It's Only You

by Sheryl Lister

  “I’d like that.” They’d stayed only a couple of hours at California Adventures because the kids were getting cranky. Simona really wanted to ride Soarin’ Over California again, but had pushed the desire away and, instead, made sure they squeezed in as many kiddie rides as possible in that short period.

  They lay quietly for a long while, then Donovan said, “My next week is going to be pretty hectic, and I’ll have to pull some weekend hours. Maybe the weekend after, we can go on a picnic or to the park for a while.”

  “Actually, I’m going to Oakland that weekend. Nana misses Yasmine, and I promised to bring her up there.”

  He groaned. “I can’t go two weekends without spending time with you, baby.” He rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. “I need to see you.” He removed the band from her hair, and the braids cascaded around her face. He fisted his hands in her hair and crushed his mouth against hers.

  Intense desire shot through her body like a crack of lightning. He released her hair, and then his hands were on her body. She felt him everywhere. Her nipples hardened against his chest, and a deep ache settled between her thighs. He broke off the kiss abruptly and palmed her face, his smoldering light-brown gaze searing her. He’d once said her eyes told him everything he needed to know, so Simona quickly turned away and laid her head on his shoulder, afraid he would read her emotions.

  “Simona, baby. Look at me.”

  She slowly lifted her head.

  “Tell me—”

  “Mamamama...ananana...” His words were cut off by the sound of babbling coming from the monitor.

  She scooted off his body and rushed out of the room, grateful for the interruption. Donovan eventually left so she could settle Yasmine, but the look he gave her before walking out the door said the conversation was far from over.

  Although he hadn’t given her a reason not to believe in him, she wasn’t ready to share what lay in her heart: that she had fallen in love with him.

  Chapter 16

  Donovan smiled at the text from Simona on Monday morning: Ugh! Disneyland withdrawals.

  He typed back: It’s only been two days, but anytime you want to go again... He had gone to amusement parks several times as a teen and twice as an adult, and always enjoyed himself. However, none of those visits compared to the amazing time he’d had on Saturday. In the past, he’d always thought people who brought very young children to those parks had to be crazy, but Yasmine’s happy face—as well as those of the other three children—had changed his perspective. He relished the sounds of their delightful chatter. It hadn’t even bothered him when Yasmine seized a fistful of his mashed potatoes and shoved them into her mouth, or when she wiped that same hand on his shirt.

  As priceless as those memories were, nothing topped Simona’s reaction to the Soarin’ Over California ride. His heart swelled, and the magnitude of that moment would forever be imprinted on his brain—it was the moment he knew he had fallen in love with her. When she threw her arms around him and kissed him, he’d have sworn she was about to tell him she loved him. He hadn’t been able to coax the words from her then or later that night. Donovan didn’t realize how much he wanted to hear her say it. Maybe he should have said it first, but he wasn’t ready to put his heart on the line.

  “Hey, D. You have a minute?”

  Donovan tossed the phone on his desk. “What are you still doing here? I thought you left an hour ago.”

  Terrence entered and dropped a notepad on Donovan’s desk.

  “What’s this?”

  “Lyrics I’m working on for my next song. I want you to take a look.”

  He picked up the pad and scanned the words. “Ballad?” When Terrence nodded, Donovan asked, “What’s the title?”

  “Without Your Love.”

  Taking inspiration from his newly discovered feelings, Donovan picked up his pen, added a few lines, tweaked three others and handed the pad back.

  Terrence glanced down at the paper, then back to Donovan, and lifted an eyebrow. “Something you want to tell me?”

  “No.”

  “Hmm. I haven’t been able to get you to pick up that pen and write one word in eight years, and you perfect my song in, like, two minutes? Must be love.”

  Donovan merely shrugged.

  “Ah, so I’m right. So, are you in denial?”

  “No. Unlike some other people, I don’t have a problem owning up to my feelings. I just think she’s still a little uneasy because of her ex, so I have my work cut out for me.”

  “Stepping up your game, I see.”

  “My game is fine,” Donovan retorted.

  Terrence laughed. “If you say so. Now that the song is finished, I’m going home.” He turned back when he got to the door. “You should really consider donning your songwriter’s hat again.”

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Why not? The three songs we co-wrote and the one you wrote were among my biggest hits.”

  “I know. But my name better not be anywhere near those liner notes when you’re done with this project.”

  Terrence shook his head. “Okay. You’re the only person I know who doesn’t want to take credit for his work. Later.”

  “Later.” Donovan didn’t plan to trust Terrence this time—he’d said the same thing nine years ago, and Donovan ended up with credits on at least four songs. He made a mental note to follow up with the art department before that CD hit the shelves.

  Donovan and Simona had only had a few brief conversations, due to his schedule and her working extended shifts, and by the weekend Donovan missed Simona more than he’d imagined. He desperately wanted to see her, but had to meet with Brad—who had been out of the office all week—to hammer out the details of Kaleidoscope’s next tour contract. He wasn’t too keen on the promoter’s proposed date changes, which didn’t leave much time for the group to recover between the concerts and attend the additional local promotions, interviews and autograph signings. The back-and-forth had put them behind schedule, and Donovan wanted to lock in the dates as soon as possible. Though the first date was six months away, he wanted the publicity department to get started.

