Felony Romance Series: Complete Box Set (Books 1-5)

by Jeana E. Mann

  “They mean nothing to me, too.” One of his arms snaked around her waist and tried to pull her into the bed. “What’s the worst that will happen if you don’t go? They’ll call in somebody to cover for you.” She batted his hand away, one eyebrow lifting in warning. He laughed, but his smile slipped when she frowned back at him. “Seriously? It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “It’s a big deal to me.” What the heck was wrong with this guy? Anger and irritation raced through her. “I have people who depend on me. Unlike you, I can’t just walk out on them.” Color climbed into his face. The volume of her voice continued to grow. “You walk out on your life, and what’s the worst that happens? Someone doesn’t get to listen to your songs. If I miss work, they’ll be shorthanded. Meds won’t get passed out on time. Someone in pain might suffer. The patients who need individual attention won’t get it. All because I decided to go sit on the beach somewhere and drink margaritas.” A lump formed in her throat at the thought of the young couple mourning the loss of their baby. She turned away and rested her hands on the dresser to regain her composure. “It might not matter to you, but it matters to them.”

  Silence stretched between them. She ran a hairbrush over her hair, working through the snags and snarls with her fingers. She glanced into the dresser mirror and became aware that Elijah was stretched out, fully naked on her bed in all of his tanned and taut glory, arms behind his head, glowering at the ceiling. The afternoon light shafted through the blinds, illuminating a smattering of dark gold hair on his chest. A muscle ticked in his jaw.

  “Anything else you need to add?” he asked.

  “Well, yes.” She’d thought she was done, but they might as well air it all out while they were at it. In the bright light of day, reality weighed her down. “I liked being with you last night. You were very understanding, and I appreciate it.” She waved the hairbrush through the space between them. “But you and I? It’s better if we end it now before one of us gets hurt. This isn’t going to go anywhere.” Especially not to the Bahamas. Even though she was drawn to him, she didn’t want any part of his celebrity life or the skewed set of values that came with it.

  He cocked his head as her words took root. “So, you’re basically telling me to get the fuck out.” Graceful fingers scratched the stubble on his jaw. “Huh. No one’s ever kicked me out before.”

  “I’m just being realistic.” Speaking the truth hurt more than she’d expected. A part of her had connected to him in a way she hadn’t known possible. She’d never experienced that kind of emotional vulnerability with anyone, not even Trent. “Besides, it’s what we wanted. Right? A hookup? No strings?”

  The words had barely left her mouth when he launched himself from the bed and began pulling on his pants with short, angry jerks. The zipper growled as he yanked it up. He stopped and drew in a deep breath, his broad chest lifting and falling with the effort, before pointing a finger at her.

  “You have no idea what I want,” he said. “I want so much more.” Their gazes connected. What she saw in his eyes caused her lungs to deflate. Layers of anger and hurt glared at her. With one step, he crossed the room, tangled his fingers in the hair at her nape, and slammed his mouth onto hers just as the bedroom door banged open.

  CHAPTER 16

  LAUREN AND Elijah sprang apart. Lauren wiped a hand across her mouth, lips tingling. Elijah’s gaze drilled into her, nostrils flared and forehead furrowed. A heated conversation simmered in the current between them.

  “What the hell is going on in here? Who are you yelling at? Oh.” Cadence stood in the door to the bedroom, a look of embarrassed shock on her face. Her focus swung from Elijah’s bare chest to Lauren’s hair in chaotic disarray from his fist.

  “We were having a discussion,” Lauren said, unable to tear her gaze from Elijah’s face. There was something beautiful and terrible in his eyes, a combination of emotions she didn’t understand.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a guest.” Cadence raised her eyebrows, a smile of shocked delight on her lips, and backed out of the room. “Okay. I’ll be in the kitchen. Knitting or cooking or something. Sorry for barging in.”

  “I think we’re in trouble,” Elijah said, eyes still tumultuous. “Who is that, anyway? The prison warden? Miss Ballbricker?”

  “That’s my roommate, Cadence,” Lauren said. “I didn’t expect her until tomorrow. She must have come home early.”

