Relentless Pursuit

by Lulu Pratt

  “You bet your red ass we will!” She calls after me and I can’t help but giggle at her need to embarrass me one last time, as if I’m not blushing enough.

  “Hello, Miss McClemore. Ready for work?” Stanley asks as I exit my place, preparing to run to the train.

  “Really?” I ask in shock. It was nice enough for Warren to have his driver bring me home, but I never expected him to wait out here and take me to work.

  “Of course,” Stanley answers my shock with a smile before opening the back door to the Lincoln town car as I climb inside.

  Thanks to Warren, and Stanley specifically, I actually make it to work early. Three women tell me I’m glowing before lunchtime, and I have to force myself to stop replaying the previous night’s events in my mind. It’s like a dream that I don’t want to forget, so I keep envisioning it, every single detail.

  Just after I’ve left a classroom of second graders, my pocket vibrates and I nearly jump out of my skin. I usually leave my phone in my purse, but even when I do carry it, no one ever calls. Evelyn knows I’m working, and she’s about the only person interested in talking to me. When a private number pops up on the caller ID I debate not answering, but there’s a little hope that it could be the man responsible for my glow.

  “Hello,” I answer on the third ring, butterflies already fluttering in my belly.

  “Christina,” It’s his curt voice, pronouncing my name so formal as opposed to the groaning version I prefer.

  “Mr. Just,” I mock his tone, and if I’m not mistaken I actually hear him smile.

  “How are you?” He asks flatly.

  “Well,” I begin before glancing over my shoulders to make sure no one can hear me, “My ass is covered in red marks, but besides that, I’m pretty good.”

  Warren bursts into a throaty laugh and I beam with pride at being able to make him loosen up. He’s so in control that even a smile from him feels like an accomplishment.

  “Is that funny to you?” I feign seriousness as his laughter subsides.

  “Was it worth it?” His voice is dark and lustful, the breath catches in my throat as all my wit escapes me in the blink of the eye.

  “Come out with me,” he says slowly, in a soft yet demanding tone.

  “Out with you? Like, on a date?” I perplex, knowing it’s against the rules he so clearly set last night.

  “I wouldn’t say a date,” he pauses and I remain silent, forcing him to expound. “It’s dinner. A couple of friends, good food, good wine, nothing too formal,” he tries to sound casual, but I can sense this is unusual for him.

  “Hmm,” I hum into the phone as if I’m contemplating my decision.

  “Please?” He adds in a bashful, pleading tone and I want to rush to wherever he is and beg him to ravish me on the spot.

  “Yes,” I breathe into the phone, deciding that’s a more appropriate response.

  “Perfect. I’ll pick you up at eight,” his stern tone returns before he abruptly ends the call.

  My chest is heaving as I stand in the hallway, actually trying to catch my breath. After a single phone call! This man drives me crazy in the best way.

  The rest of the day is spent reminiscing about the previous night and daydreaming what I should expect from this evening. The school day has just ended when it occurs to me – if Evelyn said he’s super rich, his friends probably are too. What on Earth will I wear to dinner with them? Hurriedly, I pull out my smartphone to call my best friend. She has a closet full of designer clothes and I’ll need her help if I’m going to avoid an evening of embarrassment.

  “Well, if it isn’t Cinderella herself,” Evelyn answers on the first ring.

  “Careful now, that would make you my evil step-sister,” I tease and she giggles.

  “Are you calling to check on your delivery?” She chirps and my nose scrunches as I try to remember if I’ve made any online purchases recently.

  “Is it from Amazon?” I ask, trying to remember if I completed that order for a new iPad case.

  “Umm, last I checked Amazon didn’t sell Gucci, but they may have a VIP section unavailable to peasants like myself,” she is dripping with sarcasm and I can’t stop the laugh in my throat. We both burst into giggles before I tell her to wait for me to open the box as I rush to the train station.

