by Loni Ree
Packaged Love
Copyright © 2019 by Loni Ree
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Edited By: Kendra's Editing and Book Services
Cover Design By: Karlee Fast at KL’s Book Designs
Created with Vellum
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Epilogue
Epilogue 2
About the Author
Also by Loni Ree
Coming Soon
Chapter One
Emma
"Yes, I know you need the party favors. I'm going to drop them off to you tomorrow." I roll my eyes and thank God Aunt Maureen can't see me through the phone. I drown out the rest of her yapping and try to get her off of the phone.
"As soon as I get the rest of the little babies to put in the bags, I will get them done." Whoever heard of putting ceramic babies in the gift bags? My aunt has no class at all. Sheesh.
"I have another call coming through. Love you. Bye." After hanging up, I shake my head and look at my dining room table while sighing. It looks like a baby store puked on it. Once the ceramic babies arrive, I can take all of this to Aunt Maureen and forget the "Baby Shower Nightmare."
Urgh, I hate waiting on this stupid package. Aunt Maureen will kill me if I miss it, and no one wants to deal with a pissed off Aunt Maureen. Ever since my cousin Chelsea announced her pregnancy, my aunt has been insane. I mean absolutely CRAZY. You would think Chels is giving birth to the next King of England the way my aunt is acting. Of course, my mom had to go and volunteer me to make the gift basket and party favors for Chelsea's shower. Way to go, Mom.
After today, I can make the rest of the party favors and get my aunt off of my back, if the package ever arrives. While waiting and scrolling through the available movies, I hear the box drop on my front step and run to grab it. To my absolute horror, it's not my box. The package is addressed to E. L. Wescott, 1216 Oak Lane Drive. I'm E. L. Wolcott, 1216 Oak Land Drive.
Oh my God! E. L. Wescott probably has my ceramic babies. After running to find my phone, I frantically look up Oak Land Drive in my maps app. To my surprise, it's only a few roads away, so I decide to take the wrong package and hopefully make a hostage exchange.
Oh, wow, a couple of roads makes a huge difference. After turning onto the quiet subdivision road, the beautifully manicured lawns and gorgeous modern homes are a pleasant surprise. When I arrive at 1216, I notice a box sitting in front of the impressive two-story house. I park and take the package hoping to make the trade.
A glance at the box by the door confirms my suspicion that my package was delivered here by mistake. Since I don't want to just switch and run, I ring the doorbell several times, but no one answers the door. I figure it's not stealing since I'm leaving their box and taking mine, so I exchange the two packages and head back for my car.
Two steps from my car, my body is slammed to the ground, and my box goes flying. I hear the sound of shattering babies, and my heart drops.
"You little fucker, I bet Bubba's gonna love your soft ass in jail. You shoulda stolen from some other sucker," is grunted in my ear as my head is shoved into the manicured grass.
"You broke my babies," I scream, and all of a sudden, the weight is lifted from me and startled brown eyes are frantically searching my face while the most gorgeous man I've ever seen runs his hands under my hoodie over my stomach.
"Oh my God. How far along are you?" He lays me gently back on the ground and runs his hands through his hair over and over again. "The police are on their way. I'll have them call an ambulance."
"Wait," I shout, realizing his misconception. "I'm not pregnant; you broke my ceramic babies."
After blinking several times, he sits heavily on the ground and stares at me. He opens his mouth to speak but stops and shakes his head.
Sirens blare in the distance, and finally, a cop car pulls into the driveway. The cop who emerges from the vehicle looks amazingly similar to my attacker. "Hey, man, your thief looks really dangerous."
"Fuck you." He isn't any friendlier with the cop.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" The policeman helps me to my feet. When my assailant growls, both of us turn to look at him.
"She had her fucking hood over her head. I thought she was robbing me," he grunts.
After pulling my hands away, I try to explain the situation. "We have similar names and addresses. His package was delivered to my house by accident, and my package was delivered here. I rang the doorbell, and no one answered so I switched them. He went all King Kong and attacked me and smashed my ceramic babies." I ramble on to the cop who looks between us with a smirk on his face.
When the cop signals with his hand for my attacker to give his side of the story, he says, "I was in the shower. By the time I got dressed, I saw someone walking away with my package, so I attacked."
"My package, jerk-face," I correct him.
"Look, I'm sorry…" he starts, but I interrupt.
"You explain that to Aunt Maureen. She's crazy." I put my hands on my hips and try to look as threatening as possible. Well, at five-foot-five, compared to his at least six-foot-five, I’m probably not too threatening.
"Okay, how about this? What if I take you to dinner to apologize and get your babies replaced overnight? Would that make you happy?" After walking over and grabbing my box, I fight to open it to check out the damage. There are five broken babies, but the rest are fine.
Luckily, I way overbought, and the five destroyed dolls don't matter.
"I don't need the five broken babies. Don't worry about it," I tell him, looking over my shoulder. There is no way I'm going on a pity date with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Jerk-Face.
