5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set)

by Michelle Hughes

  "Damn it Scarlett, it will get easier, but you don't just throw yourself right back into a fire when you barely escaped the last time!" Exasperated she threw her hands up in the air and walked away. They had been talking in circles for the last twenty minutes, and nothing she'd said made a dent in her resolve. "Do you really expect me stand by and watch you destroy yourself over him?"

  "I expect you to be my friend, and accept that I have capability of making my own choices and dealing with the consequences!" She was getting pissed now as well. Enough was enough. She told Janie what she planned because she didn't want to lie to her, but she was a grown woman and this was her choice.

  "I will always be your friend, even when you're being about as stupid as a person can get. I love you Scarlett, but when he hurts you again, just remember I warned you." Standing up, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door. She couldn't stand by and watch her fuck up her life and if she was going to go through with this, she would do it on her own.

  She cringed as the front door slammed and forced herself to take a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. The last thing she'd wanted was to make her best friend unhappy. Janie had valid points, but this was about what she could live with. The chime of the doorbell pulled her out of her thoughts about how hard it was going to be to fix this with her best friend.

  Signing for the package, she thanked the delivery guy and her heart raced at the large package in her hands. Walking back into the kitchen she tore open the box and began unwrapping bubble tape from around the large square object. It was a beautiful chess board carved out of marble. To say it was an unusual gift was putting it mildly, she'd never played the game in her life.

  Reaching down into the box, she pulled out the beautiful pieces noting that they were all carved out of ivory and what she assumed was black onyx. She loved the little objects, and knew they had names but couldn't recall them. Lifting up the ivory horse she ran her fingers over the smooth texture, puzzled. Opening the card she couldn't stop the grin that found her face as Rhett explained his gift.

  "This game should have been where we started sweet girl. In Chess when there is no known move to escape or win the game it's called a checkmate. I concede princess. Checkmate. Truly, RH."

  Did that mean he was giving up? The message was so cryptic she thought about calling him and then stopped herself. What if he told her not to come tonight? She wasn't sure she could deal with that. Attempting to keep herself busy she pulled out her laptop and searched Chess. Setting the board up took her mind off the need to call him and she decided to learn a little more about the game to waste some time.

  The rest of the day she forced herself to do meaningless tasks to stop herself from going insane. She swept floors that didn't need sweeping, rearranged her clothes in the closet, took a long hot bath and stayed in until the water was icy cold. The day just wasn't passing fast enough. As she started getting ready for her meeting with him, it wasn't long enough.

  Her hands shook as she slid a pale pink dress over her head. It was one of the few outfits she'd bought that wasn't as revealing as the others on her trip with Rhett. She loved how it cuddled her small waist then fell over her hips and a few inches above her knees in soft folds. It was a soft as butter and while it covered her modestly the material itself felt sensual to her.

  Sliding on thigh high stockings, she clipped them to the garter belt of the baby doll teddy she wore. She told herself she was only going to talk to him tonight, but the teddy made her feel confident and sexy, and she needed all of that for this conversation tonight. Sliding on a pair of white three inch heels, she walked into the bathroom and studied her reflection in the full length mirror behind the door. Thinking this was about the best she could do, she turned away, grabbed her purse and walked out of the condo with her legs shaking so badly she was shocked she could stand.

  Concentrating on the road did little to help her mindset, she felt like she did the first night she'd met him alone. Pulling her car into the driveway, the valet opened the door for her. "Thank you," she handed him the keys, wishing her hands would stop trembling. He only nodded and smiled and she forced her legs to walk.

  The front door opened before she had the chance to ring the bell and the stoic servant that usually had a stern expression on his face as he answered smiled warmly at her, and held the door open. "Master Rhett is waiting for you in the gardens, Ma'am."

  "Thank you," she managed to speak the words through lips that were suddenly parched, reminding her again of the first night she'd come here on her own. She followed behind him, hoping her legs wouldn't fold as her heart raced painfully in her chest.

  He opened the veranda doors at the back of the mansion and her eyes widened at the path of white and red rose petals scattered down the long flight of stairs and onto the deep green grass of the lawn.

  "Enjoy your evening Ma'am," the butler closed the doors as he retreated back inside with a smile on his face.

  Scarlett looked behind her for a moment and then slowly began following the trail of rose petals, her heart racing more with each step she took. The path was illuminated by torches that were lined as far as her eyes could see and it was almost like something out of a fairy tale.

  As she continued to walk she noted the large gazebo surrounded by sheer white curtains blowing gently in the breeze. Finding it hard to breathe she finally made it to the curtains that covered the entrance and a gasp escaped her lips as she saw Rhett down on one knee holding up a small velvet covered box.

