by Raina Wilde
She began to peel her hand away from her mouth to respond, though what she was going to say she never knew because Alex held up a hand to stop her.
“Don’t. Please don’t stop me, or interrupt. Just listen?” He was speaking so fearfully that Jenna’s heart went out to him. She would listen, she allowed.
Instinctively her quivering hand clamped back across her lips.
“I’m not exactly sure where to begin.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I guess the very beginning might make the most sense.
“All that time ago, when we dated, we were so happy, but I was stupid. I had these huge, pie-in-the-sky dreams and no matter how hard I worked it never seemed to be enough. One day I met this agent. He was a total ass but I didn’t know that at the time. He seemed so successful and like he had all the right answers so when he asked me to leave with him, I did.”
He scooted himself closer to her so that their knees were nearly touching. Jenna imagined the contact and for a second she wished that he had not stopped himself short.
“Jen, I never wanted to leave you without any warning. Hell, I never wanted to leave you at all, but Smithson had me convinced that I couldn’t have any distractions. He said that I needed to rebuild myself into a true fighter and, for some stupid reason, I believed him.” Alex touched her cheek with a feather-light caress that caused a rogue tear to fall from the corner of Jenna’s eye. She watched his heart break as he followed its trail onto his hand.
Alex took a deep, steadying breath and withdrew his touch.
“Smithson made me famous, but he didn’t make me a great fighter, I did that on my own. He taught me how to create this tough, macho image with a terrible attitude and tons of female attention. He said that I needed to make people WANT to be me.
“One day I woke up and I hated myself. I wasn’t pretending anymore, I had actually become a person I was ashamed of. I didn’t know how to sort it out on my own so I fired Smithson. Marco, my trainer, has always been great. He said that he needed a vacation anyways and that, if I took six months off, he promised not to book another fighter. Anyway,” Alex shook his head. “none of this is really important, except that I ended up Brazil with a Jiu-Jitsu master that Marco got me in touch with.
“This guy was super tough. He kept telling me that I could never be the best version of myself, as a fighter, unless I became the best version of myself, as a person. I worked really hard to re-discover the type of person that I wanted to be but the Master said that something was still missing, that my passion was devoid of purpose, of happiness.
“I knew at exactly that moment what was missing. I knew that I couldn’t make things right with you after leaving without a word, after all of my terrible publicity with Smithson. I couldn’t hope that you would ever give me another chance. I convinced myself that I would have to settle for forgiveness. If I could right the wrongs that I had done to you, then maybe I could finally find some peace. I figured you had probably changed a lot too, moved on, maybe even become the kind of person I wouldn’t miss being around.
Alex’s face changed from a tortured expression, to a sweet boyish smile, as Jenna watched his mind latch onto a memory.
“That lasted for about two seconds. The minute I saw you at the airport, with your pain-in-the-butt sign, I knew you hadn’t changed. You stood there looking so beautiful, and even though you tried to hide it, your self-protective attitude gave me hope. Hope that some small part of you might still care. I thought, if I showed you that I was a better man than before, someone who wouldn’t just disappear one day, you might learn to trust me again.”
Jenna realized that the tears were streaming freely now. She had expected the conversation about their past to raise painful memories that reminded her of how much she had come to hate that man sitting before her. Instead, her heart broke for the terrible journey that her love had endured.
That was the truth of it. She loved him. Jenna realized that what she felt now, for the amazing man Alex had transitioned into, was much more powerful than anything she had ever felt before.
“I thought, that this day together, had been great, a small step toward you allowing me back into your life. Then, when you pulled away… I could feel you shut yourself off from me and I knew I had hurt you much worse than I ever realized.
“Jenna,” He placed his hands once again over his face and shook his head in shame, “I’m so sorry. I understand how much you hate me and I am truly sorry if my attempt to find forgiveness has made you uncomfortable.”
Jenna exhaled sharply unable to believe how he was misinterpreting her response, if only he would look at her and see the love in her eyes…
Alex groaned at the sound, clearly thinking that the noise she had made had been a sardonic laugh.
“I’ve been really selfish, forcing you to spend all this time with me, putting your promotion on the line in order to make sure you wouldn’t turn me away as a client.”
Jenna wasn’t surprised that Alex knew about her promotion, or that he had used it as a leverage point to gain entry to her services as an agent. She realized that if he had been the arrogant client she had been expecting to work with this fact would have angered her immensely. Instead, she found herself pleased to know that such a remarkable man would go to such lengths for her forgiveness.
The room fell into a deep silence as Alex mentally berated himself for his behavior. Jenna stared in awe that such a large, masculine man who routinely pulverized other human beings in a metal cage fight, could sit at her feet as meekly as a chastised child.
Jenna felt the sudden urge to embrace him when, before she had a moment to react, he was standing and heading for the door, not even bothering to collect his belongings from the kitchen.
She allowed herself one calming breath before rising to place a halting hand on his forearm.
Alex looked down at her sadly. Without the benefit of high heels Jenna’s face levelled directly with the wide expanse of his muscular chest. She craned her neck to look up at him and allowed only a moment of confusion to flicker across his features before she hooked a hand around his neck and pulled his mouth firmly to her own.
