“What’s that, Dove?”
“Hot sex while eating pasta!” I grin and lick my lips.
“Perfect fucking woman, my wife.” He lifts my hand and kisses the back. “Absolutely perfect.”
THE END
Want more of the Lotus House clan?
Continue on with Dara Jackson
and Silas McKnight’s story in…
* * *
Intimate Intuition
Book Six in the Lotus House Series
(May 8, 2018)
* * *
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Excerpt From Intimate Intuition - A Lotus House Novel (Book 6)
The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra in the body. It is located in the brain at the brow, above the top of the nose. In Sanskrit, it’s called Ajna. This chakra is considered the part of the body that can transcend time.
DARA
Positive. Plus sign. In the modern world, the addition symbol is literally positive. As in more.
More quantity.
More happiness.
The white stick with the pink plus symbol glaring at me evokes the exact opposite of more. Next to the plus is a second window with two lines—in dramatic opposition to the glaring addition symbol I so desperately want to be a subtract symbol.
A negative.
The two lines infuse everything with glaring, unavoidable clarity—and mean only one thing.
Pregnant.
I close my eyes, sigh, and lean back against the bathroom wall. It’s been three weeks since I laid eyes on him. Two weeks since I’d given up hope he’d call and explain himself. One week since I missed my cycle. Now here I am, knocked up with the product of a one-night stand. Only this isn’t just any one-night stand. We have mutual friends. Several of them. Of course, they have no idea we spent a drunken night of carnal delights with one another. No, they are none the wiser.
Technically, my friend Nick did ask how “drinks” went with his buddy. As usual, I played it off like it was just another night. Nothing special. Definitely nothing to talk about.
As if I would discuss the feel of his lips trailing down my neck.
The way his hands curved perfectly around my naked breasts.
Our endless worshipping of one another.
Except how can they all not know?
We couldn’t get enough of each other’s bodies. We were careful, using condoms every single time. Completely on top of it. Literally. Went through a half dozen of them throughout the night. But one round…the condom broke. At the time, it wasn’t a big deal. We were drunk as skunks and feeding on flesh and booze. It took a lot of meditation and thinking back through the haziness to even remember the incident, as inebriated as I was. By the time I recalled the slip, it was too late. The day-after pill wouldn’t have worked. I know—I asked the pharmacist. Three of them. At different locations. And my gynecologist.
Until this moment, I had been banking on my good luck. Except I’ve never been lucky. Not in love and not in life. At least not in my formative years. I started out in foster care and a girls’ home for orphaned kids, no family to speak of, until I was eight years old. Then out of nowhere, a round black woman with big cheeks, dark eyes, and an easy smile picked me out of a lineup of children in my age group to sit and talk with. I knew from the other kids, when one of us was pulled out and talked to, it could mean ending up in a home. It was all any of us ever wanted. Still, one of the scariest days of my life was meeting Darren and Vanessa Jackson.
Until now.
For a week, the Jacksons came back to the home to visit with me. I guess they were making sure we were a good fit. I clung to Mrs. Jackson during our visits. I’d always wanted a mother, someone to look at me with soft eyes and a smile. Once our week was up, the Jacksons both held my hands and asked me if I wanted to come home with them. Live with them. I couldn’t have known then it would be the best thing that ever happened to me.
I distinctly remember looking up into Mrs. Jackson’s eyes and then Mr. Jackson’s, trying to discern the significance of what was happening. All I could do in that moment was ask an awe-filled question.
“You want me?”
They assured me that, yes indeed, they very much wanted me to be their child. They took me to their expansive home in Berkeley, California, and showed me a room painted in a soft yellow with sunflowers scattered throughout. I was in heaven. Two human beings who wanted me, craved having me as their daughter. They worked, fought, and paid through the nose to adopt me officially. I had a family.
