Commitment

by K. M. Golland

  Before I could army roll off the sun lounge, he sat down beside me. ‘Hot wife of Deano, I have a question for you.’

  I slid my sunglasses down the bridge of my nose and was near blinded by his shiny head. ‘Hello, Rob. What can I do for you?’

  The idiot playfully waggled his eyebrows.

  ‘Don’t waggle the only bits of hair you own at my wife,’ Dean warned as he stepped up beside me, lifted my legs and draped them over his lap after taking a seat on the end of the lounge.

  ‘What?’ Rob asked defensively. ‘I wasn’t doing anything wrong.’

  I was about to protest that statement when Dean gently trailed his hand up and down my shin, the soft touch of his fingers a soothing distraction.

  I smiled.

  He smiled in return.

  ‘I don’t mind a bit of voyeurism.’

  Both our smiles vanished and we directed our attention back to Rob. ‘You had a question?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes, yes I do.’ He rubbed his hands together greedily. ‘Where is this feisty neighbour of yours? Apparently we are to meet and then fornicate.’

  I dry-retched. ‘Dean! Quick! Pass me my drink. I think there is real spew in my mouth.’

  He laughed and handed me my glass of wine, which was on the ground, then resumed his warm, comforting leg rub. ‘Trixiebell hasn’t arrived yet. Trust me, you’ll know when she has.’

  ‘She better. I haven’t had a—’

  ‘La laaaa laaa,’ I sang, choking on the sip I’d just taken and deliberately cutting off whatever the hell Rob was about to reveal. ‘So, how’s Hillary coping working for you?’

  ‘Better than when she worked for this nob.’

  Dean rolled his eyes. ‘She hates you. Admit it.’

  ‘She hates me, huh? Then why did she ask to work for me?’

  ‘She didn’t. Val wanted a change from reception but didn’t want to work for you. Hillary took a pay increase to swap.’

  ‘Bullshit. You’re full of it.’

  Truth of the matter was, Dean decided they shouldn’t work together directly, so suggested Hill work for Rob or he’d have to let her go, which he didn’t want to do.

  Rob tipped back his beer and winced as he swallowed, as if he didn’t like the taste. I was just about to suggest he go get a fresh cold one when a fluoro-blue translucent visor cap appeared at the fence separating our house from Trixie’s. Intrigued, because she was supposed to be joining us, I patted Dean’s hand and began to lift my legs from his lap when Trixie hoisted herself up on the fence.

  ‘Shit! What is she doing?’

  ‘Who? What?’ Dean asked, surprised, as I scrambled to stand.

  ‘Trix!’ I pointed in her direction. ‘I think she’s gonna climb the fence.’

  She waved, losing her balance for a second before steadying herself, swinging her legs over the top of the fence and then gently easing herself down the side — her shorts riding up her arse during the process.

  ‘Wow! What a woman.’

  Mouths agape, Dean and I glanced down at Rob, who was smiling around the beer bottle dangling from his lip. I didn’t know whether to smile, cringe, dive into the pool or make a break for the house.

  Trixie landed with a small thud and brushed herself down before opening the zipper on her bumbag and pulling out a West Coast Cooler. She gave it a quick assessment and then kissed it appreciatively before unscrewing the lid.

  ‘Did she just kiss the tip?’ Rob asked, his voice dreamy.

  ‘Oh my God!’ I gave my husband a boggle-eyed look. ‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’

  Dean burst into laughter and nodded then shoved Rob’s shoulder. ‘Are you ready?’

  Rob adjusted his camo-print board shorts. ‘I’ve been ready since five o’clock this morning.’ Again, oh my God!

  Trix strutted past the pool, tipping her bottle in Derek’s direction and winking. ‘Hey, hotstuff.’

  ‘Heyyyyyyyy, Spiderwoman,’ he replied, mimicking the bottle tip, his tone unsure. He returned his attention back to Bryce and mouthed, ‘Who is that?’

  They both shrugged.

  ‘Hi, Trixie!’ Thomas shouted, waving from the pool.

