Take Me Series (COMPLETE BOX SET)

by Masters, Colleen

  “Charlie, are you asking me...?” I gasp.

  “Siena, I want you to be my best woman,” he says, in all seriousness.

  “Best woman?” I repeat.

  “I know it’s unconventional,” he says quickly, “But—”

  I cut him off as I throw my arms around the two of them.

  “You crazy kids!” I cry, “I can’t get enough of you. Of course I’ll be your best woman, Charlie. And your maid of honor, Bex! Hell, I’ll be the flower girl and ring bearer too if you’re in the market. I’m just so happy for you.”

  “I think my heart’s going to burst,” Bex breathes, “Between the season, and our engagement, and—”

  I shoot her a look to stop her tongue before she spills my secret to Charlie. She snaps her mouth shut and gives me a big wink. I know that my secret it safe with Bex, even from her brand new fiancé. There are some things in life you can just rely on, and a true best friend’s confidence in one of them.

  “I’d better leave you two love birds alone,” I smile, edging toward the door, “I’ve got to rouse my old man.”

  “Yeah. You guys have a lot to talk about,” Bex says, “With, uh...travel plans back to London. And everything.”

  Nice save, says the eye-roll I shoot her way. But she’s right about one thing. Harrison and I need to have a little conversation once I get back to the room. How in the world do you tell the man you’ve been seeing that you’ve got a surprise bun in the oven? I just have to put on my big girl panties and do it. What other choice do I have?

  Chapter Two

  Getting To The Bottom

  When I finally manage to collect myself, after a fair bit of babbling, laughing, and crying with Bex and Charlie, I slip back into the hotel room I’m sharing with Harrison. I’m resolved to tell him about my news at once—rip off the band aid and get it over with. It’s not exactly a comfortable conversation to have, of course, but I can’t let that stop me.

  I can hear the shower running as I close the door behind me. The bathroom door is open just a crack, and a thin veil of steam wafts into the room. Arms wrapped around my waist, I make my way over and nudge open the bathroom door. A warm billow of air draws me inside invitingly.

  “Harrison?”

  The shower door is totally transparent, and though the glass is fogged, I still get a mind-blowing look at Harrison’s built body as he turns to face me. A wide smile crinkles his gorgeous face as he runs a hand through his soaked hair. I can’t help but let my eyes rake down over his broad shoulders, the smooth panes of his firm chest, the expanse of cut abs, that tantalizing "v" of his hips, and of course...

  “Siena Lazio,” he says, “Are you giving me a once over?”

  “Can you blame me?” I ask, “Just look at you.”

  “I’d much rather be looking at you,” he says, his voice muffled by the glass. Water runs in wide rivulets over his perfect form—I can’t tear my eyes away. “Why don’t you join me in here?” he goes on, “The water’s great.”

  I waver for a moment, my big news tearing at the corners of my mind. I need to come right out and tell Harrison about the pregnancy tests, right?

  “Actually babe,” I say, “I was hoping we could talk about something first.”

  “We have all the time in the world for talking, now that the tournament is over,” he says, “But right now, I have a few other ideas.”

  I swallow a groan. How am I supposed to carry on with this tricky conversation when stepping into the shower is Harrison is the other option?

  “It’s kind of important...” I go on, stalling for time.

  “Not as important as getting to spend every waking minute with you,” he replies.

  I bite my lip, wavering. I haven’t had any time at all to process this pregnancy thing. I haven’t even been to see a doctor, yet. Maybe there’s no use in bringing it up just now. I don’t really know how he’ll react to the news—this is something we’ve never discussed. Best to hold off until I’ve had some time to think, surely. Besides, we’ve got some other pressing matters to attend to just now...

  “Come on,” Harrison urges, “You know I can’t get enough of you.”

  “Oh, the feeling’s mutual,” I tell him, sliding the straps of my romper down over my shoulders. Harrison’s eyes follow the descent of my garment, lingering on my breasts as they spill out of the flimsy cotton, trailing down between my legs as I let the romper fall. I step out of the little pool of fabric and meet Harrison’s gaze.

