Perfect Pleasures

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

Zachary laughed.

  “No,” she continued. “We need to make a point of getting dressed up and going out more often.”

  “I agree. We look pretty dressed up!” he teased as he set her back on her feet. She’d leaned to give him another kiss, their mouths dancing sweetly together.

  She pressed a palm to his chest, and he winced, a hint of hurt wrinkling his brow.

  “You need to soak,” she said as she pushed his jacket off his shoulders. She unbuttoned the bright white shirt, allowing her fingers to lightly graze his skin. There was a huge bruise blossoming across his chest, the black and blue coloration spreading with a vengeance.

  “How hard did he hit you?” Kenzie asked, her eyes widening.

  Zachary shrugged. “Not as hard as I hit him back,” he said matter-of-factly.

  She shook her head. “I’m going to run a bath for you. Sarai left a bag that she said you’ll need. It’s got some Epsom salts, anti-inflammatory meds, and pain pills. We need to get you comfortable.”

  He grabbed her hand. “I’m with you. I am comfortable,” he said as he recaptured her mouth one more time.

  Kissing Zachary was a dream come true. Kenzie couldn’t imagine any other man ever making her feel the way he made her feel. She knew that his kissing her was a distraction, and she allowed herself to give in to it for just a brief moment.

  Pulling herself from him, she gasped, swiftly inhaling. He smiled, the look he gave her intense.

  “You’re taking a pain pill, Zachary,” she said.

  He laughed. “The pain pill will put me to sleep.”

  “You need to rest. You just won a championship fight. I know you’re hurting, and I know you’re trying to hide it.”

  “It’s not that bad.”

  She shook her head. “Sarai ordered a ton of ice. The tub is full. She said you need to soak for a few minutes to keep the swelling down.”

  “Why is Sarai trying to ruin my wedding night? I didn’t bother her and Alexander when they got married!”

  “She is not trying to ruin your wedding night.”

  “Do you know what ice water is going to do to my thang?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

  Kenzie laughed. “I’ll warm your thang up. I promise!” She turned, moving into the bathroom, and he followed.

  Zachary hated to admit it, but he did need to soak, every one of his muscles feeling like he’d been hit by a Mack truck. The few lucky shots Barrera had gotten in were swollen, the bruises beginning to shift color from flaming red to varying degrees of black and blue. As he stepped out of his clothes and stared at his reflection in the mirror, he looked like an accident victim. He knew that in that moment there was nothing sexy or romantic about his body.

  Kenzie shook her head as she eyed him. It hurt to see him like that, so she could only imagine what he had to be feeling. “My poor baby!” she muttered softly as he stepped into the bathtub and the chilly water.

  Zachary held his breath until his body was completely submerged. Then he cussed, a row of expletives falling out of his mouth.

  “You cuss like a damn sailor!” Kenzie exclaimed. “You need to work on that!”

  Zachary laughed.

  Giving him a moment, Kenzie picked his clothes up off the floor, moving into the oversized bedroom to hang them in the closet. By the time she returned to his side, his teeth weren’t chattering nearly as much as before. She passed him a glass of champagne.

  “Don’t tell. I don’t think you’re supposed to mix your medication with alcohol, but you look like you could use a drink.”

  Zachary grinned “God, I love you!”

  “I love you too!” she said. She lifted her own glass to toast their union, and then they both took a sip.

  He blew a soft sigh as they sat quietly together, falling into a comfortable silence. They didn’t need words, the moment being exactly what the two needed it to be. A good few minutes passed as she sat on the tub’s edge, watching him watch her.

  “You about ready?” she asked.

  He nodded. “I need to take a hot shower first.”

  “Do you need me to help you?”

  He shook his head. “You can join me.”

  “I can do that,” she said softly.

  Zachary stood, stepping out of the porcelain tub. He moved to the shower and turned the water on hot. Stepping into the glass enclosure, he stood beneath the heated spray, allowing the warm, wet blanket to wash over his body.

