His voice brought on that familiar shiver down her spine and an instant later she was fluffing her hair. She made sure her lipstick was perfect. Standing was best, she decided, and chose to pretend to scan a file instead of sitting primly behind her desk.
Fernando Ramsey’s voice lowered and Sheila pouted, knowing he’d stopped to take a few extra moments to speak with someone. Then, she heard him bidding them farewell and her heart pounded wildly in anticipation of seeing him.
“What’s goin’ on Sheila? You doin’ alright?” Fernando greeted, having no idea of the effect of his entrancing smile and deliciously deep voice.
“Morning! Morning Fernando,” she spoke softer the second time around.
Fernando of course, had no idea his partner’s secretary felt anything other than respect and friendliness toward him. He’d be a shabby businessman if he allowed the adoration of every woman who worked for Dark Squires to go to his head.
“Stef in?” Fernando paused just past Sheila’s desk.
“Just stepped out Fernando, sorry,” she whispered, though her eyes continued to sparkle. “Could I take a message?” she added hastily, realizing she’d been staring.
Fernando grimaced. “I really wanted to speak with him today,” he cast an impatient glance toward Stefan’s door at the end of the hall. “Any idea when he’ll be back?”
“I have no idea,” Sheila said, her tone soft and apologetic as she rounded her desk. “Is anything wrong?”
“Nah, I’m on my way out of town.”
It was clear to see that Fernando was quite pleased over the fact and Sheila felt her confidence dwindle a little. “Off to Chicago again?” she guessed.
“That’s right,” his grin practically shouted that the trip had nothing to do with business. “Look, just tell Stef I’ll call,” he leaned over to press a quick kiss to Sheila’s cheek. “Thanks.”
Sheila stood there next to her desk, her eyes following Fernando as he made his way down the hallway. “Anytime,” she almost swooned and brushed her fingers across her cheek where he’d kissed her.
Standing quietly in a hidden corner of the hallway, Stef took in the sweet scene. A deadly look darkened his face as he studied Sheila McPhereson’s reaction to his partner.
***
Tykira leaned over the black tiled counter and browsed one of the cookbooks she’d discovered in the kitchen.
Quay strolled in and appreciated the lovely scene greeting him. After satisfying himself by admiring the picture she made from behind, he slowly closed the distance between them.
Ty expressed a tiny shriek when she felt her husband’s hands beneath the snug T-shirt she wore. The other disappeared below the waistband of the boy shorts she sported. “I’m trying to decide on dinner,” she sang, clearing her throat when his fingers grazed the sensitive bud of her femininity.
“Forget dinner, I’ll have you,” Quay decided.
Tykira’s laughter perched atop another gasp when his fingers found their destination. Her head fell forward as overwhelming sensation threaded throughout her body. She began to thrust madly against his fingers before turning in his arms. “Why do you need all these cookbooks when you never cook?” she asked as they shared a heated kiss.
“I bought them when you were here recovering, when you’d broken your ankle,” Quay explained, his mouth now clinging to the line of her neck. “I thought I’d give it a try.”
Ty pulled back a little to stare into his gorgeous dark face. “I thought you were just teasing when you told me you’d cook.”
Quay pressed his forehead to hers. “Don’t you know by now I’d do anything for you?”
Another kiss was in order, this one sweet and unhurried. Yet it lacked none of the fire. Quay cupped Ty’s thighs and placed her neatly atop the counter, never breaking the kiss. The sound of a ringing phone was smothered amidst moans and words of desire. The couple had no intention of answering, knowing the machine would pick up by the fourth ring.
The fourth ring never sounded. The phone stopped ringing only to start up again seconds later. The pattern continued two more times, before Quay lost his patience and snatched the wall phone from its holder.
“Yeah?” he practically growled.
“Calm down,” Michaela ordered, not at all affected by her brother-in-law’s tone. “Why aren’t you and Ty answering the phone?”
“One guess.”
“Nasty.”
