by Joanna Blake
Padded walls, low comfortable couches and a glass wall that separated the equipment and a small room set up with studio instruments.
I'd built my woman a recording studio.
I grinned and slapped Steve on the back.
"It's perfect."
Elle
I bent over the figures, entering each into the software that Mrs. Garret had taught me to use. The woman was getting on and needed help with the household expenses. It was just one of the things that I had learned to do to help in running the estate. Jake had insisted on it.
He insisted on a lot of thing lately. Not that I minded. After all, he looked damn good giving orders.
I looked up to see him standing in the doorway watching me. As usual he looked supremely relaxed. And like he wanted to have his way with me. I felt an answering warmth spread through my body.
"You're as sneaky as a cat."
He just smiled at me, looking a bit smug. That was usual too. I adored my arrogant young man though. Just the way he was. Prickles and all.
I was a bit prickly myself.
I picked up an envelope and waved it at him.
"My papers finally came in."
He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb, his eyebrows raised.
"Is that so?"
I nodded.
"I'm impressed. I think you've earned a reward."
Now it was my turn to cock an eyebrow at him.
"Really Jake, it's the middle of the day. I have work to do."
"Not that kind of reward you naughty girl. How is that going by the way?"
I sighed and leaned back in my chair.
"Well, I certainly understand how to balance books down to the dime. Years of being dirt poor will do that to you."
He nodded approvingly.
"Good girl. Come on, it's time for your riding lesson."
"If you insist. I still have work to do here."
"Buttercup will get lonely."
I rolled my eyes. They'd given me the oldest, sweetest nag on the estate to learn to ride on. After one encounter, the horse became fixated on me for some reason. It followed me around like a dog.
The sweet old thing was ridiculous. And smelly. But I had to admit I was growing fond of the silly horse.
"Alright, let's go."
I stood and followed Jake. I was already wearing riding breeches and boots. Jake had insisted I be ready to ride at a moments notice when he bought me a whole slew of tailored riding gear. Plus he said he liked the way I looked in the snug fitting pants.
I smirked as I watched his ass move in his tight jeans.
I liked the way he looked in his pants too.
We didn't go right to the stables as usual though. I frowned and followed him. He was up to something, I just knew it. We turned a corner and walked toward one of the other old buildings that littered the estate. This one was set back from the rest of the buildings, with a pretty brick path leading to the door.
He stood in front of the building with a big grin.
"What's this then?"
He just shrugged.
"Open it."
I gave him a distrustful look and reached for the door handle.
"You know I don't like surprises."
"I don't Delancey."
He just smiled wider.
"You'll like this one."
I stepped inside the building and stopped in my tracks.
He was right. I did like it. In fact, I bloody loved it.
Just like I loved him, even if I hadn't told him so quite yet.
The darling man had built me a recording studio.
Six months later
I sat at the bar with a prime view of the stage. Black Diamond was about to finish their second set. And at the end of the show, I had a surprise for the lead singer.
I looked around the room, seeing Daniel and Jackson smiling and talking to other people in the club. All three of us brothers had opened a music venue in the city, partnering with Albacus, an old family friend.
No one was more surprised than I was that things had worked out so well. But there it was. Life was good.
Life was very, very good.
The crowd was chanting for an encore while I made my way up to the stage. I had something hidden in my fist. I smiled as I stopped the band from starting a new song. I winked at the guys and held out two fists.
"Hey guys. I just have a question for Elle that couldn't wait. I hope you will understand."
The crowd roared its response in the affirmative.
I grinned and looked at my beautiful girl. As usual she looked suspicious. She didn't like surprises. I knew that. But I couldn't help myself.
Elle gave me an odd look as I offered her two clenched hands.
"Pick one."
"Really? Now?"
I nodded and she gave me an exasperated sigh.
"Alright Delancey, this better be good."
She cocked her head and tapped my left hand. I opened my fist, holding it palm up.
"Good guess."
Her beautiful eyes opened wide when she saw what it was.
It was a ring. A big honking diamond ring.
I dropped to my knee.
"Will you marry me Eleanor?"
She was already crying as she nodded. I slipped the ring on her finger while the crowd went wild. Then she threw herself into my arms, laughing and kissing me over and over again.
I wasn't surprised when she whispered into my ear, barely audible above the noise of the crowd.
"What the hell was in your other hand then?"
I shrugged sheepishly, pulling back to show her.
"Another ring. I got two, just in case."
She was laughing as I pulled her in for a kiss.
"You're incorrigible alright. But I'll have you."
I murmured into her soft kissable lips.
"Lucky me."
GRIND
Joanna Blake
Something wet slid against my ear. I brushed it away, still half asleep. It grazed my skin again and I rolled away from it. I tried to wipe it off on the pillow beneath my head, grimacing at the slimy sensation. Now I was awake and I didn't want to be.
