by Celya Bowers
“Away from prying eyes,” said the president. “Just in case you lovebirds want to make out.” She winked at them.
The Charity Gala was best described as the catch-all affair for every charity in Arlington. Instead of all the local organizations doing fundraisers year-round, there was one large charity event where one could donate to any charity they so desired. This year it was a carnival theme and tonight was the official presentations of the check.
Kendall nibbled on her vegetarian meal as Cole did the same with his filet mignon. She was amazed at the number of people, mostly women, who visited their table. She couldn’t decide if it was a territorial thing or not. “Seems like you have quite a following.”
He smiled at her. “Jealous? I have been writing for quite a while, you know. I have a dedicated fan base. Some people do love my subject matter and find it entertaining.”
Kendall was one of those loyal fans. She’d read every book he’d ever published, but pride would prevent her from divulging that little secret. “I’m sure some people find that kind of book intriguing.”
“But you’re not one of those people,” Cole said.
“I have no idea what you mean.” Kendall ate a spoonful of garlic mashed potatoes.
He took a drink of wine and leaned toward her. “I have a photographic memory. I distinctly remember seeing at least four of my books on your bookshelf. So even if you don’t read, thanks for at least buying them.” He took another bite of steak. “Why don’t you quit trying to fight it? Things would move much faster if you’d just admit defeat and fall into my arms.”
She leaned forward, making sure he had a good look at her cleavage, and whispered, “Cole, the only way I’d fall into your arms would be if I stumbled and lost my footing.”
He knew it was a lie, but said nothing. “Here’s to whoever is on the bottom.” He picked up his wine glass and toasted her. “You know, it doesn’t really matter who falls first, as long as the end result is the one we both want.”
“Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to do with sex?” Kendall felt herself growing warm at his mere suggestions. What was she going to do when she could no longer resist his innuendos?
Cole signaled the waiter for another glass of wine. “I think you might want to rephrase that question.”
* * *
A couple of hours later, it was time for Cole to present his check to Kendall for the hospital. He stood, walked to the podium, and pulled out his prepared speech. Kendall knew nothing about this part, of course.
“Good evening,” Cole began. “I’ll make this short and sweet.” He glanced in Kendall’s direction. She was smiling back at him. Whether it was the wine or genuine interest, he didn’t know, but as soon as he could he would find out.
“As most of you know, I was raised right here in Arlington, Texas. While New York was very good to me, I couldn’t seem to get my hometown out of my head. I returned here last year and can honestly say I’m very proud of the changes that have taken place. One in particular is InfaCare. It’s refreshing to know that there’s still a place where the less fortunate can take their children and not have to worry about how they’re going to pay for quality healthcare. Being from a single-parent household, I can understand the need for it. I would like to present my check for one million dollars to Dr. Kendall Matthews for the InfaCare Hospital.”
Kendall was shocked at his speech. Okay, she hadn’t remembered he was from a single-parent household until he said so, and it touched her heart. Cole was very good with words, she reminded herself as she rose from her seat. She walked to the podium, accepted the check, and made her speech.
“Thank you, Mr. Highpoint. Our president says he will leave no child behind in education. At InfaCare that’s also our motto. No child should be left behind when the system fails them. No parent should have to worry when their child needs medical care and they don’t have health insurance because they’ve been laid off. With your generous donation we will be able to keep our doors open. Thank you for helping us serve our community.” She started to walk off but Cole caught her hand.
“We have to pose for more pictures,” he told her.
Before she could think straight, flashbulbs were going off in front of her eyes, blinding her. Kendall reached for Cole’s hand for a little security as the sea of press photographers began to eat them up.
“See, it’s not so hard to lean on someone else, Doc.” Cole led her to the safety of his car.
After they were settled in the car, Kendall began to wonder how safe she really was. Being so close to this man was a mistake, but what could she do? She was as helpless as the infants at the hospital.
“I was thinking we could take a little drive since you’re all dressed up,” Cole suggested. “There’s something I want to show you.”
“Is this anything like showing me etchings?” Kendall laughed. “Really, Cole, I would have thought you’d have something better than that lame line. After all, you do write for a living.”
Cole joined in her laughter and headed to the southern part of Arlington. They were headed to Arlington Lake, she realized. What on earth were they going to do at the lake? “Cole, you know this is private property. You have to have an access code to get in.”
“I know that.” He stopped at the gate and punched in a long sequence of numbers. “I have it under control.” At his words the gates opened and they entered.
The houses surrounding the lake were some of the priciest vacation homes in the county. He stopped at the third two-story structure. “This is what I wanted to show you. I just bought this last week. Actually, Charlie told me about it.”
Kendall nodded. Her brother had mentioned the vacation home, but Kendall thought it was too good to be true. Apparently it wasn’t. Cole probably got it for a song. “That’s great, Cole, but why do you need a vacation home in the same city you live in?”
“I guess it’s the artist in me. I think it will be great for me to write in. When I lived in New York, I had two homes, one in Manhattan, and one in the suburbs. Come on, you’ll have to tell me what you think.”
