by Candace Shaw
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “So beautiful, and I’m a lucky man to have you in my life.”
“Thank you.”
Imprisoning her lips once more, he began to move slowly inside her at the same pace of their kissing. She remained still at first as he guided himself in and out of her at a sensual speed that sent emotional shudders to amplify with each stroke. Once she was comfortable, she began to meet his thrusts, which caused him to shake against her.
“Damn...” he groaned. “You feel so good, baby girl.”
“Mmm...you, too.”
Her hips began to gyrate even more on him, and the intensity of being connected caused a powerful orgasm to rip through her. She held on to him tightly as once again she was above the clouds with him, flying above the earth in the most thrilling high of her life. When she finally landed, he kissed her forehead and smiled down at her with loving eyes. That’s when she knew she wouldn’t regret her decision. There was no doubt in her mind that he was the one.
“Hi there,” he said. “You good, babe? That was some tremor.”
“Yes...so good. Don’t stop yet.”
Chuckling, he began to thrust into her again, but this time their speed increased as he delved in and out with deep strokes that she happily welcomed over and over for a long while, until he shuddered uncontrollably against her and let out a roar along with a slew of curse words. He breathed hard into the side of her neck with a heavy pant as aftershocks still trembled through him. Her wobbly legs fell from around his waist and spread out onto the bed, but her hands never relaxed from clenching his shoulders as her climax still tingled in her center.
After their breathing calmed down a tad, Preston turned them over and adjusted her so that they could face each other. He cupped her face and kissed her gently on the lips as the last of her tingles finally ended. Snuggling her head against his chest, he held her close. His heartbeat raced, and she listened to it until it simmered back down to a normal rate.
Sometime later, after another sensual round of lovemaking, she found herself under the covers, still wrapped in his embrace. Glancing over him, she squinted her eyes in the dark to read the digital clock on the nightstand. 1:30 a.m.? Geez, how long have we been asleep?
“Hey, you,” he greeted her in a sleepy tone.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I’m perfect, just exhausted and thirsty.”
“Well, we did a lot of sweating.”
“I don’t remember falling asleep.”
“Yeah, you dozed off soon after. You’ve had a long day. You went skydiving. Twice.”
“Mmm...four times. Making love with you is like being above the clouds again.”
“Wow. That’s the best compliment I’ve ever heard.” Sitting up, he jumped out of the bed, turned on the lamp and slid on his pants.
Her heart dropped. Was he leaving?
“Going to get you some water. Do you want anything to eat?”
Did he hear the question in my head? Or maybe it was written on my face.
“Um...there are some grapes in the fridge.” Her chest relaxed, and she was able to breathe again. “Grab whatever you want.”
“Alright. I’ll be back, my lady.”
After he left, she took a quick shower and strolled back into the bedroom to find him sitting propped up against the pillows with a tray of grapes and cheese and a bottled water on her nightstand.
“Thank you,” she said with a wince as she hopped back into the bed.
“Are you okay?”
“Just a little sore. It’s been a while, but I’ll be fine.” She grabbed the water bottle and took a long swig. “It was worth every single minute.” Pausing, she took another gulp and then turned to him. “Do you have to leave soon to check on Hope? You’ve been gone all day.”
He stopped midbite of a piece of cheddar cheese. “Trying to kick a brother out?” He laughed. “Nah... I had my assistant feed her and take her outside.” Reaching over her, he slid his cell phone off the nightstand. “And I have cameras in my home.” He pressed an app on his phone and showed Blythe. “See, she’s sleeping on the couch, where she shouldn’t be, but that’s okay. That’s where I sit and watch television.”
“She misses you.”
“Yeah, but she’s sound asleep. Plus, Linda arrives at JP3 Chase tomorrow morning at seven. I’ll just send her a message to check on Hope. Linda knows what to do.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, why the initials JP3?”
He frowned. “Oh...you didn’t know? Those are my initials. I’m named after my father. John Preston Chase III. Growing up, everyone called me Prez or Preston. Sometimes Tre.”
