Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours

by Naleighna Kai

  Roger nodded.

  “When did an honest opinion become a crime?” Tony complained, pulling out two cookie sheets and tossing them on the table. “Y’all call me when breakfast is ready.” He marched out of the kitchen like a temperamental spoiled brat.

  “Thanks, Roger,” Steven said. “Tony was starting to get on my nerves.”

  “More than that, son.”

  Steven looked directly at the chief.

  “From the look on your face a moment ago, you wanted to hurt the man.”

  Steven laughed. “That bad, huh?” He laid the bacon strips on the cookie sheets. No, he didn’t appreciate the way Tony referred to Lena. Tap that ass? Like she’s just a minor speck on the radar, something a man used to get his rocks off. That’s how Tony sees women. Lena is definitely not that kind of woman. His quick search via LinkedIn had confirmed she was a woman with business savvy and class. The kind of woman he hoped to spend his life with.

  “It’s been a while for me,” Steven admitted. “I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve only really loved one woman. What I’m feeling for Lena Striker is ten times stronger than that.” He rose from the table and turned on the double ovens.

  “Then you never loved the other woman,” the chief explained.

  Steven turned, frowning.

  “It’s overwhelming, right?” Roger handed him the first tray of bacon and grinned. “Too fast, too hard, so right, so real.”

  Steven’s silence must have been the answer his chief was waiting for. “So Lena’s my Yolanda?”

  Roger beamed, closed his eyes, and sighed. “Lena’s your Yolanda.”

  Chapter 11

  “I’ve never had a woman give me flowers before.” Steven closed the door behind Lena as she entered his stunning home in the city’s southwest suburbs. “I hope I have a vase for them.”

  Lena trailed him to the living room. “You’ve surprised me with gifts for weeks. I thought it was time to return the favor.”

  Giselle had prodded her until she’d finally given in and returned Steven’s call. Over the next three months, Steven had romanced her with little trinkets of his growing affection, and they shared delightful afternoon walks in the park, concerts that allowed them to enjoy everything from Jazz to R&B favorites. The guy had even sucked it up and gone to the movies with her to see a “chick flick.” Through it all, he never moved with the intent to seduce—that is, until tonight.

  Tonight, it was clear to Lena that seduction, desire, and the man in question would all be sampled in one form or another.

  She scanned the dwelling, taking in the deep mahogany leather sofa, loveseat and oversized chair. There were pictures of the city’s skyline mounted on foam green painted walls, and a large flat screen television neatly planted on the hardwood floors. His home was inviting and a lot bigger than she’d expected. In fact, the home looked to be custom built. Definitely not something that could be accomplished on a fireman’s salary.

  “I see you’re little surprised by my place,” he started.

  Lena jumped a little, feeling embarrassed.

  Steven continued, “I’ll give you a quick tour later but for now, I’ll share this. I wasn’t always a fireman. Before I joined the Army, I worked in investments. I earned a ridiculous living but I wasn’t happy. I had the means to have the lifestyle I wanted, but …” he turned and walked away, leaving her to supply the rest based on their conversations over the past few weeks. I wanted to do something meaningful with my life.

  Lena naturally followed and admitted, “I almost changed my mind about coming over tonight.”

  Steven abruptly turned around, and she bumped right into him. Cobra quick, he caught her by the waist to steady her. “Why?”

  While in his arms, she completely lost her train of thought. “I … I didn’t want to be disappointed again.”

  “You won’t be.” He took her by the hand and led her into the dining room.

  Lena nearly stumbled over her feet at the sight of the feast he had prepared in her honor. He can cook, too?! She discreetly shut her mouth and swallowed hard. “You did this for me?”

  “All for you.” Steven pulled out a chair to allow her to sit. “I’ll return in a moment with some wine.”

  Her eyes locked on him when he placed a glass of Moscato in her hands. She lifted the glass to her lips in short order. “Where the hell have you been all my life?”

  His deep dimpled laugh was irresistible. “Waiting for you.”

  Steven expertly sprinkled her plate with an assortment of the feast. They ate in cocooned companionship.

  Lena finally sat back and admitted, “Didn’t think a man like you really existed.”

  His mouth opened to accept a forkful of string beans, and Lena almost leapt over the table. Thoughts of his silky smooth mouth covering hers at the ball took center stage. Lena nearly groaned.

  “I assure you, I’m very real. I’ve been struggling with my reaction to you, too.”

  Lena almost plunged a forkful of lasagna into her chin. “I’m glad I’m not the only one puzzled by all this.” She took another sip of wine. “All I’ve ever wanted was to find the man who had been looking for a woman exactly like me. I know that sounds strange, even a bit self—”

  “No, not at all. It makes perfect sense. That one person who gets you—likes you, not just the face you present to the world.”

  “Yes!” Lena saluted her wine glass to him. “That man who knows me, knows all my little quirks, and likes me anyway. That guy who respects my individuality and isn’t threatened by it.”

  Steven let out a low whistle and leaned back in his chair. “That’s a tall order.” He lifted his glass in mock salute. “But one that’s easily tackled.”

