Love Me Or Lose Me

by Rita Sawyer

  “But your father—” Thomas covered her mouth with his.

  The kiss was sweet yet filled with passion. She sighed as he eased his mouth from hers. Okay, it sounded more like a whimper, but it still sounded good.

  “Trust me. My father loves me and you enough to see reason in time.”

  “Are you sure?” He could tell from her tone that she wanted to believe him.

  “I’m sure. Just as sure as I am that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He slipped that last bit in hoping to gauge her response.

  Her eyes widened for a second then narrowed. “Was that a proposal? Because if it was, you better try again.”

  “Baby, when I propose I’m going to do it right. I was just letting you know you can run anywhere you want, I’ll just come and get you. I’m not letting go. Do we have an understanding?” He saw the tears in her eyes, and this time he didn’t mind them.

  She nodded. And he leaned in to kiss her sweet lips. She threw her arms around his neck plastering her upper body to his. He wished her little sister wasn’t inside probably listening to everything they were saying. He wanted her so badly he could take her right there.

  She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “I just want you to know I’m going to say yes, because I’ve decided I’m not giving up on us. Ever.”

  “Deal.” He leaned forward and sealed it with a kiss.

  About the Author

  Rita writes contemporary romances of varying heat levels, hopefully all with a hint of humor. She lives in New England with her husband and three kids.

  Website – http://www.ritasawyer.com

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  If you liked LOVE ME OR LOSE ME you might also enjoy FALLING HARD AND FAST by Rita Sawyer.

  http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Falling-Hard-And-Fast-by-Rita-Sawyer.html

  Chapter One

  Suzie Ricker drove her car into the supermarket’s overcrowded parking lot and instantly wanted to drive right back out. “What the hell are all these people doing here in the middle of the day?”

  The lot was so packed she spent ten minutes driving up and down the aisles looking for an open slot. She thought ducking out of work a few hours early would have let her beat the rush hour traffic and shoppers, but with it being Friday she seemed out of luck. It didn’t help that it was Valentine’s Day. If it wasn’t for her sister’s way too affectionate cat, which was probably starving by now, she’d just say screw it and go home. But the big fluffy gray and black tiger cat was depending on her. Well, he was for the next two weeks. And really if Cuddles, she shook her head at the sappy name, was going to share her bed and keep her warm she should at least feed him.

  She spotted a truck a few feet ahead backing out of a spot and lined her car up to slide in after it exited. Milk, cat food, and maybe a couple of chocolate éclairs for herself and she’d be out of there. Her sister worked from home so the poor beast wasn’t used to being left home alone all day. She hoped her house was still in one piece when she got home. Once the car was gone she slipped her little blue car into the parking spot.

  She took a second to pull her thick brown hair up into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic band. After a quick check in the rear view mirror she grabbed her purse and climbed out of the car. It wasn’t easy for her to dismiss the lack of spark in her green eyes. She needed a little excitement in her life.

  Lost in her introspection, an old woman almost hit her with a cart as she walked through the doors. She skidded to a stop then lurched to the right. It wasn’t enough though. She actually had to step up onto the shopping baskets stacked just inside the door to keep from having her feet run over. Thankfully it was casual dress day at work, which meant she was dressed in jeans and sneakers. In her normal heels and skirt there was no way she could have avoided being run down.

  Inside the store, she was a first hand witness to craziness. The aisles were packed and the noise level made her wonder how people managed to think straight. It was no wonder people always forgot stuff when they went shopping. From here on out she was sticking to her early morning shopping trips. The stores were dead at seven in the morning.

  She made her way through the store dashing around people who stood around chatting, and heart covered displays that seemed to be everywhere she looked.

  A gallon of milk and a box of six éclairs from the bakery section in hand, she dashed down the pet food aisle. Her sister’s cat was her pride and joy so you’d think she would have included on her arm long list of care instructions what the little affection whore liked to eat. Suzie stared at all the different choices in front of her. She picked a bag of dry food with a happy looking orange cat on the front, and just for good measure grabbed a couple cans of moist food too.

  Balancing her bounty in one arm and the milk in her other hand she headed for the registers. At the end of the aisle she almost collided with a boy about ten years old that scurried around the corner. Hot on the boy’s heels, a little girl with blond pigtails, not much younger, flew by her next. She remembered the days when she and her sister Mary had run around the store while their mother shopped. Picking up some speed herself she turned the corner and bumped into someone with enough force to knock them both to the floor.

  It was like everything happened in slow motion.

  She heard a deep masculine. “Whoa.”

  She got a glimpse of dark wavy hair and a stubble-covered chin before an elbow or something connected with her ribs. She closed her eyes and involuntarily sucked in a deep breath. Big hands wrapped around her biceps as she and her victim fell to the floor along with everything she’d been carrying, and few things he’d had in his hands as well.