“So, John is your first name?”
“Yep, but no one ever calls me that except my parents when I was in trouble. When my mom would use my full government name, I knew it couldn’t be good.”
Popping a grape into her mouth, she snickered. “I’m sure that was often, huh?”
“Yeah... I mean, I was a good kid overall, but you know, I was on the nerdy side with a smart mouth. I thought everything that came out of it was correct. Teachers don’t always find that amusing, and considering I was raised by two educators, going to school with them was no fun, especially when my dad was also my principal in high school.”
“I’ll bet it wasn’t, but be glad your dad wasn’t an accountant. My dad tracked every little penny I spent starting when I was five years old. My five-dollar allowance went a long way. However, now I appreciate it. I’m a stickler for staying on budget and not buying overly expensive things.”
Blythe glanced at the cell phone again to look at Hope, who had jumped off of the couch and now lay by the elevator.
Sighing, she ran her finger on the screen. “Aw...she’s waiting for you.”
Frowning, he looked and then shook his head with a smirk. “You want me to leave, don’t you?”
“No, babe,” she answered, squeezing his hand. “I just get sentimental over dogs, especially at this time of year. My German shepherd died two Decembers ago, and I’ve had other dogs as well, growing up.”
“Well, you did say you were contemplating owning another one soon.”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
Tapping his chin, he nodded his head. “Yeah, you are. I’ll tell you what. I’ll go home, but only if you come with me. I need to hold you tonight.”
“That sounds perfect.”
Chapter 8
Blythe checked her curls and makeup one more time in the rearview mirror before unlocking the car and letting the valet parking attendant open the door. She quickly snatched the evening clutch that matched her fiery red after-five dress and wrap from the passenger seat. Sliding out of the car, she greeted the young man who handed her a ticket and walked up the stairs onto the vast porch of Broderick and Tiffani Hollingsworth’s mansion, which was superbly decorated for Christmas. White-and-gold lights were intertwined in the evergreen shrubs that flanked both sides of the cobblestone driveway, evergreen garlands with red ribbon woven through wrapped around the humongous white columns, and the double doors were covered with two gigantic wreaths with holly, baby’s breath and red poinsettias.
As she entered, a waiter greeted her with a tray of champagne, but she shook her head no and continued on, nodding and waving at people she did and didn’t know. Her eyes perused the festive crowd as she searched for Preston. They’d left their respective homes at the same time, but she figured he’d beat her there because even though she lived closer, he had a tendency to drive his two-door Aston Martin like it was a race car.
They still hadn’t told anyone they were seeing each other, and that was fine with her for the time being, even though he was ready to go public with it. After their lovemaking session that morning,
her body still radiated aftershocks like an earthquake. She wasn’t sure she had enough willpower to contain herself in his presence tonight if he showed up drop-dead gorgeous.
And she knew that would be likely, because the man looked excruciatingly hot in a tux. She’d attended Braxton’s wedding a few months ago, and when Preston walked down the aisle, she had to do a double take. Later on at the reception, he’d approached her to say hello and, of course, flirt. Brushing him off with a laugh wasn’t as easy as usual. She’d found herself gazing at him for the rest of the evening as he’d danced and flirted with Elle’s single friends. She could honestly admit that was the first time she considered going out with him, but then blamed it on having one too many glasses of champagne. Plus, weddings always made her a tad sentimental and placed her in a romantic state.
“There you are,” a bubbly female voice exclaimed. “You look radiant, girl.”
Blythe turned to gaze at Tiffani, who looked dazzling in a pink sequined minidress. Her waist-length hair was up in a side ponytail with cascading curls that fell around her left shoulder. A diamond choker graced her neck, and a matching tennis bracelet encircled her wrist. Sometimes Blythe forgot her friend was married to a multimillionaire who lavished expensive gifts on her all the time. Tiffani was still the same humble, hardworking, independent woman she’d met three years ago. Being married to a millionaire hadn’t changed her at all.