  Lena tossed him a skeptic smirk. “Really?” She fanned her hand delicately over the table. “I’ve yet to meet a man who’s gotten it right so far. So please, let’s hear your spin on it.”

  Steven pierced her with a heated look. “Communicate. And never manipulate your woman with her flaws.”

  Lena’s food slipped right off her fork and straight onto the table. “Damn. That pretty much covers it.”

  Steven refreshed their wine and slid a few pieces of fruit to his plate. “Men think differently than women. A guy is as honest as he needs to be in order to get a woman into bed. A woman is as giving or as selfish as she needs to be in order to keep him there. And this is where relationships fail.

  “Any good relationship is mostly lived outside of the bedroom. It’s the daily grind, the courage to argue and still be in love, the inside jokes only the two of you will ever share.” Steven leaned closer. “A healthy relationship always boils down to trust and unity. That unspoken bond that shouts to the whole world that we are in this together.”

  Lena pushed the last parts of her gourmet meal around the plate. “So, is that what’s happening to us? Is this our unspoken bond?”

  His calloused hand closed around hers, pulling her away from her tangled thoughts and the table. “Marvin and Tammy said it all.”

  Lena eagerly moved to his waiting lips. “Yes, they did.”

  Steven ended her pursuit as his warm mouth rolled over hers.

  Chapter 12

  Steven had Lena pinned against the wall outside his bedroom door, and the heavy weight of his hot body nearly buckled her knees. “I can’t believe how nervous I am.”

  Steven dipped his mouth to her ear and took a little nibble. “No need to be nervous. We won’t be having sex tonight.”

  Lena froze with stark disappointment. “What?”

  “We’ll be making love tonight.” He captured her bottom lip and sucked.

  Her whole body turned to jelly.

  Steven guided her into his bedroom. The lights were out, but it smelled of ocean and warm sunlight in every direction. His attention-stealing mouth was upon hers and all thoughts dribbled out of her ears.

  The lights flipped on, and Steven jerked back. “What the hell!!!”

  “I brought
you dessert.”

  “Cynthia?!”

  Lena’s eagle-eyed gaze narrowed on the naked woman on his bed holding a plate of brownies.

  “How did you get into my house?” Steven roared. “Get up right now and put some clothes on!”

  Lena whipped around, aiming to exit the room. Once again her heart had lied to her.

  “Lena, don’t you take another step!” Steven bellowed with such force the windows throbbed.

  There was some kind of rustling of clothes or bed linens. She turned slowly, willing her heart rate and anger back to normal range.

  Steven continued, “Start talking.”

  “I followed you from the station,” the woman on the bed confessed. “When you were unloading your bags out of the garage, I snuck into the basement and waited until it was quiet and came up here.” Cynthia cut her eyes to Lena. “I thought you’d be alone. I didn’t think she’d be up here with us.”

  Suddenly, Lena was taken by the hand and dragged over to the bed.

  “This is Cynthia Armstrong—I rescued her from a fire earlier this year. I want you as my witness this time.” He turned fully to the girl, gesturing to the bed. “This will never happen. The woman standing next to me is the only woman I want. You have exactly one minute to get out of my house or I’m calling the police.”

  Cynthia’s eyes quickly flashed with anger. “But you saved me. I just want to show my appreciation.” She turned resentful eyes to Lena. “Send her away.”

  Steven’s body locked with rage.

  Suddenly everything about this night was clear. Giselle had been right.

  Instincts.

  It was time she followed hers.

  “Little girl,” Lena perched her hands on her hips.

  Steven’s head snapped to her when he heard the sass in her voice.

  “Let me tell you who I am. My name is I-Don’t-Share and I-Don’t-Play.” She reached down and relieved the girl of the brownies. “Now get your behind out of his bed, and I’ll escort you to the front door.”

  A few minutes later, Cynthia was stomping down the sidewalk, getting into her car, and tearing off down the street.

  “You took my side,” Steven sighed as he double bolted all the doors in his house before explaining some of Cynthia’s milder antics at the station. “You believed me.” He turned and crushed her in an unbreakable hold.

  “My man is worthy of my trust.”

  Steven kissed her hard on the lips.

  “You didn’t have to keep the girl’s brownies, though.”

  “Why not?” she protested, batting her eyelashes in innocent manner. “I love chocolate. And so do you.”

  Steven doubled over with laughter.

  “You know,” Lena stepped out of his embrace and collected her purse. “You still owe me a night of love making.”

  Steven’s brow arched. “How can I make this up to you?”

  “First, we head right over to the local police station and lock down an order of protection against your overzealous stalker.”

  Steven flinched but nodded.

  Lena rose on her toes and brushed her lips against his. “Second … my house … my bed.”

  Chapter 13

  The race to Lena’s bedroom left a trail of clothes all along the way—over the furniture and on the floor of the hallway.

  “You have a beautiful body,” Steven whispered as he followed her onto the mattress.

  Lena wrapped her arms around him and welcomed his attention. “So do you.”

  His kisses drugged her. His caresses worshipped her. Steven elevated Lena to heights of ecstasy and beyond. When he joined their love with the desire of their bodies, Lena cried out in bliss.

