Taken By The Heart (4 Contemporary Romance Novellas)

by Sierra Rose

  “Nothing,” I said quickly.

  She smirked. “I was telling her to go easy on you, big brother.”

  “Go easy? My shoulder is fine,” he said, handing me the glass. “I took a few Advil earlier and it’s hardly noticeable. I could probably do pushups and not feel a thing.”

  “I wouldn’t recommend that,” I said. “You might tear your stitches.”

  “Anyway, that’s not what I meant,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. Just then, Gemma’s cell phone began to vibrate. She picked it up and nodded. “Yep, it’s Trane. He must be waiting for me downstairs. You guys have fun now,” she said, grabbing her purse.

  “Why doesn’t he come upstairs for you like a date is supposed to?” asked Chase.

  “Because of you,” she said. “You basically patted him down last time he picked me up.”

  “I was kidding,” he said, turning to me. “That guy can’t take a joke. I was only giving him shit.”

  “Right,” said Gemma, typing into her phone. “Anyway, don’t wait up. And, Emma, in case you’re wondering,” she nodded towards Chase’s feet. “Size thirteen, triple-X.”

  I choked on my sip of wine and Chase quickly moved next to me on the sofa and began patting me on the back. “Emma, you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I replied hoarsely.

  “Have fun, guys,” laughed Gemma, leaving us with a huge grin on her face.

  “So, are you hungry?” he asked. We were sitting close and I could smell his cologne once again, which I was beginning to enjoy a little too much.

  “Yes,” I said, taking another sip of wine. “Gemma said it was finished?”

  “I just threw some garlic toast into the oven. Should we step into the kitchen and check on it?”

  “Uh, sure,” I replied, standing up.

  He stood up and I followed him into the kitchen, which was almost identical to mine, save for the dining set. Beige appliances, white floor, and a small attached dining room with a window. Mine faced the parking lot and his, the outdoor pool.

  “Oh, lucky you… you get the better view,” I said, looking outside. It was after six and the pool was beginning to clear out except for a group of kids tossing around a ball.

  “I can’t complain, the view is awesome at times. In fact, weren’t you were swimming last Wednesday, around eleven in the morning?”

  I turned towards him and smiled. “Yeah, I think I was. Were you spying on me?”

  “I was having lunch and just happened to glance outside just before you dove into the water. Nice dive, by the way.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Nice bikini, too. Hot pink with little black ruffles?”

  “I believe on that day I was wearing my black one-piece. The hot pink bikini was in the wash that day.”

  He laughed. “Okay, so I may have watched you dive a few different times. I’m a red-blooded American man and you… you fill out a bathing suit pretty nicely, Nurse Emma.”

  I grinned, stupidly. “Well, uh, thanks.”

  “So, you’re really not seeing anyone?”

  “No,” I replied, taking another sip of wine. “No time for dating.”

  Or sex, unlike him obviously.

  He took a step closer to me and I was suddenly aware of how alone we were and how utterly male he was. “I don’t know about you,” he said softly, pulling a strand of my hair away from my lips, “but all work and no play gets a little, monotonous.”

  “A little,” I whispered.

  His sapphire eyes burned into mine. “It’s a shame, really. Someone as beautiful as you should be enjoying life, and not working all the time.”

  He really thought I was beautiful? Or was it the same line he’d used on Kelly?

  “It’s not so bad,” I replied, staring at his lips, which seemed to be getting closer. It had been too long since anyone had kissed me. And his lips… they were so perfect and so close, I could almost taste the moisture from the beer still on them.

  “No, but it’s easy to forget the simple pleasures in life…” he whispered, grazing his lower lip with his teeth. .

  “I –,”

  The alarm on the oven went off, interrupting the moment. He turned around and walked over to the stove. “Garlic toast is done.”

  I released my breath. “Great, I’m starving.”

  His eyes shifted back to mine. “Me, too. It’s been a long time since I’ve… eaten. You have no idea.”

