Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  “Aaron …” I was finding it difficult to form words. “Please. I’m going to—”

  He slid his hand around my stomach and rubbed my clit in the tight little circles he knew I loved. I came for him instantly. I shouted his name and clenched around his cock, my pulsing orgasm sending him over the edge.

  I heard him growl and felt his warmth fill me as he drove in as deep as he could, claiming every inch of my body. My orgasm washed over me in waves, moving through me with agonizing satisfaction.

  “Oh,” I groaned, my legs shaking. “Oh, you’re good at that.”

  His breath was hot and labored in my ear, but, as he regained control of himself, he feathered light kisses along my neck, my earlobe, and my cheek. His hands released their grip on my hips and slid over my stomach, pulling me into an embrace. I sighed in perfect contentment when he slipped out of me and pulled me tight against his chest.

  After a few minutes of afterglow postcoital bliss, I sighed and said, “I’m sorry I ruined the sheets.”

  Aaron’s laugh was a rumble in his chest. “It’s all right. Something tells me we’re going to be ruining plenty more in the months to come.”

  Despite my exhaustion, a little spiral of arousal curled through me, and I gave him a playful kiss on the nose. “I’m going to hold you to that. Let’s see how many sets we can go through. Then, you can decide if I’m worth keeping or not.”

  Aaron smiled at my joke and smoothed his hand over my hair as if I was the most precious thing in the world. Then he rested his hand on my breast. I cuddled against his chest, happy with the way we had broken in our new home.

  Our home. It felt good. Right.

  “I think I’ll keep you around.” Aaron chuckled. “But you definitely have to make breakfast in the morning now.”

  I pushed up on my elbow, giving him a look of mock horror. “You cheat! You broke first.”

  “You begged for me.”

  “Hey! I did not. Or did I?”

  He cupped my chin. “You know I love it when you say that.”

  His sweetness melted my consternation a little bit, but I wasn’t letting him wiggle out of this one. “Sorry, but I’m not conceding this one to you. I’m not making breakfast … I won fair and square.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Fine. A compromise, then? We order in.”

  I grinned in triumph and leaned down to kiss his brow, his nose, and his lips. The thought occurred to me that this could very well be a part of every day of the rest of my life, lying here with Aaron like this. I found that it made me very happy indeed.

  “Deal.”

  If you plan to continue with this series, there’s a short epilogue…but I suggest you stop here if you don’t like cliffhangers and don’t plan to continue.

  Thanks for reading!

  Epilogue

  Five years after the events of His Fake GF, dark and dangerous detective Jacob Sawyer has long since moved on from the NYPD’s Financial Crimes Unit. He now investigates murders for the Richmond Police Department—and has the best case-solved rate in the city. But not everything in Jacob’s life has gone so perfectly.

  After an explosive fight and a spur-of-the-moment breakup three years ago, Jacob’s ex disappeared from his life. She was the woman he loved. But when she calls him unexpectedly, scared and in need of protection, it becomes clear that he’s the only one capable of solving her case …

  Friday, November 6th

  I needed a full fifteen minutes to wipe away the runny mascara from my face, to practice a few short and effective exercises to relax my muscles, and to come to a decision. Jacob … where should I begin? He was my very first love, and he was the only man I had ever wanted to grow old with. I remembered so many moments when I had just looked at him in awe, because he was so very perfect. By that I didn’t mean flawless—oh, no. Jacob had his flaws. He lived for his work. He wouldn’t think twice about leaving everything behind and running over immediately, if a colleague called for help, or if he was called in on his day off to fill in for someone else. However, to me, he was perfect—strong, patient, understanding, and determined. He was not a man who condoned anyone’s taking advantage of him, be it suspects, colleagues, or even me. But if you explained to him that you had screwed up, then he was the first to hold out a helping hand.

  The question was, whether I had tested his patience too much when I ended things between us without an explanation. I had sent him away. I had even lied to him and told him that I didn’t love him. I would never ever forget how every single one of my hurtful words had killed his love for me, bit by bit. How his eyes had grown cold, and how his face had lost all of its emotions.

  Ironically, he was the only person I could ask for help now. What was I supposed to do if he laughed at me, or if he told me that he wouldn’t be able to help me? Before I could come up with even more horrible scenarios, where Jacob rejected my request for help, I dialed his phone number. I still knew it by heart.

  A computerized female voice informed me that his number was no longer in service. I had no other choice but to try my luck with the police department and ask them to put me through to Jacob directly. My heart felt incredibly heavy and I forced myself to dial the number. It was long after midnight now, however, if Jacob was still the man I once knew, even a little bit, then he would be working overtime, or at least checking in to see if he was needed for any emergencies.

