Wasted Love Boxed Set: Second Chance Romance Parts 1-3

by Charles, Colleen

  “Why not?” he asked, softly. Prodding me in a sore spot that still ached with regret. “It might change things between you.”

  I had to think about that for a moment. Griffin had betrayed me. Ashton’s heart was already shattered by my leaving her. What good would have come from her knowing the truth about her brother whom she idolized? Pitting him against me?

  I gave my head a violent shake. I didn’t want to add fuel to the already raging fire by leveling accusations at Griffin. No matter how well deserved. It would’ve torn our families apart. As much as I hated Griffin for doing what he did, I understood the reasoning behind it. But, I didn’t exactly agree with that logic and reasoning now.

  “I realize now that I should’ve told her what happened. But I didn’t want to start off our relationship by wrecking our families’ relationship. I thought it was easier to just let it all go – Ashton, her brother, everything.”

  And now, I wanted it all back. Because I realized that only she could fill the aching fissure in my soul.

  “In order to mend fences with her, she needs to know the truth about what happened that night. No matter the consequences, you owe her that.”

  I nodded. It was true. Ashton needed to hear the whole story. But how was I going to get her to listen? To hear me?

  “The land exchange?” Albertson asked, switching gears on me. “You think it’s a fair compromise?”

  I was glad to get off the volatile subject of Ashton before I threw up in my mouth. Back to business. “Yes, it’s a good deal. I know you wanted to keep the lot next door but with the gulf-front lot that they are willing to trade, and the extra cash they are giving you, you can build the home you’ve always wanted and then leave it to your grandkids later in trust.”

  Albertson threaded his fingers together and seemed to contemplate the offering. “It is more money than we originally asked, but you understand that I’m not worried about the cash, right? I’ve always made my business integrity my number one priority. Anything less in a small tight-knit community such as this one is career suicide.”

  I understood. Albertson had made millions of dollars playing the real estate market for over thirty years. No one could say he hadn’t done it fairly.

  He leaned back in his leather office chair and continued. “I want you to make sure that Henri doesn’t build a monstrosity with his shopping center. Some eyesore that will upset the locals. I don’t want to be responsible for selling this land to a developer who plans to throw up another strip mall with tacky souvenir shops and tattoo parlors. It has to be classy. To bring something of value to our town.”

  “You’ve seen the kind of work Henri has done in Atlanta, Mr. Albertson. It’s all very upscale and sophisticated. I couldn’t imagine him spinning a 360 and throwing something tacky up here.”

  “I agree,” he nodded. “But in thirty years of business, one thing I’ve learned is not to blindly trust, but verify. I need to see those plans.”

  Albertson was a smart man. He hadn’t risen to the top of the real estate game without hard work and dedication to the job. His intelligence transcended the boardroom, too. He was just as intuitive in life as he was in business. At nearly seventy years old, Albertson kept in shape by running five miles a day on the beach. He lifted weights. He had the body of a forty year old. His skin was a rich bronze and his eyes were still sharp as a tack. Only his thinning grey hair gave his age away.

  I was fortunate as hell to mentor with him right after law school. Then, he’d hired me as his in-house attorney to work exclusively on his real estate developments and property management business deals and contracts. Not one legal document went through this firm without my stamp of approval. It felt good to know that Albertson trusted me. I wasn’t about to let him down now. He was the one person I’d yet to disappoint. Unlike my parents. Griffin.

  Ashton.

  “This deal is very important to me,” I said. “I will make sure you see those plans.”

  “Give Miss Jansen another invite to dinner tonight, this time from me,” he suggested. “We’ll dine at the Seven Palms, my treat. Seven sharp. If she’s the kind of businesswoman I think she is, she’ll agree.”

  “I’ll pass that along to her.”

  “Tell her to bring the plans with her. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll sign on the deal tomorrow.” Albertson pushed back from his desk before standing up. “And one more thing, Quinn.”

  I waited by the door for him to continue, holding my breath. Sage advice was coming, but probably not what I wanted to hear.

