Passionate Kisses 2 Boxed Set: Love in Bloom

by Magda Alexander

  “Hey, Fern,” he said before going down the hallway to his room.

  “Yes, Rally?”

  “I have a friend in town and need some place to take this…” he paused. Should he tell her it was a woman? Not yet. Mom knowing was one thing. Not Fern. He continued, “Person. Is there any place you recommend?”

  “I’d suggest Tom McCall Waterfront Park if it wasn’t raining. Such a pretty place for a walk and picnic. Your friend would enjoy the scenery.” The park she suggested was called The Waterfront by locals. Fern always gave him a chuckle when she insisted on calling everything by the formal name. She was right about the park though. It stretched for miles along the river that divided the city’s east and west sides.

  “We just ran a few miles. Walking is out of the question.” He shook his wet hair. “And I’ve already gotten rained on enough today. Anything else?”

  “There’s a coffee shop on the east side of the river. Great food and drinks there. What’s that kind of music? You know, upbeat and mostly instruments?”

  “Jazz, maybe?”

  She snapped her fingers. “That’s it. They play great jazz there. Right outside of the coffee house is a flower cart. Grab your friend a bouquet.” A slow smile spread over her mouth. Damn, she knew that he was seeing a woman. He might as well tell her… later, after his date.

  “Thanks, Fern. I’ll let you know if you I’m going to run late. If that happens, do you mind making dinner for Addison?”

  “Not at all.” She picked Addison up. “I love this little bugger.”

  Seeing the affection between his nanny and Addison warmed his heart. How could he ask for more than that? Before he met Grace, he didn’t. Now that he has experienced the affection of a loving woman, the kisses of a seductress, and the caresses of a lover. And all three of those came in one package named Grace Avery.

  Already missing her, he hurried into his room and slipped out of his workout clothes before pulling some jeans and a button up shirt from the closet. Once dressed, he slid on his dress shoes and then went into his private bathroom where he fixed his hair and brushed his teeth for the second time that day.

  Twenty minutes later he pulled up in front of the Grace’s hotel. The rain had paused for a little bit, letting her walk casually outside. She looked stylish in her tight jeans, heels, and sweater. A shy smile peeked at the corners of her mouth as she approached the car.

  “I think you’re looking for me,” she said as he went around the car to her side, opening the door.

  “I do believe so. Glad I finally found you.” He tried hard to keep his hands off of her and get back into the car. How was he going to sit across the table with her, enjoying a cup of coffee and a snack when he only wanted to hold her whenever she was with him? He gripped the steering wheel as he drove, trying to keep focused on driving instead of her in the seat next to his. He wanted her so bad his blood bubbled through the desire boiling inside of him.

  She put her hand on his shoulder. “No kissing me hello?”

  He shook his head. “Can’t right now.”

  They pulled up to a red light, giving her the opportunity to say, “You’re not driving right this second, you can kiss me now.”

  He shook his head again. “Nope.”

  Her mouth fell into a frown. “Why not? Does my attraction fade in the short time we were apart?”

  “Hell no,” he said, his voice gruff.

  “Then what is the problem, Rally?”

  He pulled into the parking lot and shut the car off before answering. “You really want to know?”

  Her answer was a short nod of her gorgeous head.

  He turned in his seat as much as the steering wheel allowed. “If I kiss you right now, I won’t be able to stop. You don’t know how much I want you… in every way.” Heat crept over his cheeks as he stared her in the eyes. He tried to push away any embarrassment that the blushing brought on. “I want to slip my hands up your shirt, to feel your skin. Your heat…. under my fingertips. I want to take you back to your room, undress you, and feel your body underneath mine.” He gulped down the ball of desire that clogged his throat. “I can barely keep my hands to myself. Now should we go in for a drink?”

