Harlequin Desire June 2020 - Box Set 1 of 2

by Maureen Child

  Okay, he had assistants, but Reese was also very hands-on. There was no way he’d send an assistant to get an engagement ring, not even a fake one.

  “You two are so lucky,” Melissa stated, glancing between Josie and Reese. “Okay, get back to the shoot. I just had to see what he chose and it’s absolutely perfect.”

  Josie glanced around at the crew staring and waiting on them to continue. “Um, could Reese and I have two minutes?”

  Everyone nodded and Josie grabbed Reese’s hand and pulled him toward the back of the open room. There wasn’t much privacy to be had, but she had to use what she could.

  She turned so that Reese’s broad frame blocked her from the rest of the audience.

  “Where did you get this?” she whispered between gritted teeth.

  Reese smiled. “I couldn’t let my fiancée be without a ring. That wouldn’t say much about our love, now would it?”

  She narrowed her eyes at his sarcasm.

  Of course he only smiled and replied, “I bought it.”

  He bought it. Like he’d just gone out and gotten a pair of shoes or a new cell phone. She didn’t even want to know what this ring cost.

  “Can you return it?”

  Reese’s brows drew in. “Return it? Why?”

  She couldn’t say much with their current lack of privacy, so she merely widened her eyes and tipped her head, knowing he could practically read her mind most times.

  “It’s yours, Jo. Think of it as a birthday present if that makes you feel better.”

  That soft tone of his had her heart melting and she firmly told her heart not to get involved. Whatever this was going on with them had to be structured or the entire faux engagement would explode in her face, taking her heart in the process.

  “I’m sorry, but we still have to get to the interview,” Melissa chimed in. “We do have deadlines, you know.”

  Yeah, Josie was well aware of deadlines—when it came to work and Reese.

  Less than two weeks now.

  Josie glanced down to the ring on her finger, the symbol of so much more than what was actually going on. There was another layer of guilt because each day that went by, she found herself deeper into this lie.

  The deep red stone stared back at her and she wondered what on earth made him choose one so bold instead of a traditional diamond. She also wondered what the hell she’d do with an engagement ring once the engagement ended.

  Reese lifted her hand and kissed the spot just above the ring as his eyes remained locked onto hers.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  Was she ready? She didn’t know how to answer that because she had a feeling he wasn’t talking about the pictures.

  The ring weighed heavy on her hand as they went back to the crew. This farce was almost over. She only had to hang on until after the Manhattan opening and then they could go back to the way things were before…if that was even possible.

  TEN

  Reese had never been more relieved than when that interview was over. There were some questions he and Josie definitely had to fudge, but they’d sounded believable and that’s all that mattered.

  And when he’d asked her to take the rest of the day off, he’d never thought she’d actually do it. Yet here they were, leaving her house after she wanted to pick up a few things and check on the progress of the work.

  Reese’s crew said it would be at least another week because they’d run into some other issues they were fixing while there. Fine by Reese. He was in no hurry to get her out of his bed.

  “I assume you’re taking me somewhere for my birthday and it has something to do with the beach.”

  They both loved being outside whenever possible. Their schedules were so demanding, and nothing relaxed them quite like the gentle waves and the calming winds off the ocean.

  Reese pulled out of her drive and said nothing. He wanted this evening to be all about her and he wanted her to relax without worrying about the fake engagement, the article, the renovations on her house…nothing.

  He also needed a break from his thoughts and issues. Josie was always the answer when he needed some space from reality.

  “I’m not telling you what the surprise is,” he stated. “We already went over that.”

  “That was yesterday. I’m going to find out soon anyway.”

  “Then that’s when you’ll know and not a minute before.”

  He didn’t even care that she pouted and turned her attention out the window. He’d planned a perfect birthday evening and she would love it.

  “You’re coming to the opening with me next weekend, right?” he asked as he turned down his private road.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “I want you to cover it, if you don’t mind multitasking as my date and my journalist.”

  Now she glanced toward him with a smile on her face. How did her smile turn him on? It was such a simple gesture, yet packed such a lustful punch. Maybe that’s why he always wanted to make her smile.

  “I am quite capable of doing both,” she informed him. “So my surprise is at your house?”

  Laughing, Reese pulled up and waited for his gate to open. “Something like that.”

  She remained silent as he parked and gathered her things.

  “Follow me,” he ordered as he followed the path around the back of the house, leading toward his dock.

  “Oh, a ride on the yacht,” she exclaimed. “Fun. It’s a beautiful afternoon.”

  A perfect day for relaxing…and maybe more. He’d planned this birthday surprise well before last night, so now he couldn’t help but wonder if they’d pick back up where they’d left off.

  Reese assisted her down the dock and onto the yacht. His chef stood at the entrance to the cabin and nodded as they stepped on board. Frisco wasn’t just his chef, though that was his main position and what he’d been hired for, but the man did absolutely everything Reese asked and typically a little more. He was invaluable.