Damn.
I opened my eyes to see a woman bending over me. Her long blond hair brushed my face. I turned my head away.
"Cut it out."
She sat up, glaring at me.
"You didn't seem to mind last night."
Normally, I would have soothed her. Called her by name. Trouble is, I had no fucking clue who the hell she was.
I looked around.
I had no idea where I was either.
"Fuck me."
She grinned at me, tossing that long bleached hair over her shoulder.
"I already did."
Belatedly I noticed that she was wearing some serious lingerie. Black and cream lace. It matched her bedroom. Her very expensive looking bedroom.
I was swimming in a sea of neutral toned sheets and blankets. Silk probably. Expensive, definitely.
"I'd like to again."
I shook my head.
"Sorry babe, I gotta go."
She pouted. I rolled out of bed, looking for my clothes.
"Oh come on... Didn't we have fun together last night?"
I smiled and nodded. It's not that she was bad looking, even if she was at least a decade older than me. It was hard to tell with these rich older broads. She was toned, buffed and polished to a high shine.
Well preserved didn't even begin to cover it.
Yeah, she was hot. Not just for a cougar. But I wasn't in the mood. I didn't usually go for seconds anyway.
Hell. I never did.
Hit it and quit it was my motto. It served me well. I didn't want any entanglements and I doubted I ever would.
I looked at her, giving my best impersonation of someone who gave a shit.
"Where are my clothes?"
She s
miled back and shrugged.
"I really couldn't say."
Fucking hell.
"That's great. Just great."
I looked around the room, lifting cushions and opening drawers. Nada. On the bedside table were my keys, wallet and phone. I scooped them up, thanking God for small favors.
"Have a nice day, Ma'am."
"Wait- you aren't leaving like that!"
I coyly waved bye bye to her and left. I jogged through her palatial house in the buff. The marble floors were cool under my feet. The place screamed mega bucks. But not in a tacky way. It was tastefully done, just like the lady herself.
She was chasing me through the house, becoming less composed by the second.
"Seriously, you can't! What will the neighbors think?"
I stopped at the front door of her mansion, glancing back over my shoulder.
"You should have thought of that before you hid my shit."
She screamed in frustration and threw a vase at me. I heard it shatter against the door as I closed it behind me. Just in the nick of time.
"Damn. That would have left a mark."
I made a call as I strolled down her manicured driveway to the gate.
"Joss, can you pick me up? I need a ride."
I leaned against the wrought iron gate and waved at a neighbor who was walking their dog.
"Take your time."
HEAT
Joanna Blake
"I'll stay."
Trent looked supremely confident as he held his cards. I doubted he could beat me though, I had three tens. And his outlandish bets were making me laugh. He'd even got me playing along.
So far I'd won every hand. I'd won a puppy, having my car washed, by him, and a years worth of magazine subscriptions. The good ones too. Design and garden stuff. The kind of stuff a woman like me dreamed about.
"What do you want this time?"
"Dinner with me at the restaurant of my choice. When I get out of here, of course."
I shook my head.
"You're crazy."
"What do you want if you win?"
I closed my eyes.
"I don't know. A housekeeper to come and deep clean the place. Just once."
I grinned at her.
"Don't sell yourself so short. Every week. For a year."
"Trent, that's too much."
He grinned at me arrogantly. I felt a little flutter of excitement in the pit of my stomach. That had been happening a lot lately.
Whenever I was around Trent. He smirked at me, leaning forward.
"Doesn't matter. I'm winning this one."
He cocked his eyebrow at me.
"Ready?"
I nodded. And watched as he laid down three queens. He had done it. He had won.
I sighed, showing my hand.
He smiled at me wickedly and I swallowed. I had just agreed to dinner with a patient. It was not professional.
Of course, he wouldn't be a patient any more by the time the dinner happened...
He shuffled the cards and dealt again. I picked up my hand, glancing at the cards. I had nothing. Trent was already making a new wager.
"If I win this hand, I get to give you a back rub."
"That doesn't seem appropriate..."
"It's just your back Lexi. Don't be such a killjoy."
I sighed and nodded. I was being reckless. But I didn't care.
Besides, I could really use a shoulder rub.
I drew three new cards. I was having an unusual streak of bad luck. I knew the cards were random but it didn't feel that way. It felt like fate was working against me. Breaking down my barriers.
My protection. From him.
He laid his cards across the desk, grinning at me. Three aces. Then he wiggled his fingers at me.
"Get ready for the magic fingers."
I shook my head.
"If anyone sees you..."
He grabbed the sides of my chair and spun me around. I felt his breath fan my ear. Chills broke out all over my body.
"No one will see."
