVVKHFOXWFKHGKHUILVWVWLJKW6KH·GQHYHU hit a pregnant woman, but the bitch blocked her target. +HDWKHU VQRUWHG ´
264  

´'DPQ ULJKWµ VKH ZKLVSHUHG KDUVKO\ VWDULQJ RYHU +HDWKHU·V VKRXOGHU LQWR 7HUU\·VQRZHQUDJHGIDFH ´+ROGXS:KRWKHIXFNLVWKLV-RVLH"µ7HUU\EDUNHGPRYLQJ+HDWKHURXW of his way. And now she was the cheater. Before Devon spun her around to usher her across the banquet hall, she VQHHUHG ´2K ,·P VRUU\ 7HUU\ , GLGQ·W ZDQW \RX WR ILQG RXW OLNH WKLVµ 7KH KHDW IURP 7HUU\·VKHLJKWHQHGIXU\IXHOHGKHUFRQWHPSWIRUKLP'HYon led her away putting distance between Terry and them. Roland appeared out of the mass of gawking guests and followed behind them, his expression austere. Terry yelled her name repeatedly at the top of his lungs like a damned fool. The band stopped playing. Gasps and murmurs sifted throughout the party. Josephine glanced over her shoulder and saw Heather pushing him in the chest, trying to stop him as he marched toward them, his face twisted into a ferocious scowl and his long fingers curled into fists. Devon held onto her arm tightly as they descended the stairs and out the French doors, with Roland in tow.

265  

Once outside in the cool night air, Devon handed the valet the card for his car. Calmly, he removed his jacket, handed it to her, and began to roll up his sleeves. Her anger slightly dissipated when reality came into clear focus. Devon was getting ready to beat the crap out of Terry. 6KH·G VHHQ 7HUU\ KROG KLV RZQ LQ D ILJKW EHIRUH +HOO KH ZDV ERUQ LQ WKH streets and knew how to protect himself. But the image of Devon pounding the punching bag with brutal force popped into her head and she knew Terry had a very slim chance of walking away without getting his ass kicked. She hugged his jacket to her breasts, swallowed hard, and eased closer to KLP´'HYRQµVKHVDLGLQDVKDN\WRQH´
266  

never interfere with a man who is focused on handling his business. There is QRWKLQJ\RXFDQVD\WRFKDQJHKLVPLQGVRGRQ·WHYHQWU\µ Eager to witness the drama, a mob followed Terry as he stalked out of the building. He glared at KHUIURPWKHGLVWDQFH´-RVHSKLQH,NQHZ\RXZHUHIXFNLQJ FKHDWLQJRQPHµ 1RKHGLGQ·WMXVW\HOOWKDW. ´$UH\RXVHULRXV"µVKHVKULHNHGEDFN7HDUVRIDQJHUFORXGHGKHUYLVLRQ´
267  

Josephine tried to run toward them but Nicolette held her in place and whispered calming words in her ear. In obvious pain, Terry spat, cursed, and insulted her as he struggled to break free, but Devon quickly put an end to that by adding pressure to his bound arm. Devon contorted it so much it looked like he could snap it off if he chose. Terry FRXOGQ·WGRDQ\WKLQJEXWZDLOLQDJRQ\ Tears streaming down her face, Heather ran up and repeatedly slapped Devon in his back while shrieking like a banshee. Undaunted by her attack, Devon stood his ground. Some of the women from the party grabbed and restrained Heather. ´
268  

7KHUH ZHUH D PLOOLRQ WKLQJV VKH ZDQWHG WR VSLW DW KLP EXW VKH FRXOGQ·W VHWWOH KHU HPRWLRQVWR VD\ RQH ZRUG VR VKH ZDONHG DZD\ 'HYRQ·V VLOYHU %HQWOH\ rode up to her rescue just as the sound of police sirens and the flash of red and blue lit up the air. The valet hopped out and ran around the car to open the passenger door for her. -RVHSKLQHVOLGLQWRWKHFDUDQGJDWKHUHG'HYRQ·VMDFNHWLQKHUODS1LFROHWWH got in the driver seat, shifted the car into drive, and drove around the paved way to the other side of the fountain, blocking her view of Devon. 6KHZDVQ·WZRUULHGDQ\WKLQJHOVHZRXOGJRGRZQVLQFHWKHFRSVZHUHWKHUH EXWWKHIDFWWKDWVKH·GEHHQHPEDUUDVVHGLQIURQWRIKXQdreds of people weighed heavily on her heart. This would surely get back to the firm. She just knew it. ´
269  

´1LFROHWWHµVKHFRUUHFWHGDVVKHWRRNKHUKDQGLQDIIHFWLRQ -RVHSKLQHVTXHH]HGKHUKDQG´1LFROHWWH\RXDUHWRRNLQGµ VKHZKLVSHUHG EHWZHHQVQLIIOHV´%XW,·GUDWKHUJREDFNWRWKH KRWHOµ ´1RQVHQVH
270  

Nicolette shifted into reverse to clear the fountain, and rolled past the police cars. Devon was talking to one of the cops, his hands shoved in his pockets. They drove to the side of the mansion. 6LJKLQJ -RVHSKLQH ORRNHG GRZQ DW 'HYRQ·V IROGHG MDFNHW DQG ILVKHG RXW D KDQGNHUFKLHI´7KLVLVWKHZRUVHQLJKWRIP\OLIHµVKHPXUmured, wiping the tears from her eyes. ´7KDWLVQRQVHQVHGDUOLQJµ1LFROHWWHHDVHGWKHFDULQWRWKHJDUDJHQH[WWRD SHDUO 5ROOV 5R\FH ´7KLV LV WKH best night of your life. You got rid of a loser and gained a winner, a gorgeous winner. That, to me, sounds OLNH WKH SHUIHFW QLJKWµ VKH FKRUWOHG EHIRUH H[LWLQJ WKH FDU ´,W·V OLNH D QLJKW LQ 9HJDV :KRR KRR :H NQRZKRZIXQWKRVHDUHµ The French beauty was obviously a little tipsy. -RVHSKLQHJLJJOHGOD]LO\DQGVOLGRXWWKHFDUZLWKKHU´0D\EHZHFDQKDYH thaWWRXUQRZµ 1LFROHWWHVSXQDURXQGDKXJHJULQRQKHUIDFH´$UH\RXVXUH\RXDUHLQWKH PRRGIRUWKDW"µ ´$EVROXWHO\,W·OOKHOSPHWDNHP\PLQGRII«recent eventsµVKHILQLVKHGRQD grumble. ´6SOHQGLGµ1LFROHWWHJUDEEHGKHUKDQGDQGKXUULHGKHUWKURXJKthe garage.

271  

´&RPHKDYHDGULQNZLWKPH6SDUNVµ Devon stared at the path that would lead him to the other part of the house, where Josephine was, then dragged his eyes toward Urban, who beckoned him up the steps. ´,FDQ·W,ZDQWWRJRFKHFNRQ-RVHSKLQHµ 8UEDQ VNLSSHG GRZQ WKH VWHSV DQG WRRN KLV DUP ´6KH·V ZLWK 1LFFL 6KH·V fine. Besides, my darling wife is probably dragging her all around the house talking KHUHDURIIDVZHVSHDNµ $ KDQG VTXHH]HG KLV VKRXOGHU DQG 5RODQG DSSHDUHG DW KLV VLGH ´
272  

´7KDW·V ZKDW ,·P WDONLQJ DERXWµ 5RODQG UHWULHYHG WKH WZR FLJDUV SORSSHG down in the leather chair next to Devon, and offered him one. Reluctantly, Devon accepted it. +H UHFDOOHG WKH SDLQHG ORRN RQ -RVHSKLQH·V EHDXWLIXO IDFH 6KH·G EHHQ GHYDVWDWHGDQGLWSLVVHGKLPRII,WZDVQ·WWKHFUDSWKHPDQVDLGEHIRUHKHPDGHD foolish attempt to attack him, it was the fact he diGQ·W KDYH WKH EDOOVWR VWHS XS and own up to his affair. Instead, he allowed his girlfriend³no, wife, to crush Josephine even more. Swiftly and mercilessly, her heart had been shattered and he felt every bit of her agony. 2QFH KH·G UHDOL]HG ZKDW ZDV JRLQJ on, he stood by and allowed her to KDQGOHWKHVLWXDWLRQEHFDXVHVKH·GEHHQGHWHUPLQHGWRGRLWULJKWWKHQDQGWKHUH 7KDW ZDV D PLVWDNH+H VKRXOG·YH IRUFHG KHU LQ WKH RSSRVLWH GLUHFWLRQ RQFH KH·G seen the storm coming, but the moment happened so fast, he could only rescue her after the fact. +HUROOHGWKHWLJKWO\ZUDSSHGWREDFFREHWZHHQKLVILQJHUVDQGJURDQHG´, VKRXOG·YHEURNHQKLVIXFNLQJDUPµ ´)RUUHDOPDQµ5RODQGDJUHHG´(VSHFLDOO\DIWHUKHLQVXOWHGKHUWKHZD\KH GLG,·PSUHWW\VXUHQRRQHZRXOG·YHEODPHG\RXLI\RXNLFNHGKLVDVV,ZDQWHGWR VPDVKKLVIDFHLQP\VHOIEXW,NQRZKRZ\RXDUHDERXWKDQGOLQJ\RXUVµ 8UEDQODXJKHG´:HDOONQRZWKDW\RX·UHDORYHUQRWDILJKWHU5RODQGµ

273  

´$K\RXNQRZPHWRRZHOOPDQµ Urban offered Devon and Roland a glass of cognac, then settled behind his GHVN´$VPHQLW·VHDVLHUWRGHOLYHUSXQLVKPHQWE\IRUFHEXWLI\RXUHDOO\ZDQWWR KXUW KLP ORYH WKDW EHDXWLIXO ZRPDQ \RXEURXJKWKHUH RQ \RXU DUP WRQLJKWµ +H clipped the end of the cigar then pulled ouWDOLJKWHU´
274  

WKDQDPLQXWH
275  

´,FRQFXUµ8UEDQDWWHVWHG´$VKDUGDVVKHWULHGWRKLGHLWWRQLJKWWKHORYH ZDVWKHUH%XW\RXVRQGLGQ·WFDUHZKRNQHZµ+HJXIIDZHG´,WKRXJKW\RXZHUe JRLQJWRDWWDFNPHZKHQ,ORRSHGP\DUPDURXQGKHUµ 'HYRQRIIHUHGDVPDOOUXHIXOVPLOH´,FDQ·WKHOSLW6KH·VLQP\V\VWHPµ ´5HDOO\ &DSWDLQ 2EYLRXV" 7KH JLUO FDQ·W HYHQ JR WR WKH EDWKURRP ZLWKRXW you following behind her. You tried to be sneaky with it, but I saw that shit, man. Trying to say, \RX·UHJRLQJWRJHWDGULQN«µ5RODQGPRFNHG´,ODXJKHGP\DVVRIIZKHQ ,VDZ\RXJRLQWRODGLHVURRP6KHJRW\RXUDVVRQDSHUPDQHQWKLJKµ 8UEDQFKXFNOHGDQG'HYRQGLSSHGKLVKHDGWRKLGHKLVJULQ´$KLJK, GRQ·W SODQWRFRPHGRZQIURPDQ\WLPHVRRQµ The loudness of the band and conversing crowd suddenly invaded the room. ´$K0UV+DQNVµ8UEDQDQQRXQFHG Devon looked at Roland with a raised brow, and Roland rolled his eyes. ´:H·UHVKDULQJDIHZGULQNVDQG VPRNHVGRLQJDOLWWOHPDOHERQGLQJ:H·OO EHRXWPRPHQWDULO\GHDU\µ8UEDQDVVXUHGKHUVKLIWLQJDQHUYRXVH\HWR5RODQG ´,XQGHUVWDQG,ZDVMXVWKRSLQJ,FRXOGJHWDVHFRQGWRWDONWR'HYRQµ ´1RW QRZ EDEH +H·V EXV\µ 5RODQG H\HG KLP D VPDUP\ JULQ curving his lips.

276  

,W·VZDVQ·WWKDWKHFRXOGQ·WVSHDNIRUKLPVHOIEXW5RODQGNQHZ6WDF\$QQ was the last person he wanted to talk to. She was liable to get the sharp end of his vexation if he even turned to look at her face. He could hear her huffing, hesLWDWLQJWROHDYHWKHPEH´,MXVWZDQWWRNQRZ RQDSURIHVVLRQDOOHYHOLIWKHUHLVVRPHVRUWRI«URPDQWLFFRQQHFWLRQEHWZHHQ\RX DQG-RVHSKLQH"µ And there it was. Stacy Ann had more nerve than he thought. 5RODQGJURDQHG´6WDF\,VDLGQRWQRZ³µ ´$VWKHFOLHQW,KDYHDULJKWWRNQRZµVKHVQDSSHG 'HYRQ JODQFHG DW WKH FRQWRUWHG H[SUHVVLRQ RQ 5RODQG·V IDFH WKHQ DW WKH VKRFNHG ORRN RQ 8UEDQ·V 6LJKLQJ 'HYRQ SLQFKHG WKH EULGJH RI KLV QRVH DQG GLSSHGKHUKHDG1RKHZRXOGQ·WKDYHWRVD\DZRUGEHFDXVHKLs friend was about to tear into her ass right now. ´:K\WKHIXFNGR\RXHYHQFDUH"µ5RODQGOHDQHGRYHUWKHDUPRIWKHFKDLUWR VWDUHDWKHU´$QGODVW,FKHFNHG,·PWKHFOLHQWQRW\RXµ $SSDUHQWO\ WRR XSVHW DERXW KLV ORYH DIIDLU ZLWK -RVHSKLQH VKH GLGQ·t heed 5RODQG·V ZDUQLQJ WRQH DQG SUHVVHG RQ WKH IRUELGGHQ LVVXH ´$IWHU KHU EHKDYLRU WRQLJKW DQG ZKDW ,·YH VHHQ WKXV IDU ,·P QRW SDUWLFXODUO\ WKULOOHG DERXW KHU FRQWLQXLQJ WR ZRUN RQ RXU SURMHFW ,·G OLNH WR JHW VRPHRQH HOVH WR ZRUN RQ RXU house, preferaEO\DGLIIHUHQWFRPSDQ\DOOWRJHWKHUµ

277  

5RODQGQRGGHGDVLIWRJLYHKHUSURSRVDOVRPHWKRXJKW´1R,WKLQN,·OONHHS -RVHSKLQH 6KH·V JRRG SHRSOH GRHV JRRG ZRUN %XW QRW \RX EHDXWLIXO VLQFH \RX chose this time, of all times, to come in here with this bullshit, I think this is as good RIDWLPHDVHYHUWRWHOO\RXWRJRKRPHDQGSDFN\RXUVKLWµ On that note, Devon nodded his thanks to Urban, rose out of the chair, and patted his friend, who stared hard at his baffled wife, on the back. He wanted no part of the drama that was about to take place. He had to check on Josephine. Without giving Stacy Ann the slightest glance, he headed for the door. ´,GRQ·WXQGHUVWDQG5RODQG:KDWDUH\RXVD\LQJ"µ Before he walked out of the room, he heard Roland respond, ´:KDW \RX GRQ·WVSHDN(QJOLVKDQ\PRUH",ZDQW\RXRXWRIP\KRXVHµ

             

278  

Chapter Sixteen /RYHU·V(PEUDFH

´-RVLHDUH\RXRND\LQWKHUH"µ'HYRQDVNHGVRIWO\WKURXJKWKHGRRU Josephine sat on the edge of the bed, holding the folded nightgown given to her by Nicolette. ´&RPHLQµVKHILQDOO\PXWWHUHGDIWHUDIHZVHFRQGVRILQGHFLVLRQ6KHZLSHG her tears with the back of her hand when she heard the door open and close. His steps were silent, but she could feel his approach. He stepped around the end of the bed and kneeled before her. She feared his eyes would show sorrow and pity, but they held neither. Deep affection caressed her from his loving gaze. He took her hand and placed a glass of amber liquid in it. Smiling appreciatively, she brought it to her nose. Bold, yet sweet. She took a sip and let it roll around her tongue. Navan. 6KH FORVHG KHU H\HV DQG VKRRN KHU KHDG ´0\ OLIH LV QRZ DQ RSHQ ERRN WR HQWHUWDLQ WKH PDVVHVµ 6KH FKXFNOHG ELWWHUO\ ´,·YH QHYHU EHHQ VR IXFNLQJ KXPLOLDWHGLQP\OLIHµ ´
279  

Squeezing her kneecap ever so gently, he cleared his throat. His eyes begged IRUVRPHWKLQJEXWWKURXJKKHUPHQWDOSDLQVKHFRXOGQ·WVHHSDVWFREDOWEOXH ´,·PVWD\LQJLQWKHURRP ULJKWDFURVVWKHKDOO,I\RXQHHGDQ\WKLQJµ +HUFKHVWWLJKWHQHG´$FURVVWKHKDOO"µ 'HYRQ GLSSHG KLV KHDG DQG UDQ D KDQG URXJKO\ RYHU KLV KDLU ´
280  

VWLQJKHUH\HVDQGVKHNQHZLWKDGWROHIWDEODFNVPHDUGRZQKHUIDFH´,NQRZ, look a sight. Let me go cleDQWKLVPDNHXSRIIµ %HIRUHVKHZDONHGLQWRWKHEDWKURRPVKHKHDUGKLPVD\´,WKLQN\RXORRN EHDXWLIXOµ When she spun back around, he was gone. Things were weird between them now. The episode earlier had strained their relationship. It was odd, because EHIRUHHYHU\WKLQJKDSSHQHGQRWKLQJFRXOGFRPHEHWZHHQWKHP1RZKHZRXOGQ·W even hold her. New tears formed and wet her eyelashes. Allowing them to fall unrestrained, she trudged across the room and pulled her cell from the dainty hand SXUVH6KHGLGQ·Weven bother to check her text inbox, which was full to the max. She hit number three to speed dial Pete. 7KHUH ZHUH VHYHUDO VHFRQGV RI ORXG WHFKQR PXVLF EHIRUH KH VSRNH ´+H\ EDE\,ZDVMXVWWKLQNLQJDERXW\RX+RZ·VWKHKLJKVRFLHW\",VHYHU\ERG\VQLIILQg WKHDLU"µKHFKRUWOHG 6KHVXFNHGLQDGHHSEUHDWKFORVHGKHUH\HVDQGWKHQH[KDOHG´,ZDQWDOORI KLV VKLW RXW RI P\ KRXVH LPPHGLDWHO\ , GRQ·W FDUH ZKHUH \RX SXW LW LQ WKH GXPSVWHULQIURQWRI+HDWKHU·VWUDLOHU³,GRQ·WJLYHDIXFN*HWKLVVKLWout of my house³DOORILW$QG,ZDQWP\ORFNVFKDQJHGµ

281  

7KHYRLFHRI.\OLH0LQRJXHILOOHGKHUHDUGXULQJ3HWH·VORQJSDXVH´6D\QR PRUHJLUO:H·UHOHDYLQJWKHFOXEDQGKHDGLQJRYHUWKHUHULJKWQRZµ ´7KDQNV3HWH\µVKHVREEHG The music began to fade. ´,NQHZWKLVZDVJRLQJWRKDSSHQVRRQHURUODWHU
282  

shower heads sprayed warm water from every angle. Too distraught to enjoy the luxury of a soothing shower, she got out and dried off. Sulking in her sorrow, she removed the numerous pins Carmen stuck in her hair to hold her dreads up in the fancy do. Lazily, her locks fell over her shoulders to drape over her breasts and back. She walked back into the room and a steaming cup of tea sat on the nightstand. She tied the towel around her body, sat on the bed, leaned her head against the post, and slowly sipped the mint tea. 7KH QLJKW·V HYHQWV SURFHHded to play in her mind like a nightmare³the SLWLIXO ORRN RQ 7HUU\·V IDFH DQG WKH VPXJ JULQ RQ +HDWKHU·V 7KH YLVLRQ RI KLP fucking Heather on her California King made her growl. That whole time Heather VWD\HGLQKHUKRXVHWKH\·GSUREDEO\ZHQWDWLWOLNH rabbits while she was at work. ,GLGQ·WZDQW\RXWRILQGRXWOLNHWKLV She felt foolish and had every reason to feel that way. All the warning signs ZHUHWKHUHDQGVKH·GVHHQWKHPEXWVKHFKRVHWRORRNWKHRWKHUZD\IRUORYH2U was it just plain old stupidity? Everything had changed about him. His attitude grew darker. He picked up the habit of smoking. He repeatedly accused her of cheating on him. When he made love to her, he did things out the norm. The list went on and on.

