by E. R. Wade
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
ChapterThree
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Blurb: Mia
Excerpt: Rae
Excerpt: Stay With Me
ANA
CAPTURED HEARTS 2
E.R. WADE
Copyright © 2017 E.R. Wade
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.
To DSG, my wonderful brother-in-law and my sister’s soul mate.
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
ChapterThree
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Blurb: Mia
Excerpt: Rae
Excerpt: Stay With Me
ONE
Ana
Luke Charlton is avoiding me, and I need to know why. I’m one hundred percent certain that I’m not imagining it.
I’m attending a dinner party in one of my best friends, Rae Stanton, and her fiancé, Cole Mardsen’s, house. Luke is here too. And as usual, whenever we see each other, he says hello and then keeps his distance. At first I thought I was imagining it, but now I know better.
I know the exact moment he walked through the door tonight. I know a lot of things about him. I know he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and is wary of commitment. I know he likes single malt scotch. I know Cole is his best friend and is one of the two people closest to him. The other person is his elder brother and only sibling. I know he’s twenty-nine years old – the same age as me – and he’s originally from Connecticut. He graduated from Stanford, and started his company, Enton, with Cole. I know he lives on the next street, and he bought his house the same time Cole bought his. He likes his coffee black and he goes to the gym four times a week, more if he has the time. I know he is passionate about English football and is a Tottenham Hotspurs season ticket holder. I know he’s a morning person – no one needs to know how I know this. And I know he watches me when he thinks I don’t see him.
How do I know all these? Because I’ve been drawn to him from the moment I saw him at a bar a few months ago. And he knows it. Since life is too short, I haven’t hidden the fact that I am attracted to him.
Luke is here with a friend of his, Gavin Hunt, who from what I can see is currently hitting on my other best friend, Mia Hart. As attractive as Gavin is, I’d like to tell him not to bother. Mia isn’t interested in any man except one she hasn’t seen in almost two years. I move my eyes from where she is standing listening to Gavin with nothing but a polite smile on her face, and focus on the man who has spent the evening avoiding me. He’s standing by a window with a drink in his hand and deep in conversation with Cole.
“Still lusting after Mr. Dark and Intense?” Rae asks, standing beside me.
“Always. Isn’t he just the hottest?”
“No,” Rae responds cheerfully. “Have you seen my fiancé?”
“What? You’re engaged?” I ask, teasing her. No one can miss the big rock on her finger and the bigger smile on her face whenever she sees Cole.
“Did I tell you how I felt the moment I laid eyes on him?” I know they met at a bar when Cole struck up a conversation with her and offered to buy her a drink, but she’s never told me what she felt when she saw him. I shake my head in response. “I was struck speechless, and I felt this instant connection with him. I found myself thanking him for the drink I previously had no intention of accepting. I couldn’t resist all that masculine beauty in my face.” She smiles fondly at the memory.
For years after her divorce, Rae protected herself with a hard shell. But Cole was persistent and took his time cracking and removing the shell piece by piece revealing the strong, soft and emotional woman underneath. Honestly, Rae never stood a chance.
I admit that Cole is almost as handsome as Luke. There’s something about Luke that draws me to him, that gives him an edge over every other man. He’s so powerful and strong, and so damned attractive. All six feet two inches of him.
Luke has black hair and green eyes framed by long, black lashes. As far as I’m concerned, his face is a work of art – a straight nose, a smooth, chiseled jaw, and high, sharp cheekbones. And his lips . . . I’ve imagined them on mine too many times to count. I’ve looked into his eyes a few times, enough to know that there are flecks of gold in the vibrant green. He has the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen. He has an athletic build and looks amazingly fit. The results of his workouts are obvious. I bet his abs are perfect. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing him shirtless . . . yet.
“There’s just something about him,” I murmur, my gaze still on Luke. “He’s so magnificent.” The truth is that I find him overwhelming.
“Ana, are you sure you want him? You know that it’ll probably be for only one night or at the most, friends with benefits?”
I turn my gaze to Rae. I know she’s concerned about me getting hurt. How do I explain it to her when I can’t even make sense of my feelings? All I know is that I’d rather have a small part of him even if it’s for just one night than not have him at all.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I take a slow, deep breath. “He’s avoiding me.”
She glances at him. “He is? Why do you think so?”
“Have you noticed how he never talks to me except when he absolutely has to and how he makes sure he stays far away from me? He’s always on the opposite side of the room or sitting farthest away from me.”
Rae furrows her brows slightly. “I think you may be on to something.” She glances again at her fiancé and Luke. “You’re right, he’s avoiding you. I think it’s because you’re my best friend and I’m engaged to his best friend. I guess he wants to avoid any complications.”
Really? That’s it?
