“No I don’t,” he countered quickly. “Not anymore. In fact, not for the past year and a half since I started paying attention to you.”
“What?” Holly raised her eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the fact that I wanted you every bit as much as you wanted me.” He sounded frustrated now. “But I thought I couldn’t have you—I told myself you were off limits.”
“Because I’m poor and common and I don’t wear a size two?” she demanded. “Because your family wouldn’t approve?”
“As a matter of fact, they wouldn’t approve but I don’t give a damn about that—I don’t give a damn about any of it,” Grant growled. “The reason I told myself you were off limits was because I have certain…sexual tastes I thought would frighten you. But then I saw all the things you had on your dream-viewer.”
“Oh God, did you see everything?” Holly felt herself wilting inside with mortification. She had some really extreme fantasies in there. God, this was so embarrassing!
“I saw enough to give me hope,” Grant said soberly. “And then I saw the brochure from Anyone U Want. I was excited—finally it seemed like everything I wanted—like you, Holly—were within my grasp. And so…” He took a deep breath. “And so I did something very stupid and ill conceived.”
“You paid the Anything U Want people to take the android’s place,” Holly said flatly. She still didn’t believe a word he said about wanting her for over a year. Oh she wanted to believe—wanted desperately to think this could be true. But part of her whispered that it couldn’t be real. That Grant was probably just here to do damage control.
“Yes.” Grant let out a deep sigh. “In retrospect, I shouldn’t have done that. I should have waited and asked you out on a date instead of…doing what I did.”
“Just say it,” Holly snapped. “Instead of giving me the best sex of my life and then bringing the truth crashing down on my head.”
Grant looked intrigued. “Was it really the best? It was for me, too.”
His words made her embarrassment flare all over again.
“Okay, you’ve had your say—now you can go.” Holly made a motion towards the door.
“What? Why?” He looked really upset now. “Don’t you believe me when I tell you I want you?”
“No,” Holly said bluntly. “I think you’re just here to smooth things over so I won’t sue you or file rape charges or anything like that. Well don’t worry, Grant—that’s not me.”
“I know that’s not you,” he said quietly. “I know you, Holly—I know what makes you tick. I know what you want…and how you need to submit.”
His words made her heart pound but Holly refused to let it show on her face.
“Funnily enough, I’m not feeling very submissive just now,” she said in as cold a tone as she could manage. “So why don’t you leave me alone?”
* * * * *
Grant stared at her in frustration. How could he get it across to her how he felt? How could he get her to listen to him?
“Holly,” he said in a low, even voice. “You’re the only woman I have been interested in for the last year and a half—longer than that, if I’m honest with myself. And when I found out you shared my sexual interests, well, I couldn’t help myself. I had to have you.”
“Stop it!” she snapped, her pale cheeks flaming red. “It’s not like I’m the only girl in the world who has submissive fantasies. You’re Grant Harris the Third—you could have anyone you wanted.”
“But the only one I want is you.” He took a step forward, praying she would listen. He cupped her red cheek in one hand and was encouraged when she didn’t pull back. “I heard your friend, Abby, saying that I came empty-handed tonight,” he murmured, looking into her eyes. “Because I didn’t bring chocolates or flowers.”
“I don’t want your gifts,” Holly protested, but her voice was slightly breathless and she still wasn’t pulling away from his touch. Was she finally beginning to believe him?”
“The thing is—I didn’t come empty-handed,” Grant told her. “I realized what empty, meaningless gestures flowers and candy are. And so…I brought you this instead.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, velvet box and dropped to one knee in front of her.
Holly’s eyes got huge when he lifted the lid, revealing the 14 carat, rose-gold, oval-cut Morganite diamond ring.
“G-grant?” she stuttered, almost unable to get his name out.
