Remember that discussion we had? The one where I encouraged you to leave him with his pants around his ankles? I didn’t think you’d actually do him.”
Lanie glanced around and stepped closer to Aimee. “It’s like I couldn’t help myself, Aimee. We have—major chemistry together.” That was the absolute understatement of the year.
“I’m sure.” Aimee shook her head. “If he’s as good in the sack as rumors say, then the chemistry between you two should be off the charts.” Lanie ignored Aimee’s comment. It was downright bitchy, bringing up other women Wes might’ve been involved with and she tried to push past her jealousy. His past didn’t matter. She was living in the here and now. “We also get along really well.” After the first amazing time together, they’d laid in bed talking. Laughing. A casual kiss turned into a long, wet exploration of each other’s mouths, which turned into another extraordinary round of sex that had left them both gasping and exhausted.
Until she woke up to him touching her everywhere—and they went at it all over again. Her body still ached in delicious places she didn’t even know existed, and she was a nurse. Oh, and she was running on only a few hours sleep.
She’d never felt better.
“Isn’t that sweet?” The mocking tone in Aimee’s voice told Lanie her friend didn’t take her encounter with Wes seriously. Not that Lanie could blame her. He had a reputation that preceded him. She had known this going in. And it really hadn’t mattered, had only seemed to intrigue her more, as sick as that thought was.
But she didn’t like her friend thinking he was some sort of man whore. She sincerely liked the guy and had a feeling he felt the same about her.
She hoped.
Aimee’s words remained in Lanie’s head the rest of her long and unusually quiet shift. Maybe Wes was this attentive with all of the women he dated. Perhaps he made them fall head over heels in an instant. She could be just one in a string of women who were stupid enough to believe everything he said, everything he did was all about true love.
How she hated self-doubt. It ate at her until she felt as if the night she’d shared with Wes amounted to a whole bunch of nothing.
When she saw him in the distance as she walked through the parking lot after work, leaning against her car like he hadn’t a care in the world, she stiffened her spine, preparing for the worst. The grim expression on his face sent worry radiating through her and she approached her car and him slowly, dreading what bomb he might drop.
Why did she automatically think he was the bearer of bad news? She needed to get over herself.
She also refused to get excited by the way his face lit up when he saw her approach. Or how easily she walked into his arms, how good it felt to be within his strong, secure embrace. Absolutely refused to acknowledge how her toes curled in her shoes and how she wanted to melt into him when he kissed her…
“Tough day?” He settled his hand on the back of her neck and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re tense.”
She shrugged, not wanting to admit he was the reason for her tension. “It was a long day.”
“Mine too. Plus, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Me either.” She smiled, pressing her face into his chest as he gave her another rub across her neck. “I’m surprised you’re out here.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, feeling stupid she even brought it up.
“You didn’t think I was just using you, did you?” He withdrew her from his embrace, holding her at arm’s length while he inspected her as if she’d grown two heads.
“Lanie, what we shared last night was the single most spectacular sexual experience of my life.”
She gaped at him, her mouth going dry at the sincerity in his gaze and she struggled to find words.
“I’m out here waiting for you because I want to see you again,” he continued when she didn’t say anything. “And I was hoping you’d feel the same way.”
“If you want to see me just for sex, that’s okay,” she blurted.
He frowned. “It’s more than sex, what’s happening between us, and you know it.”
“I suppose.” She tried to withdraw from him, but he tightened his grip and drew her back into him.
“There’s nothing to suppose. From the first moment I saw you, I knew.” He murmured the words against her hair.
Her chest tightened. “You knew what?”
“That we were going to be together.” He stroked his fingers through her hair. “It was instant, my attraction to you. It was like my world stopped when I first laid eyes on you.”
“I think you were just happy I showed up before that woman gave birth so you didn’t have to deal with it alone.”
He chuckled. “Well, I won’t deny that but no, that’s not the reason I fell so hard for you so fast.”
They remained quiet for a moment until finally Lanie withdrew so she could meet his gaze. God, what was he saying? He was so confusing. “I should go home.” Or maybe she was the one who was confused.
Leaning down, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Can I go with you?” She smiled, her heart suddenly light. “Do you want to go with me?” His smile matched hers. “Baby, I’d follow you wherever you go. I know this is quick but… I only want to be with you.”
“Then go find your car and follow me.”
Chapter Six
Six Months Later…
“They look so happy together.”
“They are.” Wes offered Lanie a quick smile then returned his focus to the couple dancing alone in the center of the floor. Evan’s arms were wrapped tightly around Morgan’s waist as they slowly swayed to the music, their gazes locked, both wearing smug little smiles.
The smiles of a couple who were just joined together in happily wedded bliss.
“Her gown is beautiful,” Lanie said on a sigh for about the tenth time.
Not that Wes could blame her for continually saying it. Morgan’s dress was definitely beautiful. The entire wedding was a gorgeous affair, one Wes soon wouldn’t forget especially because he had participated as best man.
It was also going to be a special night in his personal life, if he could get over his nerves and do what he’d been planning for the last month.
Slipping his hand into his tuxedo jacket, he curled his fingers around the black velvet box nestled within. His palms were sweaty, and his heart raced.
