Sweet, Sexy Heart – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  “You’ve got it!” His grandfather stepped into the yard as they took their places at opposite ends of the obstacle course, hooting and hollering challenges back and forth.

  “I’ve got to get this on video.” His mother pulled out her phone.

  Dash watched Amber insisting she wanted to go last, moving behind his sisters. He moved between his brothers.

  Damon sized him up. “How did it end up being boys against girls? I wanted to kick your ass.”

  Dash clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You’re going against Dawn. You have a better chance of winning.”

  “I could totally take you,” Damon insisted.

  Hawk leaned between them. “Can you girls stop bickering and get ready? You’re up, Damon.”

  “Woo-hoo! Girl power!” Dawn yelled, and high-fived Amber and Andi.

  Their grandfather held up a napkin like a flag. “On your marks. Get set. Go!”

  Dawn and Damon exploded onto the course. Everyone cheered and clapped, screaming, “Go, go, go!” Damon went as fast as lightning through the tires, while Dawn gunned the balls into the buckets. Dash took off after Damon, and he heard Amber’s cheers above all the others as Andi came onto the course.

  Dash finished in record time and cheered Amber on. “That’s it, baby! You’ve got this!” It took her about seven tries to get the balls in the bucket, but she cracked up, taking it in stride as she ran through the tires and weaved around the flags, squealing with excitement when she finished and grabbed the rope like a champ. He didn’t have the heart to tell her she was going in the wrong order, and nobody else seemed to notice. She jumped, trying to wrap her legs around the rope, and slid back down with a giggle. She grabbed it again, trying to wrap her legs around it as everyone shouted encouragement.

  When she dropped again, Dash ran over and lifted her by the waist. “Grab the rope!” He put his hands on her butt, pushing her up as far as he could reach while Reno barked and everyone cheered her on.

  “Now what?” Amber called out nervously from the top of the rope.

  “Let go!” he shouted.

  She closed her eyes and let go with a squeal. He caught her, stealing a quick kiss, and then they ran hand in hand to the rock wall, climbing it together. “You’ve got it! That’s my girl!”

  She ran to the pole, and as she slid down, more cheers rang out. Dash hugged her and spun her around. The minute her feet hit the ground, Dawn and Andi crushed her in a group hug, jumping up and down, the three of them squealing and laughing. Hawk took pictures as Damon pushed his way in for a hug, and his grandparents, his mother, and Mitch got in on the fun. With everyone laughing and chatting, Amber looked over their heads, her eyes catching Dash’s, and his heart beat triple time.

  His grandfather slung an arm over his shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”

  He looked at the man who had taught him what being a man really meant and saw the man he wanted to be. “I want to light up the sky for her, Gramps.”

  “Well, son, if anyone can do that, it’s you.”

  DINNER WAS AS loud as ever as they tossed teasing barbs and playful banter. Dash had never heard Amber laugh so much. She and his family got along famously. He’d even caught her talking with his grandfather and Damon about business and to Hawk about the Dark Knights motorcycle club, of which he was a member. His mother must have told him she loved Amber at least a dozen times. He felt the same way about Mitch. It was wonderful to see his mother with a man who looked at her with loving eyes and appreciated the amazing woman she was. Amber had talked with them for a long time about her bookstore. His mother had even tried to convince her to move to Port Hudson and open another one. Dash had seen a glimmer of interest in Amber’s eyes, but he knew she’d never move away from Oak Falls, and after the way her family and the community had rallied around her after her seizure, he would never ask her to.

  Amber raved about his family the whole way home, and as they rode the elevator up to his condo, she was still talking a mile a minute. “It was so nice of your mom to invite me for Thanksgiving. Are you sure you want to spend it with my family? You’ll be just coming off your tour. We can spend it here with your family and then see my family for Christmas. Graham’s brother Zev is getting married over the holidays in Maryland. We could spend Christmas with my family and then go to the wedding together. That is, if you want to. Oh gosh, were you just being nice? Do you want time alone with your family over the holidays?”