283  

Five years wasted. She thoXJKW KH·G FKDQJH RU DW OHDVW VKH·G KRSHG KH ZRXOG%XWQRVKH·GEHHQDVWHSSLQJVWRQHIRUKLVVXFFHVVZLWKDQRWKHUZRPDQ Josephine, we are married. To add insult to injury, he fucking married her! Josephine began to weep. $IWHUDOOWKHVKLWVKH·GSXWXSwith. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand. Every single text in her inbox was from Terry. Oh, now he knew how to communicate. She deleted them all after reading the line, I knew you were cheating on me, u lying bitch! She could almost hear the words flying out of his mouth as she read them. 8QEHOLHYDEOH+HKDGWKHDXGDFLW\WRJHWPDGDWKHUZKHQKH·GEHHQIXFNLQJ Heather right up under her nose for two years! Fuck him and his double standards! Pissed off, she threw the phone across the room as hard as she could. It hit the wall and shattered into pieces. At the expense of her phone, she felt a little better. Now she knew why people destroyed shit when they were mad. There was slight indifference rolling around inside. After all, she did cheat on him with Devon. That made both of them cheaters. If what she did was such a terrible thing, why was it so difficult to feel bad about it? She sat the empty tea cup back in the saucer and pushed up from the bed. She searched through the female articles in a basket on top of the dresser, and

284  

found an apple scented lotion, which she lathered her whole body with. She hung the Rochelle Dow gown in the closet, along with the shoes, and then slipped on the silky violet nightgown. 'LVFRPILWHGVKHJUDEEHG'HYRQ·VMDFNHW and lumbered across the hall. For a PRPHQWVKHVWDUHGDWWKHGRRU,IKHGLGQ·WRIIHULWVKH·GDVNIRULWDKXJQRWKLQJ more, nothing less. She swallowed hard and lightly knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again. When she got no answer a second time, she braved a turn at the knob. It was open. She slid inside the room, expecting to see Devon cuddled up in bed, but he ZDVQ·WWKHUHRQO\KLVFORWKHV7KHFXUWDLQVZHUHSDUWLDOO\RSHQDQGDVPDOOODPS on the night stand whispered a soft glow. The VH[\ VRXQGV RI &KULV %RWWL·V blowing his trumpet floated from a clock radio. She headed toward the closet and perked at the sound of running water coming from the closed bathroom door. After hanging his jacket, along with his shirt and pants, she drifted toward the sound of water. Steam seeped out from under the door. She inhaled deeply and slowly opened it. Her mouth dropped open, her breath hitched, and her knees weakened.

285  

There stood Devon, in all his stunning nakedness, under the spray of steamy water, his head tilted back and his hands running through his soaked hair. She became envious of the water as it slid down every ridge of hard muscle on his dynamic body. His semi erect penis peeked at her from the side of his muscled thigh and her mouth watered. His skin blushed from the torment of the heated rain. She FRXOGQ·WUHPHPEHUZKDWVKHIHOWEHIRUHVKHRSHQWKHGRRU$OOVKHFRXOGIHHOZDV him, stroking and caressing her from across the damn bathroom, leaving her to whimper with need for him. ´+DYHPHUF\'HYRQµ Startled, he staggered back from the misty spray and jerked his head in her GLUHFWLRQ´2K-RVLH\RXVFDUHGPH&KULVWZRPDQ\RX·UHTXLHWDVDPRXVH,GLGQ·W HYHQKHDUWKHGRRURSHQµ He turned toward her, blessing her with a full frontal view of his sculptured frame. A faint trail of hair ran down the center of his brawny abs to blend in with the bush of raven strands surrounding his glorious shaft. Goodness, he looked delicious. Droplets fell from his lashes into his eyes, but not once did he blink, nor take KLVJD]HIURPKHU´$UH\RXRND\"µ

286  

She shook her head vigorously. Her dreads waved back and forth across her back. He stepped from the shower and closed the space between them in a split second. His arms circled her. He squeezed her so tight she could hardly breathe. ´,·PVRUU\,·PVRVRUU\VZHHWKHDUW,VKRXOGQ·WKDYHOHIW\RXDORQHµ His croon kissed her ear in a sweet rhythm. Her eyes drifted closed. His arms were the balm and his voice was the soothing rain. The moisture coating his naked skin soaked through the silk of the nightgown. The throbbing of his cock strummed against the base of her belly, stirring up her uncontainable desire. Tears bubbled up from her closed lids and rolled down her face. This was where she belonged. ´7KDQN \RXµ VKH ZKLVSHUHG WLJKWHQLQJ KHU KXJ DURXQG KLV QHFN :DWHU VHHSLQJIURPKLVKDLUGDPSHQHGKHUVNLQ´)RUEHLQJWKHUHIRUPHIRUSXOOLQJPH EDFNZKHQ,FRXOGQ·WVHHSDVWP\DQJHUµ $LU EOHZ WKURXJK KLV QRVH DQG WLFNOHG KHU HDU ´,·G GR DQ\WKLQJ IRU you, -RVLHµ He straightened his back and her feet left the ground. Soon, the spray of the hot water soaked into her hair and trickled down her face. At first she gasped, EHFDXVHVKHGLGQ·WH[SHFWWREHFDUULHGLQWRWKHVKRZHUEXWWKHVKRFNTXLFNO\OHIW her. She dipped her head back and welcomed the healing shower. His lips claimed her throat. His tongue traced her vein. His teeth nipped at her flesh.

287  

The fire within was now a roaring blaze. He walked forward and braced her against the wall. He languidly drew the drenched fabric of the nightgown up her legs as his anxious tongue grazed her lips. With a faint cry, she opened her mouth to receive him. Digging her fingers in his hair, she sucked and rolled her slippery member around his. He groaned against her, all the while drawing the gown up her body. Once the fabric reached her breasts, he broke the kiss, flung the gown up over her head, and dropped it to the floor of the shower. This time when he claimed her lips, it was like an assault on her senses. He held nothing back and suffocated her with unrelenting passion. Caught between him and the wall, she squirmed under his hard body, touching, grabbing, aching to be filled by him. He slid down, took a nipple in his mouth, circled an arm under her leg and hoisted her up. She clutched his shoulders and let out a startled shriek. ´,JRW\RXµKHZKLVSHUHG With her right leg hooked over his arm, he lifted her other leg to his waist and sunk his engorged cock deep inside of her. Shuddering, she sucked in a long breath and held it. )RUD VWLOO PRPHQW LQ WLPHKH GLGQ·W PRYH DQG QHLWKHU GLG VKH 6KH VWDUHG into his eyes and he into hers, both speaking an unspoken language.

288  

Nothing separated them, no latex barrier. They were skin to skin. She ZDVQ·W DODUPHG RU VFDUHG. It was trust, a reliance that came with unconditional love. Love. Tears came to her eyes again, but this time for a different reason. +LVVZROOHQPDQKRRGIOXWWHUHGZLWKLQKHUEHJJLQJIRUIULFWLRQ´,I\RXZDQW PH WR VWRS QRZ , ZLOOµ +LV YRLFH ZDV VWUDined, like it took a lot out of him to mutter those words. ´1R'HYRQ0DNHORYHWRPHµ He tightened his hold on her elevated leg and retracted his shaft to thrust back into her. Heavy breaths and mewls drowned out the running water as the faint whisper of jazz filtered in from the bedroom. Slow, intense strokes impelled her body up and down the wall. Glorious sparks of approaching bliss tripped through her body mercilessly. The pace of his hips quickened. She clutched his hair and convulsed in his grasp. Strong fingers bit into her thighs. ,WIHOWVRGDPQVZHHWVKHFRXOGKDUGO\EUHDWKH´%DE\GRQ·WVWRS³oohhh! )HHOVVRJRRG'HYRQµVKHVWXWWHUHGRQFULHVRIGHVLUH Swiftly, she was hit with the first wave of ecstasy. Shortly after, she was doused with another. Stifling a scream, she dug her head back into the wall and curved her back. Between each breath, he grunted and moaned. The length of him quivered violently, pushing her toward another orgasm. Soon, his long steady thrusts became short vigorous stabs.

289  

´2KRRKKKKP\-HVXV-RVLH«µ She held onto his vibrating body, resisting the force of being pinned to the wall and wound her hips to his set rhythm. His yowls escalated with hers. She nibbled and sucked his trembling lips, then that oh so sweet eruption filled her insides like an over flowing volcano. Along with him, she came undone. Jutting his passion deeply within her sheath, he howled his satisfaction into her mouth. She took every bit of him from each end, refusing to release what he gave. SpentKLVVDWHGPDQKRRGUHOD[HGLQVLGHRIKHUEXWGLGQ·WORVHPXFKRILWV girth. He tried to pull out of her, but she hugged his neck tighter. :KHQKHUHDOL]HGVKHZDVQ·WJRLQJWROHWJRKHFKXFNOHGDQGQX]]OHGKHU QHFN´,GRQ·WZDQWWROHW\RXJRHLWKHUEXW,KDYHWRGU\\RXRII'RQ·WZDQW\RXWR FDWFKDFROGµ 6KHGLGQ·WVSHDNQRUEXGJH ´$OOULJKWVZHHWKHDUW,FDQZRUNZLWKWKLVµKHDYHUUHGDVKHUHDFKHGWRWXUQ the water off. Still lodged deeply inside of her, he gripped her ass, drew her from the wall, and walked across the bathroom. The cool counter kissed her backside when he sat her down. He slipped his arm from beneath her raised leg and allowed it to

290  

curve around his waist. A fluffy towel slipped between their bodies to absorb the moisture. After wrapping the towel securely around her damp dreads, he carried her to the bedroom, drew the comforter and sheets back, and lay her on the comfy mattress. His body pressed gently against hers as he kissed her lips. ´-RVLHLIZHGRQ·WVWRSQRZ,·OOVWD\LQ\RXDOOQLJKWDQGEHOLHYHPHWKDW·V QRW D ILJXUH RI VSHHFKµ 7KH SURPLVH LQ KLV H\HV PDGH KHU LQVLGHV WLQJOH ´$IWHU HYHU\WKLQJWKDWKDVKDSSHQHGWRQLJKW\RXVKRXOGSUREDEO\JHWVRPHUHVWµ Before she could say a word, he pulled out of her. Her pusV\SRSSHGDQGFOXWFKHGLQSURWHVW´'HYRQµVKHZKLQHG ´,NQRZµKHUHOHDVHGRQDWKURDW\JURDQKLVH\HVSURMHFWLQJSDLQ´,GLGQ·W want to leave that snuggly, hot nest³&KULVW-RVHSKLQH\RXDUHP\DGGLFWLRQµ He lay next to her and she rested her head on his chest. ´,DPXWWHUO\LQORYHZLWK\RX-RVHSKLQHµKHZKLVSHUHG Gasping, she lifted her head to look into his sincere eyes. Those were the ZRUGVVKHQHHGHGWRKHDUDQGLWVTXHH]HGKHUKHDUWWKH\FDPHIURPKLP´'HYRQ wow, I lo³µ He placed two finJHUVRYHUKHUOLSV´1R,GLGQ·WWHOO\RXWRJHWDUHVSRQVH, MXVWZDQWHG\RXWRNQRZ$QGEDGO\DV,ZDQWWRKHDU\RXVD\LWLWFDQ·WOHDYH\RXU

291  

OLSVXQWLO\RXU KHDUWLV IXOO\ LQ WKLV ,W·G EHVHOILVKRI PH WR H[SHFW WKDW IURP\RX QRZµ He was right. For her to say those words without casting Terry completely out of her mind and heart would be unfair to Devon. He deserved that much, and even more. She somehow had to close the book with Terry. ´6RDUHZHDQLWHP"µKHDVNHGFDUHVVLQJKHUFKHHN She dropSHGDWHQGHUNLVVRQKLVFKHVW´$IWHUZKDWZHMXVWGLG",·GVD\VRµ She paused and sighed. The aftermath of their coupling zipped down her spine, causing her to shiver. It tinged the soreness around her surging hole. His arm circled her and hugged her close. ´,·YHQHYHUKDGXQSURWHFWHGVH[EHIRUHµVKHDGPLWWHGVRIWO\ +H ZHW KLV OLSV DQG WLOWHG KLV KHDG FXULRXVO\ ´1HLWKHU KDYH , EXW , GRQ·W UHJUHWDQ\WKLQJZH·YHGRQHWRQLJKWµ 6KH GLGQ·W HLWKHU EXW LQVWHDG RI VD\LQJ LW VKH WKUHZ KHU OHJ RYHU KLP DQG snuggled deeper into his one armed embrace. Intimately, his fingers brushed the bottom of her thigh and gently tickled her skin. ´,·P RQ ELUWK FRQWUROµ VKH PXUPXUHG ´, VWDUWHG DERXW D PRQWK DQG D KDOI DJRµ +HGLGQ·WVD\DQ\WKLQJ+HMXVWVLJKHGKHDYLO\

292  

´+H·G EHHQ EHJJLQJ IRU \HDUV IRU SURWHFWLRQ-‐less sex and I was always too VFDUHGWRHYHQOHWKLPJRWKHUHEHFDXVHRIKLVVKLIW\SDVW+HVZRUHKH·GFKDQJHG and part of me believed him. Taking birth control was a step in the direction to give myself to him, fullyµ6KHJLJJOHGGU\O\DWWKHPHPRU\´+H·GJRLQWRWKHVHGHHS VSLHOVDERXWKRZFDQ,ORYHKLPDQGQRWWUXVWKLP",W·VDPD]LQJZKHQ\RXWKLQN \RXNQRZVRPHRQHµ Rain began to pour outside. It tapped the window in a soothing rhythm, adding a sense of peace and isolation to the room. Once again, they locked eyes, falling captive to silent communication. 7RQL %UD[WRQ·V VRQJ Un Break My Heart crooned from the small radio; 'RQ·W OHDYHPHLQDOOWKLVSDLQ'RQ·WOHDYHPHRXWLQWKHUDLQ« ´'R\RXVWLOOORYH KLP"µ 7KHTXHVWLRQGLGQ·WVXUSULVHKHU7KURXJKKLVKRRGHGJD]HVKHVDZLWHDWLQJ away at his insides. She briefly closed her eyes. ´, WKLQN ,·P VRPHZKHUH EHWZHHQ ORYH DQG KDWHµ VKH PXUPXUHG UHSHDWLQJ WKHZRUGVKH·GVDLGWRKHUGD\VDJR A wry smile twLVWHGKLVOLSV´,VQ·WWKDWKRZLWDOZD\VLV"7KDWWKLQOLQH·VD ELWFK LVQ·W LW"µ +H WRRN KHU KDQG DQG LQWHUWZLQHG KLV ILQJHUV ZLWK KHUV ´,W JHWV easier. I promise. You just have to find a way to diminish the anger and find closure. You may have to talk WRKLPWRFORVHWKDWSDUWRI\RXUOLIHµ

293  

6KHJURDQHG´,GRQ·WWKLQN,FDQGRWKDW3XWP\DQJHUDVLGHWRWDONWRKLP" 1R,NQRZ,FDQ·WGRWKDW6HHWKHWKLQJLV,ZDVJRLQJWHOOKLPDERXWP\IHHOLQJV for you, give him at least that measure of respect, EXW KH·V EHHQ IXFNLQJ DURXQG with his friend, correction, his wife, for two yearsDQGZDVQ·WHYHQPDQHQRXJKWR³µ 'HYRQSLQFKHGKHUQRVH´'RQ·WGZHOORQLW,WRQO\PDNHVLWKDUGHUµ She laughed and he chuckled. The last person who pinched her nose to make her shut up was her grandmother. 6LJKLQJ VKH UXEEHG KHU FKHHN DFURVV KLV FKHVW ´:KHUH DUH \RX IURP 'HYRQ"µ ´/DVW,FKHFNHGHDUWKµ 6KHSXUVHGKHUOLSV´1RFUD]\:KHUHZHUH\RXERUQ"
294  

