by Reana Malori
They’d only been dating for six months, but in that time, she’d fallen for him like a bag of rocks. Smiling as she thought of that night, she knew meeting him had been a stroke of luck. There was no one else like Maxwell Bishop, and she liked it that way just fine.
Six Months Ago
Kiana sipped her wine, looking around the room at all the suits vying for attention. Everyone there had an agenda. Some were here to grab the attention of that one person who could help them close a major deal. Others grabbed an invitation because they felt it was the place to be seen.
There were also the ones who’d wormed their way into the outside circle of the senator speaking tonight. In Washington, DC. anyone, and everyone who was someone, was connected to a high-profile political figure. You may not always see it in the public eye, but that didn’t make it any less real.
She, on the other hand, was there because she had to be. Her law firm was one of many on retainer by the senator, and a few other political figures, so an invitation was a given. Attendance from the attorneys was mandatory. Since she’d been able to rock-paper-scissors her way out of the last two events, this time she was the lamb sent for slaughter.
If she had her druthers, she’d be at home reading a book and watching reruns of her favorite crime drama. Taking a deep breath, Kiana began moving around the room with the intent to look as if she were headed somewhere specific. In reality, she just didn’t want to talk to anyone. Most of those people were stuffy, boring, and too damn uptight. She may be a Georgetown educated attorney, but these kinds of events were not her cup of tea at all. With that thought, she knew it was time to grab a strong drink. This was going to be a long night without some liquid support.
Walking up to the bar, she placed her empty glass down and motioned to the bartender. “May I have a gin and tonic, please?”
Waiting for her drink, her nose caught a whiff of a man’s scent. Unable to stop herself, she lifted her head, looking in the direction of the smell. “Damn,” she said under her breath. Standing no more than six feet away from her was the kind of man who made panties drop in less than ten seconds without even trying. Dark hair slicked back from his forehead. Strong nose, with just a bit of a bend at the top, as if it had been broken once a long time ago.
From what she could tell, he stood at least a couple inches over six feet. Maybe taller. His eyes watched the movement in the room, but he didn’t look to be the standard guest to attend an event like this. That’s not to say he looked out of place. That wasn’t it at all. He just looked like he had better things to do. His face showed boredom. She almost called out to him to “Join the Club” but held back. Not everyone got her humor, and he didn’t look like the type to take kindly to an unsolicited joke.
“Here you go, Miss,” the bartender called out as he placed her drink on the bar. “That’ll be ten dollars.”
“Okay, here you go.” She stretched out her hand with her credit card.
“Hey Shane, put her drink on my tab. This one, and many others.”
The bartender raised a brow but recovered quickly. “Sure thing, Mr. Bishop.” Turning back to Kiana, he smiled. “Enjoy your drink. Let me know if you need anything else.”
She stood there like a fish out of water. Mr. Bishop? Who the hell was this guy? At the clearing of his throat, she turned to him, plastering a smile on her face that was meant to be welcoming, but not “too” friendly. After all, she didn’t know who the hell the guy was.
“Um… thank you for the drink. Mr. Bishop, is it?”
“You’re welcome. Yes, Maxwell Bishop.” Holding out his hand, he smiled. At the dimple that appeared in his cheek, her legs almost buckled. No man deserved to be this fucking fine. This shit wasn’t fair at all. “Miss? Your name?”
Coming out of her daze, Kiana looked at his face. When his eyes motioned down to his hand, she squeaked, “Oh, I’m sorry. Kiana. Kiana Moore.” Once her hand was clasped in his, she felt a zing go through her body. Pulling away quickly, she wrapped both hands around her drink.
Unbidden, her eyes roamed down his body again. All she needed was one night with a man like him. Although he was wearing the fuck outta that black suit, she could tell he would give her something to remember.
