Time For Love Box Set

by Karen Deen

  What I do know, is that I need to see her again.

  My visit with Emily and Thomas is amazing. He looks so peaceful wrapped in Emily’s arms. Sitting on her bed watching Zach and Emily looking down in wonderment at their treasured son, I realize someday I would like to have what they have. A family to love and raise. A love to cherish between each other. An unspoken connection that is stronger than anything in this world. Leaving with a kiss on Emily’s cheek and smoothing my hand over Thomas’s head, I pass on Zara’s message to them. They both look a little confused. I can tell the day has been overwhelming so I let it go. Zach gives me a hug and I can feel his emotion. I realize no matter what, we love each other so much and that will never change.

  My head leans against the car head rest while I just sit and process the day. Getting out of bed this morning and hitting the gym did not prepare me for what the day would bring. One thing’s for sure, I need to apologize to Zara.

  Chapter Four

  Zara

  Scrolling through my playlist, I need something that will totally take me away and shut my mind off to the world. I’m still trying to process everything that happened this afternoon. I don’t know what came over me to become so fired up.

  Every time Grant opened his mouth it just made me stand my ground and fire straight back at him.

  I know I can be a stubborn woman. My mother has told me enough times over the years, but I usually pick my battles. It seems when Grant walked into my studio this afternoon, I lost all control and that rationalization went straight out the window.

  I could see that Sophia was completely comfortable with Grant. I knew Emily was off to the hospital to have the baby at any time. Why did I have to be so pig-headed and insist I speak to them? It made me look so stupid in front of Grant. I know I’d never let any of my kids be put in a dangerous position while they’re in my care but that was no reason to act like a mad woman.

  The night sky looks so peaceful from the studio windows. I stand, trying to calm my mind by taking deep breaths. I need to dance to take my head to a happy place that only freedom of dance gives me. Stretching my body, the only thoughts now running in my head are the constant pictures of Grant on repeat.

  He rubbed me the wrong way and made me carry on like a lunatic. That, however, doesn’t take away the reaction I had to his amazing hot body.

  The way his suit stretched across his broad shoulders and tailored down his body to show a very attractive firm, strong back. The shape of his body leads me to want to see more. When he took off his jacket to get into the car, the view of his tight ass in his nicely-fitted pants was enough to drool over. Looking hard at his arms, I saw his muscles bulging under the white shirt and could imagine their strength and what they could lift. Like me up against a wall while he had his way with me.

  Lordy, I need to get him out of my head. He may be hot, but he’s also a cocky, arrogant man.

  Grant was definitely not someone I need in my life.

  He will be looking for a perfect little trophy wife who will sit and just agree with him. I could never be that type of woman. I learned a long time ago that unless you are perfect, men won’t be bothered with you. I’ve managed in this world on my own for a while now and that’s how it will continue. I’m almost where I want to be through hard work, and no man is worth changing that journey.

  I find my go-to-playlist of songs I use when I need to work out my emotions. For the next hour, nothing else will exist, except for me and the soul of the music.

  Grant

  Standing, holding my hand on the handle of the door to the studio stairwell, I hear music coming from the open window. Wondering if I should go up or not is making me nervous. Nothing in life has ever made me feel unsure but Zara certainly sent me off-line today.

  Would there be class this late at night or maybe Zara just has music going while she works in her office. Although, if she’s alone then this door would be locked. Perhaps I’ll just go and look in on the class and see if I can work out how long it will last. I’m dying to go home and have a shower and a cold beer. Before I can do that, I need to apologize, otherwise I won’t be able to settle.

  Not that I’m the only one at fault for this afternoon. Zara was bloody stubborn and acted irrationally about the whole thing. It was obvious I’m Sophia’s uncle. However, I shouldn’t forget Zara was just trying to keep Sophia safe. That’s important to me. I didn’t show her respect for the protection of my niece and for that I should apologize.