  Evelyn meets me at the door to our apartment and together we open the box Warren had sent while I was at work. There’s a short black Gucci dress with red details, the fabric is so soft I actually hold it against my face to feel the luxury against my skin. There’s also a pair of black pumps with a red-and-white snake-like design along the trim, and a clutch purse to match the shoes. Lastly, there’s a small bright blue box closed with a thick white ribbon. Evelyn gasps when I pick up the box, and even I’ve watched enough movies to know it’s from Tiffany’s. Opening the box, my mouth drops open as the princess-cut diamond earrings sparkle remarkably.

  “Where the hell is he taking you?” Evelyn finally asks after a long pause between us.

  Chapter 8

  After two hours of prepping with Evelyn, I must say I look absolutely stunning. The dress fits me perfectly, hugging the subtle curves I have, with a drooping neckline giving the slightest glimpse of cleavage. My long hair is pulled back into a stylish chignon, putting my new earrings on full display, and Evelyn has even perfected the barely there make-up I love so much. My entire adult life people have mistaken me for a model, but tonight I actually feel like one.

  “You look gorgeous,” Warren whispers in my ear as he leads me through the dimly lit restaurant with his hand on the small of my back. We’re at Lincoln Steakhouse in the city, the red and black décor matches my outfit.

  “Oh shit! Just brought a model to dinner!” A blond man exclaims as we make our way to the private table. He’s dressed in a black tailored suit, his tie loosened and his face a bit red, probably from the whiskey he seems to be downing.

  “Everyone, this is Christina. Christina, everyone,” Warren jokingly introduces me to the table. There are two other couples already seated including the loud blond man in the black suit, who has a beautiful blonde woman to his right. The other couple looks to be a bit older, the man has dark brown hair, while his gorgeous wife has long jet black waves tumbling down her shoulder.

  “Don’t you just love their spring collection? I got this in every color. I had to,” the blonde woman says as I sit down. It takes me a long moment to realize she’s commenting on my dress, and I nod and smile in acknowledgement, choosing not to tell her about Warren gifting the dress to me only hours ago.

  “So what do you do, Christina? Runway or print?” The dark-haired woman asks from across the table.

  “Oh, I’m not a model. I work with children,” I clarify as Warren pours us both a glass of red wine.

  “So, you’re a trust-funder? Yeah, my wife does a bit of charity work as well,” the man dotes over his wife before running his fingers through her obsidian hair.

  “I wish I could say it’s charity, but it’s actually what I do for a living,” my voice is small, my breathing erratic. I don’t think I’ve ever been so anxious in my life.

  “Wait. You’re a teacher?” The blond man holds up his hand, looking around the table in disbelief.

  “Yes,” I nod while I speak, my nervous tick kicking in as I grab my glass of wine and take a large gulp.

  “So, Warren, you’re doing the fucking charity!” The blond man exclaims and the table erupts in laughter. To my complete horror, when I glance over to Warren, he is smirking as if he thinks this asshole is funny. I want the floor to open and suck me in.

  “Excuse me,” I force a smile as I rush to my feet, pushing my chair out as I hurry out of the restaurant, tears stinging my eyes.

  Racing through the front doors, I take a deep breath of the humid summer air before looking in each direction down the street. We’ve got to be blocks from a train station, and these pumps are killing my feet, but there’s no way I’m sitting at a dinner with a group of pr
etentious assholes.

  “Christina!” I hear from behind me, and turning around, I see Warren stalking in my direction.

  Trying to ignore the pain from the heels, I force myself to walk as quickly as possible, but Warren is now jogging after me so I opt to hail a cab instead. Luckily, there’s one passing, and I open the door to hop in and make my escape.

  “What are you doing?” I hear the frustration in his voice as his fingers wrap tightly around my bicep. He’s caught me before I could climb into the backseat.

  “You coming or what?” The driver yells nastily.

  “Yes,” I answer him, tugging my arm, but Warren doesn’t budge.

  “No, you’re not.” He says flatly and definitively.

  “Warren, I’ll never fit in with your friends, and I’ll never be okay with you allowing anyone to speak to me that way,” I begin and he clenches his jaw tightly. “You laughed at me right along with them,” I accuse.

