by Sky Corgan
“I'm not sure it would be healthy to remove him from everything he knows.” I screw my face in thought.
“He's your brother, Ember. It's completely up to you. And your mother, of course. And him. I just wanted you to know that I'll support you whatever you want to do.
“If you want to move him in with us, I'm fine with that too. It would be hard, but we could make it work.”
I bite my bottom lip and shake my head. “How was I ever able to find such a wonderful man?”
He let's out a short laugh. “I hear that internet dating works sometimes.”
“Internet dating. Ha!” I guffaw. Remembering how we met always makes me giggle. It seems so unreal sometimes. “Seriously, though, I could not ask for anyone better.”
“Neither could I.” He smiles at me.
“Oh, yes you could. You could have so much better.”
“Stop it,” his tone is firm. “I want you, Ember. I've never wanted anyone else since I met you.”
“And I haven't wanted anyone else since I met you either.” I let my guard down. Sometimes, self-doubt still creeps in, but Colton is good at pushing it back.
“In fact, I don't think I'll ever want anyone else. I know I won't.” He fumbles for something in his pocket before standing to walk around the table.
When he drops to one knee in front of me, it feels like I might have a panic attack. All of the happy endorphins go to my head at once, swelling it with heat. I have to fan myself to keep from falling into a blubbering fit of sobs.
“Ember Washington, you have been an absolute beast to me at times.” He gives me a toothy grin that melts my heart. “But I was able to tame you, somehow.”
“It's still a work in progress some days.”
“It is, but I enjoy the challenge.”
He presents me with a little black box, opening it up so that the glittering diamond faces me. To be honest, I wouldn't care if there was a quarter machine ring inside. My answer would still be the same.
“I want to face all of life's challenges with you, if you'll let me. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” the word is out of my mouth almost before he has the chance to finish. There's no way I'm letting him get away again. This opportunity to have him by my side for the rest of my life—it's a gift. One I swear I will never take for granted.
He slides the ring onto my finger. It's a difficult feat since I'm shaking so badly. Once it's on, he stands and pulls me into an embrace. The waterworks really turn on then. I cry as if he just told me the worst news of my life instead of the best. I cling to him until I get a hold of myself.
“You've made me the happiest woman in the world,” I tell him when I finally pull away.
“It's my pleasure, and it will be my pleasure for the rest of my life.”
I stare down at the ring as he takes his seat. I don't want this happy feeling to ever go away.
“I wanted to propose to you here because I don't want all of your memories in Salisbury to be bad. You started a new life when you moved to Houston. And now we're going to start a new life together. I want that life to be filled with happy memories wherever you go.”
“I hate you for making me cry so much.” I wipe my eyes on my napkin, smearing my makeup everywhere. I know he doesn't care. Colton has told me that I look beautiful on my worst days. Even though my eyes are red from crying, this is far from my worst day. Quite the opposite, in fact.
“You love me for putting up with you,” he teases.
“I love you for so much more.”
And that's the story of how the pervert tamed the beast.
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Bonus Excerpt from Mixed Up
Nine. That's the number of job interviews I've gone to this month. This is number ten, and it's going far worse than any of the ones before it.
There was a long gray hair in the takeout burrito I ordered for lunch, and when I started walking up to the imposing Enkidu Industries building, my heel slipped through a crack in the sidewalk and snapped right off. Up to that point, I was early. I'm always early. But an emergency trip back to my apartment to grab a new pair of shoes has put me fifteen minutes behind.
As I rush towards the building, I wonder why I'm even bothering. Who wants to hire someone who is fifteen minutes late? I'm already here though, so there's no harm in seeing if they'll still be willing to interview me.
My optimism is at an all-time low. Job-hunting is soul-sucking, and when you've been rejected as many times as I have, it's hard to keep a smile on your face and hope in your heart. I'm not even qualified for this job. It was a miracle they offered me an interview in the first place.
The woman at the front desk smiles pleasantly at me. I'll have to smile pleasantly at everyone who enters this building if I get this job.
“I'm Kira. I have a one—”
“Mister Bernier has been waiting for you. Third floor. Take a left, and it's the fifth door to the right.” She nods towards the elevator. The look she's giving me is odd, somewhere between annoyance and disdain.
I don't reply. I simply head to the elevator and thank God that I wasn't dismissed completely. At least they were nice enough to give me a chance. That's more than most companies would do.
As I ride the elevator up, I wonder how I got so lucky. Hopefully, Mister Bernier will be sympathetic to my excuse. Then again, guys have little sympathy for women's fashion crises. Maybe he'll be a kindly old man, or a perverted one. It's getting to the point where I'll resort to desperate measures to get a job. I take a moment to unfasten the top button on my blouse, letting a bit of cleavage show. If you've got it, you might as well use it. And I've definitely got it.
The air conditioner blows down on me as I walk through the hallway, helping to cool off the perspiration, making me look a bit more presentable. When I get in front of the door to Mister Bernier's office, I pause, gathering whatever fake confidence I can muster.
