I flushed. “I can get a job.”
“You spend money like no one I’ve ever seen. I can’t afford your lifestyle. And you’d be miserable within a week living on my wage.”
“That’s not true. I love you.”
“Yeah, but I’m gone for weeks at a time. What would you do then? No resources. No money. Alone, by yourself here? On a boat?”
“I could get a job.”
He gave me the saddest smile I’ve ever seen. “Femi, I feel things for you I haven’t felt for anyone, but this is an impossible situation. You’d hate me within a month, resenting this life, resenting my job. I can’t ask you to do it.”
“Aaron, let me try.”
“And what?” He almost yelled. “And when you get tired of playing house on this boat, you’d take off, and I’m left here to suck up my failure.”
I’d been so concerned about my feelings that it never dawned on me how much this plan would cost Aaron. Not only would he put his heart on the line, but he’d also have to support me. Financially and emotionally, at least until I found a job. He’d need to teach me how to live within my means. I didn’t know anything about how to cook or do laundry or sail a boat. In my entire life, I’d never been in a grocery store. He’d be opening his whole life up to me, and praying I’d accept it. And he believed that I wouldn’t be able to adapt. That I wouldn’t stay.
The daunting task ahead of us almost overwhelmed me. What if I failed him? What if I couldn’t handle the long absences, the mundanity of living such a simple life? What if I wasn’t strong enough?
“It’s not only about dating, Femi. This isn’t a casual affair where we figure out if we’re compatible. You’d be giving up your family and inheritance. And in turn, you’d become my responsibility. Those are some shit odds to overcome.”
My options were stark. I could walk back off this boat and never look back. Never see Aaron again. I’d have opulence and wealth and all the trappings in this world that most people only dreamed of, but Aaron would be lost to me.
Or I could stay here and try and forge a life with this incredible man. He was the reason my heart beat. He was the only person I wanted in my life. But those times would be fleeting. He’d be gone weeks or even months at a time, and in his wake, I’d be left in a life where I knew no one, I had no money, no job prospects. I’d be like a newborn, learning how to walk. Would Aaron be patient with me? Would he be able to handle my mistakes and my struggles?
I flopped back on the bench, my heart aching. “Are you saying you don’t want to try?”
“Six months ago that is exactly what I said.” His eyes drifted over the water. “But I thought it’d be easier to let go of you.”
I rushed into his arms. Our kiss was frantic, passionate, wrought with anxiety and fear of loss.
I lifted my head. “I’m so scared of disappointing you, but my life had no meaning when you left.”
His big hand stroked my hair. “I’m pretty sure you’re going to hate this life and leave, but I’m willing to take whatever time I can get.”
“This last six months was the worst. I couldn’t stand it.”
“Femi.”
Chapter 32
Femi
I lifted my t-shirt over my head, and my back arched as his hot mouth trailed down my neck. My fingers clung to his broad shoulders when he pushed aside my bra and suckled on my nipples until I writhed in frustration.
“Take off your pants,” he growled.
“Out here?”
“No one’s around. Everyone is either at work or out fishing.”
I stood up and pushed my jeans and thong off my body. I climbed back on his lap, and his warm, big hands rested under my butt cheeks.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” His icy eyes filled with uncertainty and hope.
I leaned forward, so my lips pressed against him. “You’re my best friend and the only one I want to be around. I want to do this.”
“Are you nervous?”
“About what?”
“About this life? You’re giving up so much.”
“I’m more worried that you’re going to lose patience with me and give me the heave-ho.”
He pressed his lips on mine in a hot kiss filled with so much promise and heat, my head nearly spun. “I don’t care how many times you fall, if you keep trying, I’ll have your back every time.”
“Aaron.” I whimpered when I felt his fingers push into my wet heat. My head fell back as my body began to ride those fingers. “I’ve missed this so much.”
He pushed his board shorts down, and then with hands on my hips, he slowly lowered me onto him.
I gasped at the sheer size of him, but he took it slow, letting my body adjust and stretch around his girth. I put my arms around his thick neck.
He sighed and shut his eyes. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
“I wasn’t going to let this end.”
He opened his eyes, and there came that smile. The one that set my heart and future on fire. “You took your sweet time.”
I shifted on his cock, enjoying how it made his lips slightly part. “Are you going to fuck me now?”
He leaned back, his hands behind his head. “Nope. You’re going to fuck me.”
Using my knees, I moved up and down, riding his cock with excruciatingly slow movements.
His head fell back, and he groaned. “Femi.”
“I’ve dreamed of this so much,” I breathed.
His fingers dug into my hips. “You’re going to kill me.”
“Slowly.”