  From the look in his eyes, it was obvious that he wasn’t talking about food.

  “Do you need me to help with anything?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

  “No, please, just sit down and relax at the table. I’m serving you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Would you like some more wine?”

  I looked at my glass in surprise. It was almost empty. “Maybe with dinner.”

  “Okay.”

  “Um, can I use your bathroom?”

  “Of course,” he said. “You probably know where it is.”

  “Yes,” I said, walking out of the kitchen. When I got into the bathroom, I stared at myself in the mirror.

  Nice, I thought.

  My skin was slightly flushed from the wine, and from the way he’d stared at me, it made my pulse race. I was already putty in his hand and at this point, didn’t know if I cared.

  Do not sleep with him, I told myself. Do not.

  When I was finished in the bathroom, I went back into the kitchen and found everything ready.

  “Perfect timing,” he said, refilling my wine glass. “I hope you like Ranch or Italian dressing, because that’s all I have. I’m not much of a salad kind of guy.”

  “That’s perfect,” I said, sitting down.

  He sat down across from me. “I hope I didn’t embarrass you earlier.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The pool, seeing you diving. You obviously swim a lot.”

  “It’s the only exercise I get these days.”

  He smiled. “It obviously keeps you fit.”

  “What about you?” I asked. “You obviously work out.”

  “I go to a gym.”

  “I figured.”

  His eyebrow shot up. “You figured?”

  “Well, you’re obviously… fit too.”

  “Maybe we should work out together sometime.”

  “I’m not much for working out, that’s why I enjoy swimming. It doesn’t feel like you’re exercising.”

  “That’s what they say about sex.”

  I choked on my wine again.

  He chuckled. “Sorry.”

  I wiped my mouth. “No, it’s fine and you’re right. You do burn a lot of calories that way.”

  “So what do you say, work out with me sometime?”

  My eyebrows shot up. “You’re not talking about…”

  He stared at me for a minute and then laughed. “No, I am not that straightforward about sex, although if you’d like to work out that way, I’d gladly volunteer.”

  I took another drink of my wine, knowing full well that it was making my tongue looser. “You would, huh?”

  His eyes sparkled. “Okay, we need to change this conversation because I haven’t had sex in months and I’m already having a hard time trying to keep my hands off of you.”

  “You are?” I murmured, feeling a familiar warm twitch between my legs.

  God, I was pathetic! One glass of wine and I was already wondering what color his sheets were!

  His eyes moved down my face, to my breasts, and then back up. “Yes. Every time I look at you, I have to remind myself that you’re my neighbor, and as beautiful as you are, I don’t want to piss you off more than I already have.”

  “I’m starting to like it when you piss me off,” I said softly. “So don’t let that stop you.”

  His eyes darkened, and he took another swig of his beer, staring at me as if I was some kind of exotic creature and he wasn’t sure what to do with me. I watched in awe as he licked the beer from his li
ps and then lowered my eyes to his index finger, which was rubbing the outside of the bottle over and over. It was sensually mesmerizing and I suddenly wished I was his beer bottle.

  Chase smiled in amusement, as if he could read my thoughts. “Would you like to switch to beer?”

  I swallowed hard. Right now I was craving beer like a woman dying of thirst. I wanted nothing more than to taste it from his lips and suck it out of his tongue.

  For the love of God, I needed to quit drinking!

  “No, in fact, I think I’ll just switch to water.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

  “Yeah, I’m starting to get a little lightheaded.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Are you sure it’s not something I said?”

  I giggled. “No, I’m not, actually.”

  He got up, went into his fridge, and grabbed a bottle of water. “Here.”

  “Thanks,” I said, taking it from him. I unscrewed the cap and took a swig.

  He sat down and picked up his fork. “I hope you like the lasagna, it’s my favorite.”

  “I know I will. Thanks again for dinner,” I said, grabbing my fork. “You really didn’t have to do this.”