  “Right. Well, I’ll be out of here in a minute.” Elijah turned to stare out the window, his broad shoulders and back to her. She swallowed feelings of confusion and steeled herself for the impending inquisition. Cadence was overprotective to a fault and could be downright intimidating when she wanted, but Lauren had known her long enough to realize it was mostly for show. The girl was a cream puff inside.

  Cadence sat at the breakfast bar, a shell-shocked expression on her face. With her blond hair pulled into a low chignon, the curves of her classic features were shown to advantage. She’d unbuttoned the waist of her suit to reveal a silk shell and a double strand of pearls. Always classy and always in control.

  “Okay.” Cadence placed her hands on her knees and blew out a breath. “Am I crazy, or did I just see you kissing Elijah Crowe in your bedroom?”

  Lauren bit back a smile over Cadence’s confusion. “Yes, and yes.”

  “Jesus. I leave town for two weeks and you go all rogue on me,” Cadence said. “Not that I’m against it. It’s about freaking time.” She lifted her perfectly arched eyebrows. “But I’m a little surprised by your choice. You know he’s famous, right? I mean, the man was married to a porn star. Have you thought this through at all?”

  Lauren bit her lower lip. Cadence had her best interests at heart. She’d stood by her when the media frenzy over her parents had broken loose and knew the heartache it had brought her. When Lauren had changed her name and moved away, Cadence had gone with her. She trusted her and loved her like a sister.

  “Tasha set us up on a blind date, and things kind of went haywire from there.” At Cadence’s judgmental frown, Lauren waved a hand. “It’s a long story.” She cast a nervous glance in the direction of the bedroom. “I promise to fill you in later.”

  Cadence studied her with serious eyes. “Okay, well, I’m not one to judge. If it were me, I wouldn’t let that guy out of the bedroom for a week.”

  “Don’t worry. There’s nothing to think through. It’s just a hookup. He’s going to leave and forget all about me in about an hour.” But would she forget about him? She was trying to be an adult and do the right thing by sending him on his way, but was it really what she wanted?

  She’d worked hard to build a normal life for herself, and it didn’t include Elijah Crowe. He might be living below the radar right now, but eventually, the tabloids would catch up to him. The incident at the restaurant had been a close call. She didn’t need to take any more unnecessary chances.

  Cadence opened her mouth to speak but snapped it shut when Elijah strode into the kitchen wearing only his jeans, bare feet silent on the tile floor.

  “Is it safe to come out?” he asked. He rubbed a hand across his rippled abdomen, eyeing Cadence with cautious curiosity.

  “It’s fine,” Lauren said. “I think she’s just in shock.”

  “Elijah Crowe,” he said and extended a hand to Cadence.

  “Nice to meet you, Elijah,” she said. “I’m Cadence Reynard. I’m a big fan of your music.” She shook his hand, poised and business-like. She handled celebrity clients on a daily basis, but no one on a par with Elijah.

  “Always great to meet a fan,” he said. He jerked a thumb at Lauren and flashed his dimples at Cadence, melting her into her chair. “This one had no idea who I was.”

  “I did so,” Lauren interjected. “It just took me a minute.”

  “Yeah, she’s pretty much oblivious.” In a flash, Cadence returned to her wise-ass self. “But I love her anyway.”

  “I can understand why,” Elijah said.

  Mo
st men fell headlong under Cadence’s spell. She was tall and leggy with a tiny waist and breasts the size of melons. That body, combined with a head full of thick blond hair, baby-blue eyes, and a razor-sharp intelligence, made for a lethal combination. If Elijah noticed her feminine attributes, he paid no attention. His gaze left Cadence for Lauren and never turned back.

  Lauren put a hand on her stomach to calm the butterflies flitting inside it. Elijah had been linked to some of the most beautiful women in the world, yet he was standing in her kitchen, focused on her like no one else existed.

  “Aren’t you going to be late for work?” Cadence asked suddenly.

  “Crap. Yes.” Lauren glared at Elijah, her irritation returning. “I’ll call Pilar on the way.” A hasty glance at the clock spurred her to action. “If I hurry, I’ll only be about ten minutes late.”