  “Good afternoon, Reese. Miss Coleman.”

  “Thanks for setting everything up, Frisco.” Reese slapped the man on the back. “That will be all. Take the rest of the day off.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Once Frisco left them, Reese gestured for Josie to step on into the cabin.

  “Go change,” he urged. “I’ll get things ready to go.”

  “Don’t you want to change, too?”

  He took a step closer, but didn’t reach for her. “Is that an invitation?”

  Her eyes clouded with desire, a look that had been new to him only days ago, but now he knew it all too well. Even though they’d only spent one night together, he wanted so much more. One night was not nearly enough time to explore all things Josie.

  “Isn’t that why you sent Frisco away?” she asked, quirking a brow.

  “I sent him away because I want to spend your birthday with you, under the sun and then the stars, out on the water, without anyone around. He’s done all I needed him to do.”

  Her eyes raked down him in a way that he hadn’t experienced before. Reese liked this side of Josie and had to admit his ego swelled a little—okay, more than a little—knowing he had a hand in drawing out her passion.

  “Maybe I need help changing into my suit,” she purred as she reached for the hem of her black pencil dress.

  She pulled it up and over her head, tossing the garment to the side. Josie stood before him in only a matching black silky bra-and-pantie set and those little black heels. With all of that dark hair pulled back, he wanted to yank the pins out and mess it all up.

  “You surprise me,” he told her. “That’s not something I ever thought I’d say with you.”

  Josie shrugged. “I may like to plan everything, but I also know what I want.”

  Arousal slammed into him.

  “And wh
at’s that?” he asked.

  With her eyes firmly set on his, she reached for the snap of his dress pants. “More of last night.”

  Reese shoved her hands away and wrapped his arms around her waist, hauling her up against his chest as he claimed her mouth. He needed no further permission to take what she so freely offered.

  Josie locked her ankles behind his back as Reese crossed the living quarters. The accent table on his way stopped him, though. He wasn’t going to make it to the bedroom, not with the way Josie was clawing at his shirt.

  She jerked his shirt up as he dropped his pants and boxer briefs to the floor. Josie laughed as he attempted to toe off his shoes and kick his clothes aside. A few random strands of her hair had fallen across her face, but he wanted her even more out of control.

  Reese reached behind her and released the fastener holding her hair up. The silky strands instantly fell around her shoulders and her laugh quickly sobered as she stared up at him.

  He gripped her hips and scooted her closer to the edge of the table. When he slid a finger inside her panties to pull them aside, she curled her fingers around his shoulders.

  “Protection?” she asked.

  He glanced toward the bedroom where he’d been heading. “In there,” he nodded.

  She bit down on her lip and jerked her hips against his hand. “I trust you. I just had a checkup and I’m on birth control.”

  Reese swallowed. Never in his life had he gone without a condom, and knowing he had the okay to do so with Josie was a hell of an unexpected turn-on.

  “I’m clean,” he assured her. “I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

  She locked her gaze with his and nodded, giving him the silent affirmation to go ahead.

  Holding the thin material aside, Reese slid into her, earning him another of her slow, sultry moans.

  He gritted his teeth, taking just a fraction of a moment to relish the fact that no barriers stood between them. This was a first for him.

  But the urge and the overwhelming need to have her took hold again and he couldn’t remain still. Josie lifted her pelvis against his, urging him on, and Reese was more than ready to comply.

  Josie lifted her knees against his sides, wrapped her arms around his neck and covered his mouth. He might physically be in the dominant position, but she held all the power. He was utterly useless when it came to her, and she could do anything she wanted.

  There was frantic need coming off her in waves, a feeling he couldn’t quite identify, but now was not the time to analyze her every thought or motive. All he wanted was more of this reckless, unrestrained Josie.

  Reese reached around and flicked open her bra. Never removing his lips from hers, he fumbled enough to get the bra off and away so he could claim handfuls of her breasts. He wanted all of her, as much as she would give, and he was so damn glad he didn’t have to hide his desire anymore.

  “Reese,” she murmured against his lips.

  Her body quickened and he slid a hand between them to touch her at her most sensitive spot, knowing it would drive her over the edge.

  Her gasp against his mouth and the way her entire body tightened had him pumping even faster, working toward his own release. Josie cried out and dropped her head to that crook in his neck. Reese used his free hand to press against the small of her back, making them even more flush for the best possible experience.

  That’s when euphoria took over and his body started trembling. Josie’s warm breath hit the side of his neck, only adding to the shivers consuming him.

  Her fingers slid through his hair as she placed a kiss on his heated skin.

  Reese blew out a slow breath when his body calmed. It took another minute for him to regain the strength to pull away, but he only eased back slightly to look down at her.

  “Still need help with that suit?” he asked.

  “I think I need some water,” she laughed. “And maybe food if that’s any indication of how my birthday surprise is going to go.”

  Reese smiled. “That’s not exactly what I had planned for your birthday, so we’re both surprised.”

