Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  “You look like you’ve been asleep. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

  “No. I woke half an hour ago.” As she eased onto the couch, she curled her legs underneath her and spread the blanket over them. “What brings you to Savannah? I heard you were in Miami.”

  “You heard right,” he chuckled. “Then Jonah came to see Ally, so I came to see you.”

  “Ally was here earlier. She told me Jonah came in last night and proposed. I thought she said he left.”

  Theo crept closer. He sat on the opposite side of the couch and faced her. “I asked her not to tell you I was here, to play it off however she needed. I wanted to surprise you.”

  He’d accomplished his task, but she didn’t say as much. He knew. The spark in his eyes was clue enough. “I was with Jonah and Ally before I came here. She mentioned that she took you to the doctor. What’s wrong?”

  “I went to Europe for a business meeting last week and managed to contract the flu. I have the worst luck.”

  “Well, maybe not. I’m going to be in town for a few days. Why don’t you let me take care of you?”

  Her stomach did a somersault. He couldn’t take care of her. His presence made her heart feel like a Faberge egg teetering on the edge of a shelf.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline.”

  “Why? I’m not worried about catching it. I’ve had my flu shot.”

  God… She didn’t have the energy to argue about this.

  Lowering her gaze to the cushion, the battle with her emotions was over. She was the loser. Tears formed as she cleared the lump from her throat and found her shaky voice. “I don’t want you spending a few days here. I just got used to the fact that you’re gone. If you stay, I’ll have to do it all over.”

  Her tears broke through the dam her eyelids provided and rolled down her cheeks. She was sick, tired, and emotionally drained. All she wanted was to be left alone.

  He didn’t oblige her. He scooted closer and tucked his finger under her chin. “Cassie, look at me”—she did as he asked—“You’re the one that chose to call things off because of what happened with Cori.”

  “I know,” she sobbed. “I did it because I was afraid something else would happen and you wouldn’t come back. You’re beyond talented, and you’re sexy as hell. You’re going to have so many women wanting you. It seemed unfair to make you choose one. In time, you’ll forget me.”

  “Never.”

  She sobbed harder. He wasn’t listening. She knew he wouldn’t. It’s why she didn’t want to discuss this. She’d been in the business long enough to hear all the stories. A guy could be with a girl for ten-plus years and still cave to temptation. What made him any different?

  Perhaps it was his determination. God knows he was showing no signs of giving up. “Ally said you found my letter this morning. Did you read it?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “No buts. Just hear me out… Would you feel any differently about us if I could guarantee I’d always come back to Savannah?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know I’ll be gone from time to time with tours, interviews, and whatever, but all musicians have a permanent home. New Orleans never felt like home the way Savannah does.”

  She wiped away a few tears and leaned her cheek against the back of the couch. “Are you considering moving back to Savannah?”

  “Yeah, I am. This industry can only give me so much. It can’t give me a home or happiness. True happiness comes from family and friends. It comes from having someone to go home to, someone who can face the world with you no matter what is thrown your way.”

  He eased his hand up to her cheek and wiped away the remaining tears. The heat of his fingers made her quiver. She’d thought about his touch every day since he’d left, but feeling it was so much better.

  “Cassie, a person finds happiness when they feel complete. I never knew what that felt like until the night we spent together.”

  “What are you saying, Theo?”

  The weight of his gaze held her in place. She waited with bated breath for him to give her an answer. The anticipation of what it all meant had her heart racing like a swollen river desperate to escape the banks holding it prisoner.

  Before her patience wore completely thin, he caressed her face once again. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, especially when it comes to you, but falling for you wasn’t one of them. If it takes me a lifetime, so be it, but one day, I’ll prove what I told you is true.”

  “And what would that be?”

  He leaned in closer. “That you belong to me, and I belong to you.”

  Time stood still. She wasn’t expecting his response any more than she’d expected to see him, but here he was, still determined to convince her that they should be together. It was surreal.

  “I convinced myself that you said those things just so I’d sleep with you.”

  “You’re wrong.” His forehead rested against hers. Then he sighed. “I don’t know if I know what love is. I’ve never experienced it before, but if being in love means you get a crushing feeling in your chest when you’re away from someone or your shitty day gets better the instant you see them, then the answer is yes.” He eased back and touched her cheek. “I’m in love with you, Cassie. I think I always have been.”

  Her lips quivered when she parted them. “What if you’re wrong?”

  She couldn’t take it if she gave him her heart only to lose it, as well as him, a few years down the road. One short week with him was enough to break her heart when he left. If they spent years together, she’d fall apart if he fell out of love with her. She’d never been this vulnerable or needy. Knowing she was now was a bitter pill to swallow.

  Her question didn’t sway him in the least. He kept his head next to hers and spoke in the softest voice. “I’ve known you since I was five. You enamored me from day one. My feelings for you have never changed because of time or distance. You’re it for me, Cassie.”

  “I don’t want to hold you back.”

