How would James deal with this? A sense of loneliness assailed her. With James gone it felt as though she were missing an arm. Alice clenched her jaw, imposing an iron control on herself. She’d cried enough in the privacy of his bedroom while holding one of the T-shirts he’d left behind.
The man shrugged. “I’ve patched it before.”
“Good. I’ll research a replacement machine.”
He scratched his nose and left another greasy mark. “It’ll cost you.”
“Yes, I know.” There were more important things in life than money. And her idea that money equated security—well, James had blown that one away. Security was a state of mind. She knew that now. Alice turned to Max. “I have a meeting. I’ll be in the boardroom if you need me. Get a couple of the workers to help in dispatch while they’re waiting. I want the smaller room at the back cleared out. We need to use that space in the toy production.”
Max nodded and returned to work, issuing a stream of instructions to his crew.
Alice hustled back to the boardroom. All the board was present apart from Richard, who had gone on holiday. Tony, the sex toy inventor sat beside Harriet. His brow crinkled when she brought out her knitting but he didn’t say a word. Joseph’s daughter had taken on the position of administration assistant and she waited with her pen poised to take notes of the meeting.
“Sorry I’m late. There was a problem in production.” Alice took possession of an empty seat.
Ben turned a shrewd gaze on her. “Another expensive problem?”
“I’m afraid so, but we’re going to be okay. Orders have increased since we’ve done our marketing and our debtors are paying. That’s the important thing. Can we start? I have a busy afternoon.”
Tony stood and placed a bag on the table. He opened it and pulled out his wares. “This is a board game, some dice, I have mini vibrators that fit on a finger and some dildos.”
Alice suppressed a smirk when the oldies leaned forward and paid careful attention.
“How does this work?” Joseph picked up a mini vibrator and held it up.
“Those? Oh, you flick the switch and massage nipples, the clitoris or anus.” Tony picked one up and switched it on. It produced a tinny buzz before he turned it off and passed it to Joseph.
“A board game. Can we play it now?” Katarina asked.
Tony’s mouth dropped open. A croak of dismay escaped, and his head jerked toward Alice, his eyes holding panic. “They can’t!”
“Why not?” Ben asked.
“Because…because…”
Alice laughed, taking pity on him. The young male had visions of naked oldies dancing through his mind. It was as obvious as the nose in the middle of his face. “I don’t think they’re going to take off their clothes.” Alice narrowed her gaze on the oldies sitting opposite her. “At least they’d better not be thinking along those lines.”
Harriet sniffed. “James would have let us. You spoil all the fun.”
The mention of James brought a pang of sadness and thoughts of yet another empty night. Alice ran a hand through her hair, ostensibly to smooth her curls but in reality to gain control over her wayward emotions.
“Do we need to test all these products?” Ben asked.
“Rodney said the board liked hands-on tests,” Tony replied. “I’ve designed a checklist and have written instructions for everything.”
“My wife enjoys testing our products,” Joseph said. “You know we should go in to books. There’s this company in America that sells sexy books. Forget the name. Some foreign place.” He frowned then clicked his fingers without warning. “A cave…Majorca’s Cave,” he finished in triumph. “That’s it. Majorca’s Cave.”
That’s not a bad idea,” Alice said. “We could market entertainment packs complete with a book, toys, a game and our condoms. Make them themed.”
“That’s a fantastic idea. I’ll get my wife to ring you tomorrow with the info of that company. I like it when she reads their books. She gets frisky.” Joseph turned a little pink but bore a pleased smile at the same time.
“Alice, who will you test your samples with?” Harriet asked. “Maybe you should ask Luke.”
The boardroom went quiet. The oldies stared at her, and disconcerted, Alice crossed her arms and scanned her clasped fingers. As much as she enjoyed spending time with Luke, they were only friends. She’d given her heart to James. “I don’t think—”
“Alice won’t be testing sexual aids with anyone but me.” It was a familiar voice.
