The Ramseys Boxed Set

by Altonya Washington

  Darby bit her lip when he broke the kiss to ravage her neck with the scrape of his perfect teeth and seductive mouth.

  “Where shall I take you?”

  She heard him speaking against her ear and her heart jerked. God, was this man really here? Really hers? She didn’t know what tomorrow or the tomorrows after that would bring, but he’d found the part of her she’d sworn closed forever and he felt right. He felt oh so very right there.

  “Darby?”

  She heard him call when she offered no answer to his question. Nuzzling her nose with his, she coaxed him into another kiss.

  They settled to the center of her bed in a tangle of arms and legs. Midday sunlight fought to stream through closed blinds. Golden rays streaked the violet walls and coordinating fabrics of the furniture and bed linens. Darby’s helpless sounds of need and arousal were challenged by the sounds of his.

  She buried her fingers in the lush blackness of his hair, the same way his hid in her riot of honey blonde curls and massaged her scalp. The sweetness of the moment was treasured, but Darby wanted more and she told him so.

  Kraven shuddered when her words touched his ears. She didn’t have to tell him twice. In moments, his hands were quickly, expertly relieving her of the flippy skirt, matching top and under things. He kissed and suckled every part of her bared to his stare.

  Darby’s breathing came in gasping waves. She was overwhelmed, aroused and just a tad unsettled by his hunger. She welcomed every bit of it though, and wasn’t about to be outdone. With the same ferocity, she tugged him from his clothes, worshipping his chiseled bronzed frame with her kisses, her gaze, her touch…

  “Don’t wait,” she ordered when they were both nude and clinging amidst the rumpled bed coverings.

  One swift plunge buried him inside her. His eyes were riveted on her face, searching for any signs of discomfort. There were none, only a basic hunger filtered her vibrant stare and reflected the emotion in his.

  “More,” she encouraged, raking her nails along his back. Her hands moved down to clutch his butt nestled half in, half out of the sheets as he stroked her with a slow seductive rhythm that had her crying out for him in some undecipherable language.

  Kraven draped one of her legs across his shoulder, increasing the depth of his already magnificent thrusting power. Darby’s resulting moan came out on a breathless laugh of utter bliss. Kraven dipped his head to her shoulder when he felt her increased moisture soak his shaft.

  He muttered a lurid curse while clutching the bed linens in one hand and her thigh in the other. His movements inside her gained speed and fire while he chanted her name. He burrowed his handsome face deeper into her neck to inhale her scent- her essence.

  Darby laid clenching and unclenching the pillows cluttering the headboard. She bit her lip and threatened to draw blood at the sensation of his release oozing warm and heavy inside her. The feel of it had her orgasmic again in the span of a millisecond.