  “I was caught off guard, Christina. I’ve never even been on a fucking date, I didn’t know what to do. I should’ve said something. I fucked up. I’m sorry,” he grabs my other arm, so that I’m forced to face him, but my eyes wander, unwilling to be sucked into his dark gaze.

  “I’m not what you want. I’m a teacher who has never had a Gucci dress in her life. You don’t even want to go on dates!” I yell, reminding him of his guidelines once again.

  “I want you, Christina,” he grasps my chin, raising my head so I’m forced to look into those piercing eyes of his. “I don’t care about them, I just wanted to take you out, because I know that’s what you want. I’ll give you anything in this world, and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit. I just want you,” his words and his gaze leave me speechless as I look on in shock.

  “So, you do want to be my boyfriend?” I tease him with a tilt of my head.

  “I want to be your everything, but more than anything, I want to rip that dress off you,” he bites his bottom lip as the side of his mouth curls upwards into that seductive smirk.

  “I knew you were trouble, Mr. Just,” I shake my head, piercing my lips to stop the grin from spreading across my face.

  His lips are on me before I can say another word, his tongue capitalizing on my gasp of shock, sliding into my mouth with the fresh taste of mint and red wine. Lifting onto the tips of my toes, I lean into his kiss, as his hand cradles the nape of my neck. Our bodies close in, drawn together like two magnets, as a rush of electricity courses through my body, a hunger for him building in my belly. There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be, no one’s arms I’d prefer wrapped around me.

  “Come on, lady! Are you leaving?” The driver interrupts our connection.

  “Yes! One-Five-Seven!” I yell, climbing into the backseat, pulling Warren into the car behind me.

  In Deep

  I’m on a body reconnaissance mission…

  After I left the SEALs, I didn’t give a shit about anything.

  I stopped caring.

  So when a man offers me money to body snatch a woman, I take his cash.

  Why the fuck not?

  And then I meet her.

  Grace.

  She’s so damn irresistible without even trying.

  I can’t take my eyes off her thick, round ass, and her smile is a beacon in my darkness.

  All I can think about is sinking in her deep.

  The mission just changed.

  I used my training to find her, now I’m going to use it to keep her safe.

  The only place Grace’s body is going is under mine.

  *** A steamy STANDALONE contemporary romance novella with a smoking hot hero. No cliffhanger, no cheating and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.***

  Chapter one

  GRACE CHAMBERS

  I fold and unfold my legs for the millionth time in twenty minutes. But I can’t help the throbbing in my center or the growing slickness in my lace panties.

  “So, what do you think? Do I have a chance?” he asks with a hopeful air, leaning back in his chair casually, while I continue to squirm.

  Jameson Wilcox just has that effect on me. On women. Period.

  With his towering, well-muscled frame and sinful gaze, it’s a wonder I’m catching anything of value that he’s saying in that deep, X-rated drawl of his.

  I can’t get over his impeccable features against the backdrop of his perfect tawny skin. His eyes are the color of liquid gold, piercing and sensual. Tempting, kissable lips and a jawline any model would envy round out his flawless face. His dark, wavy hair is cut short in a low-maintenance style.

  Business is so far from my mind, I will probably start panting soon.

  But that is definitely not why he is here.

  He’s here, in my cramped office wreaking havoc on my libido, because he needs a loan. To fund a security firm of all things.

  Many of the people in this town are scared shitless of this man and for good reason. His dangerous reputation precedes him. I don’t know a single person who wants to be on his bad side and here he is planning to provide “protection” services.

  Finally, I clear my throat and lean forward as I clasp my hands in the center of my desk. This causes his intense gaze to shift to the cleavage bared by my button-up silk blouse. Heat rushes through me as he boldly stares, not bothering to look away once he is caught.

  I try not to think about it as I clear my throat yet again. This time my words don’t get jammed inside.

  “Mr. Wilcox, I appreciate your preparation for this meeting,” I say, shuffling through the business plan he presented upon entering my office.