  He was dressed in a black tuxedo that fit his incredible body perfectly and the look on his gorgeous face was one that she knew she'd remember for the rest of her life. Uncertainty filled his deep blue eyes and he looked up at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  "Scarlett, I know I've been a stubborn, blind, fool and you deserve someone who could give you so much more. I have never felt this way about another woman in my life and the thought of not being with you every day for the rest of my life destroys my soul. I know I don't deserve you sweetheart, but if you will do me the honor of being my wife, I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure that you have everything your heart desires. Will you marry me?"

  Her mouth opened, but as hard as she tried she couldn't force any words from her mouth. The last thing she'd expected when she showed up here tonight was for him to offer marriage. The thought filled her with nervous anticipation and a joy that surpassed anything she ever thought herself capable of feeling. Her eyes filled with tears and her hand went to her mouth as she tried to control her emotions and think past the fairytale dream he was offering her here tonight.

  "Sweetheart please say something," his own heart was racing at the thought that she might reject him. He didn't deserve her, he knew that. She was too perfect, too kind and so much more than a bastard like him could ever hope to have return his love.

  She could only nod her head, they had a million things to discuss and probably more than that to agree or disagree over, but the thought of being Mrs. Rhett Hammond was more than she'd ever thought possible. The look of shock in his eyes at her simple nod made her smile. His hands shaking as he slid the huge diamond on her hand would be in her memories until the day she died. It was the first time she'd ever seen him nervous since they met.

  "If you don't like the ring, we can go pick out one together tomorrow," he looked up at her uncertainly, hoping he was doing this right. He'd never thought he could find a woman that would thaw his cold heart, and his sweet little Scarlett had him feeling more unsure than he had ever felt before. The only thing he knew for certain was that he was willing to spend the rest of his life making her happy.

  "Sir, I love the ring and I love you," lowering to her knees, she wrapped her arms around him tightly. She managed to find her voice at the sight of him humbled before her. It was a vision that she'd never thought to see, and in all honesty one she wasn't sure she felt comfortable with. She loved him from the strong, decisive man he'd shown her and even though
he pushed all her buttons and scared the living hell out of her most of the time, that was the man she'd fallen in love with.

  "Princess, you never have to call me Sir again," he held her against him tightly willing to try with everything inside of him to be the man she needed him to be.

  Pulling back enough to look in his eyes, her hands went to each side of his face and with a strength of mind she wasn't aware she had, she spoke to him honestly. "I fell in love with the man who showed me that passion could be found when I truly submitted my heart, body and soul, Sir. Please don't ask me to give that up to spend my life with the man that showed me that."

  He was overwhelmed with emotion that she was willing to still submit to him. He had been willing to give that part of his life up to have her in his life forever. She meant more to him than even his strongest desires to command and conquer. The thought of her willingness to give him not only her love, but surrender her will was more than he could have ever hoped for. For the first time in his life he was speechless. His lips lowered to hers and he kissed her with all the passion that he'd held in check, showing her without words what her submission meant to him.

  When he finally pulled back, he looked into her emotional hazel eyes his heart was filled to overflowing. "You have given me more than one man deserves in this lifetime Scarlett." Standing up he held out his hand to help her to her feet.

  She put her hand in his and smiled up into his fathomless deep blue gaze. There was no doubt in her mind that this was what she truly wanted. "Sir, this is our tenth night together." Smiling as he held her hand, she blushed deeply as allowed her eyes to roam over the man that would be hers for the rest of her life. "What will you teach me?" She couldn't stop the small smirk that found her face or the challenge that filled her hazel orbs.

  He chuckled at the spirit of his future wife and the beautiful woman that had just agreed to surrender her body to his desires for as long as they lived, the thought of all the things he would share with her was irresistible. Lifting her up into his arms he looked down into her beautiful face and grinned wickedly. "I will teach you everything your incredible body desires, and push you beyond anything you think you can handle."

  Laying her down on the cushioned bed, he walked over to the gazebo entrance and pulled the curtains closed so they were isolated from the rest of the world. The look of innocent curiosity on her face took his breath away. Lowering to his knees beside the outdoor bed, he reached over and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand gently. "And I'll be here to catch you so you never fall sweetheart."

  In ten nights she had discovered passion, love, fear, heartache, and so many emotional and physical changes that it took her breath away. As he joined her in bed and brought her body to the edge of paradise she couldn't help but wonder what she could learn in ten years. Closing her eyes she surrendered her body and her heart to the one man that knew how to push her to the point of no return.

