by Kait Gamble
Table of Contents
Legal Page
Title Page
Book Description
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
New Excerpt
About the Author
Publisher Page
A Totally Bound Publication
Grind
ISBN # 978-1-78430-436-2
©Copyright Kait Gamble 2015
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright February 2015
Edited by Faith Bicknell-Brown
Totally Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2015 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
Warning:
This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Sizzling and a Sexometer of 3.
The Long Way Round
GRIND
Kait Gamble
Book one in the Long Way Round series
Can Jason convince Cara to go from being lovers to something more?
Commitment phobic Cara Witchai loves her life the way it is—especially her no-strings-attached relationship with long-time lover Jason. But when Jason blurts out a marriage proposal, it throws Cara into a tailspin. How can Jason convince her to stay?
Cara, a successful restauranteur, prefers to be in charge of her life. She’s done a great job of it so far. She has a wonderful friend, a restaurant where customers need reservations months in advance to get a table and she has a man who fits into her life without taking over. She can get on with her life while still having fantastic sex and not have to worry about maintaining a relationship that will eventually fall apart. It’s bliss, as far as she’s concerned.
Jason has other ideas for his latest visit to see Cara. They’ve dated in the past, but after breaking up, their arrangement has evolved into a mutually satisfying meet every few months. They understand each other and are happy in and out of bed. However, neither has pushed for anything more. Jason wants to take things further, so he must convince Cara that they make the perfect couple.
His plan—use every weapon in his arsenal. Money, his command over her body. Whatever it takes.
Dedication
For Niki and Gord, who have all this love stuff figured out.
Chapter One
Pride. It was the first feeling Cara Witchai could describe in her chest every time she looked at her elegant, book-three–months-in-advance Thai fusion restaurant. Then it was happiness, fulfillment—and a little more pride.
After four years and too many sleepless nights picking every pattern carved into the polished teak that lined the walls and fine-tuning every item on the menu, the sounds of people dining and enjoying it now filled the restaurant. A complete success, if she was any judge.
Smiling, she turned to the reservations stacked on her screen when she heard the door open. A quick scan told her that there was nothing available, as she’d expected. She recited her well-practiced greeting easily before she even looked up. “Welcome to Dao. Unfortunately, we’re all booked up for the evening…”
“I guess I’ll just find a hotdog stand then.”
The voice immediately set her body humming as she met his electric gaze and megawatt smile. “Jason!”
A quick sidestep of the teak desk and he wrapped her in his strong arms. Inhaling his addictive scent mingled with whatever cologne he wore, she asked, “When did you get in?” She shifted back to look at him. Not that she needed to. She could remember every inch of him in great detail, right from the top of the jagged peaks of his dirty blond hair down to the brand of boxer briefs he preferred to wear under his tailored suits. That sexy groan he made whenever she ran her nails over the hard muscles of his back…
“Not long ago. Came straight over from the airport thinking I could enjoy something from the best restaurant in town, but it looks like everyone else had the same idea.” He scanned the bustling room with sky-blue eyes before returning his gaze to her. He let his hand drift down her arm to capture hers. “Congratulations.”
Cara squeezed his fingers. “I didn’t do it alone. If you hadn’t helped me out in the beginning, I’d never have made it this far.”
Jason leaned in to peck her on the cheek, before whispering, “Are you kidding me? This is all you.”
Heat climbed into her face and settled in her cheeks. It was hard to tramp down the impulse to drag him into her office and tear the suit off that amazing body. Unfortunately, the heat fizzled a bit when she saw the golden head of her best friend and hostess appear at the door leading to the kitchen. Though she did nothing to disturb the diners, Cara could tell something was up from the pinched expression on her friend’s face.
Cara gave Jason an apologetic smile. “Duty calls. Go ahead and relax in my office. I’ll have Chelsea bring you something.”
He kissed her again, this time brushing his lips over hers. “No rush.” With a wink, he sauntered off toward the back of the building.
A woman at a nearby table caught Cara’s eye and smirked suggestively as she saluted Cara with her wine.
Cara’s lips curved as she thought of the wicked things he could do that would warrant such a look. “Oh, you have no idea.” With an anticipatory little shiver and a sigh, she headed for the kitchen to see what was going on.
The scene waiting for her in the gleaming white kitchen wasn’t unusual, just something she could do without and had to deal with too often.
Her tall head chef stalked the kitchen, growling at his sous chef, Marco, while the wait staff and the rest of the kitchen staff watched on helplessly.