´5LJKWµVKHFKRUWOHG´6RXK\RXVSHDN)UHQFK"µ Those exotic blue eyes gleamed at her. ´2XL 9RXOH]-‐vous me parler en français SRXUYRXV"µ The softly spoken words rolled off his tongue like butter along with the sexy accent, which he could apparently turn on at will. She nearly came. It was even more seductive that she knew exactly what he said, thanks to the French courses her mom forced her to take throughout school. ´
295  

splayed thighs and slipped his hands under her ass. He sunk the mushroomed head of his member into her heated core and slowly elevated her hips to his pelvis until her slick glove was full. ´2RR\HDK'HYRQµVKHVOXUUHGRQZKLPSers, digging her head into the bed. ´Remplissez-‐moi«)LOOPHXSEDE\µ Her legs looped over his forearms and his fingers sunk into her flesh. She reached down, curved her hands around the bulged muscles in his thighs, and began to roll her pussy up and down his shaft. She held his hooded gaze, maintaining a slow torturous groove. She snaked her abs, jerked her pelvis, and waved her body in motion to the captivating sounds of Floetry. $OO\RXJRWWDGRLVVD\\HV« He allowed her to do all the work, but his strained muscles showed his ERG\·V UHVLVWDQFH WR VWD\ VWLOO +H UHOHDVHG ORZ JURZOV DIWHU HDFK PRDQ +LV furrowed brow and clenched teeth told her he wanted to take over the pace badly, but this was her moment. She licked her lips, fondled her breast, and mewled softly, falling into the zone where no one existed but him and her. She glanced down to watch her dewy gash slowly suck his swelled dagger with finesse. In the soft light her juices glistened along the length of him. ,·PDERXWWROHW\RXNQRZ\RXPDNHPHVRVRVRVR«

296  

6WURNHDIWHUWDQWDOL]LQJVWURNHVKHPLONHGKLPFORVHUWRWKHHGJH´-XVWOLNH WKDW'RQ·WVWRS-RVLHµKHPRDQHG´Il se sent si bonµ The constant throb of his cock triggered the raging nerves that lined her quivering sheath. A surge of pleasure rippled down her body and she quickened her thrusts. Her hips heaved against him in stuttered movements. The muscular strength in her abs, thighs, and pelvis jerked. Then suddenly, he snapped. He grabbed her and hauled her against him. He latched onto her mouth, wrapped his arms tightly around her, and then drove an unbridled force deep into her core. She clung to him for dear life, screaming pure rapture down his throat. Her insides trembled and released her honeyed dew to drip down his staff as he pumped relentlessly into her gushing slit. ´-RVLH2KRKK,·PFRPLQJµ+LVERG\TXDNHG+HKHOGKHUJURXQGHGKDUG onto his convulsing cock and then exploded inside of her. She absorbed every bit of his spurting bliss with mind-‐numbing satisfaction. Through three songs, they held onto one another, rocking, caressing, kissing, and loving. He whispered words of passion in his seductive native tongue. Tears poured down her cheeks. Her limbs gradually went limp. The softness of the bed welcomed her fatigued body. The heat of his skin left her for a moment and the chill of the room attacked her. A warm cloth was pressed to her sated

297  

pussy as a pair of lips softly kissed hers. The sound of the rain faded away as darkness clouded her mind.

A crack of lighWQLQJ ZRNH KHU ZLWK D VWDUW 7DNLQJ D JODQFH DW 'HYRQ·V sleeping form, Josephine quickly and carefully scurried out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. The slight sting around her passage was not withstanding, she smiled inwardly. After freshening up, she eased back into the bedroom and stood over Devon, watching him sleep. One arm rested above his head and the other was flung to the side. Curled at the ends, his slow drying hair feathered against his forehead. The light shed by small lamp gave his flawless skin a soft glow. He slept so deeply. The sight of his gorgeous frame made her heart thump and her body hum IRUDQRWKHUJR¶URXQG Nibbling on her lower lip, she grabbed the end of the sheet and swept it from over his legs. Her new best friend lay reclined over his thigh. The hunger for a taste of him swirled violently in the pit of her core. Even flaccid, his penis was appetizing. She licked her top lip and reached for him. The warm, relaxed flesh stirred slightly in her hand. She glanced at his face. Still fast asleep.

298  

She leaned down and wrapped her lips around him. She rolled her tongue around the soft flesh, reeling as his muscle slowly came to life to strain against the roof of her mouth. She worked him up and down, taking in as much as she could before he came fully erect. His shaft roused before he did. *UDGXDOO\ DZDNHQLQJ VKRUW VSXUWV RI DLU VHHSHG IURP KLV PRXWK ´:KDW the³-RVLHRKEDE\µKHJDVSHGFODVSLQJKHUKHDGDQGZULWKLQJXQGHUKHUVHQVXDO assault. She could take more of him in her mouth, so she relaxed the back of her throat. His tightening sac filled her hand. She caressed the throbbing bag of flesh, continuing to siphon greedily from his masculinity. A drop of his tasty nectar enticed her palette. She delved the tip of her tongue between his slit in search of more of his delicious arousal. Sharply sucking air through his teeth, Devon heaved his hips in the air. She released his crown with a drawling slurp. He muttered incoherently in French, grabbed her ass, and tugged on her. Teasingly, she shifted from his reach, crawled onto the bed and crouched between his legs. She dug her fingers into the taut muscles of his sexy thighs and traced the bulging veins from the tip to the base of his impressive girth, leaving a trail of her oral lubricant along the length of him. She curled her hand around his

299  

shaft, stroked him in a steady pace to keep him enthralled, but away from the edge of release. Not yet. She curved her tongue around one of his fleshy jewels and drew it between her lips. ´2Kohhh³-RVLHSOHDVHRRRRJHWRQWKLVGLFNµKHEHVHHFKHGGLJJLQJKLV KHDGLQWRWKHSLOORZ´&RPHKHUHVZHHWKHDUWS'il vous plaît, plant that sweet pussy RQWRSRIPHµ Running her agile organ along the bundle of skin, she latched onto the other delectable KRUV G·RHXYUH and gently feasted on it, still working her hand up and around his gorgeous pole, pumping him in slow agonizing movements. Soon, his body undulated erratically and his groans became vociferous. Lightning cracked again and heightened her need to swallow his desire. She released his sac and ran her tongue along the edge of his contracting mushroomed cock head. She concentrated on his glans, lapping, sucking, and humming him toward an orgasm. He shivered. His hands fisted her hair. His hips came off the bed. She locked her lips around the tip of his manhood and released a muffled mewl when his creamy fluid filled her mouth.

300  

Anchored onto her head, he howled as he spewed every last bit of himself down her throat. His taste, his moans, his scent³it was all overwhelmingly exhilarating. He pulled her head away from his succulent cock. A tear of his syrup rolled down the side of her chin. He jerked up, caught it with the tip of his tongue then entered her mouth to taste his own sweetness. His kiss was demanding and ravenous. It drove her crazy. His nimble fingers slipped between her folds and then sunk into her wet haven. She whimpered and thrust her hips against his hand. Covered in her arousal, he brought his digits to her lips. She tongued and sucked them clean, and then kissed him again. Chesty groans erupted from him as their oral members dueled for dominance, mixing and tasting their passion for one another. She lost her fingers in his hair and used her weight to push him down onto his back. She gracefully straddled his hips to ground her dripping, wet cleft against the length of his rod and pressed her breasts to his chest. His rapid heartbeat matched hers. She rolled her clit back and forth over the rigid shaft, absorbing his breathless whimpers on each stroke. ´2K ,·YH GUHDPHG RI \RX PRXQWLQJ PH HYHU VLQFH , ODLG H\HV RQ \RXµ KH FURRQHG´5LGHPHKRPH-RVLH0DNHLW\RXUVJLUOµ

301  

His hands roamed down her body to dig into the mound of her ass. He pushed and pulled her along his cock until her body was a shuddering mass on top of him. Near a nerve shattering orgasm, she convulsed and smashed her mouth deeper into his. Their teeth softly collided. His arms squeezed her. Her mind hummed and her core let loose a flow of her essence. In mid orgasm, she shifted forward and slid the mouth of her slit over his knob. It made the release all the more satisfying. Inch by inch, she slid down his juicy erection, taking in his pleasured gasps. Her expanded walls tensed at the invasion. ´2K EDE\ \HDK \RX IHHO VR IXFNLQJ VZHHWµ KH KRZOHG IRUFLQJ KHU KLSV down to his pelvis. His curly hair tickled the bare flesh of her folds and clit. Filled to the max, she inhaled sharply and pushed up from his chest. Once her inner muscles relaxed around him, she pressed her knees into the mattress and anchored the base of her ankles over his legs to keep him still. She looked down into his lust glazed eyes, narrowed her gaze and smiled. Dominance! +LV FKHVW UXPEOHG LQ ODXJKWHU ´&DUHIXO 7KLV KRUVH KDV EHHQ NQRZQ WR bucNµ ´:KDWHYHU,·PQRWVFDUHGWRKDQGOHWKLVSRQ\µ

302  

Using his chiseled pecks as leverage, she eased up then rolled her hips back down. Slowly, she rode his stallion with skill and finesse. His cock slid out and filled her over and over again. The sound of the rain mingled with the smooth saxophone melody and set her seductive groove. She gyrated, popped her pussy and bounced her ass, straining her leg muscles to keep him from surging up off the bed. Clenching his teeth, he growled her name and grabbed at her ass to quicken the slow agonizing pace. Not about to be rushed, she slapped his hands away and marveled at the sexual grimace on his beautiful mug. Soon, the ride began to feel good, too damn good. She was on the verge of breaking down. Her need for dominance waned. A pair of hands palmed her aching globes and gently tweaked her nipples. She curled her hands around his wrists, pushed her breasts further into his grasp, and whirled her hips against him. The waves of bliss billowed toward her in soft increments. Her head dipped back and her core indulged him deeper. Her cries rose and drowned out his groans of pleasure. The fluttering bouts of rapture rose to uncontainable spasms. Her back arced. Her movements sputtered. Her mind went torpid. Then, a tsunami of utter fulfillment tipped her over the edge.

303  

´2KKKK*RGµVKHVFUHDPHG´,WIHHOVVR³Je ne peux pasP\XKKKKEDE\µVKH VWDPPHUHG KHU YLVLRQ EOXUUHG ´'HYRQ oui, you³oh damn, boy goddamn, where DUHZH"µ Chuckling, he smacked her ass, then wrapped his arms around her and latched onto her areola, while bucking his hips up into her. His cock repeatedly stabbed her spot, compelling her to shrill sweet glory to the ceiling as she drenched him in her essence. The head of his shaft expanded inside of her, then was swiftly followed by the gush of his release and a muffled cry. He collapsed back on the bed, still squeezing her tight. The shower of the rain, the coo of Jill Scott, and the frantic pounding of his heart serenaded her back to sleep. You love PH«

         

304  

Chapter Seventeen Family Reunion

A frantic shake of his chest and soft sobs woke him from a sound sleep. Slurring profanities under his breath, Devon grabbed the wrist connected to the hand that caused the rude awakening. He dragged his eyes open to look up blurrily LQWR-RVHSKLQH·VWHDU-‐streaked face. ´:KDW·V³-RVLHZKDW·VZURQJVZHHWKHDUW"µ ´,KDYHWRJRµVKHUXVKHGRXW Without out releasing her, he sat up, rubbed at his eyes, and focused on her. She was dressed in a fitted magenta sweat suit. Displaying her tantalizing cleavage, the zipper was partially down on the hoodie top. Her dreads were drawn back in a high pony tail. Her wide eyes were red-‐rimmed and lids puffy. +HWULHGWRSXOOKHULQWRKLVDUPVEXWVKHUHVLVWHG´-RVLHWDONWRPHµ ´1Rµ7UHPEOLQJVKHWZLVWHGKHUZULVWRXWRIKLVJUDVSDQGVWHSSHGEDFN´, KDYHWRJR'HYRQ,·OOFDOO³µ ´:DLW ZKDW KDSSHQHG"µ KH DVNHG UHDFKLQJ IRU KHU ´'RQ·W OHDYH PH FOXHOHVVµ ´0\EURWKHUµVKHIDOWHUHGKXJJLQJKHUVHOI

305  

He tossed back the blankets and slid out the bed, welcoming the chill in the DLUDJDLQVWKLVQDNHGVNLQ´:KDW·VZURQJZLWK\RXUEURWKHU"µ 6KH VODSSHG KHU KDQGV RYHU KHU IDFH ´6RPHERG\ DWWDFNHG KLPµ VKH FULHG ´$QGDQGKH·VDWWKHKRVSLWDOLQ*HRUJLD³,KDYHWRJRWRKLPµ Before she could rush out the door, Devon wrapped his arms around her and KXJJHGKHUVKXGGHULQJERG\DJDLQVWKLP´,·OOFDOOWKHDLUSRUW:H·OO³µ ´1R0U&RVWDJRFDOOHGKLVSLORW1LFROHWWHLVWDNLQJPHWRWKHSODQHµVKH MDEEHUHG´,GLGQ·WZDQWWR OHDYHZLWKRXWWHOOLQJ\RX,·OOEHEDFNLQIHZGD\V,·OO FDOO\RXZKHQ,JHWWRWKHKRVSLWDO,ORYH\RXµ6KHJDYHKLPDTXLFNNLVVOHDYLQJD film of her salty tears on his lips and shot out the door. Blinking rapidly, he stood there inhaling the scent of ivory soap left behind in her wake then licked his lips. Although the whole conversation was hazy in his mind, three words stood out predominantly. She said it, and it came out of her mouth so easily, he knew it was true. $KDOIJULQFXUYHGKLVPRXWK´,ORYH\RXWRR-RVHSKLQHµ After freshening up and slipping into the blue sweats hanging in the closet, Devon trudged through the familiar layout, out to the terrace, where he knew 8UEDQ ZRXOG EH KDYLQJ EUHDNIDVW 2Q WKH ZD\ KH FDOOHG -RVHSKLQH·V FHOO VHYHUDO times, just to make sure she was all right, but kept getting her voice mail. This worried the hell out of him.

306  

:K\ZDVQ·WVKHDQVZHULQJKHUSKRQH" Ankles crossed, sipping on a cup of coffee while reading the paper, Urban ORRNHGXSDQGQRGGHG´0RUQLQJ'HYRQ6OHHSZHOO"µKHDVNHGZLWKNQRZLQJJULQ ´
307  

´6RPHWKLQJRQ\RXUPLQG8UEDQ"µ Still grinning, Urban shook his head, retrieved the news paper and began to UHDGDJDLQ´6RVKHVSHDNV)UHQFKµKHXWWHUHGEHIRUHWDNLQJDELJELWHRIKLVEDJHO 'HYRQQRGGHGDQGVPLOHG´Oui, elle fait. 'LGVKHWHOO\RX"µ ´6KHGLGQ·WKDYHWRµKHUHVSRQGHGRQDPXPEOHKLVPRXWKIXOORIEUHDG 7KH ULVLQJ DQG IDOOLQJ JULQ RQ 8UEDQ·V IDFH DV KH FKHZHG UHYHDOHG WKH wickedness behind his words. Devon closed his eyes and covered his mouth. Heat flushed his face. ´&KULVWPDQZHUHZHWKDWORXG"µ 8UEDQ·VURDURIODXJKWHUZDVFXWRIIZKHQKHFKRNHGRQWKHEUHDGFDXJKWLQ his throat. Devon shot to his feet and Urban shook his head to refuse assistance. Red faced, Urban banged his fist into his chest a couple times then took several healthy sips of orange juice. Once he got his breathing under control, he laughed again. ´,·PQRWFRPSODLQLQJ
308  

could just bottle some of that up and keeS LW IRU P\VHOI ,·G QHYHU KDYH WR XVH 9LDJUDDJDLQµ Now, it was Devon choking in laughter.