Kendall took his hand and let him lead her down the path to trouble. He unlocked the front door and ushered her inside. After he turned on the lights, Kendall couldn’t believe her eyes. This house looked cozy. The plaid couch looked inviting; the green chaise lounge had a purple wrap tossed across it. “This is beautiful, Cole.”
“Thank you, Kendall. I actually think you mean it this time.” Cole walked toward her. “Who hurt you so bad that you treat me like I’m lower than dirt?”
Kendall was too tired to fight him. After three glasses of wine, she couldn’t keep up the charade. “It was you, Cole.”
He stopped dead in his approach. “What?”
Kendall sat down on the couch, wishing she had something strong to drink. Maybe it was time to clear all the dirt from the past. Cole towered over her waiting for an explanation. “Remember when I turned sixteen?”
Cole sat beside her. “Vaguely. I remember I was a senior at Texas University. You had just gotten your driver’s license and your mom threw you a party.”
Kendall nodded. “Do you remember what happened during the party?”
“Vaguely. Kendall, it was almost twenty-five years ago.”
Kendall sighed. “I heard you talking on the phone to some girl. I guess she wanted you to come visit, but you said you couldn’t because you were at a stupid kiddie birthday party.”
“Say what?”
“I was so crushed because I wanted to ask you to escort me to the junior prom, but I couldn’t after I heard that. You still considered me a kid, and that hurt me so bad.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Kendall. I was twenty-one at the time, and you were sixteen.”
“I didn’t see it that way. I thought you were the cutest boy I knew, and you thought I was a kid.” Kendall wiped tears from the past from her eyes.
“Kendall, I’m sorry.” He picked up her hand and rub
bed it. “I was a jerk then, but that’s no excuse for doing that to you.”
“Everyone thinks I’m so hard on men because of my ex. It was you. I kept that hurt in my heart so no one could ever hurt me like you did. Even when my ex-husband cheated on me, it didn’t hurt as bad as that day.”
Cole kissed her forehead before taking her in his arms. “Kendall, I’m sorry. I know that means nothing right now, but I’m truly sorry. I had no idea.”
Something about being in this man’s arms did something to her sense of practicality. Tears held in check for a quarter of a century ran full force. Cole wiped her eyes and kissed her gently on the lips.
Kendall knew she should pull away from those kisses, but they only melted her resolve that much faster. As much as she knew she shouldn’t indulge in them, she couldn’t resist. After her confession she was weak with desire, and with that she gave in to the one man who had a hold on her heart. Her arms encircled his neck, bringing him closer to her body in total surrender.
Cole pulled her onto his lap.
“Cole, what do you think you’re doing?” Kendall finally came out of her passion-dazed trance and realized she was kissing the one man she vowed she wouldn’t lay her lips on again.
“I’m trying to make you feel good. Is it working?” He kissed her gently before taking her bottom lip between his lips and sucking.
Kendall couldn’t really answer his question and she didn’t want to. She wanted Cole with all her heart. She’d worry about the consequences of this reckless act tomorrow. Besides, what could actually happen?
A lot, she realized. His large hands crept up to her breasts and began massaging them gently in the rhythm of their kiss. She gasped at the delicious sensations he was creating.
“Kendall?”
She heard him call her name, but it sounded distant. His hands traveled all over her body and left a trail of hot fire as they headed straight for the exact spot. Kendall knew she was in trouble when she felt his hands hovering around ground zero. He patted her leg and she opened her eyes.
“Up.”
She was confused.
“Let’s go upstairs. To do that, you’re going to have to get up, so we can both go.” He smiled at her.
She felt as if Cole had sucked out some of her brain cells when he kissed her. She didn’t understand what the gorgeous man was talking about. As she gazed into those hazel eyes, the fog finally cleared. He wanted her to get up. “Oh.”
He kissed her. “Oh.”
The feeling was like an electric jolt to her system. She stood and waited for him to do the same. “I trust you have something for this little event.”
He kissed her again. “Yes, I do.”
She gazed into the eyes of the man she’d once thought hung the moon. “I don’t think you asked me properly.”
He laughed, his hands caressing her behind. “Okay, Kendall. Would you like to continue this conversation upstairs?”
“That will be fine, Cole.” Although she tried to put on her most stern face, a giggle escaped. Giving in to the moment, she extended her hand and helped him up. His erection was very noticeable.
Cole followed her gaze. “Yeah, you know that’s your fault. And now you must pay.” He took her hand and led her up the spiral staircase to his bedroom.
The large room was nothing like what she imagined a multimillionaire writer would have. It was comfortable looking rather than fancy. He had a California king-sized bed with a bright red comforter on it. Everything in the room was large and tasteful. Very Cole.
“Now that I have you in my lair, you’re all mine, Doctor.” He led her to the bed and motioned for her to sit down.
If she had misgivings about the course of the evening, now would be the time for her to speak up. But for the life of her Kendall couldn’t think; she could only feel. And she wanted to feel this man all over her body.
She watched Cole take off his jacket and sit next to her on the bed. “Kendall, I know tonight has been emotionally draining on you and I’m trying not to take advantage of a situation, but if you don’t stop smiling at me like that, I’m going to forget all my Southern manners.”