  “I think it should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway,” he warned. “Don’t let any unfinished business with Miss Jansen spoil this deal. Your future’s on the line.”

  “I think you know that I would never let a personal matter interfere with business,” I assured. “My level of professionalism is always top of mind.”

  Albertson speared me with a knowing look and then went back to reviewing a stack of papers. I’d been momentarily dismissed. “I know, Quinn. See you at dinner tonight.”

  I hurried down the corridor toward my office, pulling out my iPhone along the way. I shot off a text to Ashton.

  Quinn: Albertson has insisted you have dinner with him tonight to review the plans. This is important and he’s not going to take no for an answer. Seven sharp at Seven Palms. See you there.

  If the invite came from the most respected businessman in the area, she couldn’t say no. My gut tightened as I awaited her reply.

  Chapter 5

  Ashton

  Massive pink bubbles floated up from the steam to tickle my cheeks as I slipped underneath the hot, soothing water. A random text had come in from Quinn within minutes of getting settled in the hotel room. One that made my blood boil. How dare he not leave me alone after the way I’d just left things?

  Even though the invite was from Mr. Albertson, I knew that Quinn had something to do with it. Something nefarious. He wanted to see me tonight and was not going to take his obnoxious foot off the gas until he reached his destination. He could wait until hell froze over. Or at least until I’d soaked some of the tension from my neck and back. The stress that he’d caused with his lips and tongue.

  Damn Quinn Andrews.

  Even more, damn my body and its natural reaction to him. This bath was a way to relax and clear my mind. After everything that I had been through today, I desperately needed a time out. A moment to myself to reflect over what had already happened and what I was not going to allow to happen again.

  My suite at the Albertson’s hotel was top notch, despite the tackiness of the trademark exterior pink color. The honeymoon suite had been miraculously vacant for the duration of my stay. When I’d arrived to the hotel, a gift basket waited for me. Stuffed with luxury bath products, I’d selected a strawberry scented bath bomb that fizzed and bubbled when I’d tossed it in the tub. It smelled amazing.

  Inhaling the fruity concoction, I couldn’t stop thinking about Quinn. He cleaned up nice. No. He’d looked like some irresistible, hot as hell corporate raider. I had never seen him in a suit before and it showed off his broad shoulders and tapered waist to perfection. Add some long legs and you had the perfect recipe for panty dropping. Then there was the smell. Divine. A combination of citrus, musk and feral man. What in the world was wrong with me?

  My head rested on a rolled-towel behind me, and I squeezed my eyes shut in a futile attempt to block out the disturbing images. Of ripping his belt out of the loops so I could pull his pants down. In my fantasy, Quinn’s mouth moved in another apology. Did he deserve the second chance he’d demanded?

  Several candles that I had plundered from the gift basket were now slowly melting down to pools of wax inside the massive bathroom, the dancing flames casting a warm glow around me. The scent of the fresh beach air combined with the intoxicating smells of vanilla and strawberries had lulled my mind into a mellow haze of relaxation.

  I let my hand drift down my slick body as I thought abo
ut that kiss. If I went to dinner with him tonight, would he try it again? Would Quinn run his hands through my hair, tugging it as he plunged his tongue into my mouth? Walking a fine line between pleasure and pain?

  I slid my middle and index finger into my swollen folds, letting out a moan as I brushed my clit. Just the way I liked it. After he’d left me, my only intimate partners had been my stash of vibrators and my fingers, so I’d become an expert in self-pleasuring.

  The tight muscles in my thighs trembled at the raw contact. I settled into a slow rhythm and continued to stroke my most sensitive parts, thinking about Quinn and what I’d like him to do to me. I imagined him nibbling my neck and leaving a cool trail with his tongue all the way down to my collarbone. I felt Quinn taking my pink nipple in his mouth, gently suckling at first, then biting and soothing the onslaught with his talented tongue.

