Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours
Page 34
“Wow,” India whispered, noticing the tent in front of his boxers.
Jonathon dropped his shorts and smiled at the look on India’s face. “See something you like?” he asked, joining her on the bed.
“I most certainly do,” she whispered. India kissed him hard on the lips.
After donning protection, Jonathon took India in his arms and kissed every inch of her body.
“Please, I want you … now,” she cried.
“Spread your legs, baby,” he whispered.
Jonathon nudged at her entrance. “India … sweetheart,” he stared into his eyes. “So … sweet,” he murmured as he slowly entered her.
“Yes … Yes,” she moaned, her eyes closed.
Jonathon was buried deep but didn’t move. He was letting her body adjust to his size.
“Open your eyes, baby,” he said, fighting to stay in control.
India complied and held his gaze. Jonathon kissed her while moving his hips. She wrapped her legs around his waist and met every powerful thrust he delivered. Soon their bodies set a frantic rhythm that had them both reaching for completion together.
When they lay on their backs, spent, he asked, “You all right?”
“I’m wonderful,” she said, turning her head and smiling up at him. Then a sudden vulnerability flashed in her eyes as she added, “I’m not sure how this works but … I’d like you to stay the night.”
“Just try to get rid of me,” he said, pulling her into his arms and showing her he meant every word of that statement.
Chapter 7
Jonathon and India spent most of the night enjoying each other, making love in all sorts of ways and places. India knew it was crazy, having just met him, but the feelings he stirred in her scared the hell out of her. Jonathon was still asleep when she woke in the morning. She eased off the bed, collected her travel bags, and made her way to the bathroom, her muscles screaming every step of the way.
India stood naked in front of the mirror, admiring Jonathon’s handiwork and smiling. She’d never had a love marks before, and now she had them all over her body. India washed her face and brushed her teeth and dressed in a pair of stretch pants and an over-sized shirt. She slipped out of the bedroom after giving Jonathon’s sleeping frame one final glance. She gathered the discarded clothes from the living room floor and stuffed them in her bags. India used the pad and pen on the kitchenette counter to scribble a note for Jonathon before dashing out the door.
The room is yours until noon. Thank you for reminding me that there really are some good men out there.
~India
* * *
Jonathon handed the valet his ticket before checking the voicemails on his phone.
“I thought that was you,” a voice said from behind him.
Jonathon looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Victoria,” he said as she approached, wearing a gray, pleated, Calvin Klein dress and exceptionally high heeled shoes.
“Chief. Don’t you look … I don’t even know. I’ve never seen you so unkempt,” she said, waving her hand in front of the wrinkled tux he wore. “But I’m glad we ran into each other. I was going to call you. I wanted to share some information with you. Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”
“I don’t think so,” he said, flickering a gaze over her disheveled hair and clothes. As much as she’d wanted to be in his bed last night, she’d found a quick replacement when he told her that he wasn’t interested. “Whatever it is, just tell me now,” he said, putting his phone away and placing his hands in his pockets.
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “All right. Little Miss Money Bags isn’t all she’s cracked up to be.”
“Victoria, this is so beneath you.”
“Really?” she said, and the tone caused a shiver of displeasure to slither up his spine. “The only reason she gave all that money to the school was so they’d cover up the fact that she never got her degree. Her motives weren’t as altruistic as you’d like to believe. She’s rich enough to make people do whatever she wants. Looks like money really can buy anything. Has she bought you, too?” she asked with her right hand on her hip and a curve in her mouth.
“Excuse me, sir. Your car,” the valet called.
Jonathon gave him a quick nod and turned back to Victoria. “Have a good day, Victoria,” he said curtly.
“But—”
“But what? You thought giving me that little information was going to change things?” He shook his head before getting into his car and driving off.
Jonathon was working hard to keep his anger in check. He couldn’t believe that the woman he’d spent the night making love to was the selfish manipulator that Victoria described. If she lied about her degree, could she have lied about the land deal, too? Then an image of his ex flickered into view—beautiful, smart, rich, entitled. Yes, he’d been wrong before. Maybe he had a knack for attracting the wrong women.