  Kenzie pushed her lace gown from her arms, the garment falling to the floor. As Zachary watched her, she did a slow, seductive striptease out of her lace panties and strapless bra. When she was naked, she strode slowly toward him. Zachary extended his hand, pulling her inside the spray of water with him.

  Kenzie eased herself slowly against him, her gaze focused on his face. He winced slightly as her skin touched his. “Are you okay?” she whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  He shook his head, his hands slowly skating the length of her back. “It’s all good. Having you in my arms like this is the best bandage ever!” He smiled, and then he leaned in to kiss her.

  In that moment, everything was perfect, and good, and right. They traded easy, gentle caresses, reveling in the warmth of each other’s touch. Zachary was in awe of just how deeply he had missed her, how much he needed her, and the intensity of the emotions that were billowing like the sweetest breeze between them. He was feeling just a bit toasty from the champagne and the pain pills, and slowly but surely nothing hurt, everything tingling with pure desire. The look in Kenzie’s eyes had melted every sinewy muscle into putty, and he was overjoyed at being able to lose himself in her gaze.

  Reaching behind him, he shut off the water; then he lifted her into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed, then dropped his body down against hers. Lying side by side, they held onto each other, settling into the heat and the warmth of one another. They stared into each other’s eyes and lost themselves in the love that gleamed from their stares. Staring at him, as his hands traced seductive patterns across her skin, Kenzie wanted to scream with joy, the kind of elation that was like winning the raffle or the biggest prize at the state fair. She was happier than she had ever been before, and as he kissed her, he was feeling the exact same way.

  She placed her palms against his chest and pushed him gently back against the mountain of pillows. “Relax,” she whispered. Her smile was teasing as she kissed him again, her lips brushing ever so gently against his. Her smile widened when Zachary closed his eyes, savoring the moment, finally allowing himself to let go.

  Kenzie kissed him down the length of his torso, to his abdomen. She dipped her tongue into the well of his belly button, gently licking him in a slow, easy circle. He squirmed, and his male member twitched. Her fingers gently brushed his bruised skin, and where her hands trailed, her mouth followed, her tongue gliding slowly back and forth.

  Zachary pulled her back to him, reclaiming her mouth. He kissed her over and over again as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly against him. “Like this,” he whispered. “I just want to hold you like this,” he repeated as he pressed one palm against her buttocks, pulling her tightly against him. His other hand pulled her leg over his legs; he wanted to feel her body draped sweetly over his.

  As she settled herself against him, it was a moment of ecstasy. She thought of every whispered word they’d ever shared, every touch, all the goose bumps, the sensations of tongue on flesh, all the squeals and groans and mumbled utterings, the twitches and chills and shakes. The memories were sweet and decadent, and both relished the future that would bring them more and bigger and better. Then Zachary drifted off into a deep and restful sleep, with Kenzie following in kind.

  * * *

  Hours later Kenzie stood on the patio, leaning on the glass rails as she stared out at the shimmering lights that magnified the best of the city. Her thoughts drifted back to the past as she reflected on everything that had gotten her to this moment.
She thought about her father and Thailand and the home she and Zachary would make there. She thought about the babies she suddenly wanted to hold in her heart because they would be his babies. She was Mrs. Kenzie Barrett, Zachary’s wife, the woman he’d chosen to take his name and share in his life

  From the doorway, Zachary stood watching her. She was exquisite and easily the most beautiful woman in the whole world. She looked content and happy, and in that moment he promised her, himself, and God that he would do whatever was necessary to ensure she never lost that glow.

  Zachary was suddenly consumed with emotion. Every dream he’d ever had had come true. Winning the title didn’t compare to the prize that now carried his name, the woman who’d promised to love him through sickness and health. Everything about his future seemed bigger and brighter, and Kenzie would be there by his side, encouraging, motivating, and supporting him with everything in her.