His reaction was instantaneous. Both arms encircled her soft waist and he lifted her to the tips of her toes as his warm mouth wreaked havoc on her own. Once again she was surrounded by the exotic scent of him and Jenna found herself moaning with approval against his mouth.
His hands roamed her body in a way that was both familiar and exploratory. Jenna broke that contact of their lips to brush her mouth along his jaw toward a spot on his neck that, she suddenly remembered. used to drive him crazy.
He threw his head back and groaned with primal pleasure.
“Jenna…” he breathed as she swirled her tongue on his sensitive neck. “Oh, god. If this is some kind of joke or revenge…” His words were swallowed when she brought her mouth over his with determination, her tongue easing his lips apart to stake its claim.
He raised both hands to her neck as he deepened the kiss. The tips of his fingers tangled in the braid that had dried hours ago. He flipped the tie off the end of the plait and released the locks into his gentle hands. With the waves of auburn flowing, Alex plunged his hands into the thick mass of hair that spilled down Jenna’s back.
Jenna’s hands found the hem of the striped sweater that Alex wore. She eased her fingers beneath the cotton undershirt to grasp the edges of both articles of clothing before thrusting the fabric upward toward his chest. She met serious resistance as the fabric bunched and tightened over the bulk of his frame. Jenna could not imagine how she was going to get the shirts over his shoulders.
In one swift move Alex grabbed his collar and pulled the shirts over his head, depositing them unconsciously atop the single houseplant Jenna had managed to keep alive. With a similar, swift, motion he peeled Jenna’s sheer top up and over her head, followed shortly by the black tank top.
Jenna experienced a moment of inhibition as she stood there with the top of he
r body covered in only the heavy-duty support bra that barely concealed her sizeable breasts. Alex gave her a look of pure adoration as he peeled away the hands she was attempting to use to mask her body.
He looked deeply into her eyes as he unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. Jenna met his gaze and didn’t move. This time she did not cover herself. Alex laid his palms across her breasts, his thumbs making lazy circles that had Jenna leaning into his hands.
“You are even more beautiful than I remembered.” Slowly, Alex bent down and laid claim to one breast with his mouth. It was Jenna’s turn to groan in ecstasy as Alex lovingly explored her body.
Jenna did not know how long they would have remained in her foyer if Alex had not eventually straightened and moved to pick her up in his arms. She made a slight sound of protest against his mouth but only received a disapproving growl in return before he carried her with stubborn resolve to the bedroom.
With smooth, efficient movements he released each of them from what remained of their clothing before pulling Jenna gently with him under the cool, satin, covers.
As their bodies collided, the feeling of her soft, silken skin exhilarated Jenna as it rubbed against Alex’s firm skin, coarse from years of fighting.
She brazenly ran her hands along the side of his body, while he held her firmly against him. It would have been impossible for Jenna to ignore the impressive erection that pressed against her thigh. She could tell that Alex, with extreme difficulty, was trying to prolong her enjoyment.
Jenna glided her manicured nails, with nonexistent pressure, down the length of his back, eliciting a shudder that ran through Alex’s body. She wanted to tell him that there was no need to prolong the torture as Jenna had secretly been imagining this moment for nearly a month now.
Alex’s hand dipped between them and came to rest at the joining of her legs. There, he rubbed gently, bringing Jenna to the peak of frustration as she gasped with pleasure before he removed his hand. Moving his fingers further toward her center Alex discovered the extent to which Jenna’s desire had truly grown.
With a murmur of satisfaction he rolled her beneath him and placed the heat of his erection against her core.
“You’re sure about this?” He asked. Clearly still in disbelief at the turn the night had taken.
“I’m positive, Alex.” She shifted her hips enticingly against his flesh.
With achingly slow pressure he eased inside of her and began the slow strokes that would bring them both to the peak of ecstasy.
The next morning Jenna awoke in her usual tangle of lingerie. She stretched pleasantly and opened her eyes to witness Alex resting his head against his arm and watching her with a burning look of unadulterated desire. For a quick moment, she thought she might be dreaming. That was, until her brain replayed the memories of their lovemaking. She blushed as she remembered the numerous times that Alex had awoken her in the night to hold her tightly as they talked. Their conversations had flowed almost as if no time apart had passed between them. Each exchange inevitably ended in the passion of another round of lovemaking.
Jenna smiled and rolled into Alex’s waiting embrace.
“I’ll never get enough of this silk and lace that you are wearing.” He nuzzled her neck until she giggled.
With a sigh Alex pulled his face back to stare at her seriously.
“You know, Jen, I never stopped loving you.” He trailed his fingers through her hair with a small smile, as if he could not believe he was lying beside her at this very moment. “There was never anyone for me, but you. I know this is all very sudden, and unexpected, but I just want you to know that you are never getting rid of me this time.”
Jenna’s heart soared at the profession of love and commitment.
“I don’t care how busy your promotion may make you, or what my new agent might try to convince me to do, this, right here…” He pulled her close and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, “this is what is most important to me. I don’t know what took me so long to see that.”
Jenna placed a soft hand along his cheek.