  She waved, wedged her bottle in her mouth, and opened the zipper of her bumbag.

  Rob groaned. ‘I bet she can deep-throat.’

  ‘Rob!’ I whacked him. ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Yeah! Look how far that thing goes in.’

  I blinked all the blinks and shook my head. ‘I have nothing. Not. One. Thing.’

  Dean’s hands slid around my waist, his lips caressing my ears. ‘Relax. She’ll eat him alive. Just watch. And, strangely enough, he’ll love it.’

  Trixie reached into her bumbag and pulled out one of Thomas’s tennis balls. ‘Here, you lost your ball over my fence.’ She tossed it towards him

  ‘I’d like to lose my balls over her fence,’ Rob murmured as she stepped under the sunshade covering the four sun lounges lined up on the pool deck. He shot to his feet. ‘Hi. I’m Rob. Nice entry, by the way.’

  She snorted. ‘Ha! I’ve said that a few times before.’ Oh my God! Trixie!

  Rob chuckled awkwardly. ‘Maybe you’ll say it again real soon.’

  Silence ensued. Weird silence. And I wasn’t sure whether to break it or go with it and hope someone else broke it.

  ‘Maybe I will,’ she answered, teasing the bottle head in and out of her mouth.

  ‘Okay. That’s me done.’ I pointed to them both simultaneously. ‘Rob, this is Trixie. Trixie, this is Rob. Have fun.’

  Fleeing the scene, I was halted when Dean secured my hand and pulled me towards him. ‘Would you like a nice entry as well, love?’ he murmured into my ear.

  The warmth of his breath and the naughty nature of his question sent a shot of pleasure to my … entry. I all but squirmed then spun around and faced him, lowering my voice to the same level as his. ‘You know I do.’

  ‘Now?’

  There was a subtle knock of his erection on my hip. ‘Oh, you naughty man.’ I giggled.

  So did he.

  As I stared into my husband’s chocolate brown eyes, my hands draped over his shoulders, his fingers pressed into my hips, a memory of the last time I was standing here surrounded by my family and friends flickered across my mind. Back then, I’d been asking questions of myself, my life, my marriage, and my ability to love with lust. I’d been confused, uncertain, curious … and a little lost.

  Back then, I’d been a mess in preparation for the biggest clean-up of my life.

  But now, as I smiled at the man I loved today, tomorrow, yesterday and every day, I no longer doubted our connection or his commitment. I no longer feared we’d lost our way, because we hadn’t. We’d just sidestepped and, in turn, sparked intrigue.

  We’d found our sexy.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Husbutt: Watching as you read the pussy in a can scene was one of my favourite book writing moments ever. I’ve never seen you laugh so much. It was excellent. If you’re the only person to ever laugh at that scene, I will be happy. Thank you for everything you do, your constant support, and for allowing me to bounce ideas off your tired mummy-daddy brain xo

  Blake and Brianna: I hope you both realise that you’re my inspiration for every child character I write. The material you unknowingly provide me with on a daily basis is pure gold. Don’t ever change, ratbags xo

  Mum and Dad: Your constant support and interest in my career is a blessing. Thank you for always being there when I need you … and even when I don’t ;)

  Sali: This was your first Temptation novel to work on, and I’m not gonna lie, I was a little worried about your feedback for the outrageousness that are Dean and Tash. Let’s face it, there were a few poo and fart references, and I know how much you love those in books. But, seriously, I wouldn’t want anyone else picking apart my novels and sending me voxes saying, ‘Golland, I can’t believe you wrote that!’. You’re the best at what you do and I hope you never stop doing it. Thank yo
u xo

  Kristine: Your review brought me to tears. It was so raw and real and depicted the underlying story of this story so well. You’re a true gem in Bookworld and a wonderful friend. Thanks for your honest opinion, hon. Always xo

  Ellie: She who has a cool editing secret ;) Thank you so much for your keen eye for detail and super fast turnaround, and for making sure my Aussieisms weren’t too Aussie.