  He eyes me steadily, his intense stare making me stammer.

  “You’re… um, very thorough,” I remark as my eyes skim the pages, wondering how long it had taken him to put this all together.

  “Yes, Ms. Chambers. I’m very thorough. In every aspect of my life.” A wicked gleam lights his gaze and he smirks, finally looking away from my breasts and back up at me. Then he winks.

  All the moisture in my mouth evaporates in an instant, leaving my jaw slack as I ponder the innuendo lacing his words.

  Be professional, Grace, I chant to myself.

  “However, you don’t seem like the type of man who exactly needs a business loan from a small credit union like Citizens.” I state the obvious because the man is filthy rich.

  The small-town rumor mill has me educated on the guy. I know he’s thirty-two and was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. And my brief interview about his financial history had revealed that he acquired a large inheritance when his parents passed. Needless to say, his pockets aren’t exactly empty.

  He showed up on a brand new luxury motorcycle to prove it.

  “One thing I learned in my time as a SEAL is that everything isn’t what it seems, Grace. Can I call you Grace?” he asks belatedly.

  My mind is too muddled to care. A military man. Wetness pours from my core as I fold my legs again.

  “Anyway,” he continues leaning toward me. “I retired a couple years ago and I’ve been managing my money on my own ever since. I don’t tend to trust banks. But people get suspicious when you start paying cash for everything. Which is why I need you. I need to open a line of credit to establish trust and further expand my brand.”

  Very thorough indeed. I bet he learned that as a SEAL as well.

  I am nodding before I even knew what is happening. The man just told me he retired at the age of thirty. I’m envious and awed simultaneously.

  “We’ll be in touch, Mr. Wilcox. Citizens Credit Union is devoted to providing our members with quality service and care. Just give me a couple of days and I’ll see what I can do,” I promise, plucking a business card from my desk.

  When he grabs the card, his calloused fingers graze mine and a jolt of electricity shoots through me. If he’s affected in the same way, his gorgeous face doesn’t betray a thing.

  As I stand, the stickiness in my panties reminds me of just how slippery things have gotten down south. I
will definitely need to change my panties as soon as he vacates the premises.

  “Do you have any more questions for me, Mr. Wilcox?” I ask in a voice I hope isn’t too shaky. The last thing I need is for him to know just how horny he’s made me during this meeting.

  “Jameson,” he says, reestablishing our eye contact.

  “I’m sorry?” My words are barely a whisper as I take in his attire. He’s wearing all black. The dress shirt is unbuttoned at the collar and fitted to showcase his powerful biceps. The slacks fall over his long legs, the hem brushing the tops of expensive leather shoes.

  “I want you to call me Jameson. If we’re going to work together, we should be familiar. Wouldn’t you agree, Grace?”

  He finally stands, a fresh whiff of his heady scent assaulting my senses all over again. I would honestly agree to anything he said at the moment.

  I gulp and nod as he stands there, patiently awaiting my reply.

  “Please let me walk you out, Jameson.”

  As we reach the credit union’s front lobby, Jameson turns to me with a disarming smile, his perfect white teeth on display.

  “I’ll be seeing you, Grace.”

  Although I know it’s strictly business on his end, I still relish in what sounds like a sinful promise.

  I push out a loud breath as I finally reenter my office. Closing the door, I walk on shaky legs back to my desk and nearly collapse against the corner of it.

  Did the man know he was a walking wet dream?

  Too frustrated to work, I journey back to the door and slide the lock in place.

  With an urgency I can’t explain, I reach down and remove the sopping panties before taking a seat behind my mahogany desk. Reclining in my oversized office chair, I lift one leg to rest my foot against the edge of the desk.

  As moments from our meeting replay in my head, I decide in that instant that my lunch break will be postponed until my fingers attempt to strum away the tension at my aching center.

  I sigh as my fingers make contact, my pointer and middle fingers slipping around the slick button that is my clitoris. My head lolls back enjoying the intoxicating sensations that ripple through my middle.