"And dinner. When can I take you out?" He still insists on dinner.
"Just forget it. I need to get home and get this done for my aunt." I wave to the cop before moving away.
I try to leave, but my attacker grabs my arm. "I didn't get your name."
"Oh, I’m Emma.”
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ethan Wescott, and this is my brother, Derek Wescott." He points to the smirking officer.
After waving, I try to back toward my car, but the determined jerk keeps hold of my arm. "I won't take no for an answer. Let me take you to dinner," he persists.
"Okay, after I get past my cousin's shower, I'll call you," I agree, getting his number before I flee with my poor, abused, ceramic babies.
Chapter Two
Ethan
"Man, she’s hot." When my dickhead brother utters those words, I turn and deck him.
"Goddamn it. I could arrest you for assaulting a police officer, you asshole." He rubs his jaw while whining at me.
"Keep your fucking eyes and hands to yourself. She's mine." The feelings racing through me are so unexpected, I'm ready to combust, and dipshit is an easy target so he better watch out. Fuck, when I pulled back the hoodie and saw her for the first time, my heart stalled in my chest while my dick turned to stone in my pants. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
She yelled about babies, and the only thoughts
going through my mind was killing the other man. No other man would be the father of her babies. Once I realized it was stupid ceramic dolls, my heart settled back into normal rhythm, but I couldn't form a coherent word to save my life. Now, the love of my life thinks I'm an illiterate moron who tackles women for fun. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
"Are you listening to anything I'm saying…"
I look over, and Derek is still yammering away. After bending down and grabbing my phone, I head inside with him following me, still running his mouth.
"Grab my package will you." That should give him something to do.
"Looks like Grammy is worried about her baby again." He makes kissing sounds, and the urge to smash his face again runs through me. I settle for flipping him off on my way to the refrigerator for a beer.
He opens the box and starts munching on the chocolate chip cookies inside. "Hey, asshole, leave me a few." After dropping a soda in front of him, I grab the box before all of my prize disappears. "You'll have some waiting at your house."
He shrugs his shoulder and pouts as he opens the soda can then asks me, "So, what's up with Emma?"
I rub the back of my neck and decide there is no use trying to hide the truth from my twin. "No idea. I saw her and BAM! She's the one."
Derek's eyes bulge, and his mouth falls open, allowing the soda to dribble onto my counter. "You're shitting me. Mr. Play the Field has found ‘the one’? Wait 'til the guys at the gym hear this." He laughs while reaching for a paper towel to clean up his mess.
I step in front of him and tell him seriously, "Keep this between us for now."
After Derek leaves, I spend the rest of the weekend waiting for Emma to call. By Monday, my patience has run out and finding her becomes my main priority. I could kick myself for not getting her last name because without it, locating her is impossible.
At the end of the week, my attitude sucks from a combination of sleepless nights and a sore dick. Every night, I fall asleep to memories of Emma's chocolate brown eyes and velvety hair. My dreams are filled with her delectable curves, tempting me as she slowly runs her hands down my body. At the first touch of her pouty lips to my aching cock, my overheated body jerks awake, drenched in sweat and so fucking worked up I grip my rock-hard erection in my fist to relieve the pressure in my goddamn nuts. My fruitless effort to find her has left me frustrated and volatile.
"Hey, king asshole, great news. A certain beautiful brunette who stole my brother's heart is working out downstairs as we speak." Derek waltzes into my office and drops into the chair.
In my haste to get to my office window, I turn over my chair. The sight of Emma walking through the gym causes my heartbeat to accelerate while my dick turns to steel. Her gorgeous little ass is getting way too much attention from the other gym rats, and I can't contain the possessive growl that escapes my clenched teeth.
"Man, did you just growl?" When I rush the door, Derek steps in front of it and holds me back.
"Move the fuck outa my way." I have no control over my body. A week without Emma has me wanting to crawl out of my skin.
"You scared her off last time. Go out there like this, and she'll run again." As his words sink into my rattled brain, I drop my chin to my chest and take several breaths to calm my raging emotions.
"Okay, I just need to talk to her." He releases my arm, and I race out the door to find my girl. The sight that greets me on the gym floor has the growl tearing out of my throat again. Some asshole has taken it upon himself to assist my girl with her workout. One of his hands is touching her waist while he shows her a piece of equipment. Over my dead body. As several gym regulars watch me stalk over, they try to get the soon to be dead jerk's attention, but he is too intent on Emma.
"Hey, baby. You should have let me know you were coming in." I push between the creep, Tony, and Emma. After wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her snuggly into my side, I turn my glacial eyes toward him. "Emma won't need your help with the machines."
When he looks stupid enough to argue, Derek walks up and attempts to save him. Derek points at the office and says, "I need to see you for a second," but the asshole is either dumb or just doesn't care.