“And so do you, chica,” Blythe complimented her, hugging her best friend and finally spotting Preston over her shoulder at the bar, chatting with Broderick and Braxton. Preston raised his champagne glass, and his knowing, seductive gaze sent goose bumps over her skin. He was indeed sexy and commanding in his Elle Lauren tuxedo. She wanted to rip it off him and extinguish the blaze that burned on her skin.
“Thank you, but your dress is smoking hot with the side slit, and it’s backless...mmm-hmm. You’re going to drive some single man in here crazy tonight. There’s plenty of mistletoe around, so don’t get caught under it. No, wait. I don’t mean that. Let’s go grab something to eat. I’m famished after running around making sure everything is perfect for my guests.”
Tiffani pulled her by the hand and led Blythe to a massive spread with just about every appetizer and dish on the planet.
“Everything looks delish. I don’t know where to start,” Blythe said, grabbing a plate. She glanced up to find Preston staring at her as if she was the only person in the room. She sucked in her breath and suppressed the smile that wanted to emerge. She kept her attention focused on placing quiche and shrimp puffs on her plate while trying to keep her shaky hands steady.
“Thank you. Of course, I can’t take any credit for it. Chef Crenshaw and his staff did all of this. Oh... I need to go check on KJ and his friends in the media room. Preston brought over his latest video game to keep them occupied. I’ll be right back. Let’s sit out on the veranda. The twins and Elle are out there.”
After Tiffani left, Blythe finished piling food on her plate and turned to head for the bar for a drink, only to find Preston standing behind her, holding two glasses of champagne. His commanding demeanor and naughty smirk warmed her skin even more.
He leaned toward her ear. His tongue flicked across it and that subtle contact sent her mind back to their sensual session that morning in the shower. It was supposed to kill time since they both were running late for appointments. Instead, they made love, and Blythe was an hour late to her hair appointment with a relaxed grin on her face. Her hairdresser questioned it the entire time, but she remained mum.
Clearing his throat, Preston whispered, “You look radiant, baby girl. Can’t wait to get you back to my place after the party ends, or before it ends. Not really in the mood to schmooze tonight. I’d rather be alone with you.”
“Who says I’m coming over?” Winking, she took one of the glasses and swished away before forgetting about everybody else and laying a kiss on him. She headed to the veranda to join Elle and the twins, Megan and Sydney, Tiffani’s cousins who were married to the Monroe brothers.
Megan waved and stood to hug Blythe while Sydney, who was seven months pregnant, nodded with food in her mouth. Elle gave her a warm hug, and two other ladies Blythe didn’t know greeted her as she sat at the round table with a beautiful arrangement of different colored poinsettias in the center.
“So wonderful to see you, Blythe,” Megan greeted, then sipped her champagne. “I hear you’re working on Preston’s project. Sasha and Devin have done nothing but praise you.”
“It’s been fun. I’m surprised you aren’t assisting.”
“I wanted to, but with the show taping right now, I’ve been out of the state since after Thanksgiving, decorating flipped houses, and we just taped a holiday special that airs tomorrow. But I’m home until after the New Year, and then back on the road to do ten more episodes of Fix My Flipping Disaster.”
“Can’t wait. It’s one of my favorite shows. Some of those houses are in horrible shape. That last episode, I just knew you were going to burn it and start from scratch.”
Megan giggled. “Yeah, I believe that was my first thought when I saw the rats staring me down like they wanted to cut me for invading their space. And then when Jonathan knocked down that wall only to expose all those wasp nests, I kept thinking maybe this wasn’t a great idea.”
“Well, the house is gorgeous now, thanks to you and the crew from Supreme Construction. And I know you’re glad to be home with your family for the holidays.”