  He cocked his head to the side and frowned. “Hold me back? Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for you. You’re my muse, always have been. I’ve been longing for you all my life. Even if you refuse me, I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you.”

  Her heart felt like it could explode when he mentioned her refusing him. How could she walk away when she—

  “I love you too.” The words rushed out of her mouth before she realized she was saying them. They didn’t come from her mind. They came from her heart. She did love him.

  “If you really mean that, then be mine. I’ll make sure you never regret it.”

  She wanted to say yes, was on the verge of whispering the word against his lips when her phone rang.

  Ignore it…

  She repeated the phrase in her mind until Theo grabbed her cell off the table and handed it to her. “I’m not going anywhere. Answer it.”

  Nodding reluctantly, she uncurled her legs and sat up straight as she placed the phone to her ear and answered. A feminine voice resonated from the other end as the woman speaking explained who she was. It was everything she said after that had Cassie gripping the edge of the couch. Every now and then, she managed to answer the woman’s questions with a yes or no, but no other words would form.

  Once the call ended, she didn’t move. The phone fell to her lap a moment later. It was Theo’s voice that broke through in the end.

  “Cassie? Answer me. What’s wrong?” He gripped the sides of her face as his eyes roamed every inch.

  “That call… It was the nurse at my doctor’s office. My lab work came back. I don’t have the flu.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  Her lips tugged downward and trembled. Was this real…? “Theo… I’m pregnant.”

  It didn’t seem possible. She could have sworn she had her period last month. Even told the doctor during the routine examination. Granted, it was lighter than normal, but it was enough
to convince her that she’d had it.

  Nope. It was implantation bleeding. She’d never heard of it before, but the nurse said it was common and nothing to cause concern. As if discovering she was pregnant wasn’t enough to worry her…

  Theo did nothing but stare for the longest time. Confusion contorted his face, but he cleared his throat and found his voice once again. “I thought you said you were on birth control?”

  “I am. I get a shot every six months, but the nurse said due to a shortage in their supply, my last dosage was for three months. I was supposed to go back in for another one.”

  As he lowered his hands, his gaze shifted to her stomach. There was no denying the news floored him as much as it had her.

  “I can’t believe I got pregnant after one night with you.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted as he caressed her leg. “Well, we did have sex five times within twenty-four hours.”

  Any other time she would have laughed at his joke. Instead, she burst into tears. “I know you’re probably questioning the paternity. I’ll do a DNA test once the baby is born, but I swear, I’ve always used protection. Until you.”

  Her chest shook as a round of sobs erupted. Tears continued to form and blur her vision, and to top it off, she felt a wave of nausea hit. No wonder she’d been nauseous today. She had morning sickness.

  “Cassie, stop.” He grasped the nape of her neck and pulled her to his chest. “I don’t need any test. I believe you. Besides, I haven’t forgotten the snide comment Mike made the night you ended things. He advised me to use a condom, said he was glad he always did.”

  He meant well. She knew he did, but his words reminded her of her reckless behavior. Mike’s insult hurt. She may have been casual about sex, but he’d been her only partner in the last year. She’d been with Aaron for two years prior to that. The double standard would never change. Men could sleep around. Women couldn’t. If they did, they were considered sluts.

  “Listen to me.” The tender tone of his voice set her at ease. She silenced her cries as best as she could and peered at his chest. Then he tipped her chin higher. “I’m not doubting you. If you’re pregnant, I… I’m going to be a father.”

  “I’m sorry,” she croaked. “I know it’s the last thing you want.”

  Theo shook his head. “Ever since Jonah told me he was planning to propose to Ally, I’ve been thinking about having a family.”

  “Starting a relationship is hard enough. People have to get used to each other. Throwing a baby into the mix is a recipe for disaster.”

  Deep laughter echoed from his chest. “Cass, most people don’t know each other the way we do. I’ve spent enough time without you. I know you’re the one.”

  “Theo—”

  The moment he placed his hand against her belly, her breath caught. Any objection she had left her mind. So did everything else but him. The heat of his breath warmed her cheek when he leaned in close to her lips.

  “You once told me that everything happens for a reason.” He swept his fingertips under her pants, across a tiny section of skin beneath her navel. “This baby just proves what I’ve said all along. You belong to me.”

  She couldn’t fight it anymore. She nodded slowly then closed her eyes when he kissed her. It was as if he’d breathed life into her. The tightness in her chest released with each sweep of his tongue.

  When he finally broke away, he held her close. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll make this official. Until then, I’m going to enjoy every second I have with you.”

  She would enjoy every second with him too, and when the time came, they’d greet their child together.

  EPILOGUE

  A mild breeze blew in the window, ruffling the curls Cassie spent hours trying to perfect. She blew a wisp from her lashes and glanced outside. At least the weather was pleasant for December. It could have been worse. Had she lived in Massachusetts, she’d be freezing in the blistering winds and two feet of snow.

  Refocusing on the large, oval mirror on the wall, she rotated her hips from side to side, taking in the white satin and lace covering most of her body. Hard to believe the gown was a size smaller when she first tried it on.

