No Way to Treat a Lady

by Serenity Woods

  The rain increased in intensity—real sub-tropical rain, thick and heavy, the droplets thudding on the wooden balcony and lashing at the window. In an hour it would be dry again, the roads steaming in the sultry heat, but for now the landscape was quickly soaked, lush flowers and palms drooping under the weight of the rain.

  “Wow.” Jed’s voice came from behind her, making her jump. “That’s quite a scene.”

  “Isn’t it?” She leaned back against him, smiling as his arms snaked around her waist.

  He kissed her shoulder. “Couldn’t sleep?”

  “The thunder woke me.”

  “Not a phone call?”

  He must have seen her phone on the table, still lit up. “No. No calls.”

  He kissed her other shoulder. “Were you thinking of leaving?”

  “No,” she said honestly. She looked up at him. “Do you want me to?”

  He kissed her lips, long and lingering. “No.”

  Happiness swelled inside her. She tried to squash it—involving her emotions in this was a waste of time—but it proved impossible, and in the end she gave in and just let the joy rise through her.

  Holding out a hand, she caught some of the rain. Lifting her hand, she touched it to his face. He turned his head and kissed her palms, then licked up her fingers.

  Laughing, she caught some more of the droplets, waiting until they were running through her fingers and had cooled her skin. Then, before he could stop her, she lowered her hand and cupped his crown jewels.

  He gasped, and she burst out laughing.

  “Right,” he said. Holding her tightly around the waist, he propelled her forward with him out into the rain.

  Hayley squealed as the cold water sluiced over them, soaking her hair and covering her skin within seconds. She tried to escape him, but Jed just laughed and pinned her against the rail that ran around the balcony.

  “That’ll teach you,” he said. Chuckling, he kissed up her neck and pressing his warm body to hers.

  She tipped her head back against his shoulder, shocked and yet excited about standing naked in full view of someone in the grounds—not that anyone else would be mad enough to go out during this weather.

  “This is no way to treat a lady,” she complained when he slid his arms around her again and cupped her breasts. Her nipples were hard and tight from the cold rain, and Jed tugged on them, making them stand out even more.

  “Sorry,” he said, sounding anything but. “Do you want me to stop?”

  The rain ran down her face and neck, over her breasts and his hands, down over her stomach and between her thighs. Lightning flashed, illuminating the raging sea in the distance, and thunder tore above them, making her tremble against him.

  It was as if their passion had become manifest, rising from them to form part of the sea and sky, and she’d never felt so alive or so turned on.

  Raising her hand so she could slide her fingers into his wet hair, she turned her head and lifted her lips to his. “Don’t stop,” she murmured against his mouth, and opened hers to receive his hot tongue, arching her back to push her breasts into his hands.

  Groaning, he moved a hand down her front and between her legs, his fingers sliding into her folds to stroke her firmly. Hayley placed her hand on top of his and encouraged him to plunge deeper, and he did so, thrusting his fingers inside her to collect her slippery moisture before returning to arouse her clit.

  The sensations were amazing—the cool rain warming as soon as it hit their skin, the air around them so humid it almost felt as if they were swimming underwater. Jed’s body was hard against hers, his erection pressing eagerly against her butt, and it wasn’t long before she begged him, “Please, Jed. I want you inside me.”

  He disappeared for a moment before returning with a condom, and in only a few seconds he’d sheathed himself and was positioning behind her. He was going to take her right there, she realized, on the balcony—if anyone in the rooms next to them opened their curtains to watch the storm, they would see them immediately.

  Groaning at the thought, she opened her legs and leaned forward on the barrier, and Jed slid his erection beneath her. She tilted her hips, and with one smooth movement, he’d thrust home.

  She exclaimed, her words being smothered by another crash of thunder, and steadied her arms on the barrier as he began to thrust. Rain pelted down, almost painful on her head and back, and her fingers tightened on the wood. Her breasts swung free, bouncing with each thrust, and Jed cursed and dropped a hand to tug at her nipple, making her gasp.