“Holly,” he murmured, taking her hand. “You’re the only woman in the world for me. I mean it.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.” Holly looked at him, her eyes shining. “You’re serious? Really serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” Grant rose and pulled her close, looking down into her big, lovely eyes. “I want to be your husband…and your Dominant, Holly. Will you marry me?”
“I…I…” For a moment he thought she was going to say no and his heart stuttered in his chest. But then she threw her arms around his neck—standing on her tiptoes to do so—and hugged him tight. “Yes,” she whispered. “If you really mean it then yes—I’ll marry you.”
More relieved than he could say, Grant pulled her close and took her mouth in a hungry kiss. She tasted every bit as good as he remembered and felt just as soft and perfect in his arms. Let other men drool over skinny, vapid supermodels without a brain in their heads—he had Holly. His wonderful, intelligent, hot-blooded Holly and he was never letting her go.
Holly pulled out of the kiss at last and looked up at him, her eyes shining. Then she pinched his cheek as hard as she could.
“Ouch!” Grant looked at her uncertainly. “Why did you do that?”
“Just making sure you’re not an android,” she said, smiling sweetly. “After all, you can’t be too sure.”
“I assure you I’m absolutely real and I will absolutely give you the spanking of your life for being rude to your Dom, sweetheart,” he growled softly.
Holly’s eyes widened and he thought he felt her heartbeat quicken, crushed as she was against him.
“Why, Mr. Harris…are you going to spank me?” she breathed.
Grant grinned and put a proprietary hand on her full ass.
“Let’s just see, Miss Sparks. Let’s just see…”
The End
Do you like scorching romance, heart-pounding adventure, and hot sex in your sci-fi? Then try Evangeline's Best Selling Brides of the Kindred series. The first book, Claimed, is absolutely FREE. Start the saga today…
Brides of the Kindred book 1: Claimed
Prologue
Dusk was falling on Idlewild Avenue. Rows of identical townhouses, lit softly from within, lined the street which was overshadowed by huge old oak trees. A light evening shower had just passed and now the atmosphere was heavy with moisture. Tendrils of steam rose from the asphalt and the sweet scent of honeysuckle filled the air.
In number eleven at the end of the row a slender female figure moved in front of a large picture window—one of the selling points of the otherwise unremarkable houses. She was walking back and forth, placing objects on a table, or perhaps taking them away—maybe cleaning up after dinner. She moved with ease and grace as she did the mundane chore, completely unaware that she was being watched.
Across the road from the lighted window and the slender figure, two pairs of eyes looked on avidly as she moved. One set of eyes was a pale, piercing blue that was almost white and the other set was a warm amber-gold that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the face of a tiger.
Neither pair of eyes was human.
“Mine.” The low rumbling growl came from the owner of the amber eyes. He was tall, six foot seven at least, with shoulders so broad he would have to turn sidewise to go through most doorways, but he moved silently, with a feral grace that belied his muscular physique. Dark stubble covered his cheeks and chin and matched the thick black hair on hi
s head.
“Not yet, Baird,” the one beside him cautioned. He was as tall as his friend and just as muscular but he had short, spiky blond hair that complimented his pale blue eyes.
“Can’t wait much longer.” Long, strong fingers curled into a fist as though the amber-eyed male could grasp the slender figure in his hand and hold her through sheer force of will. “Been dreaming about her every night, Sylvan. I ache for her.”
“What does she look like?” There was genuine curiosity in the question. Though Baird had never seen her outside his dreams, Sylvan had no doubt he could describe his chosen female to the last detail.
“So fuckin’ beautiful it hurts to look at her. Yellow hair like yours but longer—more golden. And her eyes…” Baird shook his head. “Like jewels. A pale grey that’s almost silver.”
“You find these human women appealing then?”
“Only her—she’s the only one I can see.” The amber eyes stared hungrily across the road. “I need her soon. Need to be with her. In her.”
“You’re sure she’s the one?” Sylvan stared doubtfully at the woman silhouetted in the window. She was humming softly to herself but despite the distance and the pane of glass between them he could hear her perfectly and knew Baird could too. As attuned as his half brother was to this human female, he could probably hear her heartbeat even from across the street.