  “I could hear you make that sound every day for the rest of my life,” he whispered.

  She lifted her hips into the deep circling stroke of his thrusts. “Then let tonight be the beginning of our forever.”

  Lena’s mouth captured his and drilled their passion to the core of their souls. As the tentacles of their release spread and cradled the impact of their climax, Lena smiled.

  * * *

  Euphoric hours later, Steven’s body hummed with pleasure and relief. He had searched for the woman curled in his arms for so long. To imagine being without her actually hurt. He absently rubbed her lower back, and Lena stretched like a cozy kitten. His lips brushed across her damp forehead, and she looked up at him.

  “How’d you like to get married and go half on a baby?”

  Lena’s shocked expression was too adorable. She gasped, then a wicked smile split her face. Her hand disappeared beneath the covers. “I’m open to negotiations.”

  With a mischievous chuckle, Steven pinned her to the bed and shimmied between her silky thighs. “Let’s start with this: I love you.”

  She blinked. “Whew, you really know how to play hard ball.”

  He chuckled. “That ain’t all I got that’s hard.” He slipped inside her and studied every nuance of pleasure streak across her face.

  “Steven Banks, I really like how you negotiate,” she said in a breathy whisper.

  His low, throaty chuckle was a sure sign that he was willing to debate her life and her pleasure for the rest of their lives.

  Valarie Prince, a Chicago native, pens romance, contemporary fiction, erotica, and paranormal. She is single and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Script Writing from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s of Education from American InterContinental University. Valarie is a publishing consultant, content/copy editor, and developmental editor for aspiring writers and national bestselling authors. Her latest releases: Baring It All: The Ins and Outs of Publishing is a collaborative work with M-LAS an author support group. Her latest novel, The Virus: When Love turns Deadly is available at: www.valarieprince.com

  You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me

  by L. A. Lewis

  Chapter 1

  “I’ve been sharing my woman with a dead man,” Gavin Williams said in a tone that caused Melanie to flinch from its intensity. “And I’m done with this. I can’t compete with Aaron anymore.” He said it in a softer tone, but the damage had already been done.

  Melanie grimaced and crossed her arms over her full breasts. She was now in defense mode. Her delicate hands balled into tight fists, but she remained silent. Her focus, however, shifted from the black sixty-inch flat screen over the fireplace to the man who had been her best friend since sixth grade. She had blossomed since then—from the short, skinny little golden girl with a determination to match her saucy strut to the successful business woman with the curvaceous body who sat before him now.

  “He’s been gone for three years now,” he continued. “I love you with all that I have inside, but I just can’t do this anymore.”

  Gavin snatched his gaze from hers and slowly buttoned his uniform shirt before making his way to the front door. The chorus to Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears” echoed throughout the house, and Gavin quickened his pace before his feelings took over and caused him to go back to the woman whose heart was still in limbo.

  Their friendship had begun in middle school when Melanie had shared her lunch with him at a time when his mother barely had the money to buy groceries. Thanks to a father who decided that it was more important to please his mistress than his family, Gavin and his mother had been left beyond poor. He had always believed his father loved him enough to return. He was wrong then, and had been equally as wrong when it came to Melanie Daniels.

  Gavin was about to walk out on his best friend and the only woman he’d ever truly loved, but what choice did he have? Stay and continue playing the role of a fool, or leave and find a woman who would love him just as much as he loved her.

  “Gavin!” The pain that was so much a part of Melanie for the last three years still came through, even in that one word. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Yes.”

  “How exactly would you know about my pain? When’s the last time we had a decent
conversation? When’s the last time you actually held me or asked how I’m feeling? All you’re concerned about is your job and catching that serial rapist who’s held your mind hostage all these years. You have no idea what’s going on with me anymore.”

  Her eyes felt as though they were burning a hole through his skin, but he didn’t let that deter him. “You knew my job was demanding when we were just friends. Did you think that would change once we started dating?”

  “No, but I didn’t think I’d always have to play second best either.”

  This conversation wasn’t going to get them anywhere. He turned away, knowing he couldn’t look back. He didn’t trust that he could walk out that door if he did. And this time, he truly needed to. If he didn’t, nothing would change. At first he had told himself that half a woman was better than no woman at all, but the half she had given him was damaged and broken.

  “When I joined the police academy,” he said, keeping his focus on the wooden door, “I took an oath to protect and serve. I take that oath very seriously. I’m sorry you can’t understand that.” He tried to keep his breathing even. This woman affected him so much more than she knew. His leaving was hurting him much more than it would ever hurt her. At least she had her memories of Aaron to curl up with. He had nothing.

  “What do you want me to say, Gavin?” she asked, her voice barely covering the short distance between them. “You’ve already made up your mind to leave.”

  “Say that you love me.”

  “You know that I love you.”

  Yes, she was right about that. He knew, but he also knew that her love came with certain limitations. “Say that you love me the way that I love you.” He broke his vow and turned to face her.

  Silence filled the room, and once again, her focus shifted from his eyes to the plush cream carpet.

  A slash of pain crossed his heart, and he let out a long, slow breath. “That’s what I thought. Take care, Mel.”

  Gavin slowly closed the door behind him.