  “I tried to take her away for a few days, but she turned me down flat,” Elijah said, an edge to his voice.

  “I’ve got things to do, Elijah,” Lauren said. She grabbed her keys and purse, one hand on the doorknob. “We’ve already been over this.”

  “Like what?” Cadence asked. She gave Elijah an exasperated shrug. “She’s very Type A.”

  “You know, things, stuff.” Lauren waved her hands in the air. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Excuse us for a sec. I need to have a conference with my girl,” Cadence grabbed Lauren’s arm and tugged her into the garage.

  “Excuse me? Late, remember?” Lauren groaned and tapped her toe on the cement floor.

  “She really hates tardiness,” Elijah added from the kitchen.

  “Girl, what are you doing?” Cadence spoke in a stage whisper, rolling her eyes in Elijah’s direction. “This puts a whole new spin on things. Elijah Crowe just asked you to go away with him to the beach. He must like you or he wouldn’t ask. Now, you’ve been stocking up all that vacation time. Offers like this only come around once in a lifetime. Pack your damn suitcase. Now.”

  “He didn’t ask, really,” Lauren replied. “It was more like a command. It kind of pissed me off.”

  “Who cares? The point is he asked.” Cadence put her hands on Lauren’s shoulders and spun her around to face the kitchen where Elijah stood. “You’ll get over it.”

  He stretched a hand over his head, touching the ceiling beam, exposing the Chinese symbols inked on his ribcage and the perfect stretch of muscle and sinew in his torso. Lauren felt a thrill of excitement, remembering the weight of him between her legs, the whisper of his lips over her belly, and the heat of his breath on her skin.

  “Look at that. If you don’t go, I’m going to have you committed for insanity.”

  CHAPTER 17

  AFTER A hot shower at his hotel, Elijah sat on the sofa and contemplated his next move. Lauren’s rejection stung his ego like an angry hornet. He didn’t get her at all. His fame didn’t interest her. By the edge in her voice, his fat stacks of cash were more of a disadvantage than an asset. He had no idea how to impress a girl without those things. Actually, he’d never had to impress a girl since Seven Drift came along. Women naturally drifted to him—or toward his money and fame. His two ex-wives were perfect examples. They’d never loved him, but they’d sure loved what he’d done for their careers and bank accounts.

  This isn’t going to go anywhere. The blunt declaration returned to his thoughts over and over again. How many times had he said that to a girl? More than he could count. Never once had he considered the way it felt to be on the receiving end of such a statement. Aside from Tasha, Lauren was the only woman to turn him away, and he had no idea how to get back into her good graces. Women around the world threw themselves at his feet, but the one he wanted had thrown him out the door.

  With a curious sense of disappointment, he forced Lauren from his mind, caught a cab, and headed to the east side. His first priority was Chelsea’s daughter. If the kid was his, he wanted to do right by her. She needed to know he cared, a courtesy his parents had never given him. As a child, they’d left him alone for weeks without food or money. If not for the kindness of Luke and Jack Jameson’s mother, he might have died of starvation during those days. His kid would never know how that felt. He’d make sure she had everything money could buy.

  Chelsea greeted him with an exasperated sigh. Shadows of fatigue smudged her eyes. With her hair in a ponytail and no makeup, she looked older and more tired than he’d ever seen her. He cleared his throat and tried to smooth away his shock at seeing her so disheveled.

  “What now?” She blocked the door with her slender frame, arms crossed over her chest. “I can’t deal with you today.”

  “We need to talk.” When they were on the road, communication between them had revolved around money and parties. He couldn’t recall a single conversation about anything else. Speaking to her now was like talking to a stranger.

  “Can we do this another time?” Her voice shook. She dragged a trembling hand over her forehead. “My head is pounding, and I’ve been throwing up all day.”

  A bloodcurdling scream split the air from the back of the apartment. The color drained from Chelsea’s face. She clapped a hand over her mouth and sprinted toward the bathroom. He followed her, but she shut the door in his face.

  “Are you okay?” he asked after a few seconds. The sound of wretching greeted him.

  “Do I sound okay?” More wretching. “Go away.”