  Reaching the top step, the door to the studio is ajar so I slowly lean forward to peer inside. My eyes are drawn to Zara who’s dancing solo across the floor. She’s oblivious to everything apart from her moving in time with the music. Her body looks like it’s a part of the sound weaving in the air. Curving and dipping, she tells a story you want to see more of. There is so much power centered in her legs as they carry her across the floor. Dancing with her eyes closed, Zara feels her performance rather than watching it in the mirror.

  The beauty of a woman who’s so in tune with her soul is seductive. It’s like a light shining from Zara holds me glued to the spot. I don’t want to break the moment as it’s magical. The music starts to wind down toward the end of the song, and Zara starts to slowly open her eyes. Her cheeks are flushed and sweat glistens on her smooth skin. The room falls silent as she catches sight of me in the dance mirror. She jumps from fright, a small scream escaping her lips as she backs up to the mirror.

  I rush toward her. “I am so sorry, Zara! I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just watching and didn’t want to interrupt.” Her chest’s heaving while she tries to catch her breath.

  “Jesus, Grant! Did you even think to knock? You made me lose ten years off my life just now. Why are you even here this late?”

  I see the agitation in her eyes. Gone is the beauty of the dancer and back is the sassy teacher I saw this afternoon.

  “Firstly, Zara, why the hell don’t you lock the door if you’re up here on your own? With the music that loud, anyone can sneak up here and you wouldn’t know. It’s not safe and actually pretty stupid.

  “Secondly, even if I knocked you probably still would’ve jumped from fright as you had your eyes closed and were totally into your dance. Why is it that you are such a pain in the ass when it comes to the safety of the kids, yet you leave yourself totally vulnerable?” By now the peaceful part of my thoughts is gone, my anger levels skyrocketing. What is it about this woman that sets me off every time she opens her mouth?

  Still trying to settle her breathing, Zara’s posture stiffens. I can tell the moment she opens her mouth, it’ll be all-guns blazing. “You are such an arrogant cocky man, Grant. I’m a big girl and can handle myself. I am not normally here this late, but someone stuffed up my schedule this afternoon. In fact, truth be known, you are the reason I’m here this late. I needed to clear my head and the only way I know how to do that is to dance. So, I suggest you start talking fast and tell me why you’re here. Then once again, I can dance away my frustration of a meeting today with a man who sure as hell thinks he controls the world.” I can’t take my eyes off her face. When she gets worked up her face lights up and she is so hot. I can feel my cock stirring again for the second time today.

  If she wants to really see cocky, then I’ll show her the real me in action. In a split second, I’m across the studio, stopping a breath away from Zara. I lean forward and place my hands on the mirror either side of her head. My face is level with hers, our mouths so close I can feel her breath tingling my lips.

  “You have no idea how arrogant and cocky I can be.” I push my hips forward until my hard cock finds a new home between Zara’s legs. Her breath hitches and I see her eyes glaze over. “Maybe this will give you an idea. I don’t know why, but this is what seems to happen every time you open your mouth today.” I hold her stare as she tries to control her reaction to me being this close.

  I slide one hand down the mirror and slowly run my finger down her cheek. I lean closer, drop
ping my mouth to her ear. “I actually came here to apologize for my attitude this afternoon but now, that would be a waste of time. What I think I should be doing is taking you over my knee and stripping those yoga pants off your ass. I’ll spank that attitude clean out of you and love the red marks I’d leave on your cheeks. You would like that, wouldn’t you, Zara?” I feel her breath on my neck quicken as I continue to whisper in her ear. “You don’t need to answer, Zara. Your body is talking for you. I have only known you a few hours and you have me that aroused watching you dance and opening your mouth. So fucking turned on. What I would love to do is lift you up and push you against this mirror while I wrap your bare legs around my waist. I would slam my cock inside you and fuck you hard. So hard, you would change your opinion of my cockiness. The only thing you would be yelling at me then would be for more, screaming my name as you fall over the edge of the best orgasm you have ever had.” I step back to see that beautiful full pink blush on her cheeks. Zara is totally frozen in her thoughts as she pants. “The whole time you will be watching us in that mirror over there. It will be the most erotic dance you have been involved in.” My hand drops from her cheek and runs slowly down the side of her body, skimming the side of her breast. Her body arches forward to fill the gap as I start to pull away.

