A round of applause alerted her that Joshua was finished and headed her way. She glanced up in time to see several women surround him, blocking his path to her. Joshua looked at her over their heads, a pleading look upon his face.
Devra arched a brow. Do you want something, handsome?
I want you to come and claim me as yours in front of these women.
Devra's body instantly awakened. His words sank into her body, burrowing deep and hooking in, forever. Rising from her chair, Devra sauntered over to the little get-together and pushed her way through until she stood in front of Joshua.
Without taking her eyes off him, Devra said, “I'm sorry, ladies, but this man is mine.”
Heat flared in Joshua's eyes along with admiration and a hint of amusement.
Isn't that what you wanted, love?
He smiled. Oh yes! That's definitely what I wanted.
Devra heard the grumbles and mutterings of the women behind her as they left but didn't care. She had everything she wanted right here in front of her. Rising on her tiptoes, Devra pressed a tender kiss to his lips.
“I love you, Devra.”
“And I love you, Joshua.”
Wrapping his arm around her, Joshua pulled her into his side and guided her back to the table. For the rest of the evening they laughed, talked about their childhood escapades and made plans to go out again the next weekend. Joshua watched Devra listen intently to the stories his father wove. True stories with a wee bit of exaggeration. But what did it truly matter in the scheme of things? All that mattered was that the woman he loved was beside him and that his parents and friends seemed to love her almost as much as he did.
Epilogue
Several months later…
“He's gonna kill me. That's all there is to it,” Devra muttered. She looked at her watch and groaned. She was late to the party. The one they were supposed to be giving together. That only this morning she'd promised Joshua she'd be on time for. But that was before she'd gone to work and Bob had called her into his office. He had a big story for her, he'd said. One that only she could do. One thing led to another and before she knew it, the day was gone and she was late. She finally turned into the drive and headed toward the house, her mouth gaping when she saw all the cars parked out front.
“Holy moly.” She put her car in park and quickly got out. Running up the steps, she'd just about made it to the door when it suddenly opened and there he stood. She skidded to a halt. She sighed. “I know. I know. I'm late.” She finger-combed her hair and straightened her jacket. “Can you rail at me later? I'm sure we have a house full of guests.”
She moved to go past him but was stopped when he put his hand on her arm. She looked up and saw a half-smile on his lips and a flash of fire in his eyes. “Aren't you forgetting something?”
Oops. She turned toward him, stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. “Hello, lover.”
He licked her lips and grinned. “Hello yourself, baby.”
Her nipples instantly hardened beneath her jacket, and her vagina clenched with desire. He did that every time. Every single time he kissed her, it aroused her hunger.
She grabbed his jacket and yanked him close, their lips only an inch apart. “Be careful, lover. I would hate to embarrass you in front of our friends and family.” She nipped his bottom lip and then soothed it with her tongue.
His hand snaked between them and covered her breast. “Same here.” She leaned into his touch, feeling it all the way down to her toes. After a minute she straightened and pushed away. “Okay, okay. You've made your point. Let's go.”
They entered the house and circled the room, greeting everyone. She spotted Damon in the corner, a sour look on his face, his eyes focused on a pretty brunette across the room. Sadness swept through her when she thought of him and his countless women. She wished he would find his mate. The perfect woman for him, one who would knock him on his ass. She chuckled. Yep, a woman who didn't bow to his wishes and made him work for it.
“Here you go, beautiful.” She smiled and turned to find Joshua standing there, desire and something else flashing in his eyes and a glass of champagne in each hand.
“Is everything okay?” she took the glass and sipped, the bubbles tickling her nose and throat.
“Sure, everything is fine.” He raised his glass in salute and drank. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close then turned to face the crowd. Clearing his throat he said, “Excuse me. Could I have your attention please?”
The room got quiet and she wondered what the heck he was up to. “I love you,” he whispered and then he went down on one knee.
Her eyes widened, and her mouth gaped. Embarrassed, she looked around the room “What are you doing? Get up.”
He shook his head and reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. She held her breath. Surely that wasn't what she thought it was. Was it?
With a smile he flipped open the lid. Inside was the most beautiful emerald and diamond ring she had ever seen. She watched him remove the ring from the box and grasp her left hand. He slid the ring on her finger, kissed her knuckle and looked up.
