by Alexa Silver
Chapter 6
As she preceded him out of the restaurant, Jessica asked, “How about going dancing? There’s a club not far from the restaurant.”
Adam said, “Sure, if you don’t mind my two left feet.”
Her laughter floated in the air. “Guess you’ll match my two right ones. This should be interesting.”
Interesting and pure pleasure, Adam figured. Any reason to hold her in his arms and press her against his body sounded like a great plan for the night.
Deciding about any future plans after the weekend would wait. Enjoying whatever now would bring suited his desires.
They entered the Blue Velvet Lounge, and found a table near the band. “Great music. The kind I like to dance to,” Jessica mentioned.
“I’m more of a listener, but I’ll dance. Slow dances are more my style.”
She smiled and pointed to the dance floor. “It’s a slow number, so show me how Adam Samson dances.”
They walked to where other dancers were already swaying to the music. Adam took her in his arms and began moving her around the dance floor. “Hope I don’t step on your toes.”
Just holding, crushing her to him was pure pleasure. Their bodies melded into position, perfectly placed as if one.
She rested her head on his chest. “You’re a wonderful dancer. Easy to follow.”
Adam kissed the top of her head. “Will you come home with me tonight? Or, back to your place?”
Heat radiated between them. She stood on tiptoes and tugged him tighter to her. “My place,” she whispered into his ear. “I’m running this weekend.”
Adam laughed. “Yes, ma’am. I’m all yours.”
The music stopped and they stared into each other’s eyes. “Ready to leave?” Jessica asked.
“Absolutely,” he replied, and walked with her out the door and to his car for the ride back to her apartment.
*****
“How about some wine? I’ll get it and some snacks for us. Maybe this is a good time for us to talk more and find out what we don’t know about each other.” She smiled. “I promise you won’t find out I’m a wanted criminal or living under a secret identity.” She waved him into the living room. “Make yourself comfortable. I won’t be long.”
Adam grabbed his cell phone from his jacket pocket and sat on the sofa. “What the…?” he mumbled. Nine messages from his mother?
After listening to all her messages, he was both grateful that nothing was wrong but confused as to why she insisted he not balance her checkbook. Curiosity won, and he took her checkbook from his inside jacket pocket and opened it. After reviewing the last few entries, a myriad of emotions rampaged through him.
Why had his mother paid Jessica $10,000?
Reality hit him hard. You idiot. Jessica didn’t buy you. Mom did.
This was his mother’s penance attempt to keep him from Angela. She used Jessica to buy him and… What? Had Jessica been forced into this, and then used him for sex?
He ran a hand through his hair. Trust. Honesty. Jessica could have told him.
But she hadn’t.
He’d deal with his mother later. It was time to find out about the real Jessica now. He shoved the checkbook and phone back into his jacket.
Jessica waltzed into the room, carrying a tray with a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a plate of crackers and cheese. “I hope you like all this. Give me an honest opinion of the wine. It’s a new one I wanted to try.”
“Honesty? Sure. I’m always honest. How about you?”
*****
Adam’s cold stare stunned Jessica. So did his icy tone. “Is something wrong?”
He sank back into the sofa. “I want to know more about you. Ready to talk?”
“I’m the one who suggested this. Look, I’m not sure what’s going on, Adam, but I don’t like your tone.” She sat next to him.
He smiled but Jessica detected an insincere countenance. “Sorry. I just think we need to straighten out a few things.” He poured wine into the two glasses and offered one to her. “Let’s toast honesty and trust. Two crucial things in our relationship.”
“Our relationship? What kind do we have?” Her nerves on edge, Jessica wondered in what direction he was heading.
“Minutes ago, I’d have said I was hoping we were heading into a strong, personal relationship. Now, I’m not sure.” He gulped down his wine. “You didn’t answer my question. Are you an honest person?”
She tilted her head. Confusion rampaged through her brain as she tried to unravel what he wanted. “I’m honest unless it’s something that’ll hurt someone. Little white lies. We all do that.” She chugged her wine.