He laughed and flipped me over, so my back rested on the bench. Bending his head, he sucked one nipple into his mouth.
He planted his hands on either side of my head. “My turn.”
My murmurs became gasps, as he picked up the pace, pumping his hard length into me with strength.
It didn’t take long before I felt my body clench around his cock and then I came apart. My heart, my body, my mind.
Aaron groaned hard in my ear and then bucked his release hard into me.
And then all the pieces came back together. My heart. My soul. My future.
He pushed my damp hair back off my forehead and gazed into my eyes. “Are we going to do this?”
Laughter, joy, so much happiness bubbled out of me. “Yes. We are.”
His smile broke across his face. “I can’t wait.”
Neither could I.
* * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Femi and Aaron’s story. I am really passionate about hot Navy SEAL alpha males.
I REALLY wanted to write a quick simple novella. No muss, no fuss, but this book got away from me. And now I want to see what happens with Aaron and Femi! Will she be able to survive without her inheritance? How will she handle dating a Navy SEAL? Will they get their HEA?
I will be releasing the second half of this novella September 2019 and it will be an exclusive free VIP gift to my VIP newsletter subscribers. If you are not yet signed up to my newsletter, you can sign up here.
And a profound thanks to my readers who make this amazing career possible. I appreciate each and everyone of you!
If you haven’t yet had a chance to read the first three books in this series, stay tuned for an excerpt! Book 1 and 2 are a duet about Jackson and Emily. Book 3 is a standalone, about Beth. I also have two sports romance books and I’ve included an excerpt from the first book of that series.
Love,
Odette Stone
Books By Odette
THE NAVY SEAL GUILTY SERIES
My Fiancé’s Brother: Book 1 of duet
My Fiancé’s Brother: Book 2 of duet
My Fake Fiancé: Stand alone
My Donut Princess: Free Novella
THE VANCOUVER WOLVES HOCKEY SERIES
Puck Me Secretly
Home Game
The Penalty Box
High Risk Rookie
Hook My Heart: Free Novella
SPIN OFF STANDALONE
Dark Russian Angel: A mafia romance
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Excerpt from: Puck Me Secretly
A Vancouver Wolves Hockey Romance
Prologue
“Well, Dave, we got breaking news that hockey player, Max Logan, assaulted his own teammate, Joseph Flanynk. We have all seen footage of the fight that spilled out of the Minnesota Marmot’s own dressing room. They reported that Flanynk has undergone facial surgery and he will not play for the rest of the season.”
“Jim, did you see this fight? It has gone viral across the sport’s world and would make Conner McGregor flinch. Never, on or off the ice, have I ever seen a fight that extreme or violent.”
“Max Logan has a lot to answer for. Supposedly, the Minnesota coach will bench him for the rest of the season.”
“Jim, if he does, that will cost Minnesota their chance at winning the Stanley Cup.”
“Dave, I think Logan took it too far this time. I’m not sure if he can ever come back from this. I would bet that Minnesota is actively working to get rid of Max Logan.”
“Jim, I agree. But if that happens, the chances of Logan being accepted on a trade is almost minuscule, despite his skills on the ice. A GM can’t risk this kind of off-ice antics because it can derail a team. Tonight may have been Max’s last professional hockey game.”
Chapter One
I strode into the airport lounge, stepped up to the bar, and tossed my bag on the chair beside me.
“What will you have?” the bartender set a coaster in front of me.
“A gin and tonic, please,” I pulled out my wallet. “Make it a double.”
I was heading home. Liquid fortitude was in order.
My phone vibrated.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Sweetheart, how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Your dad and I are excited to see you.”
I didn’t bother to hide the amusement in my voice, “Mom, only two months ago, you were at my graduation.”
It had been no small accomplishment to persuade my parents to let me spend the summer in New York after I graduated from University, but they had caved.
“Rory, you know what I mean. We’re happy that you’re moving back home. It’s been a long four years.”
I begged to differ. It had been the greatest four years of my life. Wanting to be independent, I had picked a university far from home. But now my bid for freedom was ending, and the prodigal daughter was returning home.
I loved my parents. As helicopter as they were, they loved me. Sometimes too much.
“It’ll be nice to be back in Vancouver.”
“It thrills your father you’ll be working with him. He’s been talking about it for weeks.”
The tension in my stomach grew tighter. My father always wanted a son to follow him into his business. But since I was his only child that lovely honor now fell onto my shoulders.
Crushing me.
I had no intention of joining my father in his business, but we negotiated a deal four years ago. If he let me go to university in New York, I would return to Vancouver and intern with him for one year upon graduation.
“I think they’re calling my flight for boarding, Mom,” I lied. “I should go check.”