  The strokes against my clit quickened and I held a thought of Quinn slowly making his way down my body – licking, sucking, kissing – until he reached that most coveted point between my legs. He’d never put his mouth there, but God, how I’d wanted him to. I’d never felt it before and I wanted to feel it now. But only with him. In my mind, his tongue plunged inside of me while his fingers explored my sensitive folds.

  His impressive member teased my opening before he slid the length inside of me. I wondered if he still looked the same without his clothes. He’d be more solid now. More filled out with muscle and sinew. I thought back to our first time when Quinn pumped into me, my hips matching his every thrust. How I felt when his cock slipped in and out of me, sending vibrations throughout my body. I’d been reaching. Searching.

  But I hadn’t met my destination.

  Somehow, I knew that wouldn’t be the case today. We were both older, wiser. My clit swelled and strained between my rapidly stroking fingers. I called out Quinn’s name as waves of pleasure overcame me, the orgasm shattering every thought in my mind. Except him.

  A buzzing in my ears brought me back to reality. I launched myself out of the tub, suds and water dripping from every curve, when I realized it was my cell phone letting me know I’d missed a call or text. I quickly dried off my hands on the fluffy hotel towel, picked up my phone, and scrolled to the most recent notification.

  Quinn: I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. We’ll have a drink before dinner.

  I figured he had waited long enough for my response

  Ashton: See you then.

  It only took a few seconds for his reply.

  I wasn’t sure what Henri would think about me having dinner with the seller and seller’s attorney so I didn’t tell him. As long as Albertson agreed to the terms and signed all the legal documents, I didn’t think it would matter. He would want me to do whatever it took to seal the deal, within ethical bounds of course.

  Henri desperately wanted to add Destin, Florida, to his impressive list of real estate investments. I didn’t want to be the one to let him down. I would call him as soon as I was dressed and give him an update.

  The clock on my phone read five-thirty, which didn’t leave me a lot of time to get ready. I pulled out my suitcase to see which outfits I’d packed for the trip. Tonight I wanted to look so hot that Quinn would regret ever leaving me. Of course, when I’d thrown things in my suitcase, running into Quinn Andrews hadn’t even been a blip on my radar.

  Luckily I always packed a little black dress. Since I traveled so much for business, dinners and drinks such as this evening’s popped up often I had to be prepared to look feminine and still remain in control. One or two dresses and matching stilettos always made it into my suitcase for casual or business dinners. This particular dress was a favorite of mine and could be dressed up with accessories.

  It was a black lace sheath with a cutout in the back. I could wear it with a tailored jacket to hide the sexy back or wear it with just a pretty rhinestone necklace for a sexier look.

  First, I slid on a silky black slip and a matching thong. I was pressed for time, but I made sure to be careful and deliberate with my hair and makeup – I wanted to look my best. I didn’t have time to straighten my curly blonde hair, so instead I let it dry naturally into ringlets. I used a rhinestone clip to pull back the front section and let the rest fall naturally. Since it was a beach town, and casual seemed to be the dress code in Florida, I went with minimal makeup. A swipe of mascara, a touch of blush, and my favorite mango-scented lip gloss finished the look.

  The black dress clung to my curves like a second skin. I blamed the post-holiday madness at work, when I should’ve been going back to the gym and working off the extra pounds caused by my mom’s Christmas cookies. My boobs overflowed the low-cut neckline. I tugged the dress down but it didn’t help. Quinn was going to get an eye full.

  When Quinn Andrews saw me tonight, he was going to wish he hadn’t waited ten years for the pleasure. And I knew just how to tempt him into desiring me so I could lay the hammer down on him. I knew that thought was kind of petty of me, but he had hurt me so deeply, it was justified in my opinion.

  I had just slid on my heels when I heard a knock on the door. Quinn was a few minutes early. I took one final look in the mirror and held my breath as I swung it open, preparing myself for the look on his face when he saw me.

  Chapter 6

  Quinn

  I held my breath as Ashton opened the door to her hotel room. The oxygen tore from my lungs and I struggled to continue with basic bodily functions. It felt like all available air had been sucked from the room. She looked so fucking amazing in that little dress, it made me want to throw her on the bed and tear it off.