Adam moved closer. “I want an honest answer. How did you pay for me?”
She stared at him and clinked her glass as she set it on the table. “How do you think I did?”
He grabbed the checkbook and waved it near her face. “You and my mother concocted this whole scheme. She paid. You bid. Am I right?”
Jessica stood and walked a few feet away. Her emotions swung from worrying that he’d found out to anger at his tone. She pointed a finger at him. “Adam Samson, yes. Your mother didn’t want Angela to win. She asked me to go and bid on you. I’d think that you’d be happy about that.”
“Happy?”
“Yes.” She placed both hands on her hips. “Your mother felt so guilty about all this. Don’t you dare be mad at her.”
“I can be mad if I want to. She could have told me. You could have told me.”
She shook her head. “No. I promised I wouldn’t tell you.”
Adam got up and walked to her. “So has all we’ve been through just been part of whatever plan you two arranged? The dinners, dancing. Sex?”
She beaded her eyes. “Listen here, Adam. I don’t get paid to have sex. What we shared was something wonderful. It had nothing to do with winning you. I’m sorry if you don’t believe that. Actually, I’m not sorry. Oh, why don’t you just leave and not come back?” She was on the verge of tears.
Adam ran a hand through his hair and then spoke in a gentler tone. “Jessica, please sit on the sofa with me. I’m not going anywhere but there.”
He sat and she watched as he patted the spot next to him.
After a few seconds, she moved to the sofa and sat as far away from him as she could. “I'm fine right here.”
Adam cleared his throat. “Look. I apologize. My mother wanted to keep Angela from tormenting me. I understand that. She thought she’d do it quietly because she knows I’d have paid for this myself.”
“Mothers never stop trying to protect their children, no matter how old they are,” Jessica managed to say in a civil tone.
“Would you please move closer to me? This is a long sofa.”
Although being so close to him ramped up her hormones, Jessica scooted nearer to Adam. “Fine. I’m here. When your mother asked me to buy you, I couldn’t refuse.”
Adam took one of her hands in his and brought it up to his lips for a light kiss. “Why couldn’t you refuse? The honest truth why.”
He feathered a kiss on her hand. Jessica tried hard to remain in control but heat soared through her. “I wanted to help your mother.”
“That’s all?” He slid closer to her and put his arm around the back edge of the sofa. “No other reason?”
Tell him you idiot. She looked into his eyes and noticed a sparkle of mischief. “I’ve always wanted you, Adam. There. I’ve said it.”
Adam leaned in and began kissing her face. “Whew. You had me worried. I’m glad you gave into your lust for me because I’ve wanted you for a long time, too.” With that said, he drew her into his arms and gave her a thorough kiss.
Jessica pulled back. “Wait. What about work? What will people think? What should we do?”
Adam placed a finger by her lips. “We’ll work it out. I don’t care about what people think. We’ll continue our relationship that we’re starting this wonderful weekend.”
Overcome with bo
th relief and a burning desire to explore every inch of Adam’s body again, Jessica stood and said, “Buying you has nothing to do with wanting you. And, I want you now. Again. And, again. And, again. Let’s go inside the bedroom. It’s more comfortable there.”
“And I want you too. I apologize for being an idiot before, but not for wanting to make love with you over and over again.”
As they walked into her bedroom, Jessica asked, “What will we tell Angela tomorrow? Just the mundane stuff like packing boxes or going to a ballgame tomorrow?”
Adam began undressing. “We’re seeing the Royals? Great choice.”
“I’m a fanatic. I know you are, too.” She spoke as she shed her clothes.
“We’ll pose for a lovely photo for Angela and tell her about the boxes, game, dinners and dancing. And then we’ll tell her how I had a thorough tour of your bedroom.” He laughed.
“Adam. You wouldn’t do that, would you?” Jessica couldn’t help laughing, too.
“No. What happens in Jessica’s bedroom, stays in Jessica’s bedroom.”
They slid onto the bed. “I’d love to see your bedroom. But that’s gotta stay between us and no one else.”