-RVHSKLQH UXVKHG RXW RI WKH FDE DQG XS WKH SRUFK VWHSV RI KHU EURWKHU·V house. She banged frantically on the door. Once it swung open, she ran right into her broWKHU·VDUPVQHDUO\NQRFNLQJKLPGRZQ ´:KRD-RVLHZKDWDUH\RXGRLQJKHUHJLUO"µ 6KH GUHZ EDFN DQG ZLSHG WKH WHDUV IURP KHU H\HV ´:K\·G \RX OHDYH WKH KRVSLWDO"µ %HZLOGHUHGKHVWDUHGDWKHUIRUDPRPHQWWKHQUDWWOHGKLVKHDG´:KRWROG you I was in the KRVSLWDO"µ ´3HWHµ 6KH VWDUWHG FKHFNLQJ KLP SXOOLQJ KLV VKLUW XS IRU DQ\ VLJQV RI LQMXULHV´+HVDLG\RXZHUHDWWDFNHGµ +H VPDFNHG KHU KDQGV DZD\ DQG JDYH KHU D KDUG VWDUH ´+RZ WKH KHOO GLG 3HWH NQRZ"µ +H FOHQFKHG KLV WHHWK WKHQ JUXPEOHG VRPHWKLQJ XQGHr his breath. ´%HWK:KDWWKHKHOOJLUOZK\DUH\RXUXQQLQJDURXQGWHOOLQJSHRSOHP\EXVLQHVV"µ ´:KD³ZKDWDUH\RXWDONLQJDERXW-DFNLH"µ Bethany emerged from the room and strutted down the hallway, looking totally different from the Bethany, Josephine used to know. Dirty blonde hair that

309  

used to hang down to her waist was now chopped off at the neck and dyed an inky black. Her skin, which was usually peachy keen was golden, tanned to perfection. ´+RO\KHOO,VWKDW\RX-RVLH"µ%HWKDQ\UDQWKHUHVWRIWKe way and threw her DUPV DURXQG KHU ´0\ JLUO LV EDFN , PLVVHG \RX VR PXFK 2K P\ *RG \RX ORRN fantastic! You have a glow about you. What have you been doing"µ -RVHSKLQH VQLIIOHG DQG VPLOHG ´,ORRNIDQWDVWLF" /RRNDW \RX7KLVQHZGR girl, it brings ouWWKHJUHHQLQ\RXUH\HVµ ´+ROG XSµ -DFNVRQ LQWHUUXSWHG ´%HIRUH \D·OO JHW LQWR WKLV FKDWW\ JLUO\ JLUO VKLWVRPHERG\QHHGWRWHOOPHKRZFUD]\DVV3HWHNQHZ,ZDVLQWKHKRVSLWDOµ+H narrowed his eyes at his wife. ´8KKVHHZKDWKDGKDSSHQHGZDV³µ Josephine burst out laughing. Anytime somebody started a sentence off like that, it tickled her funny bone. ´3HWHFDOOHGWRFKHFNRQWKHNLGVDQG,KDGMXVWJRWRIIWKHSKRQHZLWK\RX after you told me those guys tried to mug you³and I was hysterical, so it kind of MXVWFDPHRXWµ ´,·P JRLQJ WR VWDSOH \RXU OLSV VKXW 7DONDWLYH DVVµ KH WKUHDWHQHG LQ D ORZ JURZO´
310  

´'RQ·W \RX DSRORJL]Hµ 6KH VPDFNHG -DFNVRQ XSVLGH WKH KHDG ´:KDW KDSSHQHGWR\RX"µ ´0DQ QRWKLQJ WR VSD] RXW DERXWµ +H VFUDWFKHG WKH EDFN RI KLV KHDG DQG KHDGHGWRWKHNLWFKHQ´6RPHSXQNVZHUHWU\LQJWRMDFNP\ULGH3XWDNQLIHWRP\ back. StXFNWKHWLSLQDOLWWOHELWµ ´2KP\*RGµ-RVHSKLQHUXVKHGEHKLQGKLPDQGOLIWHGKLVVKLUW$EDQGDJH covered the wound on his lower back. ´,W·VFRRO7KHFDVKLHUDWWKHJDVVWDWLRQVDZWKHPFUHHSXSRQPHDQGFDOOHG the police. Luckily, they were right down the street, and before the assholes could KRSLQP\/LQFROQWKHIODVKLQJOLJKWVUROOHGXS7KDW·VWKHRQO\WLPH,·YHEHHQJODG WRVHHWKHWKRVHIODVKLQJOLJKWVµ -RVHSKLQHVKRRNKHUKHDGDQGKXJJHGKLPDJDLQ´:K\GLGQ·W\RXZDQWPH WRNQRZ"µ ´%HFDXVH LWZDVQ·WDELJGHDO,GLGQ·WZDQW\RXWRZRUU\OLNH\RXDUHQRZ DQG,GLGQ·WZDQW\RXWREULQJWKDWPRWKHUIXFNHURXWKHUHZLWK\RX,IXFNLQJKDWH WKDWGXGH'LG\RXFRPHDORQH"+H·VQRWRXWLQWKHFDULVKH"µ 6KHVPLOHGZU\O\´1R,W·VMXVWPHµ ´
311  

6KH VKUXJJHG DQG OHDQHG DJDLQVW WKH FRXQWHU ´(DV\ WR GR ZKHQ ZHUH QRW WRJHWKHUµ %HWKDQ\JDVSHGDQG-DFNVRQ·VIDFHOLWXS ´)RUUHDO"'DPQ-RVLH,ZDVZRndering when you were going to drop that PRRFKHUµ ´%XW \RX·UH JORZLQJµ :LWK D NQRZLQJ VPLOH VSUHDGLQJ DFURVV KHU IDFH %HWKDQ\VWRRGLQIURQWRIKHU´(LWKHU\D·OOKDGVRPHJUHDWEUHDNXSVH[RU³µ Josephine offered a sheepish grin. ´7KLVLVVRPHVKLW,GRQ·WZDQWWRKHDUµ-DFNVRQJUDEEHGD6SULWHIURPWKH IULGJHNLVVHG-RVHSKLQH·VFKHHNDQGKHDGHGRXWRIWKHNLWFKHQ´2KDQGEHIRUH\RX DVNWKHNLGVDUHVSHQGLQJDZHHNZLWK%HWKDQ\·VPRPLQ&DOL,I,NQHZ\RXZHUH FRPLQJWKURXJK,ZRXOG·YHNHSWWKHP KRPH$Q\KRZJRRGWRVHH\RXVLV,·OOEHLQ WKHJDPHURRPLI\RXQHHGPHµ+HSDXVHGDWWKHHQGRIWKHKDOODQGWKHQWXUQHG DQGJULQQHGDWKHU´$VDPDWWHURIIDFW\RXFRPHVHHPHZKHQ\RX·UHGRQHWDONLQJ WR%HWK
312  

-RVHSKLQH WXFNHG DZD\ D JULQ ,W·V QRW WKDW VKH GLGQ·W ZDQW WR WDON DERXW 'HYRQ VKH MXVW ZDVQ·W UHDG\ IRU DOO RI $WODQWD WR NQRZ KHU EXVLQHVV DQG everybody in the family knew if you wanted to keep your personal affairs a secret, WKHQ\RXGLGQ·WWHOO%HWKDQ\ %HWKDQ\EXPSHGKHUKLSZLWKKHUV´7HOOPH-RVLH6WRSNHHSLQJWKHMXLFHWR \RXUVHOIµ Now that she knew Jackson was okay, there was only one person she wanted to talk to, just for the sake of heariQJKLVVH[\DVVYRLFH´:H·OOWDONDERXW WKDWODWHU5LJKWQRZ,QHHGWRJHWWRD9HUL]RQVWRUHWRUHSODFHP\SKRQHµ

As soon as Josephine had the new phone activated, she called Devon and got KLV YRLFH PDLO ´+H\ 'HYRQ JRW LQWR $WODQWD RND\ $SSDUHQWOy, I freaked out for nothing because my brother is fine, save for the knife wound in his back, but still ILQH,ZDQWWRVWD\IRUDIHZGD\VWREHZLWKP\IDPLO\EXW,NQRZZH·UHQRWGRQH with the preliminaries³XK ZKHQ \RX JHW D FKDQFH FDOO PH EDFNµ 6he sighed, UHVLVWLQJWKHXUJHWRVD\VKHPLVVHGKLP´2ND\,·OOEHZDLWLQJIRU\RXUFDOOµ ´6R WKLV 'HYRQ LV KH WKH JX\"µ %HWKDQ\ H\HG KHU PLVFKLHYRXVO\ DV WKH\ exited the Lennox Square mall.

313  

6KRSSLQJEDJVKXQJIURPERWK-RVHSKLQH·VKDQGV6LQFHVKHMXPped on the plane without anything but the clothes on her back, she had to pull out the plastic card and assemble a wardrobe for the next few days. ´,WKLQNKHLVµVKHDGPLWWHG&RQVLGHULQJHYHU\WKLQJWKH\·GGRQHWRJHWKHU KH·GEHWWHUEH ´6RKRZGLG\RXEUHDNXSZLWK7HUU\"µ 5HOXFWDQWO\ -RVHSKLQH JDYH KHU WKH GHYDVWDWLQJ GHWDLOV RI 7HUU\·V EHWUD\DO minus the happily ever after ending with Devon. Mouth agape, Bethany could do QRWKLQJ EXW VWDUH DW KHU 7KH\ ZDONHG LQ VLOHQFH WR WKH FDU %HWKDQ\·V IDFH VWLll holding her shocked expression. Once her sister-‐in-‐law slid behind the wheel and started the car, she let it RXW´7KDW·VVRPHEXOOVKLWLI,KDYHHYHUKHDUGLW+HJRWPDGDW\RXIRUEHLQJZLWK another man and he was out there bumping and grinding with his pregnant wife? 7KHIXFNLQJQHUYHRIVRPHSHRSOH,FDQ·WEHOLHYHKLP
314  

´2KK LW·V EHHQ D ZKLOH VLQFH ,·YH KDG D IXOO ERG\ PDVVDJH 7KDW·V VRXQGV ULJKW RQ WLPHµ 1RW WKDW VKH QHHGHG KHU PXVFOHV UHOD[HG DIWHU WKH QLJKW VKH KDG with Devon. ´7KHQWKHGD\DIWHUZHFDQJRVKRSSLQJ DJDLQEHFDXVH\RXNQRZ,QHYHU get enough of that, and afterward, we can get some GLQQHUPD\EHFDWFKDPRYLHµ ´2RR\HDK,·YHEHHQG\LQJWRVHHWKDWQHZZHUHZROIPRYLHµ ´*RRG-DFNLH·VKDYLQJDER\·VJHW-‐together that night and some Xbox game WRXUQDPHQWRUZKDWHYHU,·PQRWWU\LQJWREHDURXQGIRUWKDWQRLV\GUXQNHQPHVV so while WKH\·UHGRLQJWKDWZHFDQKDYHDJLUO·VQLJKW%XWLQWKHPHDQWLPH,ZDQW WRKHDUDOODERXW'HYRQµ $VVRRQDVKLVQDPHOHIWKHUPRXWK-RVHSKLQH·VSKRQHUDQJ6KHORRNHGDW WKHFDOOHU,'DQGVPLOHG´+HOORµVKHFRRHG ´5HDOO\DIHZGD\V",GRQ·WNQRZLI,FDQJRWKDWORQJZLWKRXW\RXµ She crossed her legs then scooted toward the window to hide her bashful JULQIURP%HWKDQ\´,WKLQN\RXFDQPDQDJHµ ´,·PJODG\RXWKLQN,FDQµKHFURRQHGKLVWRQHGULSSLQJZLWKVHQVXDOLW\ Nibbling on the side of her lower lip, she withheld the need to return his VHGXFWLYHEDQWHU´
315  

´+H·VD-‐RND\ZLWKLW,·YHDOUHDG\ILOOHGKLPLQ+HFDOOHG\RXUHPSOR\HUDQG WROG WKHP KH·V NHHSLQJ \RXIRU DQRWKHU ZHHNVR \RXZRQ·W KDYH WR H[SODLQ \RXU DEVHQFHWRWKHP:H·OOILQLVKWKHGUDZXSZKHQ\RXUHWXUQµ ´2K\RXJX\VDUHOLIHVDYHUV7KDQNV'HYRQµ ´:HOFRPH*ODGWRKHDU\RXUEURWKHU·VRND\µ 6KH VLJKHG ´0H WRR , DOPRVW KDG D KHDUW DWWDFN ZKHQ , WKRXJKW KH was KXUWµ ´,NQRZ,ZDVWKHUHUHPHPEHU"µ 6PLOLQJ VKH ILQJHUHG WKH HQG RI KHU GUHDGV UHVWLQJ RYHU KHU EUHDVW ´6RUU\ \RXKDGWRVHHPHOLNHWKDWµ ´2KGRQ·WZRUU\DERXW,W·VEHWWHUWKDQQRWVHHLQJ\RXDWDOO6RWHOOPH0LVV Burnett, do you miss the DVVKROHDUFKLWHFW\RXVSHQWWKHQLJKWZLWK"µ 6KHJLJJOHGVRIWO\´
316  

flown out of her mouth without thought when she was flipping out about Jackson, but she definitely meant it. ´(YHU\ZRUGµVKHUHSOLHGLQZKLVSHU $GHHSLQWDNHRIDLUFDPHWKURXJKWKHSKRQH´
317  

+HJURDQHGLQSOHDVXUH´
318  

+HU FRUH ZDV SXOVDWLQJ KHU SDQWLHV ZHUH GUHQFKHG DQG 'HYRQ·V PRDQV ZHUH VHQGLQJ KHU RYHU WKH HGJH ´'RQ·W GR LW \HW 'HYRQ SOHDVH KROG EDFNµ VKH XWWHUHGTXLHWO\LQ)UHQFK´%DE\ZDLWIRUPHµ ´2KVZHHWLH,·PWU\LQJEXWLPDJLQLQJP\FRFNEXULHGGHHSLQVLGHRI\RXLV QRWKHOSLQJPDWWHUVµ ´:HOOVWRSWKLQNLQJDERXWWKDWµ ´5LJKWOLNHWKDW·VJRLQJWRKDSSHQµ They pulled into the Chipotle parking lot and before Beth brought the car to a full stop, Josephine hopped out and ran into the restaurant. She rushed past the OLQH RI KXQJU\ FXVWRPHUV LQWR WKH ZRPHQ·V UHVWURRP OHDQHG DJDLQVW WKH VLQN shimmied out of her pants, along with her panties, and stuck her hand in the sizzling spot between her thighs. She cooed out a moan as she feverishly rubbed her aching pearl. Soon, Devon bellowed his release into the phone. She flowed closely behind him, restraining a howl of eye-‐blurring rapture. It was so nerve-‐shattering she nearly toppled to the floor. ´1RZVLQNWKRVHILQJHUVLQWR\RXUEHDXWLIXOSXVV\DQGWDVWH\RXUVHOIµ Without hesitation, she did what was told and whimpered as she sucked her fingers clean.

319  

´/HPRQKRQH\GLSµKH JURDQHG´,FDQDOPRVWWDVWH\RX-HVXVZRPDQ,·YH never had to jerk off this much in my life. You make me delirious with lust. I feel OLNH,·PJRLQJWRORVHP\PLQGµ ´
320  

When they rolled up to the house, Josephine noticed a red and pearl white Ducati Monster in the driveway, sexy as hell from its controlling form to its chrome wheels. Giggling with excitement, she hopped out of the car and skipped into the house. Pete was lounged on the couch with his legs crossed, decked out in his full leather gear. Draped over his shoulders, his usually wild mane of curly hair was braided back in long corn rows. When he saw her, he grinned, shot off the couch, and ran into her arms. She laughed like a little girl when he lifted her off her feet and spun her around. ´
321  

´2K KHOO QR JLUOµ KH GUDZOHG KLV WRQJXH ULQJ IODVKLQJ RQ ZLWK ZRUG +H slipped his leather jacket from over his toned shoulders, revealing his T-‐shirt, which read Your Brazilian Fantasy DQGWKHVFRUSLRQWDWWRR RQKLVULJKWELFHS´0\ EDE\·VLQWKHJDUDJH7KDWVH[\SLHFHRIPHWDORXWVLGHLV6WHYHQ·VRQHRIP\OLWWOH RXW RI WRZQ ER\ WR\Vµ +H GUHZ -RVHSKLQH LQWR DQRWKHU KXJ WDQJOHG KLV ILQJHUV LQWRKHUGUHDGVDQGNLVVHGKHUIRUHKHDG´0\ER\VWRRNFDUHRIWKDWthing you asked PHWRGRODVWQLJKWµKHLQIRUPHGRn a whisper. 6KHVPLOHGDQGUHWXUQHGKLVHPEUDFH´7KDQNV3HWHµ God, how she loved her best friend. ´6R LV LW VDIH IRU PH WR DVVXPH \RX WRRN WKDW WHQ IRRW ZDON ODVW QLJKW FRQVLGHULQJKRZJRRG\RXUDVVORRNULJKWQRZ"µ+HVWXFNKLVILQJHULQKHUFOHDYDJH and pushed the zipper to her hoodie further down to expose more of her full EUHDVWV´2KDQGKH·VDELWHU%DE\ER\OHIWKLFNH\VDOORYHU\RXUWLWV 6KH ODXJKHG VPDFNHG KLV KDQG DQG ]LSSHG LW DOO WKH ZD\ XS ´$VVXPH ZKDWHYHU\RXZDQWµ ´$OOULJKWQRZELWFK,VHH\RXZRUNLQJLWµ3HWHFKRUWOHG´$QG,OLNHZKDW, VHHµ ´-DFNLHµ%HWKDQ\DSSURDFKHGKHUKXVEDQGKHUKDQGVRQKHUKLSV´'LG-RVLH WHOO\RXZKDWWKDWDVVKROH7HUU\GLGWRKHU"µ

322  

Before Josephine could utter a word, Bethany, her speed talking sister-‐in-‐ law, rattled off how the event unfolded verbatim. She brought up everything -RVHSKLQHZDVWU\LQJKDUGWRIRUJHW-DFNVRQ·VKRQH\FLQQDPRQWRQHJUHZUHGZLWK DQJHUDORQJZLWK3HWH·V ´:KDW WKH KHOO -RVLH" :K\ GLGQ·W \RX WHOO PH WKDW PRWKHU IXFker GLVUHVSHFWHG\RXOLNHWKDW"µ-DFNVRQ\HOOHG ´:HOOLW·VDJRRGWKLQJ\RXGLGQ·WWHOOPHWKDWODVWQLJKW,ZRXOG·YHKDGP\ SHRSOH VHW KLV VKLW RQ ILUH LQ IURQW RI WKDW ELWFK·V WUDLOHUµ 3HWH DGGHG KLV IDFH twisted in a scowl. Josephine gasped and slaSSHGKHUKDQGVRYHUKHUPRXWK´$UH\RXIRUUHDO"
323  

Jackson and Bethany were nodding before he even finished. ´%HVLGHV,FDQ·WVWD\DW6WHYH·VSODFH+HZDVWU\LQJWRJHWGLFNEHIRUH,HYHQ JRWRXWGDPQWKHDLUSRUWµ ´7RRPXFKJRGGDPQLQIR3HWHµ-DFNVRQJUXPEOHG ´6KLW,·PWLUHG,FRXOGQ·WHYHQJHWLWXSLI+XJK-DFNPDQZDONHGXSLQWKLV SODFHµ ´.HHS WDONLQJ WKDW JD\ VKLW DQG ,·P JRLQJ WR VWDSOH \RXU IXFNLQJ OLSV VKXW PDQµ-DFNLHZDUQHG ´:K\DUH\RXREVHVVHGZLWKVWDSOLQJOLSV-DFNLH"µ%HWKDQ\\HOOHG /DXJKLQJ-RVHSKLQHJUDEEHG3HWH·VDUPDQGGUDJJHGKLPGRZQWKHKDOO

 

 

324  

Chapter Eighteen Release the Dragon

´7KLVLVFUD]\:KDWLIVKHGRHVQ·WZDQWPHWRPHHWKHUIDPLO\"µ Devon stared at the front door refusing to shut off the engine and get out the car. He squeezed the steering wheel until his knuckles were pale nubs on the top of his hands. His heart beat at an insane rate. Nervousness leaked out of his pores in the form of sweat. ´'RQ·WEHVLOO\:H·YHFRPHDOOWKLVZD\\RX·UHJRLQJWRJHWRXWWKHGDPQ FDUµ&DUPHQVKRYHGRQKLVDUP It had been three days since Josephine left and even though they spent almost every waking hour on the phone with one another, he needed to see her³ needed to hold her, feel her, love her. But even with that being the case, showing XSDWKHUEURWKHU·VKRXVHXQDQQRXQFHGZDVDGUDVWLFPRYH ´+RZWKHKHOOGLG,OHW\RXWDONPHLQWRWKLV"µ ´
325  