  She wanted that just as much as I did.

  I release Zara and turn to walk away. If I’m going to miss out on sleep tonight it’s only fair that Zara suffer the same frustration. Over my shoulder I call out to her.

  “Still think my cocky attitude is an issue for you, Miss Zara?”

  When she doesn’t answer, I continue. “When you work it out, let me know. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Sophia has a little brother, Thomas. Mom and Baby are doing fine, and Sophia is so happy she was there for the excitement.

  “Lock the door when I leave. You never know who might just walk in and what their intentions are. Sweet dreams, Zara.” I leave, walking down the stairs and straight outside. I need fresh air and I need it fast. My dick’s about to burst out of my trousers and my breathing is rapid.

  Zara

  Oh. My. God, what just happened? That man infuriates me and makes me wet all at the same time. Holy Shit, life just got interesting.

  Grant

  Oh. My. Fucking. God, what the hell just happened? That woman infuriates me and makes me hard as steel all at the same time. Holy shit, life just got interesting whether Zara likes it or not.

  Chapter Five

  Zara

  The floor feels cold under my feet this morning. I don’t have the usual spring in my step as I roll out of bed. The lack of sleep last night has me needing coffee as my first priority.

  While that may be normal for most people, it’s not for me. Working hard on my dance career, I make sure my body is running on healthy fuel. My morning starts with a fruit smoothie to get the energy levels up and a protein shake after my gym session. Hitting the gym for strength work every morning has been critical in getting my knee and leg back into shape. After five years of seeing Natalie and Xavier, my personal trainers, every morning, they are now like family. They have been there every step of my journey. Being brother and sister, they think on the same level, making a great team. They have taken me from thinking my dance life had ended, back to where I am today. They never let me make excuses and push me hard to keep going. Even on the days I want to give in.

  We are now the three amigos. They are my dearest friends who I share everything with. This morning’s gym session should be very interesting.

  The lack of sleep was courtesy of one, Mr. Grant Stevenson.

  I was so wound up when I came home last night, I paced the apartment trying to calm down. Never has a man affected me like Grant did yesterday. While the men I meet in the dancing world are fit and strong, their physical shape is different. Mark my ex was built like a typical dancer. At the time I found him attractive and he made my skin shiver a little.

  This thing with Grant is so different.

  He made me feel like I had electric shocks running over my skin when he touched me. His body was manly and rugged, and perfectly sculpted. I have only seen him with a suit on. My imagination last night was running wild with what was under that suit. Not that I will ever know. The man drives me absolutely crazy. How could someone I have only known for a few hours take up so much space in my head?

  The thumping of the music coming from the gym this morning is calming. Not many people would feel the same. To me, music is my life. It helps me to move, to think, and to breathe. This is just what I need this morning.

  Closing the door on my locker, I head out to the main floor and find a guy running on my treadmill. There’s one thing that’s always guaranteed to annoy any gym member, and that’s when someone else is on your machine. We all, in theory, lay claim to our favorite machine. Thinking it should always be free when we enter the gym. Of course, it makes absolutely no sense that the gym would be able to have a machine to reserve for every member. That rational thought does nothing to take away my annoyance.

  As I wander further down the room to pick another treadmill, Xavier spots me and I can tell he’s chuckling to himself. He knows which machine I lay claim to. He’s laughing at me having to find another. Great friend he is.

  Functioning on limited sleep is not going to make me a happy little girl this morning. He’ll do well to figure that out now before I snap at him.