“Look who’s talkin’,” Quay teased, chuckling softly when he heard Mick’s haughty sniff.
“Listen, I promise not to hold you long. I’m just calling to remind you of the shower.”
Quay bristled and stood. “This a family thing?” he asked.
“Of course, it’s a family thing.”
“I’m out.”
“No. You have to be there.”
“Dammit Mick,” Quay rolled his eyes. “I can’t make it, that’s all there is to it.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Work,” he tried.
“You’re the boss,” she countered.
“I’m a newlywed.”
“And your wife’s one of my hostesses, so she’ll be at my house and not there for you to tie to the bed,” Mick threw back, hearing the weary sigh he uttered. “Oh, honey, don’t you want to know whether it’ll be a little niece or nephew you’ll have to spoil?”
“Quest’ll tell me.”
“I’ll see to it that he doesn’t.”
Again, Quay groaned. “Damn you,” he said after another minute or two.
Mick laughed. “May I take that as a yes?”
“Mmm hmm,” Quay grudgingly agreed.
“You promise?”
“Promise.”
“Right, I’ll speak with your wife now to tell her you’ve accepted.”
Rolling his eyes, Quay pressed the phone to his chest and fixed Ty with a dark look. “Mick,” he announced, passing her the phone.
Unfortunately, it was virtually impossible for Ty and Mick to hold a conversation. Quay began a sensuous assault with kisses to his wife’s thigh, the moment she began to speak into the phone. Ty couldn’t concentrate on a thing and could only promise Mick she’d get Quay there before the call ended.
“I expect you to get me out of this,” he ordered, his voice muffled against her throat.
“You shouldn’t have promised, then. Besides, don’t you want to know about the baby?”
Quay fixed his wife with a narrowed stare. “Sure I do, but you know how I feel. This thing’ll be a big disaster if I get there and see Marcus. He’d get everything I want to lay on Houston.”
“Shh…” Ty brushed her fingertips along the furrows on his brow. “You shouldn’t worry about that. Quest’ll be there and he won’t let you do anything and neither will I. Besides-” she shrugged and gave him a saucy wink, “you know Mick will kick your ass if you ruin her party.”
Quay couldn’t contain his laughter. “Damn right,” he agreed.
“Are you okay now?” Ty tilted her head just a bit to gaze more steadily into his eyes as her fingers curled into the neckline of his white T-shirt.
He nodded. “I am.”
Tykira sighed and glanced back at the cookbook she’d been studying. “So, what are we gonna do for dinner?”
The wolfish smile appeared on Quay’s face as he threaded his fingers through Ty’s tumbling tresses. “We’re already doing it,” he said and drew her into a satisfying kiss.
***
Contessa tugged at the lapels of her ankle-length leather trench and strolled off the elevator. Her gait was alluring and unhurried as always, but still she looked like a woman with a lot on her mind. She’d replayed her conversation with Spivey five times already and was always left with the same question: Why did Fernando own a cruise ship for gentlemen only? Of course, there was always the same answer: There was more going on than gambling. There had to be, right? She remembered when she’d questioned him about The Spot. She’d believed him and felt bad for doubting w
hen he insisted there was nothing illegal afoot. But what about this? Should she ask him? Would the story be the same?
“Hey Drake,” she greeted the evening security guard.
“Evening, Ms. Warren,” Drake turned around the log for her to sign out.
“Night,” she left the middle-aged Haitian with a warm smile before turning toward the row of glass doors. Her steps slowed the closer she drew to the exit.
Asking him would be best, she decided. Just put all the damn cards on the table and let the chips fall. Would he fly off the handle? Would they argue and decide to end things? At least then she’d be free to handle her business without guilt. But then, she’d be without him.
“Are you hungry?”
The depth of his voice, riddled her spine with the most delicious sensation. Closing her eyes briefly, she rid her mind of unwelcomed thoughts before turning to greet him with a brilliant smile. “I’m starving,” she told him.