  The emotions he’d kept in check all night clawed for release. “Do you have any idea how cute you are when you ramble?” He kissed her jaw, backing her up against the elevator wall, and her eyes darkened. “I want to be with you for the holidays, and I didn’t want you to feel pressure to spend it with mine.” He brushed his nose along her cheek, inhaling her intoxicating scent, unleashing twelve days of pent-up desire. He gripped her hips, kissing the corner of her mouth, earning a long, seductive sigh, her soft curves melting into him. He needed her naked in his arms, and trailed kisses up her neck to her ear, whispering, “I’m happy to do whatever you want.”

  Her fingers dug into his sides, and she rubbed against him like a needy cat. “Kiss me.”

  He crushed his mouth to hers, rougher and greedier than he’d meant to, but she was just as feverish, grabbing at his arms, his back, rocking against his hard length. There was no holding back the passion surging between them as they made out desperate and greedy. He pushed his hands beneath her sweater, branded by the heat of her skin, and sank his teeth into her neck.

  “Yesyesyes.” She went up on her toes, holding his mouth there as the elevator stopped and they stumbled into his condo in a tangle of moans and kisses. She tore her mouth away, panting out, “My luggage.”

  Fuck. His arm shot between the elevator doors, and he hauled her bags into the condo, barely registering Reno watching them.

  “He’s fine.” She pulled his mouth back to hers.

  Fire seared through his veins, desire pounding, swelling, taking over. He kissed her harder, deeper, and she stumbled back, hitting the door with a thud. He broke away, searching her face for pain. “You okay?”

  Without a word, she yanked his mouth back to hers and sucked his tongue into her mouth. Holy fucking hell. His cock wept for her incredible mouth, but he was desperate to be buried deep inside her, to feel their bodies as one. He fumbled with the button on her jeans, and she did the same with his. Shoes and clothing flew, her seizure-alert necklace set aside between hungry kisses and wanton pleas. Finally naked, he lifted her into his arms, lowering her onto his cock. She was so tight, so hot and perfect, he could barely think, and she was moving, grinding, driving him out of his mind. He gripped her hips, matching her every move with one of his own. He captured her mouth, pounding into her. He was going to die right there, buried deep inside her, and he didn’t care, because nothing had ever felt so exquisite. Reality hit him like a sucker punch, and he stilled them both. “Fuuck. Condom. Sorry, baby. Sorry.”

  His body shook with restraint as he grabbed her hips to lift her off, but she tightened her legs around his waist, her nails digging into his shoulders. “I’m on the pill. I swear. I’d never try to trap you like that other girl did. We don’t have to stop.”

  Heart attack averted, a relieved laugh tumbled out. “I know you wouldn’t. That’s the least of my worries. Are you sure?”

  A wicked grin slid across her face. “I’m your wild thing, aren’t I?”

  “Hell yeah you are,” he gritted out, and reclaimed her mouth.

  Sounds of their lovemaking filled the room, flesh against flesh, moans and whimpers, as they lost themselves in each other. Their breaths came faster, their skin growing slick. Dash intensified his efforts, holding her tight against him as he thrust faster, harder, their hearts thundering as one.

  “Don’t stop,” she pleaded, her need driving his.

  He recaptured her mouth, her fingernails digging deeper into his skin, pain and pleasure spiking through him. He fe
lt her muscles tense and knew she was close, his own release gathering inside him like a cyclone, thunder booming, waves churning. She tore her mouth away with a stream of indiscernible sounds, her slick heat tightening around him. Every pulse pushed him closer to the edge, teeth clenched, muscles rigid, hips pumping. Just when he was about to give in, she grabbed his shoulders, catching a second wind, riding him harder, until they surrendered to the pleasures crashing over them. He rasped against her neck, a curse and a plea, as they rode the waves of their love.

  When she went boneless in his arms, her cheek resting on his shoulder, she giggled. “We have our socks on.”

  Socks? He ran his hand down her leg to her ruffled sock. “You know how much I love you in ruffles,” he teased, turning her giggles to full-on laughter, making him laugh, too.

