The Complete Tempest World Box Set

by Mankin, Michelle

  • • •

  Sager

  “You are everything I need. I’m holding my perfect dream in my arms right now.” Burgeoning hope seemed to wash away the lingering doubts within her gaze. “Enough of the heavy stuff, though,” I decided. We had made our declarations. I felt better now because of the honesty between us, though the uncertainty of the future remained. I wondered if it would ever go away. When you cared so much about someone else, when the other half of your heart was outside your own body, outside your ability to control it, you were always vulnerable. “We need to get going before I decide to hell with it, peel that dress off and take you against the wall.”

  Her gaze turned electric as if she liked that idea a lot. I did, too, because when I was inside her everything felt most right, and all the uncertainties that apparently plagued us both seemed to disappear.

  “Maybe we should stay in,” she proposed.

  “No way. You’re already thin enough, babe. I need to take good care of you and get you fed.” I snagged the black wool coat she had laid on her bed earlier, helped her get it on over her fuck-me dress, then took her hand and tugged her toward the door. “But we need to hurry. I’m going to have to drive like King to get us there on time for our reservation.”

  As we entered the living area, her roommate and that dickless Parker stood up. They had been sitting on the couch together. Melinda murmured some pleasantries to both of them. I didn’t bother. I didn’t like the way they had both tooled her around. Swiping my jacket from the back of the chair, I tucked my rosary carefully inside while giving the prick the stare down score. Dude needed to get a clue and stop undressing her with his eyes or we were going to have words. Right here. Right now. His eyes widened, apparently receiving the silent message while I practiced keeping a lid on my temper for Melinda’s sake.

  “That guy around your apartment a lot?” I asked her after we settled into the Hummer, and I swiveled around to back out of the parking space.

  “Yeah.” Her brow creased. “But I think he’s only hanging around because of Hannah now.” I gave her a blank look. “My roommate,” she explained. “I thought you got her name last weekend.”

  “I might have.” I shrugged.

  “A lot of people think she’s beautiful,” she mused.

  “Didn’t really notice, babe.” I stopped at the red light and glanced at her pretty profile briefly before the signal turned green. She seemed surprised by my admission. “She’s not you,” I explained.

  She made a disbelieving sound. I pressed my lips flat. I had to give her time, I told myself. She still had a long way to go to build back her self-esteem. We caught green lights at the next couple of intersections. I flipped on my signal and turned taking the first available spot in the restaurant parking lot. Cutting the engine, I shifted in my seat to face her. The sun was setting and its last orange hued rays added fire to her curvy silhouette and the cascade of ebony around her mostly bare shoulders. I was spellbound for a long moment. I was sure she noticed.

  “I appreciate all the compliments, Sager. This dinner. Everything you’ve done for me. But I’m not naïve about the things that happen on tour,” she said with a frown. “I know you probably don’t want to talk about them right now. I certainly don’t want to, either. But we’re running out of time to discuss them. Don’t forget, my dad’s in the business.” She gave me a furtive look. “I grew up hearing him talk about women throwing themselves at him on the road. So I know it’s not about noticing whether or not a woman is attractive. It’s all about easy access. Whatever he wanted. However he wanted it. Just because he stood up on the stage with a guitar in his hands every night.”

  “I’m not your dad.” My fingers tensed around the steering wheel. My brows twisted together.

  “I know. But we’re being honest. No games right?”

  I nodded, but dread pooled in my gut. I didn’t like where this conversation seemed to be headed.

  “As the girlfriend, I’ve got two choices. Accept it as an inevitability, or look the other way and pretend whatever happens while you’re out on the road doesn’t really happen.

  “Not acceptable.” I was grinding my teeth so hard the words were barely audible. “Either one.”

  “I don’t know what to do. Just seeing you at April’s party with that blonde tore me up inside, and you weren’t even mine then.”