“James?” Alice whirled around, half standing at the same time. “James, what are you doing here?”
“I missed you like hell,” he said gruffly. With two rapid steps, he closed the distance between them, grabbed her and spun her around. His mouth covered hers hungrily despite the interested audience. He trembled, his heart pounding against her breast when he stilled and took the kiss deeper. Alice held on tight, unable to believe he was here, holding her as if he’d never let her go again.
Gradually, she became aware of the applause. James lifted his head and let her stand on the ground again but retained physical contact with an arm around her waist.
“Oh, don’t stop now,” Harriet said.
“Yeah, we thought you were going to demonstrate the new products for us.” Ben smiled. “Give us some tips.”
James grinned, making his cute dimple flash. “Give you lot more ammunition to torture us with? Not bloody likely.”
Alice couldn’t take her eyes off him. He sported a healthy tan that brought out the blue in his eyes. His hair curled over his collar. She reached up to test the stubble on his cheek to reassure herself he truly stood in front of her. For the first time since James left, she wanted to be alone instead of surrounded by people. Alone with James of course.
“Are there any more questions for Tony? Is everyone clear on what they’re doing with their samples?” Alice paused and waited for questions. There weren’t any—just lots of sly grins. “Excellent.”
“Will you be in a meeting this afternoon?” Katarina’s left eyelid dipped in a wink.
Oh boy. “Stop with the innuendo,” Alice said. “I intend to go home for the rest of the afternoon. Don’t ring me unless the sky is falling.” She grabbed James’ hand and dragged him from the boardroom.
“Yoo-hoo! Don’t forget your sample pack. Yoo-hoo!” Harriet’s bray of laughter trailed them after Alice ducked back to get the pack of samples.
James drove them to his house. Alice kept sneaking glances at him while her heart rejoiced. He was here. He’d come back. She didn’t understand why, but she could hope.
He pulled up outside his house. Her house now. James switched off the ignition and turned to look at her.
The expression in his blue eyes—it stole her breath. It made her hope they might have a future. Just that one glimpse of the emotions flickering in his eyes soothed away the rough edges left by loneliness and doubt. Her palms felt suddenly moist and sweaty and her stomach fluttered inside. She wanted him, but she wasn’t going to settle for crumbs.
“Why are you here?” The question emerged as a croak.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I missed you. Can we do this inside?”
Alice nodded and climbed from the car. Her heart ached with the need for him to hold her close again, to feel the solid security of his arms and the warmth his presence brought. Footsteps behind her indicated James followed. Her hand trembled as she turned the doorknob. Why was he here? She didn’t understand and was afraid to hope even though she’d seen something in his eyes.
“Here. Let me.” James opened the door and pushed her gently into the kitchen before turning her to face him. “I love you, Alice.” He paused to fish something from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”
Alice stared at the ring in his hands. “Marry?”
“Yes, please. I missed you from the moment I left Sloan.” James ran his hand through his hair and shoved his hand back in his pocket. He cleared his throat, a l
ook of uncertainty on his face. “I thought…hoped you felt the same way.”
“Marry?”
His shoulders slumped. “Sorry. Forget I asked. It seemed like a good idea at the time.” He turned away.
“No!” Alice grabbed his upper arm, terrified he’d leave before her shock subsided. She hadn’t thought James would want marriage. “Don’t go. You’ve taken me by surprise.”
“So you might be interested?”
Alice smiled. “James, I missed you too.” She moved into his arms and clung to him. “I love you. I have for a long time.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
Alice shrugged. “I knew you weren’t happy here. You enjoy being footloose and fancy free. I couldn’t make you stay against your will. It would be like caging a beautiful bird.”
“I’m happy when I’m with you.” He gave a derisive snort. “I had to leave Sloan to work that out. I went to the Gold Coast in Australia. All those beautiful girls in bikinis and I didn’t feel a thing. All I could think about was you and how my freedom didn’t make me feel better. The gloss has worn off my fancy-free status. I missed you so much. Will you marry me?”