Fernando’s smile relayed curiosity as his vibrant brown eyes narrowed. “Are you referring to food?” he inquired softly.
“Course I am!” County laughed.
A broad shoulder rose in a shrug. “Just checking,” Fernando said, pretending as though he’d been confused.
They headed outside the building and into the biting cold. Fernando drew her close and Contessa wanted to snuggle into the warmth that radiated from his massive form.
“Damn, Chicago winters are as ferocious as its summers are gorgeous,” he noted.
County smiled and blinked up at the darkened sky. “That’s why I love it so- from one extreme to the next. Makes me feel alive,” she praised.
Fernando ushered them inside the back of the waiting Mercedes limo. He turned to County and extended his hand. Familiar with the routine, she dropped her keys to his palm.
“James take care of Ms. Warren’s car after you drop us off,” he instructed his driver.
“So, um, where are we going for dinner?” County asked, while removing her coat.
“We’re here,” Fernando winked devilishly when she frowned her surprise.
County shook her head when she noticed him waving the bag which carried the logo of a well-known deli in town. “I can’t believe you’d want to feast on messy subs in this car,” she shook misty rain from her chic cut.
“I don’t want any interruptions when we get back to your place,” was his simple response. “Alright,” we’ve got a monster turkey sub for me and a toasted chicken salad sub for the beautiful lady,” he announced while peering into the large white and green checkered bag.
“I’m gonna miss all this when it’s over,” County rested against the cushioned backseat and watched Fernando extract the sandwiches.
His movements halted at her words and he slanted her a curious look.
“Being pampered,” she clarified, watching the expression leave his handsome face.
“Are you expecting that?” he set aside the food in order to remove the black leather bomber jacket he wore.
County closed her eyes and sighed. “Things happen.”
“Yes, they do,” he tossed his coat to the opposite seat. “Things are definitely going to happen,” he faced her fully, “but that’s not one of them.”
In a split second, Contessa found herself scandalously entwined with his powerful form. Fernando’s big hands cupped beneath her arms while he arched her into his kiss.
County moaned breathlessly. She was completely content allowing this man to bend her to his desire. His kiss demanded participation that she willingly obliged. Their tongues dueled slowly and with a shocking thoroughness that elevated their arousal to an even fierier pitch.
County tugged her bottom lip between her teeth to stifle her cries, soon to become screams of delight. Mouth trailing her neck, his hands roamed every inch of the mulberry cashmere cardigan shirt she wore with figure flattering black slacks. She writhed against him unashamed of the way he affected her. Fernando toyed with the buttons momentarily and then made quick work of them. He broke the kiss when more of her body was exposed to his view.
Trailing her fingers through her glossy, boyish cut, Contessa chanted Fernando’s name. Her nipples strained madly against the lace cups of her bra as though they were begging for release. Fernando seemed to hear their plea, but freed only one of the rigid buds, capturing it between his perfect teeth. He began to suckle just as a cell phone chimed in the distance.
“Damn,” he growled, amidst the voracious feasting of his mouth against her bosom. Expressing clear reluctance to leave her, he pulled away slowly. “Don’t you dare,” he commanded when County moved to fix her bra. “What?” he snapped into the phone. His hypnotic gaze followed the path his thumb trailed around one nipple.
County let her lengthy lashes flutter close and enjoyed the light, yet satisfying caress until it stopped.
Fernando’s expression had hardened and he muttered a wicked expletive. “Are you sure?” he demanded to know.
Terence Newsome, one of the club’s managers sighed before repeating his news. “The girls who left are working as hostesses on a ship called The Wind Rage.”
“Doing what?”
“Well Fern, it’s a gentlemen’s-only ship, so…”
“Damn,” Fernando could only whisper, bowing his head to massage the bridge of his nose. He was the proud owner of a sex ship. Yippee!
“What you want me to do, man?” Terence asked.
“Nothing right now T, I’ll be in touch and we’ll meet before I leave for Seattle,” Fernando decided. “Talk to you later,” he clicked off the phone.