“I know she’s the one.” There wasn’t a shred of doubt in the deep, rumbling voice. “Didn’t I tell you we’ve been dream-sharing? And her scent…” He inhaled deeply and his dark gold eyes were suddenly half-lidded with desire. “It’s her all right and she’s ripe for bonding. I want her.”
“I know you do, but Baird…” The other male shifted from foot to foot uneasily. “You haven’t been back that long—only three days and it’s a miracle you escaped alive. Don’t you think it might be a good idea to wait a while? To take some time to recover?”
“Waited long enough,” was the rumbling reply. “Six months in that hell hole and the only thing keeping me alive and sane were the dreams I had of her. I won’t wait any longer—she’s mine, whether she knows it yet or not.”
“You’ll scare her,” his half-brother objected. “Human women are frightened enough of us as it is.”
“I won’t hurt her. Just need to take her—bond her.” Unconsciously, he took a step toward the lighted window but his half-brother put a restraining hand on his broad shoulder.
“Wait.” The other male’s voice was soothing. “Just wait until they serve the papers. One more night and she’s yours but you can’t have her now—not without violating the contract.”
A low, frustrated growl was his answer as the thick muscles of Baird’s upper arms bunched with tension.
“Come on.” The one called Sylvan tugged his half brother gently away from the lighted window. “If you stay here you’ll do something you regret. Remember, just one more night.”
The other male stood like a rock for a moment despite his brother’s tugging. Then, reluctantly, he allowed himself to be led away. He cast one last possessive glance over his shoulder at the figure in the window.
“Mine,” he repeated with unshakable certainty. “Mine whether you know it or not, Lilenta. And tomorrow I claim you.”
Chapter One
“Bad dreams again last night?”
Olivia Waterhouse jerked at the sound of her twin sister’s voice and then went back to staring at the kitchen table. “Uh, not so much,” she lied and tried to smile.
“C’mon, Liv, give. It’s me, your womb mate—remember?” Sophia sat down across from her and patted her hand gently. No one could ever decide if the Waterhouse twins were fraternal or identical. Liv had honey blonde hair with grey eyes and Sophia had a rich, chestnut mane with pale green eyes but their facial features were exactly the same. They had the same build too, both were five-seven and slender with hourglass curves. More than just twins, they were also best friends, which was why it made Liv uncomfortable to lie to her sister. But she couldn’t help it—the things she’d seen last night didn’t bear repeating.
“Really,” she said, not meeting her sister’s eyes. “I’m fine. I just had a restless night—that’s all.”
The truth was the dreams she’d been having for the past half year about the muscular stranger with glowing, amber-gold eyes had become progressively more disturbing. He was her nighttime visitor every time she closed her eyes. Liv had even named him—inside her head she called him “the dark man.”
For the longest time she’d dreamed of him someplace filled with shadows—someplace where despair was an almost palpable thing. Sometimes he was chained to the wall, his head bowed as if in exhaustion. Other times were worse. Liv had seen him hooked to some kind of machine, wires embedded in his dusky tan skin like malignant snakes feeding off him. On an inverted dome, as big as an IMAX screen above his head, images flashed—pictures of strange worlds she never could have imagined. One seemed to be all ice and snow, another a lush tropical jungle where the vegetation was mostly blue instead of green. And yet another seemed to be a world that was mostly a clear, golden ocean with tiny rocky islands dotted here and there.
When she dreamed of the pictures of other worlds flashing across the enormous screen, Liv always got the idea that they were somehow drawn from the memories of the dark man. And there was pain—so much pain, both physical and emotional. He was hurting and she was powerless to help him. She didn’t even know him but somehow his agony affected her deeply. She woke up with tears in her eyes most mornings, her heart clenched like a fist in her chest, his name—a name she could never quite recall—trembling on her lips.