  She placed her hand against the tiny bump below her navel. It seemed to pop out overnight. Luckily, Theo’s grandmother was a damn good seamstress. She was able to release some of the stitching around the waist, accommodating the tiny protrusion.

  “You look beautiful.” Ally boasted. “If I didn’t already know, I’d never be able to tell you’re pregnant. You have the sweetest little bump.”

  Ally patted her belly lightly then adjusted the veil atop Cassie’s head. It was a comfort having her by her side today. “I’m glad you’re here, Ally. This is the most important day of my life. It means the world that you’re sharing it with me.”

  “Cass, you and I will always be inseparable. And after today, we’ll finally be sisters.”

  Indeed they would. She’d been by Ally’s side when she and Jonah exchanged their vows last month. Now Ally was doing the same. “You’re gaining more than a sister. You’re gaining a niece or nephew too. Congratulations, Ally McCabe. You’re an aunt.”

  Ally chuckled. “So are you.”

  It took a minute to sink in. By the time it had, Cassie grinned from ear to ear. “How far along are you?”

  “I’m not sure. I took a home pregnancy test before I came to the church. I’m guessing around two months. Jonah and I have been so busy that I didn’t realize I was late. I probably still wouldn’t know if I hadn’t gone to the antique store.”

  Cassie snickered. “Mystique Antiques?”

  “Yep. I went there to return my watch, and the little old lady that runs the shop gave me a present. It was a silver rattle.”

  Cassie covered her mouth as she gasped. The instant she walked inside the antique store, she knew there was something peculiar about it, as well as the items within its walls. It wasn’t until she and Ally compared stories about the items they received when she realized how right she was.

  “That place is touched by magic, isn’t it?”

  Ally nodded as she watched Cassie adjust the camellia hair comb nestled in her hair. It was her something old and something new. It went well with the pearls she’d borrowed from Ally.

  Gazing at the bouquet of white roses, she admired the blue satin sash tied around the base. Not only did it match Ally’s dress, it matched Theo’s eyes too. It was also her something blue.

  “Cass, it’s time.”

  She searched the room for Ally, finally spotting her near the door that led to the hallway of the church. Knowing she was still there helped ease Cassie’s nervousness. So did seeing her father. He was ready and waiting to walk her down the aisle.

  As she touched the comb once more, she knew she would keep it forever. Ally may have felt the need to return her watch, but Cassie couldn’t return the comb even if she wanted to. Not after Theo’s grandmother recognized it as a long-lost family heirloom once owned by Theo’s great-great grandmother. The comb had finally found its way home.

  So had Cassie.

  ***

  Theo tuned out the music playing in the background. He even ignored his and Cassie’s family and friends. She was making her way down the aisle, looking more beautiful than he’d ever seen her.

  The road that brought them to this moment was long and riddled with many twists and turns. Some weren’t so pleasant, but the ones that were outweighed the bad. What happened before was put to rest. Both he and Cassie cared only about the future.

  It was still hard to believe that a poorly-devised plan helped him satisfy a need she’d evoked in him years ago. Yet it turned his need into an insatiable desire. He couldn’t fathom his life without her or the precious life she carried within her.

  Once Cassie’s father joined her hands with Theo’s and returned to the seat beside her mother, he knew the moment had come. In a matter of minutes, she’d be his wife. Cassie McCabe… He loved the sound of it.


  The longer they gazed at each, the harder it was to resist the urge to kiss her. He couldn’t wait until they were in the Bahamas, enjoying every second of their honeymoon. He’d definitely be enjoying his time alone with her. The love they made always set him on fire. They’d be lucky if they saw anything other than their hotel suite.

  After spending so many years without her, it was hard to believe he could make love to her whenever he desired. Yet knowing she would always be his outweighed any physical benefit he’d gained.

  Loving someone meant more than appeasing a sexual desire. It meant surrendering the heart—completely or not at all. Physical wants would wane in time. Emotional wants lasted a lifetime. He should know. He’d been longing for her all his life.

  Today wouldn’t change that. It would only prove to the rest of the world what he knew all along. She was his, had always been his, and would be his for the rest of his life.

  Today, he and Cassie began forever.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Kelli McCracken is a paranormal and contemporary romance author from Northeast Kentucky. She is the author of seven books with many more in the works. When she’s not listening to the crazy character conversations in her head, she enjoys crafting, cooking, and outdoor activities.

  “Time is the one thing in life that we never get back. Live life to the fullest with no regrets. Second chances are rare.”

  Kelli enjoys connecting with readers and chatting about books, characters, and all things fictional. To learn more about the author, visit her website at www.kellimccracken.com

  Sign up for the author’s New Release mailing list and get a free copy of Only in Time. Click and register on the next page to get started:

  http://kellimccracken.com/free-book/

  FIGHT FOR HER

  J.A. Bailey & Phoenix James

  Chapter One

  When those big baby blues looked up at Walker, they gave a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘deer caught in headlights.’ He’d never hunted any fucking deer that looked like this.