  She stared at him with wide eyes, blinking slowly. He’d shocked her. Good. Now she knew how much her presence in his life had shocked him. They could finally move forward. As if in a daze, she slowly opened the door. Without a word spoken all the way up the large set of stairs and inside of the coffee house, they found a small table in the corner and each took a chair facing each other.

  He wanted to wait for her to speak first since she hadn’t said a single word after his spew of sexual desires but didn’t want the awkwardness to linger between them another second. “Please relax. I’d apologize for what I said, but I’m not sorry. You needed to hear all of that.” Maybe not all of it but most, for sure.

  Chapter Seven

  The coffee shop was small with round tables large enough to fit two people. The room appeared even smaller with the tables positioned around a display of musical instruments. Several people sat at the various tables, all facing the area where the band played. Grace sat at their table in the far corner, waiting for the barista to bring over their beverages. A café latte for her and a white chocolate mocha for Rally.

  She didn’t say anything, just sat there, wondering what was going to happen next in each aspect of her life. Quitting her job and telling Ray to shove the promotion up his ass sat in the back of her mind. Her departure from a city she was growing to love weakened her heart. But Rally’s advances, his touches, and his smile sat at the forefront. She’d taken one simple trip here to get a stinking article and now her life was spiraling out of control. Maybe by the time she arrived in California again she’d be jobless and have a boyfriend.

  The waitress balanced a tray on one hand, setting down his steaming cup of yumminess in front of him first and then Grace’s drink. She swirled the straw before taking a sip, enjoying the bitterness of the coffee.

  Rally took a drink, and said, “This is good.”

  She nodded. His eyes glittered with something she hadn’t seen before. Insecurity? If so, she’d made that emotion alive within him. That should never be there. She also saw love reflected with hope staring back at her. She’d lit something in him that hadn’t been there on the first day they’d met. Grace Avery made Rally feel raw emotions. And he wasn’t the only one. Every word he’d said was a reflection of her own hunger for him.

  “Rally.” One simple word filled with so much need.

  He set his cup on the table and leaned back, gearing up for whatever words she threw at him. “Yes?”

  “You’re joking about going to my room, but I’m serious. Will you go back to my hotel room with me?”

  His eyes widened as he scooted his chair back from the table, rising to his feet. “Yes!”

  She motioned to the chair. “Drink your coffee first. I meant when we are finished here.”

  A slow burning smile turned into a sweltering grin. “Of course you meant that. Sorry.”

  “Do you go back to the gym tomorrow?” She’d be there, trying to get more features for her articles. Going with another publication looked better and better all the time.

  “Yes. I also have a meeting with my manager earlier in the morning.”

  “Felix?”

  “No. Felix is my trainer. My manager handles my match schedule, set up appearances, and gets me sponsorships.”

  Heat swam over her cheeks. She should’ve known that information. Hell, she should have his manager on speed dial just because she was a journalist. Where was her brain at? Certainly not in this game. She sighed as she lifted the cup to her lips. Before taking a sip, she said, “Of course.”

  A band, all dressed in black slacks and button down shirts with silver accented vests and matching hats, entered the coffee shop and went straight to the instruments. They checked the instruments before a strong jazz melody filled the room. Grace let her mind
empty of her problems and just enjoyed each note that floated out to her as if the music was one warm hug after another. She glanced at Rally, who nodded his head with the beat of the music. Her heart swelled at the contentment that had taken over him. One glance in his direction and he caught her staring.

  He leaned closer to her, giving her the opportunity to hear him over the music. “Want to dance with me?” He held a hand out to her.

  “Here? There’s no room.”

  His breath was hot against her ear when he said, “There’s always room. Come on.” He pulled her to her feet and led her to the edge of where the band played. The music changed to a slower ballad. The drummer, the closest band member to them, nodded his head to them as Rally wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. His heat radiated off his body, his passion flooded into her as they swayed to the music. A few more couples joined them on the makeshift dance floor. She lowered her head to his shoulder, gently pressing her lips to his hot skin. His fingertips slid under the hem of her sweater, making tiny circles on the small of her back. Desire pulsate through her. She couldn’t wait until later to have more of this man. She wanted him with every inch of her body.