´:KDW LI VKH JHWV DQJU\ ZLWK PH IRU VKRZLQJ XS XQLQYLWHG" , PHDQ VKH·V only beeQJRQHIRUOLNHWKUHHGD\V6KH·VJRLQJWRWKLQN,·PFUD]\µ ´*HWRXWWKHIXFNLQJFDU'HYRQµ Groaning, he pushed the door open, and, on wobbly legs, stepped out the FDU +H GLGQ·W QRWLFH LW EHIRUH EHFDXVH KH ZDV VR GDPQ GLVWUDFWHG EXW WKH driveway was packed with cars. ´
326  

´:KRDUH\RX"µWKHPDQDVNHGUDNLQJDKDUVKJODUHXSDQGGRZQ'HYRQ·V form. Before he could swallow his anxiousness and answer him, the door VODPPHGLQKLVIDFH´2ND\WKDWZHQWZHOOµ'HYRQPXUPXUHGVWDULQJDZNZDUGO\ at the closed door. &DUPHQHUXSWHGLQODXJKWHU´'LGKHMXVWVlam the door in your face? That is VRPHVVHGXS/RRNVOLNH,DPJRLQJWRKDYHWRGRWKLVIRU\RXWRRµ Suddenly the door opened again, but this time a different man stood before him. He looked familiar. Ebony eyes, which were so black it looked like his pupils were missing, stared into his. A leather choker, accentuated by a silver scorpion, hugged his neck. A red sleeveless shirt that read I Brought Sexy Back fitted snuggly against his toned frame and an over-‐sized belt held up a pair of leather pants. ThH PDQ·V VORZ DSSUDLVDO LQFUHDVHG 'HYRQ·V GLVFRPIRUW OHYHO 7KLV ZDV clearly a gentleman who played for the other team. ´+Lµ'HYRQVDLGVKDWWHULQJWKHRGGVLOHQFH´,·P³µ ´+HOOR+RWQHVVµWKHPDQGUDZOHGZLWKDZLFNHGVPLOH´8KKXKVR6SDUNV that ass ZDVVRVZHHW\RXKDGWRKRSRQDSODQHDQGFRPHDOOWKHZD\RXWKHUH"µ 7DNHQDEDFN'HYRQVODQWHGKLVKHDG´([FXVHPH"µ /DXJKLQJ KH H[WHQGHG KLV KDQG ´1DPH·V 3UHVWRQ .DOPHUL EXW P\ IULHQGV FDOOPH3HWH,·P-D\·VIULHQGµ

327  

Devon took his offered hand aQGVPLOHGDWWKHVWUHQJWKRIKLVJULS´.DOPHUL" 7KH VDPH .DOPHUL ZKR GLG WKH LQWHULRU RI WKH 1RUWKHUQV· /RQGRQ PDQVLRQ" $QG WKH6KRDWR·VKRXVHLQ1HZ2UOHDQV"µ 3HWHIODVKHGDVHWRISHUIHFWWHHWK´%R\\RXGR\RXUKRPHZRUNGRQ·W\RX"µ ´
328  

´-DFNLHZK\·G\RXVODPWKHGRRULQ'HYRQ·VIDFH"µ3HWHDVNHGKLVWRQHODFHG ZLWKKXPRU´'HYRQWKLVLV-DFNVRQ-RVHSKLQH·VEURWKHUµ Jackson stood up from the table, a joint dangling from the side of his lips and beer in haQG´'HYRQ"7KHVDPHGXGHWKDWSXWELWFKDVV7HUU\LQDQDUPKROG IRUWDONLQJVKLWWRP\VLVWHU"µ Not wanting to brag about something he had to do in honor of the woman he loved, he answered him with a faint nod. ´:HOOZK\GLGQ·W\RXVD\VRPDQµ-DFNVRQ clumsily meandered across the URRPDQGSXOOHGKLPLQWRDPDQO\HPEUDFH´7KDQN\RXIRUORRNLQJDIWHUP\VLVµ +HWXUQHGWR3HWH´+H\-RVLHGLGQ·WVD\KHZDVDZKLWHGXGH2KPDQ,·PJRLQJWR JHWDOORQKHUVKLWDERXWWKLVµ Chuckling, Jackson looped an DUP RYHU 'HYRQ·V VKRXOGHU ´6HH P\ VLVWHU GRHVQ·W GDWH ZKLWH JX\V VR WKLV LV D OLWWOH ELW RI D VXUSULVH WR PHµ KH VOXUUHG ´, NQRZ \RX ZHUH SUREDEO\ KRSLQJ WR VHH KHU EXW VKH·V RXW ZLWK P\ ZLIH GRLQJ ZRPHQVKLW,W·VFRROWKRXJK
329  

Jackson was the perfect drunken host. He introduced Devon to all his IULHQGVDV¶-RVLH·VQHZPDQ·7KHPDMRULW\RI-DFNVRQ·VIULHQGVFOHDUO\GLGQ·WOLNHWKH idea of him dating Josephine, but they kept their opinions to themselves. Probably because Jackson openly demanded their acceptance of him and if they refused to give it, he kicked them out of his house. Devon tried to stop him in his efforts, but Jackson was apparently set in his ways. Needless to say, the gathering of twenty plus people soon dwindled down to eighW-DFNVRQZDVQ·WWKHOHDVWELWXSVHWDERXWLW+HVDLGLWZDVWKHSHUIHFWZD\WR weed out his true friends. 7RVVLQJEDFNDJODVVRI&URZQ5R\DO'HYRQVDWDQGWDONHGZLWK-RVHSKLQH·V humorous brother. He now understood why Josephine was so distraught. Jackson suffered from sickle cell, and aside from that, he and Josephine only had one another. After their mother and father passed away, the rest of the family pretty PXFKIDGHGLQWRWKHVKDGRZVZKLFKZDVQ·WPXFKRIDGLVDSSRLQWPHQWVLQFHWKH\ ZHUHQ·WWKDWclose with them to begin with. -DFNVRQ ILOOHG KLP LQ RQ -RVHSKLQH·V OLIH ZKDW VKH ZHQW WKURXJK WR JHW where she was now, and how Pete helped her get there. The more he revealed, the deeper Devon fell in love with her. She was twenty-‐seven and almost at the top of

330  

her game. There was something so sexy about a woman with that kind of drive and determination. That was the type of woman he wanted to make his wife. The conversation took an unexpected turn to her past relationships, and the name Terry came up. Devon maintained a cool persona, but cringed on the inside. The things Jackson told him about the man had him grinding his teeth. How could Josephine have allowed herself to be abused for so long? She deserved so much EHWWHUDQGKHKDWHGWKHIDFWKHKDGQ·t met her earlier. During his time talking to Jackson, Devon noticed Carmen tenacious efforts WRJHW3HWH·VDWWHQWLRQZKHQ3HWHZDVFOHDUO\IRFXVHGRQKLP$WRQHSRLQWVKHJRW up and danced, even gave the guys a little strip tease, which they thoroughly HQMR\HGEXW3HWHZDVQ·WPRYHGRUDWOHDVWLWVHHPHGWKDWZD\ ´, PD\ EH ZURQJ EXW XK , GRQ·W WKLQN KH·V D ODG\·V PDQ &DUPHQµ 'HYRQ leaned over and whispered to her once Jackson had adverted to the video game. ´&RPHRQ'HYRQ\RXNQRZPHEHWWHUWKDQthat. Do you think for a second I FDUHDERXWKLVOLIHVW\OH"µVKHZKLVSHUHGEDFN´,will KDYHKLPWRQLJKWµ 'HYRQFKXFNOHG´,VHHWKDW\RXGRQ·WFDUHEXWKRQHVWO\VZHHWKHDUW,WKLQN \RX·UHZDVWLQJ\RXUWLPHµ'HYRQJODQFHGDWKLP Legs crossed, Pete sat in the corner of the room, his hooded gaze fixed on him and his tongue ring caught between his teeth as he grinned seductively.

331  

'HYRQ JURDQHG DQG EULHIO\FORVHG KLVH\HV´,·P DOPRVW FHUWDLQ \RXFDQ JHW DQ\PDQLQWKLVURRPH[FHSWWKDWRQHµ ´, GRQ·W ZDnt any of them. I want the big bad gay boy with the bedroom H\HVµ ´*HH]&DUPHQ/HDYHLWDORQHµ She stood and sleekly ambled across the room toward Pete, like a cat on the prowl. The clack of her heels seemed to echo with each step. ´,GRQ·WOLNHWKLVJDPHDQG,GRQ·WZRUNWKLVKDUGWRJHWZKDW,ZDQWµ6KH bent over to be eye level with him. Every man in the room stopped what they were GRLQJDQG]RQHGLQRQKHUEXWW´/HW·VWDNHDZDONRXWWRWKHFDUVH[\ER\µ 3HWHVPLOHGLPSLVKO\´0\DUHQ·W\RXEROGµ ´0\DUHQ·W\RXFR\µVKHUHWXUQHG ´6RUU\ KRQH\ \RXU RIIHU LV QRW DSSHDOLQJ WR PH at the moment ,·P LQ GLFN PRGH0D\EH\RXDQG,FDQWDONLQDFRXSOHRIZHHNVµ Pete was clearly screwing with her for the sake of amusement, but Devon knew she woulGWDNHLWWRKHDUWVLQFHUHMHFWLRQGLGQ·WH[LVWLQKHUPLQG She straightened her back, rested her weight on one leg, and planted her KDQGVRQKHUKLSV´
332  

´%HOLHYH PH VXJDU \RX GRQ·W ZDQW WR VD\ QR WR PHµ VKH ZDUQHG LQ JLUOLVK tone. ´2K\HV,GRµ ´2ND\ WKHQ WKH JORYHV FRPH RIIµ &DUPHQ WXUQHG KHU EDFN WR KLP DQG ZLQNHGDW'HYRQ´
333  

EHWWHU\HWDQRWKHUZRPDQ",VVKHWKHRQHZKRWRRN\RXUEDOOV"µVKHFRRHGDVLIVKH was talking to a child. The sWRUPLQ3HWH·VH\HVWKLFNHQHG ´&DUPHQZKDWWKHKHOOLVZURQJZLWK\RXµ'HYRQVDLGLJQRULQJ-DFNVRQ·V UHTXHVWWROHDYHLWEH´+HVDLGQRZRPDQ/HDYHKLPDORQHµ:KHWKHU3HWHZDV WKHREMHFWWR&DUPHQ·VXQXVXDOREVHVVLRQRUQRWKHZDVVWLOO-RVHSKLQH·s friend. ´7RSRUERWWRP":KLFKRQHDUH\RX3HWH"µVKHSHUVLVWHG´,ZRXOGJXHVVD bottom. You have the frame of a top, but the mindset of a weak ass man. Yeah, \RX·UH ULJKW 'HYRQµ VKH FDOOHG DW KLP RYHU KHU VKRXOGHU ´+H LV D ZDVWH RI P\ WLPHµ ´2K P\ *RG 3HWH SOHDVH IXFN KHUµ VKRXWHG WKH EDOG KHDGHG PDQ WKH\ FDOOHG'DQWH+HVKRYHGKLVKDQGLQKLVSRFNHWDQGSXOOHGRXWVRPHELOOV´,WKLQN, got like three hundred on me. Come on bro, I will pay you to fuck this broad. How PXFKZLOOLWWDNH",·OOSDVVP\KDWDURXQGDQGWDNHXSDFROOHFWLRQLI,QHHGWRµ The guy named Tariq stood and drew a pack of condoms out his pocket and VODPPHGWKHPRQWKHWDEOHLQIURQWRI3HWH´'XGHGRQ·WOHWVRPHFKLFNHPEDUUDVV \RXOLNHWKDW+DQGOH\RXUGDPQEXVLQHVVµ ´,I \RX GRQ·W GR LW IRU \RXUVHOI GR LW IRU HYHU\ PDUULHG PDQ LQ WKLV URRP 3OHDVH3HWHµ-DFNVRQLPSORUHG

334  

&DUPHQUROOHGKHUH\HV´*HQWOHPHQLW·VQRXVH(YHQLIKHGLGKDYHWKHEDOOV to handle his business KH ZRXOGQ·W EH DEOH WR ULGH WKLVDVVµ 6KH WXUQHd, spread her OHJVDQGZLJJOHGKHUEHKLQG´,·GVQDSKLVOLWWOHZLHQHURIIµ His face red with anger and his body rigid, Pete shot out of the chair. He snatched the condoms from the table, marched over to Carmen, grabbed her upper arm, and forced her out of the room, into the bathroom. She threw a giddy grin over her shoulder at Devon before the door closed. ´7KDW·V ZKDW ,·P WDONLQJ DERXWµ -DFNVRQ H[FODLPHG ´+DQGOH \RXUV 3HWH 5HSUHVHQWµ ´2KVKLWGXGH+H·VJRLQJWRGRLWµ7DULTJXVKHGLQH[FLWHPHQW ´-DFNLH\RX WKURZWKHEHVWSDUWLHVPDQµ 6XGGHQO\ &DUPHQ·VVTXHDO IROORZHG E\ JLUOLVK JLJJOHV DQG FODSSLQJ KDQGV caught their attention. Devon stifled a chuckle. That was her reaction when she first laid her eyes on his manhood. ´8KRK7KHGUDJRQLVRXWµ-DFNVRQFKRUWOHGOLNHDPDGPDQ 6WLOOVWDULQJDWWKHFORVHGEDWKURRPGRRU'HYRQVKRRNKLVKHDG´'RHV3HWH VZLWFKWHDPVOLNHWKLVDOOWKHWLPH"µ -DFNVRQODXJKHG´6ZLWFKWHDPV",OLNHWKHZD\\RXSXWWKDWPDQEXW\HDK he only gets like this eveU\ QRZ DQG WKHQ 0\ ER\ LV XQSUHGLFWDEOH +H·OO MXVW VZLWFKXSDQG\RXGRQ·WHYHQNQRZZKHQLW·VFRPLQJµ

335  

´5HDOO\"µ ´
336  

WKURXJK KLV WHHWK DQG VODSSHG 'HYRQ RQ KLV EDFN ´'RQ·W IHHO EDG DERXW LW , XQGHUVWDQG
337  

´7KLV GUHVV LV FUD]\ VKRUW %HWKµ -RVHSKLQH VKLIWHG XQFRPIRUWDEO\ LQ WKH seat, trying to pull the hem of the peach-‐FRORUHGGUHVVIXUWKHUGRZQKHUWKLJKV´, can feel the leather of this seat on my ass FKHHNVµ %HWK HDVHG KHU &DGG\ RQWR WKH KLJKZD\ DQG JLJJOHG ´, WKLQN \RX ORRN IUHDNLQJKRW
338  

´:KDWHYHU  E\ WKH WLPH ZH JHW WR WKH KRXVH ZH·OO EH VXSHU ODWH IRU WKH PRYLHµ %HWKVKUXJJHG´7KHQZH·OOFDWFKWKHQH[WRQHSOD\LQJµ ´:KDWGR\RXPHDQWKHQH[WRQHSOD\LQJ"7KDW·VOLNHWZRKRXUVODWHU1R ,·PQRWWU\LQJWREHRXWWKDWODWH,ZDQWWRJHWWKHPRYLHRXWWKHZD\VR,FDQJHW EDFNWRWKHKRXVHDQGFKDWZLWK'HYRQEHIRUH,JRWREHGµ ´
339  

Holding a hand of cards, Devon laughed and joked with her brother and his friends. Jackson was actually getting along with her boyfriend. Her heart swelled and her eyes blurred with tears. Her brother never liked anyone she dated. %HWKDQ\ QXGJHG KHU DQG ZKLVSHUHG ´0\ *RG -RVLH KH LV XQEHOLHYDEO\ gorgeous. Now I understand the need to stop at a public restroom to touch \RXUVHOI'DPQ
340  

A plethora of over dramatic awes echoed through the room. 'HYRQ·VIDFHWXUQHGEHHWUHG´7RXJKFURZGµ Josephine ran across the room and into his embrace. Strong arms encased KHU DQG VKH VKXGGHUHG ´, PLVVHG \RX WRRµ VKH ZKLVSHUHG EHIRUH VLQNLQJ KHU fingers in his hair and crushing her mouth against his. He returned her feverish kiss with one of his own. ´, FDQ·W EHOLHYH \RX·UH KHUHµ 6KH UDQ D VHDUFKLQJ H\H DURXQG WKH URRP ´:KHUH·V3HWH"µ Devon stiffened against her. -DFNVRQFOHDUHGKLVWKURDWRQDFKXFNOH´8KKH·VLQWKHPLGGOHRIVRPHWKLQJ ULJKWQRZµ ´,QWKHPLGGOHRIWKHUHGKHDG·VDVVµ7DULTMHVWHGRQDVQLFNHU ´5HGKHDG"µ6KHORRNHGXSDW'HYRQ´:KDWDUHWKH\WDONLQJDERXW"µ +H UDQ D KDQG WKURXJK KLV KDLU DQG ORRNHG DZD\ IURP KHU ´&DUPHQµ KH muttered. ´:KDW"&DUPHQ·VKHUH":KHUHLVVKH"µ6XGGHQO\WKHVRXQGRIDFRPPRWLRQ from the bathroom averted her attention. She sliced Devon and Jackson a QDUURZHGH\HGJODUH´7XUQWKHPXVLFGRZQ:KDW·VJRLQJRQLQWKHEDWKURRP",W EHWWHUQRWEHZKDW,WKLQNLWLVµ