  “We barely made it out of the elevator.” She lifted her head and looked around. “Nice entranceway.” More laughter bubbled out. “Your wild thing has turned into a sex fiend.”

  So fucking cute. “In that case, let me give you the tour of the bedroom.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  AMBER STOOD AT the windows in Dash’s living room as he took a call. They’d had a wonderful morning, sleeping in, taking a long, steamy shower, walking Reno, and making breakfast together. Dash had pulled her into his arms to dance while breakfast was cooking, and she’d tried to teach him a line dance, but they’d ended up laughing and kissing.

  If only they had a week together instead of just the weekend.

  From the safety of his opulent penthouse, with the morning sun reflecting off the windows of other buildings and glittering off the water like diamonds, it was easy to pretend they were far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. She’d love to curl up with Dash on the couch and spend the day locked away from the rest of the world. But they didn’t have more time, and she was excited to see the Big Apple through his eyes. She’d only ventured into the city once while she was at Boyer, when Charlotte and Aubrey had dragged her there. It was loud, exciting, and a little terrifying. But she knew it would look and feel different with Dash.

  She reached down to pet Reno as Dash’s arms circled her from behind. She’d been surprised to see that in addition to dog food, he’d bought Reno bowls with his name on them and toys. He’d even arranged for someone he trusted to walk Reno while they were out. He still hadn’t told her what he’d planned for them, but she’d worn her most comfortable flat-heeled boots.

  “How’s my girl?” his minty breath whispered over her skin.

  She turned in his arms. “How can I be anything but great when I’m here with you?”

  “I was asking myself the same thing.” He kissed her. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Mm-hm.” She crouched to love up Reno, her seizure-alert necklace falling forward as she petted him. She really didn’t need it since she was with Dash, but she felt safer wearing it. “Be a good boy. I love you.”

  Dash petted him, and then they grabbed their jackets and headed downstairs. “That’s our ride,” he said as they stepped outside. Putting his hand on her back, he led her toward a shiny black sedan. A man dressed in a suit was standing by the back door.

  “Our ride? Doesn’t everyone walk or take the subway here?”

  “We’ll walk a bit, but we’ve got a big night ahead of us. I don’t want to tire you out.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I prefer to tire you out when you’re safe and naked in my bed.”

  Her body shuddered with the delicious memories of last night, when he’d done just that.

  “Good morning, Mr. Pennington, Ms. Montgomery,” the man in the suit said as he opened the back door.

  “Good morning.” Amber felt funny having someone drive them around. “You can call me Amber. What’s your name?”

  The driver looked at Dash, who nodded. “Chuck Marx, ma’am.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Chuck. But if you call me ma’am again, you’ll make me feel old.”

  “Sorry, ma—Amber.”

  Amber climbed into the car and scooted over for Dash to get in beside her. As Chuck went around to the driver’s side, she whispered, “We don’t need a driver.”

  “Just go with it.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

  As they drove, the sidewalks and streets became busier. The driver pulled over in front of Strand Bookstore and got out to open the door for them. “We’re going to the Strand?” she asked as they climbed out of the car, knowing the store’s rich history. The city had once been home to a whopping forty-eight bookstores in only a five-block stretch of what was then Fourth Avenue and had been known as Book Row. The Strand, founded in 1927 by a Lithuanian immigrant, was now the only remaining bookstore from Book Row, though it had been moved in the 1950s to its current location on Broadway and Twelfth Street.

  “Just for you, baby. It’s one of the ten most famous bookstores in the world. At some point I’ll take you to see the others in Paris, San Francisco, Venice…”

  “Dash!” She threw her arms around him, her heart sprinting in her chest. She marveled at the famous red awning, boasting 18 MILES OF BOOKS. “Are you sure you want to take me in there? I might never come out.”

  “Sweetheart, if you’re happy, I’m happy. We have all day.”

  As they headed inside, she said, “I’m serious. They have a huge selection of used and rare books.”