  He waved his hand. “Gemma cooked it all, so I didn’t do much.”

  “I know, but still, thanks.”

  He grabbed a piece of garlic toast. “So, back to swimming… have you ever swam at night?”

  “The pool isn’t open at night.”

  “I know but that doesn’t seem to stop the other tenants. And the caretaker obviously doesn’t seem to mind.”

  “Really? You’ve seen people swimming in the pool in the darkness?”

  “Once in a while. The trick is to be quiet and then nobody cares if you’re breaking the rules.”

  “Interesting.”

  “So, how about it?”

  “What?”

  He nodded towards the window. “Let’s go swimming. Tonight.”

  I shook my head. “Oh, no…”

  “Come on, it will be fun.”

  “What about your shoulder?”

  “I won’t get the bandage wet. In fact, I’ve already put on a smaller bandage. I’ll keep it dry.”

  “That’s not going to be easy.”

  “That’s why I need a nurse. To make sure it doesn’t get wet.”

  “I have always wanted to swim at night,” I replied, which was the truth. As a child I’d dreamt of being a mermaid and had always loved swimming. The one thing I’d never done but had always wanted to try, was swimming at night. “Okay, let’s do it.”

  He smiled. “We could do it around ten when they start the fireworks. Then we can watch from the pool and nobody will be around.”

  “Okay. I’m game. It sounds like a lot of fun, actually.”

  “It would be even more fun if we did it naked.”

  “Stop already,” I laughed. “You’re going to make me choke on this food.”

  “I know C.P.R. You’ll be fine.”

  “I bet.”

  He smiled and took another bite of his food.

  After we finished eating, I helped him with the dishes and then we went back into the living room.

  “So, tell me about the first boy that you kissed,” he said, as we sat down next to each other on the sofa.

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to know everything about you.”

  “You do, huh?”

  He smiled. “Yes, so tell me everything and then by the time we’re ready for the pool, we can pretend it’s our second or third date.”

  “Why?”

  He gave me a boyish grin. “Because then maybe you’ll let me cop a feel?”

  I burst out laughing. “You’re a scoundrel.”

  “No, I’m a cop, so you can trust me,” he replied, still smiling.

  “Right.”

  “I’m sorry, I just like seeing you blush. You can hit me anytime you’d like and I won’t even arrest you.”

  “Good, because I might.”

  “I have to warn you, however, that I might handcuff you if things get out of hand. I’m just saying.”

  “Is that so?” I giggled,

  He grinned wickedly. “I see that doesn’t worry you. I’m going to make a note of that for future references.”

  “Wonderful,” I replied dryly.

  “Sorry, I’ll change the subject. Would you like another glass of wine before we go swimming tonight?”

  “Okay, fine, just one more now that my buzz is gone.”

  He got up and headed towards the kitchen. “Okay, I’ll be right back, don’t move.”

  “I won’t.”

  He disappeared inside and as I waited, his cell phone, which he’d left on the coffee table, began to vibrate. As I watched it, a text message flashed across the screen. It said: “Let’s meet in morning, Kelly”.

  I sighed. Either he was lying about sex or was going to be ending his dry spell the next morning.

  Just then, Chase walked out of the kitchen and handed me my wine.

  “Uh, your cell phone went off.”

  He picked it up, read the message, and smiled.

  “Good news?” I asked dryly.

  “Very,” he answered, putting his cell phone away. “Now, where were we?”

  “You know, I think I’m getting tired,” I said, putting the wine down on the coffee table. “I might have to cancel our swim.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “What?”

  I stood up. “In fact, I have a little headache. I think I’m going to go home and call it a night.”

  “I’ve got some Advil?”

  “No, thanks. Listen, Chase, thanks for dinner and everything. It was nice.”

  He rubbed his forehead and sighed. “Okay, what happened?”

  I stared at him innocently. “What do you mean?”