  “You’re wrong,” I said. She blinked at me, eyes widening when she saw the intensity within my gaze. “I was already yours. Even then. Nothing happened with the blonde, Blue. She was a stupid attempt to make you jealous. To make you admit you had feelings for me. I guess it worked partly.” My lips formed a self-deprecating grin. “There’s been no one since we slept together.” Her eyes grew wider. “No shittin’. It’s the absolute fucking truth. Why would I settle then, now, or in the future for an empty meaningless tryst with some skanky groupie snatch when I have you? There’s no comparison, babe. Neither one of us has much experience with monogamous relationships, but I think we both know the score. I’m laying it out ugly but straight. I don’t intend to have this conversation with you again. You’re going to have to trust me. Just like I’m gonna have to trust you, even though it churns my gut thinking about Tyler and Parker, and who knows how many countless other wannabes just waiting for an opportunity to take my place.” I stroked her soft cheek with my thumb. “Can you do that, Blue?” I peered deeply into her eyes. “Can you trust me?”

  She nodded.

  “Are we good then?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Great. Now let’s go spend some time together and not worry about tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Melinda

  Rosary on the nightstand, Sager had his strong arm draped around my shoulder. I lay facing him, watching him as he slept, my cheek to his smooth chest, the steady thumping of his heart a metronome beneath my ear.

  It was well before dawn, yet I would have to get up soon. Not only did I need to mentally prepare for him leaving, I also needed to get ready for a grueling day of training with Katherine. But I couldn’t wrap my mind around either challenge.

  “Can you trust me?” he had asked last night, and I did as much as I trusted anyone. I didn’t have a lot of experience relying on anyone but myself. But I knew if there was anyone worthy of the safekeeping of my heart, it was him. I would walk that walk and take that leap of faith into the unknown for him. When it came down to it I imagined that I would do just about anything for him.

  After our straight talk about expectations, our dinner at Rim Rock had been the hopelessly romantic gesture I’m sure he had planned it to be. No guy had ever gone to such trouble for me. A white tablecloth. A red rose on the center of the table. The warm glow of the embers from our location beside a rustic river rock fireplace. Raw oysters. Salads. Perfectly broiled halibut. Chocolate mousse and a shot of Jameson to share, sharp to balance out the sweetness. I took a small bite of everything and enjoyed each one, but as always it gave me more pleasure to watch Sager eat. The flickering candlelight reflected the gold in his hypnotic eyes as we conversed between courses. I offered up little telling snippets of my less than stellar childhood. Like the time I had tried to run away to get my daddy’s attention, but how that plan had backfired because I had gotten hungry and scared in the dark. I had returned home to discover that he had been so drunk he hadn’t even realized I had left. Sager shared more of his, too. Like how he would wait until his older brother passed out to sneak loose change from his pockets to buy him and Jude fast food.

  Our bond seemed to deepen over our mutual confessions. I realized that in Sager I had found someone whose quiet understanding transformed my perspective. He pointed out gently that it wasn’t me that was to blame for the way my childhood had turned out, my dad was. I told him the same conclusion could be made about him and his older brother. His eyes had flared so intently it had given me a shiver.

  “When you say things like that it makes me want to kiss you
breathless,” he had said with his warm hand sliding way, way up my thigh and squeezing my sensitive flesh under the tablecloth where no one in the restaurant could see. “Hell, when you even just look at me that way I want to.”

  Back at the condo later, he had made me short of breath when he had lowered the back zipper of my dress and peeled it slowly off my body, praising me with his desire darkened eyes and his words for the way I had looked nearly naked in only a black lace demi bra and a barely-there thong.

  My skin flushed remembering how it had felt mere moments later to be filled with his cock, and how his grunted release had sounded so primal and sexy in my ear.

  “Blue.” I lifted my chin to his call, blushing from my thoughts and from finding his warm eyes on me. He gently stroked my sleep mussed hair, and I arched into his touch, practically purring.

  “What time is it?” He yawned.