  Self-control, Quinn. We’ve already seen what happened when you lost it earlier today.

  I’d already resolved to be the perfect gentleman tonight and treat Ashton like a princess. Like she deserved. I wanted to make up for what happened to us ten years ago, but right now, all I could think about was holding her in my arms again.

  Ashton was just plain fucking incredible. Her curvy body, that long, blonde hair, and intelligent, gold eyes made her irresistible. She was also smart as a whip. The way she’d strutted into the conference room earlier today, exuding confidence like I had never seen in a female exec before.

  But what I found most appealing was that she still possessed the same glimmer of sweetness in her eyes that she’d had when we were growing up. That vulnerable side that made her feel real and me go crazy. With an overwhelming desire to protect her. Keep her safe. There were too many girls these days that walked around with a superficial air about them, that no matter what they did or said, you couldn’t tell if they truly cared about anything or anyone at all. I’d seen more fake tans and tits here in Florida to last me a lifetime. But Ashton Jansen, she was real.

  I greeted her with a peck on the cheek, a pathetic excuse to inhale her signature scent and handed her a dozen spring flowers that I picked up at the florist on the way to the hotel. I hoped we could get some alone time tonight after our dinner with Albertson. More blasts to her brick defenses. But non-physical this time.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the flowers and laying them down on the hall table. “I’m almost ready. Come in and have a seat.”

  I was glad to see that our company had splurged on this nice suite at the hotel. The Flamingo was dressed to impress and I imagined it was all part of Albertson’s grand scheme to make her comfortable so he could better slide in for the kill. Complacency bred mistakes and this suite screamed relaxation. I wasn’t quite expecting to see her in the honeymoon suite, but it must have been the only upscale room available.

  The suite boasted an opulent living room bathed in hues of gold much like her unique eyes, a separate kitchen area, and a luxurious bedroom with a massive bathroom attached, complete with Jacuzzi tub. I’d been in the suite previously when Albertson’s daughter had been married in the lush gardens. There’d been a little pre-reception party held here for the bridal party. Albertson’s son-in-law had become a good friend over the years.

 
Ashton made an impromptu vase from the coffee pot and arranged the flowers inside. Crap, I didn’t think she wouldn’t have a place to put them. Maybe chocolates would’ve been a better idea. I’d just felt the need to offer something. A gift.

  “So what’s this dinner really about?” Ashton asked as she stuffed some small items in a black handbag.

  I raised an eyebrow and answered carefully. Ashton was on a fishing expedition just like I’d be if the roles were reversed. “Albertson just wants to see the plans. I think it will put his mind at ease once he knows for certain that Henri’s going to put that land to good use.”

  Ashton laughed. It was nice to see her in a happy, playful mood. “Are you sure that’s all?”

  “Well, no.” Why lie about his intentions now?

  She raised one eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

  I tried honesty to see how far the new tactic would bring me. “Albertson isn’t stupid. He wants to see us mend fences.”

  Ashton froze. “He knows about us?”

  “He knows that we grew up together,” I admitted. “He knows that I had a massive crush on you growing up. The tension between us this morning was so thick, he called it out. I can’t lie to a man I respect that much. So, I withheld in order to protect you.”

  “Wait a minute,” she’d stopped listening after his second admission. “You had a crush on me?”

  “Wasn’t it obvious?”

  “Not really,” she sighed and spun away to futz with the flowers again. I could relate, I had to fist my hands to keep from taking her in my arms. “I had a crush on you.”

  “Well, I guess it went both ways,” I admitted softly.

  “But I was the annoying little sister who followed you and Griffin around,” she argued, like doing so would take away the words that had just revealed my true feelings. Then, she could continue to ignore them. Ignore me. “I was the one who drew hearts on my notebook and wrote our initials inside them. I was the one who made the move on you the night we finally hooked up.” Ashton slipped on a black jacket and sat down on the couch beside me.