As I stare down at the three positive pregnancy tests, I cup my hand over my belly and cry. Big, heaping sobs. I’ve wanted nothing more in life than to be a baker and a mother just like my adopted mother, Vanessa Jackson. To show my child from the second it took its first breath I would always want her and do right by her—or him. Unlike my biological parents, I would want to give a child the love and family the Jacksons gave me.
And while the tears fall down my cheeks, I vow to my unborn child I will do exactly that. Regardless of whether or not Silas McKnight wants any part of his child’s life, I’ll be everything our child needs and more.
Positive.
Plus…one.
* * *
Three weeks earlier…
Harmony Jack’s is packed to the gills with bodies as I enter and push past a beefy, handsy fellow. Mentally, I chastise myself for my choice of attire, but the sparkly blue, micro-mini dress called to me. So the hem sits just below my ass…big deal. I work hard in the studio to keep my shit tight. Aside from my ba-donk-a-donk. It seems there is nothing I can do about the size of my ass. Squats, leg lifts, and an endless circuit of yoga poses with an emphasis on slimming the glutes does absolutely nothing but make my bum higher and tighter. I’ve since given up on trying to slim it down and now focus on flaunting the hell out of it. If a man doesn’t want tits and ass, they can get to steppin’. Ain’t nobody got time for that noise.
I see my crew at the back of the bar. They look like they are hugging Honor, Nick’s woman, for some reason. As I wiggle my way through the dancers and partygoers, I see Nick and wave. He pulls me into a hug. I turn around and snuggle Dash and his wife, Amber, and then Atlas before Nick hooks his arm with mine and leads me toward where Honor is standing next to a fine-as-fuck black man. His mocha-colored skin positively gleams under the flashing lights of the bar as I give him the once-over. He’s dressed to impress: black slacks, a royal-blue dress shirt tucked in, with a thin leather belt around his trim waist. I can tell by the V shape of his upper body he’s likely packing some seriously tight muscles under those threads. When I make my way up his form and my gaze lands on his face, his bright smile positively blinds me.
“Lordy…” I whisper under my breath as Honor leans into the fine man’s space and says something I can’t hear.
Still, I watch as he nods and does his once-over of my body, from my spiked silver heels up my bare legs to my cleavage-bearing chest, before landing on my face. He licks his lips and bites the bottom one. I’m positive my panties have dampened from one damn perusal.
I lift my hand to push my suddenly heavy locks off my neck so I can get a little air on my overly heated skin.
“Hey, babe, you know Dara Jackson from Lotus House.” Nick lets me go and loops his arm around Honor.
She smiles softly and glances at me. “I do. Good to see you again.”
I glance at Nick and note his rather possessive hold on the blonde and can’t help but offer encouragement. I want to see my friend settled and happy. Honor seems to give him that. And I know for a fact she needs him. Shy, sweet, and naïve. Plus, her aura is starting to shimmer with a glowing pink, meaning these two are about to have some serious fun!
“Glad you scooped up your man. I’m sure there are yogis everywhere crying into their soy chai latte over the resident hottie being off the market.” I laugh and wink at Nick.
“Absolutely off the market,” Nick con
firms and then curves his head toward Honor’s and kisses her. “We’re living together now too,” he says with pride and another peck of his woman’s mouth.
I sigh. I love seeing Nick so taken with this woman. It gives me hope the right man is out there for me too. Not that I’ve had a good one yet.
The man standing next to Honor clears his throat, reminding me of his presence. Not that I could forget. He’s ridiculously attractive, and his light eyes have not left me since I arrived. Hell, I could feel those hazel gems running all over me while I greeted my friends a few minutes ago. Now, it’s no different. He’s not even trying to act cool. Confidence. I like that in a man. Almost as much as I like a body that won’t quit and a smile that could melt the panties off any sista in here.
“Righteous.” I grin at Nick before turning my attention lazily to hot stuff. “And who is this tall, dark drink of heaven?” I extend my hand.