  It rang, and I secretly hoped Jacob wasn’t there, or the person who picked up the phone would refuse to put me through to him, or … Someone answered, and greeted me with something that sounded much like, “RmndplicedeptmentOmallahrrHowcnIhlp.” For a few seconds, I translated the mumbling into the correct “Richmond Police Department, O’Malley here. How can I help?”

  I gave my name and address. Reciting certain facts helped me keep my anxiety in check; however, it was also done so that Officer O’Malley, with his sonorous voice, would take me seriously.

  “I would like to speak to Detective Sawyer. Would you please put me through?”

  He repeated my details and then informed me that Detective Sawyer was already off for the night. My heart beat like a hollow drum. O’Malley asked if he could help me. The obvious hesitation in his voice, as he repeated my surname, was understandable. Clara Borden was the name I had taken in honor of the only therapist who had ever helped me. However, it was also the name of the woman who had killed her father and stepmother with countless axe blows on August 4th in 1892, and who had never been convicted for it. Back then, I had thought that this was the perfect name for a thriller novelist.

  Within mere seconds, I was forced to make a decision.

  “I have received an ominous letter,” I said, overcoming my inhibitions.

  I told a complete stranger about the message I had gotten, explaining shortly, and, with quick bursts of breath what I had experienced. I didn’t use any emotional soppiness, and I avoided words such as “felt threatened” and “unsafe.” Still, I attempted to convey the urgency of this matter, as far as I was concerned. He asked me if I had ever been threatened before, and if there was maybe some court order against an ex-partner of mine. Was it part of the regulations that they had to use a neutral term, and not automatically assume a gender? I could almost imagine how the man on the other end of the line was desperately searching for some solid facts. He wasn’t alone. I, myself, would have loved to have had something I could put my finger on in the message, such as a simple sentence like, Come to the café in Bucks Row immediately, or Miss Nichols will die. Unfortunately, the only thing I had was my infamous gut feeling, and nothing else.

  “I am sorry, Miss Borden, but if there was no immediate emergency, then unfortunately there is nothing I can do for you,” O’Malley declared, just as I expected he would. “Why don’t you come by first thing tomorrow morning and file a report against the unknown person.” I snorted and didn’t even try to hide the sound. The phone conversation with him had been more exhausting for me than a full eight-hour workday. I was tired,
and I longed for my bed, however, I was not giving up that easily. I didn’t want to tell him who I really was—or rather, who my father was, and to what this video was really referring—but if I had to do it, then I would.

  “And what if there is a threat?” I asked him. “The video is very strange, and I don’t believe for one second that the fear in the woman’s eyes is mere pretense.”

  Now, it was he who snorted loudly.

  “Ma’am,” he said, stretching the word out until he was actually forced to take a breath. “Let me suggest something to you. I will give you the email address of the detective in charge, and you can send him your message, including the video, directly. I will let him know that you will contact him, and he will look at it as soon as he can.”

  “No,” I said firmly, although I hardly had the strength to object anymore. How nice it would have been, simply to agree with everything he said, and to trust that the police would take this matter into their own hands. “I want to speak to Detective Sawyer, immediately.” I was getting tired of him. “I can understand that you don’t want to give me his private phone number, so please, do me the courtesy of calling him and asking him to call me back.” At the last moment I decided against adding, “He’s got my number.” It would only complicate things if O’Malley knew there was history between Jacob and me.

  “As I said, I will gladly give you the email address for the detective in charge, and he will get back to you as soon as he can. Detective Sawyer is not only off duty, he’s also not responsible for this kind of job, since he works in a different department,” he explained. I could hear him drinking something, all calm, while I sat there with sweat pouring down my spine.

  “I don’t want to send an electronic message; I want to talk to him—right now.”

  I sincerely hoped that O’Malley was slowly but surely losing his patience, and he would just put me through. To ensure my call wouldn’t be dismissed as that of a crazy person and possibly forgotten about, I added, “Do you want to be the person who could have saved this woman when you had the chance, but didn’t? Could you live with that on your conscience?”

  What would normally work on a television crime series, didn’t stand a chance with this stubborn officer.

  “Yes, Miss Borden—I could do that very well,” he replied in a frosty tone. “Because I don’t like to waste resources that are needed elsewhere.”

  I opened my mouth to say something, but at that very moment, I heard a muted male voice saying something to O’Malley. It rustled. He clearly covered the phone, or the microphone of his headset with his hand, said something, and then suddenly I found myself talking to the other man.

  “This is Detective Jacob Sawyer,” the man said.

  His voice immediately gave me goosebumps all over my entire body. It was still exactly the same as I remembered it—deep and so full of easy confidence—and I felt my knees buckling with relief. I was happy I was sitting down at that moment, because the pent-up tension vanished so quickly from my body, I would have undoubtedly fallen to the floor otherwise. How was it possible that those five words carried such authority?

  “What can I do for you?”