His fingers brushed the sensitive area behind my ears and I gasped. Then I moaned as his 'magic fingers' went to work. He hadn't been lying. He was very good at what he was doing.
Who knew a back rub could be so arousing?
Trent knew how to give a good back rub.
And then some.
His hands were strong and warm as he pressed them against my shoulders. He squeezed, not too hard, but definitely not too soft. It was perfect.
I sighed.
Heaven.
He worked his way down my spine, pressing and rolling the muscles. He seemed to know exactly where I was tender, or stiff, or sore. And he knew just how to touch me.
He worked down to my waist and his fingers wrapped around me.
It almost tickled... but it didn't. I felt a shiver run through my body. I knew without looking that my arm was broken out in goosebumps.
He leaned forward and whispered against the back of my neck.
"Really though, your top should be off..."
I laughed, spinning away.
"I wasn't finished with you."
I gave him a look.
"Yes, you were."
He held up his hands.
"Alright, whatever you want."
He grinned at me, his teeth showing.
"But really, I was just getting started. What you need is a full body rub. With oils."
I rolled my eyes at him, reaching for my tablet.
"It's almost time for my rounds. I really should-"
He grabbed my hand, snatching it away from the tablet. Then he kissed it, giving me puppy dog eyes. He turned my hand over and kissed the inside of my wrist.
Oh.
My.
God.
His lips were warm and surprisingly soft. I knew they would feel good on my lips. Or wherever he put them.
Snap out of it, Lexi!
"One more hand. Please. And then I'll tottle off to bed like a good boy."
I don't know why but I nodded.
Maybe I was afraid to let the moment end. I was enjoying myself too much.
Maybe I was curious to see what he would come up with this time.
"What are we playing for now?"
"Seven minutes in heaven."
"What's that?"
He gave me a sly smile.
"Just tell me what you want in return."
I shook my head.
"Okay Mr. Mysterious. I would like- I would like you to give your full attention to your recovery and stop flirting with nurses!"
He looked crestfallen.
"I don't flirt with nurses. I flirt with you."
I didn't want to believe him. But I did. Either way though, he had to stop.
"Fine, I would like you to focus on getting better."
He gave me a look that was tragic.
"No more fun?"
I shook my head firmly.
"If I lose."
I nodded.
"Yes, if you lose."
He brightened then.
"But you are still having dinner with me, regardless."
I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Yes. As friends."
He grinned at me.
"Friends is a good place to start."
He shuffled the cards, utterly focused. He dealt the cards in silence. I picked up my hand. I had three aces. My stomach sank.
I realized in that moment that I didn't want to win.
He was frowning at his cards, utterly focused. He glanced up at me. I realized how much this meant to him. To both of us.
I just didn't know how the hell that had happened.
"Do you need anything?"
I nodded, exhaling.
"I'll take two."
I handed him the two other cards. I'd nearly handed him one of my aces. But that seemed wrong somehow.
The next two cards were unremarkable. It was still a great hand. A winning hand.
/>
I looked up at him. He was deep in thought. I knew I was going to win. I wanted to call a halt right now. I wanted to get up, make an excuse and start all over again tomorrow.
"I'll stay."
I almost groaned.
"We don't have to do this. We can just call it a draw."
He looked at me, his eyes dark and serious.
"Not a chance, Sexy Lexi."
Then he laid his cards out.
He had a royal flush.
A ROYAL FLUSH.
Ten of hearts, jack of hearts, queen of hearts, king of hearts and ace of hearts.
My eyes lifted to his, utterly amazed. He wasn't smiling in victory though. He was staring at my mouth.
He looked... hungry.
Without a word he grabbed my hand, pulling me down the hallway.
"Where are we going?"
"Shhh... you don't want to wake the patients."
I noticed that his limp was barely there. I smiled. Perhaps this was good for his recovery after all.
Then he pushed me inside a supply closet. He smiled at me, blocking the doorway with his body. Then he used his foot to shut it behind him.
We were alone. In a closet. My heart started beating double time.
I stared at him, no clue what he was up to.
"Trent. Is this... your idea of a joke?"
He stared at me.
"No joke sweetheart."
"I don't get it. I need to go-"
"Are you welshing?"
I sighed. I wasn't. But this was a very, very bad idea. Whatever it was he was planning.
"No."
He grinned at me, clearly relieved.
"Good. We just need a timer. Does your phone have one?"
I nodded, pulling it out.
"Set it for seven minutes."
I did, holding it up to show him.
He reached backwards and locked the door of the supply closet. Then he hit the light switch.
We were in total darkness.
That's when I felt him. His hands were on my hips as he dragged me towards him.
His lips came crashing down on mine, silencing my protest. He kissed me like he was dying of thirst and I was a cold glass of water. He kissed me like I was the last girl on Earth.