“I am. Steven is off from the senate until the session begins in January, so it’s just us and the twins. Luckily my baby girls can travel with me. Otherwise I’d go crazy missing them. Now I’m just ready to be an auntie to my nephew.” Megan reached over and rubbed Syd’s stomach. “And an auntie to my niece.” She smiled at Braxton’s wife, Elle, four months pregnant, seated across from her. “If Tiffani gets pregnant again soon, we’ll have a family full of babies.”
Sydney nodded as she finished chewing her food. “Yep, and if Preston ever settles down and gets married, add a few more. He always said he wanted three children.”
Blythe nearly choked on the chocolate-covered strawberry in her mouth. Three children? Not that they had discussed marriage, or having kids, for that matter, but she’d always wanted three children, as well. She glanced up to spot Preston once more staring at her as if he wanted to rip her dress off. He was chatting and sipping bourbon with Braxton, Broderick and Bryce, Syd’s husband, on the other side of the veranda. He bowed his head before returning his attention back to his conversation. Every now and then she’d catch him glance her way, and a naughty yet charming smile would form on his ruggedly handsome face.
Blythe tried to chime in to the conversation at her table about baby furniture, strollers and diapers, but she couldn’t concentrate as she sensed his gaze on her. Like him, she was halfway ready to leave so they could be alone. She’d never cared for big, fancy parties anyway. She’d rather be at Preston’s loft, cuddling and watching Christmas movies...after making love.
Her thoughts drifted back to their time in the shower, which kept her pretty much in her own world. She no longer heard the conversation. However, when one of the ladies she didn’t know mentioned Preston’s name in a sultry tone, her ears perked up again. She jerked her head immediately to the lady with the boobs spilling out of a dress that was a size too small. Blythe hoped that she could contain her composure and not give off any signs that there was something between her and Preston.
The lady sipped her champagne and cut her eyes seductively in Preston’s direction. “Your fine cousin Preston keeps staring over here. He knows he misses me and the things we did...well, it wasn’t that long ago,” she said, running her hand sensually across her chest. “It was just last month, but it’s time for seconds...well, thirds, actually. It was a long, wild night with him.”
Sydney chuckled sarcastically and lea
ned toward her. “Marissa, what makes you think Prez is looking at you?” she asked with a condescending expression.
Marissa flipped her hair with a huff. “Trust me, I know when a hungry man is staring me down like a piece of prime steak. I purposely wore this dress tonight just for him. Green is his favorite color on me. He says it brings the flecks of green out of my brown eyes.”
Megan and Elle laughed, but Blythe remained quiet and simply nodded with a smile. The things Preston had told women could all be compiled in a book entitled How to Make a Woman Think She’s the Only One.
Sydney didn’t laugh and stated in a serious manner, “Mmm-hmm, well, I’m no expert...oh, wait, I am the top criminal profiler for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.” She paused, leaning even further over the table to Marissa. “Trust me, sweetheart, he’s not looking at you.” Syd glanced at Blythe before standing with her plate. “I’m going to grab some cheesecake for the baby.”
Marissa smacked her lips after Sydney left. “Whatever. I know when a man wants me. Her hormones are just making her say mean things. Besides, I sent him a text message and some racy pictures of me in my birthday suit moments ago. We’re meeting up after the party. So trust me, he is definitely staring at me. Why do you think he keeps looking over here with that sexy, mischievous grin? And who else is he looking at? He’s related to all of you.” Standing, she grabbed her clutch and her empty plate. “Going to go schmooze and mingle for a bit and then head home and wait for Mr. Chase. Toodles, ladies.”
The delicious food in Blythe’s mouth lost all of its taste as soon as Marissa mentioned Preston. Was he staring at the voluptuous, sexy woman? Blythe caught his eyes sway Marissa’s way as she sashayed with an extra dip of her hips back into the great room. Well, she had her answer and tried to hold in the anger that wanted to erupt. Instead, she put on a pleasant smile as best she could when Tiffani approached, slammed into the chair next to her and started to ramble about the pastry chef she’d hired for the occasion messing up her recipe for eggnog cupcakes and stating she should’ve just made them herself.