Love At Last

by Cooper, Sharon C.

  “Then you shouldn’t have insisted that I come!” Martina pointed toward the room. “You had to know that I would tell him what I think about his policies.”

  “You didn’t just tell him what you thought, MJ. You called the poor guy every frickin’ name except his own. That man is a U.S. Senator. You didn’t have to embarrass me and disrespect him in front of all of those people.”

  Martina said nothing. Maybe she had overreacted. She couldn’t help herself. Not only had she been shocked to see him, but the fact that he was still talking crazy bugged the heck out of her. An advocate for trade unions, she hated that the governor and his minions were working overtime to weaken labor organizations. In some cases, it was with the help of unions that people who looked like her, black and a woman, even had a chance to get into the construction trades.

  “I am so tired of him and his cohorts. He has to know how much the changes he’s promoting will hurt the working class. Actually, he probably knows. He just doesn’t care!”

  “Stop it!” After glancing around to see if anyone could hear them Peyton stood in front of Martina. “You know what, MJ? I get that you’re mad about what the governor is trying to do and in some aspects, I agree with you. What I don’t agree with is how you made a complete fool of yourself in there and showed your tail. Something else I don’t understand. There are plenty of politicians pushing for the same changes that Senator Kendricks is promoting. Yet, your anger is directed at him and not the others. Why is that?”

  “I’ve had enough. I’m out of here.” Martina marched down the multi-color carpeted hallway in search of the nearest exit.

  She took about ten steps before Peyton called out.

  “The breakfast is not over. Besides, how are you planning to get home? Did you forget that I drove?”

  Oh, crap. Martina stopped and huffed. With her hands on her hips, she gave a cursory glance around willing herself to calm down. A sitting area with a sofa and two leather chairs looked inviting, but she wouldn’t be able to sit still. What she needed was some fresh air.

  She finally turned. Peyton stood in the middle of the hallway, arms folded across her chest and foot tapping like some warden, impatiently waiting.

  Martina wasn’t going back into that room. She meant everything she said and going back in wouldn’t be a good idea. There was no telling what else would fly out of her mouth. She wasn’t known for having tact. According to her cousins and everyone else who knew her, she didn’t have a filter and was quick to say whatever popped into her mind.

  “I’ll wait out here if you’re planning to stay until the end.”

  “Fine.”

  Martina moved toward a pair of chairs and a small round table less than five feet away. She hated attending events where she had to get dressed up and sit quietly through a program. And when one of the speakers happened to be an enemy, it was like having to endure a root canal.

  “Martina!”

  She froze. Her breath lodged in her throat and hands fisted at her sides. That deep, baritone voice had always had an effect on her, even when she didn’t want it to and today was no different. Her pulse pounded an erratic cadence in her ears as a war raged within her on whether or not to turn around.

  “You were brazen enough to spout out that nonsense in there, yet you’re not brave enough to look at me.”

  The annoyance that consumed her only moments ago returned and she spun in the direction of the voice. But the smart retort dangling on the end of her tongue, dropped off. Instead, all she could do was stand cemented in place and stare at the man who stirred so many emotions within her.

  Senator Paul Kendricks. Part of her wanted to pick up the small table near her leg and fling it at him. Whereas the other part of her was taken back to every one of her erotic dreams he had starred in.

  She wanted to hate him. God, she wanted to hate him. She couldn’t. For reasons she didn’t want to revisit at the moment, she knew she would never hate him.

  Martina took in his appearance, assessing his smooth dark skin, intense brown eyes, and those luscious lips that were tempting whether smiling or tilted down in a frown the way they were now.

  Fury and sexual tension battled within her. On one hand, she wanted to wrap her hands around his thick neck and shake him. But on the other hand, she wanted to fall into him, feel his powerful arms wrapped around her while she tasted his sweet lips. She knew they were delicious because she’d tasted them before, on more than one occasion in fact.

  Her gaze took in his perfectly groomed mustache. Normally he was clean-shaven, a preference for those in the Senate, but not a requirement. Though not today. Today the light sprinkle of scruff shadowing his cheek and chin, made him look even sexier than usual.