  The baby continued to cry. When Chelsea didn’t emerge, he followed the plaintive sound down the hallway to the bedroom. The wailing ceased the moment he entered the room. A diminutive, tear-stained face peered at him over the rails of a playpen. His stomach took a nervous dip. The whole of his knowledge about kids could fit inside a thimble. This one looked pissed.

  “Hey, tiny girl,” he said, realizing he didn’t know her name. “How’s it hanging?” She blinked large, sad eyes at him. One fat tear clung to the tip of her upturned nose. “Do you need something?”

  The tot took one look at him, considering the answer, then wailed. The sound sent him back two paces. He shoved a hand through his hair in panic.

  “Are you hurt? Is something wrong?” He stepped next to the playpen and frowned down at her. Two chubby arms lifted into the air in a plea.

  “Up,” she said. “Up. Up.”

  After a quick glance around the room to confirm he was truly alone and no one was coming to the rescue, he sucked in a fortifying breath and lifted her into his arms. The little body felt warm and sturdy, and she smelled delicious, like baby powder and shampoo. Not dangerous at all. She sniffled but stopped crying. A few lingering hiccups shook her. He brushed the tears from her cheeks with a clumsy hand. Blond ringlets surrounded her head like a halo. Their eyes met. A jolt of recognition zinged through him. They were blue like the summer sky. Like his.

  Fuck.

  One tiny second had changed everything. All the other moments in his life whirled around him like a hurricane then evaporated in the monumental importance of the present. This mattered. She mattered. And nothing else did.

  She smacked pink lips, and when she smiled, a surge of warmth and protectiveness expanded inside him. He returned her grin. They stared at each other in fascination. She tugged on his nose while he studied every inch of her angelic face, mesmerized by its novel familiarity.

  “Here. I’ll take her.”

  Before he could recover from the shock of his emotions, Chelsea trudged into the room and swept the child from his arms. She balanced the baby on her hip and frowned at him. A faint glimmer of perspiration dotted her forehead, her complexion wan.

  “She’s mine,” he said. “Isn’t she?”

  “No,” Chelsea said, lifting her chin. “She’s mine.”

  He rubbed a hand across his belly and counted to ten before he spoke. These next few minutes would set the tone of the situation, and he didn’t want to make any mistakes. “I want a paternity test.”

  “Why?” Chelsea spun around and stalked out of the room. The baby began to sniffle, her l
ower lip quivering, round eyes watching him over Chelsea’s shoulder. “What’s the point? You don’t want her.” He followed her into the kitchen, determined to have his say. “This isn’t one of your games. You can’t leave her at a rest park when you get tired of her.” The little girl kicked and squirmed while Chelsea tried to slide her into a highchair. “Go back to wherever it is you came from and live your stupid rock-star life.”

  “I’m not letting this go, Chels. I won’t abandon my kid.”

  Their eyes locked in a battle of wills.

  After a beat, she put a handful of cereal on the tray in front of the baby and turned to face him. “Let me make this perfectly clear. I don’t want you around my kid. I’ve finally got my life straight, and you show up here to fuck everything up. Just like you always do.” She inhaled a shaky breath and sank into a nearby chair.

  His ego was still raw from Lauren’s rejection. Chelsea had scraped away the remaining flesh and left him bare. He lived the life other people dreamed of having. None of it mattered. Not the cars nor the money nor the fame. The little girl in front of him meant more than any of it, and he’d give it all up to prove it.

  “I don’t want to take her away from you,” Elijah said. “I just want to take care of her. Both of you.” He put a hand on Chelsea’s arm. She flinched but didn’t pull away. And then he did something he’d never done before. He gave her his word and meant it. “Let me do this. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  After a long perusal of his face, Chelsea didn’t accept his vow, but she didn’t throw him out, either. He convinced her to let him watch the kid while she took a nap and a shower. Perhaps fatigue or illness swayed her, but it didn’t matter why she’d conceded. It only mattered that she did.

  The next hour filled him with unexpected light in a lifetime of darkness. After a few seconds of cautious scrutiny, the little girl proceeded to show him each one of her toys, giggling with delight over his expressions of surprise, laughing at his silly faces, and making every minute of his pain worth the indescribable joy.