He takes hold of my hand. The instant our palms touch, a sizzle of magnetism starts my hand chakras spinning in the opposite direction, my body’s way of trying to pair instantly with his energy. Interesting. More interesting is when he lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. I swoon in my spiked heels, nearly falling over, but his tight grip won’t allow that, and I sway toward him.
“I’m Silas McKnight. I work with Atlas.” He gestures over to our friends behind me.
Right then, Atlas claps Silas on the back. “Don’t let him fool you, Dara. He’s my boss. The dude is rich, available, and a hard worker.” He clocks Silas on the arm. “Don’t say I never did nuthin’ for ya, buddy, but I’ve got to get home. Mila says Aria is awake with a fever and calling for her daddy. My girls call, I’m out. Bye, guys. Great job tonight, Honor. Really killer voice. Hope to hear it again soon.”
I frown. Honor sang? I would have liked to see and hear that side of the sweet woman.
Silas ruffles Atlas’s hair, making me smile. There’s a brotherhood there. If Atlas let Silas touch him in such a casual and friendly manner, he must be well-liked. “Catch ya Monday. Don’t be late…again!” Silas warns, and Atlas chuckles, lifts a hand above his head, and waves as he exits. Dash and Amber are quick to follow.
“We’ve, um, got plans tomorrow. We should, uh…” Amber twists her lips in a pensive gesture, but her aura is spiking red-hot, readying for a romp with our resident Tantric yoga teacher who also happens to be her husband.
Dash chuckles and hooks her around the waist. “I promised my wife a handful of orgasms tonight,” he says with absolutely no concern for decency or etiquette. Such an endearing quality in my friend. “It’s been a long week for her.” He nods to his wife. “Means we’re headed out.”
Amber widens her eyes to the size of dinner plates. “My goodness. I can’t believe you just said that! Dash!” She smacks his arm with righteous indignation.
He nuzzles her temple. “Little bird, everyone here tonight is going to go home and fuck like rabbits. We’re no different. Am I right?” he asks our group. I’m not touching that statement with a ten-foot pole, because it has been too damn long for me. My dry spell is closing in on ten months, and I need to get me some. I glance up at Mr. Tall, Black, and Handsome, assessing my chances of a sexy romp with a stranger. It’s not the first time—although, I don’t make a habit of sharing my body without strings attached—but something about this man has me squeezing my thighs and fanning my face. I’d like so very much to take a bite right out of him. Plus, he must be solid if my friends like him so much.
Nick coughs into his hand. “I’m hitting my girl for sure.” He twists his head so his lips rest against Honor’s ear where he whispers something I can’t hear in the overly loud bar.
“Yes, please,” Honor murmurs, and her pink energy starts changing to the same bright red Amber’s was a moment ago. Nick, on the other hand, is a straight fireball of energy. Always is. Everything he does is accomplished with a thirst for life and an unmatched exuberance.
“I think we all need to head home.” Nick sets down his beer and grabs his girl’s glass, adding it to the ones on the table.
“Guys, I just got here!” I offer my best pout, knowing it’s going to be useless with this much sexual energy bouncing between my two friends.
That’s when Silas offers his hand. “I’m happy to keep you company.” He grins, and I place my hand into his once more. Again, the hand chakras start buzzing. I briefly wonder if he can feel it. “Come on.” He leads me over to a quieter area with a hand to my lower back. I glance over my shoulder and realize all of my friends have left me high and dry.
Brats. Really, I can’t blame them, and at least I get a hottie out of the exchange.
Silas offers me a corner booth seat. I grab the hem of my micro skirt and sit down, situating my legs so they don’t show too much but leave very little to the imagination. His gaze takes in my bare thigh as he settles into the booth next to me, sitting so close, our knees touch.
“You work with Atlas?” I start off the conversation, wanting to get the basics out of the way. It’s not as though I want to jump him straight away…but I kind of want to get to the good part a lot faster. Figure out if he’s a psycho or not before I jump his bones.