  “It’s early.” I hesitated then found my courage. “I wanted to make love one more time. If you’re up to it.”

  He made an amused sound, took my hand and dove our intertwined fingers down under the covers so I could feel his very hot and very impressive erection. “Oh, I’m up for it alright,” he said.

  I grinned and propped myself up on an elbow so I could better see his face in the grainy grey light. “Put your hands behind your head.” I lifted my chin toward the headboard to point. He tilted his head inquisitively. “You had your chance to memorize me the other night,” I explained. “Now it’s my turn.” His lips spread into a slow sensual smile.

  “Absolutely, Blue. Your wish is my command.” He released my fingers, brought his arms over his head, clasped his hands together tucking them underneath his head.

  “Good boy,” I told him with a quick approving nod. I didn’t catch his widening smile because I was already dragging the covers from his trim waist. I exposed the cut v of his lower abdomen and the dark compelling trail of hair that led to the very impressive cock that I had just felt but now sprang free with a bounce. Apparently eager for my touch, I noticed the anticipation glistening on the head. I licked my dry lips before forcing my gaze to take in the entirety of everything that was Sager Reed. I started at his sexy feet so masculine and so very different from my own, wandered over toned calves and powerful thighs and skimmed over the flagpole between his narrow hips. I would be coming back to that later. I took in the ridges of his abdomen, his defined pecs. I glided my gaze up his neck and lingered on his handsome features. His thick hair in tousled array over his thoughtful brow. His strong nose. And his sensual lips. I stopped taking inventory as I stared into his golden flecked brown eyes.

  “I love you,” I told him, trying to put everything I felt for him into those three simple words.

  “Melinda,” he said, his voice lower than I had ever heard it. “I love you, too.” I think he got it. “But I don’t know if I’m gonna survive your turn. I’m dying already. Don’t you think...”

  “No,” I cut in firmly. “This is about you.” I threw the words he had given me back at him while trailing the backs of my knuckles over his thighs. His cock jumped in anticipation but he chuckled. “That tickles, babe.”

  I did it again just to torture him and admonished him to be still but I felt a little breathless when I saw the amusement and the primal hunger in his gaze.

  I threw my legs over his hips, and he groaned when the head of his cock brushed against my ass. My clit swelled wanting to feel the friction of long hot strokes against it instead of just that tease, but I refocused, framed his face with hands that noticeably trembled and lowered my head to pay his handsome face the adoration it was due. I love you, I said with each gentle kiss I gave him. One between his brows. One on the back of each closed eyelid. One on the tip of his nose and then a long one on his lips. This one said no one has ever turned me on the way you do. I imagined he got that message. I was very thorough as I brushed my mouth over the firm satiny surface of his lips, then coaxed them apart and slipped my tongue inside to tangle for a too short eternity with his. Electric sensation shot to my clit and dampened my core as his tongue danced with my own.

  He tore his mouth from mine. “Ride me,” he begged.

  “No,” I refused, the ends of my hair brushing back and forth over my breasts teasing my nipples that ached to be touched. “I want to...”

  “Babe, if you’re thinking you’re gonna suck me off as much as that idea thrills me I’m gonna have to decline. Right now I’m so fucking close, just the thought of you wrapping those sweet lips around me is sending me to the edge.” He shifted beneath me, grabbed a condom off the nightstand and sheathed himself. I wiggled restlessly above him, and he groaned. “You want control? I’ll let you keep it, but only if you sink that tight cunt of yours onto my cock in the next two seconds. If not, I’m flipping us over and taking you on my own terms. Got it?”

  “Yes,” I rasped, feeling as desperate as he was now just from the gravelly sound of his voice and the erotic picture his words painted.

  I moved, wrapped my fingers around his cock, positioned it and brought our two bodies together in one slick pleasure inducing plunge. I shuddered and stilled. He felt so good. I wanted to savor how he completely filled me. How I loved him so much. My gaze met his. I could see in his eyes that his feelings were the same, but I also saw that he was out of patience and felt it too when he grabbed my hips in his firm grip, lifted me and then brought me back down just as quickly into his brutal thrust.