Cara nudged her friend. “What’s going on, Chelsea?” All she could make out were the words ‘too much’, ‘imbecile’ and ‘overcooked’. The rest was a wild blend of Italian and English that was pretty much incomprehensible.
Chelsea rolled her big green eyes. “Daniel is freaking out about his talent being wasted or something.”
“What did Marco do this time?” The countless arguments rattled through her head. Could there be anything new to argue about?
“What makes you think it was Marco?”
Cara snorted at Chelsea’s attempt at levity. “It’s always Marco.” Cara eased her way past the small crowd gathered around the two men. Daniel and his sous chef had a complicated relationship that reminded Cara of a lion waiting for a sign of weakness from the alpha so that he could depose of him. Currently the cub and the alpha were circling each other as if they were going to end it right there.
They were the complete opposite of the relationship she had with Chelsea. They had known each other since the second year of university and had been close friends from the moment they’
d discovered their shared love of food and science fiction. They had grown apart over the last few years. But, after a disastrous relationship blow-up, she moved back and Cara hired her as a hostess to help out.
Cara turned to Chelsea, not forgetting the promise she’d made to the man waiting. “Jason’s in my office. Could you bring him a bottle of the white then take over at the door?”
Chelsea saluted with a grin. “On my way.”
One job down, Cara approached the irate chef and ignored Marco for the time being. Brilliant was the only word she could use to describe her chef. Beautiful and a little high-strung would be the next ones that came to mind. But he wasn’t unreasonable. “Daniel, calm down.”
The dark-haired man tore his chef’s hat off his head and whipped it around like a weapon. “I can’t take this anymore, Cara!”
She put a hand gently on his shoulder. “What happened?”
He gestured wildly around him. “He’s trying to ruin the food! And my reputation!”
Marco, who didn’t seem to care that he was a head shorter or that he was technically the subordinate, stabbed the air in front of him with his forefinger. “Lies! I was making the tom yum fried rice better!”
Cara put up her hands before things got physical. “Marco, you are sous chef. Daniel’s in charge. If you want to make changes, you have to run them by Daniel first. And if not him, then me. If I have to say this one more time, I’ll have to find a permanent solution.” She looked from one to the other, making sure that her point had been made. “Now, there are people outside waiting for the fabulous food this kitchen creates and we aren’t going to disappoint them. So, everyone back to work.”
Daniel, to his credit, didn’t say anything, but gave Cara a nod in thanks before returning to his station. Marco looked annoyed but contrite, so she felt better about leaving them to their own devices. For now.
“You handled that well.”
Jason’s voice made her turn around.
She shooed him out of the kitchen and back into the office. “You learn to deal with it when it happens every other week. I was insane to put them in the same kitchen. Separate, they are amazing. You’d think together they could learn to be spectacular.”
Cara closed the door quietly behind them, trying to get her mind off kitchen politics. All thoughts fled when Jason closed his strong hands on her waist, spun her around and pushed her back against the hard wood, enveloping her in his embrace.
“I can think of two other people who are spectacular together,” he rasped against her neck between gentle nips. “Think your staff can handle a few hours without the boss?”
“They can.” It was more a question of if the boss could handle being away from the staff. But with the type of persuasion Jason was using, it was a miracle she managed to get those two words out, let alone worry about anything else.
Capturing her hands in one of his, he pressed them above her head, leaving her defenseless against his lips, his tongue, his teeth and the clever fingers of his free hand. As much as she’d love to jump him immediately, she had something else planned.
“My apartment would be better.”
“Here.” He tugged down the already low front of her dress and closed his hot mouth over the exposed nipple, laving it with his tongue before drawing back and smiling wickedly. “Now.” He lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist, leaving her open so he could grind himself against her.
“Jason…” She moaned. What was left of Cara’s resolve was rapidly evaporating, so she made one last attempt. “We’d have all night if we go back to my apartment. No disturbances. And we’d have a bed.”
He groaned mid-lick of her collarbone. She could feel the tension thrumming through him as he weighed the options. Jason nipped her neck, slowly moving back down to her breasts, lingering at one then the other long enough to make her start to question the wisdom of waiting. Then, finally, he hummed in acquiescence. “Let’s go. I’ve got a car waiting outside.”
Released from his grasp, Cara almost crumpled boneless to the floor. Jason anticipated it and caught her against him again as he righted her clothes and his. “I’ll be outside.” After another biting kiss, he buttoned up his jacket, hiding his very evident erection then he was gone.