“That’s silly. We’re both adults. And since we’re both attracted to each other, why deny ourselves?”
I know he’s attracted to me because he steals glances at me and he is taking the trouble to avoid me. So he must be worried about being around me and giving in to his attraction. He’s worried about losing control. The thought pleases me.
“Then you’re going to have to be the one to make a move.”
“I have no problem with that.” But I have a problem with rejection.
Rae hesitates. “He told Cole that he thinks you’re beautiful and he wants you.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Really? When?”
“Months ago,” she reveals reluctantly.
“And you’re just telling me?” I don’t even
try to hide the accusation in my voice. Imagine that! I could have made a move by now. Instead, I’ve been going crazy with need and lust.
“I know. I’m sorry. I was going to tell you but it skipped my mind and then I found out he’s not interested in a relationship so . . . I didn’t want you to get hurt or disappointed.”
“That wasn’t your call to make.” I’m probably not being fair to Rae but she’s known for a long time how into Luke I am, and how much his not making a move bothers me. My annoyance should be targeted at him and not her.
“I should have told you. I guess I was being protective.”
I touch her arm. “It’s okay. I think I’m suffering from sexual frustration, thanks to him. I’m fixing this now.” I throw back the rest of the champagne in my flute and set it down on the nearest table. “Why don’t we go and join them?” I ask but I don’t wait for an answer, because I’m pretty sure no one is going to keep me away from Luke Charlton’s bed. Not even the man himself.
TWO
Luke
I feel her before I see her.
I swear I don’t know how that shit is even possible.
Ana Elizabeth Canden. Dark blonde hair. Gorgeous brown eyes. Full, kissable lips. A body that can bring the strongest of men to their knees.
And now she’s here, standing beside me with her perfect smile and an innocent expression that masks her desire for me. She hasn’t hidden the fact that she wants me, and I want nothing more than to take her in every single way possible. But no matter how desperately I want her and the awareness that crackles uncontrollably between us, I won’t cross that line. I don’t do relationships and Ana is the kind of girl you take home and introduce to your parents. Not my parents though. Those two are shit. They are the two coldest people I know, deliberately stuck in a loveless marriage because of money – to be precise, because of greed. Ice has got nothing on them.
Ana is definitely not the type of woman I can mess around with. She’s too good. And I’d hate for it to be awkward whenever I visit my best friend. Considering that she is one of Rae’s best friends, I’m sure she’ll be sticking around for a very long time.
And more importantly, the woman is dangerous. I have a very strong feeling that once I taste her, it’ll have a profound effect on me and I’m not willing to take that chance.
I seriously need to find a way to stop thinking about her. It’s bad enough that the only way I’ve found release is from my hand while thinking about her. I’ve imagined her countless times in my bed or kneeling in front of me with my dick in her mouth. I’ve even had fantasies of fucking her on my desk in my office. And I never ever mix business with pleasure. I’ve never touched a woman in my office and I don’t ever intend to cross that line.
“Hey, Cole. Luke.” Her voice is like liquid sin – smooth, alluring and irresistible.
I make sure that I keep my expression blank.
“Ana,” I say.
Rae smiles at me, immediately going to stand next to her fiancé who wraps his arms around her.
“Why are you two gorgeous men standing here talking instead of mingling?” Ana asks, her gaze on me.
Because I’m trying to keep my distance from you. I’m not sure what Cole’s reason is.
Cole answers, looking at his fiancée. “Sorry, babe. We got carried away discussing football.”
Ana’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine. “Speaking of sports, Luke, I hear you’re an excellent tennis player. I’ve always wanted to learn to play. Maybe you could teach me. We could get together a couple of times a week for lessons.”
Yeah, that’s exactly what I need – seeing Ana in a very short skirt and spending time with her alone. No, that’s not going to happen. I’m about to suggest a coach I know but Mia joins us, interrupting me.
“Hey, guys. Rae, Ana, I need to talk to you.” She looks expectantly at them.
“Sure,” Rae says, kissing Cole and murmuring she’ll be right back.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Ana says, keeping her eyes on me.
Mia turns to her. “Ana, it’s important.”
She realizes I’m not going to give her an answer about the lessons. “Sure,” she mumbles, and then turns and walks away reluctantly.
“So, tennis lessons, huh?” Cole asks, amused.
“Not going to happen,” I say, downing the rest of my scotch and trying not to watch Ana walk away. I think it’s time for me to leave. “We’re still on for tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I’ll come over by five.”