  “Hey, Zara. You’re a little bit later this morning. Sleeping in is not like you.” Natalie calls across from the weights bench.

  “Yeah, well, that’s because I haven’t had a lot of sleep, so it was hard getting up this morning. If Xavier wants to get out of here without a bruise he needs to wipe that stupid smile off his face.”

  “Oh, we did get out on the wrong side of the bed this morning, didn’t we, Princess? No problem, I will sweat that out of you before you leave. Get warmed up and get over here.”

  I begrudgingly step on the treadmill and start a slow jog to warm up my legs. I hope Natalie has time for a coffee after this workout. I really need to let out my frustrations, so I can move on. Grant’s in my every thought and I don’t want to even think about him. I don’t like him at all, he is too arrogant, even if he does do things to my body. I’m ignoring it. There’s no point thinking about a guy who turns me on if I can’t even stand to have a conversation with him without us at war with words.

  The morning workout turns out to be successful. It takes my mind off Grant. Xavier has me sweating, making me feel strong. Finishing off, I convince Natalie and Xavier to grab breakfast with me at the Sunny Break Café which is in our complex.

  “So, what pissed off Miss Zara last night that meant no sleep? Did one of your little ballerinas turn up in her black leotard and all the rest were in pink? Oh, no actually, I bet one had a ponytail instead of her ballet bun?” Xavier just couldn’t help himself. He’s always the joker. Life is never too serious for him unless it’s in relation to training.

  Elbowing his ribs, I slide into the booth next to him. “Don’t even start, Xavier. You wouldn’t be able to guess, even if you tried to understand my day yesterday. Yes, it has to do with one of my students but that’s just the beginning of the story.” They both lean forward on the table with their elbows, resting their chins in their hands. Times like this, you see family habits that just link them together as siblings. “Why don’t we order food first, I am starving. Then we can start on the drama of my life.”

  As soon as the waitress leaves with our orders, Natalie is straight on me. I go through the day, step by step, explaining all about Mr. Grumpy and his bossiness. Natalie doesn’t care for any of that, she just wants the details on how hot he is.

  “You don’t understand, Natalie. It doesn’t matter how hot he is. I can’t even talk to him without him trying to control the conversation and situation. It really makes me crazy. I’m not some easy woman, who he can simply walk over. That’s never going to work with me. We’d end up spitting fire at each ot
her.”

  I look down at my hands, remembering Grant pinning me against the mirror. That was one of the only times there was no arguing. Purely because I was that distracted, I couldn’t even speak. Grant took my breath away.

  “Okay, what aren’t you telling us, Zara? Your whole face just changed, and you drifted off someplace else. The blushing told us it was someplace juicy. Come on, spill it, woman.” Natalie pins me with her stare, while Xavier rolls his eyes at his sister. I love Xavier, but this is definitely girl talk that I wasn’t sure I wanted him to hear.

  I hesitate but need to talk to Natalie about it. It was so intense, and I’m still having trouble processing the moment.

  “We had this moment last night in the studio. He was standing over top of me and I was against the mirror. He had my heart racing and my skin felt like it was on fire. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear, describing how he would fuck me against the mirror and how much I would like it. My body temperature went through the roof and I couldn’t even form a word to come out of my mouth.”

  “Oh my God, what did you do? Did you get down and dirty with him?” Natalie bounces on her seat.

  “Geesus, Nat! What do you think? Of course, I didn’t. That’s not saying I didn’t want to. If he’d pushed, I know he would’ve stripped me bare in thirty seconds. What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t even know him.”

  “It must have been some first meeting. You’re not one to give up control. For him to have rattled you, then he must be pretty forceful. Maybe he is what you need. He might make you relax and stop having the control stick up your ass. That’s part of your problem, sweetheart, you never let yourself relax and have a bit of fun.” Xavier tries telling me how it is while the waitress places our breakfast down in front of us.