County had already fixed her clothes and sat watching him. “Everything okay?” she didn’t care for the set look to his profile or the way his hand smoothed across the front of the blue and gray paisley print shirt he sported.
“Business,” he explained after a silent minute.
“Wanna talk about it?” County asked, folding her legs beneath her.
“Not at all,” he said.
There was no coldness in his voice, but County could tell whatever the business it had him in an awful mood. “Why don’t we postpone tonight so you can go handle it?” she encouraged.
Fernando’s grin appeared, sparking the adorable crinkle of his eyes. “No way are you getting rid of me tonight, Ms. Warren.”
“But you’re obviously upset,” County argued, though she loved the sound of his words. “You may not be in the mood for-”
“Yes I am upset and being with you is the one thing that has a chance in hell of relaxing me.”
County propped her elbow against the seat and rested her cheek next to her fist. “Why Mr. Ramsey, you say the sweetest things,” she pretended to gush.
Fernando was serious, however. “The words are easy to say when they’re true,” he said and pulled her snug into his lap.
The cool teasing in Contessa’s brown eyes grew warm with passion. “Oh,” was all she could muster before he captured her parted lips in another explosive kiss. Eagerly, she suckled his tongue when it thrust savagely past her teeth. Her body was weak with desire, but she couldn’t resist grinding herself onto the arousal rising beneath his navy trousers. When he cupped her hips to situate her in a more accommodating manner upon the stiff ridge of his manhood, County ordered herself to slow things down.
“No,” he refused, when she tried to move.
“We should eat,” she suggested.
“Later.”
“Now,” she cupped his face in her palms. “I don’t want any interruptions when we get to my place,” she repeated his earlier words.
Fernando winked. “Good point,” he effortlessly placed her back to her side of the car seat. “Now let’s see,” he returned his attention to the bag of food.
“Yes, I’ll certainly miss this,” County rested her head back against the seat. “For the next two weeks, anyway.”
“Explain,” Fernando passed her a toasted chicken salad sandwich.
“Mick’s shower party?” she clarified. �
�I’ll be going to Seattle next Friday.”
“Oh yeah,” Fernando grinned, adding extra tomatoes to his monster turkey sub. “She called and demanded my presence too,” he remembered. “So why are you leaving so early? The party isn’t until the end of the month.”
County cut her sandwich in half. “We’ve really been missing each other. We just want some time together beforehand.”
“So you can’t make time for me during those two weeks?” he bit down into the sandwich.
Contessa’s brows rose, but she offered no response. Instead, she took a huge bite of the zesty sandwich. Munching filled the car for several moments. Fernando was halfway through his sub, when he noted that she had not uttered a reply.
Meanwhile, County went on eating and enjoying. It didn’t take long however to feel the beckoning translucent stare fixed her way. “What?” she questioned innocently.
“May I have an answer to my question?”
“Ramsey, I don’t know how much time we’ll have,” she replied flippantly. “I mean, it’s been a while since Mick and I really got together.”
“That really it?” he folded his arms across his chest and watched her trying hard to swallow. “Spill it,” he said. “Contessa,” he called when she stubbornly refused to talk.
“Dammit Ramsey, I don’t want them to know about us, alright?!”
“Them? Who? Mick and Quest.”
“Your entire family.”
“Why?”
County fixed him with a look that practically radiated the phrase you’re an idiot. “Are you joking?” she said instead.
“Do you see me smiling?” Fernando challenged, the brows above his deep set gaze were drawn close.
“Why? You ask,” County braced her elbows on her knees as she clasped her hands. “Why, because my House is working on a tell-all book about them. Why because I don’t want to have to deal with Mick and her questions. Why because your father is a jack- sorry. Let’s just say he wouldn’t take this well.”
Fernando’s caramel brown face was a picture of confusion. “Do you care? Because I don’t,” he watched her hold her head in her hands. “Is this how you want us to be? Seeing each other in secret?”
The Ramseys Boxed Set Page 55