As Adam drew her into his arms, he whispered, “Whatever, you say, honey. Whatever you say.”
About the Author
Marianne Stephens
Marianne Stephens writes mainstream romance and nonfiction books. Her other pen name, April Ash, writes erotic romance books. Publishers include: Ellora’s Cave, Secret Cravings Publishing, and self-published books are at Lulu.com and CreateSpace.com. All books available at Amazon, B&N, and many other book retailers.
Visit her websites at: http://www.mariannestephens.net and http://www.aprilash.net
Email Marianne: [email protected]
Email April: [email protected]
Marianne also runs a promotional website for authors and industry representatives at http://www.romancebooks4us.com. A blog, http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com and yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/romancebooks4us.com/info are related to the website.
My Kind of Lover
Nicole Austin
Chapter 1
The brilliant blue sky is clear as far as I can see with the exception of a few fluffy white clouds. It’s a beautiful day with birds happily chirping as they flit among vibrant spring blooms. Everything is peaceful and calm until a red and black streak roars down the street and into the parking lot. Wind buffets my lithe body as I lean into a controlled slide, stopping on a dime amid the sweet sound of squealing tires in a cloud of burned rubber. “Fuck yeah!”
There’s nothing in the world I find more exhilarating than pushing my custom Ducati to the limits, with the exception of great sex. Considering how long I’ve gone without a male between my legs the bike has become my endorphin high substitute. And bonus, my bike lacks the faults common in most males. No commitment issues, completely monogamous and never suffers from performance problems since I keep it in tip-top condition.
After pulling off my sunglasses and securing my helmet, I bend over at the waist, shaking out my long auburn waves to alleviate any sign of helmet hair. Several sets of eyes watch my every move from the open repair bay doors, but I ignore the unwanted attention and flip my hair back as I straighten. Popping the dark glasses back on, I head for the main entrance, catching sight of my rumpled, fresh-fucked appearance in the mirrored glass door.
Looking good, girl!
Strutting in as if I own the place, I move the glasses into my hair, pulling it back from my face. Giving a jaunty salute to the slack-jawed woman sitting behind the reception counter, I make a beeline for the open doorway under a neon sign announcing it to be the showroom.
A few steps inside the huge space, I let my gaze glide over an impressive array of chrome and shiny paint on wheels, giving a low whistle of appreciation. Beautifully restored cars and bikes spanning several decades gleam beneath precisely placed lights and have me popping girl wood. Sure, I’d seen pictures on the website but in person, damn. Just damn!
Spotting my sister staring through the lens of her ever-present Nikon, I head toward the 50’s drive-in set. “Whoo-damn, Lore. No wonder you never came back to San Antonio.”
She’d left three months ago with the owners of Davenport Restorations and didn’t look back. Not that I could blame her, mated to smokin’ hot twins with this place as her playground. Pretty sweet.
After carefully setting down her precious camera, she turns and races into my arms with a squeal of delight. “I’m so glad you’re here, Haidee.” Letting me go she spins around in a circle, arms extended, looking happier than I’ve ever seen her. “Isn’t this place incredible!”
Not a question but I respond anyway. “I could happily get lost in here and never surface.”
Lorelei gives me a thorough once over, taking in everything from my unzipped leather jacket to black riding pants tucked into high heel boots. On the way back up she stops at my grey V-neck and pulls my lapels farther apart to read the text.
“Accountant, because badass isn’t an official job title.” She arches her brow, laughs and pulls me into another full body hug. “So very you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the most stunning sight. Peeling her off me, I head toward a beautiful orange and black racing bike in the center of the showroom. “So who do I have to blow to get some quality time with this bad boy on the track out back?”
“Haidee!” Lorelei turns my name into a chastisement, a feat she’s mastered over the years as only a sibling can do.