It wasn’t just one thing about him. No, it was everything. The way he looked at you when talking. How he stood in a room full of pompous suits as if he could give a shit about any of these people. The smirk on his lips, which hinted that he knew things you could only guess at.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Kiana.” He winked at her before taking a sip of his drink.
Shocked at first that he didn’t even pretend that he was going to use her last name, as was the norm at these gatherings, she stared at him for seconds longer than she should have. The man went right to her first name as if they’d known each other before tonight. Laughing, she shook her head. Her first impression of him had been right; he wasn’t the typical guest at these shindigs. When he spoke again, she almost spat out her drink.
“Now that we’ve gotten the niceties out of the way. Let’s say we get to know each other a little before we go back to my hotel.”
Laughing to herself as she thought of that first night meeting Max, Kiana squealed when she felt his thick arms wrap around her waist.
“What are you thinking about? I called your name three times.”
Turning to look at the man who held her heart, she smiled. “The night we met. I still can’t believe you propositioned me after less than five minutes of talking.”
“Well, from the way you’re looking at me, I figured it was best to just put it out there. Women don’t usually put it on the table, so I did. Plus, it worked out for the best, right?” Grabbing her waist, he turned her around to face him. When he stepped in between her legs, her short robe opened, allowing him to press against her bare mound. They both moaned. Her body shifted to allow him more space. Lifting one long leg, she wrapped it around his hip, pulling him flush against her body.
Tilting her head back to look at him, she knew her eyelids had gone heavy with lust. “Hmmm, from the feel of things, I’m glad it’s Saturday. We seem to have all day to do whatever we want.”
“You just said the magic words.” Leaning down, he captured her lips in a slow, sensual kiss. Pulling back, he tightened his grip on her waist. “I have you to myself all weekend.” Tilting his head, his lips lifted in a slight smile. “Come on, baby. You’ve been out here long enough. Time to come give me what I need.”
*****
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About the Author
Reana Malori is a USA Today Bestselling Author. She writes Contemporary romance focusing on Multicultural / Interracial couples. She firmly believes that love in all its forms should be celebrated and her stories reflect that belief. She hopes to weave stories that pull the reader into her world and helps them to share in her universe, even if only for a short time.
An avid reader since the age of fourteen, she decided to pursue her passion in 2009 and released her first novella, To Love a Marine. Since then, she has released more than 30 books of varying lengths. When not writing, you can most often find her enjoying a good book as she is, first and foremost, a romance reader. Reana currently resides in Montclair, Virginia with her husband and two sons who keep her busy laughing, having fun, and making sure she doesn’t take herself too seriously.
Love and Hugs,
Reana Malori ♥
Also by Reana Malori
Available at Your Favorite Online Retailer
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Claiming Lana
Closer
to You
Conall (Irish Sugar)
Finding Faith
Flawless (F’d Up Fairy Tales)
Losing Control
Promise Me
Queen of Spades (The Player’s Club)
Salvation: The Italian's Story
Spellbound
Stay With Me
Tangled Lies
The Long Shot
Three Wishes
To Love a Marine
Unwrapping a Marriage (w/ Michel Prince)
What Matters Most
Whip Appeal
Workout Partners
Angel Hearts
Dark Angel (Book 1)
Broken Angel (Book 2)
Raven’s Crown
Absolution
Bloodmoon Pack
Odin’s Honor
Heaven on Earth
Escape to Heaven (Book 1)
Redemption (Book 2)
Sacrifice (Book 3)
Homecoming (Book 4)
Lady Guardians
Forgiven (Book 1)
Persuade Me (Book 2)
Lunchtime Chronicles
The Nooner
Red Light Special
Blackberry Pie
Second Chances
Second Chances (Book 1)
Renewal (Book 2)
Weekend Lovers
Weekend Fling (Book 1)
Weekend Rendezvous (Book 2)
Wicked Nights - A Collection of Sexy Shorts
Change of Heart
Need You Tonight
Night in Heaven
Praline Dreams
Shadow Mates
Taylor’s Gift