  Obviously, O’Malley hadn’t told him who the person on the line was, because he spoke to me as if I were a stranger.

  “Jacob, it’s me. Clara.”

  He inhaled sharply.

  The End

  Continue the series in book two, a top-of-the-line story, a sparkling romance, dripping with sexual tension, and an ending that will surprise everybody—His To Protect.

  jolieday.allromancepublishing.com/his-to-protect/

  Sign up for Jolie’s Newsletter to receive a free story.

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  About the Author

  From a sexy bad-boy hero and laugh-out-loud moments to the happily-ever-after. If you stay up way too late reading steamy romance novels and love thrilling romantic suspense, you've come to the right place!

  * * *

  Jolie Day is a romance author with a knack for steam. She invites readers to abandon inhibitions and melt into the pages. Alpha men, boyish charms, rugged good looks—her books take you on a thrill ride of suspense and seduction. Do you want to read about the knight in shining armor willing to do anything to protect his woman? Then her books are for you.

  Read More from Jolie Day

  jolieday.allromancepublishing.com

  Pleasurable Secrets

  Posey Parks

  Pleasurable Secrets © 2019 Posey Parks

  * * *

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Created with Vellum

  Pleasurable Secrets

  She’s my pleasurable dirty little secret.

  * * *

  Victoria is my undoing.

  She’s also my best friend’s older sister.

  If Hayden knew I had a crush on his sister, he’d have my head.

  Not sure if she knew I liked her. If she did, maybe she thought it was a childhood crush.

  One hot night at a party brought us closer.

  Six months later, she stood at my dorm room door.

  The secrets began.

  Once we’ve returned to the real world, we’re back to subtle pleasantries. No more burning up the sheets.

  * * *

  Victoria wants to keep our love a secret. Never admitting to her family, the love we shared.

  I’ve grown tired of the secrets and lies. I want out. If I can’t announce to the world, she is mine I’ll walk away.

  Will Victoria reveal our love and come clean to the world?

  1

  Zander

  Victoria Gaster was my weakness.

  Slapping the hands of several of my football buddies, I strolled through the party, the blaring music thudded my ear drums. Luckily, no one could hear my quickening heart beat over the heavy metal. I winked and smirked at the girls posted on the wall. Their eager eyes combed my body. They wanted me. Shit, almost every girl in Pendleton high wanted me. But I didn’t want them. I tolerated them until I could get what I really wanted. Victoria.

  I knew she returned home from college for the summer. My buddy, Hayden, Victoria’s brother and I threw the epic pre-graduating party. The party wasn’t anything like our parents gave us. Lame ass classical music playing throughout. Relatives leaving congratulation cards filled with money in a box in the atrium.

  Hayden and I were known for partying like fucking rock stars. If you weren’t invited to our party, you were a fucking unpopular nobody. At our high school, you were either a jock, a newspaper geek, tech geek, or in the drama club. Our buddy Troy was in the drama club and on the debate team. He swore he got more pussy than Hayden and I. Yeah, fucking right.

  “Hayden,” I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth.

  His hand rose in the air. I spiraled the football through the air. He caught it in his hands across the living room. We howled and laughed.

  Stepping into the large kitchen my eyes met the keg of beer on the large, gray marble countertop. “Fuck yeah!” I shouted.

  Bending face up under the keg spigot, I clutched the nozzle, pouring the beer into my mouth.

  “Drink. Drink. Drink,” kids chanted, gathering around
the counter.

  After about two cups, I stood right side up and tossed my fist in the air.

  Amanda grabbed my hand, pulling me over to the kitchen sink.

  “That was hot,” she smiled, popping her gum.

  Her fingers dug into my abs. She leaned up into my ear.

  “I know what else would be hot. Me and you upstairs tangled in the sheets.”

  I smirked. “Oh yeah?”

  She stepped back.

  “I’ll think about it. Amanda, be a doll and grab me a vodka.” I winked.

  Every time I winked, chicks became weak. Not sure why? But it worked.

  I ran my fingers through my long, shoulder length black hair and scanned the room. Jocks surrounded by girls were laughing, drinking, eating pizza, and playing beer pong. One of my favorite games.

  Amanda strutted over, placing the red plastic cup in my hand. I pulled her close caressing her waist. I was sure that would make her forget being rejected. Just because I could fuck any girl at school, didn’t mean I did. Desperate chicks who wanted to fuck the entire football team was a turn off. Hell, for me anyway. Who wants to fuck a girl who’s been used up by twenty different dudes? I’ll pass.

  Victoria sleeked through the crowded kitchen. She poured vodka into a red plastic cup then locked eyes with me.

  My heart raced. I couldn’t reveal to Victoria how nervous she made me. I nuzzled my nose into Amanda’s hair and squeezed her waist.