341  

6KH VOLSSHG IURP 'HYRQ·V DUPVPDUFKHGWR WKH EDWKURRP DQG VZXQJ WKH GRRURSHQ´2K-HVXVµVKHJDVSHG With one leg up on the counter and a hand braced against the mirror, &DUPHQWRRNWKHEUXQWRI3HWH·VORQJSRZHUIXOSOXQJHV3HWH·VH\HVZHUHIRFXVHG RQ&DUPHQ·VDVVZKLOHRQHKDQGILVWHGKHUKDLUDQGWKHRWKHUGXJLQWRKHUKLS ´2KP\*RG3HWH\ZKDWDUH\RXGRLQJ"µ Panting and moaning, Carmen met eyes with her through the mirror and VPLOHGSOHDVXUDEO\´+H\«-RVLH«SXVV\«FDWµVKHFDOOHGRXWRQHDFKWKUXVW ´'DPQ3HWHµ%HWKDQ\JXVKHGVWDQGLQJEHVLGH-RVHSKLQHKHUH\HVZLGHQHG LQVKRFN´'RHVWKDWWKLQJ KDYHLWVRZQDUHDFRGH"µ 3HWHEHOORZHGRXWLQODXJKWHUEXWGLGQ·WVORZKLVWKUXVWV -DFNVRQ ZDONHG XS DQG VODPPHG WKH GRRU VKXW ´'RQ·W \D·OO PHVV XS WKH VFHQH7KH\·UHLQWKHPLGGOHRIDGHDWKPDWFKDQG,KDYHPRQH\RQWKLV$QGZKDW are you doing lookiQJDWKLVGLFN%HWK"µ ´,W·VNLQGRIKDUGQRWWRµ%HWKUHWRUWHG ´
342  

´1RVLVWKH\·UHIUHDNV7KLVLVZKDWKDSSHQVZKHQ\RXSXWWZRIUHDNVLQD URRPWRJHWKHUµ Josephine put her hand over her face and tried to wipe out the vision of her overly sexed best friend plowing his dick into a woman. What unnerved her most about the incident was it kind of turned her on, and the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to go into the bathroom and watch. ´,QHHGDGULQNWRWU\WRIRUJHWZKDW,MXVWVDZµ Before she made it to the bar, she heard Pete howl out his release. Not too long after, Carmen sashayed out the bathroom with a triumphant grin on her face. She pulled Josephine into a hug, kissed her cheek, and placed something in her KDQG6KHWKHQZLQNHGDW'HYRQDQGPRXWKHG´7ROG\RXµ -RVHSKLQH ORRNHG LQ KHU KDQG WR VHH &DUPHQ·V EDOled up, soaked thong. ´(ZZ &DUPHQZKDW WKH KHOOµ 6KH WRVVHG WKH VWULS RI PDWHULDO WR WKH IORRU WKHQ rubbed her hand over her dress. Every guy in the room erupted into delirious laughter. ´,WROG\RXVKHZDVDIUHDNµ-DFNVRQVKRXWHG ´*LUO\RXDUHVRQDVW\:K\GLG\RXJLYHPHWKRVH"µ Lazily, Pete lumbered out of the bathroom, zipping up his pants, his lids lowered drunkenly. He looked like a totally different man to her. There was an unmistakable arrogance in his swagger.

343  

Pete gave Jackson and his friends fist pounds, swiped the panties up from WKHIORRUDQGVOLSSHGWKHPLQWRKLVSRFNHW´7KDWZDVGHILQLWHO\ZRUWKWKHWULSWR WKHEDWKURRPµ+HKXJJHG-RVHSKLQHDQGWDSSHG'HYRQRQKLVVKRXOGHU´'HYRQ &DUPHQVDLG\RXKDYHDFRQGRLQ%XFNKHDG"µ Grinning, Devon retrieved a single key from his pocket and handed it to him. ´3OHDVHNHHSLWLQWKHEHGURRPNLGVµKHPXUPXUHG 3HWHVPLOHGWRRNWKHNH\DQGJUDEEHG&DUPHQ·VKDQG´6HH\RXODWHU-D\µ he called over his shoulder as he led Carmen out of the room. ´:HOO , JXHVV \RX ZRQ WKH EHW PDQµ -DFNVRQ KDQGHG 'HYRQ D ZDG RI PRQH\´6KHZDVWKHILUVWRQHWRZDONRXWRIWKHEDWKURRPµ -RVHSKLQHMDEEHG'HYRQLQKLVDUP´1R\RXGLGQ·Wµ ´:KDW"µ +H JXIIDZHG DV KH ZUDSSHG KLV DUPV DURXQG KHU ´,W ZDVQ·W P\ LGHDµ She turned her glare on Jackson, who immediately put his hands up in VXUUHQGHU´,GRQ·WNQRZZKDWKH·VWDONLQJDERXWVLVµ -RVHSKLQHKXIIHG´/HWPHJRDQGIL[WKLVPHVV\D·OOPDGHµ She hurried through the house and out the front door, just in time to see Pete kiss Carmen passionately. He placed his helmet over her head and gestured for her to climb on.

344  

´:DLWDPLQXWH&DUPHQ,KDWHWREHDFRFNEORFNHUEXW,KDYHWRWDONVRPH VHQVHLQWRP\EHVWIULHQGµ &DUPHQ VKUXJJHG FOLPEHG RQWR WKH EDFN RI 3HWH·V borrowed bike, and hugged his strong frame from behind. ´3HWHOLVWHQWRPHµ-RVHSKLQHFUDGOHGKLVIDFHWRVWDUHLQWRKLVJOD]HGH\HV ´7KLVKHUH³ZKDW\RX·UHGRLQJULJKWQRZLVDJDLQVWWKHJD\PDQUXOHV,NQRZLW KDVWREHLQDERRNVRPHZKHUHµ He laugKHGWKHQOLJKWO\NLVVHGKHURQWKHOLSV´,·PRSHQPLQGHG-D\,W·VQRW OLNH,KDYHQ·WVWHSSHGRXWVLGHRIWKHER[EHIRUHµ ´2SHQPLQGHG"$UH\RXVHULRXV"µ ´
345  

JosephinH QDUURZHG KHU H\HV ´
346  

´,·PVRZHW'HYRQ,QHHG\RXULJKWQRZµ His hand went between her legs to seek out the truth of her confession. She wrapped a leg around him to give him full access. He pulled her panties to the side and inserted two fingers deep into her dripping sheath. She wound her hips on his hand, urging him to bring her that quivering release. +H JURDQHG DQG ZKLVSHUHG´6ZHHWKHDUWGRQ·W GR WKLVWR PH 1RW RQ \RXU EURWKHU·VSRUFK,ZDQWWRVWD\LQKLVJRRGJUDFHVµ ´+HZRQ·WFDUH7DVWHP\SXVV\EDE\µ He retracted his hand and hungrily shoved his fingers in his mouth, moaning as he sucked off her dewy arousal. She grabbed his face and tongued her essence from his lips. ´'R PH ULJKW KHUH -XVW D TXLFNLH XQWLO ZH JHW EDFN WR \RXU SODFHµ VKH EHVHHFKHGRQDZKLVSHU´*RG'HYRQMXVWWKHVPHOORI\RXPDNHVPHFUD]\µ Chuckling, he nibbled on her chin then drew back to look her in the face. ´
347  

6KHMHUNHGEDFN´:KDW"7KH\KHDUGXVLQWKDWELJROGPDQVLRQ"µ ´7KH\ZHUHLQWKHURRPQH[WGRRr and our love making was the soundtrack WRDYHU\SOHDVXUDEOHQLJKWIRUWKHPµ ´2K*RGµVKHVTXHDOHGEXU\LQJKHUIDFHLQWRWKHFURRNRIKLVQHFN ´+H\-RVLHLV-DFNLHH[SHFWLQJDQ\PRUHFRPSDQ\WRQLJKW"µ She spun around in his embrace. A dark blue F-‐150 with tinted windows SDUNHG RQ WKH VLGH RI WKH VWUHHW LQ IURQW RI WKH KRXVH 7KH YHKLFOH ZDVQ·W UHFRJQL]DEOH6KHRSHQHGWKHGRRUDQG\HOOHG´-DFNLH,WKLQNDQRWKHURQHRI\RXU IULHQGVLVKHUHµ The engine turned off and the truck door opened. Josephine bristled when Terry stepped out with a bouquet of flowers in hand. Stunned, she back stepped XQWLOKHUERG\ZDVIOXVKDJDLQVW'HYRQ·V He wrapped an arm protectively around her waist and pressed his lips to KHUHDU´7KLVLVWKDWPRPHQWZHGLVFXVVHGµKH whispered. But damn, was she ready for it?

348  

Chapter Nineteen Closure

Jackson came out the door with a smile, but it immediately fell from his face ZKHQ KH VSRWWHG 7HUU\ ZDONLQJ XS KLV GULYHZD\ ´2K \RX·YH JRW WR EH IXFNLQJ kidding me. ´,,MXVWZDQW WRWDONWR-RVLHµ7HUU\IDOWHUHG ´0RWKHUIXFNHULI\RXGRQ·WJHW\RXUDVVRIIP\SURSHUW\«µ-DFNVRQ·VIULHQGV MRLQHG KLP RQ WKH SRUFK ´7DONLQJ DERXW \RX ZDQW WR WDON WR P\ VLVWHU OLNH \RX KDYHWKHULJKW&DQ·W\RXVHHVKHPRYHGRQELWFK"µ Josephine EHJDQWRWUHPEOH´-DFNLH«µ ´1RVLVOHWPHKDQGOHWKLVµ+HVWHSSHGWRWKHHGJHRIWKHSRUFK´,I\RXGRQ·W JHW\RXUELWFKDVVRXWRIP\GULYHZD\«µ -RVHSKLQHTXLFNO\VWHSSHGLQIURQWRIKHUEURWKHU´,JRWWKLV-DFNLH,KDYH WRVHWWOHWKLVP\VHOIµ6KH WXUQHGWR'HYRQDQGSDOPHGKLVFKHHN´%DE\ZK\GRQ·W \RXJRLQWKHKRXVH"µ ´+H FDQ FRPH ZLWK XVµ 7DULT RIIHUHG UHWULHYLQJ KLV NH\V IURP KLV SRFNHW ´:H·UHDERXWWRKLWWKHFOXEµ

349  

´1R KH·V FRPLQJ ZLWK PH :H·OO PHHW \RX RXW WKHUH 7DULTµ -DFNVRQ narrRZHGKLVJODUHDW7HUU\´,·PJRLQJWRKDQJDURXQGMXVWLQFDVH,KDYHWREHDW WKLVPRWKHUIXFNHU·VDVVµ ´$UH \RX FRRO ZLWK WKDW ERR"µ -RVHSKLQH ZKLVSHUHG WR 'HYRQ KROGLQJ KLV VDGGHQHGEOXHJD]H´,PHDQ,GRQ·WKDYHWRGRWKLV:HFDQOHDYHULJKWQRZ and JRWR\RXUSODFHEHFDXVHKRQHVWO\,GRQ·WZDQWWRWDONWRKLPµ +HSUHVVHGKLVOLSVWRKHUWHPSOH´,I\RXGRQ·WGRLWQRZLWZLOOEHFRPHD SUREOHPLQWKHIXWXUH,ZLOOZDLWKHUHIRU\RXµ 6KHQRGGHGDQGNLVVHGKLVOLSVEHIRUHZKLVSHULQJ´,ORYH\RXµ Taking a deep breath, Josephine walked off the porch toward Terry. She glanced back at Devon, and his head hung down, obstructing his emotions. Sending his woman off to talk to her ex-‐boyfriend was probably one of the hardest things he ever had to do. ´+H\LIKHDFWVVWXSLGNLFNKLPLQWKHQXWVµ-DFNVRQVKRXWHG ´*HWLQWKHWUXFNµVKHVDLGRQFHVKHZDVIDFHWRIDFHZLWK7HUU\ Surprisingly, he did what was told without a word of protest. Like the gentleman he never was before, he opened the passenger door for her and handed her the bouquet. After she dropped the flowers to the floor of the truck, she tilted her hips to the side, as not to leave any traces of her arousal on the seat. He trotted to the other side, shooting glances at the porch, and slid behind the wheel.

350  

Moments ticked by and a heavy, fraught silence hung between them. For the sake of avoiding eye contact with him, she stared through the tinted window at Devon and Jackson sitting on the steps of the porch talking. Both sets of eyes were focused on the truck. ´+RZ GLG \RX NQRZ , ZDV KHUH"µ VKH DVNHG VKDWWHULQJ WKH XQFRPIRUWDEOH silence. ´2QH RI P\ IULHQG·V EURWKHUV OLYHV GRZQ WKH VWUHHWµ KH DQVZHUHG TXLHWO\ ´:DQWPHWRWXUQRQWKHDLU"µ Sluggishly, she turned and looked at him. The muscles in his neck and VKRXOGHUVZHUHYLVXDOO\WHQVH´-RVLH"µ ´:K\ GRQ·W \RX VWDUW ZLWK WKH UHDVRQ \RX FDPH RXW KHUH WR P\ EURWKHU·V KRXVHWRWDONWRPH,GRQ·WKDYHDOOQLJKWWRVLWLQWKHWUXFNZLWK\RXµ He dipped his head back on the headrest and exhaled harshly. ´-RVLHZK\³ZK\LVWKDWZKLWHER\KHUH"µ 6KHFRFNHGKHUKHDGDQGDUFKHGKHUOLS´:K\DUHyou here7HUU\"'RQ·W\RX KDYHDSUHJQDQWZLIHWRORRNDIWHU"µ +HJULPDFHG´/RRN,KDYHDULJKWWREHSLVVHGRIIWRR,·PQRWWKHRQO\RQH who cheatHGµ ´
351  

6HDUHGE\KHUJODUHKHVQDWFKHGKLVKDQGEDFN´6RUU\,MXVW³SOHDVHGRQ·W JRµ Arms folded, she settled back against the seat, crossed her legs, and stared DKHDG´
352  

He opened his mouth to speak, but instead grunted and looked out the window. 6KH FKXFNOHG KDUVKO\ ´, NQHZ LW :KDW HOVH GR \RX ZDQW to come clean DERXW"µ ´-RVLH WKH RQO\ UHDVRQ , PDUULHG +HDWKHU ZDV EHFDXVH VKH·V SUHJQDQW , wanted to do the right thing³µ ´'RWKHULJKWWKLQJ":DVFKHDWLQJRQ\RXUJLUOIULHQGIRUWKHODVWWZR\HDUV WKHULJKWWKLQJ"µ ´1RLWZDVQ·WEXW³µ ´'RHVVKHNQRZ\RX·UHKHUH"µ ´1R,GLGQ·WWHOOKHUEXW³,RQO\ZDQWWREHZLWK\RX-RVLHµ ´7HUU\\RX·UHPDUULHGµ ´,GRQ·WORYHKHUµ ´,WGRHVQ·WPDWWHULI\RXGRRUQRW
353  

6KHODXJKHGEXWQRWLQKXPRU´7HUU\XSWRWKHYHU\PRPHQW,PHW'HYRQ, had never given another man the time of day. Never! I was always faithful to you. You even accused me of screwing my best friend on a regular basis when I was nothing but honest with you. But I see now, you were only paranoid about me VWHSSLQJRXWEHFDXVH\RXZHUHWKHJXLOW\RQHµ +HSXVKHGDLUVKDUSO\WKURXJKKLVWHHWK´'LG\RXIXFNWKDWZKLWHER\"µ ´/RRN KLV QDPH LV 'HYRQ 6WRS UHIHUULQJ WR KLP DV ¶ZKLWH ER\·
354  

´:KDWKDSSHQHGWRXVEDEH"µ ,W ZDV RGG (YHQ DV VKH ZDWFKHG WHDUV UROO GRZQ KLV FKHHNV VKH FRXOGQ·W FRQMXUHKHURZQ6KHFRXOGQ·WHYHQIHHOVRUURZ ´, WKLQN ORYLQJ PH Eecame too difficult for you, and your expectations of \RXU OLIH SDUWQHU FKDQJHG DORQJ WKH ZD\,W·V D VKDPH WKDW ,·P MXVW QRZUHDOL]LQJ WKLVµ ´7KLVLVLWLVQ·WLW"
355  

´
356  

´,·PGRQHRND\"'RQ·WEHVWXSLG
357  

sound of screeching tires severed the silence of the neighborhood as Terry sped down the street. Both men on the porch stared at her with concern as tears sprung from beneath her lids. -RVHSKLQHEXULHGKHUVHOILQ'HYRQ·VZDLWLQJHPEUDFH Bethany rushed out on the porch and wrapped her arms around both her and Devon. They all chuckled. ´&RPHRQ%HWK*LYHWKHPVRPHSULYDF\µ%HIRUHGUDJJLQJKLVZLIHLQWRWKH KRXVH-DFNVRQ FDOOHG RXWRYHUKLVVKRXOGHU ´'HYRQ , XQGHUVWDQG LI\RXZDQW WR scratch tonight, hDQJLQJZLWKWKHER\VDQGVWXII,·PVXUHWKH\·OOXQGHUVWDQGLI\RX ZDQWWRVSHQGVRPHWLPHZLWKVLVµ -RVHSKLQHVKRRNKHUKHDG´1R-DFNLH+H·OOJRµ ´-RVLH,ZDQWWREHZLWK\RXµ'HYRQZKLVSHUHGVTXHH]LQJKHUWLJKWHU She pulled back to look into his GUHDP\EOXHH\HV´:HKDYHDOOQLJKWµVKH FRRHG´,RZHP\VLVWHU-‐in-‐ODZDGULQNDQGDJLUO·VQLJKWRXWVRZH·UHJRLQJWRJR pick up her girlfriend and have a little get-‐together. Besides, I think my brother and his entourage really like you and want yoXUFRPSDQ\WRQLJKW,·PZLOOLQJWR VKDUH\RXIRUDIHZKRXUVµ 6PLOLQJKHUDQKLVKDQGRYHUKHUGUHDGV´2ND\EDE\.HHSLWKRWIRUPHµ he crooned in his native tongue, gently nibbling at her neck.