"Ethan, that's one tasty looking little treat you got there. I'll take a sample when you're done." After licking his lips, he runs his eyes down my girl's body, and a red haze envelops my vision. Derek steps between us and furiously whispers a warning in my ear not to scare Emma before the rage coursing through me causes me to tear the imbecile apart.
Barely containing my rage, I step close to stare into his eyes when I speak. "Don't look at my girl, don't talk to her, and if you make stupid ass comments like that again, you'll never be welcome in my fucking gym again. Is that clear enough?" The asshole's eyes widen, and he's smart enough to raise his hands in defeat and back away from me. This time, when my brother signals up to the office, Tony follows without question.
After the asshole walks away with my brother, I turn to Emma and ask, "Why didn't you call me? I waited all week to hear from you."
She looks down, bites her lip, and shrugs her shoulder, and my dick almost explodes in my pants. My finger gently pushes on her plump bottom lip to save it from her sharp little teeth. I use my hand to lift her chin and stare into her eyes. "I'm glad you decided to show up at my gym today, but I really want to take you out."
The silence around us cuts through me, and I realize all activity in the gym has ceased to watch the drama. "Let's take this to my office." After grabbing Emma's hand, I lead her to my upstairs office. Every eye is on us as we walk away, and I know word will spread fast that this girl is off-limits.
As soon as the door closes behind her, I lean down and softly touch my lips to hers. I catch her moan in my mouth as she parts her lips on a gasp, and I run my tongue along the inside of her mouth, getting my first taste. After lifting her and pressing her against the door, her tiny body is plastered against mine, from her small perfect tits which are rubbing against my chest to her warm center pressing against my aching erection. My iron-hard cock is squashed between our bodies, and her wiggling nearly causes me to come in my pants. While attacking each other's mouths, I reach a hand between our bodies and rub one of her small nipples through her thin shirt. She pulls her mouth from mine and cries out loudly.
Dropping my forehead to her collarbone, I take a few seconds to calm myself before I fuck her for the first time in my office with a hundred gym members outside the door.
As our breathing calms, she looks at me with wide, shocked eyes. "I don't ever act like this."
"I'm glad to hear you don't usually let guys kiss you up against doors on the first date. It'll be your last first date so no big deal." I wink, and she laughs weakly but still looks confused as hell. Hell, I'm still reeling from the hit I took when I tackled her.
"So, dinner tonight?" I rub my finger over her swollen bottom lip and lean my forehead against hers. This time, I won't make the mistake of letting this girl get too far from me.
"Would you have dinner at my house?" she asks, and I nod yes and kiss the tip of her nose.
"What's your address and phone number, baby?" She gives me all her information, and I want to kick myself when I realize how close I've been to my girl this whole week. I laugh to myself thinking that her last name won't change too much after we are married, but I don't tell her that. She's a little rattled at how fast I'm moving already. "What time do you want me?" I ask, and we agree on five o'clock.
Chapter Three
Emma
Wow. I can't believe I'm having dinner with Ethan Wescott. After our run-in, I never expected to see him again. He was such a jerk, and I never really wanted to see him again, to be honest. Then today, I meet him at my gym, and it's like he's an entirely different guy. When he broke my ceramic babies, he offered dinner like I was desperate or something, and I couldn't wait to get away from the scene. Now, I feel something totally different. I can't describe it.
Oh my God, I'm so nervous. That was so hot the way Et
han barked at that jerk at the gym. When he kissed me, I came from him rubbing his monster dick up against me. Since I've never actually had sex before, the only time I've ever had an orgasm was from my vibrator.
After ordering dinner, I take extra time getting ready. I'm putting on my dress and flats when the doorbell rings at quarter 'til five. Figuring it's the food, I rush to the door with the straps of my dress untied. I throw the door open to find Ethan standing on my doorstep holding flowers and wine. His eyes darken then roam slowly down my body. When he hands me the bottle of wine, I take it from him, and he leans down to kiss my lips. I melt into his muscular body. He ends the kiss and whispers, "Let's take this inside before the neighbors get a show."
The delivery man walks up before Ethan can walk inside, and Ethan takes the bag and tips him before closing the door. "Why didn't you tell me you were ordering dinner? I would have picked it up on the way."
"I'm a horrible cook. You wouldn't want to eat my cooking." I laugh and make a choking sound as he places the bag on the counter.
While we are having dinner, we get to know each other. Ethan worked for several years as an investment banker in California before getting tired of the fast-paced life and deciding to move home. Now, he enjoys owning the gym with his brother, Derek, and the much slower life of our small city. He seems interested when I explain my two careers as a work from home Billing Specialist and a part-time Gift Basket Designer.
After finishing dinner, we decide to watch a movie. Sitting next to him on the sofa, I’m having a hard time relaxing. With his muscular thigh resting against mine while I'm cocooned in his unique masculine scent, I can’t seem to stop squirming around, and he keeps looking at me out of the side of his eye.