I knock hard, and a male voice from the other side tells me to come in. I inhale deeply before grabbing the door handle and twisting it to step into the room.
Whatever thoughts were occupying my head plummet off a cliff as my eyes land on muscular naked flesh. The breath I took only seconds earlier stills inside of me when my gaze falls to the thick, erect cock poised to greet me. My body throbs with unexpected desire; my mind goes insane with confusion.
“Close the door,” the man says firmly.
“I think I'm in the wrong room,” I stutter, taking a step back. Even though I know it's rude to stare, I can't pull my eyes away from his body. He's so breathtakingly handsome. Even if I don't get the job, the day definitely doesn't feel wasted.
“You're Kira, right?” He stares straight at me, his baby blues burning into me.
“Yes.” I hesitate. This has to be some mistake. How does this guy know my name, and why is he naked? This isn't even an office. It's just a small room with a massage table.
“Come inside and close the door.” He crosses his arms over his chest impatiently. When I don't budge, he reaches for my wrist and pulls me inside. Instinctively, I flinch, stumbling into the room and watching him close the door behind us. The look he gives me bites right through me. “What's wrong with you? Are you new?”
Am I new? I don't even know how to answer that. I have no idea what's going on. It's like I'm in some surreal fever dream.
My heart is beating incredibly fast. My voice is caught in my throat. And all I can do is stare at this gorgeous stranger as he stands naked before me, cock
dangling to and fro.
“You're naked.” Dear God, Kira. Seriously? Did you just state the obvious? He's going to think you're a complete moron.
“I am.” His expression is unyielding as he rounds the table and pulls himself up onto it. “How do you want me?”
In so many ways. I would totally forgo my job interview to fuck him. I've never seen a man this attractive in all my life.
“I think you've mistaken me for someone else.” Despite my arousal, I slowly back towards the door. Once he realizes this is all just a case of mistaken identity, I'll be out the door and back to my boring life. Maybe I won't even bother trying to find Mister Bernier. Now that I've run into Mister Buck Naked, I'm late beyond saving. There's no way this level of tardiness is acceptable.
He casts an irritated look at me. “You're Kira from Zenway Massage, right? Mary's replacement.”
Relief flushes through me, though I don't know why. He did have me mixed up with someone else. I can't even imagine how embarrassed he's going to be when I tell him. “No. I'm Kira who's here for the receptionist position.”
The muscles in his shoulders tense as my words sink in. For a moment, the room is silent. I soak in the sculpting of his back while I wait to be dismissed.
“You're here for the receptionist position,” he repeats slowly as if he still doesn't quite understand. Then he scowls. “Idiot.” The harshness of his tone makes me want to cower. I'm just about to ask to be excused when there's a knock on the door. As I glance towards it, the man pulls himself around so that he's facing the door, his erect cock still on display for the next visitor. “Come in.”
A petite girl with long wavy black hair and a warm smile steps inside. She's wearing blue scrubs with the name Kira embroidered in red just below her left shoulder. This is the woman he was expecting. Not me, some clueless woman who still has no idea what's going on.
How the girl's eyes don't fall directly to the man's cock is beyond me. It's like she's seen him naked one hundred times before, like it doesn't even faze her. She casts a confused glance in my direction before outstretching her hand to Mister Naked. “Mister Bernier, I'm Kira. Sorry I'm late. I was stuck in traffic.” Her voice is sickeningly chipper.
Mister Bernier? Wasn't this the guy I was supposed to be interviewing with? Now I'm completely lost.
He doesn't even jump down from the massage table as he gives her hand a terse shake before looking between us. The tension in the air rises about ten levels as he carelessly rakes his eyes over our bodies. There's no hiding that he's checking us out like some lecher. My cheeks heat up as his eyes meet mine. Good God, a woman could get lost in those eyes for hours. Such a pale shade of blue with tiny flecks of gold. Gold, like his hair. I don't typically like blonds, but he's absolutely yummy. And natural. The curtains match the drapes. Just thinking about it makes my blush deepen.
“You said you're looking for a job.” His gaze is so intense I want to look away, but I don't. He's so intimidating in all of his naked glory.
“Mm-hmm,” I practically hum.
He turns his attention to the other Kira. “You can go.”
Her demeanor changes in a heartbeat as she casts a glance at me like I'm some kind of competition. “Was I so late that you called someone else?” The pitch of her voice makes it sound like she's accusing him of cheating on her, which is certainly not the case. I still don't know what's happening, but at least I'll have a story to tell Yolanda later.
“No. I've decided I no longer require your services today.”
She shifts her weight. “With all due respect, sir, it was a long drive over here, and while I realize I was late, Zenway does have a cancellation policy. You're still going to be charged for this visit.”
The annoyed look returns to his face. “That's fine. Just bill my account.”
“Would you like to reschedule?”
“I'll have the receptionist do it later.” He stares directly at me as he speaks. I can't help but wonder if that's a hint. If he was the guy that I'm supposed to interview with, then maybe he'll hire me after all due to this embarrassing mishap. One can only hope.