  “Sager,” I cried, staring into the dark morass of need in his eyes. “It’s too much. Slow down.”

  “I can’t, babe.”

  “Ah,” I panted, lids fluttering closed as red hot heat curled my toes, sizzled along the base of my spine and ignited the fuse between my legs. “Sager. Oh, Sager,” I praised as he lifted his hips and lowered mine, fucking me again and again until the pleasure overtook me.

  “Melinda,” he groaned, his muscles locking tight, his cock stiffening, his own rhythmic release pulsing deep inside of me. Him, the man and his love, touching me in a way that no other had. In a way I knew no other ever could.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Sager

  In the studio head down, eyes closed, the music from our new album blasting in my ears I savored the memory of the last time Melinda and I had made love. I felt like I was flying, like she said she did when she caught air out of the starting gates.

  Sure we were only at the beginning of us, and it would be a while until we were solid. She had her hang ups and I had a shit ton of my own. But the biggest obstacle, the one I once thought insurmountable had been cleared. She loved me, and I loved her. That was the miracle. I knew love couldn’t be bought or coerced from someone. It had to be freely given or it wasn’t genuine.

  “Sager. Pendejo.” I couldn’t hear him but I read his lips. I slid the headphones off my ears and rested them around my neck, a question in my eyes that I didn’t have to utter because he was already explaining.

  “I got a call on my cell for you because they couldn’t reach you on yours.” He dipped a censuring gaze to my iPhone where it rested, on the other side of the room. “You really should keep it where you can see the display at least.” I opened my mouth to argue, but slammed it shut a moment later. “What if your pixie calls?” He arched a brow. He had a good point. An excellent one in fact.

  “Who was it? Not Melinda?”

  He shook his head. “Cousin Ignacio.”

  I froze. “Did he say anything?”

  “Nah. You know how cryptic he is.” His tawny eyes narrowed. “What’s this about? Bluebelle?”

  “Yes. No. Sort of. In a way, I guess. She convinced me to try again with Jude,” I admitted raking nervous fingers through my hair.

  “Fucking shit. Seriously?”

  I nodded, stomach churning, wondering if the lawyer had news already. I couldn’t remember which news traveled fast. I was afraid it was the bad. I wasn’t anxious to hear that my request had been rebuffed.

  “I’ve been trying to
get you to do that for years.” King looked amazed and maybe even a little bit hurt that Melinda had succeeded where he had failed.

  “You wore me down,” I said softly. “It didn’t take a lot for her to convince me.”

  “I’m thinking that’s not all of it,” he returned, his sticks clacking as he rolled them together between his hands. “I’m starting to get what you said about her.”

  “Meaning?”

  “There’s more to her than meets the eye for one thing.”

  I nodded.

  “She seems a little naive. Has a tendency to make piss poor decisions because of that, like the thing with the goalie. But I can see that she’s trying. That she means well with you at least. She’s trying a bit too hard with me, but I’ll give her a pass. The migas alone earned her that much.” He offered me a conciliatory smile. “But the main thing for me is that she’s way into you, amigo. We all saw it the way she jumped you at the studio. She seems to want to make you happy. I hope you can do the same for her. I don’t see good things for either of you if this thing falls apart.”

  I looked away. He had obviously been paying a lot of attention since I confessed my feelings. He clasped my shoulder and squeezed it hard once before handing me his phone. “Call Cousin Ignacio back, loser. I wanna hear what he has to say.”

  I took the phone, entered King’s passcode and redialed the call. My stomach began in a tight knot and cinched even tighter by the time my call was patched through to the attorney’s office.

  “Hola, Sager. I’ve got good news.” Holy shit. The knot loosened, and my heart started hammering inside my chest. “Jude wants to meet you. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have actually been trying to contact you.”