  Before the song ended, she grabbed him by the hand, and whispered, “Let’s go now.”

  He didn’t say a word as he followed her out. Nervousness bit at her stomach, but she pushed each tingle away. There wasn’t anything wrong with taking a man-this man-back to her hotel room. Rally wasn’t some stranger she met on the street. There was something different about him… something she adored and couldn’t find the will power to deny herself. This was the right decision.

  He opened the passenger door for her to slip through and shut it once she was safely buckled in. When he joined her in the car, she slid her hand over his denim covered thigh. Before, she’d kept the contact sweet by giving him a gentle caress right above his knee. Not this time. Her hand moved closer to where his jeans creased. Close enough to tease a hard-on but far enough away to make him groan with need.

  “Jesus, Grace.” His voice came out in a gruff response.

  She smiled sweetly at him as if she wasn’t doing anything naughty at all. Her hand moved closer to his hidden gift. “Yes?”

  “You’re killing me, woman. Damn.” He put his hand on her shoulder and played with the collar of her sweater, occasionally letting his fingers dip underneath. “You’re hotel is too far away.”

  “What are you suggesting, Rally?” The sweetness was gone, letting the lust raging through her fill her voice.

  “My windows are tinted, but I’m about to have you for dessert. There’s no way it can happen in my car. Some day. Not right now.” He pressed on the gas and flew down the city streets.

  Minutes later, they rushed down the hall to her room. One slip of the key card and they were finally, totally alone together. No boxers hitting punching bags around them. No people sipping coffee and chatting. Nothing to keep their hands off each other.

  She leaned against the door and stared up at him, mesmerized by his chiseled jawline, the seriousness of his dark eyes, and the smooth, tanned skin. Her hands were folded against her stomach. She waited patiently for him to make the first move. He slid his hand through his short hair and broke eye contact. Cute. She made him nervous now that they were behind closed doors and only a few feet away from a bed. Desire sizzled between them. One move toward the other to break the ice was all that was needed before things turned naughty in a snap. The question remained; would she step forward or would he?

  “I thought you were hungry for some dessert.” Still wanting him to make the first move, she kept her voice even as he returned his gaze back to her.

  “I do. I’m just enjoying this moment with you. Once we go to that bed, everything will change between us. We can’t ever redo this moment.” His gaze traveled down to her lips. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Heat radiated across her cheeks. “Thank you.” She ran her fingers through her hair and let her fingertips trace the curve of her neck, drawing his attention. She pictured his lips on her heated skin, tasting her. If only he came forward two steps, they’d be against each other just as they should be.

  “Are you ready for this thing between us to change?” He unfastened the top button of his shirt.

  She nodded, taking one high heel off and kicking it to the side. And then the other followed. “I am. You?”

  Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he unbuttoned the rest of his shirt, slid his arms out, and tossed it to the side. Not the first time she’d seen his chest, but certainly the most exciting. Now she could touch him, trace her tongue over the grooved muscles to his most private area… She undid the top button of her jeans and slid her finger over her flat abdomen to entice him. He didn’t move forward yet. Damn, he had the resistance of a statue.

  “You make me crazy, you know?” His voice deepened.

  She inched her jeans lower on her hips. “Really? I can’t tell.” Turning her back to him, she shoved the denim all the way down to her knees, revealing her dark purple thong. She bent over long enough to pull the jeans off her legs, but before she had a chance to stand upright again, his large hands grabbed her waist and pulled her ass against him. His erection pressed against her with only the thin material of his boxers separating them.

  “Holy hell, Grace, you sure know how to get what you want.”

  She leaned against him, taking one of his hands in hers and placing his fingers on her hard nipple. “And I want you.”