  They rocked upon each other in a dance of mutual desire. Once the potent throbs of want began to ebb, they continued to rock until a powerful wave of sleep claimed them both.

  ~~~

  Kraven roused from his slumber and found himself still intimately connected to the woman he loved. He smiled, knowing the gesture was echoed in his heart. His smiled deepened then and he gave a quick shake of his head. His heart had never been anything other than the organ to pump the blood that kept him alive. Now, it pumped with the force of blood and love and he realized for the first time that he was and felt truly alive.

  Kissing the relaxed curve of her mouth, he slowly withdrew and winced as renewed desire for her stirred his shaft.

  Darby’s lashes fluttered when she emerged just slightly from her sleep. She appeared cozy and her smile was content at the sight of him looming near.

  “Are you okay?” She asked, studying his darkly lovely face in wonder.

  “Are you?” He countered, his mouth twisting somewhat ruefully. “I apologize for falling asleep… inside…Jesus,” he moaned as the sounds of the words stiffened his sex.

  “Never apologize for that,” she whispered and raked his hair back from his forehead. “Are you coming back?”

  Kraven groaned as if tortured. “I fully intend to as soon as I get something on my stomach.”

  “Ah, we’ve proven it then,” Darby chuckled sleepily. “Love is no substitute for food.”

  “What can I say, sweet? I’m Scottish.” He leaned in to help himself to a kiss that turned sultry in a second.

  Darby broke the kiss and pressed another to his ear. “Kitchen’s on the other side of the living room.”

  “I’ll be back,” he growled into her chest.

  Darby was already drifting back to sleep. “’Kay,” she murmured.

  Kraven nuzzled his face in her hair and inhaled. “I love you.”

  “I love you back…”

  The serenity and assurance in that single phrase had him grinning like a kid. Shaking his head, he softly ordered himself from the bed and followed her directions to the kitchen. He settled on a can of soup, figuring that’d take the edge off until he took Darby out for dinner later.

  While waiting on the microwave to heat the soup, he grabbed bottled water from the fridge and took a tour of the condo. He felt relaxed by the pastel color scheme, the view, even the pieces adorning the walls.

  The microwave beeped but Kraven was too entranced by the art which any gallery owner would be thrilled to have. His gaze narrowed when he glimpsed the piece hanging in a tiny alcove.

  The water bottle slid from his hand.

  As though led by some invisible thread, Kraven moved in for a closer look. When full realization settled in, his heart could’ve taken the same plunge the bottle had.

  Blindly, he stumbled from the alcove in search of his jacket which he found draped across the back of the sofa. He reached for his phone and dialed absently.

  “Hill? Kraven. Remember what you said about the tide turning? I believe it’s about to.”

  ~EPILOGUE~

  Monterrey, California~ Two weeks later…

  Darby pressed her lips together to keep from laughing when Kraven dropped down beside her on the front porch swing that faced the gorgeous strip of beach across the street.

  “Mama thinks you’re very sweet and…oh what else did she say? Oh! Sexy as hell,” she chuckled then before slanting him a glance. “Sorry about my dad. He doesn’t mean to be so intimidating it’s the whole military thing.”

  Kraven nodded watching his sneaker shod foot perched on the porch railing. “There’s that and then I just had to add to the need for intimidation by asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage.”

  Darby’s recline in the swing ended and she bolted straight. “His daughter’s… what?!”

  “Hand-in-marriage,” Kraven replied with deliberate slowness. “It’s when the groom-to-be goes to the lady’s father and-”

  Darby slapped his arm. “I know what it is, dammit.”

  “Ah! Good, then you know what comes next.” He reached into the pocket of his jeans.

  Darby stood from the swing when she saw the small cream velvet box. “Kraven-” her voice resembled a frog’s croak and; embarrassed, she grimaced. “Kraven-”

  “Right,” he moved off the swing as well but knelt before her instead of standing. “Be my wife please. I promise you’ll not be sorry.”

  She had to smile even as precautions tickled her throat. She had to share them.

  “Are you sure Kraven? This is happening so fast.”

  “Just like everything else that’s happened between us. Why stop now?”

  She shook her head. “Are you sure?”

  He stood then. “More than I’ve ever been about anything else in my entire life.” His gaze lowered. “Do you want me Darby?”