“Will you marry me? Live with me, love me, have babies with me—for the rest of our days?”
Tears filled her eyes. The man she loved was down on his knees in front of family and friends with a sparkling diamond ring asking her to marry him. What was she supposed to say?
His male chuckle flooded her mind. You could say yes.
She smiled, tears streaming down her face and said, “Yes.”
He stood, grabbed her up in his arms and swung her around. His lips found hers and he kissed her with all the love he felt for her. His tongue slipped between her lips and she moaned, sucking him in, sinking into his heat, his taste.
I love you, Devra.
I love you, too.
The sound of applause broke them apart. Devra glanced around the room and spotted Susan. The two shared a smile before Susan turned her attention elsewhere. Devra tried to see what Susan was looking at but with the crush of people it was impossible. It was probably a man. Her next conquest.
“What are you thinking about, love?” Joshua asked.
“Just wondering who Susan's next boy toy will be.”
“Her boy toy? Is that what you women call us now days?”
Devra shifted her body bringing herself flush against Joshua. “I would definitely call you my toy. Wouldn't you?”
He groaned. “Okay, honey, you win.” He paused. “For now.” Then he brought his lips down on hers and all thoughts of Susan were forgotten.
* * * *
Damon tossed back his third vodka straight up and set his glass on the mantel. He still couldn't believe that Joshua and Devra had invited him to their engagement party. Secretly he was glad. He didn't want to lose Joshua's friendship. Damon still didn't know why he had accosted Devra over the phone. Maybe he'd wanted Joshua to come and kill him. It sure as hell would be better than his existence as it was now. He rubbed his forehead with his hand, closing his eyes against the dull ache there. Damn! How much had he drunk? His kind didn't tolerate liquor well. That's why they weren't supposed to drink more than a glass or so, and certainly not the hard stuff he'd been tossing back for the past half hour.
Damon glanced over at Joshua and Devra once more, their happiness like a bright light surrounding them. He had to get out of here. Now! He had taken one step when his mind was flooded with thoughts. Dirty, naughty thoughts. Damon stopped and glanced around the room looking for the culprit. It had to be Joshua, or Roarke, or both. No one else could touch his mind. He sensed nothing from either of them, so he shrugged it off.
He'd had too much to drink. It was definitely time to go.
He hadn't taken more than two more steps toward the door when a wave of heat hit his body, bringing his cock to full alert. What the hell was going on here?
Damon stood stock-still and waited. He didn't have to wait long.
God, wh
at I wouldn't give to strip that man naked and ride his cock all night long. Mmm … he's so delicious looking.
Damon latched onto the thought and followed the strand back to a gorgeous blonde standing not five feet away from him. Damon narrowed his eyes and sent a thought to her.
Come and get me, baby!
He watched her eyes widen in shock before she gained control again. She smiled a sexy come-hither smile and arched a brow.
No, you come and get me, big boy.
That was it! That was all the encouragement he needed. But something niggled in the back of his mind. She could touch his mind, talk to him like a true mate. How was that possible? To hell with it, he'd think about it later. Right now he had only one thing on his mind. Her, riding his cock all night long. He put his shoulders back and walked toward his gorgeous blonde destiny.
The End
About the Author:
MacKenzie Reed just loves to create characters, put them in sticky situations and watch the sparks fly. Writing has been a life-long dream for MacKenzie, and when she was in high school, she wrote a continuing story and her mother thought it was good. Looking at it now, MacKenzie laughs and says, “What was I thinking?”
She enjoys writing, taking care of her family, and chocolate. Strange list to be sure, but that's the way it goes. Her first title was a short story called The Magic of Passion in Liquid Silver Books' AFTERNOON DELIGHTS Anthology. Haunting Melody is her first novel.
She loves to hear from readers! Email her at [email protected]
We invite you to visit Liquid Silver Books
http://lsbooks.com
for other exciting literary erotica romances.
Weekend Games—Chris Tanglen
Destiny's Magick—Rae Morgan
Love Lessons—Vanessa Hart
Portal—Sydney Morgann
Bittersweet—Louisa Trent
Business or Pleasure…or Both?—Rae Morgan and Jasmine Haynes
And many, many more!!
Haunting Melody Page 16