  Reese took a step back and helped her from the table. He still wore his shirt and nothing else, while she still had on her panties, which were now very askew.

  Fast, frantic sex had never crossed his mind when it came to Josie. He’d always thought he’d take his time and explore every inch of her. He hadn’t rushed last night, but he still hadn’t taken the time he wanted. And just now? Yeah, that was the fastest sex on his record.

  But he wasn’t sorry.

  Josie had set the pace; she had wanted him here and now. Who was he to deny her…and on her birthday no less?

  Reese unbuttoned his shirt and went to pick up his other clothes strewn over the floor.

  Josie slid out of her panties and gathered her things, throwing him a smile over her shoulder as she headed toward the suite.

  Reese barely got to enjoy the bare view when his cell chimed in the pocket of his pants. He shuffled the pieces in his hand until he could find the phone. Clutching everything under his arm, he glanced to the screen and contemplated letting it go to voice mail. He really didn’t want any interruptions, but his parents couldn’t just be ignored.

  And he was going to have to tell them what he’d found. They were going to be at his new opening, but he needed to talk to them before that. His big night in Manhattan certainly wasn’t the time to tell them he was aware of the adoption and knew who his biological father was.

  With a sigh, he slid his finger over the screen.

  “Hey,” he answered. “Still enjoying the mountains?”

  “Hi, sweetheart,” his mother answered in that smiling tone she had. “We are actually heading back home. We’re on our way to the airport now.”

  “Home?” he questioned. “I thought you were only coming to New York next weekend. Are you guys okay?”

  “We’re fine,” she assured him. “You know how your dad is. He just feels useless if he’s not doing something productive.”

  “He retired,” Reese reminded her. “He’s supposed to be useless right now, relaxing in some amazing location that will give you guys all the drinks and massages you want.”

  His mother laughed. “Sounds good to me, but I think he misses you. I mean, I do, too, but he worries you’re taking on too much and he just wants to support you and be there if you need advice.”

  Reese pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I’ve been doing this my whole life. I’ve got it covered.”

  “I tried to tell him that, but you have to remember he doesn’t know what to do with his days right now. Just, maybe give him a little piddly job or, I don’t know, ask his opinion on something?”

  There were a million things involved in running a successful chain of upscale restaurants, and that was before adding in a brand-new opening. Reese could no doubt find something for his father.

  Josie came back through wearing a one-piece black bathing suit that shouldn’t have his body revving up again, but…well, it did.

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Reese told his mother without taking his eyes off Josie. “Could you and Dad come to the house tomorrow?”

  “I’m sure we can. Everything all right?”

  Reese tore his eyes from Josie. He hadn’t meant to just blurt out that he needed to see them, but now that he had, he’d follow through. As uncomfortable as this conversation was going to be, he wanted the truth.

  “I’m fine,” he assured her. “I just have something I don’t want to discuss over the phone.”

  “Well, I’m intrigued. We’ll be there around one if that works for you.”

  “I’ll have Frisco prepare lunch. Have a safe flight. Love you, Mom.”

  He hung up and clutched his cell at his side. Should he just leave this letter alone? He and his parents had a grea
t relationship; there was no reason to pull all of this past out in the open.

  But he had two half brothers that he wanted to pursue a relationship with and he had to be honest with his parents about the events that had happened since they’d been gone.

  “Are you skinny-dipping or putting on trunks?”

  Josie’s question pulled him back to the moment. He glanced toward the glass doors overlooking the sparkling ocean and back to the woman who expected him to follow through on this birthday celebration.

  She deserved it all, and he wasn’t going to let this unexpected bomb in his personal life affect her day.

  “Do you have a preference?” he asked with a wink.

  She merely laughed and shook her head. “You sounded serious with your mom. If this fake engagement is getting to be too much, you can go ahead and tell her the truth.”

  “What? No, that’s not it.” He sat his clothes down on the curved sofa and pulled on his boxer briefs. “I just have something to discuss with them that I don’t want to wait on since they’re coming home early.”

  Josie tipped her head, her ponytail sliding over one shoulder. “Is it the restaurant opening? You haven’t acted like you’re worried about it.”

  “I’m not,” he assured her truthfully. “My team is on it and I was just up there. I know that night will be perfect.”

  Her brows drew in. “Oh, I didn’t know there was something else bothering you. I just assume if something is wrong that you know I’m always here to listen.”

  Well, now he felt like a jerk.

  Reese stepped forward, wanting to console her, but selfishly wanting his hands back on her body. He found the more he was with her, the more difficult it was to keep his distance…especially now that he knew exactly how she felt and how she trembled beneath his touch.

  “I do tell you everything,” he assured her. “You’re my best friend, Jo. Let’s just enjoy your day and talk tomorrow. Deal?”

  He really needed to talk to his parents before he opened up to her. He owed them that much, giving them the courtesy of explaining their side and listening to what they had to say.