  She smoothed the back of her hand across his cheek. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything else in my entire life.”

  They merged into a kiss and Kraven eased
the ring onto her finger. “May I have my answer now?” He asked while his tongue played with hers.

  She merely deepened the kiss.

  “Is that a yes?” He grinned.

  “That is most definitely a yes, Lord DeBurgh.”

  He pulled back before she could kiss him again. “Once we’re married, you’ll only be allowed to use that name in the privacy of our bedroom when we’re doing the most enjoyable things.”

  “Mmm…” she shivered when his mouth teased her earlobe. “So you’re saying I’ll be using it quite often, then?”

  “Oh yes, Ms. Ellis. Oh yes…”

  This Ends Lover’s Allure

  And Now:

  A Ramsey Wedding (Novella)

  A RAMSEY WEDDING

  ~ONE~

  Chicago, Illinois~ Sunday Evening…

  “We can’t do this now Ramsey.” Contessa’s warning ended on a gasp when she felt his tongue stab her someplace naughty, someplace intimate. Her hand weakened and it; along with the folder she’d held, slid to the bed.

  “Can’t do what?” Fernando teased while laughter touched the gravel depth of his voice.

  “Stop talking…mmm…” she closed her eyes to savor the friction of his whiskered face grazing her thighs. “We’ve gotta get serious after this.” She managed.

  “Mmm hmm, stop talking,” he countered and quickened the deep thrusts of his tongue.

  An orgasm was imminent but Fernando chose not to help his fiancée get there just then. He ignored County’s fist pounding his bicep. Instead, he eased up to pull her leg across his shoulder and took her in one smooth, lengthy stroke.

  “Better?” He asked the question against her ear.

  County murmured something senseless. Her fists now rested weakly against the stone wall that was his chest yet her hips bucked with a fire only he could douse. A hearty cry roused past her lips when he took a nipple and suckled harshly as he lunged.

  Fernando raised his head as Contessa’s cries gained volume. “Hush up, they’ll hear you.”

  “Do you care?” County hissed.

  “Hell no,” his words were barely coherent. She was arching more breast into his mouth.

  Eventually, sounds of lust and want overwhelmed them both filling the room with intensity while the couple achieved satisfaction in unison. Afterwards, it was the sound of heavy breathing filling the room as they lay sated.

  “That the guest list?” Fernando cocked a brow toward the folder County had been holding.

  “Mmm…” Her fingers grazed through the light brown curls covering his head. “I don’t know why Mick’s got me lookin’ over this damn thing. All this is supposed to be her job.”

  “Aren’t you the bride?” Fernando inquired and prepared to be hit.

  County felt too relaxed for such action. “I gave Mick full control. All I want to do is walk down the aisle.”

  Fernando lifted his head. “To me,” He grinned, the action sparking the adorable crinkles near his eyes. When she nodded, he leaned in to nuzzle her nose with his.

  The kiss that began could have easily turned lusty, but Fernando pulled back. “You know you can’t leave her hangin’ that way.” He took a love bite out of her shoulder. “Hop to it,” he growled.

  County kicked out her foot when he suddenly left the bed and headed to the bathroom. Smirking, she obeyed his orders and turned to her stomach to scan the list. Her brows drew close.

  “Oh hell no!” She blared, taking all the covers with her when she scrambled from the bed.

  Michaela’s Chicago home would go on the market within a few weeks. County had insisted that her wedding be held there as the house was full of so many warm memories for Mick as well as herself.

  Unfortunately, none of those warm and fuzzy thoughts were on Contessa’s mind as she stormed down the long corridor to the room her soon-to-be ex best friend was sharing with her husband. As the wedding would be held there beneath a newly built gazebo at the end of the week; everyone decided to make a couple’s retreat out of it. By Monday evening, the plan was to have the guest rooms accommodating six additional couples…including the newlyweds Kraven and Darby DeBurgh and Carlos and Dena McPhereson.

  Just then however, County was imaging something more along the lines of a funeral than a wedding. She gave a quick booming knock to the door she’d approached and was already twisting the knob before she heard Mick’s call to enter.

  Michaela was tugging curls from the collar of her sweater. Her lips twitched when she took in the bed sheets twisted around County’s otherwise nude body.

  “Are you here to see me or Quest?”

  Storming across the room, County held the open folder before Mick’s face.

  “Ah! The guest list you finished-”