  She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and waited for the impact. She heard the grunt before she landed on the firm body that somehow ended up between her and the floor. The plastic milk jug ruptured and the milk splattered everywhere mostly on them. The cat food rattled across the floor. She opened her eyes and looked down at a familiar face.

  Tim Elknit’s familiar dreamy light brown eyes stared up at her. Oh shit, why couldn’t I have run down a stranger? No, she had to wipe out one of her boss’s best friends. Definitely his sexiest friend. He looked even better dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, like now, instead of his normal suit. Don’t go there Suzie. It was hard not to when they were lined up so perfectly. She had known his close to six foot height would be a perfect match for her five-nine frame. Her breasts were pressed against his chest and their hips were meshed together.

  She was hyper-aware as he slid his hands from her arms to her back. Get off him her brain screamed, but her body refused to do as commanded. She moved her leg between his and felt the length of an impressive erection against her thigh. Her hands were clamped on his shoulders and she tried to push herself up. One of her hands slipped off, landing on the floor in something gooey. It brought their faces within inches of each other. She looked over at the dozen eggs shattered on the floor, and slices of bread from the loaf that had split open, then back at him.

  His smile was unexpected and so different from the one he often gave her when he came into the shop. “Hi Suzie. It’s nice to run into you outside of the office.”

  “Mr. Elknit, I’m so sorry.” She tried again to get up, but he held her in place.

  “I think from now on you should call me Tim.” His voice was rougher than normal, but not harsh or angry sounding.

  Suzie no
dded.

  He smiled, loosening his grip.

  She bent her leg to use her knee for leverage and rolled her hip into his and he shifted to compensate. They slipped in the spilled milk and eggs and toppled again, losing the few inches they’d gained. This time she landed facing the floor with him on top of her.

  “Sorry.” His warm breath on her face sent a shudder through her, which just accentuated the fact that his cock pressed firmly against her ass.

  How would he respond if she pushed back and wiggled her hips? She couldn’t do something so wanton in the middle of the store, no matter how much she wanted to. She let out a little groan, and he chuckled. Tim started to get up, and she rolled over onto her back, just in time for him to lose his balance. She assumed the hand that landed on her breast was supposed to find the floor. Was it her imagination or did his hand mold around it? She pressed her back to the floor so he wouldn’t think she was enjoying this.

  Her hopes that he wouldn’t notice her body’s reaction to his touch were dashed when he raised his eyebrows. He rolled off her and together they managed to get to their knees. Loud laughter sounded behind her, and she turned to see the kids from earlier standing there pointing at them. Fury mingled with the embarrassment surging through her. She had to get out of there fast before she made an even bigger fool of herself.

  “Mr. Elknit, Tim, I really am sorry.” She refused to fall again, and since he was the closest thing to her she put her hands on his shoulders for balance as she scrambled to her feet.

  “Suzie, calm down.” His hand wrapped around her wrist.

  Yeah right. She was a grown woman, but this man had a way of making her forget that fact. It was like when he came into the office things always started off fine. Then he’d flirt a little and she’d freeze. She could never decide whether or not to flirt back. Right now she was positive she didn’t want to flirt. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

  She panicked and yanked her hand free. “I have to go.”

  Without glancing back she left him sitting among their mess and ran for the door. She ignored the stares of other shoppers and waved off a cashier who asked if she was okay. Her car came into sight, and she let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

  ~* * *~

  Tim watched Suzie run away with a strange sense of satisfaction and awe. The sway of her ponytail was in tempo with her hips, just in the opposite direction. For the past six months he had been playing it cool, which was hard since every time he got within five feet of her all he wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and carry her off. He wasn’t stupid though. He wanted more than a fling and he knew that meant he had to take it slow. She may pretend she wasn’t interested in him, but it was an act. She always smiled and treated him politely when he stopped by the shop to see Jared. But when he tried to make small talk, and flirt a little she clammed right up. And when they had both been at Jared’s a few months ago for a cookout, she had avoided being left alone with him.

  He wasn’t sure of her reasons, but he planned on finding out as soon as he took care of this mess. This was the perfect time for him to make his move. The way her body reacted to his closeness couldn’t have been an act. Her nipple had stabbed into his palm, and her breaths came way too quickly. Now he knew her body liked his touch, and for him that was enough reason to move ahead with his plans. He got to his feet as a stock boy rushed up with a mop followed quickly by a man who identified himself as the store manager.

  Tim explained what happened and the manager seemed concerned that neither of them had been hurt. It took a few minutes to assure him they were both okay, and that Suzie had only rushed away because she was embarrassed. The manager was understanding, and he was cool enough to send the stock boy around to get replacement items for them. Tim accepted the offer because it gave him the excuse to bring Suzie the stuff she’d dropped. He knew where she lived. His buddy Jared had shared that tidbit of information, but he’d refused to give Tim her phone number. It had taken him a week to just come right out and ask for it only to have Jared warn him off.