“Persistent.”
“Yes. I know what I want.” He cupped her face with his hands. “I want you.”
“What about your wanderlust?” Alice wanted everything clear before she said yes. Not that she worried about security any longer. Her life was so different from what she’d planned and dreamed about from childhood. She loved life in Sloan. “Are you sure?”
“Very sure. The company is important to you. I know that, but once things are running smoothly, there’s no reason why we can’t take a few weeks off now and then. A honeymoon for a start.”
Alice grinned broadly. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
“You’re my security, James. When I’m with you, I feel as though I can do anything. Can I have my ring now?”
“Of course.” James kissed her tenderly before he took her left hand and pressed a sapphire and diamond ring onto her finger. “Now what do you say we take this through to the bedroom?”
“A splendid idea.” She stood on tiptoe and touched her lips to his, sealing the promise.
Engaged to Mr. Hottie. Wow! Strange things occurred in this rabbit hole called Sloan, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Note to Readers
I hope you enjoyed reading Protection, the first book in the Fancy Free series. The next book is Romp where you’ll make a return visit to Sloan and Fancy Free. It’s a threesome romance, which I know isn’t to everyone’s taste.
No problem! I have an alternative option for you.
Safeguarding Sorrel (book three in my Military Men series) is set in the same small town of Sloan. You’ll revisit Alice, James and the oldies on the board and meet some new characters. This is a stand-alone story, and it won’t matter if you haven’t read the other books in the Military Men series.
Safeguarding Sorrel also features characters from my Alien Encounter series. The eagle-eyed among you might have already recognized Richard and Luke Morgan from this series.
Fancy Free series
Protection
Romp
Buzz
Military Men
Innocent Next Door
Soldier With Benefits
Safeguarding Sorrel
Alien Encounter
Janaya
Hinekiri
Alexandre
Also, I want to ask a huge favor. Word-of-mouth is crucial for an author to succeed. If you enjoyed Protection, please consider leaving a review at your favorite review sites. Even if it’s only a few lines, it would be a tremendous help.
Now turn the page for a glimpse of Safeguarding Sorrel and an excerpt from Romp the second book in the Fancy Free series.
Happy reading,
Shelley
P.S. To keep up with new releases and book news please join my Readers’ Group or like my Facebook page.
Excerpt – Safeguarding Sorrel
Sloan, a country town in New Zealand
Sorrel Thyme peered through the scratchy bushes, desperately trying to ignore the sand flies making a meal of her bare arms. This had to be one of the world’s most uncomfortable ways to score a job interview.
The man and woman she was spying on started to kiss—a passionate no-holds-barred kind of kiss. Horrified, she watched hands steal beneath clothes, gulped as busy fingers squeezed and caressed.
The amount of flesh on display increased, and she squirmed, heat whooshing through her body to explode in her face. Talk about embarrassing. She wasn’t sure what to do, where to look. Alice and James Bates, the owners of the Fancy Free condom company, didn’t have a mere picnic on their minds. Oh, no. They were busy tearing off each other’s clothes, right in front of her.
Aghast, she squeezed her eyes shut, her skin crawling from exposure to the bugs. It was the only way to explain the edgy sensation blooming inside her, prickling across her skin, irritating her breasts.
The sharp evergreen scent of the totara and manuka trees wafted to her, refreshing and aromatic. Her stomach let out a feisty rumble of complaint, and she jerked in panic. The bushes concealing her rustled, and her eyes flew open. She froze, horror filling her at the risk of discovery.
Alice and James continued their amorous activities. Sorrel’s breath eased out. She caught a flash of pale breast. At least they were too far away to hear her stomach clamoring for food. Placated by the thought, she eased her weight into a more comfortable position. The bush played a musical tune against her robe, and a branch cracked beneath her right foot.