  He and Brad spent three hours reworking the contract with the hopes that the changes would be acceptable to the promoter. Donovan’s biggest concern was building in a small cushion of time between tour stops.

  Brad left at five-thirty and Donovan toyed with waiting until Monday to add the notations to the contract, but remembered he and Terrence had three consecutive meetings with prospective clients.

  Donovan stood, stretched and massaged his neck in an attempt to loosen the muscles. He moved back to his desk to catch his ringing cell. Seeing Simona’s name on the display put a smile on his face.

  “Hey, baby.”

  “Hi, Donovan. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No. Just taking a quick break before I get back to work.”

  “I thought you were only going to be there a short time.”

  He blew out a long breath. “So did I. But we had to address some problems with one of the contracts. I should make it out of here by seven, or seven-thirty at the latest. I know you had to work some long hours this week, too. What you do is far more tiring. How are you doing?”

  “I took a nap with Yasmine earlier, so I’m okay. I know you have to get back to work. I just wanted to hear your voice and check on you.”

  He wanted to sit on the phone and listen to her sweet voice all night, but knew he should hang up. “And hearing your sexy voice made my night. I’m going to try to get out of here at a decent hour. If you’re not busy tomorrow, I’ll come by.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re not too tired.”

  “Kiss Yasmine for me.”

  “I will.”

  The fact that Simon
a had taken time to check on him made Donovan love her more. No matter what it took, he needed to keep her in his life.

  * * *

  Simona hung up and placed the cordless on the base. She missed hearing Donovan’s voice, seeing his smile, laughing with him. She just missed him. And she wanted to see him...today. An idea popped into her mind, and she smiled. Before she could lose her nerve, she snatched up the phone again and called Eve.

  “Hey, Eve. Could you watch Yasmine for a couple of hours?” When her friend agreed, she explained her plan. After disconnecting, she rushed to her room to get ready.

  Turning first one way then the other in the mirror, she nodded, pleased with her look. “Donovan, I hope you like surprises,” she mumbled.

  Thirty minutes later, Simona made her way down the hallway leading to the administrative offices of RC Productions like a woman on a mission. Several times during the drive she almost changed her mind. She had never done something so bold in all her life, and the closer she came to Donovan’s office, the colder her feet got. She passed the restroom, and another crazy idea crossed her mind.

  “Don’t even think about it, Simona,” she told herself. But she had come this far, so why not go for broke?

  Like last time, she heard the music as soon as she rounded the corner. She crossed the outer office, stood in the doorway of Donovan’s office and just observed him. His head was down, and his hand moved quickly across the paper. He was seated so she could see only the black T-shirt. After staring at him a good two or three minutes, she decided to make her presence known.

  “Looks like you could use a break.”

  His head came up sharply, and his mouth fell open. “Simona?”

  Simona chuckled inwardly at the stunned expression on his face. She trembled as his heated gaze charted a path down her body, leaving a blaze in its wake, and knew she had made the right decision in coming. “You’ve been working really hard this week, and I’m sure you haven’t gotten much sleep. I think you need a nap.”

  “Huh? Wait, what?”

  He seemed confused for a moment, then she saw the moment her message clicked in his mind. Something wicked and dark flashed in his eyes, and Donovan was up in the blink of an eye and around the desk. He hauled her into his arms, and his mouth came down on hers...hard. His tongue swirled around hers in a kiss so devastatingly erotic it left her gasping for breath and pulsing everywhere.

  She reached up and caressed his cheek. “I came to fulfill my promise,” she whispered against his lips before kissing him again. She captured his tongue and sucked gently, causing a low growl to erupt from his throat.

  * * *

  Donovan broke off the kiss and lifted his head. He held Simona away from him and feasted his eyes on the vision of loveliness standing before him. When he’d looked up to find her standing in the doorway in that sexy dress, he almost came right then and there. The fire-red strapless dress stopped midthigh and hugged every delectable curve as if it had been created specifically for her. And those red stilettos...he sucked in a deep breath to gain a measure of control.

  “Are you ready, baby?”

  “I’m ready for anything you have to give. I hope you brought your A-game.”

  “Oh, I did, so let’s see who wins,” she said with a sultry purr, tossing her braids over one shoulder.

  Donovan went to lock both the outer and inner office doors and came back to find her standing in the same spot. She backed him toward the loveseat, pushed him down and straddled his lap. She looped her arms around his neck, leaned in and nibbled on his bottom lip, teasing and tormenting him. He gripped her thighs, and she pushed his hands away.

  “Don’t touch me. Not yet.”

  He groaned. “I need to touch you, Simona.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “No.” Simona reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head. “I love touching you, Donovan,” she murmured, lightly running her hands over his face, neck, shoulders and chest.

  Her warm tongue skated across his chest and along his jaw, exciting him and making his erection throb. He arched up and tried to grind his body against hers, but she moved just out of his reach. She continued to torture him with her hands and tongue until he thought he would explode.