He lifts a hand up and flicks his fingers at the bartender. Within what feels like seconds, she comes over with a glass of champagne, which he hands to me, and a full pint glass for him.
“Sorry, the women were all having champagne earlier, and I figured you looked a little parched. Champagne okay?” he asks. His voice is a low rumble, which sends my earlier arousal from a five out of ten to a nine out of ten.
“Uh, yeah. Never heard of anyone turning down the bubbly before.” I take a sip, allowing the sweet taste to permeate my dry mouth.
He sips his beer and then licks his upper lip. I’m instantly fascinated by the small movement, wanting so much to lick that same lip myself but knowing it’s far too aggressive at this stage of the evening.
“Ah, back to your question. Atlas and I work together, yes.” He leans back into the booth.
“He said you were his boss.”
He nods. “True. Really we’re all part of a big team at Knight & Day Productions.”
I smile. “You own the company, don’t you?” I cock an eyebrow, waiting to see if he’ll start to boast and fall all over himself telling me how amazing he is, how much money he makes, blah blah, like every other successful man I’ve dated in the past.
Silas lifts his hand and rubs at his bottom lip with his thumb before glancing away momentarily. “Guilty. But only because my father retired and I’m the eldest son. Couple of my siblings work the business too. Then we’ve got incredible talent like Atlas Powers. He and the team as a whole are why we’re so successful.”
Now that response I did not expect. To downplay his status in the company…
I shake my head and smile into my drink as I take a sip.
“Tell me about you.”
I swallow the rest of my bubbly before answering. “For that, we’re going to need a bit more alcohol. As in shots.”
His eyebrows rise nearly into his hairline. “Shots?”
“Yep.”
Silas leans closer, placing his arm on the back of the booth so his face is near enough for me to hear him whisper into my ear, even over the boisterous chatter and music. “You planning to get me drunk and take advantage of me, Ms. Jackson?”
Feeling bold and brave, I turn my head so our cheeks are touching, and I know he can catch a long whiff of my perfume. I lift my hand and link it around his neck, holding him in place.
“You can’t take advantage of the willing, Mr. McKnight.”
His body trembles as I scratch my nails lightly along the back of his neck.
“No, I guess not. You offerin’ up a night of bliss?”
I grin against his cheek and use my patented sexy lilt, the tone that usually gets me what I want with the opposite sex. And right now, it’s a hot night with one Silas McKnight. “Order up the shots and we’ll find
out.”
“Anything you say, my queen.”
* * *
Continues in Intimate Intuition: A Lotus House Novel (Book 6)
Available May 8, 2018!
Also by AUDREY CARLAN
The Falling Series
Angel Falling
London Falling
Justice Falling
* * *
The Trinity Trilogy
Body (Book 1)
Mind (Book 2)
Soul (Book 3)
Life: A Trinity Novel (Book 4)
Fate: A Trinity Novel (Book 5)
* * *
The Calendar Girl Series
January (Book 1)
February (Book 2)
March (Book 3)
April (Book 4)
May (Book 5)
June (Book 6)
July (Book 7)
August (Book 8)
September (Book 9)
October (Book 10)
November (Book 11)
December (Book 12)
Calendar Girl: Volume One (January–March)
Calendar Girl: Volume Two (April–June)
Calendar Girl: Volume Three (July–September)
Calendar Girl: Volume Four (October–December)
* * *
The Lotus House Series
Resisting Roots (Book 1)
Sacred Serenity (Book 2)
Divine Desire (Book 3)
Limitless Love (Book 4)
Silent Sins (Book 5)
Intimate Intuition (May 8, 2018)
Enlightened End (June 26, 2018)
Acknowledgments
To my husband, Eric, who understands I don’t intend to be locked away in my office every day. I’m working so hard to set us and our boys up for the future. I want our retirement years to rock! Thank you for being so understanding. I love you.
Silent Sins: A Lotus House Novel: Book Five Page 27