  Mick was reaching for the folder when County snatched it back and then held a single page closer to her face. “What’s this?” She sneered.

  “The guest list?” Mick answered carefully.

  County rolled her eyes and pointed. “This?”

  Again, Mick answered carefully. “Fernando’s Aunt Willette from Georgia?”

  County turned a bit so that she and Mick were both facing the page. She stabbed a finger against the name Neena Warren.

  “Your…mom?” Mick braced herself to be hit.

  “Right…” County breathed, lashes fluttering in phony satisfaction. “My mom- the only family I need. The only family I expect at my wedding. Now you tell me what the hell all these other bastards are doin’ on the list?”

  Before Mick could answer, the bathroom door opened. Quest stepped out- dark, to die for and dripping wet from his shower. He was only covered by a towel slung very low on his hips. Mick and County stared. For several moments the women totally forgot what they were discussing.

  “This is awkward.” Was all Quest could manage, wincing a bit as he spoke.

  Michaela shrieked when County suddenly snapped to and dragged her from the bedroom.

  In the hall, County pushed her friend against the wall. “Start talkin’.”

  Mick cleared her throat while pressing a hand to the base of her throat. “It was Miss Neena,” she cleared her throat again when County’s gaze narrowed. “Miss Neena told me to invite them.”

  “Say what?” County tilted her head in disbelief.

  Mick nodded frantically. “I swear it. Miss Neena said she thought it’d be very gracious of you to invite your father and his side of the family.” Mick delivered the last bit of info more softly.

  Again, County’s head tilted. “Are you trying to tell me you invited my entire family?”

  Mick swallowed. “Everyone Miss Neena told me to. The ones on the list are all who’ve accepted so far.”

  County dropped her death grip on Mick’s arm and turned to head back to her bedroom.

  “Count?”

  Dejectedly, Contessa only waved her hand and kept walking.

  ~TWO~

  Monday…

  Breakfast was en route to being a tense affair. Fernando and Quest had yet to be told why County was in such a foul mood. Michaela was filling the guys in when Contessa arrived in the kitchen.

  “So tell me how you like your eggs,” Quest asked, being the first brave soul to walk over and drape and arm around County’s shoulder.

  She worked on a smile, but failed. “Thanks Quest, I’ll just have some juice.”

  “Hell no, you won’t!” Fernando called across the kitchen.

  “Ramsey…” County merely waved her hand.

  “You need more than that.”

  “I don’t.”

  “Contessa-”

  “Alright, alright,” she pressed fingers to her temples. “Whatever…”

  Fernando shared looks with Quest and Mick. For County to give in so easily, meant she was truly rattled.

  “Guess I’ll have ‘em scrambled, Quest.”

  “Talk to us, babe,” Fernando urged, his striking gaze narrowed in concern.

  “You already know it’s about my family.
I don’t want ‘em here.” She took a seat at the table and watched them all gather around the kitchen island.

  “That’s it? You just don’t want ‘em here?”

  County rolled her eyes away from Fernando, but didn’t respond.

  Fernando massaged his neck and tried to quell his temper. It didn’t work. “We’re getting married at the end of the week and I’ll be damned if I watch you mope around for the better part of it.”

  She pounded a fist to the table and sent the silverware clattering. “I don’t want my family- my father especially at my wedding, alright? Now Ramsey, I should think of all people you should be able to understand that!” Standing, she wiped her hands across the seat of her jeans and stomped from the kitchen.

  Following the heated departure, Fernando and Quest looked to Mick for answers.

  “Her dad and mom split up when she was about twelve or thirteen. She never told me why.” Wearily, Mick took a seat at the island and shrugged. “I never asked her why.”

  “To hell with this,” Fernando growled.

  “Don’t you think you should wait?” Mick asked when he was poised to push open the door.

  “We’re about to be married Mick.” Fernando bowed his head as if he were contemplating. “She should at least be able to talk to me, right?”

  Quest and Michaela shared a knowing smile and nodded.

  ~~~

  County had gone off to the den and appeared engrossed in the movie she’d found. Fernando leaned against the jamb watching her for a minute or two. Last minute second thoughts had him moving away from the door before he recalled what he’d said to Quest and Mick.

  “This is good,” he called, smirking a bit when he noticed her jump at the sound of his voice. He took a seat next to her on the sofa. “Kim Basinger’s character dies at the end.”