  He called her name softly. “Mrs. Barrett,” he said as he came up behind her, wrapping her in his arms.

  Kenzie smiled. She relaxed her body against his, sliding into the heat that was rising between them. “You’re awake!”

  He nodded. “Come back to bed,” he said, and then he pressed his bare skin against hers. It was an indescribable perfect pleasure.

  Don’t miss

  the first book in the Bad Boys of Boulder Series

  Guilty Pleasures

  Former NBA star Alexander Barrett has

  slam-dunked his career into second gear with the

  grand opening of his hot new gym in

  Boulder, Colorado. But his excitement is

  tempered when his estranged twin brother,

  MMA title holder Zachary “The Hammer”

  Barrett returns home from Thailand.

  Alex has never forgiven Zach

  for marrying his college sweetheart.

  And while they’re now divorced,

  his bitterness lingers.

  Zach hoped to reconnect with his brother,

  but when his personal assistant and trainer,

  Sarai Montri, arrives, their rivalry is soon

  reignited. Highly educated, not to mention

  gorgeous, the former Miss Thailand captivates

  Alex for the first time since his heartbreak.

  But Sarai’s devotion to Zach only stirs up the past.

  Will the brothers’ competitive natures

  tear them apart once more—with Sarai

  caught in the middle? . . .

  Available wherever books are sold

  Chapter One

  Alexander Barrett grinned as the blond, blue-eyed newscaster slowly brushed a manicured hand across his broad chest, neatening his shirt. The gesture was flirtatious as she batted the length of her false eyelashes at him.

  “Can’t have you looking shabby, Mr. Barrett,” Pam Lawry purred, her deep alto voice dropping to a loud whisper. She tapped her nails against the embroidered logo on his cotton polo.

  Alexander laughed. “I appreciate that, Ms. Lawry.”

  “Would you prefer to be called Alexander or Alex?”

  He shrugged. “Alex is fine. You know I don’t stand on any formalities.”

  The woman was smiling from ear to ear as she gestured toward the cameraman, who eyed them both with amusement. “What’s my count?” she queried.

  “You’re live in two minutes,” her associate answered.

  The woman nodded as she winked an eye in response. She turned her gaze back to Alexander. “Just relax, look directly at me, and smile,” she said. “I promise I’ll make this as easy as pie.”

  Alexander laughed. “I guess it’s a good thing I like pie.”

  She laughed with him. “I guess it is!”

  The cameraman threw her a count. “Twenty-five seconds.”

  Pam smoothed the front of her Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and slid her fingers through the length of her hair. She lifted her microphone between them, then pursed her lips together in an exaggerated kiss before relaxing her face and smiling.

  “Five, four, three, two, and we are live!” the cameraman noted.

  Pam lifted her chin slightly, tilting her head just so. Her smile blossomed full and wide, her eyes staring into the camera. “Thank you, Stephen! I’m here this morning with former pro basketball phenom Alexander Barrett at the grand opening of his new sports and athletic center! Alex, hello!” she exclaimed as she tilted the microphone toward him.

  Alexander took a quick breath. “Hello, Pam! Thank you for being here.”

  “We wouldn’t have missed this! So tell me about Champs,” she said, gesturing behind her as the cameraman panned the camera over the new 120,000-square-foot athletic facility. The high-tech glass building sat on twenty-six acres of prime Boulder, Colorado, real estate with a panoramic mountain view in the distance.

  Alexander smiled. “Champs is the premier destination for your health and fitness goals. It’s been designed to give our members an unparalleled gym experience, supporting all of their health and fitness aspirations.”

  The camera panned back to the two of them standing side by side.

  “It’s truly an impressive facility!” Pam exclaimed. “I was overwhelmed as we took the tour. It looks like you’ve got something for everyone’s fitness level.”

  Alexander nodded. “It’s my dream come true. We offer indoor and outdoor pools, nationally renowned group-fitness instructors and personal trainers, an indoor cycling studio, and cutting-edge fitness equipment. Our programming aims to exceed your expectations, with weight-loss options, yoga, dance, and Pilates classes, indoor-cycling classes, outdoor-cycling rides, and so much more.