  “Everything was fine until I went into the kitchen.”

  “I’m just tired, okay?” I wasn’t about to tell him I was jealous about a girl I’d never met. Besides, he was my neighbor and could screw anyone he wanted. Just not me.

  “But…”

  “I have to leave,” I said, walking away. “Thanks again.”

  He rushed after me. “Wait a second.”

  I opened the front door but he pushed it closed.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, turning around to face him.

  He looked down into my eyes. “Emma, I’m not sure why you’re leaving or what happened, but please, hear me out –,”

  “Chase –,”

  He moved closer to me until I was backed up against the doorway. “Dammit, Emma, we were having a great time just a little while ago. Tell me I’m wrong, but I thought we were connecting. Now, I don’t know what happened, and I thought everything was going fine...”

  “Yeah, but I’m just not feeling well.”

  He put a finger over my lips. “I think it’s something else,” he murmured, looking into my eyes. “I think you’re scared.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Scared? Scared of what?”

  He touched my cheek with the pad of his index finger and moved it to my chin, raising it. “I think you’re scared of letting yourself relax. I think you’re so used to being alone and worrying about others, that you don’t allow yourself to enjoy the simple things, like…”

  “Like what?” I whispered, my heart racing.

  He licked his lips. “Like this.”

  Before I could respond, he pressed his lips against mine and pulled me into his arms.

  Any resistance I might have had skipped town, leaving me ready and willing. I opened my mouth and his tongue slid inside, gentle first and then slowly growing urgent, sending a wave of heat all the way down to my toes. I moaned and slid my hands into his hair, pulling him closer, feeling like I couldn’t get enough of his mouth.

  He groaned in the back of his throat and then released me. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice husky. “I, that was uncalled for.”

  “It’s okay,” I replied
breathlessly.

  Chase moved back. “You can leave if you’d like.”

  I stared at him for a minute, wanting nothing more than to jump his bones right then and there, but I remembered Kelly’s message and nodded. “Yes, I should.”

  He nodded and opened the door. “If you change your mind about that swim, I’ll be waiting there for you at ten.”

  “My head really hurts. I don’t think I’ll make it.”

  He sighed. “Too bad.”

  “Goodbye, Chase,” I said, leaving his apartment.

  “Goodbye,” he said, watching me unlock my apartment door. “Uh, Emma?”

  “What?” I asked, turning around.

  He shut his door and then advanced towards me. “I can’t let you go inside just yet,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms. His lips moved to my neck, followed by his tongue and I shivered in delight.

  “Oh,” I breathed, feeling his hardness against my stomach. The feel of his excitement created a hunger between my legs that was now ravenous and needed to be fed. I didn’t care anymore about Kelly or anyone else in his life, all I wanted was him inside of me.

  Right now.

  I reached behind and opened my door, pulling him into my apartment.

  “Uh, okay, what exactly are we doing?” he asked, kissing my lips as we backed up into my wall.

  “More of this,” I whispered, kissing him back. “And maybe a little of this.” I reached down and touched his bulging zipper, stroking along the seams.

  He groaned. “Jesus, woman.”

  “My room,” I panted, grabbing his hand. I pulled him down the hallway until we were in my bedroom.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, grabbing my hands, kissing them.

  “Very.”

  He released my hands, lifted me up, and carried me over to the bed, setting me down in the center. Then he crawled towards me. “Last chance before my tongue starts here,” he whispered, kissing my lips. Then he slid his hand over my thigh until his fingers were brushing the junction between my legs. “And ends here.”

  “Chase,” I moaned as his fingers strummed the outside of my pants until I was whimpering and pulling at his hair. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, he moved his hand up to my tank.

  “First things first,” he said, sliding my top up and over my head, revealing my satin bra. He cupped my breasts and squeezed. “Damn, you’re more beautiful than I’d imagined, and I haven’t even gotten you naked yet.”