  His head fell back against the loveseat. “Baby,” he panted. “I can’t take this. I gotta—” He jerked upright and gasped sharply when she reached inside his shorts and closed her hand around his shaft. She slowly slid her hand up and down his length, and all he could do was grit his teeth to keep from shouting. He couldn’t even begin to explain the passion she aroused in him. Never in all his life had anyone made him feel this way. No other woman. On the verge of coming, he grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. “No more.”

  She smiled, hooked her fingers in the waistband of his shorts and pulled them down and off. “Very impressive.” She stood and tossed them to the side.

  “Why am I the only one naked?” he asked, scooting forward and caressing her legs. His hands glided along her thighs, under her dress and up to cup her bottom. He froze. “Simona Andrews, where are your panties?” Donovan asked with surprise.

  She chuckled. “Are you complaining?”

  “Hell, no. But—”

  “Good.” She unzipped the dress and let it drop to the floor, leaving her wearing nothing but those heels.

  For the second time that night, Donovan’s jaw came unhinged. She straddled his lap, sensuously grinding her body against his. He sank his hands into her hair and fused their mouths together. Their low moans echoed throughout the office. His hands feathered over her back and down her hips to bring her closer. He lifted her hips and prepared to enter her. Suddenly, sanity returned. He didn’t have any protection. What if he pulled out in time? Who was he kidding? But even if she got pregnant...

  Whoa! What am I saying? He must be out of his mind to even contemplate tempting fate. Kissing the shell of her ear, he said, “We might have to get creative. As bad as I want to make love to you, I can’t. I don’t have any protection.”

  “But I do,” Simona said breathlessly, rising to retrieve it from her purse sitting on his desk.

  Hallelujah! She tore open the package and knelt in front of him. Donovan reached for it, but she shook her head, eyes glittering with mischief. She rolled it over his erection excruciatingly slow, driving him to the brink of insanity. Simona climbed onto his lap, her breasts at the perfect height. He cupped one in each hand and gently massaged the sweetly curved mounds, then lowered his head and captured a swollen nipple between his lips, tugging gently. He lifted her hips and guided her down on him with one smooth thrust.

  “Yessss!”

  She placed her hands on his shoulders, lifted her body until only the head of his shaft remained, then lowered herself gradually back down, gyrating in deliberate, insistent circles, repeating the cycle several times. Donovan threw his head back and groaned loudly. She kept up the maddening pace until he couldn’t take it anymore. He tightened his grip on her hips and drove up into her, pulling her down to meet his deep, forceful thrusts.

  “Donovan, baby,” Simona gasped. She leaned back, braced one hand on his thigh and rode him hard and fast.

  He swore hoarsely and grew even harder, his breathing harsh and uneven. She was trying to kill him. Intense heat radiated through his body, and he changed the tempo to prolong their pleasure. Without missing a beat, he rose from the sofa and placed her on the conference table, ready to act out his fantasy.

  “Do you know how amazing you are?” He swiped his tongue across her nipple, and she cried out.

  She returned the gesture. “Do you know how amazing you are?”

  He smiled and started moving again. Soon his thrusts came faster, and she lifted her hips to match his fluid movements. Donovan draped her legs over his shoulders, planted his feet and pumped in and ou
t of her, groaning from the extreme pleasure flowing through his body.

  “More, Donovan. Please, don’t stop,” she chanted.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

  “Donovan!” Her walls clenched him tight as she convulsed all around him. Simona let out a high-pitched scream, and her back came up off the table.

  Donovan withdrew, released her legs, turned her around and surged back inside her. Simona screamed again. He nearly lost control at the sight of her bent over his table, hair all wild, velvety brown skin glistening and those red shoes. He leaned down and rained kisses along her spine, then closed his eyes and started thrusting in long, deep strokes, delving deeper with each rhythmic push.

  She did that hip swirl thing again, and he lost it. He stroked her harder and faster, and he felt her walls closing in on him as she came again. A rush of pleasure shot through his body and he exploded inside her, yelling her name. His body trembled violently, and his head fell forward limply as he took deep, shuddering breaths to try to force oxygen into his lungs.

  When he could move, Donovan lifted Simona in his arms, carried her to the sofa and sat with her in his lap.

  “You all right, baby?” he asked.

  “Mmm,” she answered.

  Donovan chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You win. Good night,” he said tiredly. He felt her smile against his chest. As sleep claimed him, he murmured, “I love you, Simona.”

  * * *

  Simona’s head came up sharply. “What did you say?” Did he just say he loves me? “Donovan?” No answer. His chest rose and fell in measured rhythm. He had fallen asleep. She studied him as he slept, and noticed the tired lines etched in his handsome face. A smile curved her lips. She reached up and lightly traced his mouth and kissed him. “I love you, too.” Snuggling against his chest, she closed her eyes and drifted off.

  Sometime later, she felt a gentle shake on her shoulder. Groaning, she mumbled, “What time is it?”

  “Almost nine. But don’t worry, the cleaning crew doesn’t come in tonight,” Donovan added.