  Her orgasm seemed to build with the power of the storm, and when she finally clenched around him, it was almost with a sense of relief. If they’d carried on, she was sure she would have dissolved into the rain, been carried away on the wind, and up into the thundering clouds.

  Jed’s fingers tightened on her hips, and she leaned her head on her arms and let him take his pleasure from her. She felt him swell inside her, loving every second of his deep groan, the tiny uncontrollable thrusts he gave as he rode out his climax.

  When he’d done, they stayed there for a moment, breathing heavily, as the rain poured over them. Then Jed withdrew and turned her. Taking her hand, he led her into the bedroom, closed the sliding doors behind them, and took her through to the bathroom. He placed one of the large bath towels around her shoulders and rubbed her gently, drying and warming her at the same time. He dried her hair, then himself quickly, and took her back into the bedroom.

  They climbed onto the bed, and he pulled the duvet over them and wrapped her in his arms.

  Hayley lay awake for a while, listening to his deep, regular breaths, smiling in the darkness. Then she fell asleep.

  Chapter Ten

  When she awoke, the room was light. She opened her eyes to look straight into Jed’s blue ones.

  She blinked and focused. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” He smiled.

  “Have you been to sleep at all?”

  “Yeah, I got a few hours.”

  She looked over her shoulder at the window. The rain had stopped, and the rays of the early morning sun were blindingly bright.

  “I won’t be a moment.” She rolled over and off the bed, and padded to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  She went to the toilet, then checked her reflection in the large mirror over the sink. God knew what had happened to her hair in the night—talk about look just-fucked. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes bright.

  She felt reborn. Being with Jed had done her the world of good. It had been wonderful to be herself for once, to know that maybe she could have a future with a man again one day. Jed had made her feel that she was still an attractive woman as well as a mother. It could be tough, being a mum, but she’d be able to cope better now, and she would resent her kids less for giving her that label.

  She touched her fingers to her lips. It had been a wonderful evening, and an amazing night. Jed had possessed her body and captured a tiny piece of her heart.

  What a shame it had to come to an end.

  Refusing to let sadness overwhelm her and determined to be grateful for the fun she’d had, she went back into the bedroom. Standing at the foot of the bed, she hesitated. “I should get going.”

  “Not just yet. It’s still early.” He patted the bed beside him.

  She shouldn’t. It was only going to make leaving more difficult. But he looked so gorgeous lying there, all muscly and manly and kissable, that she couldn’t stop herself climbing onto the mattress and stretching out beside him.

  Lifting her chin with a finger, he kissed her lips. She closed her eyes, accepting the kiss dreamily, and sighed when he pulled back.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He stroked her cheek. “Hayley, last night was wonderful. I know it was only supposed to be a fling, but it was more than that to me. I want to ask if I can see you again?”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh.”

  “First, though, I have an admission to make.”
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  Her heart thundered. Was he still married? About to go to prison? Her mind churned over a hundred possibilities in seconds, but she forced the thoughts away. “Me, too,” she said, thinking of her kids.

  “Okay, but me first.” He held her hand and looked down at her fingers. “I can’t have children. The doctors don’t know if it happened during the accident, or if I’ve always been infertile. Maria and I tried for a few years and then went for tests, and it turned out to be me. I have an exceedingly low sperm count, and it’s unlikely I’d ever have kids without help, and even then it might be difficult.”

  “Is that why you broke up?”

  “Yes. She decided she wanted to be with someone with whom she could have children naturally.” He sounded calm, but she sensed that, like the weather outside, the calmness had followed a period of intense turbulence.

  He raised her fingers to his lips. “How many kids do you have?”

  Her heart shuddered to a halt. “How did you know I have kids?” she whispered. “The stretch marks?”

  He chuckled. “No. I guessed after the way you checked your phone yesterday.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t want to tell you.” His eyebrows rose, and she sighed. “I have four.”