  Rachael, Annabel, Julia, Kate and the Harlequin team: As always, thank you so much for helping make my books the best they can be. Looking forward to seeing novel number six grace the shelves.

  Lesley Jones and Rachael Johns: Both of you may not realise, but this past year you’ve been my rocks in Bookworld. Thanks for always being a short message away xo

  My readers: I cannot express just how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Your support is priceless and allows me to continue writing the stories I do. And to those of you who are FFs (members of my Facebook reader group) and who come and see me in person at book signings, you rock. Infinitely. Interacting with you is the icing on my book writing cake. THANK YOU xoxo

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  Catch up on the earlier books in the Temptation series

  by K.M. Golland

  The incredible first book … TEMPTATION

  You can close your eyes to the things you don’t want to see, but you can’t close your heart to the things you don’t want to feel …

  Alexis Summers is happily married and a mother of two gorgeous children. She’s been a stay-at-home mum for nine years now, but it’s time for a change.

  Starting a new job with a prestigious hotel, she’s excited about her new career. Her boss, the hotel’s owner Bryce Clark, is rich, gorgeous, funny, single and, as Alexis quickly learns, a genuinely nice guy looking for his one true love.

  He is also a man who always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Alexis.

  The intense chemistry between them is undeniable — but Alexis is happily married to Rick, and no matter how strong her feelings are for Bryce, she is adamant she will not betray her husband and family. She draws a line in the sand but finds it increasingly difficult not to cross. Will she succumb to temptation?

  An enticing, sexy and suspenseful debut of forbidden love and impossible choices …

  ‘Temptation. Pure and pleasurable temptation … I loved it!’ bookreadsandreviews.com

  ‘Enticing, sexy, captivating’ Crazy Four Books Blogspot

  ‘This book is hot, so hot it was burning my fingers but I couldn’t put it down’ Magic Within the Pages

  SATISFACTION

  ‘I have this one week to prove to her that we belong together, and I’m not going to waste another second of it. Now that I have her, I am never letting her go.’

  Can Alexis find satisfaction, in the compelling sequel to the bestseller Temptation?

  FULFILMENT + ATTAINMENT

  Alexis and Bryce are finally happy, in love, and expecting their first child together. But nothing is ever as it seems. One person who does not share in their happiness wants Alexis gone for good. One person who can destroy everything …

  Also includes Attainment, a stunning novella allowing us to, finally, see this astounding love story through Bryce’s eyes.

  ATTRACTION

  Have you ever thought you knew exactly where your life was headed?

  Carly enjoys her carefree life — free from obstructions, free from drama, and free from anchors that tie her down to anyone or anything. She likes making her own decisions and not having to answer to anyone. Her life is good. Uncomplicated.

  But Carly is set for a shake-up when she is introduced to Derek at her best friend’s birthday. Firefighter-Derek. Drop-dead-gorgeous-Derek. Brown-eyed-dirty-talking-cocky-as-hell-Derek. Their instant attraction has them both questioning their outlook on life, on relationships … and on love.

  A Temptation series companion novel.

  Also by K.M. Golland

  DISCOVERING STELLA

  Only those who are lost can be found.

  Stella Walker is fleeing from a past which haunts her on a daily basis, and from a city full of painful reminders of a life that’s no longer hers. In an attempt to escape her memories, she plans to reinvent herself in the sanctuary of a tiny town in rural Victoria, by tracking down the one person she hopes can help, her stepbrother. What Stella doesn’t anticipate is meeting his best friend Lawson Drake, a hotter-than-hot mechanic, the local knight in shining armour — and the most gorgeously infuriating man Stella has ever seen.

  When Lawson comes across a broken-down car by the side of the road, he is intrigued by its owner — a caramel-eyed brunette who clearly has a score to settle, not only with her defective vehicle, but with anyone who tries to get too close. The thing is, something about her makes Lawson want to get as close as he can possibly get.

  Can Lawson help Stella to fix her broken heart, and discover herself again?

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  ISBN: 9781489245663

  TITLE: Commitment

  First Australian Publication 2015

  Copyright © 2017 by K.M. GOLLAND

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