  “We hope to help organizations, communities, and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations, and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest—or discovering new passions with some of our exciting new programs. So, yeah, there’s something for everyone!”

  Pam nodded. “And the facility will operate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, is that correct?”

  “That’s correct, Pam. Good health doesn’t take a holiday.”

  Pam chuckled as she turned to stare back toward the camera. “Now, everyone here in Boulder knows basketball superstar Alexander Barrett.” Her gaze shifted back to stare at him. “We’ve followed your career faithfully and when your knee injury sidelined you permanently, you built a very successful personal-training business that has been a cornerstone of Boulder’s athletic scene. And you’ve coached talent worldwide, helping some of the biggest names in sports get into shape.”

  The camera zoomed in on Alexander’s face.

  “I did, and I’m very proud of that. My education is in sports physiology and I have a master’s degree in sports science. I just love what I do and sharing that with others. Champs will now allow me to do that on an even larger scale.”

  The camera zeroed back in on Pam.

  The woman turned her body, looking directly into the lens as she smiled. “Champs is hosting a weekend of free events and hopes that everyone will come out to take a tour of the facility and meet Alexander and his team of trainers. I’m already geared up for a Zumba dance class so I hope you’ll come on out and join me. Let’s give our hometown champion your support. This is Pam Lawry. Good-day, Boulder!”

  There was a moment of pause as she stared, smiling, into the camera, her full grin showcasing picture-perfect veneers.

  “And, we are clear!” the cameraman noted. He shifted the camera equipment off his shoulder.

  Pam nodded, her television persona morphing back into business mode. “Do me a favor and get some footage of the interior. They’re planning on running another segment on the late-night news so we’ll be able to cut more detail into the nightly feed.”

  The man gave her a thumbs-up as he shook Alexander’s hand; then he shifted his camera against his shoulder and headed inside.

  “Thank you,” Alexander said as he extended his own hand to shake Pam’s, following th
e handshake with a loose hug.

  “You know I’d do anything for you,” she purred, the glint in her eyes reminding him of the one and only date the two had ever had.

  Pam Lawry had just gotten the gig at Good-Day Boulder, the NBC affiliate’s morning news program, and she had hired Alexander to be her personal trainer to get her into shape. She’d been beautiful and available, but he’d known after ten minutes of conversation that she was not the one for him. They’d remained good friends, and he had even attended her wedding to the programming producer who had propelled her journalism career, a man who still sought him out for help with his weight-lifting endeavors.

  “So you’ll come work out with me?” he asked.

  She laughed. “I hate working out, you know that.”

  “I do, but I promise, we have a new twenty-minute whole-body program that will forever change how you view exercise. It’s revolutionary! Besides,” he said as he tapped her backside affectionately, “you need to tighten up your assets.”

  “There is nothing wrong with my assets,” Pam said as she gave him a light punch in the arm.

  Alexander laughed heartily.

  Pam shook her head. “Now, I’ll think about your new program but I want something in return.”

  He shook his head as he gave her a smug smile. “I am not sleeping with you, Pam. I like your husband.”

  She laughed with him. “I like my husband too! So don’t flatter yourself. I want an interview with your brother. An exclusive.”

  Alexander suddenly bristled. “My brother?”

  “Did I stutter?” She laughed again. “Yes, your brother!”

  He shook his head. “Well, if he ever comes back to Boulder I’ll see what I can do but don’t hold your breath.”

  She smiled. “I won’t, but I heard from a reliable source that UFC superstar Zachary Barrett will be moving back to Boulder to begin training for his next title bout. It only seems reasonable that he would train at his twin brother’s new gym. Right?”

  Alexander’s joyous expression had fallen, his mouth and eyes turned downward in a deep frown. “Who’d you hear that from?”