Was she actually smiling at him? “Maybe I just like what I see.” If she could keep this light, she wouldn’t get hurt. But she knew it was already too late for that.
“Would you like to see more?”
She shook her head. Or at least that was what she thought she did. Her brain wasn’t cooperating. Cole continued to undress. Soon he was standing in front of her in nothing but a pair of black silk boxers and a smile.
Kendall stood to remove her dress, but Cole stopped her. “Baby, let me do that. It will be like unwrapping a Christmas present.”
Excitement coursed through her veins like lightning. She stood before him, waiting for him to undress her. He took his time, unzipping her dress slowly and kissing the area of skin it exposed.
Kendall thought she’d go crazy if he didn’t get a move on. She wiggled her hips as he slid the dress off her body, trying to give him a hint. “Sorry, Kendall, I want to savor this moment forever. By the time we’re done, we’re both going to be crazy.”
She was already there. Her legs refused to hold her upright any longer. Kendall stepped out of her dress, then sat down again on the bed. Cole kneeled between her shaky legs and pushed the stilettos off her feet.
“I told you I’d do that.” Cole smiled up at her. “Now you must pay the price for disobedience.” He pulled her pantyhose down and threw them across the room. He kissed her inner thighs. She reclined on the bed and closed her eyes. Hopefully, she could stay conscious.
She shot up with a start. “Cole, what are you doing?” She knew exactly what he was doing and it felt wonderful. But she had to get some kind of control. She wasn’t used to not being in control.
He curled a finger under the waistband of her lacy pink thong and pulled it down her legs. Kendall held her breath as she watched him. He was watching her intently, asking a silent question. Kendall nodded. Cole dipped his head and tasted the apex of her womanhood. And that was when Kendall lost it.
CHAPTER 7
“Cole!” She tried to wiggle away from his ravenous tongue. He tasted her as no man ever had in her life. Cole held her hips in place and continued his mission to drive her out of her mind. She slammed her eyes shut as stars exploded in her mind as she climaxed.
He moved next to her after her body quieted. He held her in his arms and kissed her neck. She felt him move away from her; then he was back unsnapping her bra. She heard it hit the floor. Kendall forgot to breathe when he started caressing her breasts. He dropped kisses between her shoulder blades, then moved to her lips.
She wanted to say something sharp, but the feeling was too intense for her to do much more than moan. He kissed her hard as he entered her body in one strong push. The only thing Kendall was able to do was hang on for the ride.
Cole was trying to hold back. He wanted to enjoy the woman beneath him, but she held him in a grip that defied description. He didn’t want to let go, even if he could.
Kendall looked beautiful with her dark-chocolate skin stark against his white satin pillows. Her eyes were closed, and she was smiling! That was something he didn’t see her do very often. He was very glad he was the reason.
He felt sensations storming through his body with a vengeance. He increased his tempo as her moans became louder and deeper. She wrapped her legs around him, attempting to get even closer. Then he felt it. Her inner walls were milking him for all he had, and that was when he lost it. They exploded in concert.
Minutes later, Cole, exhausted and spent, separated himself from her and lay beside her. They were both panting. Sweat drenched their bodies and neither could say a word. When he got his bearings, he turned to her, kissed her deeply, wrapped his arms around her, and fell asleep.
A few hours later, a powerful sensation awoke him. Kendall’s hands were traveling in her sleep, the one time she couldn’t hide her feelings. Her slende
r hands roamed his body, gliding over his flat stomach and heading straight for the great beyond. She wrapped her hands around him and gently began stroking him.
Cole was rock hard in seconds. He removed her hand before she did some real damage to him, like making him climax. Reaching for a condom, he kissed her awake and pulled her on top of him.
Kendall’s eyes snapped open as their lips parted. She noticed their new position and smiled. He’d expected an argument about not asking, but she leaned down and kissed him. “You must have been reading my mind.” She took the condom out of his hand and ripped the package opened with her teeth. “I think it’s my turn to pleasure you.”
Cole watched in amazement as Kendall slid the condom on his very erect manhood. It was torture because she was doing it in slow motion, but it was a turn-on. After she was finished, she stared at him, waiting.
Cole, dazed, pulled her astride his more-than-ready body and impaled her. Kendall gasped and held on for the ride, bestowing kisses all over his face as Cole took over the pleasuring.
* * *
Sunday morning, Kendall’s eyes slowly drifted open. She attempted to turn over on her back, but found her body was too tired to cooperate. After the third try she gave up, realizing she was also tangled in Cole’s satin sheets.
Sleeping with Cole! What was she thinking? She knew exactly what she was thinking, and was glad this time she’d listened to her instincts rather than her head. Cole was an excellent lover, she mused, mentally counting the amount of times he had made her climax during the night and the early-morning hours.
“Hey, I didn’t know if you were ever going to wake up this morning,” Cole said, walking into the bedroom with a tray of food. The antique tray was loaded with an assortment of food. Pancakes and bacon she avoided like the plague, because she couldn’t eat one without the other, but the eggs she could deal with.