358  

6KHFXSSHGKLVIOXWWHULQJFRFNDQGSDOPHGKLVDVV´$QG you keep it hard for PHµ

´'RQ·WFRPHKRPHVPHOOLQJOLNHVWULSSHU'HYRQµ-RVHSKLQHNQRFNHGRQWKH GRRURI'HYRQ·VSHQWKRXVHFRQGR ´2K -RVLH QRQH RI WKHVH JLUOV PHDVXUH XSWR \RXµ KH GUDZOHG WKURXJK WKH phone. ´-RVLH'HYRQLVDIXFNLQJVWULSSHUPDJQHWµVKHKHDUG-DFNVRQH[FODLPIURP WKHEDFNJURXQG´,·YHQHYHUKDGVRPDQ\IUHHODSGDQFHVLQP\OLIH'DPQJLUOKDYH \RXEHHQUROOLQJDURXQGLQSHDFKHV"
359  

´:H·OO EH OHDYLQJ KHUH LQ WKH QH[W WKLUW\ PLQXWHV DQG VLQFH ,·P WKH GHVLJQDWHGGULYHU,·OOEHPDNLQJVXUHWKHVHJX\VJHWKRPHRND\µ ´3OHDVHEHVDIH,·OOVHH\RXZKHQ\RXJHWLQµ ´-HW·DLPHJosie.µ 6KHIROGHGKHUOLSVLQDQGVWLIOHGDJLUOLVKJLJJOH´,ORYH\RXWRR'HYRQµ She disconnected and pushed open the unlocked door. Pausing, she listened for sounds of sexual enjoyment from Carmen and Pete. When she heard none, she entered the suite and was impressed. A glass fire pit filled with burning crystals sat in the center of the living room and set off the ultra stylish abode. She headed to an open door on the right and was thankful it was the master bedroom. She placed her change of clothes on the bed. The sexy red negligee and red heels peeked at her from her overnight bag. 6KHEHFDPHJLGG\'HYRQ·VMDZZDVJRLQJWRdrop when he saw her in this teasing number. After taking care of the situation with Terry, she felt liberated. Now, she was free to give Devon her mind, body, and soul without restrains. She slipped on the sexy negligee, with a bright red thong and matching heels, and twirled in front of the mirror. The sheer material hugged her smooth curves, ending just above the center of her thighs. Her hardened chocolate brown

360  

nipples strained against the sheer fabric. Nibbling on her lower lip, she resisted the urge to touch herself. That would be for Devon. Sliding her silk robe over her shoulders, she headed for the kitchen. He had a full refrigerated wine cellar. A bottle of vintage Shiraz called her name and she went in search of a cork screw. While out with the gLUOVWRQLJKWVKH·GPDGHVXUH WRNHHSKHUGULQNLQJWRDPLQLPXP6KHGLGQ·WZDQWWREHDKRWGUXQNHQPHVVMXVW in case Devon arrived before her. With a glass of crimson goodness in hand, she wandered out of the kitchen, through the living room, studying the retro furnishings and paintings. When she got to the other side of the spacious suite, she stopped. She found the guest bedrooms and the whereabouts of Pete and Carmen. Littered along the hardwood floor was a trail of clothes and shoes leading to one of WKH EHGURRPV 7KH LPDJH RI VH[\ SDLU IHYHULVKO\ ULSSLQJ DW RQH DQRWKHU·V clothes on their way down the hall played in her head. She grinned. What she ZRXOG·YHJLYHQWREHDIO\RQWKHZDOO Josephine sat her glass on a nearby table and began to collect the clothes, making her way to the room where the trail ended at. Hugging the bunched up garments to her chest, she stopped at the partially open door and held her breath. Soft moans, hushed whispers, and the low hum of rock music filtered through the crack. Her curiosity nudged her to open the door.

361  

Should I? Why the hell not? She pushed it open and swallowed back a gasp. On her stomach with her eyes squeezed shut, Carmen chewed and fisted the sheets, releasing little kitten-‐like purrs on each moan. Pete had one arm wrapped around her waist and his face buried in the crook of her neck. 3HWH·V KLSV PRYHG LQ D VORZ WRUWXURXV ZDYH-‐like motion against the mewling nymph. His body was phenomenal. The curve of his athletic frame made her mouth water and drop open in awe. She always knew her friend was gorgeous, but damn, seeing him like this made her body stir. 6KH FRXOG KHDU 3HWH·V EDULWRQH YRLFH ZKLVSHULQJ VZHHWO\ WR &DUPHQ LQ D different language. Portuguese. Carmen responded to his seductive coos with soft whimpers. Still clutching the clothes to her breast, Josephine grabbed the handle and attempted to retreat from the room. 6XGGHQO\&DUPHQ·VH\HVVOLGRSHQ-RVHSKLQHIUR]H /RRNLQJ KLJK DV D NLWH &DUPHQ VPLOHG ´'RQ·W OHDYH -RVLH SXVV\FDW &RPH here. Lay next WRPHµ 6ORZO\3HWH·VKHDGURVHDQGWKRVHGDUNDOOXULQJH\HVWXUQHGLQKHUGLUHFWLRQ ´6RUU\µ-RVHSKLQHHDVHGEDFN´,ZDVXKMXVWFKHFNLQJRQ\D·OOµ

362  

´-D\µ3HWH·VWKURDW\ZKLVSHUVHQWFKLOOVGRZQKHUVSLQH´&RPHLQDQGFORVH WKHGRRUµ As if his voice had placed a hypnotic spell on her, she did as instructed. ´1RZGURSWKHFORWKHVDQGFRPHKHUHµ Piece by piece, the clothes slowly fell out of her hands as she approached the bed. Pete rolled onto his side, pulling Carmen with him so they could face her. &DUPHQ WKUHZ KHU ORQJ OHJ EDFN RYHU KLV WKLJKV 3HWH·V WZR PLGGOH ILQJHUV ZHUH buried inside of her as he nibbled on the lobe of her ear. 7KDW·V ZKHQ -RVHSKLQH UHDOL]HG KLV FRFN ZDV HPEHGGHG LQ &DUPHQ·V DVV Her breath hitched and she felt a moment of envy. ´7DNHRIIWKHUREHµ -RVHSKLQHRQFHDJDLQFRPSOLHGZLWKKHUEHVWIULHQG·VHQFKDQWLQJFRPPDQG When the robe pooled at her feet, Pete smiled. ´/RRNDW WKDW ERG\ 1R ZRQGHU WKDW PDQ MXPSHG RQ D SODQH DQG FDPH IRU \RXµ &DUPHQ SXW KHU KDQG RYHU 3HWH·V Kand to push his fingers deeper into her FRUH ´+RZ DERXW \RX ORVH WKDW OLWWOH QHJOLJHH VR ZH GRQ·W PHVV LW XS DQG FRPH KHUHVR,FDQSXWP\PRXWKRQ\RXµ

363  

Josephine was reluctant to climb into bed with two gorgeous people who eyed her with so much desire. ´,GRQ·WNQRZLI,VKRXOGGRWKLVµVKHPXUPXUHGKHU H\HVQHYHUOHDYLQJ3HWH·V´7KLVPLJKWPDNHWKLQJVZHLUGµ ´$UH\RXWDONLQJWRPHRU&DUPHQ"µ ´,·PORRNLQJDW\RX3HWH\RUWKHJX\ZKRORRNVH[DFWO\OLNH3HWH\,IHHOOLNH \RX·UHDFORQHRUVRPHWKLQJ,GRQ·WHYHQNQRZ\RXDQ\PRUHµ +HVQLFNHUHGDQGQLSSHG&DUPHQ·VVKRXOGHU´,·PWKHVDPH3HWH\ZKRFXUOV XSLQEHGZLWK\RXVRPHWLPHVµ ´
364  

´,SURPLVHQRWWRWDNHWKLVQLJKWIURP'HYRQ,MXVWZDQWWRPDNH\RXIHHO JRRGERRµ+HOLFNHG&DUPHQ·VQHFN´&ome on and give us some love, just for a OLWWOHELWµ Josephine found herself pulling the sheer fitted gown over her head. In nothing but red pumps and a thong, she climbed onto the bed and snuggled against the lusty redhead. Long limbs hugged her in close &DUPHQ·V PRXWK FRYHUHGKHUQLSSOHOLNHDVWDUYHGEDE\DQG3HWH·VPRXWKFRYHUHGKHUV :KDWVKHWKRXJKWZRXOGEHDZNZDUGZDVQ·WDWDOO3HWHZDVDQH[FHOOHQW kisser, slow and explorative. The jewel piercing in his tongue swirled around hers, making the moistened flesh between her thighs flutter. +H JULSSHG KHU WKLJK GUHZ KHU OHJ RYHU KLV KLS DQG &DUPHQ·V OHJ ORRSHG RYHU -RVHSKLQH·V ZDLVW &DUPHQ ZDV ZLOOLQJO\ VDQGZLFKHG EHWZHHQ WKHLU KHDWHG bodies. Pete began to rock his hips against them, languidly plunJLQJLQWR&DUPHQ·V rear end, moving the motion into both women. The slow pace of his strokes swiftly sent Josephine into a zone of aching desire. It was amazing how good it felt HYHQWKRXJKVKHZDVQ·WWKHRQHWDNLQJWKHWKUXVWRIKLVFRFN Her muffled crieVHVFDODWLQJ&DUPHQEHJDQWRVKXGGHU3HWH·VJ\UDWLQJKLSV TXLFNHQHG 3DQWLQJ HUUDWLFDOO\ LQWR -RVHSKLQH·V PRXWK 3HWH·V NLVVHV EHFDPH urgent. A smooth curtain of delight washed over her. They all groaned and released simultaneously.

365  

Josephine was so stunQHGVKHFRXOGQ·WKHOSEXWJLJJOH´7KDWZDVGLIIHUHQWµ ´7KDWZDVIDEXORXV7KDQNV-D\µ3HWHNLVVHG-RVHSKLQHDJDLQDQGWKHQODLG D VPRRFK RQ &DUPHQ·V WHPSOH ´,·OO EH EDFN ODGLHVµ +H VHSDUDWHG KLPVHOI IURP Carmen, slid off the bed, and swaggered into the bathroom. +HU PRXWK UHVWLQJ RYHU -RVHSKLQH·V EUHDVW &DUPHQ VLJKHG LQ IXOILOOPHQW Josephine inched further down the length of her lean frame and kissed her lips. ´,·YH QHYHU GRQH DQ\WKLQJ OLNH WKDW EHIRUH DQG , FDQ·W EHOLHYH , MXVW GLG LW with my beVWIULHQGµ-RVHSKLQHZKLVSHUHG ´,WZDVZRQGHUIXOµ(\HVFORVHG&DUPHQJUD]HGKHUKLSZLWKWKHSDGVRIKHU ILQJHU ´7KH FRPELQDWLRQ RI KLP EXULHG GHHS LQVLGH RI PH DQG \RXU VRIW ERG\ SUHVVHGDJDLQVWPLQHZDVDZHVRPHµ Josephine caressed her in return, feeling aroused as her fingers glided over KHUEHKLQG´'RHVLWKXUW"µ 6PLOLQJJUHHQH\HVVOLGRSHQ´1R,I\RX·UHZLWKVRPHRQHZKRNQRZVZKDW WKH\·UHGRLQJWKHQLWZRQ·W,ZRQ·WOLHLW·VDOLWWOHXQFRPIRUWDEOHDWILUVWEXWRQFH \RXJHWSDVWWKDWLW·V DPD]LQJSOHDVXUH:DQWWRWU\LW"µ ´0D\EH , GRQ·W NQRZ ,·YH EHHQ SUHSSLQJ IRU D IHZ ZHHNV ,·YH KDG P\ bouts with the almost SHQHWUDWLRQ EXW , GLGQ·W JR DOO WKH ZD\ +RQHVWO\ , ZDV DIUDLGEHFDXVHLW·VQRWOLNHP\H[KDGDQLWW\ELW\SHQLVDQG,ZDV sure it would KXUWEXWDIWHUZDWFKLQJ3HWHGRLWWR\RX«µ

366  

´
367  

Josephine ran her fingers across the head of his penis and over the silver MHZHOU\6KHORRNHGXSLQWR3HWH·VJULQQLQJIDFH´2KQRER\,·PQRWDERXWWROHW \RX SXW WKLV SLHUFHG WKLQJ LQ PH 7KHUH·V RQO\ RQH FRFN JRLQJ LQ KHUH DQG LW·V DWWDFKHGWR'HYRQµ 3HWH ODXJKHG ´3OHDVH %\ WKH WLPH ,·P GRQH ZLWK \RX \RX·UH JRLQJ WR EH EHJJLQJPHWRSXWP\FRFNLQ\RXEXW,ZRQ·W,·OOMXVWJHW\RXUHDG\IRU6SDUNV 1RZOLHEDFNµ ´
368  

And boy did he make them curl. He latched on to her twitching bundle of nerves and suckled with intensity. His moans of rapture sent vibrations along her cleft. Her thighs shuddered and her body heaved for more. ´7KDW·VULJKWJLUOWKURZLWDWPHµKHFRD[HGKXJJLQJKHUWKLJKWREXry his face deeper into her warmth. The tip of his agile tongue coiled her clit then ran down the length of her slit where he entered her. She released panting moans and clutched onto Carmen, who was sucking and licking the hell out of her nipple as she undulated her pussy along 3HWH·VVNLOOIXOPRXWK Feasting on her, he lapped back to her peak and repeatedly flicked his mouth jewel across it while weaving the point of his oral muscle back and forth along her twittering flesh. Her mind went momentarily numb. ´'DPQ3HWHµVKHEUHDWKHGRXW´:RUNLWER\µ +HFKXFNOHG´%DE\,KDYHQ·WHYHQVWDUWHGWRZRUN\RXµ Once he had her on the edge of release, he plunged his fingers into her dewy gash. Rotating her nubbin with his tongue, he steadily fucked her with his long digits. Carmen held her leg back as Pete worked her into a shuddering mess. Her walls contracted around him then sweet waves of bliss crashed into her. As she came down from cloud nine, Pete remained lodged inside of her spurting tunnel. He then extracted his fingers and sucked them clean.

369  

´-D\ LI , ZRXOG·YH NQRZQ \RX ZHUH WKLV WDVW\ , ZRXOG·YH GLYHG EHWZHHQ \RXUOHJVORQJWLPHDJR$QG\RX·UHIOH[LEOHWRR«,EHW6SDUNVKDVDEDOOZLWK\RXµ He put his mouth back on her then dropped between her cheeks to her rosy hole. His tongue rimmed the clenched ring until she was begging him to put his fingers inside. Carmen handed him a bottle of lube from the night stand. He covered his long digits and her backside in the clear liquid, and then he gently worked his fingers into her. The smooth invasion caused her to tense. +HVPDFNHGKHUKLSDQGKHUERG\MHUNHG´5HOD[ERRµ She gave into his throaty command and grabbed the hair of the lusty minx who fingered her clit and hungrily sucked on her nipple. Pete probed her tight anal passage until her hips were lurching with his slow thrusts. The tissues of her rear channel expanded around him with the addition of another finger. &DUPHQ·VKRWPRXWKOHIWDZHWWUDLOGRZQ-RVHSKLQH·VEHOO\DQGWUDYHOHGWR the crease between her thighs. The combination of Pete fingering her ass and Carmen softly sucking her clit was ridiculously blissful. Josephine kneaded and FDUHVVHG &DUPHQ·V EDFN LQKDOLQJ WKH VZHHW VFHQW RI KHU VNLQ ZDQWLQJ KHU WR straddle her face, but was too bashful to ask. When her body shuddered to another orgasm, her backside walls were spread with the addition of another finger.

370  

´'DPQ-D\µ3HWHJURDQHG´
371  

´2K *RG 3HWH³IXFN \HVµ+HU WKLJKVFRQYXOVHG XQFRQWUROODEO\ ,W VHHPHG like the ride of pleasure would go on forever. ´2ND\,KDYHWRVWRS-D\EHFDXVH,·PDERXWILYHVHFRQGVDZD\IURPVKRYLQJ P\ FRFN LQ \RXU DVV DQG , NQRZ \RX GRQ·W ZDQW PH WR EXW JLUO WKH ZD\ \RX·UH ZRUNLQJ\RXUERG\«µ As soon as the rod left her derrière, Carmen lifted her weight off of her. Josephine sat up and looked over the foot of the bed. On his knees, Pete handled his strained cock, his eyes glazed and his face projecting his need for release. Smiling, Carmen beckoned him with the crook of her finger. Sluggishly, he climbed onto the bed. Like an eager cat, Carmen got on her hands and knees and lapped hungrily at the head of his member. 3HWHPRDQHGILVWHG-RVHSKLQH·VKDLUDQGGUHZKHUIDFHWRKLV´7KLVGRHVQ·W FKDQJHDQ\WKLQJRND\",·PVWLOO\RXUEHVWIULHQG,·PVWLOO\RXU3HWH\µ Before she could counter his comment, he kissed her. She loved his lips and the taste of her essence on them, but she wanted to participate in his lower region activity. She melted down his body, holding his lustful stare, and rolled onto her back like a puppy about to get her belly scratched. She licked the base of him while Carmen sucked him with long deep strokes. ´2KVKLWODGLHV
372  

&DUHVVLQJDQGJHQWO\SLQFKLQJ&DUPHQ·VQLSSOHV-RVHSKLQH ran her tongue across his scrotum. His shaky breathing and their combined sounds of passion fueled her intent. She took a round, fleshy jewel in her mouth and slid her hand between his parted thighs. When he realized what she was about to do, he panted her name in urgency. Between his cheeks, she circled his tight ring of muscle and shoved two fingers in. He bristled, but his body took her digits with no resistance. ´*RGGDPQ-D\µKHJDVSHG Suddenly, he started laughing. It was delirious laughter combined with whimpers and moans. Josephine worked his anal canal at a languid pace, causing his frenzied sounds of delight to rise. His flesh tightened over her tongue and soon after, Carmen was muffling at the enjoyment of his semen filling her mouth. Literally dUDLQHG 3HWH IHOO WR KLV VLGH ´1R OLH %HVW EORZ MRE ,·YH HYHU KDG DQG,·YHKDGDORWRIIXFNLQJEORZMREV-D\JLUO\RXDUHDGDPQIUHDN,ORYHLWµ ´*RRG
373  

&DUPHQ VWRRG DQG VWUHWFKHG KHU OLPEV ´$QG WKDW·V ILUVW WLPH ,·YH KHDUG DQ\RQHODXJKZKLOHWKH\ZHUHFRPLQJµ They both giggled. ´
       