  Amber tried to be mindful of their time, but she and Dash were having too much fun. When Dash found out she didn’t own a leather-bound edition of her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice, he insisted on spoiling her with a stunning 1894 trade edition. It had all one-hundred-and-sixty Hugh Thomson illustrations and the beautiful peacock cover. After spending far too long checking out every inch of the store, they picked up a few children’s books for Emma, and Amber bought one of Hawk’s coffee table books despite Dash telling her Hawk would give her one. Hawk’s work was gorgeous, and she liked supporting his efforts.

  When they finally left the store, Chuck was right there waiting to take them to Times Square, where they held hands as they strolled down the sidewalk, admiring the holiday decorations. They bought an adorable outfit for Emma with pink-and-white ruffles around the ankles and wrists, and they stopped at a café for lunch, where they had soup and shared a sandwich. They got hot chocolate to go, and Chuck whisked them away again.

  As they climbed out of the car, Amber spotted an elaborate white horse-drawn carriage ride at the end of the street. “Dash, look.”

  “Your chariot awaits, sweetheart.”

  “My chariot?” She looked at the carriage again, then back at Dash, her heart skipping a beat. “Really?”

  “You’ve walked, and now we rest, while enjoying a ride through Central Park.” He drew her closer, holding his hot chocolate in his other hand, and kissed her. “I told you I’d take care of you.”

  “You are the best, most romantic and caring man I’ve ever met, and you’re spoiling me rotten.” She went up on her toes to kiss him, and too excited to stand still, she took his hand, pulling him down the sidewalk. “Come on!”

  They ran for the carriage, holding their hot chocolates out in front of them. Thank goodness for lids. They cuddled close in the carriage, sipping their warm drinks, serenaded by the clip-clop of the horse’s feet and the voices of people in the park. Amber rested her head on Dash’s shoulder, feeling like they were miles away from the real world. The city wasn’t scary at all today. It was thrilling and fun, and he really was making sure she didn’t get tired out. She imagined traveling with him to see all the famous bookstores. Oh, how she wanted that, to take life by the horns with the man she loved, going places she never thought she’d want to go.

  She gazed up at him, seeing flashes of him in the stores in Times Square where they’d tried on funny hats, and picked out Emma’s outfit. It was so easy to picture a future together, planning a family, picking out outfits for their own kids, taking them on a horse-drawn carriage. She was getting ahead of herself, but it felt
so right, she didn’t want to stop the fantasy.

  “What are you thinking about, beautiful?”

  Oh, just marrying you, that’s all. “That every time we’re together I think it’s the best time of my life, and then you top it with the next one.”

  “Just you wait, sweetheart. We still have a ball to attend.” He kissed her. “I really wanted to call you Cinderella just then, but your life is not anything like hers.”

  “I could be Belle. She loved books.”

  “That’d make me a bad beast who locked you in a castle. I’m not digging that.”

  She laughed. “How about we make our own fairy tale?”

  “Like Dash and the Wildest Thing? Or Dash and the Bookish Vixen?”

  “I’m not sure I want anyone reading about me being wild or a vixen. How about Amberella and the Dashing Prince or The Dashing Prince and the Bookish Belle?”

  “Baby, you can call us anything you want, as long as I get to call you mine.”

  WHEN THEY GOT back to Dash’s penthouse, they took Reno for a walk, and then they looked through the things they’d bought. Amber held up the outfit for Emma. “She’s going to look adorable in this.”

  “She’d look cute in anything, but I am partial to ruffles these days.”

  Thanks to him, she was much fonder of them lately, too. She’d even bought panties with tiny ruffles on them to wear to the fundraiser tonight beneath the elegant old-Hollywood style gown she’d bought from Jillian. “I hope Brindle doesn’t mind the ruffles. She’s not as girlie as I am.” She folded the outfit and put it back in the bag. “I can’t wait to have babies and buy them cute little outfits. I picture little girls in frilly dresses and boys in tiny jeans and boots. Or maybe the girls will be tomboys and the boys will be feminine. I don’t care either way. I’ll love them to pieces.”

  He ran a hand down her back. “You’ll be an amazing mom. How many kids do you want to have?”