  

  Angela’s

  Salvation

  Michelle Hughes

  Tears of Crimson Publishing

  

  Angela's Salvation

  A Tears of Crimson Book

  Michelle Hughes

  © United States 2013

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  ©2013 by Tears of Crimson, LLC

  First Edition 2013

  Printed in the United States of America

  Angela's Salvation: An Overnight Sensation Romance Novel

  DEDICATION

  Dedicated to all those that survived an abusive childhood and managed to overcome overwhelming odds to live life. You are not alone, even if it sometimes feels that way. To all those that hid in the shadows, let your story be told. To all my musical friends who are just waiting for their one shot at fame, this book is also for you. All it takes is one beautiful song to make your light shine.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always, much appreciation to all the fantastic friends at Tears of Crimson for their continued love and support. To my wonderful mother, Susan Hall and my incredible family that inspire me to always keep writing. Thanks to all the people in my musical past for giving me an extensive background on the music industry for this story, you know who you are. To all the extraordinary talent shows over the years that have helped dreamers get their chance for their day in the spotlight. But mostly thank you readers, for walking into my world.

  1 Living

  Standing under the steaming stream of hot water, Angela attempted to rinse away the smell of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke from her body. Even though she wasn't a drinker herself, all the drinks spilled on her last night had probably sunk into her pores, she thought with a shudder. Picking up a loofah and pouring a glob of her favorite scented body wash on it liberally, she scrubbed, knowing that no matter how well she cleansed herself, she'd still feel dirty.

  She hated the waitressing job, even though the tips were fantastic and her coworkers were the closest thing to a family she'd ever known. The groping hands of male customers, and even females some nights, filled her with disgust and made her self-loathing even more prominent than what it already was. Reminding herself that it was either this job, or working at a fast food restaurant, she managed to suck it up and be thankful that at least she had employment that afforded this ratty apartment she shared with her best friend.

  Rinsing off quickly before turning off the shower and stepping out of the run down stall, she grabbed a towel that had seen better days, and began drying off vigorously. She was lucky there was a place to lay her head; most women in her situation were living in the local homeless shelter or out on the streets. There was always a positive somewhere; she'd learned that lesson the hard way after spending two weeks out on the street herself when she first moved here.

  If it hadn't been for Rachel, she would have probably been killed or become like those other young girls she met, hooked on drugs or even worse caught up in prostitution. Rachel had literally saved her life, pulling her away from two men who'd attempted to pull her off into a car the last night she spent sleeping on a park bench. She wasn't sure that her soul could have survived being abused that way again, and owed her best friend her life.

  At seventeen years old then, she'd come to the big city trying to escape her past, having no idea that life here could be even worse than what she'd been running from in the first place. When she left home, she thought there could be nothing worse than the abuse she was suffering; it was shocking how naive a person could be until they were faced with the reality of life.

  Rachel had taken her in, moved her out of New York and into New Jersey, helped her get a job with one of the local hamburger joints, and changed her life in more positive ways than she'd ever be able to thank her for. The day she turned twenty-one, she'd talked Robert into giving her the waitressing job at the bar and upped her low income wage to one that was actually able to give her more than just the basics. It wasn't a perfect life by any means, but for a girl who'd never finished high school, it was the best she could hope for.

  It wasn't that she didn't have a brilliant mind, but when you're running away from your past, it's a little hard to finish school, she told herself. Two years after she'd first moved here, thanks again to Rachel, she finally finished her GED, which at least made her feel some sense of accomplishment.

  "I put a present on your bed Angela," Rachel's eager voice called out, penetrati
ng through the thin bathroom wall.

  Shaking her head with a smile, she called back out. "What did you do?" Rachel was the big sister she never had, and the love she felt for her surpassed every other relationship in her life. She was the only one that knew the reason she had run away from home, and since her life had shared a similar past, they were inseparable. Walking out into the shabby bedroom, tears filled her eyes as she noticed the gift.

  "I thought you could impress the judges wearing that today." Rachel face filled with a grin at the surprise on her best friend's face. She'd seen her eyeing the outfit at the mall and knew she'd never take money out of her hard-earned paycheck to buy the dress.

  "Rachel you shouldn't have," she laughed, picking up the silky fabric, holding it against her cool skin. This dress was obviously not in their budget, and she'd never have the chance to wear something this fancy again, but it was gorgeous. Putting down the dress carefully, she walked over and embraced Rachel, squeezing tightly. "Thank you," tears filled her eyes at how fortunate she was to have someone like her in her life.

  Pulling back and noticing her tears, she felt her own eyes fill. "None of that now, you're going to pay me back by showing those judges how incredible you are and becoming a big star." She was so proud of Angela for doing this audition, and wanted her to look like the diva she already was in her eyes for them.

  "I'll give it my best Rachel, but you know as well as I do that the chances of even making it through this first round will be a miracle," she knew she could sing, but her awkwardness around people would always be a stumbling block for any chance of a life as a singer. It took everything she had to get on stage during open mic night at the club they worked at.