374  

Chapter Twenty Forever

Devon stumbled into his condo and accidentally knocked the vase holding the multi-‐FRORUHGWXOLSVRIIWKHIR\HUWDEOH´6KLWµ His mind was a little hazy from being cooped up in the SUV with a bunch of pot heads, but his focus was very clear. Josephine. He wanted nothing more right now than to snuggle in her sensual embrace. The crystal fire pit lit his way to the master bedroom. Girlish giggles and murmurs greeted him from behind the closed door. Smiling, he put his ear to the door. ´+H·VFUD]\DERXW\RX-RVLH:K\ZRXOG\RXWKLQNRWKHUZLVH"µ ´7HUU\ZDVFUD]\DERXWPHDWRQHSRLQWWRRDQGWKHQVRPHZKHUHDORQJWKH OLQHKHORVWWKDWIHHOLQJµKHKHDUG-RVHSKLQHFRQIHVV ´0D\EHZKDW\RXWKRXJKWZDVORYHZDVUHDOO\FRQYHQLHQFH
375  

&DUPHQ WLWWHUHG ´$UH \RX WU\LQJ WR JHW LQ P\ KHDG" ,W·V P\ MRE WR JHW LQ peRSOH·VKHDGQRW\RXUVµ ´,MXVWWKRXJKW,·GUHWXUQWKHIDYRUµ Their conversation faded and the sudden silence piqued his curiosity. Carefully, he eased the door open. The room glimmered in candlelight and soft jazz played on the radio. Wrapped in towels and sprawled across the bed, Carmen and Josephine kissed slowly and caressed one another. It was blatantly obvious these two women had enjoyed a bout of sexual exploration before he arrived, but their kiss ZDVQ·W RI SXUH OXVW ,W VHHPHG OLNH D ERQGLQJ PRPent between the two. They understood one another and that alone made him smile. But the eroticism they provided profoundly strained the elongated muscle in his pants. Eager to get a better look, he stepped further into the room. He looked down at the two beautiful bodies winding against each other and brushed his fingers across Josephine smooth skin. 6KHJDVSHGDQGMHUNHGXS´'HYRQµ ´'RQ·WVWRSRQP\DFFRXQWGDUOLQJµKHFURRQHGVLQNLQJKLVILQJHUVLQWRKHU GDPSGUHDGV´*RG,·YHPLVVHG\RXVRPXFKµ Helplessly, he yanked her up in his arms and crushed his mouth to hers. She returned his urgent passion, writhed up against him, and cupped his pulsating

376  

cock. Growling, he pushed her onto the bed, ripped the towel from her lovely frame, and lunged on top of her. She squealed playfully, wiggled from beneath him, and scurried to her feet. ´+ROGWKDWWKRXJKWERRµ He heard her, but his body had other plans. Without hesitation, he reached out for her, but her reflexes were quicker than his. She skipped back from his grasp, her luscious breasts bouncing with her movement. ´0RYLQJ D OLWWOH VORZ WKHUH 0U 6SDUNVµ VKH FKRUWOHG IOHHLQJ WR WKH bathroom. ´2K,·OOVKRZ\RXVORZµ+HUDQDIWHUKHURQO\WRKDYHWKHEDWKURRPGRRU slammed in his face. Resting his forehead against the cool wood, he planted his KDQGVRQHLWKHUVLGHRIWKHIUDPH´6ZHHWKHDUW,·PLQGLUHQHHGRI\RX:KDWDUH \RXGRLQJLQWKHUH"µ ´&DQ·W WKH JLUO KDYH D PLQXWH WR JHW SUHWW\ IRU \RX" 6KH ERXJKW D OLWWOH VRPHWKLQJVSHFLDOMXVWIRU\RXµ&DUmen informed behind him. +HVPLOHG´,·PMXVWJRLQJWRULSLWRII-RVLHµ ´
377  

shadow of her hard, dark nipples showed through the fabric and the strappy red stilettos accentuated the beauty of her feet. He whistled in approval then reached out for her. She grabbed his hands and walked him backward until the back of his knees hit the bed. Carmen eased around him and started to unbutton his shirt while Josephine toyed with his belt buckle. ´+HUH·VWKHWKLQJ,ZDQW\RXWRVWD\VWLOODQGDOORZ Carmen and I to undress you, then I want you to sit at the head of the bed and watch us³µ ´&DQ·WGRLWµ ´$WOHDVWOHWPHILQLVKµ ´'RQ·WQHHGWR,DOUHDG\NQRZZKDW\RX·UHJRLQJWRVD\DQG,·PDKXQGUHG SHUFHQW VXUH LW·V QRW GRDEOH 2EYLRXVO\ \RX KDYH QRW QRWLFHG P\ FRQGLWLRQµ +H PRWLRQHGWRZDUGWKHKXJHEXOJHLQKLVSDQWV´,·PERXQGWRSXWDQH\HRXWZLWK WKLVWKLQJµ *LJJOLQJZLWK&DUPHQ-RVHSKLQHVOLGGRZQWKHOHQJWKRIKLVERG\´-XVWWU\ IRUPHRND\EDE\
378  

´'RQ·WVD\DQ\WKLQJHOVH-XVWHQMR\µ Stripped down to his birthday suit, he found himself staring at two lovely creatures, touching, kissing, and fondling each other while he resisted the urge to masturbate. One woman, his former lover, had become his good friend, and the other, his French speaking Nubian Queen, had captured his heart and made it impossible for him to breathe without her. ,IVKHRQO\NQHZKRZGHHSKLVORYHZDVIRUKHU« Soon, the two beauties crawled over to him. He was showered with kisses and gentle touches as they made wet trails down to his saluting rod. Carmen lapped and kissed the base of his cock, running her mouth along the fluttering veins while Josephine tongued the head, dipping into his slit to drive him fucking insane. His toes curled and unfurled as he released guttural sounds under the eye-‐ crossing pleasure. They teased and seduced him, brought him to the edge, but refused to allow him to reach that blissful point. ´6WRSWHDVLQJPHµKHJURZOHGWKURXJKFOHQFKHGWHHWK´,SURPLVH\RX·Ol be VRUU\IRUWKLVµ ´,GRXEW,·OOEHVRUU\µ-RVHSKLQHSXUUHGEHIRUHVLQNLQJWKHHQJRUJHGKHOPHW into her hot mouth. Losing his fingers in her hair, he closed his eyes and dipped his head back. Carmen dragged her tongue from his groin to his chest, nipped at his nipple and

379  

stroked the other one with her nail. He flinched and jerked under their sensual assault. The pleasure was almost too much. Mouths and hands, tonguing, stroking and devouring him was enough to make him ejaculate wildly, but although torturous, he enjoyed restraining the big O. 7KHVXFWLRQRI-RVHSKLQH·VPDVWHUIXOPRXWKWXJJHGDWKLVVKDIWDQGTXLFNO\ broke through his resistance. The back of her throat kissed the crown as her lips glided smoothly down the length of him. ´:RZ-RVLHµ'LVWUDFWHG&DUPHQVWDUHGZLGHH\HG´
380  

thighs and slid her cozy tunnel down until her center was snug against his pelvis. They both sighed in delight. $V EDGO\ DV KH ZDQWHG KHU WR ULGH KLP KH FRXOGQ·W OHW KHU 1RW \HW +H·G been dreaming of the taste of her since the last time she came in his mouth. He ZRXOGQ·WEHGHSULYHG+HJUDEEHGKHUKLSVDQGOLIWHGKHUGHZ\JDVKRIIRIKLP ´1R'HYRQ:K\"µVKHZKLQHGKHUH\HVSOHDGLQJZLWKKLPIRUVRPHWKLQJ she needed just as badly as he. Once he had her on her back, he answered her without words. He stripped away the sexy negligee, planted his waist between her thighs and gathered her globes together. Going from one the other, he rolled his tongue around her nipple, absorbing her aureole in his mouth. Behind him, Carmen licked and kissed his back while working her hand along his cock. :KHQ KH KDG -RVHSKLQH·V ERG\ ERZLQJ DQG WUHPEOLQJ XQFRQWUROODEO\ KH began sucking and nipping at those small bits of hardened flesh. Her fingers digging into his scalp, KHU KHLJKWHQHG DURXVDO WDSSLQJ KLV VHQVHV DQG &DUPHQ·V diligent hands stroking him stimulated his very being, but somehow he kept it together. :RUNLQJKLVZD\GRZQ-RVHSKLQH·VERG\KHEDWKHGKHUVRIWVNLQZLWKKLV tongue. Once settled between her milk chocolate thighs, he pressed his nose right against her smooth pussy and inhaled deeply.

381  

´*RGGDPQLW-RVLH,ORYHWKHZD\\RXVPHOO,WGULYHVPHFUD]\µ He took one plump fold between his lips and suckled, then did the same to the next until she was begging him to suck her clit. It was music to his ears. $V KH ZUDSSHG KLV OLSV DURXQG -RVHSKLQH·V EXQGOH RI TXLYHULQJ QHUYHV WR draw her into a panting fit, Carmen shimmed beneath him and took his shaft in her mouth. He adjusted his position for her comfort then rolled his hips to plunge into her mouth, but was careful not to go too deep. It was oral pleasure at its very best. The smacking, slurping and moaning added to the mind blowing sensation and it increased when Josephine fisted his hair to gyrate her slit against his mouth. Jesus Christ, yes! In a moment of utter rapture, they jumped into the nerve-‐shattering void together. Even Carmen came when he shot his seed down her throat. Carmen eased from under him and rubbed his back. He lapped at Josephine until she was crying for his cock to fill her core. He crawled into her awaiting embrace and sunk deeply into her. Her hands eased down his back to his backside, where she squeezed and encouraged his powerful thrusts. Her hips rocked against him as her hot recess clenched tightly around him. She cried sweet rapture into his mouth. His eyes rolled back and his body convulsed.

382  

´7HOOPH\RX·OOEHZLWKPHIRUHYHUµKHVDLGDJDLQVWKHUOLSVLQWKURDW\JURDQ staring into her glazed hazel eyes. ´,I\RX·OOKDYHPHIRUHYHUµVKHFRRHG He poured everything he had into her, squeezing her so hard, she had to gasp for air. He kissed every part of her face and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. He briefly looked up to see Carmen kneeled at the edge of the bed, her hands clasped together and tears streaming from her sparkling eyes. :LWKKLVEURZTXLUNHGLQTXHVWLRQ'HYRQVOXUUHG´:KDW&DUPHQ"µ ´-XVWZDWFKLQJ\D·OOPDNHORYH³,·YHQHYHUVHHQDQ\WKLQJVREHDXWLIXOµ ´,DJUHHµ/RXQJHGDJDLQVWWKHGRRUIUDPHDWHQWHGWRwel around his waist DQGDMRLQWLQKLVPRXWK3HWHH\HGWKHPWKURXJKDKRRGHGJD]H´7KLVZDVEHWWHU WKDQDQ\SRUQ,·YHHYHUVHHQµ ´3HWHµ -RVHSKLQH OLIWHG IURP KLV FKHVW ´+RZ ORQJ KDYH \RX EHHQ VWDQGLQJ WKHUH"µ +HODXJKHG´'RQ·WZRUU\DERXWWKDW7KLV was worth dragging my ass out of bed for. To see Devon in all his naked glory. Damn man, you are a masterpiece, and your cock³WKDWWKLQJKDGWREHVFXOSWXUHGE\*RGKLPVHOIµ 6DWHGDQGFDXJKWLQDPRPHQWRIEOLVVZLWKKLVZRPDQDWKLVVLGHKHGLGQ·W even care another man appraised his naked body. He just closed his eyes and chuckled.

383  

´.QRZZKDW-D\\RXUDVVLVORXG7KH\QHHGWRVWUDS\RXWRWKHWRSRIDILUH WUXFNRUVRPHWKLQJ
384  

´+ROGRQ-RVLH%HIRUHZHJRDQ\IXUWKHU,·GOLNHWRWHOO\RXVRPHWKLQJILUVW somethiQJ,VKRXOG·YHWROG\RXWKHGD\ZHPHWµ ´,VWKLVWKHVRPHWKLQJ\RX·YHEHHQKDQJLQJRYHUP\KHDGWKHZKROHZHHN"µ ´
385  

%HZLOGHUHG-RVHSKLQHVTXHH]HGKLVKDQG´
386  

´*RRGQHVV'HYRQ7KLVLV«ZRZ«,GRQ·WNQRZZKDWWRVD\µ ´-XVWVD\WKRVHZRUGVWKDWPHOWP\KHDUWGDUOLQJµ She threw her leg over him and cupped hiVIDFH´-HW·DLPH'HYRQ6SDUNVµ He rolled her onto her back prepared to enter her sung haven when she VWRSSHGKLP´:DLWWKHUH·VDQRWKHUSDUWRIP\ERG\,·PHDJHUIRU\RXWRH[SORUHµ She spun around beneath him and rubbed her ass against his stiff memEHU´,·PDOO UHDG\MXVWIRU\RX0U6SDUNVµ Groaning, he wrapped an arm around her waist and sunk his fingers EHWZHHQKHUFKHHNV´$UH\RX":H·OOMXVWKDYHWRVHHDERXWWKDWµ7ZRRIKLVGLJLWV slipped inside of her puckered hole a little too easily. He sharply nipped at the EDFNRIKHUVKRXOGHUPDNLQJKHUIOLQFK´:KDWKDYH\RXDQG&DUPHQEHHQXSWR"µ 6KHJLJJOHG´:K\GRQ·W\RXSXW\RXUFRFNZKHUH\RXUILQJHUVDUHDQGILQG RXW"/XEHLVRQWKHGUHVVHUµ ´
387  

He slicked his member in the gel-‐like substance, pulled her cheeks apart, and placed the crown at throbbing circle of muscles. Watching her face, he pushed the head in. Her mouth fell open and she tensed. ´,FDQVWRSLI\RXZDQWPH³µ ´,ZDQWDOORI\RX'RQ·WVWRSµ Stroking her glistening pearl, he pulled out the rim of his helmet then pushed in a little more. She bit her lower lip, fisted the sheets, and begged him to keep going. Although hesitant, he complied. The sweet tightness of her ass singed him and had him moaning with each inch. He kissed her ankle and caressed her leg, easing in half his of length. ´$P,KXUWLQJ\RX"µ ´1R, yes and no³,PHDQ\HVµ ´2ND\,·PSXOOLQJRXWµ 6KH JUDEEHG KLV DUP ZLWK XUJHQF\ ´'RQ·W \RX GDUHµ VKH JURZOHG ´
388  

Loving her flexibility, he pushed her leg back, leaned over her, and shoved in a quarter more, but refused to give her his full length. That would come with time. She yelled her pleasure, clenched down on him, and shuddered violently. The glistened mist of her essence sprinkled his thigh. ´2RKKK\HDKWKDW·VLW'HYRQ*RGWKLVLVVRJRRGµ He remained lodged inside of her, panting and reeling as she reacted beautifully to his invasion. When she started moving back and forth, slowly and VWHDGLO\SXVKLQJKHUDVVRQKLPKHFRXOGQ·WFDWFKKLVEUHDWKORQJHQRXJKWRPDNH the rhythm his own, something he could handle without passing out. ´:DLWVZHHWKHDUWZDLW\RX·UH³DZZZVKLWEDE\µ By the time he got control, it was too late. The eruption shot through him so hard every muscle in his body seized and his brains swirled with lightheadedness. ´+RO\0RWKHURI-HVXVµKHJDVSHG Then, once he caught himself, another thunderous wave plowed through him. The unexpected release snatched a scream from his throat so loud that there was no doubt the neighbors heard. Eyes crossed and mouth open, he fell onto his side. He swiftly drifted off to sleep, then was awakened by a wet cloth gliding up and down his penis. Warm limbs embraced him and soft lips kissed his. ´
389  

He dragged his eyes open to look into the teary eyes of the woman he would make his wife DQG KXJJHG KHU FORVHO\ DJDLQVW KLP ´7KHQ WKHUH·V RQO\ RQH RWKHU WKLQJIRUXVWRGRµ8QGHUWKHSLOORZKHUHWULHYHGWKHVPDOOER[KH·GSODFHGWKHUH ZKHQ KH DUULYHG WKLV PRUQLQJ ´8K WKLV PD\ EH WRR VXGGHQ RU WRR VRRQ , GRQ·W NQRZ,MXVWNQRZ,FDQ·W be without you and I want to make you happy for the UHVWRIP\OLIHµKHUDPEOHG´,NQRZ\RXMXVWJRWRXWRIDUHODWLRQVKLSDQG,NQRZ, VKRXOGJLYH\RXWLPHVRLI,·P-‐if this is too much, just tell me³,FDQZDLWµ ´:KDWDUH\RXWDONLQJDERXWEDE\"µ:ith her eyes shifting from the velvet ER[WRKLVIDFHVKHGUHZXSRQKHUNQHHV$VKDN\KDQGZHQWWRKHUKHDUW´2KP\ *RG'HYRQDUH\RXVHULRXV"µ +H VDW XS ´,·P DOO WRQJXH WZLVWHG KHUHµ +H FKXFNOHG QHUYRXVO\ WU\LQJ WR WDPHKLVUDSLGKHDUWEHDW´,ZDQted to wait until I had your family together, but tonight I asked your brother for his blessing, and although he was a little drunk, RND\DORWRIGUXQNKHZDVGHOLJKWHGWRRIIHU\RXUKDQG,KRSHKHGRHVQ·WUHJUHW KLVGHFLVLRQLQWKHPRUQLQJµ ´*RRGQHVV 'HYRQ ZKDW DUH \RX VD\LQJ"µ VKH VTXHDOHG KHU KDQGV VKDNLQJ her eyes wide. ´,³, ZDLW OHW PH GR WKLV ULJKWµ +H VOLG RII WKH EHG DQG GURSSHG WR RQH knee. ´0\KHDUWLVDERXWWRMXPSRXWRIP\GDPQFKHVWRK-HVXVµ

390  

Holding her watery gaze, he opened the box to reveal the Tiffany signature engagement ring. The round diamond center stone, along with the paved diamonds, which wrapped the larger one and rounded the outer band, sparkled off the flickering candles in the room. ´6ZHHWKHDUW,DPDOLYHDWWKLVvery moment, and have never felt so alive in P\OLIH
The End

391  

http://www.myspace.com/yvonnenicolas

An avid reader Yvonne decided to try her hand at writing and what a talent and love she found for writing. Keep tuned to see what she has in store for you next.

Red Rose Publishing Designing Love

392