God, what if she said no…
The music stopped and everyone applauded the bride and groom, startling Wes from his thoughts. Smiling down at Lanie, he let her lead him onto the dance floor along with the dozen or so other swarming couples who all turned to each other and began swaying to the music.
“You look very handsome.” She brushed delicate fingers across his lapel, admiration tingeing her voice. “You should wear a tux every day.”
“I’d get too much attention at work,” he joked.
She frowned. “Maybe that’s not such a good idea.”
“I could come up with another reason for wearing a tux again.” He purposely kept his voice light, but inside he was so nervous he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get the words out right.
“Oh, really? Maybe you could keep the bowtie somehow.” She smiled and leaned in close. She wore heels, which put her right on level with his ear and she took advantage of her newfound height. “And wear just the tie and nothing else to bed,” she whispered in his ear.
Ah, shit. He needed to focus. Not get distracted by her vivid imagination. “Great idea but I had something else in mind.”
“Like what?” She dropped a light kiss on his ear before she shifted so their gazes met.
“Like maybe we could have our own wedding ceremony.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, he withdrew the little box and held it in front of her.
Lanie stopped moving as did he, her eyes wide, her lips parted. “What is that?” She flicked her gaze up to his.
“Open it and find out.” His throat was tight,
clogged with emotion as he watched her grab the box and pop it open with shaking fingers.
“Oh.” She stared at the sparkling diamond engagement ring nestled within the black velvet box. He’d kept the ring simple, a round solitaire set on a platinum band.
When she looked up at him once more, her eyes were filled with unshed tears. “It’s beautiful.”
“I want you to be my wife, Lanie.” He plucked the ring from the box and reached for her left hand, giving it a squeeze. “Will you marry me?” She nodded, a tiny sob escaping her. “Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” With a shaky smile he slipped the ring on her finger then drew her in close, holding her so tight he was afraid he’d crush her. She squeezed him just as hard, her face pressed against his shirtfront. Her tears dampened his shirt and he drew her away from him, reaching out to wipe away the tears that slid down her cheeks with the pad of his thumb.
“Don’t cry, baby. This is a good thing.” It killed him to see her cry. His heart literally hurt, thinking he made her sad.
She smiled and laughed, the tears still flowing. “It’s a good cry, trust me.” He tipped up her chin with his index finger, and then pressed a gentle kiss to her parted lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She released a trembling breath and kissed him again. “I need to call my folks.”
“They already know.”
“What?”
“I asked for their permission to marry you last week.” Her parents were old-fashioned, and he figured it was the right thing to do. Bad enough he ravished their daughter on a nightly basis until the both of them couldn’t function.
He had to do the honorable thing—he wasn’t about to ask her to move in with him no matter how bad he’d wanted to make that happen. He knew her, understood her background and realized she wouldn’t settle for nothing less but a ring and marriage and the whole nine yards.
And he was that gone enough over her that he had no problem whatsoever giving her exactly that as best he could.
“You are so sweet.” She clutched him, tipping her head back for another kiss, which he offered most willingly. “Now let’s get out of here.”
“The reception isn’t even finished yet.” He glanced about the room, at the many people still sitting at the tables, at the oblivious couples crowding the dance floor who had no idea he’d just made Lanie his fiancé.
“I know.” She smiled wickedly. “Let’s go up to our hotel room and celebrate our engagement. Alone.”
The reception was at a gorgeous hotel on the coast and most of the wedding guests were staying the night.
“Sounds good to me.” He took her hand and hurriedly led her off the dance floor, earning a giggle from Lanie for his efforts.
“You don’t think the married couple will be offended that we blew out early?”
“Nah, I told Evan what I was going to do.” He shot her a mischievous smile, and she socked in the arm in return.
“So you told everyone what was going on except me?” They strode hand in hand down the wide hall. A bank of elevators was in the distance. “You know now, don’t you? And aren’t you happy?” She smiled, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling. In her gorgeous pale blue dress that skimmed her curves and the sexy heels that made him want to nibble her toes, she’d never looked sexier. “Oh, I’m definitely happy.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And you’re about to get a lot happier in a few minutes.”
Lanie giggled again. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
Karen Erickson
Karen Erickson has always loved the written word. From being one of the best readers in her kindergarten class to penning romantic stories that never ended about her favorite band members (Duran Duran) in high school, she always wanted to write. It just took her a while to seriously pursue it.
With the birth of her third child came a realization – it’s one thing to talk about writing a book, another thing entirely to actually do it. First published in 2006, she’s gone on to write over 30 erotic and sensual romance titles for e-publishers including Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave and Carina Press.
On a personal note she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. Oh and the dog, the cats, the rooster and the chickens…
To learn more about Karen, visit her online:
www.karenerickson.com
Blog: www.karenerickson.blogspot.com
Group Blog: www.smutketeers.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenericksonwritesromance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karenerickson
Other Titles by Karen Erickson
Simple Twist of Fate (Fated)
Notorious (Playing With Fire)
Lessons in Indiscretion (The Merry Widows)
Indulgent Pleasures
Fallen
Baby, Don’t Lose My Number (Fated)
A Very Sexy Christmas
My Favorite Mistake (Tahoe Nights)
Scandalous (Playing With Fire)
Under My Umbrella (Fated)
Tangled (Playing With Fire)
Forbidden (Playing With Fire)
Melt With You: Fated, Book 4 Page 4