“No, seriously. I’d give my left tit to wrap my legs around this sexy beast and take it for a long, hard ride.” Trailing my fingertips along defined lines from gas tank, across the seat and down the tail, I imagine flying over the asphalt with my body plastered to the sleek bike. I can almost feel the hum of the engine generating fierce vibrations that would blast through my pussy as machine and rider become one. I’m getting turned on just thinking about taking it on. My breasts grow heavy, aching for stimulation as my blood heats, elevating my temperature.
“That’s my girl. I’d be happy to take you for a spin on her.”
The masculine, whiskey-rough tone tugs on something deep in my core but I don’t turn around to look. No way can the man himself be half as hot as that made-for-dirty-talk voice.
“No thanks. I don’t ride bitch,” I growl. “Not for anyone.”
Lorelei mumbles a curse I don’t even try to catch. “Jase, this is my sister, Haidee Portman. Demon spawn—”
Whirling around to blast her with a snarky comeback, I freeze as my gaze catches on a vision pulled right out of my favorite wet dream. The world tilts, causing me to stumble and I choke. Did I just swallow my tongue? Sure feels like it.
“Meet Jase Wesgate,” my sister croons, “our head mechanic.”
So tall. He stands a full head over my six-foot frame, even with the height added by my spiked heels. Rakishly tousled glossy jet black hair falls into vibrant blue eyes. Sun-kissed skin stretches taut over the kind of muscles that come only from hard work, not pumping iron in a gym. A dark shirt with the shop logo clings lovingly to a broad chest and disappears into faded, ripped jeans. And good Lord, those huge work boots have to house at least size fourteens. I can’t help wondering if everything is…proportional. All told, he’s one hell of a male right out of my naughtiest fantasies.
Male not man?
He issues a possessive growl, “Mine!” Hunger heats his blue eyes as he devours me with his gaze.
My nostrils flare as I drink in his heady, musky scent and my core turns liquid, creaming my panties. This male is potent, and definitely a shifter. That knowledge defeats the paralysis holding me in place and I bolt for the exit, nearly mowing my sister down in my mad dash for freedom.
Get away. Run. Fast.
Grabbing my biceps, Lorelei gets between me and escape. “What the hell?”
“You didn’t tell me there were males other than C
am and Cars here,” I grumble. Lorelei’s twin mates I can handle. They are happily mated to my sister and have never given me a second glance. But the drop-dead gorgeous male acting as if he has a right to take what he wants brings up flashbacks I’m not prepared to face.
“I have to get out of here.” When she doesn’t let go, I warn, “Now!”
Speak of the devils, Camden and Carson appear in the exit as if summoned, puffed up and ready to defend their mate if necessary. They block the doorway, my way out.
Trapped! Cornered by males.
My lioness bristles beneath my skin, anxious to be released to handle the confrontation. Muscles stretch and my canine teeth extend. Closing my eyes and taking slow breaths, I fight to keep from shifting.
Lorelei squeezes my arm, making my hackles rise. I hiss at her, flashing fang.
“Easy,” she says softly, recognizing my panic and how close I am to the edge. “Slow and easy.” She guides me toward a staircase and continues speaking calm reassurances. “There’s no danger here. No challenge. Stay in control.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I can’t see the dangerous male past Carson, who is hot on our heels. I growl in warning.
“Hiss and growl all you want, I’m not backing off.”
“Come on, Haidee,” Lorelei says distracting my attention from her mate. “Up we go.”
The showroom blurs, combining with images from the past as my sister drags me up the stairs. I clearly see a distinguished older male, one of my college professors. Feel the brief stab of pain followed quickly by ecstasy as his barbed cock stimulates my sweet spot. Hear my husky voice begging for his bite as his mouth hovers over my bared neck.
“Mark me. Make me yours. Please.”
A loud bang rings out as the door slams into the wall and a pissed off female screeches at her mate.
Her mate? Oh God, please, no!
My heart races, thudding against my breastbone. My chest feels as if a steel band tightens around it, making it impossible to draw more than shallow, panted breaths. Cold sweat breaks out over my upper body and my eyesight darkens, narrowing to a pinpoint of tunnel vision.