Liv tried to tell herself her dreams were just that—only dreams. Lots of people had reoccurring dreams. Why her brain should choose to show her the same thing night after night was a mystery but it was also no big deal. And she only felt for the mysterious dark man because that was the kind of person she was. She’d just finished nursing school a few weeks ago and was taking some time off before she started her new job in the pediatric unit at Tampa General. She could be tough when she had to but by nature she was a nurturing person. Otherwise she wouldn’t care how this man, this dream stranger, was hurting. Wouldn’t care about the pain she saw in his unusual amber eyes.
Then, two or three nights ago, the dreams had changed. When she finally let herself sleep, she saw the man as usual but he was free. Unchained and out of the shadowy place where his only emotions had been despair and agony.
The change in her depressing dream should have elated Liv but she found herself frightened instead. Because in her new dreams the huge man with black hair and golden eyes was looking for someone—searching tirelessly. And somehow she knew that the person he was searching for was her.
Then last night, he’d found her. Liv still remembered sitting bolt upright in bed at four in the morning, her hand pressed between her breasts as if to still her pounding heart. The scene in the dream had showed the mysterious dark man staring right into her eyes and he’s spoken only one word.
“Mine.”
“What?” Sophia looked at her in concern and Liv realized she’d quoted her dream aloud.
“Nothing. What’s for breakfast?” It was a Saturday morning—the day officially decreed as off the diet and anything goes. Liv tried to curb herself the rest of the week—her curvy figure was already a lot more hippy than she liked—but on Saturday she let herself off the leash.
“How about pancakes? Kat’s coming over and bringing some blueberries from that organic farmer’s market on Dunn. Sound good?”
“Mmm.” Liv nodded, trying to look enthusiastic and failing miserably if the expression on her twin’s face was any indication.
“Come on, Liv, blueberry pancakes are your favorite.” Sophia frowned as she moved around the warm yellow and cream kitchen, getting out the eggs and flour and sugar and pulling down a frying pan from the hanging rack above the sink.
“Yum
my. Can’t wait.” Liv gave her a weak smile and stifled a yawn. “Seriously, Sophie, I’m just tired. I stayed up a little too late reading.”
Sophia shot her a skeptical look. “Right. And that’s why you look like one of my first graders who’s just been sent to the principal’s office.” She taught at an affluent private school in South Tampa that catered to the wealthy and gifted children of the city and she absolutely loved her job. Since it was summer, however, she had three months off to pursue her other love—art.
Liv knew Sophia was itching to go paint and was probably only hanging around the kitchen making blueberry pancakes because she was worried about her twin. She opened her mouth to protest that she was fine again when a rat-a-tat-tat sounded at their front door.
“Coming!” Sophia beat her to the door and opened it to the beaming face of Katrina O’Connor, their mutual friend since high school. As Sophia ushered Kat inside, Liv shook herself mentally. It was time she stopped letting these silly dreams affect her so much. She was Olivia Waterhouse and she wasn’t afraid of anything.
Despite being compassionate Liv was no pushover. She had worked her way through nursing school and always stood up for herself, even to the crankiest doctors who could verbally eviscerate anyone with a sarcastic word or two. She went car shopping and to the mechanic by herself and never got screwed over. And most importantly, she never took no for an answer—when she really wanted something, she went for it. So why was she letting a stupid dream put a crimp in her personal style?
Time to get over it, girl, she lectured herself sternly. It’s just a dream and he’s not real. Let it go and enjoy your pancakes. It’s a beautiful Saturday—anything could happen. But rather than cheering her up, the thought sent a shiver down her spine. That’s right anything could happen…anything at all.
“What’s your deal, Liv? You look like you saw a ghost.” Kat’s cheery voice broke her morbid train of thought and Liv looked up and tried to smile.
“Hey, Kat-woman. Heard you were bringing some blueberries.”
Anyone U Want Page 7