* * *
“Good morning, boss. How was the rest of your weekend?” Rochelle asked as she handed India a cup of coffee.
India bit her bottom lip, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a smile. “It was fine. And yours?”
Rochelle tilted her head and stared at India through narrowed eyes. “You got you some!”
“Excuse me?” India said, feigning shock as she stood.
“Oh my! You did! So was he worth the money?” she asked, shaking her hips.
“I never made it on the date with number ten” she corrected before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Then who?” Rochelle asked with wide eyes, thrumming her hand on India’s desk. “Wait … the Chief! So, was he … a Chief?”
India grimaced and began gathering her things. “Is everyone in the boardroom?”
“Yes.”
“Well, let’s not keep them waiting,” she replied.
Rochelle followed India out of her office, mumbling something India couldn’t quite catch.
Chapter 8
Jonathon stood, wearing his full dress uniform with its gold buttons, rank ribbons, and medals on full display. The pretty young woman behind the desk sat with her eyes wide and mouth gaping. “Chief Victor to see Ms. Slone,” he said.
“I’m s-sorry, but she’s in a m-meeting,” she stammered as her eyes darted towards the conference room down the hall.
Jonathon smiled down at the woman. “I’m sure she’ll see me. This way?” He pointed down the hall and headed for the conference room. The young woman was fast on his heels, but not fast enough to keep up with his long strides.
He opened the conference room door and the all-female group took a collective gasp. Ignoring the response, he walked up to an obviously shocked India and held up the note she’d left. The flare in her eyes told him she recognized it immediately.
“Really?” Jonathon held her beautiful stunned gaze.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Slone—” the fretful receptionist offered.
“Don’t worry about it, Peggy,” Rochelle said to the nervous young woman. “He doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to stop and listen.”
India broke the connection and glanced around the room. “I need the room, please.”
With no questions asked, the room was cleared. Rochelle took her time making her way to the door and smiled knowingly as she closed it behind her.
“What are you doing here?” India asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jonathon watched her breasts rise and fall. “You asked me to stay, then sneak away like that? Did you really think I’d just let you go?” he asked, frowning down at her. “I would’ve come after you last night but the only address I knew was your office. And I needed time to think. I would’ve been here when you arrived this morning, but I had a meeting with the Mayor first. I came as soon as I could.”
“So no reenactment of An Officer and A Gentleman?” she asked, biting down on her lip.
Jonathon’s frown deepened. “A what?”
“Never mind,” she said, her gaze lowered to the plush carper. “We agreed
, just one night.”
Jonathon ran the back of his hand down the side of her face. “I’m no good at one-night stands.”
“Neither am I,” she replied with a half-smile. “You’re my first.”
“Well I hate to disappoint you, but I actually won’t be.” He gave her a quick kiss before intertwining their hands. “Can we sit for a minute?’
“Of course.”
Jonathon pulled two chairs away from the table so that they were across from one another, hands entwined.
Jonathon pushed out a deep breath. “I’m not sure what’s going on between us. I’ve never felt like this before, especially for someone I’ve just met. All I know is that I want to be with you. After—”
“I feel—”
Jonathon freed his hand and placed a single finger over her lips. “Wait, I need to get this out.”
India nodded. Jonathon dropped his hand, leaned forward, and gave her a quick kiss before intertwining their hands again.
“After my relationship ended with Jennifer, I swore I’d never date another woman who could make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. Being with a successful woman doesn’t intimidate me. However, being with a woman who uses her success against me or tries to change me, well, that’s a different story.”
“I’d never do you like that,” she said, squeezing his hands. “I’m proud to know a man like you … one who chose a career in the service of others. I hope you believe me.”
“I do,” he said, raising their hands so he could kiss the back of hers. “Just as I hope you know that my feelings for you have nothing to do with how much you have in your bank account.”
India laughed. “I do. In fact, I think I’d have a better shot with you if I had fewer zeros behind my name.”
They both laughed.
“I think we’re at the beginning of something really special … a relationship that can go the distance. But I have to ask you something.”
“Anything,” she said smiling.