“Okay. Your father and I have a charity benefit tonight, so we’ll send the car for you.”
“Sure, sounds fine.” My parents enjoyed significant societal commitments. Warm airport welcomes were not something we did as a family.
“Love you, Rory.”
“See you soon, Mom.”
I hung up the phone. Not caring that it was only noon, I motioned for the bartender to pour me another gin and tonic. Boarding started in 30 minutes and I needed liquid courage to get on my flight.
A man approached the bar. I studied him from beneath my eyelashes.
Smoking hot.
He stood well over six feet tall and his light brown hair touched his collar. From the silver military style watch on his wide wrist to the navy dress shirt that opened at the collar, he looked expensive. His dark jeans fit over his sculpted ass. Super-hot and so not my type. I didn’t go for athletic men, and I didn’t go for wealthy ones. He was both.
As if he had a sixth sense, he turned so I could see his face.
Holy fuck.
The breath sucked into my body as I took in his incredible jawline that narrowed towards his chin. His cheekbones were so chiseled they’d make Di Vinci weep. Slanting blue eyes studied something behind me. Pulling my eyes away from him, I tossed back my drink.
A voice crackled over the loudspeakers. “Attention all flyers, Canada West, flight 335 to Vancouver has been delayed. Your new departure time is 12:50 PM. We apologize for this inconvenience.”
I refrained from groaning. I hated flying.
“Another one, sweetheart?”
“Yes please, make it another double.”
“Sure thing.”
The hot guy sat at the bar, a few seats away from me. Out of my peripheral, I noted that he checked his watch when the announcement sounded. Then, he motioned for the bartender to bring him a drink.
During my four years in New York, I preferred to date artists. Most of my ex-boyfriends were brilliant painters with sweet souls. What they lacked in physique they more than made up with their intellect and sensitivity. This guy appeared to be the typical guy who avoided talking about his feelings, preferring to watch sports and drink with his buddies.
He was also built to fuck.
The thought rushed through my brain like a bad buzz. I sat frozen, my drink halfway to my lips. Where had that thought come from? I studied him with discretion. The sports television above the bar held his undivided attention.
The Baby Men, as my father had coined my boyfriends, had one major flaw. They all sucked in the sack. Maybe it was their lanky, thin frames or the fact they were more cerebral than physical, but my sex life, to date, had been lackluster.
Hot guy had massive shoulders, and an athletic body. To be honest, his power scared me. Like a dark angel who could crush a woman’s heart without even trying. He’d take charge in and out of the bedroom.
I learned early in life that I don’t want to give anyone power or control over me. My entire life I suffered in a power struggle with my dad. Why would I date someone who wanted to dominate? This guy was pure alpha male. An exciting prospect in the sack, but the rest of your life promised to be a living hell.
A voice crackled over the loudspeakers. “Attention, please. This is the first boarding call for Canada West, flight 335 to Vancouver. Departing passengers should proceed to gate number 23 immediately.”
I downed my drink so that I felt buzzed enough to manage take off. I headed to the washroom. My long black hair hung straight down to my waist. I could nothing about my bleary blue eyes, but I touched up my lip gloss and squared my shoulders.
Fake it, till you make it.
I walked to the boarding area and sat down on one of the hard, blue seats. Despite the alcohol cour
sing through my veins, I felt panicky.
I can do this!
The boarding line diminished until only the airline staff remained at the gate. I could not seem to get off my chair. My churning gut told me not to get on that flight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Canada West, flight 335 to Vancouver is closing its doors in one minute. Ticketed passengers must board immediately. I repeat, this is the final boarding call for Canada West, flight 335 to Vancouver.”
Did it matter if I took a later flight? My parents wouldn’t care. They were at a function tonight. I could get a hotel, or even better, return to NYC.
Above me, the overhead speaker crackled. “Rory Ashford, please report to gate 23 immediately. Rory Ashford. Please report to gate 23.”
With heavy, reluctant limbs, I walked up to the gate. The attendant glared at me as she took my passport and my boarding pass.
“Didn’t you hear the announcement?”
I tried to speak, but no words came out.
She snapped my papers back at me. “Have a nice flight.”
Puck Me Secretly, is now available on Amazon and KU.
Excerpt from: My Fiancé’s Brother - Part 1
Chapter One
I stared at myself in the grimy glass door of the subway train, trying to avoid the crush of jostling people that pressed against my back. I looked less like a bride-to-be, and more like a college waif with my red hair pulled into a ponytail and my blue eyes devoid of make-up. I had gotten caught up in my book and when I realized how late it was, I had to run just to get out the door, let alone bother with makeup.
My Donut Princess: The Navy SEAL Series, Novella Page 12