  I’ve long since stopped feeling self-conscious in front of Harrison. If anything, I’m far more confident when in his company. But now, given this morning’s discovery, being naked before him is a new affair. I have to fight to keep my curious hands from resting on my belly. I find myself wondering, in the heat of this moment, exactly how far along I might be? For all I know, I could be months deep, here.

  “Jesus...” Harrison breathes, resting a hand against the glass.

  “What is it?” I ask, alarmed. Am I already showing or something?

  “I swear, you get more stunning every time I see you,” Harrison says.

  Even through the fogged-up glass, I can see him responding to the sight of me. I grin, delighted by the way I can turn him on from across the room. The swell of him sets off a deep, urgent throbbing inside my core. Warm desire radiates through me, propelling me toward him. I cross the bathroom, letting my hips sway ever so slightly, and pull open the shower door. A wall of hot steam pours over me as I step inside. Blinking into the misty air, my hands reach for Harrison and find him. Our bodies meet, instantly entwining. We know each other so well already. He presses my back against the cool tile, and I moan as his stiff manhood brushes against my thigh.

  I’ve always preferred my showers with Harrison to be a little bit dirty.

  His skin is slick as he presses up against me, and a shiver passes through me at how smoothly we move against each other. My breasts balloon against his hard chest as my breath comes hard and fast. One touch from Harrison is all it takes to get me revved up. He takes my face in his hands and brings his lips to mine. My mouth opens to him, and his taste lights me up. I let my hands travel down his sculpted torso, my fingertips grazing his tanned skin. He sucks in a quick breath as I trace my touch down past his hip bones and wrap my hands around his thick, throbbing member.

  “Holy shit,” I moan, working my hands along the length of him, “It’s a wonder I can ever fit you...”

  “It’s what you do to me,” he groans, flattening his forearms against the tile.

  I stroke along his most sensitive inches, taking as much of him into my hands as I can. It’s no small feat—as he’s no small man.

  “Just imagine all the things we’re going to discover together,” I whisper, tightening my grasp ever so slightly, “I want everything with you, Harrison.”

  “That’s all I want,” he tells me, “You and nothing but you.”

  “You won’t miss your days as a playboy?” I ask, running my thumb all around the tip of him.

  “Are you fucking kidding?” he moans, leaning into my touch, “That shit was nothing compared to what we have between us.”

  “Good answer,” I smile, letting his staggering manhood slip from my hands as I turn away from him, steadying myself against the shower wall.

  A low, lusty growl escapes his throat as he runs his hands from my wing-like shoulder blades, down my spine, right over the firm rise of my ass. As he grabs hold of my hips, I can feel his rock hard member between my legs. Harrison lets himself linger there against me, and I imagine what it would be like to truly feel him everywhere. I arch my back just a hair and his manhood glances against that tight, untouched place that no man has ever touched. I’ve never felt safe enough or close enough with anyone to experiment that way. But with Harrison.

  “Is that something you want?” he asks, holding himself there against me.

  I glance over my shoulder and meet his firm, open gaze. “Like I said,” I tell him, “I want everyth
ing with you...”

  Our bodies are so slick with water that I can’t tell how wet the idea of taking him from behind is making me. But I can feel my sex throbbing hotly at the thought of trying something completely new with him. And if his stiffening member is any indication, he’s as into the idea as I am.

  “I can’t say I haven’t thought about it...” he says, his voice rasping lustily. “Have you ever...before?”

  “No,” I breathe, “No, not ever.”

  “Hmm...” he growls, sliding his hands over my round ass. “We’d have to go slow—”

  But his voice trails off as I press back against him, just a tiny bit. The slick tip of him is poised just against that muscular, untouched circle. The sudden pressure sends a ripple of pleasure through me. It’s the first time I’ve ever dared to try something like this, a totally foreign sensation...not a bad one, by any means.

  “I want to feel you there,” I breathe, bracing myself against the wall, “I want to know you that way.”

  “Just keep telling me what you want,” he says. I nod eagerly.