“Did you pay off the university to cover up the fact that you don’t have a degree?”
India’s breath caught in her chest, and she pulled her hands free, stood, and walked to the wall of windows where she stared out over downtown Houston.
“Who told you?” she asked.
“Victoria—”
“I should’ve known. It’s not what you think. I do have my degree. I’ve had it for years. It’s just … I didn’t know that I was short six hours my junior year—the year my parents died,” she said, and for a moment, her breathing hitched.
Jonathon moved to join her near the windows. He pulled her into his arms and just held her.
After several moments, they took their seats again.
“Several years ago, when I found out about the problem, I went back, took the classes I needed at night, and got my degree.”
“And the donation …”
“Had nothing to do with my degree,” she answered. “I gave the donation and my on-going support because I wanted to. The school helped me get through one of the hardest times in my life. I asked President Jung to correct the records for me since it still showed the old, incorrect graduation date. That’s it,” she explained.
Jonathon cupped her face and gently kissed her on the lips. India’s eyes filled with tears, and Jonathon’s face swam before her. She blinked to clear her vision.
“So, you think you’d be willing to give us a try?” he asked, holding her gaze. “You give off this vibe that you don’t need anyone, but I believe there’s some part of you, in some way … we …”
“I’ve been alone a long time,” she confessed. “Needing someone, wanting someone is new for me.” She locked gazes with him. “After my parents were killed in that plane crash, I threw myself into school and then into building my business. I never really thought I’d find someone strong enough to see past the image.” She waved a hand in front of herself. “No one tries to see me … the real me, so I never really tried. I played it safe with everyone I dated.” She cupped his face in her hands. “I wasn’t willing to risk my heart. And then came you; I didn’t even see you coming. These feelings … they scare me, but you know what scares me more?”
“What?” He pulled her out of her chair and onto his lap.
“Not figuring out what they mean … what they could mean,” she said in a low tone. “So yes, I’m willing to give us a try.”
Jonathon pulled India in for a kiss only to stop himself. “Are you ever going to tell me how old you are?”
India threw her head back and laughed. “I’m thirty-five,” she said, then leaned forward to capture that kiss.
Jonathon pulled back again. “One more thing …”
India sighed. “What now?”
“I’m not the type of man who shares, so this relationship will be exclusive,” he declared.
“That’s good to know.”
The kiss that joined them sent flutters of pleasure through her and when she finally came up for air, she said, “By the way, I’ve figured out a way for both of us to have what we want from the Scott property.”
“Really, how’s that?”
She left his lap and snatched a folder off the board room table before presenting it to him. “I submitted a personal bid this morning that ensured I’d get the land. Now I’m going to donate it to the school with the stipulation that it’s used for both the firehouse and resource center.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’m even going to cover the expenses for building it. Did I fail to mention that I own a construction company?” she asked, laughing.
Jonathon shook his head and smiled. He stood with India in his arms and headed for the door.
Her eyebrows raised to attention. “What are you doing?”
He shrugged. “I might as well take advantage of the uniform,” he said, smiling.
India punched him playfully. “You do know the movie,” she said with a low, throaty chuckle.
“Of course I do,” Jonathon said before he gave India a kiss that promised so much more.
Martha Kennerson has written two gripping novels about survival titled Choices and Consequences. While both books have an element of a steamy romance, the story is a cautionary tale that takes a look at what can happen when love doesn’t turn out the way we expect. Martha lives with her family in League City, Texas, and believes her current blessings are only matched by the struggle it took to achieve such happiness. She recently received a deal from a major publishing house for a romance novel she penned. Martha has two works that are in a collaboration with ten authors of M-LAS, Signed, Sealed, Delivered … I’m Yours, a romance anthology; and a non-fcition book, Baring it All: The Ins and Outs of Publishing. For more information, visit www.marthakennerson.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Contents
Stop! In the Name of Love
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
You’re All I Need
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Baby I Need Your Loving
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Living for the City
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Epilogue
How Sweet it is
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
You Can’t Hurry Love
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Could It Be I’m Falling In Love
Chapter 1