  He thanked the manager and the stock boy as he paid for their items, and a bouquet of flowers as an apology. He scanned the lot for her little blue Coupe as he carried the bags and the gallon of milk to his car. As he expected, it was nowhere to be seen. She had a sufficient head start, which he thought was good thing. He would use the extra few minutes to get himself under control before he showed up on her doorstep.

  If you liked this book, you might also enjoy RED HOT NEW YEAR by Rita Sawyer.

  http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Red-Hot-New-Year-Rita-Sawyer.html

  Chapter One

  Sarah stared at the huge brown stain on her brand new, white silk blouse. She had been having one of those days where if it could go wrong, it did. She’d hoped to break out of the funk once she’d arrived at the office, but if anything her day had only gotten worse. The final insult had come when she had only ten minutes left on the clock. One of her father’s underlings had run into her, almost knocking her off her feet. Though she’d managed to stay upright, the bonehead had poured his ooey-gooey peppermint iced coffee down the front of her. The coffee shop in the lobby was still pushing its Christmas-flavored drinks.

  She guessed she should be happy it had been an iced coffee instead of hot. Otherwise, she’d have an awful burn along with this nasty stain. Knowing she wasn’t going to get any cleaner, she opened the bathroom door, hoping everyone had already gone home. The place was quiet, though not totally dark, which meant there had to be a few people mulling about. All she wanted was to get the hell out of there before she had to face anyone. She rushed down the hall to her reception area outside her father’s office.

  His door was ajar, though not enough to see inside. She heard him talking to someone. Sarah rounded her desk, taking a second to glance down at the appointment list. She assumed he was on the phone since he didn’t have any appointments. Sarah quickly shut down her computer like she did every night. Then she turned to the file cabinet against the wall behind her desk and locked it. She opened the closet door to the right of the filing cabinet, reaching in for her coat. She listened to her father tell one of his lame jokes. She was just about to close the door when laughter, other than her father’s filled the air, followed by the sound of rustling clothes, then footsteps.

  Fuck! The last thing she needed right now was to have to endure another lecture from her father about her appearance. She knew he considered it a direct reflection on him. So she did the only thing she could. She stepped into the closet, easing the door closed. The footsteps got loud enough to let her know her father and whoever was with him where standing right outside the door. She was thankful to be hidden from view, and his powerful voice came through the door loud and clear.

  “Well I’m not sure where my receptionist has gotten off to. I’ll have her call you tomorrow to schedule a meeting for the second week in January.”

  She knew it wouldn’t be professional for him to tell people she was his daughter, but the receptionist tag really sucked.

  “That will be fine.” A feminine voice said, and a few more platitudes were exchanged, Sarah prayed her father would offer to walk her out.

  He didn’t. Silence filled the air, so she figured he went back in his office. Sarah wrapped her hand around the knob, waiting a few extra seconds to make sure they were gone.

  She’d started to turn the doorknob when she heard a male voice that she recognized as her father’s assistant Harvey say, “You know you don’t give your daughter enough credit, after all this was a surprise visit. Sarah runs your office with a smooth efficiency that most of the other partners and associates would kill for.”

  “I know that.” Her father’s grudging tone didn’t give her any warm fuzzy feelings.

  Another voice more familiar, yet too muffled to identify, asked, “Then what’s your issue with her?”

  “I don’t have any issues with my daughter.”

  That was true, sh
e admitted to herself. He didn’t care enough to have issues.

  “Someone might swoop in steal her away if you’re not careful.” Harvey said with a chuckle.

  Her father laughed for a minute. “My daughter is too well mannered to ever do something like that. In fact, sooner or later, hopefully sooner to make my wife stop worrying, she’ll make some man a very dutiful wife.”

  Dutiful? Is that really what he thought of her?

  Okay so maybe she’d tried to win his love by always doing what he wanted. Well, nearly all the time. The one exception had been when she’d refused to attend the college he’d wanted and get the degree he thought would be best. Oh he still paid for her schooling, with conditions, hence her receptionist position with his firm. Back then, it’d seemed like such a small price to pay for her freedom. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

  “She might surprise you.”

  Her father’s deep huff announced his disagreement with whoever had made the comment.

  Though Sarah wondered who her mysterious defender might be, she wasn’t about to open the door to find out. He was correct, after all. She may be playing the role her father wanted right now. The time was coming for her to show him, and everyone else, she wasn’t the obedient female they all thought her to be. A mere three days from now she’d lay her resignation in her father’s hand. December thirty-first was going to mark the beginning of a new phase in her life. Sarah Leary wasn’t going to be a shrinking violet anymore. She was going to break out of her shell and experience life to the fullest.