“You know, Alex,” She modeled her speech after his own. “I may have stopped loving you at one point…” She trailed off as he smiled and nodded his acceptance of her statement. “but, I love this version of you, the true you, more than I ever did in the past.”
That Friday morning, oblivious to the bustle of the city of Chicago below them, Jenna and Alex forged a new contract of love that would carry them confidently into their future.
THE END
Flip the page for Bonus 2: Sealed Hearts!
Sealed Hearts
Adventure novelist Emily Parker finds herself trapped in a dangerous world of terror and intrigue when she discovers that her long time boyfriend is actually a high profile, international drug lord.
In an attempt to escape with her life, Emily devises a plan to deliver concrete evidence to authorities that will take down the drug ring once and for all. And when she discovers that the plots in her books are much less frightening than reality, Emily is lucky to find that the well-muscled and strikingly handsome Ben Portman, alongside his team of Navy SEALs, is there to help her escape from the extensive reach of the drug lord’s mercenaries.
When Emily and Ben find themselves trapped on an isolated cruise ship that is being patrolled by the enemy, can they learn to trust each other enough to work as a team, or will they both end up at the bottom of the Atlantic?
SEALed Hearts
Emily Parker rinsed her toothbrush in the sink of the immaculate restroom. The quaint space was attached to the port side cabin that she had rented aboard an opulent intercontinental cruise liner. On short notice, it had been the only mode of transportation in which she could maintain a small level of anonymity.
The ship swayed with a soothing rhythm as it trudged along beneath the ebony sky. Emily checked the thin silver watch on her wrist. It was nearly two o’clock in the morning. She’d had difficulty sleeping in the nighttime over the past months. If anything were to happen, she told herself, it would occur under the cover of darkness.
She was about to chastise herself for the crippling paranoia that had recently become an active part of her personality when the deep rumble of male voices outside her door captured Emily’s attention.
With silent footsteps she slunk across the main cabin to press her ear against the door. Her heart hammered in her chest and she raised her fingertips to her mouth to conceal the sound of her breathing.
“When did you see her?” demanded a brusque male voice that sent chills to Emily’s core.
One of the other passengers was about to blow her cover. Emily quickly evaluated the cabin. She could pack in under two minutes but there was no alternative exit from the cabin. She chewed her lower lip; if the men remained at her door she would be trapped.
“Oh man. They were up on the top deck, in bikinis, yesterday. That lady and the chick staying in the room next to her.” the drunken male laughter sounded vaguely familiar to Emily’s ears but she couldn’t quite place the voice.
“Do you know where on the ship she is staying?” asked the first voice, clearly annoyed with the passenger.
“Well, yeah I know. I mean, I really hit it off with her neighbor, if you know what I mean.” There was a long pause as the drunken man chuckled to himself. “She went back to her room early and we walked her to her door because, you know, it was right next to where we were headed.”
Emily’s brow furrowed in confusion as she listened to the man’s story. Maybe they weren’t talking about her. She’d made a point not to interact too closely with any of the other passengers and she certainly hadn’t been walked to her door by any of them, as this man had so assuredly claimed.
She had almost convinced herself that her worry was irrational, when a third voice spoke. It was the unmistakable, smooth drawl of Casper Lorenz.
“Which cabin?” Two words, Emily thought. It only took two words for Casper to send her into full hyperventilation. Her p
alms started to sweat as Emily realized that this was the end. The running was over. Casper had found her and tonight he would exact his revenge. A dozen dark scenarios of slow painful death flashed before her eyes. All that stood between Emily and Casper was a thin wooden door and an inebriated tourist.
“It was…” the man’s slur turned into a hiccup, “way up on the ninth deck. Ninety-seven.” Emily could hear Casper conferring quietly with his men as the passenger prattled to himself. “No. Ninety-ninety-seven…” the man let out a loud expletive, “Nine-ninety-seven. Yup, that’s it. Nine-hundred-ninety-seven, on the ninth floor, with a blue door.” He repeated the rhyme as if thoroughly proud of himself.
Emily breathed a tentative sigh of relief. This was the second deck. Her cabin number was 204. The passenger was sending Casper to the opposite end of the ship and even the wrong level.
“Let’s go.” came Casper’s sharp command.
“Sir, should I take care of this?” the first brusque voice asked of his boss. Now that he had spoken again Emily thought that the voice might belong to Val Marquez, Casper’s go-to muscle.
“Don’t bother,” the voices began to fade as footsteps shuffled away from her doorway, “he won’t remember a thing in the morning.”
Thirty seconds later Emily was haphazardly shoving toiletries into her duffel when there was a quiet knock on the door. She froze and stared toward the wooden frame as if it were about to implode at any moment.
With caution, she approached the nearby window and lifted the corner of the curtain to peer out at the visitor.
Standing patiently outside her cabin was a man that Emily recognized as a solitary passenger whose path she had crossed numerous times during the past week. She had only noticed him for two reasons. The first was that he appeared to be the only other guest aboard the cruise ship who was traveling alone and, like Emily, clearly determined not to be bothered. The other reason had to do with the fact that he was, quite possibly, the most attractive man that Emily had ever seen in person.