  His lips were scorching against her neck. Her nipples puckered even more, if that was possible. She moaned underneath his caresses. Aching to touch him, she reached behind her for his dick. She fumbled as she shoved his jeans the rest of the way down and then his boxers, freeing his throbbing rod. He pulled way long enough to turn her around. Desire rumbled through her like a winter storm. Scooping her against his body, her legs wrapped around his waist. He centered her against his erection, letting his rod probe against her clit. One thrust, two, three. On the fourth thrust across her hot folds, he tipped her just right to allow entry, sending her skyrocketing into pleasure. She grasped his shoulders as her back hit the wall. He pumped into her, she clung to him. Desire flooded her as he moaned her name. His large hands cupped her ass, driving deeper inside of her. Her core threatened to explode around him.

  “More,” she whispered. “Give me more, Rally.”

  “Oh my god,” he groaned as shudders racked his body. He held her to him, sweat slicking their bodies. Resting her head against his shoulder, she breathed his hormone induced scent in and then exhaled. Sex and cologne. The perfect mix on a man. Not that she had a lot of experience.

  After a few minutes of a comfortable silence, he lowered her to the floor. “Perfect in every way,” he said before giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

  She giggled. “Me? Or the sex?”

  “Can I pick both options?”

  “Of course you can. I’ll be back in a minute.” She eyed her hotel room as she stepped over some discarded clothes from earlier when she’d tried picking out her outfit. Maybe she should’ve cleaned up a bit first. The maid had been in but only shoved Grace’s dirty clothes into one corner of the room, changed the bedding, and threw away the trash. Apparently her hotel was one that conserved energy by not changing the towels every day. At least the housekeeper had folded the cream colored towels that had been tossed carelessly on the floor that morning after Grace’s shower and placed them back on the bathroom towel rack. She never pretended to be the cleanest person on the planet. Truth be told, she was downright messy. And only now, she felt ashamed of her not-so-good trait. She blushed as she finished her bathroom activities and went back out into the room, eyeing the pile of laundry again.

  “Sorry about the mess, but the bathroom is yours.”

  “Don’t even worry about it. You should see my room when I travel.” He ducked into the bathroom and left the door open. Water ran for a few minutes and then shut off. The toilet flushed. Apparent
ly he felt more comfortable there with her than she would’ve guessed. While he was in the bathroom, she took the time to slip into a pair of shorts and her old t-shirt with “Boxers United Magazine” printed on the front. Her father had given it to her as a gift before she’d gotten hired as Ray’s assistant. She leaned back on the pillows and waited for that gorgeous man to join her.

  He smiled as he came into the room. His eyes glittered with mischief as he sauntered over to the bed and climbed under the comforter with her. “It’s nice to finally make it to bed with you.”

  She giggled. “I agree.” Placing her finger tips under his chin, she brought him close for her a kiss. “Thanks for coming.”

  “So, Grace Avery, tell me about you. Tell me something I don’t know.”

  Hm. There was so much that she hadn’t shared with him yet. The truth hidden behind her smile bothered her. She just had sex with this man, yet, he didn’t really know all that much about her. “Like what?”

  “Tell me about your family.” He played with the hem of her shorts as he waited for her to answer.

  “We are close and see each other a lot.”

  The light from his smile reached his eyes. “And that’s how you started writing. Your father taught you the way.”

  “He did.”

  “What about your mother? Any siblings?”

  She shook her head. “Mom was gone a lot when I was growing up, never was much of a mother. Then when I turned twelve, she left my dad. I was shipped out to Florida for school vacations and holidays as obligated by the court. We never did anything together. She just told me to go hang out with the neighbor kids. The funny part was that there wasn’t any.”

  “That must’ve been hard.” He ran his fingers through her hair.

  “It was at first. I got used to it and the older I got, I decided that she just wasn’t given the motherly gene.”

  He was quiet for a moment and then slowly nodded his head. “You might be right about that. Some women aren’t blessed with it.”