  With a deep breath, he leans lightly forward. I can feel him pressing against me there, sinking into that most improbable place, if only a tiny bit. I forget how to breathe as a new, dizzying feeling takes hold of me. I don’t want to go slowly—I want more.

  “Oh!” I cry, as I press back against him, more quickly than is wise. A sharp, pressure uncoils within me as I try and take him all at once.

  “Are you OK?” he asks, turning me to face him.

  “Yeah...” tell him, “You’re just...you’re so huge, baby...”

  “There’s no rush,” he smiles, pushing the wet curls from my forehead, “We’ve got all the time in the world to try everything you like. All I want to do is make you feel good, Siena.”

  He guides me over to the built-in ledge, and I sit down on the cool little seat. I plant my knees on the edge as Harrison falls to his knees before me, spread myself open to him. I’m aching with desire for this impossibly perfect man. My knees begin to tremble before he even touches me.

  “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before, Siena,” he tells me, resting his hands on my tender inner thighs, “I’m the luckiest man in the world just to be here with you.”

  Before I can utter a word of reply, Harrison’s brought his mouth swiftly down to my pulsating sex. His full lips close around that hard, raw button at once, and my hands rake along his muscular back as I let out a blissful cry. As his tongue teases me toward my tipping point, I know that I’m a goner. My full, orgasmic moans echo off the bathroom tiles in no time at all. What can I say? My man knows what he’s doing.

  When we’ve finally exhausted ourselves and stepped, spent, from the shower, the day is ready to begin. We dress and pack slowly. With the tournament finally over, everyone’s getting a slow start this morning. But in a couple hours’ time, it’ll be back to work for us all. Team McClain decided as soon as the race was run that Harrison would be officially promoted to lead driver, and Enzo’s the golden boy of the hour, which means plenty of press conferences and interviews for me to arrange.

  I stop myself right in the middle of dreaming up a media tour for Enzo. Will I even be arranging these things for much longer? My days of serving as Ferrelli’s PR director are limited. But of course that means a far more significant clock is running out. My father, Alfonso Lazio, has been edging closer to the end of his life with every passing moment. He’s back at our home in Italy right this second, watching his children triumph from afar as he prepares for the inevitable. I still haven’t come to terms with the severity of his illness, as he’s shielded Enzo and I from the worst of it, but all at once I know that I can’t dawdle here another moment.

  As if on cue, there is a knock at our hotel door. I hurry over and admit our visitor—my big brother and world champion F1 racer, Enzo. He steps inside quickly, looking grim. His dark eyes are clouded over and glazed. I see his cell phone clutched in his white-knuckled hand and immediately assume the worst.

  “He’s not—?” I breathe, grabbing onto Enzo’s arm as Harrison comes to us, ready with a comforting embrace.

  “No, not yet,” Enzo tells me, “But Mom did just call me. He doesn’t have much time, Siena. We have to go.”

  “I’m ready,” I say without a moment’s hesitation, “We can take the jet.”

  “I’ll get my things and meet you down in the lobby,” Enzo says, kissing my quickly on the cheek.

  He hurries off, and I fly into action, gathering my bags. With my belongings collected, I look up and see Harrison, waiting for a word from me. The gravity of my father’s situation hits me in the gut, bringing hot tears to my eyes.

  “Baby...” Harrison murmurs, taking a step toward me.

  “I’m fine,” I tell him, chucking toiletries into my purse and trying to look anywhere but his sympathetic eyes.

  “I know how hard this is,” he goes on, “My father and I had a shit relationship and I still had a rough go of it when he passed away. I can’t imagine having to do this with a dad you really feel close to.”

  “That’s the thing,” I whisper, “I feel like I was just starting to get close to him. F1 was the only thing we really had in common, and I was just about to become a real part of that world he lived in. But now...” I trail off, my throat thickening with tears.

  “You know he’s loved you your whole life,” Harrison insists, “Even if he loves the sport, I know you and Enzo are his life. I can tell by the way he looks at you. There’s no question, Siena. You know that, right?”