  To her relief, he didn’t inhale in shock or bolt off the bed. Instead, he said, “What ages?”

  “Liam’s the oldest—he’s ten. Ethan’s eight. Sammy’s five. Maggot—I mean Maggie—she’s not quite one.”

  “And your husband’s not around?”

  “He left me last year,” she said softly. “He lives in Auckland with his girlfriend.”

  “That must be difficult.”

  “It’s not been easy. I’m not saying it’s all his fault, by the way.” She took a deep breath. “I was overwhelmed by motherhood, and I know it drove a wedge between us. Now I realize how important it is to maintain a relationship when you have kids. We should have had date nights and made time for each other, but we didn’t, and I regret that. It was hard at first when he left—I was very bitter and blamed him for everything, but now I can see my part in it, and I’m coming to terms with that. I’m slowly getting back on my feet. Joss—my brother—and his fiancée help out a lot, and it’s been better since I went to work.” It was the first time she’d admitted all that to anyone, and with her confession a strange peace settled over her.

  He nodded, then went quiet, apparently thinking. She hadn’t expected anything more from Jed than a one night stand. She wouldn’t blame him at all for running a mile after her declaration. She’d be sad, but what guy would be prepared to take on another man’s children, and four of them under ten at that?

  Lifting her hand again, he kissed her fingers. His gaze came back to hers, and his lips curved. “You haven’t answered my question yet.”

  “Which question?”

  “Can I see you again?”

  She held her breath. “You still want to see me?”

  He cupped her cheek, then slid his hand into her hair. Tipped his head to the side and studied her mouth. Then leaned forward and kissed her. It was the longest, sweetest, most sensual kiss she’d ever had, and it warmed her right through.

  When he eventually lifted his head, she said, “Oh.”

  “I don’t just want to see you again, though,” he said. “I want to do it properly. Take you out. Date you. Get to know your family. And get to know you—the real you, I mean.”

  “Warts and all?”

  He smiled. “Warts and all.”

  To her embarrassment, emotion rushed through her and her eyes blurred.

  He frowned. “Hey. It wasn’t supposed to have that affect.”

  “I just can’t believe…” She swallowed. “You’re so lovely. Why would you want to go out with me?”

  “Because you’d ask a question like that. I thought you’d be sexy and great in bed. And you are. I didn’t expect this layer of gentleness and vulnerability. I’ve known you for approximately fifteen hours, and I’m already crazy about you, Hayley…” He grinned. “I don’t even know your surname.”

  “I go by my maiden name now.”

  “Which is…”

  “Heaven.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. Well, Ms Heaven? Will you go on a date with me?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, and then she let him capture her lips and draw her into his arms, warmed by the rays of the morning sun.

  Treats to Tempt You

  Books 1 to 5 (The Treats Quintet) are sexy beach reads focused in Doubtless Bay in the Treats to Tempt You chocolate and coffee shop.

  Book 1: Treat with Caution

  Book 2: Treat her Right

  Book 3: A Rare Treat

  Book 4: Trick or Treat

  Book 5: A Festive Treat

  Book 6: A Secret Between Friends

  Book 6.5: A Taste of Things to Come (Treats Tasters)

  Books 6 to 10 (The Between Quintet) will move the action to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Set around a cocktail bar called Between the Sheets, the stories follow a new group of characters but frequently feature the guys and gals from the Treats Quintet.

  The Treats Tasters are sexy novellas revisiting some of the characters from the Treat series.

  *

  Treats to Tempt You Bundle

  Featuring Books 1 – 5 (The Treats Quintet)

  Treat with Caution – Excerpt

  “You are the most annoying man in the history of the world,” Tasha snapped.