“What was that?” Alice’s voice carried across the clearing.
Sorrel bit back a moan of dismay, her gaze darting this way and that to determine the damage. If she didn’t move, didn’t answer perhaps they’d decide a restless bird loitered in the trees. I promise to leave the instant they settle again. Please let them continue. Maybe she’d manage to retreat with her dignity intact.
This was a bad idea. A stupid one. How she’d ever thought—
“Who’s there?” James was on his feet now, putting his jeans to rights and staring in her direction. “I know there’s someone there. You might as well come out.”
Intent on self-preservation, Sorrel sprang to her feet, adrenaline kicking in big-time. She cried out as cramp struck in a painful surge, staggered two steps. Her robe snagged tight on a bush. Held fast, she panicked, yanking fabric free, frantic to escape.
Then he was on her, tackling her from behind. She hit the ground. A pained grunt escaped, the air exploding from her lungs. A hand closed around her leg, and seconds later, his weight held her in place.
“Let me go.” She flailed. Ineffectually, as it happened. James Bates was one big dude.
“Who is it?” Alice called.
“A woman.”
He shifted his weight, and Sorrel could breathe again. She sucked in a huge draft of air and gathered herself, ready to flee.
“Not so fast.” James grasped her upper arm and yanked her around to face him. His bright blue eyes held an edge of anger that had her quaking in her sandals. He dragged her into the clearing where Alice stood with her arms crossed protectively over her chest.
Sorrel couldn’t meet their gazes. She straightened her robe, brushing off the dry leaves and dirt. Her hands trembled while panicked thoughts buzzed through her mind like a swarm of bees in a tizzy about honey theft.
Job interview.
Not going well.
This was a bad, bad idea.
With escape looming large in her mind, she slid a furtive glance to her left.
“You’re from the Children of Nature cult.”
Give the man a prize. Sorrel twisted her hands together, her grubby robe brushing her bare legs. She had others the same, albeit cleaner, hanging on the rack in the shared wardrobe at the single women’s quarters. The white robe was a dead giveaway of her status.
Cult member.
Trapped.
“Yes.” She aimed for a crisp tone. Instead her reply emerged young and scared. Terrified, which was nothing but the truth because the noose was already around her neck. Day by day it tightened, threatening to choke the life from her.
“Why are you spying on us?” Alice’s brown hair stood in tousled peaks, her face pale beneath its sprinkling of golden freckles. “Is this a new angle—another campaign to smear Fancy Free?”
Sorrel swallowed, still prepared to flee the second James loosened his grip. But her legs trembled, her knees threatening to crumple like flimsy paper, not up to the job of holding her weight. She’d give anything to turn back the clock ten minutes. No. She had their attention—the opportunity she’d schemed and plotted for. It was time to embrace courage.
She sucked in a fortifying hit of tree-laced air, striving for calm. “I wasn’t spying. I have no intention of hurting your company or…or haranguing you about the evils of condoms and birth control.” Better. Her voice quavered only a fraction this time.
“You were spying through the bushes,” James snapped. “Do you have a camera?”
A startled laugh burst from her. “Where would I get a camera? I have no money. I didn’t mean to spy. Really, I just wanted to talk to you.”
“Most people use the phone,” James said.
“You don’t know much about Children of Nature, do you?” Sorrel owned the clothes on her back—her sole possessions—and even then she wasn’t sure she always received the same white robes back from the communal laundry.
“What did you want to discuss?” Alice’s tone carried a generous helping of suspicion.
“I’ve invented a cream. It’s similar to a…an aphrodisiac. It enhances sexual pleasure. I want to sell it to your company, in the hope I can raise enough money to strike out on my own and leave Children of Nature.” Once she’d started, the words poured from her, one almost running into another in her haste to get them out. “But you can’t tell anyone I’ve offered it to you. You can’t tell or they’ll steal it from me. You have to promise. You have to promise me you won’t tell.”
Protection Page 23