I nod. “Please thank your lovely fiancée for a wonderful evening. I want to take a look at what Gale and his team have done.” Cole and I own Enton which controls a number of online marketplaces that sell digital assets, and Xavier Gale is our head of operations. We currently have a community of twenty million people and five million active buyers. I met Cole at Stanford over a decade ago and we hit it off immediately. We set up our company right after college and moved to London a few years later. I live a few doors away from him. Cole has been a permanent fixture in my life since we met, and I consider him and Jake my only family so I’m not willing to do anything to risk our friendship no matter how tempting a certain gorgeous blonde is.
“Tonight? That can wait till Monday.”
“I’ll do it tonight.” He knows why I want to leave.
“You should stay.” I’m already shaking my head before he finishes speaking. “Okay, Luke. Whatever you want.”
I make a beeline for the front door and step out into the cold March night.
***
My doorbell rings the next evening.
Gavin’s already here to watch the game so that should be Cole at the door. I open the door to find him with Rae and her two best friends. Ana is on my doorstep.
I blink, surprised to see her and Mia. I didn’t know she liked football. I’ve never once heard her talk about it, and though she may not know it, I listen to everything she says.
“Hey, man. Are you going to let us in or stand there staring?” Cole asks.
“Come on in. I wasn’t expecting everyone.”
“Yeah,” he says and gives me a look I’m too distracted to decipher. He walks past me, his fiancée’s hand in his.
“Hi, Luke,” Rae says with a smile, sticking close to Cole.
“Hey, Luke. Thanks for having us,” Mia says, smiling up at me. Gavin will be happy to see her. The guy met her last night and he’s already clearly smitten.
Ana takes her time coming in. She stops right in front of me. Fuck. She’s beautiful. She’s looking up at me with those enchanting brown eyes of hers. She takes a step closer and her sweet scent surrounds me. There’s barely any space between us.
“Luke.” Her voice goes straight to my dick, and I fight hard not to look at her pink lips. “I can’t believe I’ve never been in your home. I figured it was time we rectified that, don’t you think?”
Instead of answering her question, I ask, “Do you like football?”
She nods. “I’m a Spurs fan. Huge.” Her eyes drop to my crotch, and then back up at me. “I’m eager and ready for it. I mean to watch the match, of course. I especially like watching in bed on a wet day.”
My dick hardens instantly. All I hear are the words eager, ready, bed and wet. It’s been drizzling intermittently all day but I know she’s not talking about the weather.
It takes almost all my willpower not to pull her closer and wrap her gorgeous long blonde hair in my hand while I devour her lips. She smells so good, like flowers I think. My hand tightens on the door. I should close the door and join the others before I give in to temptation.
“We should go in. Everyone’s waiting.” Thank goodness we’re not alone in the house.
She puts her hand on my chest. “Okay, Luke. Whatever you want.” She bites her lower lip.
I almost groan out loud. What is she playing at? This woman is so fucking dangerous. I hope Ana knows what the fuck she’s doing.
I keep my expression blank and she stare
s at me for a second longer before she takes a step back and goes to join our friends in the living room. I refuse to look at her as she walks away. I already know how gorgeous her ass is.
Taking a deep breath, I close the door and go to the living room to ask everyone what they'd like to drink. After getting everyone’s drinks, I sit on the single chair farthest from Ana, and do my best to focus on the match that’s about to start.
An hour later, I don’t know what the hell is happening in the game. I’m too aware of Ana. How am I supposed to concentrate with her here? She looks so alluring. She’s wearing some kind of feminine top with very thin straps. It’s not fitted but the back is cut a bit too low for my comfort, making me wonder if she’s wearing a bra. Great! This is exactly what I should not be thinking about – Ana’s breasts and nipples. Fuck! I bet they’re perfect. I try to ignore the need stirring in me. My dick is already partially awake, and I’d hate for it to come fully awake in front of my friends. The skinny jeans she has on shows off her deliciously rounded ass – yeah, I looked – shapely hips and perfect legs, and those fuck-me heels make me think of sex and how much I’d like to see her wearing it in my bed while I fuck her. No, she’s definitely not dressed for the game. Maybe she has a date afterwards. The thought makes me clench my jaw, and some of the lust fades. I don’t like thinking of her with anyone. I know she’s single and I’d really like it if she stays that way. I wouldn’t blame any man for wanting her. She’s beautiful and so hard to resist.
“Luke.”
Someone calls my name and pulls me from the fantasy of Ana bent over my desk with nothing but heels on.
Cole is looking at me. He doesn’t look happy. Very few things make Cole unhappy. He’s a very laid-back guy.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Are you watching this?” He asks, waving a hand at the TV. “I was asking you if you thought the referee was conned into awarding a penalty against us.”
I turn to the screen. Shit! We’re losing against a team ranked fifty places below us. Spurs losing is one of the few things that can make him unhappy. It’ll definitely make me unhappy. If we lose this game, we’re out of the FA Cup.