Cara’s head reeled and her senses clamored for more. It was always the same between them. Since they’d first met in college, their chemistry was combustible. It was so good that they’d kept in touch over the years, though it wasn’t just the mind-blowing sex that kept them coming back for more. No one else seemed to get her the way he did and vice versa. Only the topic of forever never came up, which was just fine with her. But now this was his third visit in the past two months. Cara knew he was a busy man and that showing up the way he did had to cost him. So then why? Things were fine the way they were before, when he showed up randomly. She actually preferred it.
But he was here now and she was going to enjoy it.
She straightened her dress and ran her fingers uselessly through her hair. It was pointless. She could change into a completely new outfit right now, but one look at her and anyone with eyes would see what they’d been up to. Cara fiddled anyway. She needed to take a moment to catch her breath and slow her pulse.
Once her knees had stopped wobbling, she casually made her way to the front of the restaurant where Chelsea manned the phone.
With a knowing smirk, she asked innocently, “Heading out early tonight?”
Cara ignored the leer. “You think you can handle things without me for the rest of the night?”
“You know we can. You need to take a break. And if the look on the face of your man is anything to go by, you’re in for one hell of a break.”
There was no question of that.
Chelsea shook her head. “I don’t know why you just don’t snatch him up. Take him off the market before someone else does.”
“It’s not like that.” She hated trying to defend their arrangement—even more, trying to define it. It was what it was, and she liked it that way.
Her long-time friend wasn’t done. “All I know is you two haven’t been able to keep your hands off each other since we were first years. And now he blows in here once every few months and for those few days, you look like the happiest woman alive.” She crossed her arms. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Cara didn’t know what to say. She knew that she enjoyed his visits. Looked forward to them, even. She didn’t realize they made her happy enough for everyone to notice. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Nope. You’re taking the weekend off.”
”Chelsea, I can’t.” Guilt stabbed at Cara’s gut, not only because she was the boss but also because she knew what Chelsea had been through the past few months.
“You can and you will. We’re more than capable of dealing with anything that comes our way. If something comes up that I can’t handle, I’ll call you.” Chelsea narrowed her eyes. “And if you’re worried about the other stuff that I don’t want to talk about, don’t be. I’ll be fine. Besides, work will do me good.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. Now go lock yourself away with that man. Have enough fun for the both of us.” Her friend grinned lasciviously.
Twist my rubber arm. Cara knew they could handle themselves but she just liked to be on top of things. Apparently, this weekend she was going to be on top of something much more pleasant than inventory and spats between her staff. “I guess there isn’t much else to say. I’ll see you Monday.”
The shrewd curve of her friend’s lips was almost enough to make her cringe, but thoughts of being skin to skin with Jason burned away the embarrassment with a flush of excitement.
She nodded at Chelsea and walked out into the cool evening air. As he said he would be, Jason was waiting for her, casually propped up by a sleek black limo. Without a word, he took her hand, helped her in then followed to settle next to her.
Cara’s entire nervous system buzzed with anticipation. Sitting barely a breat
h apart, their thighs brushed whenever the car’s turns shifted them but that was enough to send shockwaves of sensation through her.
A side-glance at him gave her the impression that he was completely unfazed by the contact. That was until she reached his tense jaw and clenched hands.
The privacy partition was up between them and the driver, so there wasn’t much chance of being seen or heard.
Cara shifted closer and nipped the rough ridge of Jason’s chin on her way up to his ear. “What are you waiting for?”
In a flash, he dragged Cara into his arms and, with a twist, flipped her beneath him. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
She wriggled against his very impressive erection. “Oh, I think I have an idea.”
He pressed harder against her so she could feel every inch of him. “I think we should play this my way.”
Cara loved letting him have his way. She’d give just as good as she got in return—which, from his reaction, he enjoyed as much as she did.
“Oh, really?”
Jason grinned slyly as he slowly skimmed his hands up her legs, her dress traveling up with his hands. “How about we play a game?”
“What kind of game?” Cara hooked a leg around his hip.
The car swerved around a corner, the movement crushing them closer together as he dropped his mouth to her neck. “I want you to stay as quiet as you can.”
Cara could hear her pulse in her ears, feel it in her throat. “While you do what?” His touch inched upward and she knew exactly what he had in mind.
He slipped his fingers past the scrap of silk that was her panties and eased into her, eliciting a gasp then a moan as he began to move them. When she mewled, his movement ceased. “Not a sound or I stop.”