  His broad shoulders and fit body were sheathed in a tailored suit that she knew cost more than she made in a week, made her remember. Made her remember how good-looking he was. Made her remember how being anywhere near him sent tingles through her body. And made her remember why seeing Paul up close and personal again wasn’t a good idea.

  “Hi Senator Kendricks, I’m Peyton Jenkins. I’m so sorry for my cousin’s behavior. I assure you, she will not be returning to the event. She tends to speak before thinking sometimes and—”

  “I’m well aware of Martina’s penchant for speaking her mind, even at the most inopportune times,” Paul said, his gaze never leaving Martina. “It’s good to see you again, Martina.”

  The way her name slid out of his mouth sent a sweet thrill up her spine, licking her skin like a gentle breeze. She loathed that his voice still had the power to stop her in her tracks. What she hated, even more, was the desire radiating in his eyes. The same desire was coursing through her veins.

  Ughhh, she growled silently, pissed that she was still attracted to the man.

  “Too bad I can’t say the same about you.” Her throat tightened at the words that opposed what she truly felt inside. Her voice no longer carried the same annoyance from earlier. Instead, she sounded more breathy than she intended.

  Damn him for looking so good.

  “Hold up. Wait.” Peyton stood with her mouth hanging open, her gaze bouncing between them. “You two know each other?”

  “As a matter of fact we do,” Paul volunteered. “Your cousin and I know each other very well.”

  “Really, MJ?”

  Martina’s shoulders slumped and she groaned, knowing she was going to get an ear full on the way home. How many times had she talked nonsense to Peyton about hating this man?

  “Tell her, Martina.”

  “Stop calling me that!” she fumed.

  “That’s your name. What else would you have me call you?” Paul folded his thick arms across his chest making his six foot, two-hundred-pound stature appear even more imposing.

  Martina risked moving closer with every intention of telling him off but pulled up short. His intoxicating scent wrapped around her, weakening her resolve. An invisible force pushed her to step forward, but she fought to maintain control. If she were any closer to him, she might do something stupid like leap into his arms and devour his mouth.

  She sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly while straightening her shoulders.

  “I would prefer you not call me anything. As far as I’m concerned, you can forget my name and everything about me.”

  Silence. Instead of responding, his gaze traveled slowly down her body from the top of her curly hair and didn’t stop until he reached her black pumps. He repeated the gesture in reverse, but this time his gaze lingered on her breasts. Her nipples hardened against her satin bra as he visually caressed her.

  Martina swallowed hard under his perusal, cursing her body for desiring more than just his visual attention.

  His eyes met hers once again. “That will never happen, Martina. I will never forget anything about you.”

  Read more of, Negotiating for love. It’s available at all online book retailers.

  Get your copy today!

  Coming So
on by Sharon C. Cooper

  Jenkins & Sons Construction Series, a spinoff of the Jenkins Family Series is coming soon! Of course you’ll be able to catch up with the Jenkins’ women, but you’ll also get to journey with the Jenkins’ men as they find love.

  Atlanta’s Finest Series – Atlanta’s finest was first mentioned in A Passionate Kiss. You’ll get to catch up with some reader’s favorites in this series, including Malik & Natasha, Wiz & Olivia, as well as Mason & London.

  Other Titles by Sharon C. Cooper:

  Jenkins Family Series (Contemporary Romance)

  Best Woman for the Job (Short Story Prequel)

  Still the Best Woman for the Job (book 1)

  All You’ll Ever Need (book 2)

  Tempting the Artist (book 3)

  Negotiating for Love – (book 4)

  Seducing the Boss Lady – (book 5)

  Reunited Series (Romantic Suspense)

  Blue Roses (book 1)

  Secret Rendezvous (Prequel to Rendezvous with Danger)

  Rendezvous with Danger (book 2)

  Truth or Consequences (book 3)

  Operation Midnight (book 4)

  Stand Alones

  Something New (“Edgy” Sweet Romance)

  Legal Seduction (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)

  Sin City Temptation (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)

  A Dose of Passion (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)

  Model Attraction (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)

  About the Author

  Award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic - loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award - Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit http://www.sharoncooper.net

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