“All right.” The other Kira hesitates, noticing that his full attention is on me. “Well, I promise I won't be late next time.”
“That will be all.” He waves his hand towards her dismissively. In my peripheral vision, I can see her backing away. She bows politely, mutters something, and then disappears out the door, leaving me alone with Mister Naked. “I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding, Miss…”
“Golden. Kira Golden.” I fill in the blank for him.
“Kira Golden.”
A shiver courses through me as he says my name. I love the way it rolls off his tongue, the strong masculine sound of his voice. I can picture his perfect lips moaning it. And as my vision keeps getting distracted by his now half-erect cock, I can picture my lips bringing him back to life.
“Well, Kira Golden.” His eyes leave mine for the first time since the other girl departed, though only to glance at my breasts. I silently curse myself for unbuttoning my shirt. It's fuel for his erection. Then again, maybe that's not a bad thing, especially if he plans to use it on me later. “The receptionist I have now is a stand-in from a temporary agency. She must have gotten you mixed up with the Kira who was supposed to come give me a massage.”
“Oh. Well. That's quite all right. Mistakes happen.” I laugh stupidly. My nervousness is finally shining through full force. Now that we're alone together again, I can't tell if I want him to kick me out of the room or fuck me senseless.
“I don't believe in coincidences.” He finally hops down from the table, his cock bobbing between his legs. My eyes zero in on it, and I'm amazed by the sheer size of him. I've been with quite a few men, but none as big as he is. He knows he's hung. He knows he's hot. And he probably also knows it's driving me crazy.
“Are coincidences the same thing as mistakes?” I sound like an idiot, but I just can't stop myself. I'm so distracted.
“You do know that my face is up here.” He points to his eyes, and my cheeks turn a blazing shade of red.
“I'm sorry,” I stutter, taking a step back to give him more room.
“You're acting like you've never seen a naked man before.”
I have. Many and more. None like him though.
It takes me a moment to swallow my embarrassment and regain my composure. “Mister Bernier, was it? Would you like for me to leave?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “You came here for an interview, didn't you? I'm going to interview you.”
“Do you usually interview people naked?” It's taking everything in me to keep my eyes fixed on his face, but now that he's called me out on looking at his dick, it seems to be a lot easier.
“No. This is a special case.” The side of his lip quirks into an amused smirk. “You do still want an interview, right? I can only assume you didn't come here just to leave.”
There's a strange sense of arrogance in his tone, like he knows I won't run away. Like he knows I actually enjoy being in the room with him like this. Nothing this exciting has happened to me in a long time. And I certainly can't complain about the view.
“I would like an interview.” I nod.
“What do you know about my company?” He crosses his arms over his chest, as if everything that's going on is completely normal. This is so far from normal. How can he act like we're sitting at a desk across from each other when he's standing there naked and erect, and I'm only a few feet away feeling hot and bothered?
My mind blanks, and then I groan internally. I hadn't even bothered researching the company since I never expected to get the job in the first place. “I know you need a new receptionist.” Really, Kira? Is that the best you can do?
He lets out a short laugh, “You don't know anything about my company at all, do you?”
My jaw tenses as I shake my head. There's no getting around it. “No. I don't.”
“My name is Parker Bernier,” he
says proudly, as if the name should hold some meaning to me.
“Parker Bernier.” I repeat it back slowly, searching my memory for any mention of it. None. It's about as telling as John Doe.
He looks at me expectantly for a moment, then his smirk fades. “You've never heard of me?”
“No.” It sounded more like a question than an answer. Should I have heard of him? I don't exactly go around researching businessmen.
“Is this the first job interview you've ever been to?” The sincerity of the question feels like a slap to my face. He must really think I'm stupid. I want to shoot back with the same question. What decent man interviews his potential employees buck naked?
“No,” I reply dryly, not bothering to hide the offense in my tone.
“You should really research the companies you apply to before you go on an interview. It looks highly unprofessional if you can't answer a question as simple as that.”
“Says the man with no pants.” I put my hand on my hip and shift my weight, unable to hold my tongue any longer. Maybe I don't want this job after all. He's being a bit of a dick.
A broad smile races across his face. “To be fair, you weren't supposed to interview with me in the first place. You were supposed to interview with the HR coordinator.”
“Then why are you interviewing me?” I arch an eyebrow. It would have been easy enough for him to send me down the hall or to wherever HR is. But no, he chose to interview me himself. Why?
“Because I think you're exactly what I've been looking for.” His eyes boldly scan up and down my body again before he takes a step closer. My breath stills as he reaches for my hand, picking it up and turning it over to look at my palm. I practically moan as he rubs my fingers. There's just something so sensual about it. Being so close to him isn't helping either. The moment our hands touched, my libido went into overdrive. Now I'm just standing here, helpless and confused and horny out of my mind. “Your hands are soft.” My hand is shaking. I'm so nervous that my body can't contain it. The fact that I can't be still seems only to amuse him more. “Have you ever given a massage before, Miss Golden?”