  Kole grinned, stretched out on the sand, and put his hands behind his head. “Thanks.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment.” Tasha glowered at him, but he remained unrepentant, his grin spreading if anything. Gritting her teeth, she pushed her glasses further up the bridge of her nose and turned her gaze to the sea. Honestly. Trying to have a conversation with Kole Graham was like trying to wrestle a crocodile.

  They sat with Kole’s sister Maisey and his best mate Joss on Coopers Beach, a long crescent of sand that formed part of the beautiful Doubtless Bay in the Far North of New Zealand. The summer breeze played with Tasha’s hair, and waves crept up the sand and then slid back, sensual as a lover’s fingers. Over her head, the pohutukawa trees displayed their Christmassy red flowers, and her bare legs glistened in the warm December sun. It could almost be paradise. Except she was certain there weren’t any crocodiles in paradise.

  She glanced back at Kole. If she were anyone else, she might have considered him attractive, with his short dark hair, lean jaw, firm but sensual lips, and muscular frame highlighted by the All Blacks rugby shirt that stretched across his torso and around his impressive biceps. He carried himself with a confident sexiness bordering on arrogance, and this, along with his wry sense of humor, suggested he was probably excellent in bed.

  Too bad he annoyed the hell out of her.

  He looked across, saw her watching him, and raised an eyebrow. He was always trying to embarrass her, to make her blush and lose her composure. He hadn’t managed to do so once in the eleven years they’d known each other. Tasha didn’t embarrass easily.

  “Stare any longer, I’ll have to start charging,” he said.

  “You have chocolate on your top,” she pointed out. “I was wondering whether to find you a pelican bib.”

  He looked down at his rugby shirt, spotted the offending piece of confectionery, and scooped it up. “I was saving that for later.” He sucked it off his finger.

  Tasha rolled her eyes. “I’m not surprised you’re still single at twenty-eight. You’re like a trained ape. Without the training.”

  “For God’s sake, you two.” Maisey sent them an exasperated glare. “You’re like a couple of five year olds. I’m tempted to send you to bed without any tea.”

  “I think she meant separate beds,” Joss said at Kole’s approving murmur.

  Maisey snorted. “The space-time continuum would collapse if Kole and Tasha slept in the same bed.”

  “Damn straight,” Tasha said.

  Kole, howev
er, smiled lazily. “Oh, I don’t know.” His gaze travelled down her, then slowly back up. His lips curved, and he opened his mouth to speak again.

  Tasha looked over the top of her glasses. “If you say anything about Uranus, I swear, I’m going back to the car.”

  Maisey and Joss laughed. Kole chuckled and winked at Tasha. She smiled, but didn’t let it reach her eyes. She really was mad at him, and she didn’t want him to think she’d forgiven him.

  Joss checked his watch. “I’d better be getting back. Afternoon surgery starts in thirty minutes. I can’t believe you talked me into having lunch on the beach on a Friday—I have a shed load of paperwork to do.”

  “Oh, stop being such a stick-in-the-mud,” Maisey scolded. “You’re no fun since you came back from curing A.I.D.S. in South Africa or whatever it was you were doing.”

  “I wish I had cured A.I.D.S.,” he said, “but unfortunately the universe had other things in store for me.”

  Maisey rambled on about how dull he’d been since he moved back and become a boring old G.P. Tasha shot him a sympathetic look. Her brother Fredek—who everyone called Fox—had told her that not only did Joss’s mother have Multiple Sclerosis, but his father had started to show signs of Alzheimer’s. Add to that a sister whose husband had recently left her with four kids to take care of, and it became clear family responsibilities weighed heavy on Joss’s mind.

  He went to get up, and Tasha held out a hand. “Oh no, not yet. I brought you out here to help me talk this idiot into giving us the shop, and you’re not leaving until he does.”

  “You’re going to be here a long time then.” Kole slid on his sunglasses. “Because I have no intention of giving it up.”

  Tasha pursed her lips. “Maisey!”

  “What?” Maisey flicked her fingers at her brother. “No good asking me. He never does anything I want him to.”