  “I guess,” I gasp, sinking down onto the edge of the bed, “I just...can’t believe it’s happening so soon. I’m only twenty-five; there’s so much more of my life that he’s not going to get to see.”

  My mind spins around the hard truth that the baby I’m probably carrying will never know its grandfather, the great Alfonso Lazio. The fleeting image of my father scooping up a little tow-headed toddler springs painfully to mind. He’d be a wonderful grandfather, my dad. His hard ass attitude wouldn’t stand a chance against a little boy or girl, not if it was mine.

  “Oh, Siena,” Harrison says, sitting beside me on the bed. “I’m so sorry, baby. I wish there was something I could do to make this any easier for you.”

  “Will you come with me?” I ask Harrison, choking back a sudden sob. “I need you...”

  “Of course,” he says, gathering me up in his arms, “I’m here for you, Siena. Whatever you need from me, just say the word.”

  “I just need you,” I tell him.

  “You’ve got me,” he replies, hugging me tight, “That’s never going to change.”

  I cling to him, letting myself have the baffled cry I’ve been trying to tamp down. My father’s life is about to end just as a life may be beginning inside of me? It’s too much to think about. One thing at a time. Right now, all I can do is be there for my father in his final hours. And that’s just what I intend to do.

  Chapter Three

  Russian Rendezvous

  Enzo, Harrison and I make for the jet as quickly as we can. The rest of the team will surely be rallied, but they can travel to Italy in our wake. As word passes through Team Ferrelli that our father is nearing the end, everyone is respectful and compassionate. There’s not a dry eye among the lot of them as we say our quick goodbyes in the hotel lobby and set off for the team jet. Team Ferrelli may be made up of a bunch of tough guys, but Dad’s been our patriarch for decades. Losing him will be a blow to us all.

  Gus, Charlie, and Bex are the last to see us off at the airport. The team manager and my father’s best friend wraps me up in a bone-crushing hug before I go. He’s trying hard to hold it together for the rest of the team, but I know this will be as hard on him as on any of us.

  “It’s OK Gus,” I whisper, looking up into his misty eyes. “We’re all going to make it through this together.”

  “Right,” Gus sniffs, running a hand through his scant gray hair. He may be barrel chested a
nd strong as an ox, but I know how much he’s hurting right now. He and my father are like brothers, always have been.

  “Come as soon as you can,” I tell him, “Dad will want to see you.”

  “You got it,” Gus tells me, taking a step away.

  “Send him our best,” Charlie says, wrapping an arm around his new fiancée.

  “And take care of yourselves,” Bex says, looking at me pointedly. I know she’s silently adding, you’re caring for two now, remember.

  “We will,” Enzo says, “See you all soon.”

  “Want me to give any word to Shelby?” Bex asks. I’d nearly forgotten about Enzo’s blonde lady friend from Team McClain.

  “No, no,” Enzo says, blushing deeply, “We, uh, said goodbye this morning. All set.”

  “You can ask her along, if you like,” I tell him, “If it will help you—”

  “We’re not quite there yet,” Enzo says, cutting me off, “Not like you and Harrison.”

  I take in my brother, stony faced and cool. Now that I think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really seen Enzo fall in love with someone before. He’s had plenty of girlfriends and even more flings, but there’s never been anyone who’s really stuck around. Is that because he hasn’t met the right person yet, or because he won’t let anyone be his right person? I know how hard it is to look away from the F1 track long enough to find someone who cares about you, but I hope that it happens for Enzo someday. If not with Shelby, than with someone else.

  “Time to go,” Harrison says, as the jet taxies into sight. I grab hold of his hand tightly and set off at last.

  We board the jet and take off into the clear blue sky. Texas falls away beneath us as we set off for Italy. I always feel a pang of homesickness when leaving America. This is the country that I truly call home, after all. I was born and educated here. But my heart belongs to Italy, as well. All those summers spent with my family, running all over our modest estate. So many memories featuring my father. Once he finished with his racing career, I finally got to know him as a person. Those years when he first reentered family life, around my tenth birthday, were the happiest of my childhood.